Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is Quentin Tarantino's sun-drenched love letter to the end of the industry's golden age. It follows a fading TV star and his stunt double as they navigate a changing Hollywood. The film is a masterful hangout movie, soaked in period detail and building to a cathartic, revisionist finale. | © Sony Pictures Releasing
Knives Out is a wildly entertaining and clever whodunit that lovingly modernizes the Agatha Christie formula. Daniel Craig is clearly having a blast as the eccentric detective Benoit Blanc, who untangles the web of lies within a wealthy, dysfunctional family after their patriarch's death. The film is packed with sharp humor, brilliant twists, and a phenomenal ensemble cast, making it a pure delight from start to finish. | © Lionsgate
Anatomy of a Fall is a gripping courtroom drama that digs far deeper than a simple whodunit. Sandra Hüller is stunning as a writer on trial after her husband's mysterious death. The film masterfully uses the legal proceeding to dissect the fractures in a marriage, creating a tense and unsettling exploration of truth. | © Neon
Everything Everywhere All at Once is a wildly creative explosion of a movie that blends absurd, multiverse-hopping action with a heartfelt family story. It finds its surprising soul in a stressed-out laundromat owner just trying to get her taxes done. The film’s chaotic energy and genuine emotion create a truly unique and memorable experience. | © A24
Burn After Reading is a brilliantly bizarre Coen brothers comedy that turns the spy thriller genre on its head. It follows a group of spectacularly deluded oddballs, including a fantastically unhinged Brad Pitt, who stumble upon what they think is top-secret intelligence. The plot spirals into hilarious twists and turns, celebrating the sheer stupidity of its characters with a dark laugh. | © Focus Features
1917 plunges you directly into the visceral and terrifying experience of World War I through its groundbreaking one-shot technique. The story is a simple, desperate race against time as two soldiers must cross enemy lines to deliver a message that could save hundreds of lives. Its raw realism and relentless pacing make you feel every harrowing step of their journey, creating an unforgettable war film. | © Universal Pictures
The Social Network moves with a relentless, sharp energy that perfectly captures the birth of a digital empire. Jesse Eisenberg is brilliantly cast as Mark Zuckerberg, whose ambition to connect the world fractures his closest friendships. Driven by Aaron Sorkin's lightning-fast dialogue and a brooding score, the film remains a defining story of greed, genius, and betrayal. | © Columbia Pictures
Poor Things is a wildly original vision featuring a fearless performance from Emma Stone. She plays Bella Baxter, a resurrected woman exploring her own liberation with a childlike, unfiltered perspective. The film's stunning, painterly visuals create a surreal world that is both bizarre and darkly hilarious. | © Searchlight Pictures
The Man From Earth proves that a truly captivating film needs nothing more than a single room and brilliant conversation. The entire story unfolds as a college professor reveals an impossible secret to his colleagues, challenging their every belief. Its power comes entirely from the sharp dialogue and the compelling performances that make you hang on every word. | © Anchor Bay Entertainment
Dune is a monumental cinematic achievement, translating the seemingly unfilmable epic into a visual and auditory masterpiece. The film deliberately moves at a grand, patient pace, inviting you to fully absorb the vast and haunting beauty of its world. It works perfectly as a sweeping introduction, setting the stage for the conflict to come while standing strong as its own immersive experience. | © Warner Bros. Pictures
The Holdovers perfectly captures the heartfelt, character-driven spirit of 1970s cinema without feeling like a simple imitation. It tells a familiar story of a grumpy teacher, a troubled student, and a grieving cook forced together over a snowy holiday break. What makes it so special is the sharp dialogue and the genuine chemistry between its leads, making their journey feel fresh and deeply moving. | © Focus Features
The Brutalist is a stunning epic that feels like a modern The Godfather, following an immigrant's shattered pursuit of the American Dream. Adrien Brody is phenomenal, portraying a man consumed by trauma and addiction. The profound writing and grand, artistic cinematography create a deeply immersive and emotionally devastating experience. | © A24
Parasite effortlessly blends dark comedy, suspense, and social drama into a single, brilliant story. The film respects your intelligence, trusting you to pick up on its many clever details without over-explaining a thing. It's a completely engrossing ride where fascinating characters and sharp dialogue make every single moment compelling. | © Neon
Oppenheimer is a gripping character study anchored by Cillian Murphy's phenomenal performance as the tortured physicist. The film brilliantly navigates different timelines to explore the profound moral conflict at the heart of the man who built the atomic bomb. You're completely locked in for the entire journey, thanks to Murphy's riveting presence and a sound design. | © Universal Pictures
One Battle After Another grabs you with its raw energy and never lets go. Leonardo DiCaprio delivers a powerful performance as a father desperately trying to reconnect with his daughter, all while his past resurfaces to threaten their fragile bond. The intense soundtrack and dynamic camerawork create a world that feels both epic and deeply personal. | © Warner Bros. Pictures
We often praise classic films for their masterful scripts, but incredible screenwriting is alive and well today. This list celebrates modern movies with dialogue, character, and story structure that stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the greats. Get ready to update your watchlist with some contemporary classics.
