Favourite Films 2024
Lack of time is a running theme in my lists this year. There were so many films that I wanted to see but didn’t get around to (The Substance, The Outrun, and Anora, are just a few off the top of my head). But here are 10 that I did like. Which I’ve even ranked. A PSA: it’s all subjective, just for fun, some big ones aren’t here because they’ve not been released in the UK yet, and I (sometimes) have terrible taste in films.
- Wicked
One of the most anticipated films of the year, and they made a smashing job of it. The casting was perfection, the songs translated well from stage to screen, and the run time flew over. I can’t wait for Part II.
2. The Wild Robot
I wasn’t aware of this children’s book series, but the film podcasts I listen to began talking about this gorgeous animation in late summer. The Wild Robot is a beautiful story of a robot and a forest of animals who raise an orphaned Goose. It’s got a cracking voice cast including Catherine O’Hara, Bill Nighy, Kit Connor, Matt Berry, and Lupita Nyong’o. Do check it out.
3. Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl
I’ll admit to recency bias with this one, as it was just shown on the BBC on Christmas Day here in the UK. But the fact it got nominated for a Golden Globe even before it was broadcast, should tell you how special it is. Arch enemy Feathers McGraw is back to cause trouble for inventor Wallace, and his dog, Gromit. Every scene is packed with detail and clever jokes. Funny, smart, and just joyous.
4. I saw the TV glow
Another film that i’d heard about quite a bit on film podcasts months before it arrived in the UK. As someone who spent their teens in the 90s obsessed with a sci-fi show (The X-Files), this film about about a loner teenager (Justice Smith) who is introduced to a supernatural tv show by a fellow class mate, spoke to my soul. Things get weird for said teenager, leaving him to question his reality. I Saw The TV Glow is the kind of film that leads to much analysis, googling and Reddit theories long after the credits roll – right up my street.
5. Joy
One of my favourite annual film events is the London Film Festival, and I’m lucky enough to experience it without leaving Newcastle, all thanks to LFF’s partnership with regional cinemas. That’s how I got to see an early preview of Joy, starring Thomason Mackenzie, James Norton, and Bill Nighy. It tells the true story about the pioneering doctors who created IVF, and the controversy behind their ideas. I also appreciated the platonic relationship between MacKenzie and Norton’s characters, and of course, it’s always a joy to see Bill Nighy. On Netflix.
6. Poor Things
Being Glaswegian, I am shockingly unfamiliar with Alasdair Gray’s work (something else I must rectify this year). Though from what I understand, this adaption of his book, Poor Things, is a million miles away from the original setting. Nevertheless, I deeply appreciated this bonkers Frankenstein-inspired story, featuring a career best from Mark Ruffalo, and an Oscar winning turn from Emma Stone.
7. Restore Point
My nomination for a film that I wish more people knew about. I saw this at my other regular film event of the year – Glasgow Film Festival (you can read my blog about it here). Restore Point is a Czech film, set in 2041 Europe, where a female detective uses the latest technology to bring murder victims back to life ie their ‘restore point’. It’s probably the most original film I’ve seen this year, and in the UK, can be rented from Apple/Amazon/Sky Store.
8. Saturday Night
It’s no secret that I’m a huge Saturday Night Live (SNL) fan, even if the quality of sketches can vary, and I’m excited about its upcoming 50th anniversary. The film Saturday Night tells the true story of the events leading up to the first broadcast of the show, that would later go onto launch the careers of Steve Martin, Mike Myers, Will Ferrell, Tina Fey, and many others. I saw it during a visit to Chicago, but I believe Saturday Night hits UK cinemas in the New Year.
9. A Quiet Place: Day One
I watched this on a flight, and tbh, nearly abandoned it, as turns out watching a whole film about people in peril, while very high up in the sky, is a stressful thing to do. But I’m glad I pushed through and finished the latest addition to the Quiet Place canon. What made it worth it was the friendship between Joseph Quinn and Lupita Nyong’o. Also (mini-SPOILER)— their cat, who remarkably, makes it through okay.
10. Fall guy
So apparently this film was considered a flop. I could write hours on my thoughts on the high expectations of modern box office, and how I believe we should leave films a little longer at the cinema so they can grow/build upon their audience. (Madness that Wicked is already out to stream, but anyway…) But Fall Guy gave me exactly what I was looking for – a big dumb splashy summer movie, with fun performances from Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt. I had a great time.
My favourite films ranked 11–34 can be found here on Letterboxd.
My previous lists on Books and TV can be found here and here. Coming soon: Theatre.
