Some of the year’s top-rated movies are ones that may have flown under the radar.
Business Insider rounded up the titles that earned perfect Rotten Tomatoes scores this year with at least 25 reviews.
These include films that tackle serious subjects, from working-class struggles to coming-of-age challenges. But not all the top-reviewed movies are dramas. “LaRoy, Texas,” a crime comedy starring Steve Zahn and John Magaro, also earned a 100% critics score.
All Rotten Tomatoes scores were current as of December 31, 2024, and are subject to change.
Number of reviews: 124
What it’s about: “All We Imagine as Light,” written and directed by Payal Kapadia, is set in Mumbai and follows Prabha (Kani Kusruti) and Anu (Divya Prabha), two nurses and roommates, and Parvaty (Chhaya Kadam), their coworker who’s a cook at the hospital. The film explores the power of friendship among the three women as they navigate personal challenges, from affairs to eviction.
Why you should watch: Critics are enchanted by Kapadia’s second feature film, calling it “dreamlike,” “luminous,” and a “sensual triumph.” The movie feels like an ode to Mumbai, where the bustling city is captured so vibrantly that it becomes a character in the narrative, too.
“All We Imagine as Light” premiered at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival earlier this year, where it won the prestigious Grand Prix award.
Where to watch: In select theaters.
Watch the trailer for “All We Imagine as Light” here.
Number of reviews: 65
What it’s about: “Daughters” is a documentary from filmmakers Natalie Rae and Angela Patton about a group of girls getting ready for a dance with their incarcerated dads. For some of them, it will be the only physical contact that they have with their fathers while they serve their prison sentences.
Why you should watch: Critics called “Daughters” emotionally moving, providing a grounded view into what it’s like having a family member in prison. Some praised the film for focusing on, and humanizing, its subjects.
“Daughters” earned two awards at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, where it premiered: festival favorite and audience choice: U.S. documentary competition.
Where to watch: Netflix
Number of reviews: 63
What it’s about: “Nowhere Special” centers on John (James Norton), a 35-year-old window cleaner and single dad who is raising his 4-year-old son Michael (Daniel Lamont) after the kid’s mom leaves following his birth. When John learns that he has a few months left to live, he becomes determined to prepare his son for his death and find a new family for him.
Why you should watch: Uberto Pasolini’s drama, originally released in 2021 before getting a US theatrical release this year, is an understated and tender look at life and death. Critics say Norton’s performance as a father dying of brain cancer is tear-inducing, and his young costar Lamont shows signs of a promising future as an actor. Despite its heartbreaking premise, “Nowhere Special” maintains a hopeful outlook.
Where to watch: Available to rent or buy on Prime Video and Apple TV+.
Watch the trailer for “Nowhere Special” here.
Number of reviews: 60
What it’s about: This documentary, from Academy Award-winning director Ron Howard, follows Jim Henson’s storied career, from the Muppets franchise to films like “The Dark Crystal” and “Labyrinth.” The film includes footage from Henson’s archives, as well as interviews with prior collaborators and family members.
Why you should watch: Critics praised the documentary as capturing Henson’s spirit without sanitizing his life. Some wrote that while Howard takes a fairly straightforward biographical approach, it works well for Henson as a subject.
“Jim Henson Idea Man” premiered at the 77th Cannes Film Festival in the “Cannes Classics” section. It won five Emmy awards, including outstanding documentary or nonfiction special and outstanding motion design.
Where to watch: Disney+
Number of reviews: 57
What it’s about: Directed by Julian Brave NoiseCat and Emily Kassie, “Sugarcane” follows the aftermath of unmarked graves being discovered near an Indian residential school in Canada that was run by the Catholic Church and closed in 1981. The film tracks a Williams Lake First Nation investigation into abuse and missing children at St. Joseph’s mission.
Why you should watch: Critics praised the film as empathetic, sensitive, and in some cases, “devastating.” Some praised the film for the way depicts the aftermath of tragedy and injustice.
The film won the U.S. documentary — directing award at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, where it premiered. It has also received documentary film awards at the Sarasota Film Festival, the San Francisco International Film Festival, and from the National Board of Review, among others.
Where to watch: Hulu, Disney+
Number of reviews: 53
What it’s about: The coming-of-age Indian film stars Preeti Panigrahi as Mira, a 16-year-old girl constrained by the rules of her boarding school and her strict mother when she develops a connection with a new student named Srinivas (Kesav Binoy Kiron) and expresses interest in exploring her sexuality and desires.
Why you should watch: Critics call “Girls Will Be Girls” a stellar debut for first-time feature filmmaker Shuchi Talati, who also wrote the script. Many agree that the movie tackles typical coming-of-age themes with a cultural specificity that makes “Girls Will Be Girls” stand out from the myriad of other existing films in the genre.
The protagonist’s intimate journey is examined with sensitivity and quiet moments that let the cinematography and scene composition do all the talking.”
“Girls Will Be Girls” earned the audience award in the world cinema dramatic category at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival.
Where to watch: Available to rent or buy on Prime Video.
Watch the trailer for “Girls Will Be Girls” here.
Number of reviews: 49
What it’s about: Directed by Basel Adra, Hamdan Ballal, Yuval Abraham, and Rachel Szor, “No Other Land” is a documentary about Palestine and Israel. It follows the Israeli destruction of Palestinian homes and schools in Masafer Yatta, a group of West Bank villages that Adra calls home. The four directors hail from Palestine and Israel, and filmed over the course of four years.
Why you should watch: Critics described “No Other Land” as “essential,” important, and emotionally affecting viewing.
The film has picked up dozens of film festival and critic awards, including the Berlinale documentary film award and Panorama audience award for best documentary film at the Berlin International Film Festival, and best documentary and non-fiction film awards from Los Angeles, Boston, and New York critics groups, among others.
Where to watch: “No Other Land” is available to purchase or rent in some regions, though it does not yet have distribution in the United States.
Number of reviews: 46
What it’s about: This documentary, directed by Irene Taylor, tracks Dion’s diagnosis with stiff-person syndrome, a condition that causes the muscles to stiffen involuntarily. The documentary includes archival footage from Dion’s storied career, and follows her through her diagnosis, treatment, and desire to return to the stage.
Why you should watch: Critics called the documentary “raw,” doing justice to Dion’s legendary career while humanizing her as as a subject. Adrian Horton of the Guardian called the film “unabashedly sentimental” and “deeply earnest.”
Where to watch: Prime Video
Number of reviews: 46
What it’s about: The A24 dark comedy stars Susan Chardy as Shula, a woman who discovers her Uncle Fred’s body on the road one night. With the dayslong funeral proceedings underway, she must confront the secrets of her middle-class Zambian family.
Why you should watch: Critics say the film is compelling and intriguing, with a script that deftly balances its serious subject material with moments of humor. Many have also praised Nyoni’s sharp directing style and her exploration of the political, cultural, and social facets of Zambian life.
Where to watch: “On Becoming a Guinea Fowl” is currently not available to stream. It will be released in limited theaters on March 7.
Watch the trailer for “On Becoming a Guinea Fowl” here.
Number of reviews: 45
What it’s about: Directed by Laurent Bouzereau, “Music By John Williams” examines the storied composer’s career and work across multiple franchises. The film features interviews with people like Steven Spielberg, who worked with Williams on films like “Jaws” and “E.T.,” and George Lucas, creator of “Star Wars” and “Indiana Jones.”
Why you should watch: Critics wrote that the film was a fitting tribute to Williams and a lovely celebration of his work. Some praised the film’s depiction of Williams’ relationships with filmmakers, including Spielberg and Lucas.
“Music By John Williams” won the award for best music documentary at the Critics Choice Documentary Awards.
Where to watch: Disney+
Watch the trailer for “Music By John Williams” here.
Number of reviews: 42
What it’s about: The comedy, written and directed by Shane Atkinson, stars Steve Zahn as a private detective named Skip and John Magaro as Ray, a man who becomes depressed after he learns that his wife is cheating on him. As Ray is about to shoot himself with a gun and end his life, his life takes a wild turn when he gets mistaken for a hitman and becomes involved in an assassination plan.
Why you should watch: Critics say that Atkinson’s feature directorial debut is an entertaining thrill ride, toeing the line between believable absurdity and over-the-top shenanigans. The influence of and nods to the filmmaking brothers Joel and Ethan Coen are plentiful, and the movie is bolstered by a solid cast comprised of Magaro, Zahn, and Dylan Baker.
“LaRoy, Texas” won three major prizes at the 49th Deauville American Film Festival: the Grand Prize, the Audience Award, and the Critics Award.
Where to watch: Available to rent or buy on Prime Video and Apple TV+. Also available to stream on MGM+.
Watch the trailer for “LaRoy, Texas” here.
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