Nerdist’s Best Movies of 2024

As a movie enthusiast who’s been following the silver screen for decades now, I can confidently say that 2024 has been an exceptional year for cinema. The diverse range of films we’ve seen this year is truly remarkable, and it’s been quite challenging to narrow down my favorites to just a few. But alas, duty calls!

2024, I can’t believe it’s almost wrapping up! Another action-packed year at TopMob as we dive headfirst into the vibrant world of genre and pop culture entertainment. This year, TV took the reins, especially during a sizzling summer with the return of Fallout, the second season of House of the Dragon, and the mind-blowing fourth season of The Boys – just to name a few. But the movie scene was equally electrifying. We were treated to some fantastic films that align perfectly with our interests, from the blockbuster featuring the wise-cracking Merc with a Mouth and his sidekick to a chilling ’70s-era horror found footage film where things get downright demonic. Here are the 2024 movies that deserve a spot on our TopMob best of list.

Late Night With the Devil

As a horror enthusiast myself, I can’t help but be captivated by the intriguing concept of this film, especially when it caught the eye of the knowledgeable team at TopMob. The story revolves around a struggling late-night TV host, portrayed by the iconic David Dastmalchian, who resorts to an unorthodox method to boost ratings – inviting the Devil on Halloween night in 1977. However, a compelling setup doesn’t always guarantee a flawless delivery. Fortunately, Late Night with the Devil manages to execute its premise brilliantly.

Monkey Man

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Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire

2021 was a successful year for the Monsterverse, with both television and cinema hits. On TV, it’s “Monarch: Legacy of Monsters,” while in theaters, it’s “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire.” In this movie, Kong initially faces off against new colossal dangers from within Hollow Earth, but eventually, Godzilla joins the fray. What makes it even more exciting is the return of Mothra! Here’s hoping we get a standalone Mothra film someday. We can’t deny our affection for that majestic creature.

Alien: Romulus

Following a series of controversial prequel films about Aliens, fans were cautiously hopeful yet apprehensive regarding Fede Alvarez’s apparent standalone film, titled Alien: Romulus. Fortunately, the movie proved to be an engaging and suspenseful midquel that unfolded after the 1979 Alien but before the 1986 Aliens. Although it included a few too many references to older events (and an unnecessary digital reenactment of a deceased actor), Romulus more than compensated for these with some chilling set designs and a final act reminiscent of Lovecraft’s horror tales. We would definitely watch another installment.

Transformers One

The Transformers film series by Paramount has been generally failing to impress, except for standouts like 2018’s Bumblebee and the recent 2022 release, Transformers One. This movie takes us back to the characters’ early days on Cybertron, offering an engaging animated adventure that’s richer in darkness and emotion than one might anticipate. The promotional materials gave off a light-hearted, family-friendly vibe, which didn’t accurately represent its depth. Consequently, it fell short at the box office, but I hope it finds its niche audience on home screens because it truly deserved a warmer reception.

Longlegs

This movie I’ve pondered on the most this year might just be Osgood Perkins’ creative blend of homage and gentle spoof towards serial killer dramas. It’s bold, disquieting, and leaves an indelible mark. A significant part of its impact comes from its innovative marketing strategy. Honestly, whoever thought up those minimalistic, chilling advertisements should be rewarded, don’t you think?

Dune: Part Two

Frank Herbert’s iconic science fiction book Dune poses a challenge when it comes to adaptation, as David Lynch discovered in 1984 when his attempt was received with little enthusiasm. However, Denis Villeneuve astonished us by crafting an engaging story from the first half of the novel in 2021. The real meat of the story, though, lies in the second part of the book, and Villeneuve did not fail to impress with Dune – Part II. By zeroing in on the Fremen uprising against the Harkonnens, the drama and action are intensified, all skillfully orchestrated by Villeneuve. The cast, particularly Rebecca Ferguson, delivered standout performances. Here’s hoping for more with Dune: Messiah.

Nosferatu

Redoing one of the foundational texts of horror cinema is a challenging task, but if anyone could pull it off, it’s Robert Eggers. By incorporating many of the period-specific elements he used in The Witch, The Lighthouse, and The Northman, his version of Murnau’s adaptation of Stoker’s Dracula is a gloomy masterpiece. As much as it is a folk horror as it is a Gothic horror, Nosferatu uses all its resources to craft an epic tale that never feels overly ornate. The performances are grand, similar to the silent expressionism they represent, and the concept of vampire as a plague seeps into every scene. It’s genuinely terrifying, disgusting, sad, and beautiful. However, it’s primarily terrifying and disgusting.

Oddity

A captivating title for a modern horror film could be “An Unusual Irish Horror Gem.” Damian McCarthy’s intriguing chiller offers an array of supernatural elements such as ghosts, home invasions, homunculi, cursed artifacts, psychic mediums, and insane asylums. _Oddity_ harks back to the style of horror movies seldom seen today, providing a more engaging experience than your typical “elevated horror” narratives. With its macabre twists, one of the year’s standout jump scares, and a unique setting that stands out among others, it’s definitely worth watching if you haven’t seen it already. I recommend avoiding spoilers and giving it a chance firsthand.

Deadpool & Wolverine

In some instances, movies are so highly anticipated they seem fated to underperform. However, this was far from the truth with the movie “Deadpool & Wolverine” (I’m referring to a different title than “X-Men Origins: Wolverine”). Despite keeping fans in suspense for a long time, it managed to not just meet expectations, but surpass them. The result was one of the most delightful cinema experiences in recent memory. This film wasn’t just self-contained; it served as a humorous, engaging, and surprisingly touching goodbye to Fox’s Marvel and X-Men cinematic universe.

From incredible surprise stars like Henry Cavill, Chris Evans, Jennifer Garner, Wesley Snipes, and Channing Tatum, to a complete dedication to only focusing on having a good time, Deadpool & Wolverine was more than what we had even hoped for. And that included delivering “the best” version of Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine yet. The MCU’s multiverse hasn’t always given us what we wanted, but Logan and Wade working together certainly did.

Abigail

In an unexpected twist, a group of seemingly shady individuals find themselves trapped in a house with a lethal ballerina vampire child who happens to be a prodigy. Given the absurdity of the premise, it’s amazing that Abigail managed to pull off such a successful blend of horror and comedy. Directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett have crafted one of our favorite horror-comedies in recent years by turning an outrageous concept into something truly captivating. By establishing a palpable tension early on, they make the ensuing bloodbath all the more powerful. And boy, there’s certainly no shortage of gore!

The movie showcases an outstanding ensemble headed by the captivating Alisha Weir, who delivers a stellar performance as the self-centered vampire ballerina craving her famous father’s affection above all else. Furthermore, Dan Stevens’ character Frank offers some of the most memorable lines of 2024, making it hard to ignore including Abigail on our list of top films for 2024.

Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga

Instead of focusing on high-octane action flicks, Mad Max: Fury Road stands out as one of the greatest films ever produced, full stop. The upcoming sequel in the series, titled Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, faced the challenge of living up to its predecessor’s legacy. However, it managed to outshine its shadow by becoming one of the best films in 2024. This prequel forged a unique path through the wasteland by narrating an entirely distinct story about survival, savagery, and leadership within George Miller’s dystopian desert world.

In a remarkable display of skill, Furiosa masterfully blended awe-inspiring spectacles, immersive world construction, and visually stunning imagery, all while showcasing standout performances from Anya Taylor-Joy as the protagonist and Chris Hemsworth as Dr. Dementus – arguably the most intricate and compelling Mad Max villain to date. As time passes and we gain more distance from Fury Road’s influence, audiences will undoubtedly grow even more appreciative of Furiosa.

Editor’s Note: TopMob is a subsidiary of Legendary Digital Networks.

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2024-12-02 18:03