50 Essential Films from the 2024 List

Ingrid and Martha were close friends working together at a magazine in their youth. Ingrid later became an autofiction novelist, while Martha became a war reporter, and their lives drifted apart. Years later, they unexpectedly reconnect under unusual and surprisingly…

In 1971 Brazil, a woman's life is upended when a brutal act forces her to leave behind her marriage to a former politician and build a new future for her family. She must redefine herself and find a different path…

A young art teacher dreams of a transfer to Istanbul after finishing his required service in a rural Anatolian school. But when allegations of inappropriate conduct with a student arise, his plans are ruined, and he spirals into a deep…

After World War II, a forward-thinking architect starts a new life in the United States, specifically in Pennsylvania, with his wife. He gets a chance to rebuild his career. Their lives take an irreversible turn when they encounter a powerful…

A once-famous actress turns to an illegal drug – a substance that temporarily reverses aging. It offers her a chance to recapture her former glory.

Paul Atreides embarks on a legendary journey, joining forces with Chani and the Fremen people as he seeks revenge against those who destroyed his family. Torn between his love for Chani and the destiny of the entire universe, Paul strives…

Lang returns to his hometown in Northwest China after serving time in prison. He takes a job with the local dog patrol, tasked with removing stray dogs from the town before the Olympics. There, he forms an unexpected bond with…

A young woman working as a sex worker in Brooklyn unexpectedly finds herself in a fairytale when she meets and quickly marries the son of a powerful Russian oligarch. However, her newfound happiness is jeopardized when news of the marriage…

Jérémie goes back to his hometown for the funeral of his old boss, the village baker. He plans to stay with the baker's widow, Martine, for a few days. But his visit turns complicated when a mysterious disappearance occurs, a…

In the village of Mizubiki, near Tokyo, Takumi and his daughter Hana live a quiet life. Their peaceful existence is threatened when the villagers learn of a proposal to build a campsite nearby, designed to offer city dwellers an easy…

In the near future, strong emotions are dangerous. Gabrielle chooses to undergo a procedure to erase her emotional responses by reliving her past lives within a machine. Afterward, she meets Louis and experiences an immediate, profound connection, as though they…

Owen, a teenager navigating suburban life, encounters a strange television program through his classmate Maddy. The show presents a glimpse into a hidden, supernatural realm existing alongside their own. Watching it, Owen's perception of reality starts to unravel.

Pansy is consumed by rage, and her interactions often erupt into angry outbursts directed at her husband, son, and even strangers. Her younger sister, Chantelle, is the opposite: a successful hairdresser who effortlessly connects with her clients and her two…

Deep within the swampy forests on the Belarus-Poland border, refugees from the Middle East and Africa face a dangerous crisis. Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko has orchestrated this situation to provoke Europe, luring people with false promises of reaching the EU.…

Rudolf Höss, the commandant of Auschwitz, and his wife Hedwig attempt to create an idyllic family life, complete with a house and garden, right next to the concentration camp.

Julio Arenas, a celebrated Spanish actor who vanished years ago, resurfaces in the public eye due to a television appearance.

Hirayama leads a quiet life as a toilet cleaner in Tokyo, finding satisfaction in his predictable routine. He enjoys listening to cassette tapes, reading, and photographing trees. Chance meetings lead him to contemplate the beauty around him.

Justin Kemp, a family man, is on a jury for a widely publicized murder trial. He faces a difficult moral choice: he possesses information that could influence the jury's decision, potentially leading to the conviction or acquittal of the defendant.

A team of war journalists navigate the dangers of a nation teetering on the edge of civil war, striving to report the truth amidst the conflict.

In Tehran, investigating judge Iman faces mounting paranoia amidst growing political turmoil. When his firearm disappears, he becomes suspicious of his own family – his wife and daughters. He responds by enacting strict rules, which put a severe strain on…

In the middle of the night, while driving on a deserted road, Shula discovers her uncle's body. As the family gathers for the funeral, she and her cousins uncover long-hidden secrets about their Zambian family's past.

In Mumbai, Nurse Prabha's predictable life is disrupted when she receives an unexpected gift from her husband, with whom she has a strained relationship. Her roommate, Anu, struggles to find a private place in the city for herself and her…

In a quiet London apartment building, Adam's routine is disrupted when he meets his enigmatic neighbor, Harry.

In the futuristic city of New Rome, visionary architect Cesar Catilina envisions "Megalopolis," a revolutionary city designed to transform society. His plans face opposition from corrupt Mayor Franklyn Cicero, who prioritizes power and wealth. Caught in the middle is Julia,…

Grief-stricken after his wife's death, Karsh, a successful businessman, develops a groundbreaking but controversial technology: a way for the living to observe the deceased. When several graves, including his wife's, are vandalized, he begins investigating the culprits.

Lou, a withdrawn gym manager, falls for Jackie, a determined bodybuilder on her way to Las Vegas to achieve her ambitions. Their relationship escalates into violence, drawing them into the dangerous world of Lou's criminal family.

Years after her boyfriend moved to a major city, promising to follow her, a Chinese woman embarks on a journey to find him and be reunited.

Tashi, a tennis coach who was once a player herself, has guided her husband, Art, to become a top-ranked Major champion. Hoping to reignite his passion after a series of losses, she enters him in a low-level tournament. There, Art…

In the 19th century, French colonists seized thousands of royal artifacts from Dahomey, a kingdom in West Africa, to be displayed in Paris. Decades later, a small number were returned to Benin. This documentary follows the story of 26 of…

Jozef travels on a spectral train to see his ailing father at a secluded sanatorium in Galicia. He arrives to find the sanatorium exists outside of normal time, lagging behind the real world. His father's death hasn't happened yet. As…

The story powerfully connects jazz music and the fight for independence during the Cold War. It focuses on a particularly fraught moment in history.

When the world collapses, young Furiosa is abducted from her home and taken by a powerful biker gang led by the warlord Dementus. They travel across a desolate landscape and come across the citadel ruled by Immortan Joe. The two…

Nina, an OB-GYN, becomes the target of suspicion following a baby's death. An investigation throws her life into question. She continues her work, committed to providing care where others are reluctant, even when it’s dangerous.

Belfast teacher JJ's life changes when he meets Naoise and Liam Óg, two men who describe themselves as outsiders. Together, they form a unique hip-hop group, using their music in Irish to spark a movement aimed at preserving the language.

In 1917 Burma (now Myanmar), a British diplomat prepares to marry his fiancée. However, following a sudden panic, he flees to Singapore, inadvertently setting her on a journey across Asia in pursuit.

Fresh off a prison sentence, the disheveled archaeologist Arthur reunites with his old team of tomb robbers. This carefree group makes a living by raiding Etruscan tombs and selling the ancient artifacts they find.

This film follows bullfighter Andrés Roca Rey through his day at the bullring, capturing the moments from the preparation of his costume to the final moments after the event.

Edward, an aspiring actor, undergoes a drastic medical procedure to change his looks. However, his altered appearance backfires when he misses out on a crucial role. Consumed by obsession, he becomes determined to get back what he lost.

In 1889 France, chef Dodin Bouffant lives with his cook and lover, Eugénie. They have a deep history of shared culinary passion and affection, but Eugénie consistently refuses his marriage proposals. Determined, Dodin decides to take a step he's never…

This film follows the strong bond between two Black teenagers as they face the difficult challenges of reform school in Florida.

Rita, a lawyer overlooked by her firm, which prioritizes acquitting criminals over seeking justice, is hired by the leader of a criminal organization.

In rural Western Massachusetts, 11-year-old Lacy spends the summer of 1991 at home, lost in her imagination and enjoying her mother Janet's attention. Throughout the summer, three visitors arrive, each drawn to Janet.

Lia, a retired teacher in Georgia, discovers from her neighbor, Achi, that her estranged transgender niece, Tekla, has gone to Turkey. Determined to find her, Lia journeys to Istanbul with Achi, navigating the city's lesser-known corners in their search for…

During the Christmas break at a New England boarding school, a grumpy instructor is unexpectedly required to stay on campus to look after a small group of students without families to go home to. He develops an unexpected connection with…

It's winter, somewhere between Tehran and Winnipeg. Negin and Nazgol discover a large amount of money trapped in the ice on the sidewalk and try to figure out how to retrieve it. Massoud guides a group of confused tourists on…

Following the sudden death of the Pope, Cardinal Lawrence is responsible for overseeing the secret and traditional process of choosing his replacement. Confined to the Vatican with the Church's most influential figures until the election concludes, Lawrence becomes embroiled in…

When a scandal erupts involving students working on a play at a women's college in South Korea, the professor overseeing the project enlists her uncle – a well-known actor – to help complete the production.

A film by a Palestinian-Israeli collaborative team documents the destruction of Masafer Yatta in the occupied West Bank, carried out by Israeli soldiers. The film follows the growing connection between Basel, a Palestinian activist, and Yuval, an Israeli journalist, as…

This personal essay explores the United States through the life and career of actor Henry Fonda, revealing a complex and often contradictory figure. The private Fonda, who claimed to have no easy answers, unexpectedly becomes a lens for American history.…

Working for a global company, a production assistant travels Bucharest, Romania, interviewing people who have been hurt in workplace accidents. The goal is to find someone to appear in a video promoting workplace safety.