The Best Movies of 2024, According to Glamour Editors
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When looking at the best movies of 2024, one thing was obvious: This was the year of highly-anticipated sequels. We saw several inventive new additions to beloved franchises—including Dune Part 2, Inside Out 2, and Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga—but also unexpected follow-ups to classics like Twisters and Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, just to name a few.
That doesn’t mean there wasn’t any originality this year. Golden Globe nominees like Anora and The Substance gave us the drama to match an already-dramatic year IRL. You'll want to make time to catch those before the Oscars air in March 2025.
And we can’t forget that the best movies of 2024 didn’t just shine on screen—these films inspired some of our favorite memes of the year, too. In fact, we’re still holding space for the lyrics of “Defying Gravity.” There was also some truly jaw-dropping fashion from stars on their press tours. (See: Zendaya for Challengers, Anya Taylor-Joy for Furiosa, and everyone in Dune.)
So without further ado, these are the movies that filled our worm-shaped popcorn buckets in 2024.
©Universal/Courtesy Everett Collection1/33Wicked
I've seen the stage show of Wicked five times, so I had really high hopes for the film adaptation. It's not that I was skeptical—Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande are two of the greatest singers on the planet, and Jon M. Chu has proven he can lead a big budget musical—but I was genuinely curious how Wicked would translate on screen. Would it still have the same magic conjured nightly at the Gershwin Theatre? Would it live up to the inescapable marketing and meme-worthy press tour?
Wicked Part 1 is true to the first act of the musical, preserving the heart and soul and even finding ways to enhance the show's more emotional moments. Whether you are a musical die-hard or first-timer, you'll leave the theater happy (and with a song or two stuck in your head). —Ariana Yaptangco, Senior Beauty Editor
In theaters
©Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection2/33Dune: Part 2
We’ve got wormsign! There were so many things I was looking forward to with this movie, from seeing Timothée Chalamet finally ride the worm to getting more of a look at the Harkonnen homeworld of Giedi Prime, and it was all delicious to see it finally realized on screen.
The visual effects are even more beautiful than those in the first one, the actors really sell what is an objectively silly story at times, and I left the theater satisfied and full of popcorn from a worm-shaped bucket. What more can you ask for? —Anastasia Sanger, Senior Manager Social Creative Development
©Universal/Courtesy Everett Collection3/33Twisters
I will say, watching this on a plane perhaps wasn't my best ever decision (I had many catastrophic thoughts), but the film itself was great. I have always loved the original, but this was even better. The characters were compelling, the plot was good, the action pitch perfect, and the twisters were—as intended—the stars of the film. Plus, I personally loved the much-debated ending.
There's no pretending that you're in for a work of thought-provoking genius here, and watching Glenn Powell spout off meteorological terms when he clearly didn't have a clue what they meant was a moment of unintended comedy, but sometimes you just need a brilliant, action-packed, slightly mindless film to escape it all. Twisters is it. 10/10. —Natasha Pearlman, Executive Editor
©MGM/Courtesy Everett Collection4/33Challengers
Trust the memes: Challengers is a must-see film about two baby boys (Josh O’Connor and Mike Faist) vying for the affection of Tashi, the tennis phenom played to venomous perfection by Zendaya.
Nearly every scene in this film could be read as innuendo, making for a thrilling will-they-or-won’t-they watch. And the score by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross is the icing on the cake, keeping the audience buzzing with anticipation for 130 minutes. —Samantha Reed, Senior Trending News & Entertainment Editor
Courtesy Everett Collection5/33Anora
Anora was a standout for me because, as a New Yorker, I’m such a sucker for a film that takes place in NYC. But, like, real NYC. The grit, the glamour—we’re even in the outerboroughs! But you don't have to live here to enjoy the movie. Mikey Madison as the titular character was incredible and really held her own throughout. She took us on a journey of romance and female rage. The inevitable ending had my entire theater holding their breath. —Yanise Cabrera, Social Video Producer/Editor
Courtesy Everett Collection6/33We Live in Time
It seems counterintuitive to go into a movie with the intention of crying, but a tearjerker movie can be so cathartic. Andrew Garfield and Florence Pugh are at their most charming in this romantic drama about one couple's relationship from beginning to end, which makes it all the more devastating when the other shoe drops. I won't give the plot away more than that—just bring your tissues and be ready to feel all the feelings. —Anna Moeslein, Deputy Editor
©Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection7/33Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice was such a fun and entertaining movie, filled with the eccentric effects and macabre gags from the original. It’s hard to get a sequel right, especially for such an iconic movie, but Tim Burton didn’t disappoint. As a huge fan of spooky movies—which are very different from scary movies, IMO—Beetlejuice Beetlejuice has made it to the top of my best movies of 2024 list. —Jenifer Calle, Senior Commerce Editor
Courtesy Everett Collection8/33The Substance
I didn't know what The Substance was about when I went into it and, wow, is it memorable. I felt the full range of emotions: disgust, amusement, sorrow, shock, more disgust. The movie impressively, colorfully, and extremely viscerally conveys how hard it is to age as a woman (in Hollywood, but also the world).
I was particularly impressed with Demi Moore's commitment to this nightmarish role—and the cinematography. I don't want to share too many details, but let's just say that there are some images I will never forget (one reminds me of a jellyfish). If you're easily grossed out, this is probably not the movie for you, but if you can withstand the squeamishness, I highly recommend it. I'm going to be talking about it for years. —Malia Griggs, Commerce Editor
Courtesy Everett Collection9/33Problemista
Like much of writer and comedian Julio Torres’ work, Problemista juxtaposes a vivid, ethereal dreamworld against reality. In this case, reality is a sixth floor Bushwick walk-up shared with some eccentric strangers. Alejandro, played by Torres, is an aspiring toy designer running out of time on his work visa. The solution is Elizabeth (Tilda Swinton), an unpredictable art-world outcast who agrees to employ him as her assistant to stay in the country.
The unlikely pair become messily intertwined with their professional relationship as its continuously heightened in terms of chaos and desperation—both have everything to prove, and everything to lose. Problemista is the best movie I’ve seen this year. It’s an exploration of creativity, kindness, and what it means to find one’s purpose and person. It’s laugh-out-loud-funny and cry-out-loud-emotional. —Channing Smith, Designer
©Searchlight Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection10/33A Complete Unknown
I’m just going to say it: Timothée Chalamet did for A Complete Unknown what everyone said Austin Butler did for Elvis—as did the rest of this star-studded cast. Chalamet disappeared into his role of Bob Dylan, revealing a complex, brooding version of folk music’s greatest contrarian, while his costar Monica Barbaro delivered a breathtaking performance as the legendary Joan Baez.
This film was an electric take on Dylan’s rise to fame in the early sixties, and I fully expect the soundtrack to make it onto my 2025 Spotify Wrapped. —Emily Tannenbaum, Contributing Editor
In theaters
Courtesy Everett Collection11/33I Saw the TV Glow
I could stress that Jane Schoenbrun is one of the most important voices in film today or that the cosmic, creeping dread of I Saw the TV Glow is the future of horror. I could praise the style, the casting, the shockingly unique structure, the ache at the center of everything.
But what really makes this one of the best movies of the year is its real-life impact; by telling a trans story arc in a universally relatable way, I Saw the TV Glow helped countless people discover and celebrate their true gender identities. Remember: There is still time. —Jake Smith, Commerce Editor
©Netflix/Courtesy Everett Collection12/33Uglies
Uglies is the kind of movie you don’t see enough of—a smart, visually stunning film that’s as entertaining as it is thought-provoking. Based on the popular book by Scott Westerfeld, it explores a world where beauty standards are literally enforced, and it’s got a story that’ll keep you hooked. The cast, especially Joey King, is fantastic, and the film strikes a perfect balance between being visually striking and emotionally impactful.
It’s a refreshing take on dystopia that feels fresh, timely, and totally binge-worthy. If you’re looking for something that’s both fun and meaningful, Uglies definitely delivers. —Loneeja Talukdar, Senior Analyst
Courtesy Everett Collection13/33A Different Man
The sleeper hit of the year is definitely the A24 film, A Different Man. It's somehow a mix of a few genres without being schlocky or derivative.
Set in NYC, a withdrawn young man, played by Sebastian Stan, struggles with his self worth in the face of his neurofibromatosis; so he undergoes a dramatic experimental procedure to remove his tumors. He's then suddenly (and painfully) transformed into a stud—but as his life changes, his confidence does not. Once he meets someone who is thriving with the same condition that he sought to remove, everything in his life begins to crumble. All while being really funny! —Lauren Brown, Senior Visuals Editor
©Focus Features/Courtesy Everett Collection14/33Dìdi
When I sat down for this one, I knew it was going to be special. As someone who was also in middle school in 2008, also going around filming silly skits with my friends (shoutout to my Flip video camera), and also a bit of an awkward loser, the nostalgia elements hit hard.
Beyond that, I believe this is a coming-of-age story that will resonate for anyone. Joan Chen is captivating as the main character’s underappreciated mother, and I loved the casting of the director’s real-life grandma, Chang Li Hua, after her appearance in Sean Wang’s Academy-nominated short documentary, Nai Nai & Wài Pó. —AS
Courtesy Everett Collection15/33MaXXXine
As someone who has not seen Maxxxine’s prequels, X and Pearl, I was worried I’d be totally out of the loop. But Mia Goth’s performance as Maxxxine stands completely on its own. Campy horror set in cult-ridden hills of 1970s Los Angeles has never looked so good. And the outfits! —SR
©Paramount/Courtesy Everett Collection16/33Smile 2
Funnier, freakier, and more fabulous than its predecessor, Smile 2 is simply so mean that you have to give it props. There are no easy outs here. A year after a drug-induced car crash that killed her actor boyfriend, pop star Skye Riley is about to embark on a comeback tour when she gets entangled with an entity hellbent on breaking her sanity and then killing her. (Light viewing this is not!)
You get the sense that, supernatural being or not, the singer is already on a path that’ll end in destruction—just one pill, creepy fan, or yes man away from tragedy. It’s smart to turn the mirror on us: Why do we have a real-life appetite for this kind of story? And it doesn’t hurt that she’s absolutely serving with the songs and the tour looks. Let’s get Skye on a Brat remix! —JS
Courtesy Everett Collection17/33Love Lies Bleeding
Between the rise of Chappell Roan, Reneé Rapp’s official coming out, and Love Lies Bleeding, lesbians ate well this year. Set in the ‘80s, the sexy thriller follows a shy gym manager (Kristen Stewart) and determined body builder (Katy O’Brian) as they get wrapped up in crime and romance in their rural town. And actual gay people playing gay people? We love to see it. —AS
©Netflix/Courtesy Everett Collection18/33His Three Daughters
His Three Daughters stars Natasha Lyonne, Carrie Coon, and Elizabeth Olsen as adult sisters navigating end-of-life care for their ailing father. It’s a quiet, cozy film about family dynamics that is frustratingly relatable to anyone with siblings. And you can count on all three of these brilliant stars for moments of levity—especially Lyonne, who is never not funny. —SR
Courtesy Everett Collection19/33Your Monster
Romantic Horror-dy is really the only way I can think to describe this absolutely unhinged and wickedly funny movie written and directed by Caroline Lindy (who, and no one contradict me here, is a certifiable genius).
The plot, loosely because I don't want to spoil anything, is about a struggling actress who gets dumped by her boyfriend while she's battling cancer treatment and then discovers a monster living in her attic. What ensues is a madcap adventure that is worth every moment of your viewing time. I can guarantee that you will never have watched anything like this, nor have laughed quite like this, nor expect the ending. Strong stomach required! —NP
©Sony Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection20/33Saturday Night
Quick-paced, funny, and exceptionally well-cast, this retelling of the filming of Saturday Night Live’s first-ever episode is a heartfelt ode to the American staple. Gabrielle LaBelle is a charming young Lorne Michaels barely holding together a cast of soon-to-be icons, including Cory Michael Smith and Matt Wood playing uncanny versions of Chevy Chase and John Belushi, respectively.
The film covers the last few 90 minutes before broadcast in excruciating real-time, immersing you in the stresses of live television production, though the comedy gives it enough levity to not feel like a slog. Nicholas Braun is also a highlight for me—despite having relatively few lines, he steals the show as both Jim Henson and Andy Kauffman. —AS
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Courtesy Everett Collection21/33Longlegs
It's been nearly six months since I saw Longlegs, and I still feel deeply unsettled any time I think about it. Set in the 1990s, Maika Monroe stars as an FBI agent tasked with tracking down a satanic serial killer (Nicolas Cage, in his most unhinged role yet). If you rank The Silence of the Lambs as one of the greatest horror movies of all time, this is one you won't want to miss. —AM
Courtesy Everett Collection22/33Babygirl
Many reviews of Babygirl claim that the film is about power dynamics. Wrong. This is a film about sex, and female sexuality past a certain age, and the gray areas of kink and kink relationships. Nicole Kidman, who plays a powerful CEO who begins a completely inappropriate relationship with an intern, played by Harris Dickinson, is completely uninhibited in her most daring role to date. –SR
In theaters
©Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection23/33Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga
It’s safe to say this was one of the most-anticipated features of the year (and perhaps even the decade?). While some may disagree, I think this new entry into the Mad Max canon was well worth the wait.
Anya Taylor Joy is an impressive young Furiosa, and Chris Hemsworth as Dr. Dementus stole the show for me. The stunts didn’t hit as hard as Fury Road’s, but it was still full of visual spectacle and zany violence that appealed to my inner 13-year-old-boy. As a fan of the Max-iverse, I enjoyed the expanded world-building this followup offered, and I pray that 79-year-old George Miller has it in him to make another one. —AS
©Netflix/Courtesy Everett Collection24/33Hot Frosty
Is Hot Frosty the best movie of the year? No, certainly not. But it was the most fun to watch, and that's why it deserves a spot on this list. As I said in our review of the best Netflix Christmas movies, I don't know how something so pure and unabashedly silly was allowed to be made.
The plot, if you're unfamiliar is simple: Lacey Chabert stars as a small-town cafe owner who unintentionally brings a chiseled snowman to life (Schitt’s Creek's Dustin Milligan) via a magic scarf, as you do. You can guess what happens from there. —AM
©Searchlight Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection25/33A Real Pain
We all know a guy like Benji, Kieran Culkin’s uber charming, though deeply flawed, foil to his cousin David's (Jesse Eisenberg’s) awkward Regular Guy. Culkin is incredibly fun to watch in A Real Pain as the unpredictable loose cannon on a guided tour through a concentration camp in Poland that the duo’s grandmother narrowly escaped. The film only skims the surface of these deeper questions about generational trauma and survivor’s guilt, but what it does tackle, it tackles well. —SR
In theaters
©Amazon/Courtesy Everett Collection26/33My Old Ass
Ever since Superbad, or perhaps even earlier, the drug-induced coming-of-age comedy has become its own genre, often providing the most relevant—if out of pocket—insights to the latest generation of teens. The best of the best (*cough* Booksmart *cough*) deliver just as much heart as they do hijinks, and My Old Ass is definitely one of the best.
However, what separates My Old Ass from its predecessors is Audrey Plaza’s performance as a “grown up” version of Elliot (Maisy Stella), who serves to prove we never really stop coming of age. Oh, and while there are no raunchy high school parties, there is a mushrooms-induced Justin Bieber fantasy sequence you won’t want to miss. —ET
27/33Sweethearts
This Max rom-com didn't get much attention, which is a shame because I found it extremely charming and enjoyable. Kiernan Shipka and Nico Hiraga star as childhood friends in their freshman year of college and still dating their high-school sweethearts long distance. When they realize these relationships are holding them back from a true collegiate experience, they make a pact to break up with their partners over Thanksgiving break...to mixed results. It's sweet and funny, and I genuinely didn't see the ending coming. —AM
©IFC Films/Courtesy Everett Collection28/33Memoir of a Snail
It is no surprise that it took eight years to make Memoir of a Snail, the second feature from Australian stop-motion animation master and lover of beige, Adam Elliot. The hundreds of set pieces, props—and yes, snails—are intricately handcrafted in this bittersweet story of two misfit twins separated by the foster system.
Make no mistake, this is not the sort of animated feature to take your kids to. The story is dark and heavy, but the pockets of light, however small, give you the kind of hope you need in times like these. —AS
©Walt Disney Co./Courtesy Everett Collection29/33Inside Out 2
When I heard there would be a sequel to one of my favorite Pixar films as of late, Inside Out, I rolled my eyes. Why would they even have to continue the story? What could they possibly bring to the table with Riley coming into her teenage years? Turns out, I was entirely wrong.
The complexity of this film's depth is explored through the addition of new emotions one acquires as they age. This film’s take on anxiety, especially, had me reevaluating what it was like for me growing up and taking on new experiences in a deeply emotional way. It takes the idea of self-discovery and identity to another level! Visually gorgeous and texturally rich, this film is a much needed watch if you want to have a sweet little sob to yourself. –YC
Courtesy Everett Collection30/33Babes
Ilana Glazer stars opposite Michelle Buteau as two friends navigating how to keep each other a priority as they grow their own families in this sweet comedy. But you don't have to be pregnant or a new parent to appreciate the humor in Babes, thanks to the hilarious, smart writing from Glazer and Josh Rabinowitz and steady direction from Pamela Adlon. If you are a parent, however, I will say this: It's the most relatable thing I watched all year and will provide a much-needed cathartic laugh. —AM
Courtesy Everett Collection31/33The Apprentice
I don't want to think about Tr*mp more than I have to these days, but I decided I was physically able to stomach an additional two hours seeing that infamous combover. I'm glad I did: Sebastian Stan and Jeremy Strong’s performances in this are well worth the time.
Watching Sebastian Stan skillfully articulate a young Donald Trump’s descent from a wide-eyed nepo baby desperate for his father’s approval to a hotheaded conservative con-man is frankly disturbing. And Jeremy Strong once again nails his role as a hateable yet lovable scumbug, proving that his career is truly all bangers all the time. —AS
Courtesy Everett Collection32/33La Chimera
La Chimera was a gorgeous film, clearly inspired by the great Italian mid-century directors, that's all about a protagonist who is tied to the past and how nostalgia and pining has the power to bury him from his refusal to move forward. The movie is set in Tuscany and has symbolism all over the place that doesn't feel heavy handed. A must-watch for the cinephiles out there. —LB
©Focus Features/Courtesy Everett Collection33/33Conclave
I'll admit that I was skeptical that a movie about a bunch of Catholic Cardinals gathering to select the next pope could be entertaining, but happy to say I was so wrong. These boys have more secrets, lies, gossip, and petty feuds than a Bravo reality show. It was a thrill to watch their various scandals and strategies unfold, and Ralph Fiennes gives the performance of his career as the man tasked with leading the circus. –AM
