A24’s Greatest Movies Ranked

Not many studios have made movies that audiences adore like A24. Since 2012, A24 is a studio has produced unforgettable movies. Whether it’s childhood lovers, rebellious teenagers or lighthouse keepers, the studio has created several characters. Given the number of movies that the studio has made, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my favourite films made by a studio that deserves to be celebrated.

1. Past Lives

Childhood crushes are lovers that rarely last forever. At an early age, I fell in love with a girl in school seeking marriage. Dressed in gorgeous attire, she was an attractive girl that my entire school would admire. However, immigration brought bonds to a closure. When my family moved to Canada, I was faced with a dilemma of saying goodbye to a girl that shaped my persona. It was heartbreaking to say goodbye to a girl that I had always found appealing. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured grim struggles faced by immigrants leaving past lives behind as powerfully as “Past Lives”. Ever since its release in 2023, Celine Song’s movie has stood the test of time as the greatest film A24 has ever made. With her directorial debut, Song captured hardships childhood lovers separated by barriers of immigration go through. Song successfully used flashbacks to capture the bonds between childhood lovers torn apart by forces of immigration. For instance, the scene in which Nora bids tearful farewell to Hae-Sung as he leaves for Korea causing sorrow is one of the finest moments of the studio. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Greta Lee, who embodies an immigrant struggling to leave past lovers in Korea behind. Ultimately, what makes “Past Lives” my favourite A24 film of all-time it its universal appeal. Despite its focus on Korean lovers, it tackles universal themes that everyone would relate to. It delivers a bold message about immigration which would resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be Korean to appreciate it. A powerful portrait of immigration causing bonds of childhood lovers to deteriorate, it’s a bold reminder of a studio that hasn’t lost its abilities to captivate making great movies which audiences appreciate.

2. Moonlight

Gay people are rarely depicted with respect in movies today. Years ago, I witnessed hardships endured by a gay cousin that sought acceptance in Toronto. Fond of feminine attire, he was a person my entire family would admire. However, the discovery of his sexual identity ended our bond forever. As someone treasuring a cousin that kept his sexual identity hidden in plain sight, I adored “Moonlight”. Released in 2016, Barry Jenkins’ movie celebrated the LGBTQ community. With the greatest film of his career, Jenkins used innovative cinematic techniques to capture a queer black boy facing despair. For instance, the scene in which Chiron has an emotional breakdown getting into a violent fight with a bully in his class causing sorrow is one of the greatest moments of the studio. At the centre of it all is an exceptional performance by Ashton Sanders, who portrayed a queer black boy facing tension. Ultimately, what makes “Moonlight” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about sexual identity which would resonate with everyone. A phenomenal portrait of obstacles experienced by gay black men facing a price to pay, it’s a riveting reminder of a studio that has produced great movies which are worth celebrating today.

3. Lady Bird

Mothers are powerful figures that shape children’s future. As far as I remember, I have shared a complicated bond with my mother. An authoritative parent, her strict nature nagging me to do things is irritating. Despite her strict parenting, I’ve always admired a mother that I find inspiring. Her inspiring words of wisdom inspired me to pursue a career in film criticism. As someone treasuring fond memories of a mother that made me feel heard, I adored “Lady Bird”. Released in 2017, Greta Gerwig’s movie captured the impact of mothers on the lives of teenage girls finding identity. Gerwig has always had an aptitude for making feminist movies about powerful mothers, and “Lady Bird” showcased her strengths as a filmmaker.  For instance, the scene in which Lady Bird has a tense argument with her mother in a car trip causing sorrow is one of the finest moments of the studio.  At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Saoirse Ronan, who embodied a teenager sharing a complex bond with her mother. Ultimately, what makes “Lady Bird” a commemorated classic is its message. The film delivers a bold message about motherhood which would resonate with everyone. As strong as Lady Bird’s relationship with her mother, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a studio that has manufactured movies which audiences treasure.

4. Hereditary

It’s challenging to face the loss of a loved one. At an early age, my family faced loss of a housekeeper causing damage. Several years ago, my housekeeper passed away causing my family to face sorrow. No matter how hard we tried, my family couldn’t recover from the death of a housekeeper that tragically died. As someone haunted by memories of a family tragedy, I adored “Hereditary”. Released in 2018, Ari Aster’s frightening movie capturing a family torn apart by a tragedy. Aster is a filmmaker that has always excelled at making horror movies tackling realistic themes, and his strengths are evident in “Hereditary”. For instance, the sequence in which Annie chases Peter around the house in a possessed state causing sorrow is one of the greatest moments of the studio. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Toni Collette, who portrayed a mother in a dysfunctional family facing regret. Ultimately, what makes “Hereditary” a great A24 movie is its message. Unlike most horror movies, it tackles commemorated themes everyone would relate to. The film delivers a powerful message about family trauma which resonate with everyone. A spectacular portrait of families haunted by spirits experiencing sorrow, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a commemorated studio producing great movies giving audiences dreams to follow.

5. Aftersun

Fathers are inspirational figures that shaped my identity. As far as I remember, I’ve always shared a strong bond with my father. An inspiring role model, he motivated me to achieve dreams that I am pursuing. I appreciated sacrifices he has made to ensure my pursuit of happiness. Through his larger-than-life presence, he has always offered my valuable guidance. As someone treasuring fond memories of a father I regard with affection, I loved “Aftersun”. Released in 2022, Charlotte Wells’ directorial debut captured hardships that depressed fathers go through. Wells uses captivating scenes of silence to establish the strong bond between a father and daughter. For instance, the scene in which Sophie dances with her father to the song “Under Pressure” in a nightclub causing sorrow is one of the finest scenes produced by the studio. At the centre of it all is a phenomenal performance from Paul Mescal, who portrayed a depressed father experiencing a downfall. Ultimately, what makes “Aftersun” a commemorated masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about fatherhood which would resonate with everyone. A powerful portrait of the painful hardships that depressed fathers face, it’s a fantastic reminder of a commemorated studio that has manufactured great movies which audiences embrace.

6. Eighth Grade

Eighth grade is a stressful time in life that shaped my identity. I remember being a socially awkward teenager struggling to fit in with peers. It was a tumultuous time marked by tense emotions. As someone treasuring fond memories of my time in Eighth Grade, I adored “Eighth Grade”. Released in 2018, Bo Burnham’s movie captured socially awkward teenagers in eighth grade. Unlike most serious movies that A24 has made, what makes “Eighth Grade” stand out is its sharp sense of humour. Burnham uses sharp humour to capture a teenage girl facing anxiety causing disaster. Assisted by Elsie Fisher who is excellent, Burnham creates a powerful portrait of teenagers. An extraordinary portrait of teenage girls that are afraid in eighth grade, it’s an excellent reminder of a studio in which interest has rarely ever begun to fade.

7. Everything Everywhere All At Once

Originality is a rare quality that’s seldom seen in A24 movies. The studio has rarely made original movies offering ideas that are unique. In a studio where originality is in absence, it’s worth praising “Everything Everywhere All At Once”. Released in 2023, the Daniels’ Oscar-winning movie captured an Asian family navigating a multi-verse world. Unlike most movies made by the studio, what makes “Everything Everywhere All At Once” stand out is its ingenuity. The Daniels use captivating montages capturing an Asian family navigating a multi-verse. Assisted by Michelle Yeoh who is magnificent in the lead role, the Daniels created a captivating multi-verse masterpiece. As strong as Evelyn’s desire to mend her broken bond with Joy, it’s a riveting reminder of a studio that has made meaningful movies which audiences enjoy.

8. Room

When it comes to the greatest books ever written about an isolated room, it’s worth discussing Room. Since its publication in 2010, Emma Donoghue’s book has become a beloved classic. In 2015, Lenny Abrahamson honoured the book about a room in his movie “Room”. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Room” stand out is its depiction of isolation. Abrahamson uses confined locations to capture the bonds between a mother and child living in isolation. Accompanied by Brie Larson who brilliant in the lead role, Abrahamson created a compelling adaptation of a commemorated book about isolation. As strong as Ma’s desire to escape a room that’s isolated, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated genre that has always manufactured memorable movies about conflicted characters which audiences have appreciated.

9. The Spectacular Now

A24 is a studio that has always thrived at making dramas that are realistic. The studio has built an image for being a company that thrives at making realistic movies with a meaningful message. The studio’s ability to capture how realism can elevate movies is clearly evident in the movie “The Spectacular Now”. Released in 2013, James Ponsoldt’s movie offered a spectacular portrait of teenagers in love. Unlike most movies made by the studio, what makes “The Spectacular Now” stand out is its commemorated sense of realism. Ponsoldt used naturalistic dialogue to create a romantic relationship that’s realistic. A realistic portrait of teenagers falling in love in a doomed relationship that’s tragic, it’s a spectacular reminder of a commemorated company that has manufactured iconic movies which have commonly captivated the public.

10. Uncut Gems

Few movies ever made by A24 that are regarded as hidden gems are as beloved as “Uncut Gems”. Released in 2019, the Safdie Brothers’ movie captured a gems dealer. The Brothers used captivating montages capturing an anxiety-ridden gems dealer facing situations that are frightening. Assisted by Adam Sandler who is amazing in the lead role, the Brothers created a captivating crime thriller. Although I admired the movie, it has aged poorly. The film’s depiction of an anxious diamond dealer putting his life on the line has tarnished its legacy. Nevertheless, it’s a strong addition to the studio. As precious as Howard’s diamond jewelry, it’s a dazzling reminder of a studio that has built a lasting legacy producing commemorated movies which I will forever treasure for inspiring me to turn dreams of film criticism into reality.