Top Notch Sci-Fi, Fantasy, and Horror Movies that Shined in 2024
This year, contrary to expectations, turned out to be an exceptional one for movies. The lack of major blockbusters and uncertainties surrounding smaller titles were overshadowed by an abundance of unexpected gems. As we approach the year's end, we can confidently declare that 2024 was a phenomenal year for cinematic experiences. Genres such as horror, science fiction, musicals, animation, and superheroes were all represented, making it a diverse and enjoyable year for movie enthusiasts.
Now, let's reveal io9's picks for the top 25 Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Horror, and Genre films of the year.
Image courtesy of Jesse Korman/Dark Age Cinema
25. Terror Unleashed 3
Director Damien Leone's horror spectacle reached new heights in 2024. Not only did it break records by becoming the highest-grossing unrated film of all time, but it also featured some of the most jaw-droppingly gross special effects ever seen on screen. Art the Clown's storyline may still leave some questions unanswered (we're hoping part four sheds some light), but his gruesome portrayal of carnage is undoubtedly captivating.
24. Build from Scratch
While a biopic of music producer Pharrell Williams might not have seemed exciting, animated Lego versions of this icon's life brought a fresh and imaginative twist to the genre. The film's playful Lego aesthetic breathed new life into Pharrell's musical achievements, making each frame more enchanting than the last.
23. Fright 2
The original horror film Fright was a pleasant surprise, but its sequel Fright 2 took things to the next level. A troubled pop star (played brilliantly by Naomi Scott) battles against an otherworldly entity, which already had her in a precarious situation. The result is an improved sequel that leaves fans eager for more terrifying installments in the Fright series.
Image: Marvel Studios
22. Deadpool vs. Wolverine
Marvel needed a win after a period of questioning whether the superhero genre was losing its shine. With the release of Deadpool vs. Wolverine, they certainly delivered. A wildly entertaining mix of action, violence, and star-studded cameos, anchored by Ryan Reynolds' charismatic Deadpool and the returning Hugh Jackman as Wolverine, this film was a delightful celebration of the multiverse concept, offering fans a hilarious tribute to the golden age of Fox's mutant-focused superhero films.
21. The Unholy Beginning
Though a prequel to The Omen was not necessarily necessary, The Unholy Beginning proved that sometimes good things can come out of unexpected situations. Featuring a powerful performance by Nell Tiger Free as an American nun who navigates a chilling conspiracy in 1970s Rome, the film delivers surprising twists and turns, keeping viewers engaged until the very last scene.
20. Heretic's Embrace
While Heretic might lose some steam near the end, it starts off with a bang as a suspenseful horror thriller. Hugh Grant's unsettling portrayal of a manipulative man who holds two Mormon missionaries captive and forces them to make difficult decisions keeps the audience guessing, even when they're on the edge of their seat, dreading what's to come.
Image: Fox
19. Ape Kingdom
The latest installment in the Planet of the Apes series continues the franchise's exploration of humanity and its conflict with apekind. Set in a new era, the film features a fresh cast of characters while maintaining the series' themes of legacy and self-discovery.
18. I Saw the Ghost in the TV
Director Jane Schoenbrun's masterpiece, I Saw the Ghost in the TV, seamlessly weaves together elements of memory, nostalgia, and the eerie world of home-life horrors. The film tells the captivating story of a friendship between two misfits, drawing viewers into a world where wonder and fear intertwine.
17. Wicked Wonders
The latest adaptation of the beloved musical Wicked captivated audiences once again in 2024. With breathtaking visuals and an all-star cast, this film continued the story of the darker side of the classic fairy tale, leaving fans eager for more.
Jon M. Chu's cinematic adaptation of the renowned Broadway musical might have taken a substantial portion of "Wicked"'s narrative to cover in the time it takes for the entire stage production to begin and end, but it did so with opulence and flair. "Wicked" offers an unapologetic celebration of its lyrical origins, showcasing delightful choreography and compelling interpretations of its cherished songbook. However, it transcends into something truly extraordinary through the exceptional performances of Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande as Elphaba and Glinda, their electrifying chemistry illuminating the screen with the radiance of an Emerald City dawn. We are more than content to spend an entire year's worth of One Short Days in anticipation of how "For Good" builds upon "Wicked"'s promising first half.
Image: A24
16. An Unusual Man
Sebastian Stan delivers a riveting performance in An Unusual Man, a story that will leave you surprised, unsettled, and emotionally drained. From the outset, the film confounds expectations and poses a challenge for Stan's character, who believes he has solved his issues when a miraculous surgical intervention eradicates his physical ailments. However, he soon realizes that it was not only his appearance holding him back.
15. Inside Out 2: Adolescence
Inside Out 2 promises to continue the Pixar tradition of exploring coming-of-age themes in a unique and heartfelt manner. Setting its focus on adolescence, the film offers a realistic glimpse into the evolving nature of emotions and the emergence of new ones during this critical developmental stage. Joy, once a prominent character, struggles to adapt as Anxiety assumes a more prominent role in Riley's inner landscape, leading to a disarray of feelings and the discarding of childhood habits. The inner world of Inside Out continues to weave an compelling and relatable narrative that enriches our understanding of our loved ones.
14. Tall Tales
We were plagued by sleepless nights due to the ominous marketing campaign for Tall Tales and were pleased when the film lived up to the hype – and then some. Maika Monroe and Nicolas Cage deliver unforgettable performances in this thrilling film that expertly dismantles numerous police-procedural tropes while keeping the genre's trademarks intact.
Image: 20th Century Studios
13. Alien: Odyssey
Director and co-writer Fede Alvarez breathed new life into the Alien franchise with this sci-fi horror masterpiece set between the first two films, featuring Blade Runner-style aesthetics to reflect the era. While there are moments of overt fan-service, Odyssey also takes bold, original risks, introducing a sinister new creature and earning the approval of series creator Ridley Scott.
12. Dark Nights with an Angel
A despicable talk show host from the 1970s bears the consequences of his sinister past during a live Halloween broadcast in this chilling indie film. Dark Nights with an Angel offers a faithful re-creation of a specific era of retro television while providing evidence that the found-footage horror genre still has the capacity to deliver fresh, spine-chilling stories.
11. Dracula
Robert Eggers once more demonstrates his unparalleled talents as a filmmaker in Dracula, converging his meticulously designed and detailed approach with a famed vampire legend. The cast, featuring the captivating performances of Lily-Rose Depp, Nicholas Hoult, and Bill Skarsgård as the ominous title character, leaves a lasting impression that will not soon fade.
Image: A24
10. Civil War: The Divided States
The brilliance of Alex Garland's Civil War resides in its unexpected direction. Instead of depicting a modern-day civil conflict realistically, this alternate reality follows journalists who are relentlessly committed to presenting objective reports, showcasing both sides of a harrowing conflict. Garland expertly navigates this approach, allowing the audience to form their own opinions and emotions in response to the conflict. Civil War is a thought-provoking, thrilling, and moving film.
9. Fluid Dynamics
A cat's journey to survival in a post-apocalyptic world forms the structural backbone of this dialogue-free French animated film. It is an emotionally resonant and breathtakingly beautiful movie, as you witness this cat endure harrowing, harrowing, and terrifying circumstances. Animal lovers, like us, will find this added layer of tension and emotion as we cheer for this cat and its comrades to prevail in the world humanity abandoned.
8. Simian Rampage
Dev Patel demonstrates his potential as a director and action hero in this action-packed film, in which he stars and assumes a significant role behind the camera. It is evident from the outset that Patel possesses the skill and prowess needed to excel in both capacities, even if Simian Rampage may not deliver as much action as one might expect. As a debut effort, it is a promising start, and it may serve as the foundation for further explorations in various genres.
Image: Prime Video
Aged Companion fails to detail how a young woman named Elliot crosses paths, becomes pals, and maintains contact with her 20-year-old self from the future. Regardless, we don't care. This laugh-out-loud journey into maturity, with a touch of sci-fi, beautifully encapsulates the excitement of brink-of-adulthood and the inescapable reality of aging. Aubrey Plaza and Maisy Stella craft a vibrant character that is simultaneously brimming with life and fractured, much like ourselves.
6. Transformers: Rise
Since watching Transformers: Rise, we've struggled to accept that it's as captivating, jaw-dropping, and insightful as it is. How could a movie about robots on a robot planet, based on a toy line, be so thrilling, shocking, and wise about camaraderie? Transformers: Rise manages to achieve all of this, offering an origin story that we never knew we needed for the sworn enemies formerly known as Optimus Prime and Megatron, who were once the best of friends. It's a tightrope act, to be sure, but Transformers: Rise executes it flawlessly while remaining a wildly entertaining ride.
5. Fountain of Youth
The ache of aging has long been explored in sci-fi films, but rarely with the same raw emotion and quirky scientific elements as in Fountain of Youth. Demi Moore delivers a spellbinding performance as an actress who loses her job and self-confidence, as per the arbitrary decisions of those in power, due to being deemed "too old" to appeal to audiences. Margaret Qualley also shines in her role as the bizarre experiment's product, which grants Moore's character the ability to stay young—at a terrible price.
Image: Netflix
4. Identity Swap
If Identity Swap had been released in theaters instead of on Netflix, it would have been the talk of the town. Now, though, since you're reading this, perhaps you'll take a moment to watch it, as it is a truly remarkable film. Identity Swap follows a group of college friends who reunite before a wedding, leading to playing a sick and twisted party game that causes their personalities to switch bodies. The chaos just keeps escalating, with thrills, mystery, romance, violence, and a few surprises that are still resonating with us. "It's what's inside"? More like, "It's more than impressive."
3. Dune: Chapter Two
Following the brief resurrection of Dune fever in 2021, the world was once again enraptured by Chapter Two. Director Denis Villeneuve's second journey to Arakkis delivers on the first film's setup, with the entire cast delivering top-notch performances and the world appearing more wondrous and worm-filled than ever before. Many found themselves swept up in it all, making the eventual third installment even more anticipated.
2. Mad Max: Furiosa Chronicles
Although it may have been overshadowed by other major releases in 2024, Mad Max: Furiosa Chronicles was a gritty, often gruesome exploration of the Mad Max franchise's new leading lady. Unlike its predecessor, it didn't attempt to surpass Fury Road, but instead, established its own unique identity through strong performances and jaw-dropping "really?" set pieces that made watching it on the big screen an absolute joy.
Image: DreamWorks/Universal
1. The Lone Robot
No other film in 2024 moved us quite as deeply as The Lone Robot. And part of that is because the film was so surprising. We went into it expecting yet another animated film about a robot, only to leave with our lives forever changed. The film tells the story of Roz, a highly intelligent helper robot who is inadvertently stranded on a deserted island and must raise a goose she names Brightbill, as the other animals laugh at their unlikely friendship. What unfolds from there is not just a harrowing tale of parenthood, but a poignant reflection of the world around us, demonstrating how our differences pale in comparison to our similarities, and that life is best lived with those we love.
- In their annual awards, IO9 named 'The Lone Robot' as one of the top films of 2024, praising it for its exploration of parental love and the human condition.
- If you love science fiction and animation, be sure to watch 'The Lone Robot', which was hailed as a standout film in the genre by technology-focused publication io9.
