Top 10 Series of 2024 | Ronit J's Yearly Wrap-Up

Top 10 Series of 2024 | Ronit J’s Yearly Wrap-Up

Top 10 Series of 2024. I’m going to do something different at the end of this year. Last year, I wasn’t this organised vis-a-vis my blog. But, as you can see I’ve been doing far better. So, as we draw closer to the New Year, I’m going to be sharing my recommendations for the best of the best.

Note: These aren’t TV shows/OTT Series that necessarily released this year, they are series that I watched in 2024. So without further ado, here is my list of Top 10 Series of 2024 (in the order of which I watched them):

1) Jury Duty (2023) | The most heartwarming show I watched all year

Jury Duty is one of those unique, one-off shows that come out of nowhere but stay with you for life. A social experiment gone right, Jury Duty highlights some core human values that reaffirm the fact that there are good people out there. The reason I’ve included this show in my top 10 series of 2024 is because of that same warm feeling I was left with by the end. I was legitimately smiling throughout the finale.

I won’t say much about the show because it’s best to experience it without prior knowledge. Streaming now on Amazon Prime Video.

2) Poacher (2024) | Very real, very relevant

Another Amazon Prime Video entry, my wife and I decided to watch it because the showrunner, Ritchie Mehta, was responsible for the very powerful 2019 series Delhi Crime. Exploring themes of environmentalism and wildlife protection, as well as very real reasons why some communities/individuals engage in poaching, this limited series takes inspiration from a real life poaching case that was uncovered in India. Few investigative/true crime shows captivated me as much as this one. From personal struggles to very real and relevant societal drama, Poachers is an absolute tour de force.

Streaming now on Amazon Prime video.

Bonus recommendation: Sherni, also streaming on Amazon Prime Video. A 2021 film with similar themes.

3. Baby Reindeer (2024) | Intense, dark, and emotional

Stalking has often been glorified in Bollywood movies—and mainstream Indian cinema as a whole. We’ve had iterations where the ills of stalking have also been explored, but none have come close to as riveting, gut-wrenching and visceral as Baby Reindeer. With powerful performances and direction that expertly uses the cinematic medium to explore deep, dark themes of human psychology, Baby Reindeer is well deserving of all the accolades that have come its way. Most top 10 series of 2024 lists will probably include this one, and it’s no surprise.

Streaming on Netflix.

4) It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia (2005-present) | Top of the Top 10 Series of 2024 (for me)

I don’t like to rank things in my lists, but this one is undoubtedly ranked #1 in my top 10 series of 2024 list.

Many of my friends recommended this one to me, and after I finally caved, I regret not watching this show earlier. Dark, absurd, and often pushing the boundaries of what mainstream comedy sitcoms can be like, IASIP is the perfect anti-sitcom that embraces everything that makes sitcoms amazing, but presents content that’s cynical, bleak, and outright sociopathic. Where shows like Friends and How I Met Your Mother tend to overlook problematic content because of its comedic treatment, IASIP embraces the problematic, taking the curtain off to reveal the truly narcissistic, manipulative and deplorable personalities of its main cast.

An absolute delight to watch. Streaming on Disney+ Hotstar.

5) Scavenger’s Reign (2023) | Imaginative, visual world-building, a masterclass in visual storytelling

I had read a lot about Scavenger’s Reign before diving into the show. In fact, I watched the short film Scavengers to get a taste of the show’s aesthetic before beginning my journey. A true masterclass in visual storytelling, Scavenger’s Reign explores themes of survival, ecosystem dynamics and what it even means to be human. All this, while building a world that’s equal parts a fever dream and a psychedelic trip.

It’s a shame that it hasn’t been renewed for season 2.

6) Dekalog (1989) | Krzysztof Kieślowski is a master of drama, be it cinema or TV

Dekalog has been on my watchlist for almost a decade now. Having watched Kieślowski’s films, I was really looking forward to diving into this one, but never had enough time or mental space to really dive in. In 2024, I finally took the leap.

Dekalog is as poignant, complex, and thought-provoking, as can be expected from Kieślowski. Each episode explores one of the Ten Commandments, through a modern lens. A true master of visual and philosophical drama, Kieślowski has constructed one of the best limited series ever created in human history.

I would have ranked this number one on my top 10 series of 2024 list, but this series is a product of its time; comparing it to series produced post-2020 is just unfair. In fact, I wouldn’t even recommend this to everyone. However, if you enjoy the cinema of Kieślowski, Tarkovsky, or other such slow burning filmmakers that explore philosophy, give this one a shot!

7) The After Party (2022) | Genre-blending done right (Season 1 only)

What is the quirkiest way you can think of to differentiate multiple POVs? Each POV becomes a different genre!

Just imagine a whodunnit murder mystery, where you relive the night of the murder from different perspectives. However, each episode gets a unique genre treatment—a Rom-Com, a musical, an action-thriller, and so much more! All this creativity, and not once does the show lose focus on the murder investigation at hand, or the characters that make this a compelling experience.

Streaming on Apple TV+

PS: Season 2 really missed the point. Doubled down on the genre treatments, but lost its focus on story and character, resulting in a real mess of a season.

8) X-Men ’97 (2024) | Simple stories, complex themes

I personally don’t like reboots, but I’m willing to make an exception for this one. I remember watching the original X-Men show on Fox Kids growing up. However, I was too young to appreciate the mature themes. In fact, I don’t even remember much of the show, save for some cool action sequences.

Watching X-Men ’97 was a real trip down nostalgia lane, but one that made me more appreciative of this classic treatment. The stories are simplistic, with often a little campy treatment that’s true to the original. However, underneath all this is a thick layer of poignant themes that are—unfortunately—very much relevant even today.

Streaming on Disney+ Hotstar.

9) Man on the Inside (2024) | Michael Schur never disappoints

The Office (US), Parks & Recreation, The Good Place, Brooklyn 99, Michael Schur has done enough work to cement his position as one of the best showrunners. Even today, he delivers an absolutely charming show that’s the OTT binge equivalent of a warm, cosy hug. I was going to include a different show here, but then I saw Man on the Inside listed on Netflix’s latest releases. I saw Ted Danson, Stephanie Beatriz, and Mary Elizabeth Ellis, and I was sold. Then the credits rolled and I saw Michael Schur’s name, and I was like… Okay, I might have to redo my top 10 list.

Man on the Inside is a limited series, and it explores daunting themes with a lighthearted, comforting treatment. Yes, these are hard truths to swallow, but Schur doesn’t shy away from getting emotional in an otherwise comedic show. If not for Jury Duty, this would’ve been my pick for the most heartwarming show of 2024.

Streaming on Netflix.

10) Shogun (2024) | Possibly the best show of 2024

I don’t really need to convince you why this show won so many awards, do I? I mean, with its stunning art direction, powerful performances, keen attention to detail, and writing that beautifully explores the complex nature of political strife, Shogun is a real masterpiece.

Another obvious addition to the Top 10 series of 2024 list.

Streaming on Disney+ Hotstar.

Closing Remarks

I normally end the year with just a recap of the best movies and books, but this time I thought to do one for shows as well. After all, there were so many great series that I watched. I know I kinda put movie reviews on hold for a while, but I am planning on bringing those back in 2025. Should I do this for shows as well? What do you think? Let me know in the comments below!

What was your favourite binge of 2024? Let me know, and if I haven’t watched it, I’ll add it to my watchlist.

Check out my other Yearly Wrap-Up Posts:

Hope y’all had a great 2024. Until next time!

ronitjauthor

December 27, 2024