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2024 End of Year Movie Survey


Happy Wednesday everyone!  Today, I'm sharing my 2024 End of Year Movie Survey!  I've been doing my Mid-Year Movie Freak Out for a few years now (check out my 2024 list here) and the End of Year Book Survey for ages (you can see my 2024 list here).  With this I'm borrowing some of the questions from the book counterpart, and some from my Mid-Year Movie Freak Out as well.  Also, all of these will be movies I watched for the first time in 2024.  If anyone would like to link up with me and share their End of Year Movie Survey, I'd love to see your answers to the questions.  By the way, the titles are linked to my Letterboxd review or their Letterboxd page.  Without further ado, here we go:

1. Best Movie You Watched In 2024? 

Wicked (2024) - I got to go an AMC Early Access Screening of this with some friends and we all had a marvelous time watching this.  I wasn't expecting to love it quite so much.  I even got myself a copy of the soundtrack and I can't wait to rewatch it.  And, I'm dying to see Wicked: For Good!  By the way, at the end of the movie everyone (including myself) burst into applause.

2. Best sequel you've watched so far in 2024.

Deadpool & Wolverine (2024) - I wasn't expecting to see a sequel that topped Dune: Part Two, but this one sure did.  It's hilarious, brutal, and has a lot of cool cameos and multiversal things.  I got to see this in 3D and let me just say that the opening to fight to "Bye Bye Bye" was something else.

2. Movie You Were Excited About & Thought You Were Going To Love More But Didn't

First Knight (1995) - I'm sticking with my biggest disappointment from my Mid-Year Movie Freak Out.  I have a soft spot for Arthurian stories, but this just wasn't it at all.  I think I'll have to do a full series rewatch of BBC Merlin to recover from this one. 

3. Most Surprising (In A Good Way Or Bad Way) Movie You Watched?

Thelma (2024) - This was recommended to me several times and I went into it mostly blind aside from what those who recommended it to me said.  I had no expectations and it turned out it was quite a pleasant surprise.  If you haven't seen this yet, you're missing out!

4. Movie You “Pushed” The Most People To Watch (And They Did)?

Late Night with the Devil (2023) - I wish I'd gotten to see this in the theater.  If you're looking for a really cool and creepy found footage movie, you can't skip this.  David Dastmalchian is one of those actors that I'm glad to see is doing well.  Plus, there's even a Svengoolie reference in this that just made me happy - it's fun knowing that Mr. Dastmalchian is a fan too.

5. Favorite New Actor Or Director You Discovered In 2024?

Damian Mc Carthy from Oddity (2024) - I had heard this was good and as it turns out, it was absolutely amazing.  I need to watch Caveat asap!

6. Best Movie From A Genre You Don’t Typically Watch?

And Then We Danced (2019) - I don't often watch movies that focus on dance, especially a type of dance I know nothing about at all but this was outstanding.  Merab deserves the whole world.

7. Most Action-Packed/Thrilling Movie Of The Year?

The Three Musketeers: D'Artagnan (2023) - Quite a few movies I've seen this year could fit this, but I loved this French adaptation of the classic novel.  If you haven't had the chance to watch it, I highly recommend it.  D'Artagnan, Athos, Porthos, and Aramis are all great together and the action is very cool.

8. Movie You Watched In 2024 That You Would Be MOST Likely To Re-Watch In 2025?

Wicked (2024) - I want very much to add it to my physical media collection and can't wait to rewatch it several times!

9. Most Memorable Character of 2024?

Mr. Jordan - Here Comes Mr. Jordan (1941) was delightful and Mr. Jordan (portrayed by Claude Rains - on the left in the photo) is a true professional.  If you're a fan of A Matter of Life and Death, you might want to try this as well.  Mr. Jordan was also my pick for new favorite character in my Mid-Year Movie Freak Out too.

10. Most Beautifully Made Movie Watched in 2024?

The Boy and the Heron (2023) - This was a tough choice, but this Studio Ghibli movie came out on top.  I watched it in the original Japanese, but I did switch it over to English a couple of times just to hear how it sounded that way.  By the way, the original title is「君たちはどう生きるか」(「Kimitachi wa dou ikiru ka」) which translates to "How Do You Live?" and I think that's quite fitting for the story and a more poignant than the English title. 

11. Movie You Can’t Believe You Waited UNTIL 2024 To Finally Watch?

Furious 7 (2015) - For the longest time, I'd only ever seen the first five movies in this series and I decided to do a little catch up.  This year I watched the sixth and seventh installments.  As it turns out, seven is the best one in the series as far as I'm concerned and I shouldn't have put it off.  The addition of Jason Statham definitely helped the franchise.  This one definitely reminded me of a combination of The A-Team meets Mission: Impossible.  Sometime I'll have to get all the way caught up.

12. Movie That Shocked You The Most (Because of a plot twist, character death, left you hanging with your mouth wide open, etc.)

Strange Darling (2023) - I highly recommend going into this unique twisty thriller totally blind for maximum effect.  Kyle Gallner and Willa Fitzgerald are excellent in their roles.  If you liked Longlegs, even though Strange Darling is quite different I have a feeling you will like it as well.

13. OTP OF THE YEAR (you will go down with this ship!) (OTP = one true pairing if you aren’t familiar)

Jodhaa and Akbar from Jodhaa Akbar (2008) - I had no expectations for this epic historical drama romance, but I loved it and surprisingly loved the romance too.

14. Favorite Non-Romantic Relationship Of The Year

Robot and Dog from Robot Dreams (2023) - I watched this on a whim and I loved their friendship.  I can't recommend this enough - it's quite a rollercoaster.

15. Best Movie You Watched In 2024 That You Watched Based SOLELY On A Recommendation From Somebody Else/Peer Pressure Etc.:

When the Wind Blows (1986) - I had never heard of this animated movie at all until it was recommended to me by a patron at the library where I work.  As it turns out it's one of the most depressing and most British war movies I've ever seen.  It's right up there with Come and See and Grave of the Fireflies.

16. Best Worldbuilding/Most Vivid Setting You Watched This Year?

Dead of Night (1945) - That horror anthology is so creepy and the nightmares are so vivid. 

17. Movie That Put A Smile On Your Face/Was The Most FUN To Watch?

Pride (2014) - I had no expectations for this movie at all, but it was delightful and may be a comfort watch in the future.  If you haven't seen this, I can't recommend it enough.  Plus, this movie was on my Mid-Year Movie Freak Out as a movie that made me happy.

18. Movie That Made You Cry Or Nearly Cry in 2024?

The Tale of Princess Kaguya (2013) - I cried like a baby at that ending.  The soundtrack for that particular scene is probably the happiest tune of the entire movie and that made it all the harder!

Runner Up: Godzilla Minus One (2023) - This is easily the best Godzilla movie I've ever seen.  I was surprised that I actually invested in the human characters.  I wasn't expecting to cry during one of these movies, but the emotional gut punches were something else.

19. Hidden Gem Of The Year?

All That Money Can Buy (1941) - I hadn't heard of this at all (it also goes by the title The Devil and Daniel Webster), but I'm so glad I watched this because it was so cool.  Considering this fantasy movie is 83 years old the special effects still look great, especially that scene with the axe!  If you're at all interested in Faustian stories, you'll have to check out this classic.  Walter Huston is the real standout as Mr. Scratch, aka the Devil.  This was also my Hidden Gem pick for my Mid-Year Movie Freak Out.

20. Movie That Crushed Your Soul?

I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang (1932) - This movie is brutal and depressing, especially when you know that it's based on a real person's life story.  Paul Muni really embodies the role and it's no wonder that this movie helped make actual social change and prison reform.

21. Most Unique Movie You Watched In 2024?

All That Jazz (1979) - I've never quite seen a musical drama quite like this.  I went into this blind and I was totally blown away.  Also, I was surprised to learn Joe Gideon's played by Roy Scheider since I mainly associate him as Brody from Jaws.

22. Movie That Made You The Most Mad (doesn’t necessarily mean you didn’t like it)?

The Substance (2024) - In a good way!

23. Best Book To Film Adaptation?

The Wild Robot (2024) - I'm so glad I got to see this at the theater because this was amazing.  You know, this is one where I absolutely loved the original book by Peter Brown, but this is one of those cases I think I prefer the adaptation overall.  The animation is outstanding, the soundtrack soars, and the voice cast do a fantastic job of bringing it to life.  


The Long Goodbye (1973) - Elliott Gould is hands down my favorite onscreen Philip Marlowe.  I didn't know if the 1970s setting would work, but it totally did.

24. Best Book To TV Adaptation?

Interview with the Vampire (2022 - Present) - When season 1 was released on Netflix earlier this year, I jumped right in and when I finished it I borrowed the season 2 on dvd from the library and devoured it too.  I've read a lot of the original novels and while I enjoyed them and have seen the 1994 movie, I think I actually prefer this adaptation.  The cast and the world-building are totally engrossing and I'm dying to see what's next in season 3.

Dead Boy Detectives (2024) - Same as for my Mid-Year Movie Freak Out, this is easily an all time favorite tv show and adaptation, but unfortunately now I know that Netflix cancelled it so they'll never be a second season.  It was great reading their storyline in The Sandman, but my favorite of their spin off comics is the one from Pornsack Pichetshote.  If you haven't checked out this spinoff of The Sandman, you will have to give it a try.  I'm really hoping against hoping that Edwin and Charles will appear in the upcoming second season of The Sandman.

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, Season 2 (2024) - I liked season 1, but season 2 really picks up the pace and made a lot of improvements.  I really loved seeing these characters again, especially Elrond, Durin, Disa, and Arondir.  Charlie Vickers and Charles Edward did absolutely amazing.  I can't wait to see season 3 and I hope we don't have to wait too long!

My Lady Jane (2024) - I absolutely adored the original novel by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows and I was very nervous about the adaptation.  While it's definitely more mature than the YA source material, it's still absolutely delightful.  It was doing so well that I thought a second season would be a given, but no Prime Video cancelled it.  It's too bad because I was hoping to see more of Jane and Guildford, and adaptations of the other Jane books and even the Mary books.

25. Best Book Adaptation That Made You Want To Read The Source Material?

Dark Winds, Season 1 and 2 (2022 - Present) - I watched this historical thriller series when the first two seasons became available on Netflix and I was immediately hooked.  The mysteries are great, but the cast kept me coming back for more.  I'm so happy that it's going to be back for a third season.  In the mean time, I'll have to start the Leaphorn & Chee series by Tony Hillerman.  I've heard that the show has covered books 3 and 4, but I'll start from the beginning.  I have to do something to tide myself over until the release of season 3.

The Terror, Season 1 (2018) - I also watched this historical horror series when it became available on Netflix and I was absolutely hooked.  Seriously, this show deserves a lot more love.  If you're a fan of Mike Flanagan's shows, you might like the style of this series.  It's creepy to know it's based on a true story which is horrific enough on it's own, and it's especially eerie that you can look up photos of the real life people.  Season 2 which is a different story altogether isn't available on Netflix yet, but I did notice that it's now on Philo for free so I'll have to give it a try soon.  I'm also hoping to read the original novel by Dan Simmons.  It might be awhile because there are quite a few holds for the audiobook.

26. 2025 Movie Releases You're Looking Forward To?

Wolf Man - Release Date: January 17th, 2025 -  I'm really looking forward to this and given how much I liked The Invisible Man (2020) my expectations are pretty high.

Love Hurts - Release Date: February 7th, 2025 - It might sound weird to say this, but this looks like it's going to be a ton of fun.  It makes me happy to see Ke Huy Quan doing well.

Captain America: Brave New World  - Release Date: February 14th, 2025 - Sam Wilson is a favorite and I like that this looks like this is going to be a political thriller along the lines of Captain America: The Winter Soldier.

Mickey 17 - Release Date: April 18th, 2025 - The book this is based on was a wild ride and just after watching the trailer totally looks like it's got the tone down.  Also, Mickey's been killed like another ten times!

Thunderbolts* - Release Date: May 2nd, 2025 - The trailer for this looks like fun. I'm just happy to get to see Yelena, Alexei, and Bucky again!  Plus, it'll be interesting to see John Walker after we last left off with him.  

Wicked: For Good - Release Date: November 21st, 2025 -  Please, I need this!  I don't know if I can wait so long!


Have you seen any of these movies or tv shows?  What are you looking forward to watching this year?  As always, thanks for visiting my blog and perhaps even commenting down below!

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