Pop&Corni
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Pop&Corni
reading time:
5 min
publication date:
2025-10-08
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Best Movies of 2024 According to Rolling Stone

All the major media outlets have released their lists of the best movies of 2024. With the year coming to an end and new releases on the horizon, let’s take a look at which films caught Rolling Stone’s attention. You might even discover a few titles you haven’t heard of before.

Content

Good One

IMDb: 6.7/10

2024, Drama

United States, R

Director: India Donaldson

Top Cast: Lily Collias, James Le Gros, Danny McCarthy

Seventeen-year-old Sam goes on a hiking trip with her father and his best friend. The journey tests their relationships when Sam notices tension between the two men. Along the way, she begins to realize that the world around her is far more complicated than she thought. The film explores the subtleties of growing up and family bonds.

Good One received glowing reviews from critics for its realism and minimalist storytelling. Director India Donaldson is known for working with little-known actors to create a sense of authenticity and documentary-like realism, and here, she succeeds completely.

Good One

Dahomey

IMDb: 6.8/10

2024, Documentary

Senegal, France, Benin

Director: Mati Diop

This documentary tells the story of 26 royal treasures looted by French colonial troops in 1892, which were returned from a museum in Paris to Benin. The film not only records the repatriation process but also gives a voice to the artifacts themselves, allowing them to “speak” about their history and cultural meaning.

It won the top prize at the 2024 Berlin Film Festival — the Golden Bear. Director Mati Diop became the first Black woman to receive this prestigious award.

Dahomey

The Substance

IMDb: 7.2/10

2024, Body Horror

United Kingdom, United States, R

Director: Coralie Fargeat

Top Cast: Demi Moore, Margaret Qualley, Dennis Quaid

This horror film follows Hollywood star Elizabeth Sparkle, who takes a mysterious substance that promises to create a “better,” younger version of herself. But soon, her clone — who calls herself Sue — starts to live her own life, gradually pushing Elizabeth aside.

The film won Best Screenplay at the Cannes Film Festival and drew huge attention for its bold scenes and powerful performances by Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley.

The Substance

Do Not Expect Too Much of the End of the World

IMDb: 7.4/10

2023, Comedy, Drama

Romania, Luxembourg, France, Croatia

Director: Radu Jude

Top Cast: Ilinca Manolache, Nina Hoss, Uwe Boll

This satirical tragicomedy is set in Bucharest and told in two parts. The first follows a producer’s assistant working on a workplace safety commercial. The second is a black-and-white film about a taxi driver, shot in the style of the 1980s. Together, the movie offers sharp criticism of modern society and its hypocrisy.

Do Not Expect Too Much of the End of the World

Totem

IMDb: 7/10

2023, Drama

Mexico, Denmark, France

Director: Lila Avilés

Top Cast: Naíma Sentíes, Monserrat Marañon, Marisol Gasé

The film tells the story of seven-year-old Sol, who spends a day at her grandparents’ house. The whole family has gathered to surprise her seriously ill father. As the day goes on, Sol begins to realize that this moment will be a turning point for her and her family.

The movie gently and sincerely explores themes of family, life, and death. Director Lila Avilés is known for her ability to create deep emotional connections between characters and the audience.

Totem

Challengers

IMDb: 7/10

2024, Romance, Sports, Drama

United States, R

Director: Luca Guadagnino

Top Cast: Zendaya, Josh O’Connor, Mike Faist

This erotic sports drama follows former tennis player Tashi Duncan, who now coaches her husband, pro player Art Donaldson. To help him break out of a losing streak, she signs him up for the “Challenger” tournament — where he ends up facing Patrick Zweig, Tashi’s ex-lover and former fiancé.

Challengers

Perfect Days

IMDb: 7.9/10

2023, Drama

Japan, Germany, PG

Director: Wim Wenders

Top Cast: Kōji Yakusho, Arisa Nakano, Tokio Emoto

This film will appeal to many with its calm, meditative story. It follows Hirayama, an older man who works as a toilet cleaner in Tokyo. His life is simple, but he finds beauty and joy in small everyday things that he likes such as listening to music, photographing trees, and reading books. The movie is a quiet reflection on finding happiness and meaning in routine.

It was nominated for an Oscar for Best International Feature. The lead role is played by Kōji Yakusho, who won Best Actor at the Cannes Film Festival.

Perfect Days

Rebel Ridge

IMDb: 6.8/10

2024, Action, Thriller

United States, TV-MA

Director: Jeremy Saulnier

Top Cast: Aaron Pierre, Don Johnson, AnnaSophia Robb

Rebel Ridge is the complete opposite of Perfect Days. It’s an intense thriller about Nelson, a former Marine who goes on the run after being accused of a crime he didn’t commit. Hiding out in a small town, he tries to expose the corrupt officials who control it.

Rebel Ridge

His Three Daughters

IMDb: 7.1/10

2023, Drama

United States, R

Director: Azazel Jacobs

Top Cast: Carrie Coon, Natasha Lyonne, Elizabeth Olsen

Three sisters who haven’t spoken in years reunite in New York after the sudden death of their father. As they sort through his estate and divide the inheritance, they’re also forced to confront their own relationships, memories, and long-held resentments. The film takes an intimate approach, exploring the complexities of family ties.

The sisters are played by well-known actresses Carrie Coon, Natasha Lyonne, and Elizabeth Olsen. Their performances earned wide acclaim, and the film was praised for its powerful dialogue and strong acting.

His Three Daughters

Hard Truths

IMDb: 7.2/10

2024, Drama

United Kingdom, R

Director: Mike Leigh

Top Cast: Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Michele Austin, David Webber

The film follows Chantelle, a working-class woman in London trying to navigate her difficult life. She struggles to find a job while also dealing with family issues, especially as she tries to help her brother who has just been released from prison.

Director Mike Leigh is known for his unique way of working with actors, using long improvisation sessions to shape the script. Hard Truths captures emotions and struggles that resonate with many migrants as well as people living at home who are just trying to get by.

Hard Truths

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