2024 — My Year In Film

Popcorn??in hand (as usual), lights dimmed, and transported into a portal to worlds unknown, revisited, and newly discovered. 2024 wasn’t just another year—it was a cinematic odyssey.

From the swashbuckling adventures of Robin Hood (1938) to the bittersweet charm of The Holdovers (2023), and from modern marvels like Inside Out 2 (2024) to the reflective genius of Film Is Dead. Long Live Film! (2024), every film I watched became its own chapter in a year-long story of discovery. There were deep dives—like my weeks dedicated to Bond, Hunt, and Wick—and there were spontaneous explorations where I found hidden gems and reignited my love for the classics. So, grab your popcorn, and let’s rewind the reel on 2024, a year that reminded me why film remains the greatest ticket to adventure.

If there’s one thing 2024 confirmed for me...

...It’s that my taste in cinema is as vast as the worlds these films depict. My viewing habits spanned a myriad of themes—from the adrenaline of superheroes clashing with villains (70 films) to the thought-provoking depths of sci-fi and future technology (34 films). The year also indulged my love for action-packed spectacles, with fast cars, secret agents, and special ops filling my screen in a thrilling 43 films. Of course, there was no shortage of historical adventures and war epics (33 films), as I took time to revisit some of the most heroic tales ever told.

Digging deeper, my "nanogenres" (as Letterboxd refers to them) revealed an eye for stories that blend action, emotion, and intensity. Whether it was spaceships and explosions (18 films) or the stylish suspense of slick villains and criminals (13 films), I found myself captivated by narratives that paired high stakes with unforgettable style. The data even uncovered some unexpected patterns, like my fascination with conventional yet satisfying martial arts shootouts (11 films)—proving that sometimes, comfort cinema is just as impactful as groundbreaking art.

Certain names dominated my screen time this year. Mary Pickford appeared in 14 films, her enduring charm and trailblazing legacy captivating me. Meanwhile, Tom Cruise reminded me why he remains the epitome of blockbuster stardom with 10 pulse-pounding entries in my list. On the directors' front, D.W. Griffith (14 films, which makes it quite obvious to me that D.W. as the Director and Pickford as the star seemed to be a recurring theme in my viewing) and Steven Spielberg (6 films) anchored my journey with their masterful storytelling, while contemporary visionaries like Denis Villeneuve and Christopher McQuarrie kept me on the edge of my seat with their unforgettable epics.

Amidst all the cinematic adventures of 2024, certain films demanded my attention repeatedly, none more so than Casablanca (5 viewings). This isn’t just a film for me—it’s the film. Its timeless tale of love, sacrifice, and courage against the backdrop of World War II (which, the history of, is another one of my passions) has resonated with audiences for decades, and it remains my personal gold standard for storytelling (even though they were writing the script as they went). Watching Rick and Ilsa’s bittersweet romance unfold is like visiting an old friend; every viewing feels as fresh and heartbreaking as the first. Similarly, Denis Villeneuve's Dune: Part Two (also 5 viewings—2 in commercial theatres and 3 in my home theater) solidified his place as one of my all-time favorite directors. With a meticulous eye for detail and an unyielding passion for his craft, Villeneuve transforms every frame into a masterpiece. Whether it's the stark landscapes of Arrakis or the emotional sense of his characters, his work leaves me awestruck every time. Few directors can balance the grand and the intimate as masterfully as he does, and I’m grateful for the cinematic journeys he continues to craft.

Beyond the stories and genres, the sheer volume of my film-watching journey in 2024 tells a tale of its own. Whether it was a quiet Tuesday evening (we usually do pizza night with friends on Tuesdays) or a marathon Saturday session (even though I spend much of the Spring & Summer days cutting grass that day), every day seemed to offer the perfect moment to press play. My year was marked by an impressive mix of first-time watches, new releases, and revisits of old favorites. Here’s a snapshot of the numbers that shaped my cinematic year:

• Film Ratings: My ratings ranged from the good, the great, to the truly unforgettable: ★☆☆☆☆: 4 films, ★★☆☆☆: 10 films, ★★★☆☆: 82 films ★★★★☆: 105 films, ★★★★★: 41 films (and this doesn't even include those films that earned an additional half star).
• Viewing Habits: Sundays stole the show with 91 films watched, followed by Saturdays with 78. Even weekdays had their share of movie magic, with 52 films watched on Mondays alone.
• Most Films in a Week: A whopping 20 films during March 25–31.
• Output: 264 reviews written, while averaging 31.8 films viewed per month.
• Discoveries: 187 first-time watches, including 62 brand-new films released in 2024.

As I reflect on 2024, it’s clear this year wasn’t just about watching movies—it was about connecting with stories, characters, and filmmakers that moved me, inspired me, and occasionally left me in awe. Each film, whether a timeless classic or a new masterpiece, became a piece of the larger montage that made this year unforgettable. But as the credits roll on 2024, I’m already looking ahead with eager anticipation to what 2025 has in store. From highly anticipated releases (Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning (May 2025), Avatar: Fire and Ash (December 2025), and Superman (July 2025) are first to come to mind) and to rediscovering hidden gems, my media room is ready, the popcorn is stocked, and my passion for film feels stronger than ever.

"Movies can be pure escapism for many, and for some, movies resonate on a deeper level.?They possess a power that speaks to our heart, to our soul.?Watching a film can be a deeply personal, affecting experience.?It can even change our futures."?~ Ben Mankiewicz

And not just film...

I enjoyed several books throughout 2024 that covered some of the history of the industry. These were extremely entertaining & educational and I recommend you consider them yourself:

• Michael Curtiz: A Life In Film by Alan Rode
• We'll Always Have Casablanca by Noah Isenberg
• City of Nets by Otto Friedrich
• Memo from Darryl F. Zanuck: The Golden Years at Twentieth Century-Fox by Rudy Behlmer
• Hollywood: The Oral History by Jeanine Basinger and Sam Wasson

Some final footnotes...

I'm a patron member of Letterboxd , which provides me with all the micro details I was able to share in this article. You can view my Letterboxd profile [here], view my Life In Film details [here], and see my 2024 full details where these details are pulled from [here]. If you're on Letterboxd, I'd love to follow you. Finally, I only log films on Letterboxd that I've fully watched unless you see a one-star rating for one from me, which indicates the film was so bad I was unable to watch it to completion.

Lastly, all films were watched on a large screen display in my media room, and/or my PLF private home cinema, and/or a commercial theater. Never on a tablet or a mobile device.

Here’s to another year of cinematic magic—let the adventures begin!

?Friends. Family. Movies. Memories. ???????

Network with me on Letterboxd, where cinephiles hang out ?? https://letterboxd.com/JoeyPeacock/

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