The 10 Most Essential Films On The New York Times' Best Movies Of 2024 List

The New York Times' Best Movies of 2024 list, published on November 30, 2024, stands as the definitive, and often provocative, counterpoint to the mainstream Hollywood awards circuit. This annual compilation, primarily curated by chief film critic Manohla Dargis and critic Alissa Wilkinson, is a crucial resource for cinephiles, highlighting international, independent, and documentary films that challenge and reward viewers in equal measure. This list, unlike many others, deliberately avoids the obvious blockbusters, instead championing cinematic artistry, political depth, and narrative innovation, making it a must-read for anyone seeking truly fresh and impactful cinema from the year. The 2024 selections confirm the critics' commitment to global cinema, featuring a strong contingent of films that premiered at major festivals like Cannes, Sundance, and TIFF. The inclusion of multiple foreign-language and documentary features underscores the list's value as a guide to the films that will define the year's artistic legacy, not just its box office receipts. For those who missed these gems in their initial runs, this curated selection provides a perfect, authoritative watchlist for the current date, December 21, 2025.

The Critics' Curatorial Vision: Manohla Dargis and Alissa Wilkinson

The New York Times film division is known for its distinct critical voices, and the 2024 list was a combined effort by Manohla Dargis and Alissa Wilkinson. Their joint selection reflects a shared, yet diverse, appreciation for cinema that prioritizes formal boldness and social relevance over commercial appeal.

Manohla Dargis: Champion of Formal Innovation

Dargis’s selections often lean toward formally ambitious works and films with a strong, uncompromising vision. Her picks consistently feature directors who push the boundaries of storytelling and visual language. For 2024, her list included films that were heavily awarded on the festival circuit, such as Payal Kapadia's Cannes Grand Prix winner, *All We Imagine as Light*. Her critical lens seeks out movies that are not simply entertaining, but that contribute to the ongoing conversation of cinema as an art form.

Alissa Wilkinson: Focus on Documentary and Social Commentary

Alissa Wilkinson's taste often brings a strong emphasis on documentary filmmaking and narrative features that engage directly with contemporary social and political issues. Her inclusion of films like *Nickel Boys* and *Soundtrack to a Coup d'Etat* highlights a focus on historical and geopolitical narratives. Wilkinson’s selections ensure the list is well-rounded, providing necessary context and depth to the year's most significant non-fiction and issue-driven works.

The Most Essential Films on the NYT 2024 List

The combined list is a masterclass in film curation, but a few titles stand out as the most talked-about, critically acclaimed, and culturally resonant. These films, often representing the best of independent and international cinema, form the core of the New York Times’ definitive 2024 selection.

1. Anora

• Director: Sean Baker
• Genre: Romantic Comedy-Drama / Tragicomedy
• Key Entity: Mikey Madison (Star)
• Synopsis: Directed by the acclaimed independent filmmaker Sean Baker, *Anora* is a searing, yet darkly comedic, portrait of a young Brooklyn sex worker (Mikey Madison) whose life is turned upside down after she impulsively marries the son of a powerful Russian oligarch. The film, which won the prestigious Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival, is a vibrant and chaotic exploration of class, transactional relationships, and the American dream, rendered with Baker's signature blend of grit and genuine human empathy.

2. All We Imagine as Light

• Director: Payal Kapadia
• Genre: Drama
• Key Entity: Kani Kusruti (Star)
• Synopsis: This Indian-French-Dutch-Luxembourgish co-production, which took home the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival, follows two nurses in Mumbai, Prabha and Anu, whose lives are intertwined by the city's complexities and their search for connection. The film is a subtle, yet profound, meditation on female friendship, desire, and the quiet struggle for autonomy in a bustling metropolis. It is a landmark achievement for Indian cinema on the global stage.

3. Nickel Boys

• Director: RaMell Ross
• Genre: Historical Drama
• Key Entity: Colson Whitehead (Author of the source novel)
• Synopsis: Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Colson Whitehead, *Nickel Boys* is a powerful, devastating historical drama chronicling the lives of two young Black teenagers sent to a notoriously abusive reform school in Jim Crow-era Florida. Directed by RaMell Ross, a filmmaker known for his documentary work, the movie is a haunting and essential piece of cinema that explores systemic racism and the resilience of the human spirit against institutional cruelty.

4. A Real Pain

• Director: Jesse Eisenberg
• Genre: Comedy-Drama
• Key Entity: Kieran Culkin (Star)
• Synopsis: Written, directed, and starring Jesse Eisenberg, with a standout performance by Kieran Culkin, *A Real Pain* is a dramedy about two estranged cousins, David and Benji, who travel to Poland to participate in a Holocaust memorial tour honoring their late grandmother. The film deftly balances sharp, modern humor with a deep, emotional exploration of heritage, grief, and the weight of history, earning critical praise for its nuanced performances and cultural sensitivity.

Further Noteworthy Selections and Key Entities

The New York Times list is often characterized by its deep dives into arthouse and non-fiction cinema. The following films and their associated entities were also highlighted, demonstrating the breadth of the critics' tastes and providing excellent viewing for those looking to expand their film knowledge.

The Best of International and Documentary Cinema

The 2024 list made a strong case for films that transcend borders and genres, reinforcing the NYT's reputation for promoting a global cinema perspective.

• Evil Does Not Exist (Director: Ryusuke Hamaguchi): From the acclaimed Japanese director of *Drive My Car*, this film is a subtle, unsettling drama about the delicate balance between nature and human development, exploring a small village's conflict with a corporation planning to build a glamping site.
• Eno (Director: Gary Hustwit): A fascinating, non-linear documentary portrait of the legendary musician and producer Brian Eno, known for his pioneering work in ambient music and with artists like David Bowie and U2. The film itself is a generative, ever-changing work, much like Eno's music.
• Soundtrack to a Coup d'Etat (Director: Johan Grimonprez): A powerful, music-driven documentary that uses a trove of archival footage to explore the geopolitical machinations behind the assassination of Patrice Lumumba, the first prime minister of the Congo, tying it to the Cold War and jazz music.
• Do Not Expect Too Much from the End of the World (Director: Radu Jude): A satirical, formally adventurous film from the Romanian New Wave, blending fiction and documentary to critique contemporary labor conditions and media culture with biting wit.
• Thelma (Director: Josh Margolin): A delightful and critically praised independent film starring the late June Squibb as a 93-year-old woman who sets out on a quest to retrieve her money after being scammed. The film is a charming meditation on aging and agency.

The Impact of the NYT List on the Film Landscape

The New York Times' annual selections wield significant cultural influence, often serving as a critical stamp of approval for films that might otherwise be overlooked by mainstream audiences. By foregrounding works by international directors like Payal Kapadia, RaMell Ross, Sean Baker, Ryusuke Hamaguchi, and Radu Jude, the list actively shapes the discourse around what constitutes "essential" cinema. The critics' deliberate choice to highlight films like *Nickel Boys* (addressing American history), *All We Imagine as Light* (a women-centric narrative from India), and *Anora* (a bold indie film about class and sex work) provides a crucial counterbalance to the typical studio-driven, Oscar-bait narratives that dominate the end of the year. This curatorial philosophy ensures that the list is not just a ranking, but an invaluable cultural document that directs attention to the most vital and artistically daring works of the year.

Key Entities and Topical Authority in the 2024 Selection

The films on the list are tied to a rich network of prominent figures and concepts, which collectively establish its topical authority:

Directors: Payal Kapadia, Sean Baker, RaMell Ross, Jesse Eisenberg, Ryusuke Hamaguchi, Gary Hustwit, Johan Grimonprez, Radu Jude, Josh Margolin.

Actors: Mikey Madison, Kani Kusruti, Divya Prabha, Kieran Culkin, June Squibb, Ethan Herisse, Brandon Wilson.

Concepts & Genres: International Cinema, Documentary Film, Independent Film, Historical Drama, Social Commentary, Cannes Film Festival (Grand Prix, Palme d'Or), Romanian New Wave, Ambient Music (Brian Eno), Cold War History, Systemic Racism, Grief and Heritage.

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Source Material/Author: Colson Whitehead (Pulitzer Prize-winning novel).

In conclusion, the New York Times Best Movies of 2024 list, as curated by Manohla Dargis and Alissa Wilkinson, is far more than a simple ranking. It is a meticulously chosen collection of films that challenged audiences, pushed cinematic boundaries, and offered vital perspectives on the world. For any serious film lover, these titles represent the essential viewing experience of the year, a testament to the enduring power of global, independent filmmaking.

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