2024 Hidden Gem Movie Recommendations
Underrated/overlooked films that are all worth your time!
Preface
Howdy, movieholics! So before I give you all my list of my favorite movies of 2024 (which will be coming pretty soon), I figured I would shine a light on 10 hidden gems that I feel a lot of people overlooked. I have to say that this was a pretty hard list to make given how many hidden gems stood out to me in 2024, thus resulting in a ton of cuts from the list that were hard to make. But regardless, I am very satisfied with this list and I really hope that you guys give them a chance as I feel like ALL of them are worth your time. So without further ado, let’s get started!
The People’s Joker (Dir. Vera Drew)
Let’s start this list off with what I thought was the best comic book movie of the entire year. From the mind of up and coming writer-director Vera Drew, The People’s Joker is one of the most visually unique, heartfelt, and hilarious films that this year had to offer. You can tell that this was a deeply personal story for Drew and that she poured all of her love & spirit into a one of a kind film. It also works extremely well as a parody movie and there are a ton of brilliant jokes/gags that really got me because of how delightfully goofy they are. Quite a beautifully distinct entity of a film for sure.
Where To Watch: VOD/Rent
Exhibiting Forgiveness (Dir. Titus Kaphar)
I already have an entire review dedicated to this film on this page, so I’m not gonna talk about this one for too long. All I’m gonna say is that this is an incredible and exciting project that has me excited for anything else that Titus Kaphar is working on right now. It is a simultaneously haunting yet touching portrayal of the process of being able to overcome generational trauma and putting the past behind you, all culminating into a brilliant message that has a lot to say about the power of reconciliation. Again, read my review if you want the full gist of my overall thoughts on this film, but do know that it is without a doubt a powerful, compelling, and exquisitely made film that deserves your attention.
Where To Watch: VOD/Rent
Janet Planet (Dir. Annie Baker)
Yup. Three movies in a row that are directorial debuts (and this is definitely not the last of the bunch here). Through the lens of playwright Annie Baker, Janet Planet is one of those films that is just simply exceptional through how quietly entrancing and provocative it is in its exploration of the dynamics of a relationship between mother & daughter. Along with the excellent cast & stellar writing, Baker’s direction showcases the power of subtlety in storytelling through how she uses the visual medium of storytelling and allows for the actors to communicate so much with so little. If you find yourself feeling a bit bored by the film, do stick with it as it slowly develops into a calmly alluring film that you will fall in love with.
Where To Watch: HBO MAX
The Becomers (Dir. Zach Clark)
A rather unorthodox type of sci-fi film in that it does have themes that we’ve seen in other films of its ilk, but it is also contains a lot of unexpected turns in its plot mixed with dry, deadpan performances; both of which that I think will throw people off. However, much like Janet Planet, you will be highly rewarded if you can get past how peculiar this film is as you are treated to an offbeat yet still sincere story about the importance of love & human connection. Plus, it’s also an impressively made movie with the budget the filmmakers were given. The technicolor-style visuals, special effects, and sound are particularly good & bring a ton of personality to the film too. If you are craving some more indie sci-fi to check out, I think this will work for you pretty well.
Where To Watch: VOD/Rent
Cuckoo (Dir. Tilman Singer)
2024 was a bit of a mixed bag for horror movies (although there is still quite a few I need to check out), but this stood out as one of the highlights for me. While the film does perhaps lean a little too heavily into exposition at certain points (especially near the end), this is just an absolutely bonkers, fantastic movie that works as well on a story level as it does as a fun genre piece. I was not expecting the story to be as earnest & emotional as it ended up being and Tilman Singer definitely steps up his directing game here after his inconsistent yet still interesting debut film, Luz. There a ton of great tricks this film has up its sleeve in terms of editing, in particular, that work and perfectly capture the mindscape of the main protagonist, Gretchen (played terrifically by Hunter Schafer). Definitely watch this if you are looking for some of the good horror that came from last year.
Where To Watch: Hulu/VOD
His Three Daughters (Dir. Azazel Jacobs)
If I had to choose an indie movie from this list that I think is the easiest to recommend to ANYBODY, then this movie (as well as the next one you will see on the list) would be up there for me. Aside from the ending feeling a little jarring compared to the rest of the film, this is just a remarkably acted and told story about three sisters who come together and have to take care of their ailing father before he dies. It also helps that the writing does a wonderful job in establishing its three main characters and getting you to care for them over the course of the film to a point where you want to see them reconnect again by the end. Easily my favorite of all the Netflix-original movies from 2024.
Where To Watch: Netflix
Thelma (Dir. Josh Margolin)
Aside from His Three Daughters, I’d say this is the most accessible movie on the list. Based on the real Thelma Post in a tale where she tries to retrieve $10,000 back after getting tricked by a phone scammer, Thelma is a huge contender for one of the funniest and purely entertaining movies of 2024. The humor & comedic timing are spot-on and they are backed up by an endearing cast, especially some phenomenal performances from June Squibb and Richard Roundtree. However, it is a film that also showcases both the struggles and beauty that comes from growing older both through its aforementioned amazing humor and heartwarming story. Of all the movies on this list, I feel like this is the one that has something to offer for EVERYBODY while also being a terrific film altogether.
Where To Watch: Hulu/Disney+/VOD
Flow (Dir. Gintz Zilbalodis)
It isn’t a film list from Matthew Montada without mentioning some animated films. But anyways, Flow is absolutely strong movie of an aura that we don’t really see too often in films nowadays. This film contains no dialogue and instead relies on the sound design, visuals, and the actions of the characters (in the form of animals who don’t talk) to tell the story. Not only is it such a great idea on paper, the execution of it is also stellar through its gorgeous animation, likable characters, outstanding sound design, and amazing story. 2024 was a pretty good year for animated films (particularly during the Fall/Winter season)
and it makes me happy knowing that films like this can still be successful even to this day (also a very well deserved win for Best Animated Feature at the Golden Globes).
Where To Watch: VOD/Rent
We Grown Now (Dir. Minhal Baig)
Ever since I checked out Minhal Baig’s short films earliest last year, I have been wanting to get more into her work since I know now that she’s one of those underrated directors that I wish got more attention. With We Grown Now, she crafts a heartbreaking yet still hopeful portrait of a community in 1990s Chicago from the perspective of two young boys as they deal with the hardships of a cruel, heartless world. It’s a bit of a tough movie to sit through because of how bleak the subject matter is, but it is a highly important one that illustrates a deeply dark side of America that we currently live in while also containing a ton of excellent directorial flair from Baig behind the camera combined with some of the best acting of the entire year (with Jurnee Smollett being the MVP of an already magnificent cast). Is this movie hard to watch at times? Definitely. Is it still worth checking out because of how great it is on many fronts? Absolutely.
Where To Watch: Netflix/VOD
Dahomey (Dir. Mati Diop)
Ending this off on a documentary that I saw a few days before making this, one that might honestly be my favorite out of the ones that I have seen. This is another film in which the execution is rather unconventional, but it once again works wonder in bringing us a unique cinematic experience while also being an informative, thought-provoking story about the importance of art and culture through what we learned about these ancient artifacts from the Dahomey kingdom. Everything from the cinematography, editing, sound design, music, writing, and direction come together into creating one of the most unique documentaries I have seen in quite some time and is one that I really hope more people discover as time goes on. Plus, it’s only 68 minutes long so it is an easy & digestible film to sit through runtime-wise.
Where To Watch: MUBI
And that is it for this list! Hope you all enjoyed and please do let me know what 2024 hidden gems YOU enjoyed in the comments section below! See you all next time!
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Janet Planet is such a wonderful movie!! Annie Baker is an acquired taste, but I love her work so much. I'd never heard of many of the other movies you listed, so I guess I know what I'll be watching this weekend!