Now that 2024 has come and gone, it’s a great time to look back on the year (like everyone else) and celebrate our favorites. With that in mind, we asked folks around the Rotten Tomatoes office what film or TV show resonated the most with them, and we got an eclectic mix of responses that included everything from blockbuster tentpoles and buzzworthy awards favorites to micro-budget indies, acclaimed documentaries, and even a Rotten (but Verified Hot) action flick. After all, RT is all about everyone having their own opinions. Read on for our favorite movies and TV shows of 2024.
Anora
(2024)
Anora effortlessly blends humor and heartbreak, becoming one of the most unpredictable and emotionally charged films of the year. Its exploration of identity, self-discovery, and resilience lingers long after the credits roll. Mikey Madison delivers a performance so authentic that you forget you’re watching fiction. Her portrayal feels so real and lived-in, it’s almost as if you’re witnessing someone’s raw, unfiltered journey. Ultimately, Anora is a testament to Madison’s extraordinary talent and Sean Baker’s ability to capture the messy, beautiful complexities of the human experience.
[Emily Catlett – Media Coordinator]
Chasing Chasing Amy
(2023)
The best movies are the ones that start conversations. You want to know how the story made someone else feel; you want to talk about all the ways it could change your life. That’s how Sav Rodgers kicks off Chasing Chasing Amy. Kevin Smith’s 1997 film Chasing Amy changed Rodgers’ life the first time he saw it — it offered the possibility of a queer future. Now, Rodgers wants to wrestle with the film’s complicated legacy. What made it so poignant for some viewers, and hurtful to others?
In interviews, Rodgers cultivates meaningful, messy, honest conversations about queer representation — Chasing Amy depicts a lesbian (Joey Lauren Adams) falling in love with a man (Ben Affleck). But the most poignant moments in the film are those where Rodgers’ worldview is expanding. He sheds naivety about Hollywood (it’s here where the film could become a coming-of-age story), creating space for celebration and criticism of the original film (here, a documentary), and shares his personal journey in the most joyful way (and here, a love story). In these ways, Rodgers’ Chasing Chasing Amy gives viewers what he gained from Smith’s film, and more: queer hope.
[Sophie-Marie Prime – Manager, Critic Community]
Hazbin Hotel: Season 1
(2024)
My experience with Hazbin Hotel, the tale of Hell’s Princess and her quixotic quest to run a halfway house for sinners, wasn’t love at first sight. Quite the opposite; I was originally put off by its insistent efforts to convince me it was streaming’s edgiest animated comedy. The abrasive characters and pitch-black gallows humor felt a bit phony and try-hard, like the most well-behaved kid in school trying out every conceivable curse word after chugging too much Mountain Dew. My skepticism gradually melted away, however, with each successive song. The lyrics were sophisticated, the melodies memorable and sweet. Soon enough, I realized I’d fundamentally misunderstood Vivienne Medrano’s blazingly creative creation: This isn’t a mean-spirited parody, but a genuinely heartfelt musical that just so happens to swear like a sailor. The same abrasiveness that had initially rankled me eventually revealed itself to be an asset; it’s the sour shell that makes this show’s wholesome core all the sweeter. And there’s something to be said for any story that finds hope in a cynical, hopeless world. Hazbin Hotel, much like its ragtag cast of sinners, takes some getting used to. Give it a chance, and you just might fall in love.
[Rob Fowler – Sr. Review Curator]
Hundreds of Beavers
(2022)
Hundreds of Beavers was the most joyous movie theater experience I had this year. A live-action cartoon reminiscent of Looney Tunes and silent movie slapstick comedies, about a drunken applejack salesman at war with some beavers. This creative micro-budget masterpiece was created by Mike Cheslik and Ryland Brickson Cole Tews for only $150,000. Despite its tiny budget, this movie has everything: endless laughs, cartoon violence, video game references, satisfying payoffs, and hundreds of beavers — possibly thousands!
[Kelly Williams – Audience Development Manager]
The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare
(2024)
Sometimes you just wanna kick back and watch Nazis die horribly. Guy Ritchie brings his smooth-talking, music video-inspired style to the true story of Winston Churchill’s Operation Postmaster, Britain’s black ops mission during WWII. In the movie, a crack team infiltrates a Nazi naval base. That team that includes Gus March-Phillipps (Henry Cavill), the inspiration for James Bond; Anders Lassen (Alan Ritchson), a hulking maestro with knives, arrows, and axes; Marjorie Stewart (Eiza González), one of the war’s slickest female spies; and Heron (Babs Olusanmokun) a spy in the shipping business. Come for the action, stay for the comedy!
[Kevin Bauer – Manager, Content Curation]
Mr. & Mrs. Smith: Season 1
(2024)
There’s a reasonable case to be made that 2024 was a stronger year for television than it was for film, but my pick here has more to do with how surprised I was at how much I liked it and less with it necessarily being the greatest piece of entertainment of the year. That said, I probably shouldn’t have been shocked that I enjoyed the hell out of Mr. and Mrs. Smith, considering I’m a fan of Donald Glover’s work, particularly on his previous series Atlanta, and M&MS shares a lot of the same DNA. The truth is, I was expecting something a little more… disposable, maybe? It is, after all, based (albeit loosely) on a high-concept action film about a pair of married assassins who eventually become each other’s targets. But the show takes the idea in a fresh direction, pairing Glover’s “John” with Maya Erskine’s “Jane” as a couple of strangers who willingly agree to abandon their lives to pose as a married couple and complete jobs for a mysterious espionage organization. Their relationship evolves over the course of eight episodes, as they find their footing as co-operatives and stumble through missions ranging from mundane to explosive, peppered with splashy guest appearances from folks like John Turturro, Sarah Paulson, and Paul Dano, among many others. The writing is crisp, engaging, funny when it needs to be, and thoughtful, and while I initially had my doubts about Glover and Erskine as a pair, they make it work really well. I can’t deny I’m a little worried that neither Glover nor Erskine has been confirmed yet to return for season 2, even if Anora breakout star Mark Eydelshteyn was cast in a starring role; I’m all for open endings, but I’m really gonna need some closure for that that season finale cliffhanger.
[Ryan Fujitani – Sr. Content Editor]
Nosferatu
(2024)
Punctuating the 2025 box office with the sexually charged ferocity of a vampire’s bite, Robert Eggers’ Nosferatu is not just an impressive entry into the vampire cinematic canon but quite possibly one of the best we will ever see. The production designer-turned-director translated his long-gestating passion project into a haunting and sensual adaptation of one of the silent era’s most famed productions — F.W. Murnau’s 1922 classic Nosferatu. Eggers effortlessly pulls career-best performances from Lily-Rose Depp, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Emma Corrin, and Nicholas Hoult. The film’s rapturous reception further proves why audiences are still captivated by vampire legends and how they can still surprise us. Everyone still buys it, no matter how many different ways it’s interpreted, sparkly vamp or not. From the cinematography, costumes, and production design to its haunting score and page-turning screenplay, each element of Nosferatu has been meticulously fretted over, researched, and framed to place the audience in the uncomfortable intersection between desire and terror, twisting, pushing, and pulling them deliciously in between the two emotions once there in an unexpected way. The pleasure of watching this masterful work for the first time feels like the cinematic equivalent of someone expertly pairing peanuts and chocolate inventively for a gourmet dish. Here’s hoping the Academy voters agree and we can see further accolades bestowed upon our Count Orlok and crew.
[Jacqueline Coley – Awards Editor]
Red One
(2024)
In the spirit of “Rotten Tomatoes loves Rotten movies too,” it’s worth talking about Red One. This movie is absolutely unbelievably insanely ridiculous. It begins with Santa Claus (J.K. Simmons) getting kidnapped with only 24 hours to Christmas Eve; the North Pole’s head of security Callum Drift (Dwayne Johnson), commander of the E.L.F., must team up with super tracker Jack “The Wolf” O’Malley (Chris Evans) to get St. Nick back in time to save Christmas. Along the way, you’ll meet a CGI polar bear named Garcia, some talking penguins and creepy troll “elves”, evil snowmen, and Krampus and his ex-girlfriend Gryla, the evil Christmas witch. You’ll also get a memorable scene with Nick Kroll that will either make you laugh or haunt your dreams (please, MGM, we want to see those outtakes). Red One is a complete escape from reality, highly original, and undeniably entertaining. It has heart, humor, and hellhounds. If you go into it expecting to have a good time, you’ll have a great time. (It’s Verified Hot for a reason!)
[Robin Canan – Content Site Operations Specialist]
The Remarkable Life of Ibelin
(2024)
How does someone restricted by a crippling disease experience life outside their prison of wheelchairs and breathing apparatuses? That’s the question at the heart of The Remarkable Life of Ibelin, a Norwegian documentary that follows the life of Mats Steen. Mats was born with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, gradually losing his muscle functions until he is unable to leave his room. To pass the time, he journals about his affliction through a blog and plays the massively popular video game World of Warcraft. Most other documentaries would end with Mats’ death, content with chronicling the tragedy of his painful existence. But Mats’ death is only the beginning of an extraordinary story that begins when his parents announce Mats’ death on his blog and encounter all of the friends he made in World of Warcraft. What follows are beautifully rendered animated sequences using the character models and in-game assets of World of Warcraft, bringing to life Mats’ experience in the game: his standing within his community of friends, the women he romanced (and betrayed), the triumphs and failures of his exploits, and the darkness he kept hidden away from everyone. His parents grieved that their son never experienced life outside his room, but through these exciting, funny, heartfelt, and poignant animated sequences, they learn that Mats had lived a life more fulfilling than most. The Remarkable Life of Ibelin is a touching story about the power of our virtual footprint and how we can reach people even when they’re outside our physical grasp.
[Bryce Marrero – Content Curator]
Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story
(2024)
The last time Ian Bonhôte and Peter Ettedgui teamed up for a documentary, we were blessed with the extraordinary Rising Phoenix. That, too, was an inspiring film that championed the lives of people with disabilities, Paralympic athletes specifically. And before that, the duo delivered McQueen, a doc critics praised as “astonishing, intelligent, and enthralling” that still holds a solid Certified Fresh Tomatometer score of 99%. Their impressive oeuvre now includes the remarkable story of Christopher Reeve, with a documentary that everyone should watch at least once. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Reeve skyrocketed to fame when he put on that red cape and stepped into the role of Superman. But after a tragic horseback-riding accident left him paralyzed, his life changed forever, and he devoted everything to disability rights and spinal cord injury research. Anyone who isn’t familiar with Reeve’s accomplishments, especially after the accident, will be captivated by this film. And everyone who is familiar might want to keep a tissue box nearby. It’s a heartfelt and inspiring story about how an unknown actor became a hero, first on screen and then in real life. We’re reminded of one person’s journey to find strength and resilience in the most difficult of circumstances — and how sweet moments with a friend like Robin Williams can make even the darkest days a little brighter.
[Stephanie Ornelas – Digital Content Publisher]
Superman & Lois: Season 4
(2024)
Coming in as an underdog series, this cap to an almost 20-year long run on DCTV paid its dues and then some. Superman & Lois, as played by a sincere Tyler Hoechlin and strident Bitsie Tulloch, filled their roles handsomely, delivering weekly supplies of heartfelt family drama up against emotionally resonant villains. The fourth and final season really wallops the heartstrings but brings this Man of Steel’s journey to a bittersweet yet still satisfying end.
[Dom Pembleton – Bilingual Review Curator]
Tinā
(2024)
TINĀ, or “mother” in Samoan, is a film about Mareta Percival, a Samoan woman who embodies what it means to be a mother to various people, ranging from her own daughter to her students and those in need. Out of financial necessity, she takes on a substitute teacher position at an elite private school in Aotearoa (the Māori name for New Zealand), where she butts heads with a racist school board. Despite the challenges, Mareta establishes a school choir to provide comfort and community to students while integrating and teaching them her culture and heritage. The characters evolve throughout the story, but none more so than Mareta, who balances her own grief with her unwavering love and determination for her students.
[Jamie Valdez – Assistant Digital Asset Manager]
Transformers One
(2024)
With Transformers One, longtime fans finally got what they wanted: A Cybertron-set story with the Autbots and Decepticons front and center, those pesky humans light years away. But did this movie treatment come too late, considering the wobbly reputation of the live-action series and a year when audiences largely steered clear of prequels (e.g. Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga and The First Omen)? The young-skewing humor propped up in the trailers probably didn’t help. All of that apprehension melts away as One pulls you into its fully realized world rendered with dazzling animation, a tragedy unfolding when two friends, Optimus Prime and Megatron, are torn apart through battle and strife. The amount of heart in this Transformers is surprising, as it’s an earnest exploration of the emotional bonds and love fostered across synthetic robots. I’d say it’s the Daft Punk-iest thing you could’ve seen in theaters this year, but they literally re-released Interstella 5555 in 2024. In any case, while this is a movie that withstands diehard scrutiny, Transformers One really is about a series going back to square one, the goal to build up new fans again after the creative dead-ends of the summer blockbusters. It may have bombed in theaters, but expect it to be heralded as a classic with the next generation.
[Alex Vo – Sr. Content Producer]
The Wild Robot
(2024)
Chris Sanders has been behind the films that shifted my perspective on life, and The Wild Robot is a lovely addition to that. The moment I saw baby goose Brightbill (Kit Connor) and Roz (Lupita Nyong’o) bonding in the trailer, I knew my heart was in for quite an emotional journey, and a waterfall’s worth of tears were shed. Roz, a robot stranded on an island with only wildlife surrounding her, adapts to her environment while raising Brightbill, an orphaned gosling. Brightbill, growing up, initially adopts Roz’s mannerisms as a robot and acts as such until reality hits that he is actually a goose (and the runt of the flock, no less). With so much to learn about being a goose, Roz enlists the help of her community to teach Brightbill what she herself cannot. The other animals see the efforts that Roz puts into raising Brightbill and treats her as one of their own, despite their reservations about a robot roaming their turf, ultimately coming together to save their forest from danger.
The emotional tug that this film had on me was immense — I was going through a life transition that required much growth from me, and seeing Roz and Brightbill’s individual character developments gave me the assurance that I was on the right track. The animation style immersed me in a world where both technological advancements and natural phenomena can live in harmony. The warm tones of the forest and the animals combined with the cool (pun intended) tones of Roz as a robot and her tech gave the film a visual contrast that wasn’t stark, but allowed for the viewers also to adjust and adapt. The Wild Robot is a masterpiece that can apply to different milestones of one’s life, and I know I’ll revisit it when I need a mood boost, a moment to cry, a surge of motivation, or simply a colorful and visual journey.
[Nadine Cortez – Community Coordinator]
Wicked
(2024)
As someone who hadn’t seen the Broadway musical or read the novel, I now feel there’s only one way to recommend the movie — via song:
Popular,
I know about popular (I definitely saw the movie with friends)
And with an assist from me (You’ll appreciate this wonderful world of Oz)
To be who you’ll be (Someone who’s experienced two of the best performances of the year in Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande)
Instead of dreary who you were, well, are (Someone who hasn’t heard these enchanting songs)
There’s nothing that can stop you (And your incredible potential… since you’ve read this far)
From becoming popu-ler… lar (And talk to your friends about one of the best films of the year)
La la, la la! *hair toss toss*
[Anthony Alicea – Sr. Producer]
Thumbnail image by ©Neon, ©Warner Bros. Pictures, ©DreamWorks Animation
