Ronit J

Top 10 Movies of 2024. Yesterday, I posted my top 10 series of 2024. Today, we move on to a different visual format—films!

I have to admit, I am a little bit disappointed that I wasn’t able to touch the 100 mark (first time in years), even after I watched quite a few short films. However, with everything that I’ve been doing this year, I think it’s a fair trade-off. I read a lot more, and I wrote a lot more. In case you’re wondering, here’s all 89 movies that I watched this year:

If you want to check it out, you can see my 2024 Film Diary on Letterboxd for the full list along with my ratings. (note: I watched Force Majeure after I had already scheduled this post, so added that poster later).

Now, for the important bit. Here’s my list of top 10 movies of 2024, in the order in which I watched them.

Note: These aren’t necessarily movies that were released this year, but movies that I watched in 2024.

1) Anatomie d’une chute (2023) | An emotional tour de force

Anatomy of a Fall is the 2023 Palme d’Or winner that received a lot of accolades last year. Of all the many film accolades out there, Cannes is one of the few I actually care about, and so I was looking forward to watching this. To be quite honest, I was blown by how visceral everything felt in this film. Scenes had me biting my nails, others forced a lump in my throat, and the end just left me feeling elevated, something I haven’t felt with most recent releases in past years.

Anatomy of a Fall is a real masterpiece very much deserving of the Golden Palm. And this was the benchmark for 2024, because this was the first film I added in my top 10 movies of 2024. So, what’s next?

Streaming on Amazon Prime Video

2) Poor Things (2023) | The most unique film of recent times

Cinema seems to have made a return to form in the past two years, and Poor Things is a solid example of why. Yorgos Lanthimos takes his signature absurdity and cranks everything to 11. Fish eye shots, hyper-stylised art direction, and a story that’s chockful of sex, Poor Things explores what it really even means to be human. Going back to our basic human roots, Poor Things will force you to reexamine what our society has become with its gaslighting misogyny, exploitative elite and narcissistic emotional stuntedness.

Poor Things made me believe that maybe the mega-franchises haven’t yet killed cinema.

Streaming on Disney+ Hotstar (uncensored)

3) Aatmapamphlet (2023) | Quirky, Unique, and Relevant

Clearly inspired by Wes Anderson’s quirky treatments, Aatmapamphlet is a 2023 Marathi film that explores a simplistic autobiography with a complex-albeit-silly treatment. While most people write “autobiographies”, the filmmaker believes his insignificant life isn’t large enough to be worthy of one, thereby referring to his own story as an “auto-pamphlet”. Yet, this simplistic pamphlet explores grander themes of deep-rooted casteism, classism, communal tensions, socio-political inequalities, and so much more.

In my honest opinion, every Indian should watch this film at least once in their lives.

Streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

4) Dune: Part 2 (2024) | The most epic film since Return of the King

I’ll start off by saying, I know that Avengers: Endgame was an epic ending to that 20+ film build-up. But, and hear me out, none of those MCU films come close to the thematic and emotional depth that Villeneuve brings to Dune.

Not only was Dune (both parts) epic in all their cinematic glory, but they are also dangerously loyal to the source material. You know what that is proof of? If you can just respect the source material, you are doing a lot more than what studio executives and algorithms can do to create a good piece of film.

An absolute delight to watch. Amazon Prime Video

5) Manthan (1976) | R.I.P. Shyam Benegal

I can’t believe I actually wrote this post hours before finding out that this legendary filmmaker passed away. Suddenly makes everything sound bittersweet. But, it is what it is. R.I.P. Mr Shyam Benegal.

Manthan is India’s first crowdfunded film, where 500,000 villagers donated ₹2 each so that this movie could be made. It tells the story of India’s white revolution that transformed India from a milk-deficient country to one of the world’s largest dairy producers. A solid example of Indian Parallel Cinema, Manthan studies society at its grassroots levels, looking at themes of casteism, bureaucracy and other socio-economic challenges that—unfortunately—still plague Indian society. It is no surprise that Shyam Benegal’s film is part of my top 10 movies of 2024 list.

Available for free on YouTube.

6) Beyond the Infinite Two Minutes (2020) | An insanely creative sci-fi comedy

Edited to look like a single take, Beyond the Infinite Two Minutes, follows a cast of quirky characters, one of whom realises that his PC and his cafe’s monitor have a 2-minute delay, allowing him to see 2 minutes into the future. Not only does it explain the Droste effect, but stretches it to its extreme, without once compromising on characters, story, and theme.

What’s more? The film takes everything that is introduced from the beginning and uses all of it brilliantly to have an emotionally satisfying ending.

Read my full review on my blog.

7) Monster (2023) | The complex nature of Truth & Perspective

Hirokazu Kore-eda is one of the finest filmmakers alive today. Every single film of his has been a compelling watch, and Monster is no exception. I won’t say anything about the film, because this one is best discovered without any prior information or knowledge. But, if you really want to know, check out my full review with spoilers.

Streaming on Amazon Prime Video

8) Aattam (2023) | 12 Angry Men discuss a #MeToo situation (without involving the woman)

#MeToo has disrupted the cinema world, forcing us to look at our celluloid heroes with a pinch of scepticism.

Aattam (The Play) follows a theatre troupe, where their lone female actor is molested during a party. What follows is an intensely compelling drama reminiscent of 12 Angry Men. This unofficial jury is here to discuss the crime, and consider what punishment they should mete out, with one small issue—the woman isn’t involved at all. Besides, it is never clear who the culprit is, further complicating everyone’s lives, pushing the group into a worrying situation with an impossible choice.

Streaming on Amazon Prime Video

9) The Substance (2024) | Stylised Substance that’s horrifyingly awesome

You’ve heard of style-over-substance. What about Stylised Substance?

Another female-centric theme, The Substance follows ageing actress Demi Moore as she tries to deal with her fading looks by using an untested underground drug. From cosmetic procedures to female actors being treated as disposable assets, to the insanely misogynistic approach society takes when influencing women and their way of life, The Substance has a lot to say, and it says it with style. Plus, the Kubrick homages were a delight to watch.

Streaming on Amazon Prime Video

10) Kishkindha Kaandam (2024) | A layered drama that’s best explored blind

This one was a surprise mind-boggler. I went into the movie blind, and came out with a million thoughts. I’ll just say this: watch this film with zero info. Don’t even read the plot summary, just dive in blind. And let the filmmaker take you on an utterly mind-boggling journey.

Streaming on Disney+ Hotstar.

Honorary Mention: Joram (2023) | A heart-breaking action thriller with unflinchingly blunt political commentary

Originally, Joram was going to be on my top 10 movies of 2024 list. But then, I watched Kishkindha Kaandam, and I just had to include it. Not that Joram isn’t worthy, but it fell maybe 0.01% short of making it. However, it is a powerful political commentary on the class divide and the political elites’ apathy towards making India a better country. Watch it with caution, because it will piss you off. Not because the film is bad, but because the film is just too brutally real.

Streaming on Amazon Prime Video

Closing Remarks

2024 was an epic year, wasn’t it? So many great movies 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:

• End of Year WIP Updates & Future Plans
• Top 10 Series of 2024
• Top 10 Books of 2024
• December 2024 Reading Wrap-Up

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