Top 10 Best Films and TV Programs, Ranked by AFI

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AFI Awards Movie Top 10

AFI Awards: Top 10 films and TV programs of 2024

The American Film Institute (AFI) has announced its much-anticipated list of the top 10 films and TV programs of 2024. Each year, the AFI Awards celebrate excellence in storytelling, honoring works that reflect the richness of American culture. These selections serve as a barometer for awards season, often predicting Oscar and Emmy frontrunners.

This year’s film honorees range from crowd-pleasing box-office hits like Dune: Part Two to indie masterpieces such as Anora. The list embraces a variety of genres, including historical drama (Conclave), musical adaptations (Wicked), and bold cinematic experiments like Jacques Audiard’s Emilia Pérez. Notably, breakout filmmakers like Greg Kwedar (Sing Sing) and Jesse Eisenberg (A Real Pain) find themselves celebrated alongside industry veterans like James Mangold (A Complete Unknown). This eclectic lineup underscores AFI’s dedication to both mainstream appeal and artistic innovation.

The TV list is equally diverse, featuring fan-favorites like The Bear and Abbott Elementary alongside ambitious projects such as The Penguin and Shōgun. Netflix dominates with entries like A Man on the Inside and Nobody Wants This, alongside the special honoree, Baby Reindeer. The chosen series reflect a commitment to capturing contemporary issues and timeless narratives through dynamic storytelling.

AFI President Bob Gazzale emphasized that the awards are about community, not competition, fostering a sense of unity among creators. The winners will be celebrated on January 10, 2025, at a private luncheon in Beverly Hills, a moment to acknowledge their impact on culture and the entertainment industry.

While the list captures significant achievements, notable omissions like Ridley Scott’s Gladiator II and Steve McQueen’s Blitz stir debate about the criteria and future awards prospects. Additionally, the inclusion of international-leaning projects like Emilia Pérez signals evolving eligibility rules, creating space for global influence in an American context.

As the industry navigates a rapidly changing landscape, the AFI’s selections represent a blend of tradition and innovation, spotlighting creators who push the boundaries of storytelling.

AFI Special Award: Baby Reindeer (Netflix) Netflix’s Baby Reindeer receives the AFI Special Award for its bold storytelling and emotional depth. Adapted from Richard Gadd’s critically acclaimed one-man play, the series delves into the harrowing experience of stalking and its profound psychological impact. Blending intense drama with nuanced performances, Baby Reindeer unpacks the complexities of trauma, obsession, and resilience. The show has been praised for its gripping narrative and unflinching portrayal of a real-life ordeal, pushing boundaries in its exploration of vulnerability and human endurance. Recognized as a standout production of 2024, Baby Reindeer exemplifies the power of television to provoke thought and spark meaningful conversations.

Top 10 Best Films of 2024, Ranked by AFI

1. Anora

• Platform: Neon
• Release Date: March 15, 2024

  Sean Baker’s Anora offers an intimate portrait of small-town America grappling with societal change. This indie drama combines raw emotion with stunning visuals, making it one of the year’s standout films.

2. The Brutalist

• Platform: A24
• Release Date: April 22, 2024

  Brady Corbet’s The Brutalist follows an architect torn between ambition and artistic integrity. With a powerful story and captivating cinematography, this film is a triumph of modern storytelling.

3. A Complete Unknown

• Platform: Searchlight Pictures
• Release Date: May 10, 2024

  James Mangold’s A Complete Unknown delves into the enigmatic life of Bob Dylan, capturing his legacy through heartfelt performances and stunning direction.

4. Conclave

• Platform: Focus Features
• Release Date: May 30, 2024

  Edward Berger’s Conclave provides a gripping exploration of the papal election, featuring an ensemble cast and a plot filled with intrigue.

5. Dune: Part Two

• Platform: Warner Bros.
• Release Date: June 20, 2024

  Denis Villeneuve continues the epic saga with Dune: Part Two, delivering breathtaking visuals, complex characters, and intricate storytelling.

6. Emilia Pérez

• Platform: Netflix
• Release Date: July 15, 2024

  Jacques Audiard’s Emilia Pérez merges musical artistry with crime drama, creating a vibrant and bold cinematic experience.

7. Nickel Boys

• Platform: Amazon MGM Studios
• Release Date: August 25, 2024

  RaMell Ross adapts Colson Whitehead’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel into a moving tale of systemic injustice, rendered with poetic imagery.

8. A Real Pain

• Platform: Searchlight Pictures
• Release Date: September 5, 2024

  Jesse Eisenberg’s A Real Pain is a poignant exploration of grief, blending humor and depth in a remarkable directorial debut.

9. Sing Sing

• Platform: A24
• Release Date: October 15, 2024

  Greg Kwedar’s Sing Sing portrays redemption through a prison theater program, offering a deeply human story of hope and resilience.

10. Wicked

• Platform: Universal Pictures
• Release Date: November 20, 2024

  Jon M. Chu’s adaptation of the beloved Broadway musical Wicked dazzles with vibrant performances and spectacular production design.

Top 10 Best TV Program of 2024, Ranked by AFI

1. Abbott Elementary

• Network: ABC
• Premiere Date: September 10, 2024

  This mockumentary comedy continues to delight with its heartfelt and humorous take on dedicated teachers in an underfunded school.

2. The Bear

• Network: FX
• Premiere Date: September 15, 2024

  FX’s The Bear dives into the culinary world with frenetic energy and deeply relatable characters, solidifying its place as a must-watch series.

3. Hacks

• Platform: HBO Max
• Premiere Date: September 20, 2024

  Jean Smart returns in Hacks, a comedy-drama about generational differences in comedy and the power of reinvention.

4. A Man on the Inside

• Platform: Netflix
• Premiere Date: October 1, 2024

  This Netflix crime drama examines loyalty and betrayal in the shadowy world of espionage, combining suspense and emotional depth.

5. Mr. and Mrs. Smith

• Platform: Prime Video
• Premiere Date: October 10, 2024

  Amazon’s reinvention of the classic spy duo combines action and humor for a fresh, modern take on an iconic story.

6. Nobody Wants This

• Platform: Netflix
• Premiere Date: October 15, 2024

  A satirical look at societal absurdities, this dark comedy series delivers biting humor and memorable characters.

7. The Penguin

• Platform: HBO Max
• Premiere Date: November 5, 2024

  HBO’s gritty exploration of Gotham’s criminal underworld traces the rise of Penguin, offering a complex villain origin story.

8. Shōgun

• Network: FX
• Premiere Date: November 10, 2024

  FX’s epic Shōgun adapts James Clavell’s novel with stunning visuals and a gripping historical narrative.

9. Shrinking

• Platform: Apple TV+
• Premiere Date: November 15, 2024

  Apple TV+ delivers a heartfelt and humorous look at a grieving therapist who starts breaking professional norms.

10. True Detective: Night Country

• Platform: HBO Max
• Premiere Date: November 20, 2024

  The latest installment of True Detective explores a chilling mystery in the Arctic, offering atmospheric tension and stellar performances.

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