Midnight Express
It’s problematic at almost every thematic level, but the technical excellence and even the strong supporting performances make it a film that you can’t fully look away from once you turn it on.
Mildred Pierce
Mildred Pierce is a delight of a noir, taking a fresh look at the typical themes of greed and corruption and mixing them with the social dramas often seen in stories about women, led by a powerhouse performance from Joan Crawford, all coming together to make one of the Greatest Films of All Time.
The Lost Weekend
Through Milland’s lead performance and Wilder’s writing and direction, it’s easy to see how The Lost Weekend earned the Best Picture Oscar and a place among the greatest films of all time.
Michael Clayton
The acting and intensely gripping plot of Michael Clayton have helped it stand the test of time to become one of the all-time greats.
Wicked
Inspired casting of two incredible leads, both of whom fully deserve their awards recognition, and some excellent work in the costume and production design combined with Chu’s ability to translate a musical to screen in a way that feels uniquely cinematic makes Wicked one of the films that will surely stand the test of time from 2024.
The Brutalist
Strong performances and fantastic visuals earned The Brutalist enough recognition from critics, audiences, and awards bodies to earn it the title of top film of 2024 according to this blog’s formula.
The Wild Robot
The Wild Robot certainly deserves recognition as one of the best films of 2024 thanks in large part to its stellar voice cast, universal story, and beautiful animation work, and down the road, I wouldn’t be surprised to see it recognized as one of the best of all time either.
Dune: Part Two
The fact that Dune: Part Two lands toward the top of the films from 2024 should come as no surprise due in large part to its impressive achievements in scope along with some memorable characters and probably engaging story.
How to Train Your Dragon
Dean DeBlois and Chris Sanders gave us a near perfect family animated film in How to Train Your Dragon with a story, characters, animation, and score that all work in harmony to produce a film that became an instant classic and is undoubtedly one of the all-time greats.
The Sound of Music
Regardless of how you feel about the film’s overwhelming optimism, there’s no doubt that The Sound of Music continues to stand the test of time thanks in large part to its music and characters, especially the performances from its two leads, and it certainly deserves recognition as one of the Greatest Films of All Time.
Juno
Between a stellar cast owning the feel and energy that the film seeks to capture and a script that refuses to become overtly caught up in the “issues” at the heart of its story, instead highlighting the humans that engage with those issues, Juno is more than deserving of recognition among the all-time greats.
The Wrestler
Headlined by powerhouse performances by Marisa Tomei and Mickey Rourke, Darren Aronofsky’s The Wrestler is a difficult but incredibly poignant film about fame, dedication, and the world of professional wrestling that certainly deserves a mention with the greats.
Precious
Precious is a deeply moving film carried by its front and center performances that has plenty to say about poverty, literacy, and the ways that humanity can overcome in even the darkest of places with the right support systems in place, well-deserving of a place among the Greatest Films of All Time.
The Trial of the Chicago 7
The Trial of the Chicago 7 is a powerfully acted film that reminds us of our duty to stand up for those who can’t stand for themselves, especially in the world we currently live in, certainly deserving of mention alongside great films.
Letters from Iwo Jima
Clint Eastwood has given us a superior war film in Letters from Iwo Jima that brilliantly portrays the dehumanizing nature of warfare with poignant stories that humanize those we often view as the enemy, fully deserving of a spot among the Greatest Films of All Time.
The Last Detail
The Last Detail is a fantastically acted film that exceeds its premise by presenting an honest portrayal of the social crises of the 1970s through the experiences and relationships of these three men, earning it a place among the greats.