As we reach the midpoint of 2024, film enthusiasts are busy selecting their favorites from the year's releases.
Letterboxd, the popular online social cataloging site, has taken on the challenge and unveiled its list of the 25 highest-rated feature films as of June 30, 2024. Impressively, Malayalam cinema has made a strong showing, contributing significantly to the list.
Manjummel Boys, a gripping survival thriller, secured the 7th position. The suspenseful chamber drama Aattam ranked 10th, highlighting the genre's appeal. The period folk horror film Bramayugam came at the 15th, followed closely by the action comedy Aavesham at the 16th. Lastly, the romantic comedy Premalu found its place at 25th, demonstrating the versatility of Malayalam filmmakers.
Topping the list is Denis Villeneuve’s highly anticipated sci-fi epic, Dune: Part Two, starring Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya, which boasts a weighted average rating of 4.45 out of five. Following closely in second place is Mike Cheslik’s slapstick comedy Hundreds of Beavers, with a rating of 4.15.
The Thai drama How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies secured the third spot, also with a rating of 4.15, while Zendaya's romantic sports drama Challengers ranked fourth with a 4.04 rating.
Rounding out the top five is Kiran Rao’s acclaimed comedy-drama Laapataa Ladies, the highest-ranked Indian film on the list, with a rating of 4.03.
Other Indian films on the list include the biographical drama Amar Singh Chamkila (Hindi, 20th position) and Dev Patel’s directorial debut, Monkey Man, which secured the 19th spot with a weighted average of 3.75 out of five.
Animated features also made a mark, with Inside Out 2 at the 18th and Ultraman: Rising at the 23rd.
Here's the full list of Letterboxd’s Top 25 Highest-Rated Films (as of June 30, 2024):
1) Dune: Part Two
2) Hundreds of Beavers
3) How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies
4) Challengers
5) Laapataa Ladies
6) Ghostlight
7) Manjummel Boys
8) The People’s Joker
9) Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga
10) Aattam
11) Problemista
12) The Count of Monte-Cristo
13) Thelma
14) Crossing
15) Bramayugam
16) Aavesham
17) Riddle of Fire
18) Inside Out 2
19) Monkey Man
20) Amar Singh Chamkila
21) Chime
22) The Missing
23) Ultraman: Rising
24) GomBurZa
25) Premalu
This list reflects the global appreciation for diverse cinema and highlights the strong impact of Malayalam films on the international stage in 2024.