Inside Out 2 (2024) Official Trailer Courtesy of Pixar
Catch The Must-See Films Everyone’s Talking About Before The Year Ends
As the year draws to a close, it’s common to feel a bit nostalgic or even slightly down about saying goodbye to 2024. However, there’s still plenty of time to make the most of the remaining months. For those looking for something exciting to do, consider immersing in the world of cinema. This year has been phenomenal for movie releases, with blockbusters hitting theaters at an unprecedented pace and generating impressive box office numbers.
The pandemic delayed the release of many films, but 2024 has seen those long-awaited titles finally make their way to the big screen. Whether the preference is for action-packed adventures, heartwarming dramas, or mind-bending sci-fi, there’s a movie for everyone this year. For anyone feeling the end-of-year blues or seeking a special treat, now is the perfect time to catch up on the incredible films that have made 2024 such a standout year for cinema. Don’t miss the chance to experience these cinematic gems before the year comes to an end!
10. ‘A Quiet Place: Day One’ (2024)
A Quiet Place: Day One serves as both a prequel and a spin-off to the first two films in the series. It centers on a terminally ill woman, portrayed by Lupita Nyong’o, who, along with a group of survivors played by Joseph Quinn, Alex Wolff, and Djimon Hounsou, must band together to survive. Their survival hinges on remaining silent to avoid detection by blind, extraterrestrial creatures that hunt using their acute sense of hearing.
The film was written and directed by Michael Sarnoski, based on a story he created with John Krasinski, who directed the previous two films and starred in the original A Quiet Place (2018). The film garnered widespread acclaim from critics, earning an impressive $260.9 million worldwide on a budget of just $67 million. On its opening day, it pulled in $22.5 million, including $6.8 million from Thursday night previews, making it the most successful entry in the series.
Watch A Quiet Place: Day One in theaters now!
9. ‘Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes’ (2024)
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes is the fourth installment in the rebooted Planet of the Apes film series and the tenth in the overall franchise. The film was written by Josh Friedman and directed by Wes Ball. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Ball completed most of the script, and casting began in June 2022. Although it follows War for the Planet of the Apes (2017), it is considered a stand-alone sequel.
The story is set years after the events of the previous film and centers on a young chimpanzee named Noa (Owen Teague), who embarks on a journey to find his tribe after being captured. Along the way, Noa teams up with a human named Mae (Freya Allan), who chooses to help him in his quest—not only to reunite with his tribe but also to aid humankind. With a budget of $160 million, the film went on to earn $397.4 million at the box office, receiving positive reviews from both critics and audiences alike.
Watch Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes on Hulu or Disney+ now!
8. ‘Bad Boys: Ride or Die’ (2024)
Bad Boys: Ride or Die is the fourth installment in the Bad Boys film series and serves as a sequel to Bad Boys for Life (2020). Written by Chris Bremner and Will Beall, and directed by Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, the film follows detectives Mike Lowrey (Will Smith) and Marcus Burnett (Martin Lawrence) as they work to clear the name of their late police captain (Joe Pantoliano), who has been falsely accused of conspiracy.
The film could have been released earlier, but development was temporarily halted following the incident where Will Smith slapped Chris Rock at the 2022 Academy Awards. The film received $400.5 million with a $100 million budget. It was released on June 7, 2024, and made $52 million during the first weekend. The film received positive reviews from critics, and it was later announced that Will Smith and Martin Lawrence expressed to Entertainment Weekly their willingness to return for a fifth installment in the franchise.
Watch Bad Boys: Ride or Die in theaters now!
7. ‘Kung Fu Panda 4’ (2024)
Jack Black returns as the beloved Po in the highly anticipated fourth installment of the Kung Fu Panda franchise. Kung Fu Panda 4 was directed by Mike Mitchell and Written by Jonathan Aibel, Glenn Berger, and Darren Lemke. DreamWorks announced the film’s development back in 2022, and it promises an exciting new adventure for fans. Po is tasked with finding a successor to become the next Dragon Warrior this time. However, a formidable new foe emerges: The Chameleon, voiced by Viola Davis.
To thwart The Chameleon’s plan to steal the kung-fu skills of all the masters in China, Po teams up with a cunning fox named Zhen, voiced by Awkwafina. Together, they must protect the legacy of kung fu and save China from this unprecedented threat. Released on March 8, the film had a budget of $85 million and went on to earn an impressive $547.8 million at the box office. It received widespread acclaim from both critics and audiences, solidifying its success.
Watch Kung Fu Panda 4 on Peacock now!
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6. ‘Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire’ (2024)
The sequel to Godzilla vs. Kong (2021), titled Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, marks the fifth installment in the Monsterverse franchise, the 38th in the Godzilla series, and the 15th in the King Kong series. Following the success of Godzilla vs. Kong during the COVID-19 pandemic, Legendary announced in 2022 that a sequel was in development. In this film, Kong discovers that more of his kind exist, along with new threats—Skar King and Shimo—who are plotting to invade the Earth’s surface.
To stop these formidable creatures, Kong must join forces with Godzilla in an epic battle to protect the planet. The company produced the film with a budget of $135–150 million, and it earned $568.7 million at the box office. Despite its financial success, the film received mixed reviews from critics, who often compared it to Godzilla Minus One. Nevertheless, a sequel has been announced, with a hopeful release date in 2027.
Watch Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire on Max, YouTube, Hulu, Amazon Prime, and YouTube TV now!
5. ‘Twisters’ (2024)
For those unfamiliar, Twisters is a standalone sequel to the 1996 film Twister. The story follows Kate Carter (Daisy Edgar-Jones), a retired storm chaser who left the field after a traumatic incident five years ago. However, when her old friend Javi (Anthony Ramos) seeks her expertise, Kate must confront her past and rejoin the team. Along the way, she catches the attention of Tyler Owens (Glen Powell), a well-known storm chaser who can’t help but flirt with her.
Universal Studios released the film in the United States on July 19. With a budget of $155 million, the film became a box office hit, earning $333.4 million. It garnered widespread praise from critics and audiences alike. The success was so significant that director Lee Isaac Chung has expressed interest in making a sequel, especially given how the film ended. Not only that, but Chung hopes that the original cast will come back for the squeal as well.
Watch Twisters in theaters now!
4. ‘Dune: Part Two’ (2024)
Dune: Part Two has become one of the most popular films of 2024, earning its place as the fourth highest-grossing film of the year. A sequel to Dune (2021), this movie is the second part of a two-part adaptation of Frank Herbert’s 1965 novel, Dune. The story continues with Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) as he leads the Fremen people in a war against House Harkonnen. Originally set for release a year earlier, Dune: Part Two was delayed due to the 2023 Hollywood labor disputes and finally premiered on March 1.
With a budget of $190 million, the film earned an impressive $711.8 million at the box office, attracting widespread attention and glowing reviews. Director Denis Villeneuve and Legendary Pictures have already started work on the third installment, titled Messiah, with Hans Zimmer once again composing the score. Having surpassed its predecessor, Dune: Part Two now stands as Villeneuve’s highest-grossing film to date.
Watch Dune: Part Two on Max, Hulu, YouTube, Amazon Prime, and YouTube TV now!
3. ‘Despicable Me 4’ (2024)
Fans of the Minions were thrilled this year with the release of Despicable Me 4, the latest addition to the beloved franchise. In this installment, new villain, Maxime Le Mal (Will Ferrell), is out for revenge against Gru (Steve Carell). To stay safe, Gru and his family are forced to relocate until Maxime can be stopped. However, when Gru’s teenage neighbor Poppy (Joey King) ropes him into pulling off a heist, things quickly spiral out of control. With a budget of $100 million, the movie became a box-office success, grossing $847.4 million worldwide and ranking as the third-highest-grossing film of 2024. Despite its financial success, the film received mixed reviews from critics, who were hesitant to call it one of the best in the Despicable Me series. Due to Universal’s long-time contract with Netflix, the film is scheduled to be released on Peacock and Netflix in the coming months.
Watch Despicable Me 4 in theaters now!
2. ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ (2024)
Superheroes are taking the spotlight this year with the release of Deadpool & Wolverine. This film serves as a sequel to both Deadpool (2016) and Deadpool 2 (2018). The story follows Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds) and Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) as they join forces to prevent the Time Variance Authority from destroying their universe. Filming for the movie began in March 2023 but was halted in July due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike. Production resumed in November and wrapped up in January.
Despite the delays, the wait was well worth it, as both critics and audiences were thrilled with the final result. The film became a massive box-office success, grossing $1.143 billion on a budget of just $200 million. The film’s success is evident not only in its box office numbers but also in the glowing praise it has received from critics, earning numerous positive reviews. There’s already talk of another installment, though Ryan Reynolds has expressed uncertainty about returning to play Deadpool again.
Watch Deadpool & Wolverine in theaters now!
1. ‘Inside Out 2’ (2024)
Get ready for more emotions! The highly anticipated sequel, Inside Out 2, has arrived and is already the highest-grossing film of 2024. The film was first announced at the D23 Expo in September 2022 and was released in the United States two years later, on June 14, 2024. The story once again dives into the mind of Riley, where her core emotions—Joy (Amy Poehler), Sadness (Phyllis Smith), Disgust (Liza Lapira), Anger (Lewis Black), and Fear (Tony Hale)—help guide her thoughts and actions.
However, when new emotions—Anxiety (Maya Hawke), Envy (Ayo Edebiri), Embarrassment (Paul Walter Hauser), and Ennui (Adèle Exarchopoulos)—begin to take over, Joy and the original five must work together to keep Anxiety from overwhelming Riley. When Inside Out 2 hit theaters, it became an overwhelming success, receiving positive reviews and grossing $1.626 billion worldwide. It now ranks as the 10th highest-grossing film of all time and holds the title of the highest-grossing Pixar film in history.
Watch Inside Out 2 in theaters now!
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Author
Janaye is a graduate student at Rowan University, pursuing a degree in Writing Arts. She previously earned her bachelor's degree in the same field, specializing in creative writing and public publishing.
Sammie is an undergraduate student at Arcadia University where she is majoring in English and creative writing and minoring in media and communications. Sammie enjoys writing about her favorite movies and tv shows and hopes to have a career in the media industry.