Top Movies and TV Shows of 2024 Recommended by Critics
NPR critics have rounded up the best movies and TV shows of 2024 for you, both from the theater and available for streaming on your screens at home. Search by genre, or where you can watch them, and dive right in!
First up, we have “Anora,” a romantic comedy that tells the story of Ani, a scrappy sex worker from Brooklyn, and Vanya, the rich kid of a Russian oligarch. A quickie marriage following a strip club transaction stirs up a hilarious family feud that unfolds as a surprisingly delightful rom-dramedy.
In “Dahomey,” French filmmaker Mati Diop blends documentary and dramatization to expose France’s historical looting of artifacts from the Kingdom of Dahomey, now being returned to modern-day Benin. The filmmaker achieves a powerful critique of colonialism that resonates through the ages.
“Love Lies Bleeding” is a weird, sexy, ultra-violent thriller set in 1989 New Mexico. Queer icon Kristen Stewart stars as Lou, a gym owner whose life turns upside down by a chance encounter with a bodybuilder named Jackie. The chemistry between the leads turns up the heat in this edge-of-your-seat thriller.
“Sing Sing” brings drama to life through an arts program at a maximum-security prison, avoiding tired stereotypes with standout performances. Formerly incarcerated men contribute their own experiences to showcase the human side of a seemingly inhumane environment.
Finally, “Soundtrack to a Coup D’Etat” is an arresting Cold War documentary uncovering a plot to assassinate Congolese Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba. Featuring the words of global leaders and jazz luminaries, this documentary shines a light on the maneuvers of the U.S. State Department during a pivotal moment in history.
Close the curtains and settle in for a gripping double feature with “The Room Next Door,” a drama that sheds light on unexpected connections and human experiences that bridge seemingly insurmountable divides.
