Top 20 A24 Movies (According to Letterboxd)

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Ignacio Weil

Entertainment - February 3rd 2025, 16:00 GMT+1

Cropped About — About this gallery:

For this list, we’ve focused on what Letterboxd users have crowned as the best films from the iconic A24 studio. Do you think this ranking is spot-on, or do you believe Letterboxd users and critics have completely lost their minds? Let us know in the comments which movie you would’ve added (or kicked to the curb)! | © A24

Cropped Uncut Gems — 20. Uncut Gems (2019)

If stress had a cinematic form, it would be *Uncut Gems*. Adam Sandler, yes, *that* Adam Sandler, delivers the performance of his life as Howard Ratner, a New York jeweler with a gambling addiction and zero chill. Watching him make bad decision after bad decision is like watching someone juggle chainsaws – you can't look away, even though you know it's going to end badly. The film's relentless pace, loud score, and chaotic energy make it a masterpiece of anxiety-inducing cinema. It's like drinking three espressos and jumping on a rollercoaster while answering your boss's emails. | © A24

Cropped Hereditary — 19. Hereditary (2018)

Ah, *Hereditary* – the film that made everyone afraid of clicking sounds and miniature dollhouses. Ari Aster's horror debut doesn't rely on cheap jump scares; instead, it burrows under your skin and stays there, whispering, "Remember me?" at 3 a.m. Toni Collette delivers a performance so intense it practically deserves its own horror genre. The film is a masterclass in building dread, layering family trauma with supernatural terror until you're not sure which is worse. Just don't watch it alone. Or do, if you enjoy existential crises and sleeping with the lights on. | © A24

Cropped Room — 18. Room (2015)

*Room* is the cinematic equivalent of an emotional gut punch, followed by a warm, comforting hug. Brie Larson and young Jacob Tremblay give heart-wrenching performances as a mother and son confined to a small space, their entire world contained within four walls. The film explores resilience, the bond between parent and child, and the terrifying vastness of freedom after captivity. It’s both heartbreaking and uplifting, like finding a handwritten note in a library book that makes you cry and smile at the same time. Kleenex recommended. | © A24

Cropped Ex Machina — 17. Ex Machina (2014)

What do you get when you combine artificial intelligence, philosophical quandaries, and Oscar Isaac dancing like no one's watching? *Ex Machina*, that's what. This sleek, cerebral sci-fi thriller explores what it means to be human, with Domhnall Gleeson as the naive programmer and Alicia Vikander as the eerily captivating AI, Ava. The film is as visually stunning as it is thought-provoking, and yes, that dance scene deserves its own fan club. It’s like having a deep conversation about consciousness with a robot who’s better looking than you. | © A24

Cropped Good Time — 16. Good Time (2017)

Imagine the worst night of your life. Now, imagine it lasting 100 minutes and starring Robert Pattinson with bleach-blonde hair. That’s *Good Time*. The Safdie brothers deliver a gritty, neon-soaked thriller that's as exhausting as it is exhilarating. Pattinson plays Connie, a small-time criminal with a knack for making bad situations worse. The film's relentless pace and pounding score will have you gripping your seat, questioning life choices you haven’t even made yet. It’s like running a marathon with zero training, but somehow enjoying every painful second. | © A24

Cropped 20th Century Women — 15. 20th Century Women (2016)

*20th Century Women* is like flipping through a scrapbook filled with candid, sun-drenched photos and heartfelt, scribbled notes. Annette Bening steals the show as Dorothea, a free-spirited single mom navigating motherhood in late 1970s California. The film feels like a warm summer breeze mixed with the occasional existential crisis, all wrapped in a killer punk-rock soundtrack. It's introspective, funny, and tender, like having a heart-to-heart with your coolest, most eccentric aunt who somehow knows all the answers to life. | © A24

Cropped The Lighthouse — 14. The Lighthouse (2019)

Welcome to *The Lighthouse*, where Robert Pattinson and Willem Dafoe slowly lose their minds so you don't have to. Shot in grainy black-and-white, this psychological horror film is equal parts mesmerizing and bizarre, like reading an old sailor's journal after he's had one too many rations of rum. Expect monologues, seagull fights, and enough maritime tension to make you swear off lighthouses for good. It's basically two guys trapped on a rock arguing over who gets to cook dinner, but make it art. | © A24

Cropped First Reformed — 13. First Reformed (2017)

*First Reformed* is like a slow-burning candle in a dark room – quiet, intense, and capable of setting the whole place on fire if you're not careful. Ethan Hawke delivers a haunting performance as a tormented pastor grappling with faith, despair, and the looming climate crisis. Paul Schrader's film doesn't just nudge you to think; it practically dares you to confront your own existential dread. It’s a movie that whispers ominously, "Are you okay?" and the answer is always, "No." | © A24

Cropped The Farewell — 12. The Farewell (2019)

*The Farewell* is a heartfelt dramedy that makes you laugh, cry, and then laugh-cry all over again. Awkwafina shines as Billi, caught between two cultures during a family gathering in China under the guise of a fake wedding to say goodbye to a beloved grandmother who doesn’t know she’s dying. It’s like attending a bittersweet reunion where everyone is pretending everything is fine while their hearts quietly break. Beautiful, tender, and surprisingly funny, it feels like a warm bowl of soup on a tough day. | © A24

Cropped The Last Black Man In San Francisco — 11. The Last Black Man in San Francisco (2019)

*The Last Black Man in San Francisco* is a visually poetic love letter to a city that’s constantly changing, leaving its dreamers behind. Jimmie Fails stars as a man obsessed with reclaiming his childhood home, navigating themes of gentrification, identity, and belonging. The film unfolds like a beautiful daydream, with stunning cinematography and an evocative score that lingers long after the credits roll. It's the cinematic equivalent of staring at an old photograph and feeling both nostalgia and heartbreak at the same time. | © A24

Cropped Minari — 10. Minari (2020)

*Minari* is like a gentle breeze that carries both the scent of fresh soil and the bittersweet pang of immigrant dreams. This heartfelt tale of a Korean-American family trying to build a new life in rural Arkansas is as tender as it is powerful. Steven Yeun delivers a quietly magnetic performance, while Youn Yuh-jung steals hearts as the feisty grandmother who proves that family roots can grow in the most unexpected places. It's a story about hope, resilience, and the little plant that could. | © A24

Cropped The Iron Claw — 9. The Iron Claw (2023)

*The Iron Claw* dives into the gritty world of professional wrestling, where family ties are as strong – and as strained – as the grips in the ring. Zac Efron flexes not just his muscles but his acting chops, portraying the intense dynamics of the Von Erich family. It’s a story about ambition, legacy, and the emotional toll of chasing greatness. Think of it as a heavyweight match between family loyalty and personal demons, with plenty of dramatic body slams along the way. | © A24

Cropped The Florida Project — 8. The Florida Project (2017)

*The Florida Project* paints a vibrant yet heartbreaking portrait of childhood on the fringes of society. Set in the shadow of Disney World, it follows Moonee, a mischievous six-year-old, and her friends as they find magic in the mundane. Willem Dafoe shines as the compassionate motel manager trying to keep everything from falling apart. It’s a film that captures the innocence and resilience of kids who create their own wonderland, even when reality isn’t so magical. | © A24

Cropped Close — 7. Close (2022)

*Close* is a tender exploration of friendship, loss, and the fragile beauty of growing up. The film delicately follows the bond between two boys as they navigate the complexities of adolescence and identity. It’s a story that whispers rather than shouts, filled with quiet moments that speak volumes. The emotional depth sneaks up on you, like a gentle wave that suddenly pulls you under. Bring tissues – you’ll need them. | © A24

Cropped Cmon Cmon — 6. C'mon C'mon (2021)

*C'mon C'mon* is like a heartfelt mixtape made up of whispered conversations, childhood wonder, and black-and-white snapshots of life. Joaquin Phoenix plays a radio journalist unexpectedly tasked with caring for his young nephew, leading to a beautiful exploration of connection and growth. It’s a film that feels both deeply personal and universally relatable, like a late-night chat with someone who truly gets you. Soft, sincere, and filled with moments that linger long after the credits roll. | © A24

Cropped Past Lives — 5. Past Lives (2023)

*Past Lives* is like running into an old friend you never stopped thinking about. This tender story of childhood sweethearts reconnecting after years apart explores the complexities of fate, love, and the what-ifs that linger in our hearts. Greta Lee delivers a quietly powerful performance that feels like poetry in motion. The film beautifully examines how time, distance, and personal growth shape our relationships, leaving viewers to ponder the parallel lives they might have lived. It's a film that doesn't shout its emotions but lets them simmer gently, leaving you reflective and a little heartbroken – in the best way. | © A24

Cropped Moonlight — 4. Moonlight (2016)

*Moonlight* is cinematic poetry, pure and simple. Barry Jenkins crafts a visually stunning and emotionally raw triptych that follows Chiron through three defining stages of his life. The film’s luminous colors and soulful performances (Mahershala Ali, we're looking at you) explore identity, masculinity, and the longing to be seen and loved. Each chapter of Chiron’s life feels intimate and authentic, weaving themes of vulnerability, resilience, and self-discovery with delicate precision. Watching it feels like standing in the ocean – beautiful, vast, and a little overwhelming. | © A24

Cropped Aftersun — 3. Aftersun (2022)

*Aftersun* is like a sun-drenched memory that flickers on the edges of your mind – beautiful, bittersweet, and elusive. Paul Mescal and Frankie Corio share an undeniable chemistry as a father-daughter duo navigating the quiet moments of a summer holiday. It’s not about what’s said but what’s left unsaid, with emotions simmering beneath every frame. The film masterfully captures the ephemeral nature of childhood memories and the hidden depths of parental love, leaving you with a lingering ache long after it ends. A delicate, heartbreaking film that sneaks up on you like a nostalgic breeze. | © A24

Cropped Marcel the Shell with Shoes On — 2. Marcel the Shell with Shoes On (2021)

*Marcel the Shell with Shoes On* is a tiny film with a gigantic heart. This adorable mockumentary follows Marcel, a one-inch-tall shell with shoes (obviously), on a quest to find his lost family. It’s charming, funny, and surprisingly profound – like if a TED Talk and a Pixar movie had a delightful, existential baby. Jenny Slate’s voice work is pure magic, and Marcel’s optimism and gentle wisdom provide a heartfelt commentary on resilience and belonging. It’s the kind of film that makes you believe in the beauty of small things and the power of kindness. | © A24

Cropped Everything Everywhere All At Once — 1. Everything Everywhere All At Once (2022)

*Everything Everywhere All At Once* is like strapping into a rollercoaster designed by existential philosophers and chaos-loving raccoons. This wild, genre-bending adventure explores multiverses, family, and the meaning of life – all while juggling googly eyes and epic fight scenes. Michelle Yeoh is an absolute powerhouse, delivering a performance that’s both hilarious and heartbreakingly real. The film masterfully blends absurdity with emotional depth, tackling themes of identity, generational trauma, and the infinite possibilities of existence. It’s like watching a philosophical essay explode into confetti – and somehow making perfect sense. | © A24

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When it comes to modern indie cinema, few production companies have made waves quite like A24. Known for championing bold, innovative storytelling, A24 has carved out a reputation for producing films that are as thought-provoking as they are visually stunning. From mind-bending sci-fi to heart-wrenching dramas, A24’s catalog is a treasure trove of cinematic gems that defy convention and linger in your mind long after the credits roll.

But with so many standout films, where do you even start? That’s where Letterboxd – a social platform where film lovers rate, review, and obsess over movies – comes in handy. We’ve compiled a list of the top 20 A24 movies, ranked according to the collective wisdom (and passionate opinions) of Letterboxd users. Whether you’re a die-hard A24 fan or just dipping your toes into their eclectic filmography, this list is your guide to the crème de la crème of A24’s cinematic universe.