My Top Ten Films of 2024

The movie year in review, and my pick of the most sparkling cinematic gems over the past twelve months

Dune Part Two. Credit: Warner Brothers

(NOTE: For my in-depth thoughts on any of the films mentioned in this article, simply click on the title hyperlink, and it will take you to my original review.)

Why do so many annual top-ten film lists appear before the actual end of the year? Yes, critics often see films in advance, but some remain under lock and key till the release date or aren’t shown to press, until a day or two before. To use a popular example, I recall feeling embarrassed for all the critics who decided to release their best films of 2001 lists before seeing The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001). Well, I suppose they could pretend they didn’t like it, but I certainly wouldn’t believe them. Hence, why I wait until New Year’s Eve before publishing mine.

So, here it is: My top film choices from 2024, in order of personal preference, preceded by a glide through the other cinematic highs and lows of the year. Here are two quick points to bear in mind before diving in.

Firstly, I only review new release films I see in cinemas, disqualifying all straight-to-streaming titles, regardless of their quality. My old-school views on this matter are well-documented so I won’t reiterate them at length. Suffice it to say, films should be seen in the cinema first and foremost, and that’s a hill I will die on. Yes, I know someone will inevitably pick nits in the comments about the concerts, sporting events, and so forth, that are shown in cinemas from time to time. Those don’t qualify either. My definition of cinema is simple: A work specifically created for the cinema shown at the cinema. Hopefully, that will deter those taking joy in splitting hairs (a smug and underrated pleasure, I grant you).

Introduction skippers get caught out on an annual basis with my second point. I’m in the UK. To qualify for this list, a film had to have been released in the UK during the calendar year of 2024. Therefore, some films released in the US (or elsewhere) in 2023 qualify. An aptly named example: The Holdovers. Conversely, certain films with major awards buzz (such as The Brutalist) won’t qualify, as they won’t be released in the UK until January of next year.

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What didn’t make my list?