BEST in FILM and TV 2024: THE FAVORITE FILM AND TV SHOW DISCOVERIES OF 2024
Like any year, we revisit all of the films, in a variety of genres, and television shows we saw in the past year. Mostly this is a biased list of the productions we considered favorites since “best” often doesn’t align with the criteria that is critics best. Still, we like to think some of the titles we share and consider favorites also have merit and quality. Regardless of whether this is true of not, we’re looking at the best and favorite films and tv of 2024.
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BEST in FILM and TV 2024: THE FAVORITE FILM AND TV SHOW DISCOVERIES OF 2024. #BestofYear #BestMovies #FavoriteMovies #Moviesof2024 #FavoriteTV #TVShows #NobodyWantsThis #TheFallGuy #Juror2 Share on XIt may not be interesting to anyone which movies I enjoyed or found thought provoking, but I’ll admit I do enjoy looking back at what I enjoyed and found most interesting. This year I don’t think I saw as many that were dynamic (and my searching out what I watched proves this true!) or wonderful in the way they were from prior years, but nonetheless, I still did see some to love. Even if they are one most viewers consider “bad” or ridiculous. I think some of these movies are purely for entertaining, yes, but some even with the silliness, have value and make us respect and appreciate the themes.
THE BEST and FAVORITE FILMS and TV of 2024
ARGYLLE
I’ve just recently learned thanks to social media and other editorial best of lists of 2024 that Argylle is, well, quite hated. I think it’s a good deal of fun and so I really don’t care. It follows an author who finds her fictional worlds blurring into her real life when she becomes part of a conspiracy. Is it best picture material as defined by something like the Oscars? No. But for me, having fun is a big part of loving a film. This one affects that feeling very well.
Stream, at publication, with a Peacock subscription or digitally rent/purchase on Prime Video
THE FALL GUY
A fan favorite when it was in theaters, The Fall Guy is a really good time. It has Ryan Gosling (who seems to be on a popular guy string of roles just now) and Emily Blunt, both of whom play their respective roles (a stunt man trying to make a comeback and an opinionated director) quite well.
Stream, at publication, with a Peacock subscription or digitally rent/purchase on Prime Video
FLY ME to the MOON
This is an easy addition to my favorite film and TV of 2024 list. Cute, yes and ultimately tagged as a romantic comedy, this film with Channing Tatum and Scarlet Johansson set in the 1960s is actually meaningful, too. It has themes on the importance of truth and ultimately, doing the right things.
Stream, at publication, with an Apple TV+ subscription or digitally rent/purchase on Prime Video
BEST in FILM and TV 2024: THE FAVORITE FILM AND TV SHOW DISCOVERIES OF 2024. #Bestof2024 Movies and TV I enjoyed. #FavoriteMovies #GoodMovies #FlyMetotheMoon #Argylle #HighPotential Share on XHITCHCOCK MOVIES
Photo: WARNER BROS / Allstar Picture Library Ltd / Alamy Stock Photo
In 2024, I started watching Alfred Hitchcock movies and I’ve actually enjoyed quite a few. They’ve been mysterious, yes, but some also have depth about humanity and connections. There’s lots of interesting here. While perhaps not his more famous titles, two of my favorites (so far) have been Dial M for Murder and Marnie.
Stream, at publication, with Plex or Tubi (Dial M for Murder); Netflix (Marnie); or digitally rent/purchase on Prime Video
JUROR #2
This is a slow-moving Clint Eastwood drama, but it questions interesting moral dilemmas and what to do with it. The mystery isn’t really a mystery either, but Nicholas Hoult is really good as the lead as is the entire co-starring cast.
Stream, at publication, with a HBO Max subscription or digitally rent/purchase on Prime Video
MRS. WINTERBOURNE
Not a new 2024 movie, but seeing this for me in 2024 is a first for me. It’s one of those feel-good and entertaining movies despite it’s sometimes out there plot. I’m still going to add it though because, well, it’s a new (and best!) movie of 2024 to me.
Stream, at publication, with Pluto TV or digitally rent/purchase on Prime Video
TWISTERS
I know this was the it movie of the summer and probably has some sense of overhype, but I do think this film is actually good. It has that kind of feel-good vibe that this genre needs, and we all need more wholesome (I mean something that goes beyond content when saying this) stories that we can enjoy with a side of popcorn and walk away from feeling happy. Despite its controversial end, I actually still like it. While I too love the thing fans complained lacks, the end is also still darling and it just works.
Stream, at publication, with an Apple TV+ subscription or digitally rent/purchase on Prime Video
BEST TV of 2024
GEEK GIRL
Holly Smale wrote the novel on which this is based and the series is all kinds of cute about a self professing geek girl who stumbles into being a runway model. I love this story (I’d read the book years ago) and the fact that its leading lady Harriet Manners is easy to relate to.
Stream exclusively on Netflix
A GOOD GIRL’S GUIDE to MURDER
Based on the novel by Holly Jackson, this BBC and Netflix series is really quite good. It’s primarily about teens, so it might not be a show everyone likes, but I think it’s a solid mystery and I love that is (mostly) follows the novel.
Stream exclusively on Netflix
HIGH POTENTIAL
This is an ABC comedy that a first impression, well, impresses. I haven’t watched more (yet), but I thoroughly did enjoy the setup. Hoping to binge watch the rest and a second season seems likely. Kaitlin Olsen leads the cast as a single mother who works as a janitor. She’s also extremely smart which comes to the attention of the detectives at the station she cleans.
Stream, at publication, with a Hulu subscription or digitally rent/purchase on Prime Video
THE MARLOW MURDER CLUB
I haven’t finished this series yet, but it was really good based on the episodes I watched. It follows three different women who team up to solve a mysterious death.
Stream, at publication, with a Masterpiece PBS subscription or digitally rent/purchase on Prime Video
MISS SCARLET
A rebrand from Masterpiece PBS (so that makes it seem like an – almost, new show), this fifth season of Miss Scarlet begins a new chapter for Eliza Scarlet and therefore the show feels new in many regards (and is fitting for our favorite films and TV of 2024!). Kate Phillips returns as the titular character, working alongside a new inspector and while I still have quibbles with Eliza, this season has been good for her, and has been a delight from start to finish. The fifth season made its debut December 8th on the PBS app and for those who have the Prime Video Masterpiece PBS channel. The broadcast debut will start on January 12.
Stream, at publication, with a Masterpiece PBS subscription or digitally rent/purchase on Prime Video
MURDER in a SMALL TOWN
This drama is one of two new 2024 dramas that impresses me. Like High Potential, I still have watched more after that first impression, but it was SO good. Definitely one I look forward to watching more of. It follows a newcomer taking on the role of sheriff in a small town and the librarian he falls for during his first murder case.
Stream, at publication, with a Hulu or Fox Now subscription or digitally rent/purchase on Prime Video
MY FAMILY
Not a new show, but I watched this British comedy in 2024, and I really liked it. It’s about a dentist who has ups and downs and very little say in how his family (wife, three kids) live their wacky lives. The series made me laugh like little others do and we get to see Daniela Denby-Ashe pre her lead role in North & South.
Stream, at publication, with a BritBox or Peacock subscription; on Plex, Pluto TV or Tubi; or digitally rent/purchase on Prime Video
NOBODY WANTS THIS
This is admittedly very adult, but overlooking some of my usual don’t-add-things-just-to-get-that-mature-rating gripes, I did really enjoy this. It has lots of witty banter and is a show that I actually think could have gotten away with the tease for a lot longer (because of the lead stars). I think the show actually degrades a bit in the latter episodes, but has as cute end. It follows two complete opposites (religion, family, beliefs) who end up falling in love.
Stream exclusively with Netflix
A “COPY + PASTE” QUESTION–> What’d I Miss? I still haven’t seen once upon a time anticipated 2019 titles like Five Feet Apart; The Sun is also a Star; Tolkien; X-Men: Dark Phoenix; Yesterday; Where’d You Go, Bernadette?; 2021 titles include F9: The Fast Saga; Jungle Cruise; Sing 2; Spider-Man: No Way Home; The Tomorrow War; 2022 titles Redeeming Love; The Sky is Everywhere; 2023 titles Are you There God? It’s Me, Margaret; The Little Mermaid; and others were on my priority list. Alas, I just didn’t seem to make time for them. I’m not sure why, but when it comes to box office films, I missed a lot this year. What should I start with in 2025??
Photos: Alamy Stock Photo
How many of these have you seen? Which ones do you also consider a favorite? Which ones would you “trash”? How many have you “trashed”? Comment all of your favorite films and TV of 2024 thoughts below in the comment section!
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