I watched a bunch of movies/shows in 2024. Most of them were disappointing; mostly as a result of my evolving taste and decreasing tolerance.

But I managed to list my favorites based on one basic criterion: “If the person is interested in genre, would I recommend this film?”

I have also realized I don’t watch international cinema as much. There is no particular reason for it. Maybe because India produces too many films in a year or I don’t have people to talk international movies/shows.

But I found some tribes this year. I am part of communities that discuss movies, which I am sure makes this list much more diverse 12 months from now.

But today, I have 31 recommendations for you.

I won’t elaborate on all of them because it gets long, boring, and at some point you only want to read the names.

I will talk about my five favourite ones; then name the rest.

My favourite movies/shows from 2024

Disclaimer: I don’t think ranking movies makes sense. This is in no particular order. Also, there will be spoilers. So watch out.

5/ Shaitaan

Despite its disappointing climax, I think Shaitaan is the best thriller I’ve watched this year.

It feels unfair to cite Shaitaan and not the original Gujarati film, Vash. Someday, I might make time for the original.

My anxiety went uphill throughout. Madhavan and Janki (the girl who was possessed/hypnotized/Idk what to call it) killed it. Especially the entire episode where Jahnvi had to dance, threaten to kill herself, and blackmail her mother because Madhavan is in absolute control of her actions is to say the least, sad.

As if that wasn’t enough, she had pee in front of her father. It topped the vulnerability meter for me; I felt so sorry for the character to the extent I felt bad there was no solution.

4/ Kill

I have several reasons to love Kill.

One, Bollywood has produced decent action film after ages.

Two, the protagonist’s friend has a role to play. I have seen in many many films - especially when the lead and his friends are from the army - the friend only exists for comedy. It irritates me because the other person is also an army officer and they outright disrespect the character’s capabilities.

Kill didn’t do that. Even if the friend got shot or took a step back, it was because he was in a less safe position and not because he was incapable.

Three, I have a soft corner for armed forces, spy, detective, kind of genre. I am biased and I always rate a 7/10 film 8/10 because of my love for the genre.

The romance in the film was just eww. I mean who proposes in a train toilet? The love story between the protagonist and his girlfriend has to be really strong in this story to root for the character; I couldn’t feel it.

3/ Kota Factory Season 3

Kota Factory is one of the most beautifully made Indian web series that only gets better each season. I love how TVF explored Jeethu’s flaws and rightly made students the main characters, not Jeetu Bhaiya.

Jeetu’s character evolution through the seasons will remain one of my all-time favorites in the Indian web series ecosystem.

I wrote a detailed essay on why I love Kota Factory.

Plus I have to share this beautiful song with you:

2/ Manjumal Boys

I had the right vibe. I watched it in the theater with my boy gang; couldn’t ask for anything better.

The setup and payoff were so perfect that, at one point, I felt bad for those who watched the movie on OTT. I guessed most people would have fast-forwarded the setup, but the slowness was definitely worth the theatrical experience.

And oh yes, the horror of Subhash falling down the cave or attacking Siju, what can I say?

It’s hard to believe it’s a real story. The thought of being stuck terrifies me even before I watched the film; I have no idea how Subhash made it through the trauma. His friends never giving up on him is just <3.

Manjumal Boys set high standards for friendships even before standards were a thing.

1/ Laapata Ladies

This film was too innocent, cute, and heartwarmingly emotional. I remember crying like a baby when Sajni played in the climax.

Can I just say EVERYTHING IS SO BEAUTIFUL?! Deepak saying “I love you”, Jaya making her way through life, Phool’s trust in her husband, Manju Maai finding a reason to celebrate with sweets, Shaym and Dubeji’s comedy, everything.

I don’t know. With all the big stars making large-scale movies, especially from the South, I started to dig and crave small, simple stories. Laapata Ladies tops that genre for me.

35, Meiyazhagan are a couple of similar category films.

More films/shows from 2024 I think you must watch if you haven’t already:

• Maharaja

• Merry Christmas

• Article 370 (Keeping political agendas and real-life accuracy aside, I felt it was a well-made film + I have a bias for this genre)

• Hanu-Man

• 35

• Amaran

• Meiyazhagan

• Deadpool and Wolverine (Not the best, but considering Marvel’s shitty streak lately, this was okay)

• 3 Body Problem

• Citadel: Honey Bunny

• Modern Masters: SS Rajamouli (Documentary)

• Lucky Bhasker

• Premalu

What I should have watched but I couldn’t (But I will watch them soon)

• Committee Kurrollu

• Shōgun

• Dune 2

• Inside Out 2

• Avesham

What wasn’t released in 2024, but watched in 2024 and fell in love with

• Ted Lasso

• The Bear

• The Good Doctor

• Haikyuu

• Sunflower

• Soul

• Sam Bahadur

Well, that was my 2024 entertainment wrapped.

If you watch anything from my recs, please write to me and let me know how it was.

If you have an international movie/show suggestion, please send it over. And send ONLY ONE recommendation so I actually watch it.

I hope you have one crazy New Year party!

See you in 2025.

Love,
Vikra.