There may have technically been fewer wide releases over the past six months of 2024 than the first six months of 2023, but despite lesser volume, there has been a bounty of good movies on the big screen. Some of them took a while to get to theaters following their festival premieres (“Robot Dreams,” “Problemista”), while others can only be classified as studio “surprises” (“Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes,” “Challengers”), and, thankfully, more than one lived up to the pre-release hype (“Civil War,” “Dune, Part II”). And, most noteworthy, there were almost too many quality independent releases to fit on a “best of” list for any year.
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Keeping all that in mind, The Playlist editorial staff has scoured through our reviews and personal favorites to cultivate a very impressive selection of the Best Film of 2024 so far. And, yes, you’ll most likely see more than a number of these titles on our annual year-end “best of” list, too. In no particular order…
“Civil War”
Supposedly, writer/director Alex Garland’s final directorial effort for the next few years—he’s taking a break, not retiring— the filmmaker’s polarizing political action film is challenging, bracing, and audacious. Set in a near future that doesn’t seem that far away thanks to the recent Supreme Court Decisions, the 2025 project, and the impending fascism that always seems to be threateningly looming across America (sigh), “Civil War” centers on a group of photojournalists and journalists racing to get to the White House before its authoritarian president is taken down by frightening rebel forces and the civil war that has erupted across America. Occasionally a little too pungently provocative for its own good, “Civil War” is still terrifying and viscerally transports you into what feels like the middle of a scary warzone. Plus the terrific cast of Kirsten Dunst, Wagner Moura, Cailee Spaeny and Stephen McKinley Henderson, make it unmissable. It’s an uncomfortable but must-watch film. – RP [read our review]
“Dune, Part II”
At a nearly 3-hour running time, Denis Villeneuve’s sprawling blockbuster sequel to “b” is arguably a little bit overstuffed, and Sandworm surfs on the edge of overwrought at times, but it gleams the desert cube, rides the wave, and largely inspires awe with its grand, epic majesticness. Gorgeously shot by Oscar-winning DP Greig Fraser, with incredible nuance and chiaroscuro beauty, where it lacks in a deceased Oscar Isaac character, it more than makes up for it with the addition of excellent new supporting cast members like Florence Pugh, Léa Seydoux, Christopher Walken and of course Austin Butler as the sociopathically ruthless Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen. Holding it all together is the increasingly compelling Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya, proving they have the mettle and chops to become the new A-list stars of tomorrow (if they aren’t already). Villeneuve’s movie is impressive and striking and only makes fans salivate for a third edition, hopefully arriving Christmas 2026. – RP [read our review]
“Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga”
A furious, viscerally breathtaking, and arguably more emotional prequel to its predecessor “Mad Max: Fury Road,” audiences didn’t embrace or come out to theaters for director George Miller’s ‘Furiosa’ film, but it’s their loss (and one strongly suspects it’s going to become an after-the-fact cult classic much in the way’ Fury Road’ wasn’t a monster hit at the box office either). More of a mythic fairytale looking back on how the Wasteland became a dire apocalypse, ‘Furiosa’ looks back on the origins of its title character, once played by Charlize Theron, now imbued by a younger, vengeance-seeking Anya Taylor-Joy. There are not a lot of stars or main characters in it, really, but it doesn’t need them. Chris Hemsworth delights and charms as an insecure, goofball villain, and Tom Burke injects soulfulness into the proceedings with a solemn performance as a military commander who befriends Furiosa. And lord, if you want awe-inspiring action thrills that top’ Fury Road,’ this film has them in spades. You’re probably going to ask in a few months. Why the hell didn’t I turn up in theaters for this one?? – RP [read our review]
“A Quiet Place: Day One”
Prequels are not supposed to be good, are they? If that’s truly the case, no one told that to writer and director Michael Sarnoski. The acclaimed “Pig” filmmaker brought an auteur sensitivity to the “Quiet Place” cinematic universe, diving only into added lore when contractually obligated (perhaps the one sequence the movie doesn’t need) while also fashioning an echo of 21st-century tragedies that might feel too close to home. He’s assisted by an absolutely gut-wrenching performance by Lupita Nyong’o and an impressive turn by Joseph Quinn, who reminds other filmmakers that he deserves more prestigious opportunities along the lines of his countrymen Paul Mescal and Josh O’Connor. Oh, and did we mention that it’s captivating and horrifying as well? – GE [read our review]
“Janet Planet”
Already a top 10 film of 2023 based on its screening date for this particular writer, this A24 gem announced the arrival of Annie Baker as not just an accomplished playwright but a filmmaker to watch as well. Aided by superb performances by Julianne Nicholson, Sophie Okonedo, and young Zoe Ziegler, “Janet Planet” is one of the most grounded and affecting coming-of-age tales this century. As we noted in our review from the 2023 Telluride Film Festival, “When was the last time someone who has so mastered the stage – Baker is a Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, mind you – crafted a directorial feature debut of such artistic confidence? A film that feels a million miles from the confines of a sterile theatrical setting. A movie that is creatively propelled more by a filmmaker’s eye than the words composed by a screenwriter.” May we suggest that if you love cinema, make seeing it a priority? – GE [read our review]