Top 10 Best A24 Movies

Top 10 Best A24 Movies

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re looking at the best of the best from the studio/distributor keeping cinema alive one masterpiece at a time.

#10: “Marcel the Shell with Shoes On” (2021)

Just when you thought A24 had done it all, the studio delivered something completely out of left field: a film for the whole family. The title speaks for itself, following a shelled creature with two shoes, one eye, and a heart that knows no bounds. What may surprise audiences the most about “Marcel the Shell with Shoes On” is its sincerity. The setup seems bizarre and the presence of a documentary crew only adds to the magical realism/surrealism. Yet, the earnest voiceover performances from Jenny Slate as Marcel and Isabella Rossellini as his grandmother will make the most emotionally guarded viewers crack. For older audiences, it’s a testament to why animation isn’t just for kids. For younger ones, it’ll expand what animation can be.

#9: “Past Lives” (2023)

Longing. That’s the word that best describes Celine Song’s “Past Lives,” whether the two main characters are separated by time or physical distance. Even when they reunite face to face, both know the closest they’ll come to another embrace is when they inevitably say goodbye. If there’s another word that sums up the film, it’s “inyeon” or fate. Nora and Hae Sung may seem destined for each other. With both going down different paths, though, it simply isn’t meant to be… or is it? Neither will ever know, which is what makes “Past Lives” such an emotionally lingering watch. Even if you find true happiness with the person you choose to spend the rest of your life with, you can’t shake off what might’ve been.

#8: “Room” (2015)

Franchises have consumed much of Brie Larson’s schedule as of late, but her best work remains on the indie scene. She deservingly won the Best Actress Oscar for her gut-wrenching performance as a captive mother in “Room.” Jacob Tremblay is equally extraordinary as a little boy who knows nothing of the world beyond the prison he was born into. A more conventional film would end with the mother and son escaping. “Room” keeps going, though, revealing how PTSD can keep a person trapped even after they’ve survived hell. As devastating as Lenny Abrahamson[a]’s film can be, it’s ultimately a hopeful experience about how unconditional love can bring people to find closure. The setting may be limited, but the story’s depth is endless.

#7: “Ex Machina” (2014)

Alex Garland was already an established screenwriter when he made his feature directorial debut with “Ex Machina.” Although produced on a modest budget, this modern sci-fi classic places among the century’s most seamless visual effects showcases, even triumphing over the blockbuster competition at the Oscars. It’s what’s beneath the surface that makes “Ex Machina” a thought-provoking, transcendent experience worthy of Kubrick. Alicia Vikander is a revelation as Ava, an AI that blurs the line between puppet and puppet master, keeping the audience guessing who’s in control while contemplating what makes us human. The film played a key role in helping A24 establish itself as the home for auteur-driven, high-concept projects, (xref) paving the way for Garland to helm one of the studio’s highest-grossing films, “Civil War.”

#6: “Lady Bird” (2017)

While Greta Gerwig had previously worked behind and in front of the camera, “Lady Bird” firmly established her as one of this generation’s defining voices. This coming-of-age story also once again proved that Saoirse Ronan may be young, but she’s the real deal. Likewise, Christine “Lady Bird” McPherson is wise beyond her years… at least that’s how she views herself. In reality, she has a lot to learn about life. Nevertheless, Lady Bird is ready to fly the coop and escape her overbearing mother, played by the marvelous Laurie Metcalf. It isn’t until she enters the real world that Lady Bird looks back with more perspective. If you’re not calling your parents by the end, you’ll be calling somebody, telling them to watch “Lady Bird.”

#5: “Uncut Gems” (2019)

If “Good Time” was a cinematic panic attack, then the Safdie brothers practically sent their audience into cardiac arrest with “Uncut Gems.” We’d say that Howard Ratner is his own worst enemy. This Jewish jeweler has a lot of enemies, however. If Howard can’t pay them off with cash, they’ll seek more violent means of restitution. We knew by this point that Adam Sandler could do drama, but never have we seen him escape into a role like Howard. Sandler’s natural performance paired with the film’s immersive craft makes the audience a part of this anxiety-riddled ride. As Howard impulsively digs himself deeper into debt, the audience almost wants to look away. Yet, we can’t help but be arrested by every chaotic action on screen.

#4: “The Brutalist” (2024)

Brady Corbet’s magnum opus is the sort of sweeping American epic audiences rarely see anymore. Then again, you could argue that Hollywood never produced an epic quite like “The Brutalist.” Under most circumstances, a story of this magnitude would’ve been made for no less than $50 million. Corbet pulled it off with less than $10 million. In that sense, the film is a cinematic magic trick, appearing costlier than it is with awe-inspiring cinematography, performances every bit as towering as the herculean production design, and a runtime that earns all 215 minutes (intermission included). Just as the film isn’t what it seems, the same can be said about the American Dream. It’s the land of opportunity, but also opportunists, painting an uncompromising portrait of immigration.

#3: “Hereditary” (2018)

When it comes to modern horror movies, you know that you’re in for something special when the A24 logo appears. You’ll also question what exactly you’ve gotten yourself into, uncertain of what insanity awaits. This is the standard Ari Aster set with “Hereditary,” which presents itself as another creepy child movie. What ensues is a descent into psychological torment as a mother wrestles with her grief, regret, and something else lurking in her house. It’s a film that gets inside your head, constantly making us second guess if what we’re witnessing on screen is real. Either way, Toni Collette’s masterful performance forces us to feel every ounce of dread. With one film, Aster and A24 elevated elevated horror, an endeavor they continued with “Midsommar.”

#2: “Moonlight” (2016)

“Moonlight” became the first A24 film to win the Oscar for Best Picture. Its victory was a sign of a changing Academy ready to embrace smaller, more personal stories that represented those who have been cast aside in the past. Protagonist Chiron spends his life adapting, conforming, and hiding, afraid to reveal his true self to the world. Every time Chiron finds love and understanding, something holds him back from accepting himself. Chiron puts up a facade as a means of survival, but it isn’t until those defenses break down that the potential for genuine joy is unearthed. Watching Barry Jenkins’s film, many felt seen for the first time. For others, it was an eye-opening odyssey that shined a light on another corner of humanity.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

“The Lighthouse” (2019)

Robert Eggers Presents The Oddest Couple

“The Zone of Interest” (2023)

A Harrowing Example of Emotional Distance

“Minari” (2020)

A Family’s Story of Loss, Triumph, & Growing Anew

“Eighth Grade” (2018)

An All-Too-Real Time Capsule of Middle School

“Sing Sing” (2023)

The Power of Cinema & Theater Rolled Into One Life-Affirming Tale

#1: “Everything Everywhere All at Once” (2022)

“Everything Everywhere All at Once” takes our top spot not just because it’s A24’s highest-grossing film to date or because it won seven Oscars, including Best Picture. It’s the film that best represents what A24 is: a studio willing to take chances on ambiguous, at times borderline bonkers projects and the artists who conceive them. Although a few A24 movies fit that definition, none are quite like this feat from the Daniels. As the title suggests, the film is everything - a mind-bending sci-fi fantasy, an absurdist comedy, a martial arts extravaganza, a family drama, and several other genres - all delivered at once. Even as the multiverse collapses, the cast and filmmakers maintain perfect balance in a film that defies tradition, embracing the new and bold.

What are your favorite A24 movies? Do you think this should’ve been a Top 24 list? Let us know in the comments.


[a]https://youtu.be/H7840O4c1bM?si=jVlPBB2jv86kvMlN