Thomas Storai 
Thomas takes a retrospective look back at the biggest hits of 2024 to share his top 20 movies of the year!
The end of the year is near so it’s time to look back at what 2024 has offered us. And this has been quite the year for cinema with plenty of amazing films. So, which films made it to my top 20? Let’s find out!
20 – GODZILLA X KONG THE NEW EMPIRE
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire is a highly entertaining and action-packed kaiju film! This one draws inspiration from the Shōwa era films. The human characters are better written than in Godzilla vs Kong and we actually care about them. Dan Stevens is having so much fun in this!
19 – BLUE LOCK THE MOVIE – EPISODE NAGI –
BLUE LOCK THE MOVIE -EPISODE NAGI- is a compelling spinoff focusing on Nagi Seishiro’s awakening to the world of football. It’s a blast from start to finish with epic stylized game scenes. But, this film is more than just an anime about football, it’s all about character development. NagiReo fans, this is the film you were waiting for, it delivers all kind of cute scenes between the two characters. It’s the perfect story to watch while you wait for season 2. As usual, I recommend to watch it in Japanese with subtitles to get the full experience.
18 – DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE
Deadpool and Wolverine is the best Deadpool film, it’s funny and action-packed but it’s also surprisingly moving. It has some great surprises but more importantly this film was made with love for these characters. I came in for Hugh Jackman’s return as Wolverine and I wasn’t disappointed on that side. It was a brilliant return! It took 20 years to get him into the full costume from the comics but it was all worth it.
17 – JUROR #2
Clint Eastwood delivers a masterful courtroom drama with Juror # 2 . If this is his swan song, it’s a satisfying one. This film is a sharp character study of a flawed man that explores the morality of right and wrong.
16 – WICKED
With great set pieces and dance numbers, Wicked is a memorable musical. Cynthia Erivo is simply phenomenal!
15 – THE PARADES
The Parades is a deeply moving tale about loss and regrets told through the perspective of dead characters. But, it is also an uplifting story in many ways, one that leaves a mark on you. It features a great ensemble cast and a beautiful soundtrack by Yojiro Noda. Be prepared, you will need tissues for this one. I honestly didn’t expect to cry this much.
14 – FLOW
With breathtaking visuals and a unique approach to storytelling with animals, Flow is a real gem.
13 – YOUNG WOMAN AND THE SEA
Young Woman and the Sea is a triumphant sports biopic of great production value. It’s an earnest and inspiring story empowering women and shining a light on the struggles they had to face to earn their place in the world of sports. Daisy Ridley delivers one of the best performances of her career.
12 – HAIKYU!! THE DUMPSTER BATTLE
HAIKYU!! The Dumpster Battle is a great sports anime film! It delivers a high dose of adrenaline with this intense showdown, but it also has the right balance between fun and emotion. The Dumpster Battle is a must-watch addition to the HAIKYU!! franchise.
11 – CITY HUNTER
City Hunter is a thrilling ride from start to finish with great stylized action scenes. A faithful adaptation of the manga! Ryohei Suzuki is simply perfect for this role.
10 – ULTRAMAN: RISING
Ultraman: Rising is undoubtedly the best animated film of the year. It’s a fresh take on this iconic Japanese superhero and Kaiju stories. This is a fun and action-packed film with a lot of heart. ILM has crafted a unique visual style that is absolutely striking, a true wonder for the eyes. It’s two hour of pure awesomeness. This is exactly the type of film that deserves a sequel.
If you know Ultraman, you will definitely enjoy this film. But, it can also be your starting point into this franchise especially for Western audience. And, I can recommend the Japanese live-action film Shin Ultraman as your next entry into the wonderful world of Ultraman.
9 – THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE WAR OF THE ROHIRRIM
The Lord Of The Rings: The War Of The Rohirrim is a triumphant return to Peter Jackson’s Middle-earth. With stunning visuals, great action sequences and Kenji Kamiyama’s masterful direction, this film is a must-see, it’s a compelling tale of bravery and resilience. Experience it on the biggest screen possible! Anime and Middle-earth are a combo that works and one can only hope that there will be more anime films set in this universe.
8 – GLADIATOR II
Gladiator II is a spectacular popcorn flick filled with action extravaganza. Ridley Scott has delivered a good sequel. Paul Mescal shines as the lead and Denzel Washington is a scene stealer as the villain. However, it’s a crime Pedro Pascal doesn’t get enough screentime!
7 – MY NAME IS LOH KIWAN
My Name is Loh Kiwan is a powerful and heart-wrenching story about the harsh reality of a North Korean immigrant trying to survive in Belgium. This film will give you a lot of food for thought. It is also a beautiful love story. Song Joong-ki gives a tour de force performance, portraying the raw story of Loh Kiwan. Choi Sung-eun also delivers a touching performance as she showcases the vulnerability of her character. This film is an acting masterclass. Director Kim Hee-Jin knows how to approach the different nuances of this story without falling in the melodramatic but in bringing sensitivity to the subject.
6 – HIS THREE DAUGHTERS
His Three Daughters is a bittersweet and reflective journey about complex relationships between siblings. It’s a fantastic acting showcase for Olsen, Lyonne and Coon’s talents. They deserve Oscar recognition.
5 – A QUIET PLACE DAY ONE
A Quiet Place Day One is another flawless entry in this franchise. It’s a gripping and satisfying prequel that keeps you on the edge of your seat the whole team. At its heart, it’s an intimate human drama with deeply moving performances from its leads.
4 – THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO (2024)
The Count of Monte Cristo is a real triumph, it’s a faithful adaptation of Dumas’ book while also a successful modernising take this classic story. From stunning visuals to a memorable musical score, this film succeeds in every way. Pierre Niney delivers a mesmerising performance that is truly award worthy.
3 – 18×2 BEYOND YOUTHFUL DAYS
Once in a while, there’s a film that leaves a mark on you, 18×2 Beyond Youthful Days is one of them. It’s a deeply moving and bittersweet journey about love, grief, regrets and the passing of time. In a nutshell, it’s a story about life and how people we meet affect our lives. It reminds us that we only get to live once, so we should follow our dreams within the time that is given to us. Greg Hsu delivers a career-defining performance that deserves some awards. Michihito Fujii has proven time and again his talents as a filmmaker, he never disappoints.
2 – BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is a worthy sequel. It’s a return to form for Tim Burton who has been able to recapture the magic of the original. You’re in for a fun time and Michael Keaton still got the juice.
1 – DUNE PART TWO
Dune Part Two is Denis Villeneuve’s best film yet. It is an absolute masterpiece with breathtaking visuals and an outstanding cast. Epic in every way!
What are your best movies of 2024? Leave a comment below and share your thoughts. We’d love to hear from you.
Collectables and Anime Editor for Future Of The Force.
Star Wars expert and Japan connoisseur.
