My TOP 10 FAVORITE MOVIES OF 2024

Hello everyone! I’m back to bring you my annual Favorite Movies list that had some great gems to choose from, but not a year that was amongst my favorites. I don’t mean to start on a negative note, but I have to be honest with my feelings and say that compared to last year, this was a bit of a disappointing year that could’ve had more home runs, but for what the year had to offer I still was able to revel in the movies I did end up loving. So because there were fewer great movies this year, I narrowed it down to a Top 10 with a few honorable mentions. And again this is my Top 10 list that will be different from yours and that’s okay because we aren’t all robots designed to have the same brain. After all, wouldn’t that be boring? I think so and I also believe we should kick off my My Top 10 Favorite Movies of 2024.

 HONORABLE MENTIONS:

#10

This technically wasn’t the best made on the list and I’d even agree with how a few honorable mentions are technically better-made movies, but this honestly felt like another comfort movie for me that I could just put on any time and enjoy. And I’m a massive fan of The Lion King. It’s not only my favorite Disney film, but one of my all-time favorite movies. This doesn’t break new ground for the genre or the franchise, but would I say I was delighted throughout by the dazzling visuals, the iconic character moments, and amazing songs? Absolutely! I really can’t wait to watch this again and similar to the remake, which I’m more positive about, it’s just such an immersive and remarkable way to enjoy the world and stories told in the Pridelands. 

#9

This was one I was truly excited to finally see being such a big fan of the previous 2 movies directed by John Krasinski. This time you have an origin story that expands the world, but a standalone movie that has brilliant sci-fi and horror elements with an emotionally resonant story that left me so shaken by the end that I teared up. Lupita Nyong’o and Joseph Quinn were both excellent leads that served a purpose in a very complete movie that like Abigail was a part of a larger franchise, but didn’t need to set up anything to add more to the story or set up future character arcs. It was its own movie in this thrilling series that I’d love to see done in another style if done with as much care as this particular film and its predecessors.

#8

This was the perfect heartwarming family movie that I never thought I needed, but honestly adored so much. This movie was just brimming with comfort and I loved how it reinforced the idea of how important imagination and creativity can be for everyone. The cast was incredible and it touched on those emotional heartstrings that made me want to watch this twice in theaters. It was a perfectly soothing coming-of-age tale with that hint of fantasy that honestly was a film I needed in recent years.

#7

Despite the film’s marketing I was excited to see this movie as a fan of Transformers and I thought this movie nailed the feel of the franchise new and old. On its own, it perfectly encapsulates a stupendous dynamic between Orion Pax/Optimus Prime and D-16/Megatron. I was completely hooked throughout, it looked gorgeous, it balanced the comedic and dramatic elements extremely well, and had one of the most killer third acts I have ever seen. I can’t wait to watch this one again and really hope for more Transformers movies told this way.

#6 

Even though I have a couple of animated movies ranked higher that I enjoyed watching more I would say that this was the best animated movie of the year. Director Chris Sanders nails what is a magnificent piece of art that just transcends so many movies made today. The voice acting, the backgrounds, the lighting, the cinematography, the music, the colors, everything about this movie was so vibrant and riveting and the emotional impact this movie left on me took me back to the heart of animated movies I experienced when I was young and that made me fall in love with animation. The familial dynamics of this movie were so perfectly captured and it just called for a satisfying and wholesome cinematic experience.

#5 

This was a movie I was greatly looking forward to since the Middle-earth saga is quite possibly my favorite fantasy franchise of all time. I was a little underwhelmed by the trailer since it didn’t quite give me that Lord of the Rings feel I was looking for and just looked like a watered-down fantasy anime film. But after seeing this movie, I loved it. It brought out the thrill to be had in the Lord of the Rings trilogy and felt like a worthy story that just adds to the history and lore in a very inventive fashion. The animation is remarkable and such a unique way to invest in an already favorite franchise. I’m glad it stands on its own. I’m so happy there’s more to enjoy and while it doesn’t completely change the face of the franchise, it still is more Lord of the Rings to enjoy and I can’t wait to add this to a full-scale Middle-earth marathon.

#4 

While Wild Robot is the best-made animated movie, I’d say Inside Out 2 is my favorite animated movie of the year and the one I could probably watch more times over Wild Robot. I think because Inside Out 2 has more of a balance between drama and lighthearted elements and while dealing with serious themes is still a fluffy and wildly entertaining Pixar film that was even more gratifying and more enjoyable than the first, which is still a great movie. Wild Robot just felt a bit heavier to enjoy on rewatch. The coming-of-age element is super relatable and added so much more creativity in an already fantastic world that I’d dare to say is the best Pixar sequel since Toy Story 3.

#3 

Can’t say I was a big Sonic fan till the movie was released and I was getting more hyped for this movie closer to its release. And I can honestly say that this movie delivered and was some of the most fun I’ve ever had in theaters all year. I loved this movie! I love how the newer characters and lore are just adding to the fun this franchise can have in cinematic form and it’s genuinely all the genre elements I love in my movies having the sci-fi/fantasy feels, being wildly cartoony, but also extremely wholesome. This along with its predecessors makes me want to invest more in the games, comics, and cartoons. I can’t wait to watch this one on multiple occasions. Even though I haven’t played a lot of Sonic games, it does still bring you the fun and thrill to be had in video games themselves but is still a blast to watch in theaters. 

Now these next two were really hard to figure out, but I had to narrow it down by which film I would be genuinely sad not being able to watch again if given the choice. The answers might shock you.

#2 

This was my Most Anticipated Movie of 2024, heck it was my most anticipated movie ever at the time that I couldn’t stop talking about. While another movie hit it a bit more for me, I am still buzzing by how fantastic this movie turned out to be and while it is more of a Deadpool movie than a Wolverine movie at its core, this still was a grandiose showcase for my all-time favorite superhero in Wolverine who was played by the always greatest Hugh Jackman. This was an amazing tribute to the comic book movies of the past by 20th Century Fox while also being a fine blend with the Marvel Cinematic Universe. This was a phenomenal love letter to so many different things whether it was Deadpool, the Fox Marvel universe, the MCU, Marvel comic books period, and of course the man of the hour Logan/Wolverine. It makes you love and appreciate comic books and comic book cinema, and both lead superheroes in probably the best outing ever depicted on screen. Just a thoroughly awesome cinematic endeavor for superheroes I love and while I think I enjoyed 2017’s Logan more for its awesome depiction of Wolvie, this was still a bodacious cinematic achievement to show this character in its prime that is probably the best we’re ever gonna see this character that stays true to the source material.

And my Favorite Movie of 2024 is…

#1

What. A. Movie. I did see the musical years ago, but don’t remember it much aside from some of the first act, which funnily enough is what this movie is adapting. This movie felt like falling in love with it all over again and I’m a fantasy guy, so seeing the world of Oz expanded cinematically in this medium versus the stage called for really stupendous cinematography, production design, costumes, and visual effects. Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande were both magnificent in this movie and elevated so many beautiful qualities. The musical numbers were astounding, I’ve listened to the songs so many times now, I’ve seen it twice in theaters, and plan on buying it digitally and watching it many times, the story was tremendously emotional, and it just leaves you wanting more while also having a massive need to revisit Part One over and over again. A movie like this on this scale made a huge impression on me and just reminded me why I cherish the theater-going experience and genuinely felt like movie magic.

I hope you all enjoyed that and I can't wait to share with you all my MOST ANTICIPATED MOVIES OF 2025 list. I'll give an update soon on the future of this blog, but as a summation, I'll say that this place ain't going anywhere anytime soon. Love you all and God Bless! :-)