Like every year, I created a list of my
favorite films. It’s based on Dutch release dates, so you might see some movies
on this list that are originally from 2023, but came out in 2023 in The
Netherlands. And you will miss movies, because they will be released in 2024 or
I just simply haven’t seen it yet. Since I don’t get to see EVERY film. I
thought it was a pretty solid movie year. Here is my list, my 20 favorite films
of 2024.
20. Juror # 2
A 12-member jury must decide whether a suspect is guilty of murder. Eleven jurors immediately think so, but one members doubts it. This is the classic premise of “12 Angry men”, but it gets a nice twist in “Juror # 2”. This will questions your morals and ethics, which makes it for a very exciting viewing experience. Clint Eastwood stated this will be his last directed film and he ends on a high note. READ MY FULL REVIEW HERE.
19. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
18. The Zone of Interest
Chilling film about Nazi leader Rudolf Höss, who lives with his family right next to Auschwitz. An “average” German family, desperately pretending that the tragedy taking place behind the walls of the camp does not exist and has nothing to do with them. Rock-solid, impressive film. READ MY FULL REVIEW HERE.
17. Longlegs
My WTF-film of the year. Rookie FBI-agent Lee is assigned to the search for a serial killer who has struck sporadically for decades. The hunt for a serial killer will appeal to a large audience and horror fans will not be disappointed, but “Longlegs” is not for everyone. It’s an unusual film with a slow pace and much focus on atmoshere. In the end, you’re left speechless and thinking “what did I just watch”. READ MY FULL REVIEW HERE.
16. A Quiet Place: Day One
A prequel to the successful “A Quiet Place” (2018). Here we see what happened on day one. Because we are switching from the countryside (fairly quiet) to New York (very loud), it makes for a original new viewing experience. It could be easily viewed without having to see the other two movies, but I would recommend watching them first. Although not as great as the previous films, I was on the edge of my seat almost the entire time. READ MY FULL REVIEW HERE.
15. Young Woman and the Sea
Set in the roaring 20s, we meet Trudy Ederle, who became the first woman to ever swim across the English Channel. Based on a true story, that really amazed me. Daisy Ridley does a fantastic job as Trudy and also a small yet memorable role for Stephen Graham, who is a personal favorite of mine. READ MY FULL REVIEW HERE.
14. Speak No Evil
An American remake of the 2022 Danish film of the same name. An American couple meets a British couple on holiday. The Americans are invited by the other couple to visit them at their country home in England. There is a constant feeling of unease and that makes this film very good. “Speak No Evil” is an exciting, dark, psychological thriller. With a noteworthy performance by James McAvoy. READ MY FULL REVIEW HERE.
13. The Iron Claw
If you want to see a story about a heartbreaking family tragedy, “The Iron Claw” is your movie. We follow the unfortunate Von Erich family, a family of wrestlers. Brothers Kevin, Kerry, David and Mike all gain fame in the ring, following in the footsteps of their father and now coach, Fritz. For dad, wrestling is all there is and he makes no secret of who his favorite is of his sons. Zac Efron plays an amazing, unexpected role. This film will break your heart, especially when you learn it’s based on a true story. READ MY FULL REVIEW HERE.
12. Rebel Ridge
From the first minute, in which the African-American Terry is run off his bicycle by a bunch of white cops, this action thriller puts you on the edge of your seat. Terry is on his way to court to post bail for his incarcerated cousin, but the police distrust him and confiscate his money. But Terry does not back down. Pulp, suspense and social drama is blended perfectly and makes “Rebel Ridge” for a rare intense and compelling whole. I loved lead Aaron Pierre, but also Don Johnson, as the corrupt police chief. READ MY FULL REVIEW HERE.
11. Deadpool & Wolverine
Did you really think I wouldn’t put this movie on my list? This film was everything I hoped for and more. Lots of meta-jokes and rampant action. If you’re not familiar with the Marvel Universe, especially the more old school Marvel, you will not enjoy it as much. Because pop culture references will be flying all over. I loved it because of it. READ MY FULLREVIEW HERE.
10. Women of the Hour
Reality is often stranger than fiction. In 1978, a man who would later be convicted of murdering and raping six women (though the actual number is probably much higher) entered an American dating show, and won. “Woman of the Hour”, directed by Anna Kendrick, revolves around this bizarre fact. Although the story focusses on his victims and the woman who narrowly escaped him. And that last part is why this film is so strong. The film makes painfully clear how much women know that danger is never really far away in this world, while men feel so free that a serial killer dares to participate in a dating show. READ MY FULL REVIEW HERE.
9. Caddo Lake
The misty wetlands of Caddo Lake, with its winding waterways and ancient cypress trees, provide the setting for this thriller. One evening, a young girl disappears without a trace on the lake. Her sister discovers this has something to do with previous disappearances in the area. “Caddo Lake” is best to watch without knowing too much about the plot. It has some mind-blowing plot twists and remains intriguing until the very end. Really strong mystery. READ MY FULL REVIEW HERE.
8. Twisters
This film would win the “most surprising film of the year” award. The film “Twister” came out in 1996 and was a success, but it’s not that people were asking for a sequel. And it certainly didn’t need one. Am I glad they did eventually make one? YES! I was surprised at how much I actually loved this film and I can see myself rewatching this film multiple times. It’s a disaster movie, with excellent actions sequences, but it has so much more layers to it. And you actually care about the characters. READ MY FULLREVIEW HERE.
7. Poor Things
The movie that gave Emma Stone her well-deserved second Academy Award. Bella is the adopted daughter of surgeon Godwin Baxter, whom Bella calls God for short. Bella is God’s most successful experiment. Bella’s brain is far behind on her body. It’s an overwhelming film from director Yorgos Lathimos. Often hilarious, but also poignant and intriguing. Weird, but the good kind. READ MY FULL REVIEW HERE.
6. Blink Twice
Like the previous mentioned “Caddo Lake”, “Blink Twice” is also best experiences without knowing too much about it. And with this film, there is no way you can ever predict where it’s heading. In this wonderful directorial debut by Zoë Kravitz, we meet waitress Freida, who is invited to the private island of a tech entrepreneur. What seems like a luxurious free trip, turns out into something complete unexpected. You have no idea what’s going on, but there are subtle hints and a constant ominous feeling that make you sure something is very wrong. READ MY FULL REVIEW HERE.
5. Inside Out 2
Almost 10 years after the first “Inside Out” movie came out, we meet young Riley as she is now a 13-year-old girl ready for new, more complex emotions such as anxiety, jealousy and shame. When the new emotions show up in Riley’s head, a power struggle between the old and new soon ensues. The concept remains strong, and the humor and morals as well. Pixar did it again! READ MY FULL REVIEW HERE.
4. The Holdovers
Comedic drama set on the nearly empty campus of an upscale boarding school. It’s winter 1970, almost Christmas, and everyone is going home. Except for a handful of poor kids and staff. Among them the grumpy and strict professor Paul Hunham, cook Mary Lamb and student Angus. A lost trio who eventually learn wise lessons during their forced stay on campus. This film warmed my heart. READ MY FULL REVIEW HERE.
3. Dune”: Part Two
Probably the favorite of many people this year. And I understand why. Frank Herbert’s novels have been previously adapted by David Lynch. For many it hit a cult status, but trying to put such a complex, long story into one film just didn’t capture it all. That’s why Denis Villeneuve decided to create three films, with the second one picking up where the first part ends: Paul Atreides and his mother Jessica manage to escape the barbaric attack of the Harkonnens just in time, which spells the downfall of Atreides family. They join the Fremen, the clever deser dwellers on planet Arrakid, with whom Paul plots to avenge his family, welcoming him as thei long-awaited messiah. Like its predecessor, “Dune: Part Two” is a beautifully crafted, grand and sensuous cinematic spectacle. READ MY FULL REVIEW HERE.
2. American Fiction
Intelligent satire about literature teacher and author Thelonius “Monk” Ellison, who writes a fake book to hold a mirror up to the white literary world and their obsession with stereotypical black books. The film is a kind of satirical Trojan Horse. The overt criticism of the book community of the early 2000s masks a sly meta-commentary on Hollywood’s current obsession with “Oscary-baity middle films” about the personal struggles of the elite. Jeffrey Wright was amazing as Monk and I absolutely loved everything about this film. READ MY FULL REVIEW HERE.
1. The Wild Robot
After a crash, an advanced robot washes up on a desert island. Lacking humans to serve, the machine gradually learns to coexist with a motley crew of wild animals. Based on a book by Peter Brown, the film is original. But also adorable, beautifully designed, with successful humor and a warm, wise moral. I don’t think I ever picked an animated film as my favorite of the year and it’s not even by Disney. “The Wild Robot” made me feel every emotion and I urge everyone to see it, young and old! READ MY FULLREVIEW HERE.
A 12-member jury must decide whether a suspect is guilty of murder. Eleven jurors immediately think so, but one members doubts it. This is the classic premise of “12 Angry men”, but it gets a nice twist in “Juror # 2”. This will questions your morals and ethics, which makes it for a very exciting viewing experience. Clint Eastwood stated this will be his last directed film and he ends on a high note. READ MY FULL REVIEW HERE.
Chilling film about Nazi leader Rudolf Höss, who lives with his family right next to Auschwitz. An “average” German family, desperately pretending that the tragedy taking place behind the walls of the camp does not exist and has nothing to do with them. Rock-solid, impressive film. READ MY FULL REVIEW HERE.
My WTF-film of the year. Rookie FBI-agent Lee is assigned to the search for a serial killer who has struck sporadically for decades. The hunt for a serial killer will appeal to a large audience and horror fans will not be disappointed, but “Longlegs” is not for everyone. It’s an unusual film with a slow pace and much focus on atmoshere. In the end, you’re left speechless and thinking “what did I just watch”. READ MY FULL REVIEW HERE.
A prequel to the successful “A Quiet Place” (2018). Here we see what happened on day one. Because we are switching from the countryside (fairly quiet) to New York (very loud), it makes for a original new viewing experience. It could be easily viewed without having to see the other two movies, but I would recommend watching them first. Although not as great as the previous films, I was on the edge of my seat almost the entire time. READ MY FULL REVIEW HERE.
Set in the roaring 20s, we meet Trudy Ederle, who became the first woman to ever swim across the English Channel. Based on a true story, that really amazed me. Daisy Ridley does a fantastic job as Trudy and also a small yet memorable role for Stephen Graham, who is a personal favorite of mine. READ MY FULL REVIEW HERE.
An American remake of the 2022 Danish film of the same name. An American couple meets a British couple on holiday. The Americans are invited by the other couple to visit them at their country home in England. There is a constant feeling of unease and that makes this film very good. “Speak No Evil” is an exciting, dark, psychological thriller. With a noteworthy performance by James McAvoy. READ MY FULL REVIEW HERE.
If you want to see a story about a heartbreaking family tragedy, “The Iron Claw” is your movie. We follow the unfortunate Von Erich family, a family of wrestlers. Brothers Kevin, Kerry, David and Mike all gain fame in the ring, following in the footsteps of their father and now coach, Fritz. For dad, wrestling is all there is and he makes no secret of who his favorite is of his sons. Zac Efron plays an amazing, unexpected role. This film will break your heart, especially when you learn it’s based on a true story. READ MY FULL REVIEW HERE.
From the first minute, in which the African-American Terry is run off his bicycle by a bunch of white cops, this action thriller puts you on the edge of your seat. Terry is on his way to court to post bail for his incarcerated cousin, but the police distrust him and confiscate his money. But Terry does not back down. Pulp, suspense and social drama is blended perfectly and makes “Rebel Ridge” for a rare intense and compelling whole. I loved lead Aaron Pierre, but also Don Johnson, as the corrupt police chief. READ MY FULL REVIEW HERE.
Did you really think I wouldn’t put this movie on my list? This film was everything I hoped for and more. Lots of meta-jokes and rampant action. If you’re not familiar with the Marvel Universe, especially the more old school Marvel, you will not enjoy it as much. Because pop culture references will be flying all over. I loved it because of it. READ MY FULLREVIEW HERE.
Reality is often stranger than fiction. In 1978, a man who would later be convicted of murdering and raping six women (though the actual number is probably much higher) entered an American dating show, and won. “Woman of the Hour”, directed by Anna Kendrick, revolves around this bizarre fact. Although the story focusses on his victims and the woman who narrowly escaped him. And that last part is why this film is so strong. The film makes painfully clear how much women know that danger is never really far away in this world, while men feel so free that a serial killer dares to participate in a dating show. READ MY FULL REVIEW HERE.
The misty wetlands of Caddo Lake, with its winding waterways and ancient cypress trees, provide the setting for this thriller. One evening, a young girl disappears without a trace on the lake. Her sister discovers this has something to do with previous disappearances in the area. “Caddo Lake” is best to watch without knowing too much about the plot. It has some mind-blowing plot twists and remains intriguing until the very end. Really strong mystery. READ MY FULL REVIEW HERE.
This film would win the “most surprising film of the year” award. The film “Twister” came out in 1996 and was a success, but it’s not that people were asking for a sequel. And it certainly didn’t need one. Am I glad they did eventually make one? YES! I was surprised at how much I actually loved this film and I can see myself rewatching this film multiple times. It’s a disaster movie, with excellent actions sequences, but it has so much more layers to it. And you actually care about the characters. READ MY FULLREVIEW HERE.
The movie that gave Emma Stone her well-deserved second Academy Award. Bella is the adopted daughter of surgeon Godwin Baxter, whom Bella calls God for short. Bella is God’s most successful experiment. Bella’s brain is far behind on her body. It’s an overwhelming film from director Yorgos Lathimos. Often hilarious, but also poignant and intriguing. Weird, but the good kind. READ MY FULL REVIEW HERE.
Like the previous mentioned “Caddo Lake”, “Blink Twice” is also best experiences without knowing too much about it. And with this film, there is no way you can ever predict where it’s heading. In this wonderful directorial debut by Zoë Kravitz, we meet waitress Freida, who is invited to the private island of a tech entrepreneur. What seems like a luxurious free trip, turns out into something complete unexpected. You have no idea what’s going on, but there are subtle hints and a constant ominous feeling that make you sure something is very wrong. READ MY FULL REVIEW HERE.
Almost 10 years after the first “Inside Out” movie came out, we meet young Riley as she is now a 13-year-old girl ready for new, more complex emotions such as anxiety, jealousy and shame. When the new emotions show up in Riley’s head, a power struggle between the old and new soon ensues. The concept remains strong, and the humor and morals as well. Pixar did it again! READ MY FULL REVIEW HERE.
Comedic drama set on the nearly empty campus of an upscale boarding school. It’s winter 1970, almost Christmas, and everyone is going home. Except for a handful of poor kids and staff. Among them the grumpy and strict professor Paul Hunham, cook Mary Lamb and student Angus. A lost trio who eventually learn wise lessons during their forced stay on campus. This film warmed my heart. READ MY FULL REVIEW HERE.
Probably the favorite of many people this year. And I understand why. Frank Herbert’s novels have been previously adapted by David Lynch. For many it hit a cult status, but trying to put such a complex, long story into one film just didn’t capture it all. That’s why Denis Villeneuve decided to create three films, with the second one picking up where the first part ends: Paul Atreides and his mother Jessica manage to escape the barbaric attack of the Harkonnens just in time, which spells the downfall of Atreides family. They join the Fremen, the clever deser dwellers on planet Arrakid, with whom Paul plots to avenge his family, welcoming him as thei long-awaited messiah. Like its predecessor, “Dune: Part Two” is a beautifully crafted, grand and sensuous cinematic spectacle. READ MY FULL REVIEW HERE.
Intelligent satire about literature teacher and author Thelonius “Monk” Ellison, who writes a fake book to hold a mirror up to the white literary world and their obsession with stereotypical black books. The film is a kind of satirical Trojan Horse. The overt criticism of the book community of the early 2000s masks a sly meta-commentary on Hollywood’s current obsession with “Oscary-baity middle films” about the personal struggles of the elite. Jeffrey Wright was amazing as Monk and I absolutely loved everything about this film. READ MY FULL REVIEW HERE.
After a crash, an advanced robot washes up on a desert island. Lacking humans to serve, the machine gradually learns to coexist with a motley crew of wild animals. Based on a book by Peter Brown, the film is original. But also adorable, beautifully designed, with successful humor and a warm, wise moral. I don’t think I ever picked an animated film as my favorite of the year and it’s not even by Disney. “The Wild Robot” made me feel every emotion and I urge everyone to see it, young and old! READ MY FULLREVIEW HERE.
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