10 Most Intelligent Movies of 2024, Ranked

As fun as an explosive actioner or campy horror flick can be, sometimes it's just as fun to be challenged when watching a movie. For those looking for some 2024 entertainment that engages the brain a little more than most, or offers insight into particular topics in clever ways, this is a selection of the 10 most intelligent movies of 2024.

10 'Anora'

Directed by Sean Baker

Anora (Mikey Madison) is a Brooklyn native and stripper at an upscale men's club. It seems that Anora's prayers for a better life have been answered when she meets and impulsively weds Ivan (Mark Eydelshteyn), the wealthy son of a Russian oligarch. Their fairytale romance is threatened when Vanya's parents catch wind of the marriage and set out to have it annulled by any means necessary.

Striking, spirited and deftly constructed, Anora is as luscious as it is crass. Anora is one of those movies that works on every level it attempts: it's erotic, romantic, surprisingly hilarious and even heartbreaking at times. At the core of it all is a compelling character study. Madison gives one of the best performances of 2024 embodying the titular character. Anora can be abrasive and foul-mouthed, yet there's a compelling humanity to the underlying sadness that slips through the cracks on occasion. Anora is one of the most intelligent and confidently constructed movies of 2024.

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9 'Juror #2'

Directed by Clint Eastwood

Set in Savannah, Georgia, journalist Justin Kemp (Nicholas Hoult) is summoned to serve as a juror on a murder case involving a murdered girlfriend. As Justin is faced with a moral dilemma, his decision could mean the conviction of an innocent man or the freedom of a killer.

Even at 94 years old, director Clint Eastwood is putting out quality entertainment with brains. In what could very well be his final film, Juror #2 is a rock-solid legal thriller that benefits from strong performances and a sharp screenplay that rewards attention and offers thought-provoking commentary on the shortcomings of the justice system. It may not stand out as one of 2024's very best movies, but Juror #2 is nonetheless intelligent entertainment, perfect for those looking to immerse themselves in a clever mystery and explore some moral quandaries.

8 'A Real Pain'

Directed by Jesse Eisenberg

Cousins David (Jesse Eisenberg) and Benji (Keiran Culkin) are as different as any two people could possibly be. They reunite for a tour of Poland to honor the wishes of their late grandmother. Not only does the trip provoke feelings of guilt surrounding their heritage, but it also brings to the surface underlying tensions that have been swelling between the cousins.

A Real Pain is a poignant and absorbing buddy comedy that features some of the most well-written characters of any 2024 movie. Eisenberg is fantastic both behind and in front of the camera, but it's Culkin who steals the show as the free-spirited and boisterous Benji. A Real Pain can be hilarious one second and gut-wrenching the next, yet never comes across as contrived or anything less than a deeply personal exploration of insecurity and guilt. A Real Pain is one of 2024's most quiet yet effective triumphs.

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7 'Rebel Ridge'

Directed by Jeremy Saulnier

Ex-marine and hand-to-hand combat specialist Terry Richmond (Aaron Pierre) finds himself the victim of small-town corruption when the local police unlawfully seize his cousin's bail money. While attempting to exercise his rights and challenge the injustice, Terry clashes with police chief Sandy Burne (Don Johnson). Soon enough, Terry finds himself in a battle of wits against an entire police force that's covering up a history of malpractice.

Rebel Ridge is a sturdy and narratively robust crime thriller. Smart and consistently engaging and directed with near-surgical precision from Jeremy Saulnier, this is a must-watch 2024 release for genre fans. Rebel Ridge simply would not have worked as well as it did if not for a magnificent performance from Pierre; he perfectly embodies the stoic yet reserved nature of a man holding back for everyone else's safety. Terry is one of the freshest takes on an action hero in a long while and Rebel Ridge as a whole is a refreshing subversion.

6 'I Saw the TV Glow'

Directed by Jane Schoenbrun

Teenager Owen (Justice Smith) lives a quiet and relatively lonely life until he meets Maddy (Brigette Lundy-Paine). Together they bond over a supernatural late-night television series called "The Pink Opaque". As they immerse themselves more and more in the show, Owen and Maddy begin to lose their grip on reality as their lives descend into a nightmare.

Not everybody who watches I Saw the TV Glow will enjoy it. The movie operates on a very specific wavelength that some are sure to find nonsensical and tedious. Going in with an open mind is the best way to experience the surreal charms of I Saw the TV Glow—this is a beautiful yet nightmarish exploration of the fears of an entire generation. This is a psychological horror movie that weaponizes nostalgia, liminal space, lost media and the dread that comes along with growing old. I Saw the TV Glow is clever, unique and sure to provoke thought.

5 'Evil Does Not Exist'

Directed by Ryûsuke Hamaguchi

Widower Takumi (Hitoshi Omika) lives with his eight-year-old daughter Hana (Ryo Nishikawa) in the serene Japanese mountain village of Mizubiki. Their tranquil existence is threatened by prospectors' desire to develop a real estate project in the area. Takumi resists attempts at manipulation and deceit by the developers eyeing his land, but tensions escalate beyond anything he could've imagined.

Evil Does Not Exist is a quiet and contemplative eco-drama that takes its time to deliver a message about the importance of understanding and listening. It's an elegantly crafted and timely piece of work that makes use of poetic visual language rather than a talky narrative. Evil Does Not Exist is an immersive and engaging movie that weaves its themes effectively with its characters, making for a viewing experience that's rewarding and thought-provoking.

4 'Challengers'

Directed by Luca Guadagnino

Former tennis prodigy Tashi Duncan (Zendaya) now coaches her husband Art Donaldson (Mike Faist) to become the best in the world. Looking to reinvigorate his recently faltering career, Tashi signs Art up for a low-level tournament. Also entering the tournament is Patrick Zweig (Josh O'Connor), Art's former best friend and Tashi's ex-boyfriend. Art and Patrick will face off in a match where the personal stakes have never been higher.

Challengers is a sports drama unlike any other. As gripping as the court sequences are, the real meat of the movie comes from the masterfully developed characters. Every interaction, no matter how small, adds a layer of nuance to the narrative and heightens the emotional stakes in meaningful ways. Challengers ​​​​​​is as sharp as a drama can get—it's rich, invigorating and utterly engaging.

3 'The Substance'

Directed by Coralie Fargeat

Elisabeth Sparkle (Demi Moore) once had Hollywood in a chokehold. Now, after turning 50 years old, she's been all but forgotten by those who once idolized her. Enter The Substance: a new black-market drug that promises a younger, better version of one's self. Desperate to relive her glory days, Sparkle embarks on a journey of self-discovery that will have disastrous consequences.

The Substance is not only THE horror movie of 2024, but it's also one of the best of the year in every regard. The Substance doesn't really bother with subtlety when it comes to its messaging and themes, and the movie is all the better as a result. The Substance is brilliant, loud and ferocious. One moment, it's pulpy, campy fun, and the next, it's gut-wrenching. The Substance is a roller coaster ride of a movie and one of the most assured creative efforts of the 2020s thus far.

2 'Conclave'

Directed by Edward Berger

The beloved Pope has unexpectedly passed away. Cardinal Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes) is tasked with running one of the most important and secretive conferences in the world: the election of a new Pope. As all the Catholic Church's most prominent figures travel into the Vatican for the process, Lawrence stumbles across a series of long-since-buried secrets that could shake the foundation of the entire Church.

Conspiracy thrillers don't get much more engaging than Conclave. Full of unexpected twists and turns, yet none of them feel contrived or forced. Conclave is a fantastic genre movie that respects the intelligence of its audience and rewards them with a rollicking good time. Perfectly cast, cleverly constructed and thoroughly entertaining, Conclave is 2024's best example of a movie that knows exactly what it wants to be and gives out the best possible version of itself.

1 'The Brutalist'

Directed by Brady Corbet

Visionary architect László Toth (Adrien Brody) and his wife Erzsébet (Felicity Jones) emigrate from 1947 post-war Europe to the United States. A charming industrialist by the name of Harrison Van Buren (Guy Pearce) commissions László to design a grand monument that will signify his newfound opportunity in a blossoming country. This latest project will prove to be the most difficult of László's career, changing the lives of everyone involved, for better and worse.

The Brutalist is a sweeping American epic that has all the makings of a future classic. This is a movie that has so much to say about creation, art, expression and power, yet still provides an entertaining and engrossing character-driven narrative that isn't overbearing. The Brutalist is a testament to ambition; nearly every creative decision works and is rooted in what feels like a lived experience. The Brutalist is not only one of the finest movies of 2024, but it's one of the most powerful and intelligent pieces of American cinema to come along in years.

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