Despite producing content in multiple genres, A24 is one of the most consistent movie distributors when it comes to the quality and type of movies they release. A24 has quickly become one of the most popular indie/arthouse production companies out there, creating award-winning content for both film and television.
Of tthe tragedy of Macbeth bringing in three Academy Award nominations in 2022, as well as the recent release of hit films such as come on, come on starring Joaquin Phoenix and Red Rocket starring Simon Rex, it’s time to watch some of the iconic production company’s best films according to the cinephiles on ranker†
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10 Minari (2020)
Minaric is a drama about a Korean-American family who travel to Arkansas in the 1980s and start a family farm. Directed by Lee Isaac Chung, the film is a visually stunning portrayal of what it means to be an immigrant family in the 1980s and the resilience it takes to make a home.
The film features incredible performances from the entire cast, but standout performances are delivered by Steven Yeun and Yuh-Jung Youn in the film. Minaric is widely loved by both A24 fans and film critics since its release and received six Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director. The film won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress that year.
9 The Farewell (2019)
goodbye is a comedy-drama about a Chinese family that discovers their grandmother has only a short time to live and hides it from her so they can get together and celebrate her life with her, but the party is disguised as a family wedding.
For such a sad concept, the movie has some really funny moments thanks to incredible performances from Awkwafina and Shuzhen Zhao, who steals the show as the naive dying grandmother of the family. goodbye is full of compelling characters and is written and directed by Lulu Wang, who many believe was rejected for an Academy Award nomination for her work on the film.
8 Uncut Gemstones (2019)
Uncut GemstonesDirected by Josh and Benny Safdie, is a crime thriller about a fast-talking New York City jeweler who uses a rare opal in an attempt to scam people and pay his debts. The stress and anxiety of the movie is high as one bad decision after another leads to dealing with gangsters, NBA players and art collectors.
Uncut Gemstones Adam Sandler plays Howard Ratner in one of his few dramatic performances. Many fans felt that Sandler should have been nominated for an Oscar for his role in the film, and were shocked when the film didn’t get a single nod.
7 The Lighthouse (2019)
The lighthouse set on a bleak New England island in 1890, it stars Willem Dafoe and Robert Pattinson as two lighthouse keepers. The film was shot in both black and white and unique aspect ratio, which really adds to the dark and claustrophobic psychological thriller.
The film is writer/director Robert Eggers’ second film at A24, and arguably his most popular. It really thrives on Pattinson and Dafoe’s performances, as the film’s isolation and tension slowly builds to be both beautiful and cryptic. The film received a nomination for Best Cinematography, but ultimately lost to 1917†
6 Good Time (2017)
Good time is a crime drama about Constantine ‘Connie’ Nikas, played by Robert Pattinson in one of his best performances to date, as he desperately tries to get his brother out of prison after a botched bank robbery. Good time is Josh and Bennie Safdie’s first feature film, released a few years earlier Uncut Gemstonesand the film is truly a testament to the brothers’ filmmaking.
In addition to directing, Bennie edited the film, helped mix sound and acted opposite Pattinson as his imprisoned brother, while Josh co-wrote and directed. While fans like to debate which films from the directorial duo are better, Uncut Gemstones usually wins the argument.
5 Mid 90s (2018)
mid 90s is a true coming-of-age drama about a young boy who navigates a rough family life and a new group of friends as he begins to develop a love of rollerblading in 1990s Los Angeles. The film is written and directed by actor-turned-filmmaker Jonah Hill and it’s his first turn behind the camera.
The movie does a great job of staying true to the time period as Hill really nails the feel of mid 90s Los Angeles. He also has several real skateboarders in the film, such as Na-Kel Smith and Olan Prenatt, which give it even more authenticity. mid 90s received no nominations or awards, but was widely loved by critics and fans upon release.
4 First Reformed (2018)
first reformed is a drama/thriller about a small-town minister who struggles with the mounting tension of past personal tragedies and cares for the world when a young couple enters his life and shakes things up. The film is written and directed by the legendary writer of Cab driverPaul Schrader.
In the film, Ethan Hawk play the troubled minister, as do Amanda Seyfried and Cedric the Entertainer. The film flew a little more under the radar than many A24‘s other releases, but was still nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay in 2019. The award ultimately went to Green Book that year.
3 The Florida Project (2017)
The Florida Project is a drama about a rambunctious six-year-old named Moonee as she encounters mischief and adventure at the hotel where she currently lives in Florida. The film is a real favorite among A24 fans, while Brooklyn Prince gives an incredible breakthrough while Moonee and Willem Dafoe give a powerfully subtle performance as the hotel’s groundskeeper and manager.
The Florida Project is written and directed by Sean Baker, a frequent A24 collaborator, and does an amazing job of capturing the magic of what it would be like to grow up in Florida next door to Disney World. Willem Dafoe was nominated for Best Supporting Actor, but the award went to Sam Rockwell that year for Three billboards outside Ebbing Missouri†
2 Ex-Machina (2015)
Ex machine is a sci-fi/psychological thriller about a young programmer selected to participate in a revolutionary new experiment with extremely human-like artificial intelligence created by a genius tech developer. The film is written and directed by Alex Garland, who continues to release well-received high-concept sci-fi content, and stars Domhnall Gleeson, Oscar Isaac and Alicia Vikander.
It’s an incredible modern sci-fi movie with great acting and stunning effects. The film received nominations for Best Original Screenplay and Visual Effects, eventually winning the award for the latter.
1 The Witch (2014)
The witch is a historical horror film set in England in the 1630s about the panic and mania that ensues in a family when the youngest child disappears and goes missing on the eldest daughter’s watch. The film is written and directed by Robert Eggers, who famously collaborated with A24 On The lighthouseand he does a great job capturing the look and feel of 1630’s England while still delivering a really scary movie.
Fans like to debate which Robert Eggers film is the best, but both A24 collaborations are truly unique and enjoyable. The witch was not nominated for any Academy Awards, but did give audiences their first glimpse of a starring role from actress Anya Taylor Joy.
