Well, summer 2024 has come to a close. Another season of moviegoing has closed out, this time defined by the return of emotions, a foul-mouthed merc, and Nicolas Cage singing in the snow. With this season firmly in the rearview, it's clear what the biggest movies of the summer were. But what about the underrated titles of summer 2024? This is, after all, not just a season dominated by a handful of features making $1+ billion with ease. There are also smaller arthouse titles or even blockbusters worthy of your time and attention. Before the award season landscape swallows us all up whole, let's take a look back at the most underrated summer 2024 movies that you still need to see, along with information on where you can watch them now (either in streaming, premium-video-on-demand retailers, or theaters).
Here's to the rest of the year and watching movies on the big screen!
Furiosa: A Mad Max Story
George Miller returned to the Wasteland for Furiosa: A Mad Max Story and this genius filmmaker didn't just do a standard Hollywood origin story for Fury Road's big breakout character. Instead, he made a grand epic about what it takes to survive the unspeakable. Often heartbreakingly intimate, Furiosa had grand imagery to spare and a dazzling dedication to subverting expectations. This was no Fury Road retread, which is the greatest thing you could say about a prequel.
Available on Max
Ghostlight
Tears will be shed when you sit down to watch Ghostlight, which starts on an undeniably wobbly note with too ambiguous character motivations and potentially overly arch performances. As the film finds its groove, though, it becomes a deeply moving exploration of using art to cope with pain.
Now streaming on AMC+
Kill
Some of the very best action sequences of 2024 thus far were confined to a train in this excellent feature. Kill had executed slaughters with aplomb while its filmmaking demonstrated real craftiness in wringing visual versatility out of limited spacing (everything in this movie takes place on a handful of train cars).
Available on PVOD
Dandelion
KiKi Layne is a movie star and deserves more lead roles. The quietly touching country music yarn Dandelion nicely reflects her many gifts as a performer and reveals she's also got a great voice. Combine all that with soothing autumn-tinged backdrops and Dandelion's a deeply enjoyable watch.
Available on PVOD
Kneecap
The music biopic has a new gold standard in quality. Kneecap chronicles the exploits of an Irish rap group (all three members play themselves here) in a movie bursting with anarchy and rebellion. There's so much energy wafting off the screen, it's impossible not to get caught up in the chaos. Also, there are lots of great toe-tapping tunes in this one you won't get out of your head.
Now playing in theaters
Strange Darling
Rarely have I felt so disconnected from Letterboxd users than seeing folks mocking Strange Darling's opening text declaring that it was shot entirely on 35mm. For me, that's a fantastic way to kick off a motion picture rendered with such gorgeous photography and delightfully transfixing non-linear storytelling. Come for the 35mm camerawork, stay for Willa Fitzgerald's mesmerizing leading lady turn.
Now playing in theaters
Sing Sing
One of the best movies of the year (not just summer 2024), Sing Sing is all about restoring humanity to people often denied basic decency. Anchored by an outstanding Colman Domingo performance and turns from real-life former Sing Sing inmates, Sing Sing is an emotionally mesmerizing work. In a season of expansive explosions and massive fight scenes, the most captivating sequences in summer 2024 cinema were Sing Sing's quiet depictions of human beings just talking and trying to connect with one another.
Now playing in theaters
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