At the end of the year, Netflix will begin its biggest film exodus of 2024. By January 1, 2025, dozens and dozens of movies will leave the streaming platform, meaning you’ll have less than two weeks to add some of your favorites. or maybe notice a wonderful new movie. And I have ten perfect recommendations for you. From a rogue-like about a couple whose memories slowly fade, to a buddy cop epic featuring some of the most productive on-screen chemistry of all time, to a mental mystery about a guy convinced of an apocalyptic event, this collection of films has of everything. for everyone, regardless of the genre or type of story they are looking for.
So which movies deserve to be on your radar? Below, I’ve put together ten wonderful options, some of which are among my favorite movies. Then, at the bottom of the article, find a great roundup of each and every movie coming out of Netflix before the end of December 2024. Hopefully, you’ll find your next movie night movie in this group. Enjoy watching!
Why don’t we start with one of my favorite movies of all time: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind? I’ve loved this movie since I saw it in theaters twenty years ago, and I still get that warm, nostalgic feeling every time I watch it again. The story centers on Joel Barish (Jim Carrey, in his most productive performance) after discovering that his friend Clementine Kruczynski (Oscar winner Kate Winslet, matching Carrey’s every move) has undergone a procedure with the aim of deleting everything. memories of their dates after a big argument. Heartbroken, Joël also decides to follow the same path. But as he relives the ups and downs of his relationship with the operation, Joel suddenly changes his mind. The film then takes the audience on a surreal adventure through Joel’s subconscious, revisiting memories new and old while preserving fragments of Clementine before they disappear forever. Director Michel Gondry’s dreamlike aesthetic (his practical effects, his camera tricks, his minimal CGI to create a surreal environment) makes this film look like it hasn’t aged a day. If you haven’t noticed Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, do yourself a favor before it disappears from Netflix.
The descent into paranoia is deeply disturbing. . . and extraordinarily familiar. Sometimes we think that whatever we are told can’t be true, it defies all logic and explanation, but for some reason it persists. Few films have allegorically captured this intellectual struggle better than Take Shelter. This critically acclaimed film from director Jeff Nichols centers on Curtis LaForche (Michael Shannon), a small-town employee who suddenly suffers a wave of apocalyptic visions. Fearing that these visions are premonitions, Curtis obsessively builds a typhoon shelter in his garden to protect his family: his wife Samantha (Oscar winner Jessica Chastain) and his hearing-impaired young daughter Hannah (Tova Stewart). As his habit becomes increasingly erratic, Curtis questions whether his warnings of an approaching crisis are genuine or whether they are the beginning of an intellectual illness. Nichols’s slow approach, the planned pacing, the quiet, domestic moments juxtaposed with Curtis’s developing fears, create a palpable sense of dread that permeates the entire film. This film will surprise you at every moment, adding its impressive final setting.
This is one of those cases where, if you haven’t seen the first movie, you can watch the sequel. But. . . if you can watch Before Sunrise before watching Before Sunset, you should. Either way, Before Sunset can be fully appreciated for its simplicity yet magic. Nine years after the events of the last film, this story features successful writer Jesse (Ethan Hawke) on a book tour of Paris. Based on her possible encounter with Céline from the first film, Céline (Julie Delpy) meets Jesse at a bookstore party. These two estranged lovers have little time to be together before Jesse has to catch his flight back to the United States. Set in real time, the sun slowly sets in the background as they walk through the streets of Paris while talking about their lives, their relationships, and the lingering effect of their brief but profound connection years later. early. Directed by Richard Linklater and co-written with Hawke and Delpy, Before Sunset creates a deeply private, biological discussion that is fluid and captures the rhythm of a genuine conversation. It is simply one of the most watched movies of all time and in the end, it will leave you satisfied and hopeful.
Say what you will about Michael Bay, who has been introducing his “Bayhem” movie logo to the moviegoing public for more than three decades. Although his high-octane technique is rarely to everyone’s taste, some of his films seem to be universally beloved, starting with the Bad Boys films, which follow the intense adventures of Miami narcotics detective Mike Lowrey (Will Smith). . and Marcus Burnett (Martin Lawrence). In Bad Boys, the duo will have to guard a stash of stolen heroin while protecting a key witness, Julie Mott (Téa Leoni). Along the way, their radically different non-advertisements (Mike’s kind, sassy attitude as opposed to Marcus’s cautious, stress-ridden technique) create a friction that’s exciting and hilarious as their project spirals out of control. Then Bad Boys II, which might be Bay’s most productive film to date, ups the ante even further, as Mike and Marcus take on a tough Cuban drug lord smuggling ecstasy to Miami. As their private lives intertwine, especially with Mike secretly dating Marcus’ sister Syd (Gabrielle Union), the explosive action and chaotic comedy reach even greater heights. If you’re looking for top-notch entertainment, it’s hard to find anything worse than those movies where Smith and Lawrence have the most productive on-screen chemistry you’ve ever seen.
Judd Apatow is not afraid to incorporate drama and tragedy into his comedies. In fact, this is to be expected from a director who has made a career of placing comedy in the most uncomfortable and gruesome situations. But no Apatow film goes as far as Funny People, making it perhaps his most productive film. The story centers on George Simmons (Adam Sandler), a retired comedian who has become a rich and successful movie star. But despite his wealth and obvious health, he is diagnosed with life-threatening leukemia and is only given an 8% chance of love. Faced with his own mortality, George hires long-suffering comedian Ira Wright (Seth Rogen) as his assistant and opening act, and the two form an unlikely bond. As George reflects on his life, he reunites with Laura (Leslie Mann), the love of his life who is now married to a nice guy named Clarke (Eric Bana) and has children. The film offers a glimpse into the world of stand-up, exploring the struggles and insecurities faced by someone like George, whose career and private life serve as a lens through which the film examines the value of fame and how humor can connect . . and isolate other people. Look out for appearances from other fun and awesome people like Jonah Hill, Jason Schwartzguy, and Aubrey Plaza in this super fun but super unhappy gem.
There have been some great films that blended together classic fantasy elements with modern humor and sensibilities, from charming films like Enchanted and Big Fish to darker movies like Pan’s Labyrinth and The Little Princess. But one has always, unfortunately, flown a bit under the radar, has never been taken quite as seriously as the rest: Ella Enchanted. And that’s too bad, because it’s great. This musical romantic comedy follows the story of “Ella of Frell” (Anne Hathaway in an early role), a who was cursed at birth with the “gift” of obedience by a well-meaning but misguided fairy named Lucinda (Vivica A. Fox). This magical compulsion forces Ella to obey any command given to her, no matter how harmful or absurd, and Ella’s cruel stepmother Dame Olga (Joanna Lumley) and wicked stepsisters Hattie (Lucy Punch) and Olive (Jennifer Higham) constantly take advantage. Determined to free herself, Ella sets out to find Lucinda and break the spell. Along the way, she falls for Prince Char (Hugh Dancy), who helps her in her plight. The vibrant costumes, the whimsical sets, the magical creatures create a fairy tale atmosphere, while the witty dialogue and pop culture references make the movie feel fresh and accessible to a modern audience.
Okay, time to be honest: I love Step Up Revolution. In other ways. At first, I enjoyed it for the wrong reasons, because the movie is full of ridiculous moments that you can enjoy with a crowd (and maybe with some libations). But after several viewings, I really started to love the movie and its high energy. If you’re a fan of dance movies (like me), this one is for you. The story is pretty simple: Emily Anderson (Kathryn McCormick), an aspiring dancer, moves to Miami in hopes of enrolling in a prestigious dance company. Along the way, he crosses paths with Sean (Ryan Guzman), the charismatic leader of a dance organization called “The Mob”, specializing in elaborate flash mob performances. As Emily and Sean grow closer, the team faces a challenge when a wealthy developer (who turns out to be Emily’s father), Bill Anderson (Peter Gallagher), plans to demolish their historic community and build luxury homes in its place. The story is pretty basic, but it’s also secondary to the film’s genuine main strength: the highly choreographed, brightly colored, and visually stunning dance performances that take full credit from Miami’s beautiful architecture. Every routine, no matter how crazy (and I, they drive me pretty crazy), is meticulously planned and incorporates diverse styles, from cool to street dancing to. . . um, rubber bands? Trust me, if you’re in a good mood, this movie is a great time.
The last one-two punch on this list provides two decidedly different paths for action movies. The first, 300, is directed by ever-controversial Zack Snyder, a man whose artistry I find inspiring. At this point, I’m flummoxed by how polarizing his style has become, especially when 300, which might be his best film, delivers some of the most intoxicating visuals we’ve seen in the modern era of film. But if you’re not into his brand of storytelling, then 300: Rise of an Empire might be more your speed. Director Noam Murro gave us a hyper-stylized action epic that paid homage to Snyder’s unique vision, while also crafting his own aesthetic, a desaturated color palette punctuated by splashes of vivid red and gold. The first film recounts the Battle of Thermopylae during the Greco-Persian Wars, where King Leonidas (Gerard Butler) of Sparta leads 300 of his finest warriors against the massive Persian army commanded by King Xerxes (Rodrigo Santoro). And the following film serves as both a sequel and a parallel story to 300, focusing on the naval conflict between the Athenian general Themistocles (Sullivan Stapleton) and the Persian forces led by the vengeful Artemisia (Eva Green), a ruthless commander in service to King Xerxes (Rodrigo Santoro). Enjoy these either back to back or separately—you really can’t go wrong.
Note: The dates mark your days to watch those movies.
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