The Top 50 Films of 2024, According to Letterboxd Reviews

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  • The Wildest Double Feature Imaginable with ‘Anora’ and ‘The Apprentice’
  • More Snubs Include ‘The Substance’
  • More Dubs Include ‘Dune Part Two,’ ‘Wicked,’ and ‘Challengers’

As a film enthusiast who has spent countless hours in dark cinemas and even more in front of the small screen, I must say that this year’s Top 50 list is nothing short of astounding. From the grandeur of Dune: Part Two to the intimate portrayals of human life in films like I’m Still Here or How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies, it seems as though every genre and style has been beautifully represented.

However, there are a few notable absences that have left me scratching my head, such as Woman of The Hour and His Three Daughters. As someone who grew up with these movies being the staple of our family movie nights, I find it hard to believe they didn’t make the cut.

But hey, at least we can all look forward to the upcoming release of Wicked and Challengers! Now if only they could do something about those pesky AI animators… maybe we can get them to animate a sequel to my favorite childhood movie, The Lion King, before they replace us all!

Looking back at 2024 and with the 97th Oscars approaching, it’s an ideal opportunity to reminisce about the remarkable films we’ve witnessed this year. A phrase frequently used that seems to encapsulate this cinematic moment is, “Cinema is making a comeback!” However, is that truly the case?

User Jack Moulton on Letterboxd curated the ‘Top 50 Movies of 2024,’ a list based on average user rating rather than movies that were commercially successful at the box office. In essence, he evaluated these films’ merit qualitatively instead of merely listing those with the highest earnings. However, it should be noted that some high-grossing films did manage to make the list. Now, let’s explore which films hit or missed the mark.

The Wildest Double Feature Imaginable with ‘Anora’ and ‘The Apprentice’

Among the least predictable inclusions in the ‘Top 50’ list is Sean Baker’s film, Anora. Much like Pretty Woman, it tells a story of a sex worker who transitions from poverty to wealth upon falling in love with a client. However, it strays far from the typical romantic-comedy tone, veering instead into more intense and varied territory. Surprisingly, Ali Abbasi’s film The Apprentice didn’t make the list despite also being well-regarded and sharing similar themes.

While Anora delves into the life of a vibrant Eastern European-American woman navigating her way through a complicated relationship with a questionable wealthy man, The Apprentice offers a perspective on the same theme, but this time focusing on the rich man’s attorney and role model, Roy Cohn, and his first wife, Ivana – both stories revolving around the entanglement of these women with sketchy rich men.>

It seems that the reasons why The Apprentice didn’t make the cut may be due to its flaws, as one reviewer on Letterboxd, Thomas Flight, eloquently points out. In his view, “The cinematography is fantastic. The blending of old NYC footage with the film itself is seamlessly done. Kudos to the crew, it’s truly remarkable and unlike anything I’ve seen before. It’s a testament to the impressive period production. Sebastian Stan delivers an outstanding performance, while Jeremy Strong continues to impress with his usual unhinged portrayal.” He further adds:

This movie isn’t necessarily deep or perfect, and it seems quite modest considering Donald Trump’s massive stature today. I don’t claim to be an expert on DT, but the film focuses heavily on Roy Cohen, which seems plausible, yet it leaves a sense that some crucial aspect of what truly drives Trump is overlooked. Nevertheless, it skillfully tackles its themes in a way that only an international filmmaker could, and for a production that easily could have gone awry, it surprisingly navigates its complex subject matter with finesse.

Since they both delve into the pitfalls of being involved with a man-child who bombards you with affection but will go to any length to keep you, Anora and The Apprentice could be an excellent choice for a two-movie series inspired by the Top 50.

More Snubs Include ‘The Substance’

As a passionate movie enthusiast, I was quite surprised to find that “The Substance,” one of the most buzzed-about body horrors in recent times, seems to have been overlooked by Moulton in his ‘Top 50’ list. It’s not uncommon for horror films to be underrated or underappreciated, but this one stood out. As per All the Right Movies, it appears that this movie has slipped through the cracks of recognition.

Out of a total of 92 annual awards ceremonies, just six horror movies have been nominated for the prestigious Best Picture award. Interestingly, only one of these, ‘The Silence of the Lambs’ from 1991, managed to win the award. Moreover, it wasn’t until 1973 that a horror movie was even nominated in this category, with ‘The Exorcist’ being the trailblazer.

The piece continues to suggest that the Academy Awards’ decision-making groups have traditionally considered horror as a specialized market with daring narrative selections, opting more frequently for period pieces and biographies. It appears that little has evolved in this regard; however, there is a gradual shift towards increased inclusivity, enabling a wider variety of films to be contenders for prestigious awards. Indeed, Variety anticipates horror films among their predictions for the Best Picture Oscar nominees during the upcoming awards ceremony.

More Dubs Include ‘Dune Part Two,’ ‘Wicked,’ and ‘Challengers’

As a film enthusiast who has been following the industry for over two decades now, I can confidently say that Dune: Part Two was undoubtedly the standout blockbuster of 2025. Having seen my fair share of films throughout the years, I must admit that I was initially skeptical about Denis Villeneuve’s ambitious adaptation of Frank Herbert’s novel. However, after watching it, I was left in awe by its breathtaking visuals, immersive world-building, and exceptional performances.

The film’s inclusion on the Oscars 2025 shortlist came as no surprise to me, given the critical acclaim it received upon release. What truly set Dune apart, though, was its position atop the ‘Top 50’ list. The fact that it outperformed Challengers and Wicked, two other highly anticipated films of the year, solidified my belief that Dune was a cinematic masterpiece worthy of recognition.

In conclusion, if you were as captivated by the last omission as I was, then I wholeheartedly recommend giving Dune: Part Two a watch. Trust me; you won’t be disappointed.

It appears that animation thrived this year in terms of production quality, despite the numerous challenges animators have been dealing with recently – such as tight deadlines set by directors, job cuts, and the looming threat of AI. In the intense work environment animators are currently working under, it’s astonishing how well-crafted titles like “Memoir of a Snail,” “The Wild Robot,” “Flow,” and others turned out. These productions managed to secure their places on the list, while Pixar’s “Inside Out 2” didn’t make an appearance this time around.

It’s important to mention that if your favorite movie didn’t appear on the Top 50 list, it might be because its release date was outside the cutoff period. For instance, those who watched “Woman of The Hour” or “His Three Daughters” in the last year would likely expect to see them, but both films were technically released in 2023. You can find the full list here, with the top 10 movies listed in the table below.

Top 50 Position and Rating Film Name
#1: 4.4/5 Dune: Part Two
#2: 4.4/5 I’m Still Here
#3: 4.4/5 No Other Land
#4: 4.3/5 How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies
#5: 4.3/5 Look Back
#6: 4.3/5 Sing Sing
#7: 4.2/5 The Wild Robot
#8: 4.2/5 Hayao Miyazaki and the Heron
#9: 4.2/5 Daughters
#10: 4.2/5 Hundreds of Beavers

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2025-01-04 07:32