My 10 Favorite Films of 2024

Some quick reflections on a fantastic year in film

I try not to get too wrapped up in making year-end lists. I watch lots of movies, and still, I miss lots of movies. I’m going to continue “catching up” on 2024 well into February 2025, and those will be great moviegoing experiences in 2025. No sense getting picky about which “list” those films should end up on.

That being said, looking back, it doesn’t make sense to include stuff I saw this year that was awards-eligible last year. That’s why La Chimera and The Beast aren’t on the list below, even though those are two of the most transcendent moviegoing experiences I had this year. Seek those movies out.

Finally: it should go without saying, but this is my top 10 list. It’s some combination of the films I think were the “best” and the films that meant the most to me. The films I spent the most time thinking about… the films I recommended the most to friends… he films that will linger with me for a long time, when I look back on what a great year in moviegoing this was.

I’ve lived in Los Angeles for a few years now, but this is the year that my freelance critic thing finally started to pay off. I was invited to join my first critics’ association this year! I don’t feel like an imposter anymore! I’m doing the thing I’ve always wanted to…