A Completely Subjective List

It’s finally time to publish my top five movies of 2024! These movies are the five that entertained me the most from start to finish, and yes, they’re all some kind of comedy because I enjoy laughing.

#5 – A Real Pain

(Comedy / Drama, directed by Jesse Eisenberg)

Premise:
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.

Why I Loved It:
My favorite thing about this movie was that my allegiances between the two cousins flip-flopped every few minutes. They’re both so extreme in their characterization that I found myself hating a character’s choices one minute and then applauding their heroics just moments later. There were scenes that made me incredibly uncomfortable because there was just so much emotion in them, and the setting just amplifies all of those emotions and conflicts at every turn in an incredible way.

Stream it on: Hulu

#4 – Kneecap

(Comedy / Drama / Music, directed by Rich Peppiatt)

Premise:
When fate brings Belfast teacher JJ into the orbit of self-confessed ‘low life scum’ Naoise and Liam Og, the needle drops on a hip hop act like no other. Rapping in their native Irish, they lead a movement to save their mother tongue.

Why I Loved It:
Who doesn’t love a good rebellion in a story? Even when the rebels were comically flawed drug dealing gangsters, the premise had me hooked. Is part of that because I wish I could learn Irish? Perhaps, but the rest was all because it’s hard not to root for these guys as they try to keep a language alive via the unlikely avenue of hip hop. Bonus: I checked out more of their music after, and I’m really into it.

Stream it on: Netflix

#3 – Problemista

(Comedy, directed by Julio Torres)

Premise:
Alejandro is an aspiring toy designer from El Salvador, struggling to bring his unusual ideas to life in New York City. As time on his work visa runs out, a job assisting an erratic art-world outcast becomes his only hope to stay in the country and realize his dream.

Why I Loved It:
Funny, poignant, tragic, inspiring: this movie hit nearly every adjective a movie could embody. I loved Julio Torres and Tilda Swinton’s chemistry, and their dynamic throughout the movie covered the spectrum from adversaries to confidantes. The writing was incredibly clever, with tons of tiny jokes and references, and it gave the movie so much depth. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll contemplate the complexity and tragedy of human existence. 

Stream it on: Max

#2 – Anora

(Comedy / Drama / Romance, directed by Sean Baker)

Premise:
Anora, 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 the parents set out for New York to get the marriage annulled.

Why I Loved It:
Mikey Madison was INCREDIBLE in this movie. I rooted for her, I sympathized with her, and I found myself nearly cheering in the theater at various points in the movie when she stood up for herself. At the end of the day, the premise doesn’t really matter, and the rich fuckboy she marries doesn’t really matter. They’re just a vehicle for a story about a woman discovering what she wants and deserves, and trying her hardest to make that happen.

Not streaming yet, but available for purchase / rental

#1 – Thelma

(Action / Comedy / Adventure, directed by Josh Margolin)

Premise:
Deceived by a phone scammer pretending to be her grandson, a 90-year-old woman sets out on a quest to reclaim what was taken from her.

Why I Loved It:
This movie had an amazing balance of wholesomeness and crassness, all bundled up in one charming package. I thought all the characters were a delight (why is Parker Posey not in more things??? she’s a minor character here, but it made me remember how entertaining she is), and the plot was unique enough to keep me guessing but also not trying to shock me with twists that make no sense. Just fantastic overall.

Stream it on: Hulu

CONCLUSION

Go watch these movies, you will not be disappointed. Concerned that I missed something? You can find my full 2024 rankings here!