Moreover, you could make an argument that some of those films — “Daddio,” “The Substance,” “My Old Ass” — could only have been made by a woman. This fact forces us to contemplate how many voices and potential films were suppressed over the decades — and invites us to celebrate the bounty of an otherwise so-so year. Shyamalan’s inventive use of Old’s premise results in some of his strongest scares yet, and the central mystery keeps you guessing and continually leaves you shocked. Old is an ambitious film in Shyamalan’s filmography and continues his excellent resurgence.
Among the most memorable films of 2024, Kiran Rao’s Laapataa Ladies delivered a heartfelt and humorous tale of mistaken identities and societal norms. The film’s unique blend of social commentary and light-hearted storytelling earned it widespread acclaim, making it a standout in a year filled with cinematic treasures. Despite missing out on an Oscar nod, it remains a crowd favourite and a testament to Rao’s storytelling finesse. Avinash Tiwary delivers a standout performance as Sikandar, a man fighting to rebuild his life after being falsely accused.
Best movies in the Netflix top 10
Just when his life starts to go to hell—his wife (Better Call Saul’s Rhea Seehorn) wants a divorce, and he’s about to lose his job—mysterious events change its course. When a piece of a rocket lands in his backyard, it reignites his long-held dreams of becoming an astronaut, and he hatches a plan to rebuild the aircraft. Ultimately, what seems like a hopeless endeavor turns into the shake-up that his life needed in this surreal treat of a film that has shades of Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Though it starts out merely funny and glib, this comedy, in which a teenage girl (Maisy Stella) meets her 39-year-old self while doing mushrooms, deepens into a very touching meditation on the price of love and the meaning of life.
Oscars Results 2025: Full Winners List and Highlights from the 97th Academy Awards
The Mitchells vs the Machines is a pure delight and one of the best films on Netflix. Maybe they ended up being eclipsed by a bigger blockbuster or got buried on a streaming service, but some great movies didn’t get the love they deserved. Thus, it’s time to right some wrongs and delve into some must-watch movies of 2021 that film lovers might have missed. If you can’t wait for these spooky releases, then check out this list of the most disturbing horror movies ever made.
That being said, if you’re looking for films to catch up on before the calendar switches to 2024, we’ve got you covered. These movies didn’t make our Best of the Year list (though they all are equally fantastic), but were ones that we hoped got a bit more love than they did upon release. There’s something for nearly every genre from historical romance (“Emily”) to drama’s with dance (“Magic Mike’s Last Dance”). We even have something for horror hounds (“Cobweb”) and horror hounds who have kids (“The Haunted Mansion”). Going all the way back to Walking and Talking (1996), Nicole Holofcener has always been a writer-director who isn’t afraid to explore the female experience in some of the most brutally honest and authentic ways.
Silver Linings Playbook (
Please, please, please Netflix, give Wake Up Dead Man a good run in movie theaters. The castle’s enchanting residents, including a charming teapot named Mrs. Potts and her son Chip, add fun and excitement to the tale. They all hope that Belle’s love will break the curse before it’s too late. The animation is top-notch and was the first of its kind to feature a full-length CGI film.
Valentine's Day weekend brings plenty of great movies to watch across the best streaming services, but figuring out which ones are actually worth your time is another question entirely. She previously led Gizmodo’s weekend news desk and has written game reviews and features for outlets like Polygon, Unwinnable, and Rock, Paper, Shotgun. Like the other Trolls movie, it showcases a star-studded cast, including some bonafide pop stars, who belt out karaoke along to a kaleidoscope of colorful visuals, characters based on classic toy designs, and playground humor. "Trolls Band Together" also doubles anime quiz as a de facto NSYNC reunion, with the boy band performing their first original song in decades.
While the brutality of the crime is depicted unflinchingly, it avoids sensationalism, focusing instead on the human cost and systemic failure. The makers strike a fine balance, delivering a hard-hitting narrative that is both empathetic and impactful. By now it might be evident that this has been a year of hard-hitting cinema, and Bhakshak stands out as one of its most impactful films. Pulkit’s unflinching depiction of a journalist’s fight for justice in the shadow of the Muzaffarpur Shelter Home case left an indelible mark. Bhumi Pednekar’s nuanced performance, paired with a sensitive yet bold narrative, earned Bhakshak widespread acclaim, making it a defining film of the year. A unique and powerful entry into 2024’s cinematic landscape, Sikhandar Ka Muqaddar offered a stirring narrative of ambition, power, and fate.
They meet talking dogs and a rare bird named Kevin, who is funny and loves chocolate. As they set off on their adventure, Rapunzel and Flynn face many challenges. They meet new friends like a super strong horse named Maximus and a funny gang of pub thugs with big dreams. In the story, the family must hide their powers and live as normal people because the government doesn’t allow superheroes to use their powers.
We’ve got everything from thrilling superhero showdowns, spine-tingling horror sequels, heartwarming animated adventures, and even some long-awaited reboots. The pair behind The Favourite and Poor Things reunite for Bugonia, which is described as a sci-fi comedy where two conspiracy theorists kidnap a CEO because they are convinced she is an alien whose mission is to destroy the Earth. There’s no one like Lanthimos, and he’s found an incredible collaborator in Stone.
A Danish priest journeys to a remote part of Iceland to help build a new church and get to know—and photograph—the people who occupy this vast and brutal landscape. But the more he learns about the place, the further he begins to stray from his mission and mores. It’s a bleak film, to be sure, yet it also holds space for moments of humor, making for a surprising cinematic experience.
Now streaming on Netflix, this is one delightful ride you don’t want to miss. It tells the incredible story of Srikanth Bolla, a visually impaired industrialist who defied societal stereotypes to become a pioneer in his field. Directed by Tushar Hiranandani, the film avoids the usual melodramatic pitfalls of disability narratives and instead offers a witty and insightful exploration of resilience, determination, and human connection. While the film is packed with gripping jailbreak sequences and a high-stakes plot, it’s also a deeply human story about familial bonds and survival.
The two have previously worked together on Fruitvale Station, Creed and Black Panther, and now they reunite for another event picture, Sinners. The movie features Jordan in a dual role of twin brothers, who return to their hometown to try and start anew, only to discover a great evil that threatens the community at night. Whether you want a nostalgic trip with “Aladdin” or to explore new worlds in “Moana,” there’s something for everyone. “A Whole New World,” a song from the movie, shows Aladdin and Jasmine’s magical carpet ride across the world. It combines romance with adventure and a bit of humor, making it a movie you won’t want to miss on Netflix. Beauty and the Beast is a captivating movie that tells the story of Belle, a bright and independent young woman, and the Beast, a prince trapped under a spell.