The American Film Institute (AFI) has revealed its highly anticipated list of the 10 best films of 2024, showcasing this year’s top cinematic achievements. This collection of films often mirrors the Academy’s Best Picture nominations, making it a key precursor in awards season.
AFI Top 10 Films of 2024
- “Anora” (Neon)
- “The Brutalist” (A24)
- “A Complete Unknown” (Searchlight Pictures)
- “Conclave” (Focus Features)
- “Dune: Part Two” (Warner Bros.)
- “Emilia Pérez” (Netflix)
- “Nickel Boys” (Amazon MGM Studios)
- “A Real Pain” (Searchlight Pictures)
- “Sing Sing” (A24)
- “Wicked” (Universal Pictures)
This list is an almost perfect reflection of predicted Best Picture nominees, sparking debates about what this means for films not included. Snubs like “Gladiator II”, “Juror #2”, and “Challengers” could still find recognition elsewhere during awards season.
AFI’s inclusion criteria extend to films with significant U.S. creative involvement, even if they are co-productions or foreign-language works. However, some films like “The Substance” were controversially excluded due to eligibility ambiguities.
Historically, the AFI list overlaps with 7-8 of the eventual Best Picture nominees. The real question is: which of these 10 films will fall short, and why?
The AFI’s selections reflect a thoughtful blend of commercial hits and artistic excellence. However, the omission of “The Piano Lesson” and “Blitz” feels like a missed opportunity to celebrate more diverse narratives.
“Dune: Part Two” and “Wicked” are standout crowd-pleasers, while “The Brutalist” and “A Complete Unknown” exemplify bold storytelling. The AFI list, as usual, serves as both a celebration and a provocation.
Which AFI-selected film do you believe will win Best Picture at the Oscars? Or will a snubbed film steal the spotlight?
