Luke’s List: My Top 10 Movies of 2024
Before you ask, yes, Wicked is in the top 10.
List by Luke Werckman
Logo design by Carley Hinton
2024 was certainly an interesting year for movies. The box office and social media conversations were largely dominated by sequels and revivals from recent franchises like Inside Out and older ones like Beetlejuice. That said, there were still a lot of really great movies that came to theaters in the past twelve months, and I saw a decent number of them. Out of the 39 movies released in 2024 that I saw, here is my list of the top ten.
10. Challengers [9/10]
Photo: Niko Tavernise/Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer/Amazon
Two of the things in life that I didn’t know much about before this movie were tennis and throuples. Now, I know both of these topics can be exciting to watch as long as director Luca Guadagnino is filming them. Most of my prior tennis experience came from playing countless matches on Wii Sports, but real tennis on a court never seemed appealing to me. Both the score and cinematography of Challengers changed my opinion on that, as every match was infused with adrenaline; so much so that every swing of the racket felt impactful.
The final match in the film showcased this best, with crazy camera angles that really impressed me. Now, aside from the tennis, the three main characters themselves were also what made this movie so engaging. Zendaya's performance truly stands out in the role of Tashi, showcasing her skill in manipulating both Patrick and Art. All three of them are horrible to each other, yet I was left still oddly rooting for them. Although the ending of the movie felt a little cheap to me, and the disordered structure of the flashbacks kind of threw me off, Challengers was still a great watch.
9. Wicked [9/10]
Although I felt that the movie was a bit too long and there were a few moments that made me roll my eyes — one involving an awkward dance scene — there was still so much about Wicked that impressed me. The music and choreography were amazing in every song, and the production was captivating, making me feel like I was transported into Oz.
Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande both crushed it as Elphaba and Galinda. I also want to give a shoutout to Jonathan Bailey for his performance in the “Dancing Through Life” musical number.
Surprisingly, the film felt like a complete package rather than just half of a story, which is often a problem with two-part movies. Wicked has definitely transformed my lack of interest in this production into excitement for Wicked: For Good this fall.
8. Inside Out 2 [9/10]
Photo: Disney/Pixar
Lately, it feels like Disney and Pixar have not had great success with their most recent movies. After numerous failed attempts with original ideas, the studio resorted to their worst crutch: sequels. Truthfully, I would be lying if I said I don’t get excited whenever Disney or Pixar announces a sequel to one of their beloved films, however, there’s also a part of me that grows skeptical of how good a sequel will actually turn out.
Luckily, Inside Out 2 was a success both financially and critically, becoming the highest-grossing movie of the year. The topic of puberty worked extremely well in Inside Out 2 because it’s a relatable and complicated phase that everyone has to experience.
All of the new emotions introduced were delightful in their own way, but for me Anxiety was the real highlight of the film. The movie was also hilarious and consistently introduced interesting concepts and funny moments every few minutes. I hope with how amazing Inside Out 2 was, it can send the right message to creators to make good sequels rather than just make sequels.
7. Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes [9/10]
I recently became a fan of the Planet of the Apes franchise by watching the rebooted trilogy of films at the beginning of 2024. My excitement for Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes has skyrocketed. As a follow-up to this top-tier trilogy, it is inherently exciting, but it also sets a high standard for director Wes Ball, who is taking over from the previous director, Matt Reeves.
Thankfully, Ball delivers a really great start to what I hope ends up being a new series of films for Planet of the Apes. The motion capture for the apes is more impressive than ever, with the physical details of each character making them seem even more lifelike. With a brand new cast, I believe Owen Teague’s portrayal of Noa is a good lead for the future of the franchise. He is no Caesar yet, but this is still a great introduction. It was also nice to see Freya Allan in something besides The Witcher.
My one complaint is that Proximus Caesar was not as compelling as his name made me believe. So Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes is not as good as the last two movies, but that is a high bar and this film was proof that the franchise could still thrive without Andy Serkis’s Caesar.
6. Dune: Part Two [9/10]
Photo: Niko Tavernise/Warner Bros.
Back in the fall of 2021, I watched Dune for the first time and was left feeling underwhelmed because I didn’t feel the plot matched the impressiveness of the visuals or acting in the film. Although I still thought it was a good movie, it wasn't great.
Dune: Part Two, on the other hand, was amazing and addressed most of my criticisms of the first film. It still had bland villains who never felt interesting or threatening, except for Austin Butler’s Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen, who deserved more screen time. However, the story is more interesting because many events set up in Dune were satisfyingly resolved in part two.
Paul Atreides’s internal conflict with his role as a potential savior for Arrakis is what really made the film compelling me. The visuals are even more stunning, and the action scenes are such a spectacle that they deserve to be experienced on the big screen. Everyone in the film gave great performances, with highlights being Timothée Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Javier Bardem and, as previously mentioned, Austin Butler. Dune: Part Two is a well-crafted mix of prestige and blockbuster filmmaking. Despite my criticisms, I still respect the movie for that.
5. Deadpool & Wolverine [9/10]
I have been a fan of the Marvel Cinematic Universe since before The Avengers was released in theaters, and even I can admit that the franchise went through a rough patch. That being said, movies like Deadpool & Wolverine prove that Marvel can still deliver.
This movie is the most rewatchable of the year because it has so many jokes and references that multiple viewings are needed to catch them all. The film does rely heavily on nostalgia, but it never feels lazy.
Even though the story is basic and the villain ends up being a bit generic, what carries the movie is Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman’s banter. The two of them could be doing the most mundane thing like driving in a Honda or eating in a diner, but their chemistry makes those scenes hilarious.
Several creative action scenes stand out as some of the most memorable comic book fight scenes in recent years. Deadpool & Wolverine won’t go down as a top ten Marvel project for me, but it was easily one of the best experiences I had in a movie theater this year.
4. A Quiet Place: Day One [9.5/10]
Photo: Gareth Gatrell/Paramount Pictures
A Quiet Place was one of the first horror films I ever saw and still holds up as one of my favorite movies ever. The sequel, A Quiet Place Part II also delivered and was an excellent continuation of the first film.
Despite adoring this franchise, I still had slight hesitation after hearing about a spin-off movie that wasn’t directed by John Krasinski. However, Director Michael Sarnoski significantly adds to the franchise by enhancing the action and spectacle while preserving the emotions and heart that distinguish these movies from typical horror films. That is largely due to the performances of the two leads Lupita Nyong’o and Joseph Quinn. These characters seem to belong in the same world as Emily Blunt’s and John Krasinski’s in the original film, but their dynamic is different. Set in New York City, the story creatively builds suspense with creatures that can only detect sound in a city often filled with noise.
What really secured this movie’s spot in the top five was the ending. I kind of anticipated it, but not in the way I expected. This led to a powerful final scene that demonstrated once again that these movies never miss.
3. Nosferatu [9.5/10]
Usually, I am not a fan of horror films. I actually have watched a lot more this year than any other year, but I still wouldn’t say that the genre is appealing to me. That being said, 2024 had some great horror films and this became most apparent to me when I saw Nosferatu.
Everything about this film drew me in, from the costumes to the set design and cinematography. The production transported me to 1830s Germany and kept me engaged throughout its two-hour runtime. The movie left me in a constant state of tension that persisted through even the longer scenes, but this did slightly detract from the film, as the ending felt a bit underwhelming in comparison to the rest of it.
When it comes to the titular character, Bill Skarsgård is unrecognizable as Count Orlok thanks to his character’s deep voice and makeup. Everyone gave amazing performances, with Lily-Rose Depp being the biggest surprise as she contorted her body and face in ways that looked unnatural. I was shocked by how much I enjoyed Nosferatu, and the highest compliment I can give a horror film is that I'm willing to watch it again.
2. The Wild Robot [9.5/10]
Photo: DreamWorks Animation
I should have known that "The Wild Robot" would be something special, given it was created by the same person behind Lilo & Stitch and How to Train Your Dragon. However, I needed to see it to believe it.
This animated movie tells a beautiful story about parenting as the robot Roz learns what it truly means to care for a child and the emotional burden that comes with it. Lupita Nyongo excels in portraying those feelings, while still keeping her robotic character voice. The film also explores community within the animal kingdom and emphasizes the need to set aside differing opinions when situations affect the group as a whole.
Although these themes may not be groundbreaking, The Wild Robot employs them effectively, complemented by beautiful animation, making it hard to find flaws in the movie. Between this, The Bad Guys and Puss in Boots: The Last Wish; one could argue that Dreamworks has had better success with animated movies lately than both Disney and Pixar.
1. Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga [10/10]
Photo: Jasin Boland/Warner Bros.
This might be a shocking choice for my movie of the year, and honestly, it was also surprising for me in the second half of the year. However, I felt validated in my decision after rewatching "Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga" a few months later.
The main reason why this is my favorite film of 2024 is because it felt like an epic. Not because of the chapter titles at the start of some scenes, but because of the scope of the movie. In this wasteland, many factions and distinct figures are at play. However, it is Furiosa’s personal quest for revenge that kept me captivated. Revenge stories can often feel straightforward and this one is to an extent, but what makes this feel fresh are the performances of Anya Taylor Joy’s Furiosa and Chris Hemsworth’s Dementus.
Dementus is undoubtedly the best villain of 2024, thanks to Hemsworth's portrayal of a character who is both chaotic and strategic. The action in the movie is excellent; although it isn't constantly action-packed like Mad Max: Fury Road, the scenes that are included are lengthy and well-crafted. The movie successfully avoids the common issue of being a "boring" prequel, which can often feel pointless or predictable, especially when the audience already knows the outcome. I was so captivated by what was happening on screen that I didn't even pause to consider those concerns.
Not only is it one of the best prequels made, but Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga is also my favorite movie of 2024.
Full list of 2024 movies I saw:
39. Joker: Folie à Deux
38. The Garfield Movie
37. Mean Girls (2024)
36. Our Little Secret
35. Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire
34. Venom: The Last Dance
33. Trap
32. Ricky Stanicky
31. Argylle
30. Despicable Me 4
29. Road House (2024)
28. Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire
27. Civil War
26. Maxxxine
25. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
24. Longlegs
23. Moana 2
22. IF
21. The Bikeriders
20. Bad Boys: Ride or Die
19. Cuckoo
18. Sonic the Hedgehog 3
17. Gladiator II
16. Twisters
15. Transformers One
14. Hit Man
13. The Fall Guy
12. A Complete Unknown
11. Alien: Romulus
10. Challengers
9. Wicked
8. Inside Out 2
7. Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes
6. Dune: Part Two
5. Deadpool & Wolverine
4. A Quiet Place: Day One
3. Nosferatu
2. The Wild Robot
1. Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga
