Here is something crazy: 2025 marks my 40th year as a film critic.
My very first professional review was for "Friday the 13th Part 5: A New Beginning" which aired on WGN-AM’s Roy Leonard Show on Saturday, March 23, 1985.
Since then, I’ve reviewed roughly 8,400 films (and that's a VERY conservative estimate). I’ll be celebrating this milestone all year here on my website, on The Nick D Podcast, and at events around town. I couldn’t be prouder—or more stunned—that I’m still doing this gig after four decades.
Best Films of 2024
I’m beyond lucky to call fellow film critics Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy both close colleagues and friends. They’re among the best in the biz, and I’m honored they join me bi-weekly on my podcast to talk about new releases, old favorites, and everything in between.
Recently, we got together to hammer out our lists of the Best Films of 2024. Below, you’ll see all three sets of Top 20 picks.
Comparing them always sparks lively debate—especially when we overlap on certain titles (this year, just two: Heretic and Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga). We all agreed 2024 felt a bit underwhelming overall, but these gems stood out.
NICK'S TOP 20 FILMS OF 2024
DUNE: PART TWO
NOSFERATU
FURIOSA: A MAD MAX SAGA
A COMPLETE UNKNOWN
HERE
TUESDAY
THE FIRST OMEN
DADDIO
KNEECAP
MEGALOPOLIS
BLINK TWICE
HARD TRUTHS
QUEER
SMILE 2
A REAL PAIN
FLOW
POOLMAN
HERETIC
KINDS OF KINDNESS
THELMA
ERIK'S TOP 20 FILMS OF 2024
FURIOSA: A MAD MAX SAGA
THE SUBSTANCE
HUNDREDS OF BEAVERS
SING SING
ANORA
HIT MAN
HERETIC
REBEL RIDGE
CHALLENGERS
MEMOIR OF A SNAIL
HIS THREE DAUGHTERS
LA COCINA
GHOSTLIGHT
NICKEL BOYS
HERE
WE GROWN NOW
SASQUATCH SUNSET
LOVE LIES BLEEDING
BETTER MAN
A REAL PAIN
STEVE'S TOP 20 FILMS OF 2024
ANORA
NOSFERATU
DUNE: PART TWO
FLOW
FURIOSA: A MAD MAX SAGA
HERETIC
A COMPLETE UNKNOWN
CONCLAVE
HIT MAN
HIS THREE DAUGHTERS
NICKEL BOYS
ALL WE IMAGINE AS LIGHT
THE BEAST
THE SUBSTANCE
THE FIRE INSIDE
MEMOIR OF A SNAIL
HARD TRUTHS
A DIFFERENT MAN
INSIDE OUT 2
THELMA
Even in a lukewarm year, we still found movies we truly adored—and we had a great time yapping about them.
Thanks for reading! Be sure to subscribe to my weekly newsletter for all the latest reviews, rants, and random musings. And if you want to toss a little support my way and keep this movie train rolling, join me on Patreon as a paid subscriber.
Now get out there and watch some movies! And if you disagree with our lists… well, good.
Thanks again!