2024 was a great year for movies, with blockbusters and critical darlings galore, but even then, there were a number of films that went under the radar last year, despite being some of the best movies of the year. Countless successful movies were released in 2024, but there are a special few that likely stuck out in audiences’ minds. Some include Wicked, Gladiator II, Challengers, Dune: Part Two, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, and more. Of course, these movies deserve all the praise, yet a vast array of hidden gems also premiered in 2024, and they deserve way more attention.
A 2024 movie that is considered underrated is one that was very well-received, and deserves a place among the best movies of the year, but got little recognition in the mainstream. Oftentimes, these are smaller, indie movies that did not benefit from massive budgets or incredible casts. They probably lacked solid marketing as well. Despite having engaging premises and strong reputations, they were only recognized by a rare few. Overall, the following movies are projects that viewers should watch in the new year, before they’re forgotten completely.
10
Snack Shack
Best Friends Try To Get Rich
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7/10
Snack Shack
R
Nebraska City, summer of 1991—Inseparable best friends AJ (Conor Sherry) and Moose (Gabriel LaBelle) seize the opportunity to run the local pool’s rundown snack shack after their plan to gamble on dog races and sell home-brewed beer goes down the drain. Dreaming of striking it rich, things take an unexpected turn when they meet summer visitor Brooke (Mika Abdalla), an effortlessly cool lifeguard who puts their big summer plans, and their friendship, at risk.
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Release Date
March 15, 2024
Main Genre
Cmedy
Cast
Conor Sherry
, Nick Robinson
, David Costabile
, Gillian Vigman
, Mika Abdalla
Director
Adam Rehmeier
Writers
Adam Rehmeier
One movie that definitely got swept under the rug in 2024 was Snack Shack. Released in March 2024, this movie follows best friends AJ and Moose as they take over the rundown snack shack at their local pool. The pair craft a plan to become rich, and are on their way to doing so, until they meet Brooke. The beautiful and cool lifeguard suddenly puts a wedge in their business plan, and also their relationship with each other.
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Despite a $4.5 million budget and pretty basic premise, Snack Shack managed to impress critics and audiences alike. On Rotten Tomatoes, the movie earned an 81% critics score and an 88% audience score. Viewers praised the movie for being straightforward fun and evoking the wonderful feelings of a summer day spent by the pool. Furthermore, the chemistry between leads Gabriel LaBelle and Conor Sherry did not go unnoticed.
9
The Order
A Veteran FBI Agent Takes Down White Supremacists
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8.3/10
The Order
CrimeDramaThriller
A lone FBI agent, stationed in a small Idaho town, uncovers a disturbing connection between a series of violent bank robberies and a white supremacist group known as The Order. As the investigation deepens, the agent finds himself up against a dangerous domestic terror organization bent on sowing chaos across the Pacific Northwest.
Release Date
December 5, 2024
Runtime
120 Minutes
Cast
Marc Maron
, George Tchortov
, Daniel Yip
, Daniel Doheny
, Sebastian Pigott
, Jude Law
, John Warkentin
, Nicholas Hoult
, Phillip Forest Lewitski
, Vanessa Holmes
, Bryan J. McHale
, Rae Farrer
, Carter Morrison
, Odessa Young
, Tye Sheridan
, Philip Granger
, Ryan Chandoul Wesley
, Morgan Holmstrom
, Bradley Stryker
, Alison Oliver
, Huxley Fisher
, Jurnee Smollett
, Randy Fisher
, Geena Meszaros
, Sean Tyler Foley
, Victor Slezak
, Matias Lucas
, Sarah Haggeman
, Dayna Lea Hoffman
, Lenore Stillwell
, Jason Long
, Reid Fisher
, Jerod Blake
, Paul Wood
, Shawn Markwardt
, Judith Buchan
, David LeReaney
, Sally Bishop
, Stafford Perry
, Chantal Perron
Director
Justin Kurzel
Writers
Zach Baylin
, Kevin Flynn
, Gary Gerhardt
Expand
A later release that also escaped audiences was The Order. This December release stars Jude Law as an FBI agent who tries to take down a white supremacist group known as The Order, who have a plan to overthrow the federal government. Alongside Law, the movie stars Nicholas Hoult, Jurnee Smollett, and Marc Maron. This movie has an even smaller budget, at just $2.1 million. It is based on a non-fiction book entitled The Silent Brotherhood.
Critics agreed that The Order was an action-packed thriller with an enticing 1970s setting and a classic story of men being destroyed by their ambitions.
It is rather surprising that The Order didn’t make a splash in 2024 considering its talented cast. Hoult, in particular, has earned quite a bit of praise recently with movies like Juror #2 and Nosferatu. Regardless, The Order went mostly unnoticed, despite earning a Certified Fresh 91% on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics agreed that The Order was an action-packed thriller with an enticing 1970s setting and a classic story of men being destroyed by their ambitions.
8
Oh, Canada
A Dying Filmmaker Comes Clean
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Oh, Canada
Drama
An American author, facing a crisis in his life and career, retreats to a secluded cabin in the Canadian wilderness. Hoping to find tranquility and reignite his passion for writing, he instead finds himself wrapped up in the mysterious and troubled lives of the locals. This journey of introspection and revelation pushes him to face his deepest fears and regrets, framed by the unforgiving yet breathtaking Canadian landscape.
Release Date
May 17, 2024
Runtime
95 Minutes
Cast
Richard Gere
, Uma Thurman
, Jacob Elordi
, Michael Imperioli
, Kristine Froseth
Director
Paul Schrader
Writers
Paul Schrader
A movie with a notable cast that deserves a bit more attention is Oh, Canada. The film follows Richard Gere as dying director Leonard Fife, who sits for one final interview before his death. Through a series of interview excerpts and flashbacks, audiences learn that Fife’s progressive reputation was actually built on a series of lies. In actuality, the beloved filmmaker discarded most of the people who cared about him throughout his life.
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Oh, Canada does not have the same critical success as some of the other movies on this list, but that doesn’t take away the more intriguing aspects of this film. From the shocking premise to the fantastic cast, this movie has plenty to offer audiences who enjoy drama. Alongside Gere, Oh, Canada stars Jacob Elordi, Michael Imperioli, and Uma Thurman. Furthermore, it is the first collaboration between Gere and director Paul Schrader since American Gigolo.
7
Good One
A Teenage Girl Goes On A Hiking Trip
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Good One
R
Drama
Good One follows 17-year-old Sam as she navigates the complex dynamics between her father and his longtime friend during a weekend backpacking trip in the Catskills, highlighting themes of family tension and self-discovery. Released in 2024, the drama captures the challenges of adolescence and evolving relationships.
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Release Date
January 21, 2024
Cast
Lily Collias
, James Le Gros
, Sumaya Bouhbal
, Diana Irvine
, Sam Lanier
, Peter McNally
, Danny McCarthy
, Becca Brooks Morrin
Director
India Donaldson
Writers
India Donaldson
A quiet yet powerful entry from 2024 is Good One. This drama story follows Sam, a teenage girl who goes on a weekend-long camping trip into the Catskills with her father and his recently divorced friend. It is obvious that Sam is the odd one out on this trip, but more than that, she acts as an observer of her father’s relationship with his friend. Good One is India Donaldson’s directional debut, and had its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival.
Good One scored an impressive Certified Fresh 98% on Rotten Tomatoes, and has been deemed one of the top 10 independent films of 2024 by the National Board of Review. Audiences were captivated by the movie’s subtlety, and its unwillingness to explain itself. In this way, the film sucks viewers in and forces them to be like Sam: an observer in this world of quiet gestures and unsaid truths.
6
Didi
A Young Taiwanese Boy Grows Up In The Age Of The Internet
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Dìdi
R
ComedyDrama
During the summer before starting high school, 13-year-old Chris Wang navigates the complexities of adolescence in a Northern California suburb. As he experiments with skating, social media, and first crushes, he also grapples with family dynamics and the pressures of growing up as a Taiwanese American. The story explores Chris’s journey of self-discovery, filled with both humor and heartfelt moments, while highlighting the cultural and emotional challenges he faces.
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Release Date
August 16, 2024
Runtime
94 Minutes
Cast
Izaac Wang
, Joan Chen
, Shirley Chen
, Zhang Li Hua
, Mahaela Park
, Raul Dial
, Aaron Chang
, Chiron Cillia Denk
Director
Sean Wang
Writers
Sean Wang
For those who love a coming-of-age story, Didi is certainly the way to go. In this July 2024 movie, a 13-year-old Taiwanese kid named Chris is on the cusp of going to high school in 2008, and seeks refuge on the internet to escape his monotonous life. Though he loves his family, he tries to learn how to embody the American standard of cool via flirting and skateboarding. All the while, Chris must come to terms with his identity and what it means in American society.
Didi is another indie success, winning the Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival, and joining the top 10 best independent movies of 2024. With a Certified Fresh 96% on Rotten Tomatoes, the movie has been lauded for its accurate depiction of growing up in the 2000s and the painful issues many struggled with as a result of the internet. Furthermore, the movie imbues a wonderful warmth and kindness into the mostly difficult experience of being an adolescent.
5
Exhibiting Forgiveness
An Artist’s Life Changes When His Estranged Father Returns
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Exhibiting Forgiveness
Not Rated
Drama
Exhibiting Forgiveness is a drama film written and directed by Titus Kaphar and released in 2024. A Black artist on the rise to fame has his future thrown in jeopardy when his estranged father arrives seeking to reconnect with his son, only to discover that forgiveness is only one part of the uphill battle to recovery.
Release Date
October 18, 2024
Runtime
117 Minutes
Cast
Andre Holland
, John Earl Jelks
, Andra Day
, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor
Director
Titus Kaphar
Writers
Titus Kaphar
Another particularly moving piece from 2024 is Exhibiting Forgiveness. Released in January 2024, the film follows a Black artist named Tarrell, whose path to success is disrupted when his estranged addict father comes back into his life. As a result, Tarrell must renegotiate his relationship with his dad, while also figuring out who he is in relation to his past. The movie stars André Holland, Andra Day, and John Earl Jelks.
Exhibiting Forgiveness is another movie that feels like a gut-punch to audiences.
Exhibiting Forgiveness is another movie that feels like a gut-punch to audiences. Watching Tarrell struggle to forgive his father is an experience that may prove relatable to anyone who has ever had to face a wrongdoing in their life. Although Exhibiting Forgiveness does include moments of hope, the movie is more about the messiness of life and the ways in which emotions can change over time – for better or worse.
4
Woman Of The Hour
A Woman Is On A Gameshow With A Serial Killer
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16
7.4/10
Woman of the Hour
CrimeDramaMysteryThriller
Woman of the Hour is a biographical thriller directed by Anna Kendrick, who also stars in the film. The movie chronicles the infamous real-life story of Cheryl Bradshaw’s appearance on the 1978 edition of The Dating Game, where one of the contestants, Rodney Alcala, would later be revealed as a notorious serial killer. The film delves into the chilling intersection of entertainment and true crime.
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Release Date
September 26, 2023
Runtime
94 Minutes
Cast
Anna Kendrick
, Daniel Zovatto
, Autumn Best
, Andy Thompson
, David Beairsto
, Tighe Gill
, Bonnie Hay
, Thomas Strumpski
, Nicolette Robinson
, Kathryn Gallagher
, Kelley Jakle
, Tony Hale
Director
Anna Kendrick
Writers
Ian MacAllister McDonald
A fantastic Netflix movie that many may have unknowingly skipped past last year is Woman of the Hour. Directed by Anna Kendrick in her directorial debut, this movie tells the true story of Sheryl Bradshaw, a young woman who starred on an episode of The Dating Game, only to find that the man who won a date with her is actually a serial killer. Kendrick not only directed the film, but also starred as Sheryl, alongside Daniel Zovatto.
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Woman of the Hour is a perfect watch for those obsessed with true crime. This film delves into a story that definitely deserves more limelight, and luckily, Kendrick comes at it from a place of care and kindness. Woman of the Hour never feels like an exploitation, but instead, gives credit where it’s due to its victim and protagonist, Sheryl. On top of that, it is a colorful and chilling expose on violence and the invisibility of criminals. There’s a reason why the film earned a 91% on Rotten Tomatoes.
3
The Bikeriders
The Evolution Of A Biker Gang
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10
9/10
The Bikeriders
R
The Bikeriders tells the story of a 1960s Midwestern motorcycle club, the Vandals. Through the eyes of Kathy, played by Jodie Comer, the film explores the club’s evolution from a group of local outsiders to a dangerous gang.
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Release Date
June 21, 2024
Runtime
116 Minutes
Main Genre
Drama
Cast
Jodie Comer
, Austin Butler
, Tom Hardy
, Michael Shannon
, Mike Faist
, Norman Reedus
Director
Jeff Nichols
Writers
Jeff Nichols
Expand
Yet another star-studded movie that was overlooked last year was The Bikeriders. This crime drama film follows a Midwestern motorcycle club over the course of decades, as it transitions from a welcoming place for outsiders and outcasts to a highly dangerous gang that commits violence against those who first started the club. Notably, The Bikeriders stars Austin Butler, Jodie Comer, Tom Hardy, Norman Reedus, and Mike Faist.
The Bikeriders is a compelling story that pulls from real life, not only in terms of story, but in regard to true prejudice that has taken place in America. The movie boasts a completely immersive world that highlights how culture has changed over time, specifically through the lens of motorcycle clubs, which may not be completely familiar to most viewers. Overall, critics were impressed with the film’s performances, and this is what gave the film its strong 80% critics score.
2
A Different Man
An Aspiring Actor Gets A Significant Facial Procedure
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A Different Man
R
A Different Man is a thriller written and directed by Aaron Schimberg and premiered in 2024. An actor named Edward attempts to make himself a more marketable actor by having significant reconstructive surgery on his face, but the results leave much to be desired. Now, having lost the role of his dreams, Edward takes extreme measures to get it back as his obsession turns dark.
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Release Date
October 3, 2024
Main Genre
Comedy
Cast
Sebastian Stan
, Renate Reinsve
, Adam Pearson
, Miles G. Jackson
, Patrick Wang
, Neal Davidson
Director
Aaron Schimberg
Writers
Aaron Schimberg
One particularly unique film that should be on audiences’ radars is A Different Man. In this black comedy thriller, an aspiring actor with a facial disfigurement decides to undergo an experimental procedure which gives him a new face. At first, the protagonist is shocked by his newfound fame and success, yet he soon begins to regret losing what made him himself. The film stars Adam Pearson and Sebastian Stan.
Another underrated movie Sebastian Stan starred in in 2024 was The Apprentice.
Yet another contender in the top 10 independent films of 2024, A Different Man is a surprisingly bold adventure into a story that may seem familiar to many, but which twists and turns in many unexpected ways. Through dark comedy, this movie delves into disability and how physical change cannot necessarily bring about the much more necessary internal change. Overall, this movie deserves all the awards and nominations it has received.
1
I Saw The TV Glow
A Young Man Becomes Obsessed With A Strange TV Show
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7.6/10
I Saw the TV Glow
PG-13
DramaHorror
I Saw the TV Glow is a horror film by writer-director Jane Schoenbrun, released in 2024. A young man named Owen is introduced to a late-night TV show that reflects their reality. As the two begin to bond over the series, it suddenly is canceled, causing Owen’s view of reality to shatter.
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Release Date
January 18, 2024
Runtime
100 Minutes
Cast
Justice Smith
, Brigette Lundy-Paine
, Danielle Deadwyler
, Fred Durst
, Helena Howard
, Ian Foreman
Director
Jane Schoenbrun
Writers
Jane Schoenbrun
Last but not least, there is I Saw The TV Glow. Released in May 2024, this fantasy horror film centers on Owen, a young man who befriends Maddy, and becomes obsessed with her favorite TV show, The Pink Opaque. When Maddy goes missing, Owen must return to his boring and unfulfilling life, yet her unexpected return many years later prompts him to question how much of their favorite show was real, and how much was simply made up in their heads.
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I Saw The TV Glow is not necessarily for everyone, but it is a film that will speak deeply to a wide range of people. Beautifully strange and uncanny, this movie explores what it means to feel like an outcast, and more than that, to feel as though you don’t belong in your world or your body. With strong lead actors and a gorgeous setting, I Saw The TV Glow is a project viewers should not miss as 2024 comes to an end.