A Glean movie guide
The Best Movies of 2024
The definitive critical shortlist.
From sweeping sci-fi epics to festival-winning indies, these are the year's must-watch films.
Handpicked for this guide
The movie list
- 01
Anora
A high-energy, genre-bending ride that earned the prestigious Palme d'Or at Cannes.
A young sex worker from Brooklyn gets her chance at a Cinderella story when she meets and impulsively marries the son of an oligarch. Once the news reaches Russia, her fairytale is threatened as his parents set out to get the marriage annulled.
- 02
Sing Sing
A deeply moving drama featuring powerful, authentic performances from a formerly incarcerated cast.
Divine G, imprisoned at Sing Sing for a crime he didn't commit, finds purpose by acting in a theatre group alongside other incarcerated men in this story of resilience, humanity, and the transformative power of art.
- 03
Dune: Part Two
A visually stunning sci-fi masterpiece that elevates the scale of modern blockbuster filmmaking.
Follow the mythic journey of Paul Atreides as he unites with Chani and the Fremen while on a path of revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family. Facing a choice between the love of his life and the fate of the known universe, Paul endeavors to prevent a terrible future only he can foresee.
- 04
The Wild Robot
A breathtakingly animated adventure that explores connection and survival with immense heart.
After a shipwreck, an intelligent robot called Roz is stranded on an uninhabited island. To survive the harsh environment, Roz bonds with the island's animals and cares for an orphaned baby goose.
- 05
The Brutalist
A sprawling, visionary historical epic that captures the immigrant experience with immense cinematic power.
When an innovative modern architect flees post-war Europe, he is given the opportunity to rebuild his legacy. Set during the dawn of the modern United States (in Pennsylvania), his wife joins him, and their lives are forever changed by a demanding, wealthy patron.
- 06
The Substance
A bold and visceral body-horror satire that takes a sharp, uncompromising look at beauty standards.
A fading celebrity decides to use a black market drug, a cell-replicating substance that temporarily creates a younger, better version of herself.
- 07
All We Imagine as Light
A poetic and luminous portrait of connection and urban life in contemporary Mumbai.
In Mumbai, Nurse Prabha's routine is troubled when she receives an unexpected gift from her estranged husband. Her younger roommate, Anu, tries in vain to find a spot in the city to be intimate with her boyfriend. A trip to a beach town allows them to find a space for their desires to manifest.
- 08
Inside Out 2
A brilliant and relatable exploration of teenage anxiety that matches the emotional depth of the original.
Teenager Riley's mind headquarters is undergoing a sudden demolition to make room for something entirely unexpected: new Emotions! Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear and Disgust, who’ve long been running a successful operation by all accounts, aren’t sure how to feel when Anxiety shows up. And it looks like she’s not alone.
- 09
A Real Pain
A sharp and soulful comedy-drama anchored by exceptional writing and lead performances.
Mismatched cousins David and Benji reunite for a tour through Poland to honor their beloved grandmother. The adventure takes a turn when the pair's old tensions resurface against the backdrop of their family history.
- 10
Conclave
A tense and impeccably acted political thriller set within the secretive walls of the Vatican.
After the unexpected death of the Pope, Cardinal Lawrence is tasked with managing the covert and ancient ritual of electing a new one. Sequestered in the Vatican with the Catholic Church’s most powerful leaders until the process is complete, Lawrence finds himself at the center of a conspiracy that could lead to its downfall.
- 11
Emilia Pérez
A daring, genre-defying musical crime drama that stands out as one of the year's most unique visions.
Rita, an underrated lawyer working for a large law firm more interested in getting criminals out of jail than bringing them to justice, is hired by the leader of a criminal organization.
- 12
Challengers
A stylish and propulsive drama that uses tennis as a backdrop for a high-stakes relationship study.
Tennis player turned coach Tashi has taken her husband, Art, and transformed him into a world-famous Major champion. To jolt him out of his recent losing streak, she signs him up for a "Challenger" event — close to the lowest level of pro tournament — where he finds himself standing across the net from his former best friend and Tashi's former boyfriend.