The best movies of 2024 for young people

If 2023 gave us the cultural phenomenon “Barbenheimer,” the best movies of 2024 gave us emotions — loads of it. 

“Inside Out 2” is the highest-grossing movie this year and also the eighth of all time receiving over US$1.6 billion worldwide.

On the festival circle, it was a little low-budget movie called “Anora” that won top honours at the International Cannes Film Festival and is having major Oscar buzz. 

On Netflix, “Damsel” is the most streamed movie despite being called one of the worst movies this year.

These films may have won the hearts of critics and Netflix watchers, but are they the best movies of 2024 for young people?

Amy Poehler is the voice of Joy in the film “Inside Out 2,” one of the best films of 2024 for young people. Source: AFP

The best movies of 2024 for young people

Like we’ve always said on this site, “best” is subjective. It differs from me, you, and your insufferable aunty who asks too many questions about your love life.

But I think we can all agree on a few things that would make a movie win a spot on a list of the best movies of 2024 for young people.

The first and arguably most important factor is whether the movie has characters Gen Alphas and Gen Zs can relate to. Are they exploring their identity, friendship, and their coming of age? If yes, we’ve included the most well-made of those films in the list below.

The next thing we’re looking at is how the movie made us feel. Were we awed by the visuals and cinematography? Did it make us cry or laugh out loud?

But beyond narratives and entertainment value that relate to us, meaning is just as important. Specifically, positive messages and social commentary that resonates with us, such as the promotion of values like kindness, empathy, courage, and resilience, and the elevation of issues like diversity, inclusivity, and saving the planet. We’re inspired by that kinda stuff.

However, it is not all bad when it comes to movies this year. Here, we have compiled a top 10 list that we think are the best movies 2024. Ranging from action blockbusters to bone-chilling horrors, here are the films we have loved the most this year.

10. “Deadpool & Wolverine”

While it is easy to laugh at how Sony handles its Marvel properties, Disney is not always on its A-game either. Last year, two out of their three releases flopped, leading to claims that audiences, even younger ones, are indeed suffering from superhero fatigue. That all changed when “Deadpool & Wolverine” burst into cinemas.

This movie sees two of cinema’s favourite superheroes, the foul-mouthed Deadpool and the iconic Wolverine, teaming up to escape a universe they don’t belong to save another. While the whole multi-universe trope is getting tired at this point, “Deadpool & Wolverine” had fun with its mechanics to bring some new, some familiar faces. Also, it is just lovely to see Hugh Jackman don the claws again after swearing that 2017’s “Logan” would be his last.

9. “Anora”

Calling “Anora” a romantic comedy is an understatement. It is a wildly authentic look of people who are down to their last few dollars, who would give up anything just to have that chance of feeling financially secure, even if it means their dignity.

Mikey Madison plays the titular Anora, a stripper who impulsively marries a Russian oligarch’s son, believing that they might have a future together despite only being in each other’s company for sex, parties, and accompanying him while he games.

Although we, the audience, know their relationship is doomed from the start, she is convinced this romance is real and clings to it even as the fantasy collapses around her. When she ultimately realises there is no chance they could live happily ever after, the movie’s surprisingly intimate, down-to-earth ending perfectly captures her feelings in one unbreakable take.

Whether you are aboard the Glenn Powell train or not, his “Hit Man” movie is one of the best movies of 2024. Source: AFP

8. “Hit Man”

If you are not aboard the I-love-Glen-Powell train yet, this movie is going to get you on it.

Stupidly charming, frustratingly good-looking – Powell brings all the stops to carry this movie as a nervous, jorts-wearing undercover cop whose job is to pose as a suave hit man, convincing his mark to spill all the details which eventually are used against them. However, things start to go sideways when sparks fly with a woman he is hired to kill.

“Hit Man” is sexy, funny, and entertaining enough that you will catch yourself smiling throughout the film. And did we mention that this is based on actual events?

7. “Inside Out 2”

So, you think an 11-year-old mind is complicated? Wait until you take a look at a teenager’s brain.

Nine years ago, we were introduced to Riley’s emotions, which consist of Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, and Disgust, all working in tandem to make sure she gives the correct emotional response to the world around her.

This time, Riley has a new set of emotions as she grows into a teen, ready to discover her own self. The addition of Anxiety, Envy, Ennui, and Embarrassment perfectly captures what most people of Riley’s age go through each day, making “Inside Out 2” an unexpectedly realistic albeit colourful movie about teenagers trying to figure out who they are.

6. “Bad Boys: Ride or Die”

When Michael Bay left the director’s chair after the second “Bad Boys” movie, there was a void in the franchise that was left unfulfilled. This is obviously apparent in the third movie, “Bad Boys for Life”.

Four years after the third movie and two years after the infamous Will Smith Oscar slap, the bad boys are back in action, bringing in the heat once again to Miami.

“Bad Boys: Ride or Die” reunites Marcus and Mike in another high-octane, action-packed, hilarity-ensuing mission to clear their late captain’s name from being falsely linked to drug cartels.

Once again, directed by Adil & Bilall, the two managed to capture the Bayhem that the “Bad Boys” franchise is known for, only better.

Another Hollywood star making a comeback is Demi Moore in one of the best movies of 2024, “The Substance”. Source: AFP

5. “The Substance”

How far would you go to remain beautiful and young? What if there is a drug that could do just that but for only a week? Would you take it even if it means losing a part of yourself?

Those are the questions “The Substance” asks of its audiences through an extreme depiction of the consequences of addiction towards beauty.

The movie is not exactly subtle with its social message, but then again, director Coralie Fargeat is not known for being subtle. “The Substance” is straightforward and could be understood even by a child, but it is gross enough to make squeamish adults spew out their lunch.

4. “It’s What’s Inside”

If you could be someone else for a day, who would you become? I would be Anant Ambani, son of Asia’s richest man, and just swim in wealth without a single care in the world.

Unfortunately for the characters in “It’s What’s Inside”, the rules of their game is that they can only switch bodies with each other, which makes things immensely complicated due to the history these group of friends have.

3. “Late Night with the Devil”

2024 is the year of horror movies. With bangers like “Longlegs”, “The First Omen”, “Immaculate”, and the soon-to-be-released “Nosferatu”, horror fans are treated to some of the best scares Hollywood has to offer.

But my pick of best horror movies is a little indie movie called “Late Night with the Devil”. David Dastmalchian excels in this found-footage horror flick where he plays a talk show personality hosting a Halloween special that goes horribly wrong.

We know the found-footage style is dead, but “Late Night with the Devil” puts a creative spin on it by immersing the audience as if you are watching a late-night programme ala “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.”

2. “Maharaja”

If there is one word to describe this Tamil movie, it is bonkers. The less said about “Maharaja”, the better, as it has many unexpected twists and turns that you will not see coming.

“Maharaja” tells a story about a father who seeks the authority’s help to investigate a break-in that happened at home and find a missing item. Sounds simple enough, but just you wait.

“Society of the Snow” or “La sociedad de la nieve” in Spanish is #1 of best movies of 2024 for young people. Source: AFP

1. “Society of the Snow”

“Society of the Snow” is the miraculous true story of the 1972 Andes plane crash, where the remaining survivors had to do all they could to live another day while desperately seeking help.

Although this tragic story was already told in the form of a film in 1993’s “Alive”, this Spanish retelling is more visceral, gruesome, and scarily realistic to show what these poor souls had to face in order to survive.

It is heartbreaking, inspiring, and, at times, relieving when these characters find even a tiny victory in their survival, making “Society of the Snow” #1 of the the best movies of 2024 for young people.