
2024 was a fantastic year for film. afans with both massive blockbusters and more drama driven indie driving audiences back into cinemas and creating disucssion and fanfare for all. Below are our favourite films of 2024. Check the m out now:
Honourable Mention: The First Omen
Filmmaker Arkasha Stevenson re-defined what horror cinema should be with The First Omen, a gnarly, skin-crawling piece of horror that delivered pure evil and deeply disturbing visuals as it explored the idea of satanic female body horror to its fullest! This clever and intense piece of horror cinema kept you on edge the entire time it played before your eyes, and Nell Tiger Free’s frenzied performance freaked us out!
10. Deadpool & Wolverine
2024’s most anticipated superhero release did not disappoint, and it was a Canadian/Aussie double team moment as Ryan Reynolds’s Merc with the Mouth and Hugh Jackman’s gruff berserker made for a unique odd-couple in the gigantic blockbuster Deadpool & Wolverine. This was a completely wild ride through the MCU Multiverse with all kinds of pure fan service moments, plenty of R-rated slice and dice moments, some utterly outrageous comedic fourth wall comedy, and the perfect mix of N’SYNC and Madonna, 9and let’s not forget Channing Tatum’s long-awaited debut as ‘La Gambit’). Deadpool & Wolverine just had it all.
9. All of Us Strangers
It was a fantastic year to be a Paul Mescal fan, and he showcased the supreme level of his craft alongside a career-best performance from Andrew Scott in the moving and dream-like All of Us Strangers. This was a deeply emotive and beautiful picture to witness, and its ghost-like ambience and intriguing lucid dream narrative made its emotions hit all that much harder. The performances delivered were mirrored by the strong direction of a filmmaker, who made this a uniquely personal story and ethereal photography that pulled you deeper into this tragic yet touching romance.
8. Nosferatu
Every time Robert Eggers returns to cinemas, it’s a moment to revel in anticipation of the complete artistic experience that will wash over audiences, and his long-gestating passion project, his interpretation of the 1922 classic, Nosferatu, rose from the depths of the black abyss and cast a glorious gothic shadow across cinemas. This was a beautifully constructed and exceptionally delivered gothic fairy-tale horror of obsession, longing and madness, and you felt the cold shiver of Bill Skarsgard’s Count Orlock creeping about the cinema as he longed to quench his thirst and desire for Lily-Rose Depp’s Ellen Hutter.
7. Fly Me to the Moon
In what was one of the most surprising and enjoyable releases of the year, Greg Berlanti’s whimsical tale of love and space race was just what audiences needed, and it’s hijinks and heart-racing moments to make it to the Moon and back had audiences lounging out in enjoyment in their seats. Scarlett Johansson and Channing Tatum had undeniable chemistry together as a mismatched marketing maven and flight director who found sparks flying as they did everything they could to reach the Moon, while Woody Harrelson delivered a show-stealing performance as mysterious ‘Man in Black’ operative Moe Berkus, and this was a very enjoyable watch.
6. The Bikeriders
Jeff Nichols, a filmmaker who is making a name for himself as an auteur cinematic voice, delivered a film that was a uniquely American experience with The Bikeriders. This rough and tumble ride took audiences inside the macho, mano-o-mano, outlaw culture of a Chicago MC in the ‘easy rider’ days of the 1960s. It explored the sub-culture and ritual of this uniquely American experience. Jodie Comer, Austin Butler and Tom Hardy delivered three profound performances, and Comer’s transformation into the film’s central character, Cathy, a tough, no-nonsense woman from the wrong side of the track, was incredible to witness. This was a film that completely surprised audiences, and it was a must-watch experience.
5. Gladiator II
Sir Ridley Scott unleashed the might and power of Ancient Rome on audiences once again as we returned to the Colosseum for the epic Gladiator II. Rising star Paul Mescal confirmed his status as a leading man as he entered the Arena as Lucius Verus and went toe to toe in the blood and sand of the Ancient World to claim his birthright and the title of Emperor. The scale and scope of this picture were enormous, and its action and intensity held your complete attention as Mescal was thrown into the Arena and the colossal grandeur that awaited!
4. Challengers
A sizzling erotic energy made Luca G’s Challengers crackle with intensity in this tale of tennis and ultimate co-dependence. A hot, sweaty watch from beginning to end, Challengers was a terrifically surprising watch. It was packed together with all kinds of twists and turns that kept audiences on edge, and you were holding your breath for dear life with this one. Zendaya once again completely shone in this one, and held centre court, while Josh O’Connor and Mike Faist had one hell of a complicated bromance and brought plenty of spark to this complicated and messy love story.
3. The Apprentice
Sebastian Stan turned in what was one of 2024’s most intriguing and transformative performances with The Apprentice as he slipped into the figure of the controversial yet fascinating Donald Trump in The Apprentice. Shot with minute detail and focus on resurrecting Trump’s rise to power in the late 1970s/early-1980s, The Apprentice was a thrilling and intense character study, and Stan’s performance was all-consuming as the Donald. Jeremy Strong and Maria Bakalova also offered incredible support, and The Apprentice was an utterly shocking yet hypnotic watch that you could not help but look up at in amazement.
2. Anora
Mikey Madison delivered without a doubt one of 2024’s best performances with her turn as Anora “Ani” Mikheeva in Sean Baker’s Anora. The result was a highly strung and heavily dramatic watch that completely tore your heart to pieces. Baker’s whirlwind Brighton Beach Cinderalla tale was a strongly evocative and completely absorbing character study, centred by Madison’s empathetic and heart-wrenching performance. Anora was a whirlwind cinematic experience, and all of your emotions were left exposed in the final moments of this unflinchingly raw drama.
1. Dune: Part Two:
But when it comes to SpicyPulp’s best film of 2024, only one can reign supreme, and Denis Villeneuve’s awe-inspiring science-fiction epic, Dune: Part Two, took the spot as our number one feature of 2024! This was a colossal piece of cinema in every possible word, and its incredible texture and scale as a production pulled us deeper into the world of Frank Herbert’s Dune. Dune: Part Two was a magnificent example of the power of cinema when it comes to life and made for a pulse-pounding watch in IMAX thanks to its gripping visuals, heavy sounds and incredible performances from its cast. This was an EPIC cinematic experience.