Best movies of 2024 so far, including Wicked and Gladiator 2

Wicked and Gladiator 2 join our list of the best movies released so far in 2024.

We’re through the summer season, past Halloween, and heading towards Christmas, making now a good time to drop fresh films onto our list of 2024’s best movies (you can check out 2023’s best movies here, and the 14 best movies of 2022 here).

The year was already off to a strong start already thanks to Dune 2, Deadpool & Wolverine, Longlegs, and Inside Out 2. Then we added Blink Twice, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, and Speak No Evil to the list. And now it’s time for new movies in the Gladiator and Wizard of Oz universes.

So scroll down for – in alphabetical order – the best movies of the year; aka our favourite films of 2024, which we’ll continue to update as-and-when new bangers are released.

The Apprentice

Official Synopsis: The origins of Donald Trump are brought to life in a provocative, electrifying portrait of the man and his mentor, Roy Cohn – a notorious lawyer who will never let the truth get in the way of winning a fight.

The Apprentice review: “A deeply depressing and disturbing tale, detailing the dark side of the American Dream. But in spite of all that tragedy, The Apprentice is also fun.”

Bad Boys: Ride or Die

Official Synopsis: The world’s favorite Bad Boys are back with their iconic mix of edge-of-your seat action and outrageous comedy but this time with a twist: Miami’s finest are now on the run.

Bad Boys: Ride or Die review: “The best thing about Bad Boys 4 is how it emphasizes the importance of family. The franchise started nearly 30 years ago, with the first movie coming out in 1995 — since then, Martin Lawrence and Will Smith have always shown dedication to these roles. As such, Ride or Die focuses on the highlight of all four movies: the unwavering brotherhood of Marcus and Mike.”

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice

Official Synopsis: Beetlejuice is back! After an unexpected family tragedy, three generations of the Deetz family return home to Winter River. Still haunted by Beetlejuice, Lydia’s life is turned upside down when her rebellious teenage daughter, Astrid, discovers the mysterious model of the town in the attic and the portal to the Afterlife is accidentally opened. With trouble brewing in both realms, it’s only a matter of time until someone says Beetlejuice’s name three times and the mischievous demon returns to unleash his very own brand of mayhem.

Dexerto Beetlejuice Beetlejuice review: “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice understands that, without the rich world-building that made the original a classic, any future iterations wouldn’t work. Thirty years of technological advancement may mean the edges are smoother this time around, but Tim Burton isn’t over-reliant on digital effects, preserving the story’s impeccable sense of place. “

Blink Twice

Official Synopsis: Frida is a young and clever Los Angeles cocktail waitress who has her eyes set on the prize: philanthropist and tech mogul Slater King. When she skillfully maneuvers her way into King’s inner circle and ultimately an intimate gathering on his private island, she is ready for the journey of a lifetime. Despite the epic setting, beautiful people, ever-flowing champagne and late-night dance parties, Frida can sense that there’s more to this island than meets the eye. Something she can’t quite put her finger on. Something terrifying.

What we said in our Blink Twice review: “Blink Twice is a modern-day thriller that does not need to provide over-the-top frights to induce fear in its audience. The film perfectly captures the feminine experience with deft and unwavering direction from Zoë Kravitz. Her debut behind the camera cements her as one of Hollywood’s best and brightest young female voices.”

Challengers

Official Synopsis: Challengers stars Zendaya as Tashi Duncan, a former tennis prodigy-turned-coach and a force of nature who makes no apologies for her game on and off the court. Married to a champion on a losing streak (Mike Faist), Tashi’s strategy for her husband’s redemption takes a surprising turn when he must face off against the washed-up Patrick (Josh O’Connor) —his former best friend and Tashi’s former boyfriend. As their pasts and presents collide, and tensions run high, Tashi must ask herself, what will it cost to win?

Dexerto Challengers review: “Movies used to be like this — needlessly cool, visually throttling, and horny in a way that’s more sloppy than chic. If a new era of big-screen eroticism does take off, then we’ll have Challengers to thank.”

Challengers also made it onto our list of the 40 greatest sports movies of all-time.

Civil War

Official Synopsis: Civil War is an adrenaline-fueled thrill ride through a near-future fractured America balanced on the razor’s edge.

Dexerto review of Civil War: “Those seeking political polemic on one wing or the other will be disappointed and (probably) neurotically irate — but they’re searching for something that intentionally isn’t there. 28 Days Later wasn’t really about zombies, nor was Ex Machina about the dangers of AI; Civil War isn’t interested in affirming or attacking your views, but lamenting it for not doing so is a willful misread of the film.”

Deadpool & Wolverine

Official Synopsis: A listless Wade Wilson toils away in civilian life. His days as the morally flexible mercenary, Deadpool, behind him. When his homeworld faces an existential threat, Wade must reluctantly suit-up again with an even more reluctantlier… reluctanter? Reluctantest? He must convince a reluctant Wolverine to — F**k. Synopses are so fucking stupid.

Deadpool & Wolverine review: “Deadpool and Wolverine is a must-see MCU experience; giddy, gruesome, and more emotional than you’d expect. Its issues play second fiddle to the nostalgia and shameless joy you’ll feel in the cinema. In other words, let’s f**king go.”

Dune: Part Two

Official Synopsis: Dune: Part Two explores the mythic journey of Paul Atreides as he unites with Chani and the Fremen while on a path of revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family. Facing a choice between the love of his life and the fate of the known universe, he endeavors to prevent a terrible future only he can foresee.

What we said in the Dexerto review of Dune 2: “Dune: Part Two is a screen-quaking cinematic landmark that should hold the future of blockbuster filmmaking accountable; imperfect, cold, but mighty.

The First Omen

Official Synopsis: When a young American woman is sent to Rome to begin a life of service to the church, she encounters a darkness that causes her to question her own faith and uncovers a terrifying conspiracy that hopes to bring about the birth of evil incarnate.

Dexerto review of The First Omen: “Subtlety and realness are arguably the key to horror success, and they’re used to perfection in The First Omen. This isn’t your run-of-the-mill jump-scare experience (although there are a few of those); instead, it’s a tense, slow burn that builds to some truly horrifying moments – and when it hits, it goes straight for the jugular.”

Gladiator II

Official Synopsis: Years after witnessing the death of the revered hero Maximus at the hands of his uncle, Lucius is forced to enter the Colosseum after his home is conquered by the tyrannical Emperors who now lead Rome with an iron fist. With rage in his heart and the future of the Empire at stake, Lucius must look to his past to find strength and honor to return the glory of Rome to its people.

Gladiator II review: “There’s so much love here. Love for its history, love for film, and love for each other. That’s an odd thing to say in the face of gladiators succumbing to hideously painful deaths, but the sequel is the epitome of a passion project – and it’s a bloody brilliant one.”

Handling the Undead

Official Synopsis: On a hot summer day in Oslo, the newly dead awaken. Three families faced with loss try to figure out what this resurrection means and if their loved ones really are back.

Dexerto’s Handling the Undead review: “Handling the Undead does what any great horror movie should do: it worms its way into our souls and picks at our deepest, darkest fears. First and foremost, Handling the Undead is an achingly poignant study of grief. The fact it’s packaged as a zombie movie is simply a bonus.”

Heretic

Official Synopsis: Two young missionaries are forced to prove their faith when they knock on the wrong door and are greeted by the diabolical Mr. Reed, becoming ensnared in his deadly game of cat-and-mouse.

Heretic review: “It largely works because of Hugh Grant’s towering central performance, through which Mr. Reed manages to be likeable, creepy, and terrifying, sometimes in the space of just a few words.”

Inside Out 2

Official Synopsis: Inside Out 2 returns to the mind of newly minted teenager Riley just as headquarters is undergoing a sudden demolition to make room for something entirely unexpected: new Emotions! Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear and Disgust, who’ve long been running a successful operation by all accounts, aren’t sure how to feel when Anxiety shows up. And it looks like she’s not alone.

Dexerto review of Inside Out 2: “If you want an easy and enjoyable way of reminding yourself that it’s okay to not be okay, Inside Out 2 smashes it out of the park. Proving that Disney is back on form, it’s undeniably the most successful sequel — and maybe movie outright — that the studio has had in years. Trust me… you’ve never wanted to have Anixety more.”

Kill

Official Synopsis: When army commando Amrit finds out his true love Tulika is engaged against her will, he boards a New Delhi-bound train in a daring quest to derail the arranged marriage. But when a gang of knife-wielding thieves led by the ruthless Fani begin to terrorize innocent passengers on his train, Amrit takes them on himself in a death-defying kill-spree to save those around him — turning what should have been a typical commute into an adrenaline-fueled thrill ride.

Kill review: “Kill is good, and very nearly great. The action is top-notch. The cast is both compelling and convincing. And genuine emotion underpins proceedings, which elevates the material.”

Longlegs

Official Synopsis: In pursuit of a serial killer, an FBI agent uncovers a series of occult clues that she must solve to end his terrifying killing spree.

Longlegs review: “Longlegs might not quite match the hype built by its viral campaign, but Osgood Perkins’ horror movie is still a great thriller with plenty of scares and standout performances from Nicolas Cage and Maika Monroe.”

Late Night with the Devil

Official Synopsis: In 1977 a live television broadcast goes horribly wrong, unleashing evil into the nation’s living rooms. What unfolds next is shocking…

Late Night with the Devil review: “Late Night with the Devil is high-concept horror that plays out in a single location, delivers multiple scares in pretty much real-time, and serves as an effective star vehicle for longtime supporting actor David Dastmalchian.”

Love Lies Bleeding

Official Synopsis: Reclusive gym manager Lou falls hard for Jackie, an ambitious bodybuilder headed through town to Vegas in pursuit of her dream. But their love ignites violence, pulling them deep into the web of Lou’s criminal family.

Love Lies Bleeding Dexerto review: “Love Lies Bleeding, the jaw-unhinging sophomore feature from Rose Glass, is a gleefully gonzo midnight movie, but its vibes hold more weight than the story.”

Monkey Man

Official Synopsis: Inspired by the legend of Hanuman, an icon embodying strength and courage, Monkey Man stars Dev Patel as Kid, an anonymous young man who ekes out a meager living in an underground fight club where, night after night, wearing a gorilla mask, he is beaten bloody by more popular fighters for cash. After years of suppressed rage, Kid discovers a way to infiltrate the enclave of the city’s sinister elite. As his childhood trauma boils over, his mysteriously scarred hands unleash an explosive campaign of retribution to settle the score with the men who took everything from him.

Dexerto review of Monkey Man: “Monkey Man is exhilarating and exhausting in equal measure. The action is fast and frenzied, which frequently works in the film’s favor — most notably during a magical musical training montage — but sometimes to the movie’s detriment. While the story is much like a million revenge stories you’ve seen before, but given fresh legs through the Hindu philosophy and cultural iconography that’s laced throughout proceedings.”

Paddington in Peru

Official Synopsis: When Paddington discovers his beloved Aunt Lucy has gone missing from the Home for Retired Bears, he and the Brown family head to the wilds of Peru to look for her, the only clue to her whereabouts a spot marked on an enigmatic map. Determined to solve the mystery, Paddington embarks on a thrilling quest through the rainforests of the Amazon to find his aunt… and may also uncover one of the world’s most legendary treasures.

Paddington 3 review: “Ten years since the original film, Paddington hasn’t aged a day – and neither has the concept. Taking the tried and tested formula to South America, Paddington in Peru once again delivers fur-filled charm.”

Road House

Official Synopsis: In this adrenaline-fueled reimagining of the 80s cult classic, ex-UFC fighter Dalton takes a job as a bouncer at a Florida Keys roadhouse, only to discover that this paradise is not all it seems.

Road House review: “Road House is dumb fun that’s designed to appeal to our baser instincts. It’s also relentlessly entertaining from first punch to last, and a worthy successor to the cult classic on which it’s based.”

Smile 2

Official Synopsis: About to embark on a new world tour, global pop sensation Skye Riley begins experiencing increasingly terrifying and inexplicable events. Overwhelmed by the escalating horrors and the pressures of fame, Skye is forced to face her dark past to regain control of her life before it spirals out of control.

Smile 2 review: “If you enjoyed the first movie, then you’ll love Smile 2. Writer-director Parker Finn ramps up the horror and delivers a stronger storyline with larger production value, while star Naomi Scott gives it everything she’s got with a performance that will get under your skin.”

Speak No Evil

Official Synopsis: When an American family is invited to spend the weekend at the idyllic country estate of a charming British family they befriended on vacation, what begins as a dream holiday soon warps into a snarled psychological nightmare.

Speak No Evil review: “Speak No Evil is a solid remake, with plenty of discomfort to be had. And it might just have the scariest thing that no other 2024 horror can top: the experience of encountering a British person on holiday.”

Strange Darling

Official Synopsis: Nothing is what it seems when a twisted one-night stand spirals into a serial killer’s vicious murder spree.

Strange Darling review: “By messing with chronology, structure, and genre tropes, Strange Darling defies convention and expectation, with writer-director J.T. Mollner taking the serial killer thriller, spinning it around, then smashing it head-first into the ground.”

Terrifier 3

Official Synopsis: After surviving Art the Clown’s Halloween massacre, Sienna and her brother are struggling to rebuild their shattered lives. As the holiday season approaches, they try to embrace the Christmas spirit and leave the horrors of the past behind. But just when they think they’re safe, Art the Clown returns, determined to turn their holiday cheer into a new nightmare. The festive season quickly unravels as Art unleashes his twisted brand of terror, proving that no holiday is safe.

Terrifier 3 review: “Terrifer 3 delivers the goods, and then some. With a bigger budget at his disposal – and therefore a broader canvas – writer-director Damien Leone has crafted a slasher for the ages, one that will cement Art’s place alongside the likes of Freddy, Michael, and Jason.”

Wicked

Official Synopsis: Elphaba and Glinda meet as students at Shiz University in the fantastical Land of Oz and forge an unlikely but profound friendship. Following an encounter with The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, their friendship reaches a crossroads and their lives take very different paths. Their extraordinary adventures in Oz will ultimately see them fulfil their destinies as Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.

Wicked review: “You can be dazzled by the spectacle of a banger-after-banger musical all you want, but the through-message of discrimination and self-serving allyship could not be delivered in a more timely manner.”

Head here for 2024’s best TV shows and biggest box office hits, or check out our list of the top grossing movies of all-time.