Hey everyone, my name is Anthony and welcome back to my Countdown.
Last time, I’ve done the list of WORST movies in 2024, ranging from hopeless spy that turns life imitates arts with not even former Superman saves it, a boring and missing story of Bob Marley’s life, a broken down musical movie with the infamous couple in the comic and of course, Sony has reaching all time low in disgrace.
But at the same time, it doesn’t meant this whole year sucks (Well okay, there’s Dictator Trump back to White House, but I digress), there are also plenty of good movies out there that I enjoy, despite dealing with some crap shows. As always, il do the countdown, but in the second and last part, I have 8 good movies that I’ve been experienced. Sure, I may have some movies that I forgot, but if you have some other best movies in 2024, let me know in the comments bellow.
So this is my Top 9 BEST movies in 2024. So lets get started, shall we?
Number 9: Moana 2
After years that we had one of the most beautiful well crafted film, Moana, and managed to becoming the most watched film on Disney+’s history, its no stranger that they’re going to cashing in from the success.
For this movie, its a fairly okay sequel we got, the animation looks pretty good for the first time Disney’s studio in Vancouver, the voice acting are good, especially with some welcoming return and the story is nice, especially I like the idea of Moana going to exploring to restoring the remaining civilization from mysterious sunken island before the eternal darkness from Nalo, il give a credit what they’re trying to developing the world building to finding the disappearing island in deserted ocean, which some people (myself included) like giving us the depth of Moana’s world, like Frozen 2.
BUT, the reason why its on lower list is that the writing, the characters and such others are pretty weak, which is why I considered it as one Disney’s weakest film in 2024. And what’s worse about Moana 2, it wasn’t supposed to be a movie. As I said before, it was originally meant to be a series exclusive on Disney+, hence why the writing in this movie feels so… Episodic at best to looking back. But instead, the Power that be in Disney Bob Iger, made a terrible decision to asking them to changing it into a movie to hopefully made more cash. I mean yes, the sequel made a box-office success, but again, because of episodic script, the movie just didn’t worked for the receptions, especially Disney should’ve learned their mistake after what they did with Belle's Magical World and Atlantis: Milo’s Return, but unlike those two (which they’re pretty bad), Moana 2 isn’t the worst sequel ever, its more like the weakest sequel.
But alas, it could’ve been worse when Disney are developing a live-action remake on Moana… God help us…!
Number 8: Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire
As a Kaiju fan, I always like to see an epic journey and battle with two iconic monsters in our lives like Godzilla and King Kong. In case for the sequel after their fighting, it may look like a promising journey, but not good enough elements what we like to see.
Having an exploration to Hollow Earth makes sense when we surprisingly saw in Godzilla V Kong, cause we like to see a further depth in this movie. Il give a credit for a split plot on Kong exploring to see if there’s more Titans in Hollow Earth and even humans seeing a the mute tribe, especially with a nice development on some tribes or even some Kaijus. Even the new Kaijus look promising and impressive looking, despite some of their one dimensional development.
But alas, the movie is suffered with splitting into three plots with the aforementioned Kong’s discovery and Humans’ exploration before meet the tribe, but there’s also Godzilla going on killing spree on other Titans to powering up, but worse, Godzilla is less focus compare to the humans team or Kong, since Godzilla is like a major star, but instead, the King of Kaiju is pretty much an afterthought while Kong is the main focus, maybe the same can be said for the humans, but its the writing could’ve gone better to giving us a proper development. Making it a good film, but almost boring.
Even though its nowhere greater Kaiju film in Monstervse, hopefully if things get interesting in the future for more Titans out there or not.
Number 7: Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
After decades of sequels been thrown out, the news teams and Tim Burton were eventually opened to bringing back everyone’s favorite Bio-Exorcist from the grave with a long waited sequel for reuniting our familiar casts as well as the new ones.
Much like the previous film, the movie is one helluva trip with all those chaos and some fun humors, especially with the returning Michael Keaton as Betelgeuse to bringing back his comedic role, even if he’s gotten aged, but he’s still did a fun work, along with reuniting the Deetz family, which I find them both welcoming and descent, even the new casts like Jenna Ortega and even Willem Dafoe are both fascinating to see them in Burton’s films (unless you’ve seen Ortega as Wednesday Addams, which probably explain the connection between of two). Even the traditional effects and such are look both crazy and amazing work.
However, while I like the sequel, but like many sequels, its not as good as the original, the movie some of writing aren’t as perfect, such as nearly too much villains that we barely know who’s the main villain, even the main one like Dolores is lackluster, the double plot maybe good, but not a good execution and some are rather predictable from what we’ve guessed.
The first Beetlejuice is a classic and chaotic film that we enjoyed, but the sequel, it has its chaotic fashion, but the crazy ride aren’t as good that we expected for their long waited return.
Number 6: The Fall Guy
For a movie based on the show with the same name about a stunt actor doing a real action for the mission may sounds unique, but fascinating, even if I never seen the show how its been adapted into a movie.
The best way to describing to looking back is a soft action movie with a sorta mix of film making due to the search of a main actor and a conflict between stunt double and the director who’s an ex. Even though, again, im not familiar with the show, but il give a credit to be creative about a stunt actor is on a real action duty for the whereabouts of a main actor, even some of the jokes and writing are good too. Not to mention, even some of stunt scenes are pretty cool to watch, along with. some stunts managed to broke record from “Guinness World Record”
But the downside is that, while its fun, but the actions are soft, but again, its a PG movie, while the writing is good, but nowhere perfect with some characters are either having a minimal of appearance or just disappeared, not to mention, while I may like KISS’s “I was made for lovin’ you”, but its been overused over and over that I felt like I heard enough.
Even though it may not be my taste while looking back, but its for the best to be outside of Top 5. Speaking of which…
Number 5: Sonic The Hedgehog 3
If someone likes to “Live and Learn” with Sonic and Shadow, its definitely a worth of wait after the cliffhanger.
This movie goes into a double liberty to having two games, Sonic Adventures 2 and Shadow The Hedgehog into the story is sounds risky, but its actually a pretty well executed for action, the message of be respectful to working as a team with Sonic, Tails and Knuckles (a reference to Sonic Heroes), even if the its cliché for the obvious “The Power of Love and Friendship”, it has a fun action and of course, the story development is pretty good what they’ve accomplished, especially with, despite a slightly difference, but Shadow’s origin is both faithful and emotional much like in the game. Even some of acting and some jokes are pretty fun and entertaining.
While I considered Sonic 3 as a BIG improvement over the first two, but the movie could’ve gone perfect without from flaws, such as a pacing issues, some jokes are nearly forced with obvious pop culture references and one 4th wall breaking, but even the characters we have is nearly minimal that we nearly forgot on Wachowskis and an odd idea of Jim Carrey in double role, but in fairness, at least its nice to have a day and night difference on both Carrey’s characters.
While its not as perfect with flaws, but at least its very good Sonic movie what the fans and non-fans called it and worth of watching, along with hoping to see something interesting when Paramount was already start developing on Sonic 4. We’ll see how that goes.
Number 4: Deadpool and Wolverine
Like I always said, im more on-and-off person when it comes to MCU that I lost my touch on this franchise after the Infinity era, but I did enjoy some, and Deadpool and Wolverine is one of them. While im lost about the whole Multiverse parts in this era (due to being burnt out), I did enjoy this one, probably belong to my favorite next to Spider-Man: Now Way Home.
While the movie is all about Deadpool trying to saving himself when his home universe is on a verge of extinction, its more about either Deadpool trying to save his home universe when his main Wolverine was tragically killed off, meaning Deadpool’s home universe’s Wolverine is his anchor, which didn’t make any sense that maybe Deadpool can take the torch to keeping his world open, while also teaming up with a lone diabolical version of Wolverine to both saving the universe and dealing with both TVA and Cassandra Nova, its interesting, but either both dumb and complex, cause again, it would’ve been perfect for Deadpool takes the anchor’s torch, as he’s proclaimed as “Marvel Jesus”. Despite the complex and questionable element about Deadpool’s home universe, at least its actually a fun journey to having a dream duo. Even the cameos are also great to see with some characters that we’re familiar are back to reprising their roles like X-23 (aka Laura), Blade and even Elektra, even Channing Tatum’s dream as Gambit is also nice to see him after been scrapped. The action scenes are both enjoyable, and for the first time in MCU, pretty bloody to watch, especially with swearing (not the first time since Guardians of the Galaxy 3), and some fight scene is also funny to watch, especially I like to replaying it when I bought it digitally.
While its great and fun to watch for Deadpool’s worth of waiting, but if I have a downside for why its not in a podium, there are some issues that dealt with like the death of universe’s anchor that TVA are trying to wiping out, which again, Deadpool could’ve take the torch as a new anchor, but even there are some with good and fun jokes, but some could be weak.
Even though its not as greater than Deadpool 2, its a worth of watching after years of waiting to have a dream duo came true. But hey, maybe we would like to see Deadpool teaming up with Spider-Man for another crazy journey, and yet, im still waiting for MCU’s take on X-Men.
Number 3: Transformers One
After years to giving us those lame-ass live action Transformers, Paramount are eventually decided to moving on from this to bringing Transformers back to the old route, mainly, an animated feature film featuring Transformers, not only its an animated Transformers movie, but its also a full on origin story where did our familiar characters begin.
Its quite surprising and pretty good what they’ve accomplished for the origin with the chemistry of our heroes, exploring both inside and outside the city, it has some good humors that gave me a laugh and of course, the animation looks pretty impressive that it feels like a toys come to life in animation, the action scenes are both enjoyable and kinda brutal, but still fun. Even the story progress does get fascinating and kinda emotional what we’ve witnessed before the climatic battle on the third act, especially with characters been evolved.
While I enjoy the movie, but it suffered with issues for why it didn’t make on top, nor even giving a 9/10, its because while I like it, but not as perfect result, ranging from villain plot twist cliché, the first act is kinda messy and while I like the jokes, but some are are weak or forced. Not to mention, and sadly, the movie was flopped way too early, due to being sandwiched by major competitors like the aforementioned Beetlejuice Beetlejuice and another animated robot movie that we’ll get there. Its just a shame that it would’ve been great to have a sequel, but alas, because of the flop, Hasbro is no longer co-financing the future projects, instead, it leaves to external studios to funding the future projects. Yikes…
Aw well, even if the movie is sadly a flop, Il probably considered it as an underrated film that you guys should check it out.
Number 2: Inside Out 2
Huh, another number 2 film within number 2. BUT, its certainly better than the godawful Folie a Deux.
Anyway, after years of giving us some good to not-so great film, Pixar had a sequel plan of one of my favorite film back in 2015, Inside Out. And since we love the idea of imagining an emotional characters in our minds, its no surprising we like to see more, especially what happens next when we’re growing up like Riley. As a result, it worked out pretty good.
While the movie’s plot feels pretty much like the first film, but similar to other Pixar film Turning Red, this one goes what happened when our main emotions got themselves a red alert about Riley is having Puberty. But the difference is that we got ourselves a new emotions, even though, again, at the same time, reusing the same plot where our main emotions (this time, five of them) trying to get back to their headquarter while Anxiety is in full control, but very badly to control Riley. Like I said, despite it feels like the same plot, but the message is not just about dealing with puberty (twice since Turning Red), but also how not to be a fan without turning into a control freak that’ll going out of control. Of course, the imagination in our mind has grown that we like to see more, especially with well-done animation, cute, colorful and nice mix of animation with 2D and PS1 inspired graphic, which is like reflecting our childhood, even the characters and the voice performance are good too, even if there are two voiced been changed that I was iffy, but at least il give a credit what they’re trying.
Its no stranger a must-watched film from the start and even looking back on Disney+ (or buying physically) that, despite the flaws I have, but it still a great movie and it actually saved Pixar from their decline with a MAJOR hit at the box-office and today, this movie is now the Number 1 “Highest Grossing Animated Film” by far, and I can definitely see why many people loved to see it.
However, while I love this movie, but the movie is also suffered the elephant in the room that it might needs to be addressed, along with the reason why its on Number 2 on my list. Mainly, yet another successful sequel with a screw up business while making this movie. According to IGN in September 16, while this movie is a major hit, but several came out of closet to revealing the behind the scenes was anything but problematic, ranging from 14% employees were sacked out while making this movie, rewriting some elements to removing LGBTQ element (probably because of those Anti-Woke and homophobic cults what we’ve that Disney/Pixar were forced for all the wrong reasons) and couple reasons of this movie been into Crunch Time from Chief Creative Officer of Pixar, Pete Doctor, could be stubborn. But some of those are allegations, while the sacked out employees are too good to be true, but the rest, its dependable, since Disney refused to comment on those. It feels like we have a pattern since Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, they both well-received and big hits at the box-offices, but their working conditions were anything but, but again, those are allegations, meaning we don’t know if its true aside of business laid off.
Despite the allegations that Disney/Pixar refused to let us know (even if they’re pretty much anti-union since the making of Dumbo in the 1940s), but it still a great movie that I enjoy and of course, not only a must-watch, but also topped the record of highest grossing animated film, which it feels like a comeback from Pixar, lets hope when they’ll giving us something interesting in their future (aside their questionable working environment that this is a wake-up call to work properly).
But before we’ll get to the Number 1 of my best movie of the year, lets take a quick nominees that while they’re both got a lot of attention, but never had a chance to see for my limited reasons.
Wicked
For a movie based on a musical stage with the same name by Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman, and the novel by Gregory Maguire, this movie is basically the origin of The Wicked Witch of the West from The Wizard of Oz for how our main witch has become, which is like portraying a tragic origin, which is a fascinating idea, even if im not a hardcore fan of Wizard of Oz, despite I remember seeing the 1939’s The Wizard of Oz. And now we’re having a sequel shortly after Wicked? Already??
Piece by Piece
After WB passed Lego IP to Universal, we’re curious to see what we’re getting, the result is about Pharrell Williams’s sharing his origin for how he build up his career, hence the reference of Lego. While im not a fan of hip-hop or R&B like Pharrell, but it was quite surprising that not only its Universal’s first film in Lego, but also the more modern origin. But alas, Universal’s first Lego movie was unfortunately a bad start, due to being another victim of box-office bomb for another competition. Yikes…
Civil War
The unofficial Number 10 that I really wanted to do a review of this movie, but can’t since it plays almost like The Purge, but unlike The Purge, this one is about survival from a war between government and the secession in order to interviewing the president, I guess its not hard to see why this movie is well-received and a hit at the box-office, but considering this movie came out during my triple whammy of bad movies, I sadly missed it, despite it looks promising that, again, I wish I wanna see it in 2024. Aw well.
And
Alien: Romulus
Even though I never watch ANY Alien movies, ever since I’ve heard of it a lot much like Predator. This one bring Alien back to the old horror route after been exploited into action-horror, where this film takes place between the first Alien and Cameron’s Aliens, which I find it quite surprising from what I’ve heard. Even though I never see this movie, but my dad watched it on Disney+. While some people gave an appreciation of bringing back to the old route, but it could’ve make less too much of nostalgia (though only the fans would remember) and a poor excuse of CGI replica and deepfake AI of the late Ian Holm (which is something they really should’ve learn from Hollywood Labor Strike…!).
And now… The Number one best of movie in 2024 goes to…
Number 1: The Wild Robot
Need I say more for this amazingly beautiful film by Dreamworks?
After years of given us “How to train your Dragon”, Chris Sanders returned to DreamWorks for his own take of The Wild Robot by Peter Brown, and as you may or may not know, this is DreamWorks’ final film for their animation in-house before working with the outsiders, cause DreamWorks is sadly in decline that they lost their money and laying off their employees, along with some of their studios closed (including Redwood division), like DreamWorks, again, working with third-party companies. Its just a shame, cause DreamWorks are the biggest name in the late 90s, millennium to 2010s when they gave us the best movies from Prince of Egypt, Shrek, Kung Fu Panda and the aforementioned How to train your Dragon. But in case with The Wild Robot, it was like the redemption film for the studio’s sacrifice before moving into their current direction.
This movie is a big surprise that rather than a typical adventure with comedy, this one goes into a robot version of Cast Away, taking the simple book version seriously to have a robot discovering wildlife in the island and having a chemistry to learn how to be an adoptive mother of a baby goose Brightbill. While it has some humors that I like, but adventures and drama are the key focus of this movie, especially for giving us an emotional chemistry between ROZZUM and Brightbill from parental learning to loving adoptable family. Even though the story may sounds simple, but its a nice expansion for both the depth and the execution for not just learning how to be adoptive parent, but also learning what ROZZUM belongs to before been washed ashore from the storm, which is both surprised and also difficulty for her if she goes back to connect with nature.
But of course, what makes this movie even more emotionally amazing, its the animation, taking a similar 3D animation with a mix of 2D quality is not only impressive, but the background, the cinematography and the effect are both amazing and beautiful for what they’ve accomplished. Even the soundtrack is also beautifully well composed to fitting in from the beauty and the emotion.
But again, its just a shame that this DreamWorks’s final era what they are today, they’ve put hearts, souls and talents for this movie, cause I think they did an amazing job on this, though some may say its not as perfect, but I truly think it is, especially for being a must-watch film for both fans of DreamWorks films and even some new ones, its worth of checking out for both impressed the presentation, laugh at some good joke, burst into tears for emotional chemistry, and of course, a love and respect to DreamWorks before the end of their era, it is a perfect, beautifully emotional film to check it out.
And that is why The Wild Robot is my Number 1 BEST movie in 2024.
Whew, now we’re done with the movies in 2024, but like I said, I know I missed some that I skipped. But like always, got any other movies that I missed? Let me know in the comment section.
So il take a break of recent movie review to either doing a past review or even sharing my arts and fanfic. Though il make a quick thought on this year’s films later.
But as always, if you guys have your opinion or any suggestions, let me know at comment bellow and support me on KO-FI.com/blackevil.
Thanks for reading, and im Anthony, signing out, and il see you guys later at Movie Review 2025.
