A lot of good movies came out this year. With the Golden Globes passed and Oscar nominations announced, I think it’s a good idea to look back on the films from 2024.

I watched about 20 movies that came out last year and here are my top 10 films and why you should watch them.

I don’t just rate these movies on how good they are but how re-watchable, entertaining, and enjoyable they are. Some of the movies higher up on the list are not as good, technically speaking, as those at the bottom but due to curtain factors (that I will explain) I believe them to be higher or lower on this list.

This top 10 list will be published in the Phoenix in five segments before the Oscar ceremonies on March 2.

6 – Juror #2

This thriller tells the story of Justin Kemp (Nicholas Holt) after he got drunk and ran over what he thought was a deer. Subsequently, he was called to jury duty for a high profile murder trial. When he hears the details of the case, something starts to sound familiar. The street where the hit and run took place was the street he rode down the night he had too much to drink, on the same day too. He starts to realize that maybe it wasn’t a deer that he hit that night. He’s a member of the jury convicting someone of the crime he committed. He now has to choose between letting an innocent man go to jail or turn himself in and go to prison, leaving his pregnant wife to pick up the pieces.

This movie is very interesting because of the choices that exist for the main character. Viewers see his choice between either having to give up his life and his wife’s chance of having a family, or send an innocent man to jail for murder. 

This story is well written and forces the audience to think about the choices they would make if they were in a situation like the one Justin finds himself in. The film holds a mirror up to individuals and their bias, as well as exploring the idea of right and wrong. Throughout the jury deliberation scenes, you see the different Juror’s let their own personal biases affect their vote towards the verdict. It shows the audience that sometimes it is difficult to find the truth. 

Renowned actor and director, Clint Eastwood, even at the age of 94, is able to direct a compelling story that keeps viewers on the edge of your seat the entire running time and keeps them guessing. 

This movie shows that Nicholas Holt can lead a film. After years of playing supporting roles, this movie really lets him show off his acting prowess and ability. I think he does a believable job of showing the drama and the stress a situation like this can cause an individual. However, without spoiling the finale of the film,  I felt like some of the scenes at the end showed characters making upsetting decisions or saying things that didn’t seem fully in character. I found this frustrating and can make the story feel like it was unraveled in a very satisfying way. 

I still think this movie fits well at number six on this list and gets 3/5 stars.

5 – Twisters

This sequel to the original Twister movie tells the story of a young weather scientist, Kate (Daisy Edgar Jones), who, after a traumatic experience with a tornado, no longer wants to study twisters. A while after her decision to stop trying to find a way to stop tornadoes, her friend and fellow scientist, Javi (Anthony Ramos)  tells her that he thinks there is a way to get detailed imaging of tornadoes. This could help her find a way to stop twisters once they’ve started that might actually work. When she agrees to help out, she and her friend go out to get the imaging data they need, but they are not expecting to find that a tornado chasing influencer will get in her way. It becomes a race to get to the tornados before the cocky tornado chaser Tyler Owens (Glen Powell).

This movie is a fun action, disaster, and romance movie about tornado chasing and making a difference. I think this movie has to be fifth on this list because it was an entertaining and funny movie with heart, all at the same time. This movie has a deep message to not judge a book by its cover and that people might have ulterior motives when money is involved, even if people are doing it under the guise of helping people in need.

Glen Powell and Daisy Edgar-Jones do a great job in this film as well as Anthony Ramos in his supporting role as Javi. The three main characters put on an amazing performance with a B-plot love triangle that can help the audience get to know Javi a little better. Glen Powell was definitely the perfect choice to portray Tyler Owens and all his complexities.

This movie had one of the best soundtracks of this year. The country songs written by what Glen Powell calls the “Avengers of country music” do not disappoint. Featuring songs like “Ain’t No Love In Oklahoma” By Luke Combs and “Ain’t In Kansas Anymore” by Miranda Lambert.

You do not have to watch the original Twister movie to enjoy this film. This film is a very loose sequel. Aside from some small references and tornado chasing, this movie seems very separate from the original film. 

If you like a mix of comedy, romance, and a nerve-racking story about natural disasters, then this movie is definitely one you should watch. 3.5/5 Stars for this movie.