With 2025 around the corner, it’s time to list my favorite movies of 2024! Just like what happened last year, the main awards contenders are loved by the majority of people but simply didn’t impact me the same way, so my list will probably be a bit different.

As I was writing my list, I realized that four out of the ten movies are about groups of people confined to a room making life-changing decisions! It definitely wasn’t intentional but it was interesting to notice this trend.

Without further ado, let’s dive in!

10 – Music by John Williams

The score is usually one of the first things I notice when seeing a movie and it can completely change our perception of the story being told. Maybe this is why I loved the documentary on John Williams. He’s responsible for so many iconic and recognizable scores that watching Music by John Williams was a trip down memory lane. It was also very interesting to learn about his life and to see more of his friendship with Steven Spielberg.

9 – Heretic

Having a horror movie on my Top 10 list is, in and of itself, already a surprise. But the main reason this movie is here is actually the reason I saw it in the first place: Hugh Grant. His whole monologue comparing religions to songs and board games now lives rent-free in my head, thanks mainly to way he says those lines. He’s creepy and funny at the same time and the audience is always worried about the two missionary girls who crossed his path, but their whole interaction is a delight to watch. Even though I didn’t like the ending, there was enough in the first two thirds of Heretic to make it on my list.

8 – The Fall Guy

The Fall Guy was just fun entertainment from beginning to end. Ryan Gosling’s comedic timing is impeccable and I enjoyed seeing him with Emily Blunt. The soundtrack was filled with amazing songs and the action sequences were breathtaking! It does get a bit convoluted towards the end, but it’s still entertaining.

7 – I’m Still Here

Great Brazilian dramas don’t come around that often, since it’s easier and more profitable to make comedies. Every once in a while, though, a small drama breaks through and reminds us how good Brazilian cinema can be. From director Walter Salles, who’s also known for making movies outside of Brazil, I’m Still Here is a gripping story about memory: not only our personal memories, but also about our collective memory and how it’s important to never forget what happened before to stop history from repeating itself. Fernanda Torres is magnificent as Eunice Paiva, the wife of a former congressman who was taken my the military administration during the height of the military dictatorship that lasted from 1964 to 1985. There’s also a small but powerful cameo from Fernanda Montenegro (Fernanda Torres’s mother), showcasing how great she still is.

6 – A Real Pain

I never knew I needed Jesse Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin to work together until I saw A Real Pain. They play estranged cousins who reunite for a trip to Poland to honor their grandmother. Their chemistry is perfect. Written and directed by Jesse Eisenberg, A Real Pain also talks about collective memory, but it invites the audience to question how we deal with our individual pains when confronted with the nightmare lived by millions of people during the Holocaust, with great lines of dialogue that touch upon that. Even though there’s definitely some humor throughout, the movie does a good job showcasing grief and pain.

5 – September 5

September 5 tells the story of the terrorist attack that took place during the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich. The focus, however, is on the ABC Sports team that was initially covering the games but ended up being the main source of information about the attacks. Anyone who likes movies about journalists and how they work will probably like this one too. The audience witnesses how critical and ethical decisions are made in real time, with most of the film taking place in a control room.

4 – Juror #2

Directed by Clint Eastwood, Juror #2 checks basically every box of what I want in a movie: a great cast, a jury trial, ethical arguments, discussion about the justice system, family drama, among other things. It’s just such an interesting and entertaining film that I feel bad that not many people saw it in theaters. Hopefully it will find its audience on streaming!

3 – Challengers 

Challengers is one of those “sports” movies where the sport is not the main point at all. I personally don’t care that much about tennis but I just loved the crazy relationship the characters have, the clothes, and the score. The three actors are amazing, specially Josh O’Connor! Having said that, it could have been a bit shorter, but that didn’t really impact my enjoyment of the film.

2 – Conclave

From the very first time I watched the trailer from Conclave, I knew it would be just the kind of story I like: a thriller involving an election with a great cast. So I was extremely happy when the movie exceeded my expectations and gave the audience an excellent experience across the board. From the original score by Volker Bertelmann to the production design, every aspect of Conclave screams “classic Hollywood movie.” The acting is superb, with a strong performance by the amazing Ralph Fiennes, with many memorable and thoughtful speeches throughout the movie. 

1 – Inside Out 2

The more I think about Inside Out 2 – and I’ve thought a lot about it in 2024 – the more fascinated by it I am. The way Anxiety is portrayed is just so perfect, from the first moment she’s introduced to the movie’s climax, when she’s losing control. I also loved seeing Riley choosing Joy after struggling for so long. Just like in the first movie, Pixar does an excellent job of showing how our minds work in a very clever and funny way and it’s no secret why Inside Out 2 resonated with so many people this year. Truly a remarkable film!