Summary
In the wake of 2023’s dual Hollywood strikes, there’s no denying that it is a difficult time for the movie industry. Films continue to fall short of box-office expectations, even when they hail from previously acclaimed franchises (i.e.Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga) or received universal raves. Nonetheless, there have been solid releases, especially where drama movies are concerned. Packed with some of the year’s stand-out performances,2024’s best dramas don’t necessarily reinvent the wheel, but they provide compelling glimpses into characters' lives, from decorated athletes to teenagers who find refuge in a TV series.
While “best of” lists have subjective, sometimes nebulous criteria, Screen Rant’s editors have compiled a thoughtful list of 2024’s best drama movies. With few exceptions, all the entrants have seen wide releases as of June 2024, which means most movie-goers should have access to the editors' picks.Although some films straddle genres, all the selections have a dramatic narrative at their core— even when blended with elements of sci-fi or comedy. With several months of releases on the horizon, the list will no doubt shift. Chosen by Screen Rant’s editors, here are 2024’s best dramas so far.
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Directed By Reinaldo Marcus Green
Bob Marley: One Love
Directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green, Bob Marley: One Love is a biographical music-drama that explores the life of Bob Marley, as portrayed by Kingsley Ben-Adir. The film highlights the ups and downs of Marley’s life and career until his untimely death in 1981.
Directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green (King Richard),Bob Marley: One Lovehas received mixed-to-negative reviews from critics. However, it’s that classic instance of a biopic that stands out because of its heavy-hitting central performance. InOne Love, the iconic reggae singer andsongwriter Bob Marley is played by Kingsley Ben-Adir.While the film as a whole doesn’t quite do its central figure justice, Ben-Adir nails Marley’s charismatic public persona, all while capturing his more downbeat private moments too. A run-of-the-mill musical biopic,One Lovealso boasts a memorable performance from Lashana Lynch.
Directed By Joachim Rønning
Young Woman and the Sea
Daisy Ridley stars as the accomplished swimmer who was born to immigrant parents in New York City in 1905. Through the steadfast support of her older sister and supportive trainers, she overcame adversity and the animosity of a patriarchal society to rise through the ranks of the Olympic swimming team and complete the staggering achievement – a 21-mile trek from France to England.
Trading lightsabers for untested waters, Daisy Ridley stars inYoung Woman and the Seaas Gertrude Ederle, a competitive swimmer who became the first woman to successfully swim across the English Channel. Directed by Joachim Rønning, the sports drama is 2024’s answer to last year’sNyad, though the Disney-backed film trades fraught drama for a more uplifting trajectory. The gold medal-winning OlympianGertrude Ederle has an incredibly compelling life story, which Ridley translates to the screen with easy charm.In the best way,Young Woman and the Seais an old-fashioned sports drama that hits its marks.
Directed By Jeff Nichols
The Bikeriders
The Bikeriders is a 2024 drama exploring the turbulent relationship between Kathy and Benny, a member of the Vandals motorcycle club. As the club delves into violence, Benny faces a critical choice between staying with Kathy and his allegiance to the club.
A buzzy entry on the festival circuit,The Bikeriderssees Oscar-nominatedElvisactor Austin Butler starring oppositeKilling Eve’s Jodie Comer as well as heavy-hitters Michael Shannon and Tom Hardy. Written and directed by Jeff Nichols (Mud), the film is a compelling crime thriller that soars thanks toThe Bikeriders' charming cast of characters. Inspired by the 1967 photo-book of the same name, the film centers on the Outlaws MC, an Illinois-based motorcycle club. Full of both cutting grit and warm humor,The Bikeridersfeels like an authentic, grounded portrayal of motorcycle culture.
Directed By Nikolaj Arcel
The Promised Land
The Promised Land follows Captain Ludvig Kahlen in 1755 as he attempts to cultivate a Danish heath to establish a colony and earn a royal title. Confronted by the malicious local lord, Kahlen’s ambitious pursuit of wealth and honor is fraught with peril and uncertainty.
An epic historical drama,The Promised Landwas the Danish entry for Best International Feature Film at the 96th Academy Awards — and for good reason. Directed by Nikolaj Arcel (A Royal Affair),The Promised Landcenters on Ludwig Kahlen (Hannibal’s Mads Mikkelsen), a retired and impoverished German Army officer who uses his meager pension to acquire property in his homeland of Denmark. Hoping to establish a meaningful life, Ludwig comes into conflict with a merciless nobleman-turned-magistrate, who feels threatened by the ambitious war hero.The slow-burn, Western-inspired movie is a must-watch for Mikkelsen alone.
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Directed By Pablo Berger
Robot Dreams
Robot Dreams follows the poignant journey of a lonely dog and his robot companion, exploring themes of friendship and separation. When a malfunction occurs, Dog is compelled to leave Robot at the beach, leading to a heartfelt quest centered on reunion and rediscovery.
Written and directed by Pablo Berger,Robot Dreamsis an animated comedy-drama that chronicles the friendship between a dog and a robot who are living in New York in 1984. Nominated for Best Animated Feature at the 96th Academy Awards,Robot Dreamsstands out for many reasons, from its beautiful animation to its charming characters, butwhat really stands out is that the film contains no dialogue. Both heartwarming and heart-wrenching,Robot Dreamsunderscores the power of a good story, of a tale that needs no frills — or even words.
Directed By Greg Kwedar
Sing Sing
Based on actual events, Sing Sing is a drama movie that tells the story of the Sing Sing Correctional Facility and a group of prisoners within that decide to stage their own musical production within the prison’s walls.
After being nominated for an Academy Award for his incredible performance inRustin, Colman Domingo returns to the silver screen with a career-best turn inSing Sing. Directed by Greg Kwedar, the film is based on the Sing Sing maximum security prison’s Rehabilitation Through the Arts program in which a group of incarcerated men get involved with staging theatrical productions. WhileColman Domingo and Paul Raci star inSing Sing, it also features an ensemble of formally incarcerated first-time film actors who participated in the real-life arts program. Beautifully acted and written,Sing Singis a wrenching story that legitimately centers on the people whose stories are being told.
Directed By Jane Schoenbrun
I Saw the TV Glow
I Saw the TV Glow follows teenager Owen, who navigates suburban life until introduced by classmate Maddy to a mysterious late-night TV show.
One of the year’s most distinctive films,I Saw the TV Glowwas written and directed by Jane Schoenbrun, and centers on ’90s teenagers Owen (Justice Smith) and Maddy (Brigette Lundy-Paine), outsiders who bond over a supernatural TV show calledThe Pink Opaque. TheA24 horror film is perfect forTwin Peaksfansthanks to Schoenbrun’s singular style and willingness to lean into the surreal. At its core,I Saw the TV Glowis a truly wrenching film about transness— about queer and trans characters who either embrace their truth or run from living an authentic life.
Directed By Luca Guadagnino
Challengers
Challengers follows tennis player-turned-coach Tashi as she transforms her husband Art into a Grand Slam champion. To revitalize his career, she enters him in a lower-tier tournament where he confronts his past, facing both his former best friend and Tashi’s ex-boyfriend.
Directed byCall Me by Your Namefilmmaker Luca Guadagnino,Challengerscenters on a charged, years-spanning love triangle between Tashi (Zendaya), a tennis star-turned-coach; her less successful tennis player ex-boyfriend, Patrick (Josh O’Connor); and Art, her tennis champ husband (Mike Faist). Framed by Art and Patrick’s rematch of the decade,Challengersserves up Guadagnino’s signature elements, from emotionally complex characters to eroticism. An intense and powerfully acted drama,Challengersis an incredibly captivating character study wrapped in a sports drama narrative.
Directed By Alex Garland
Civil War
Civil War is a 2024 action thriller from writer and director Alex Garland. Starring Kirsten Dunst, Wagner Moura, and Stephen McKinley Henderson, Civil War takes place in the near future and shows the United States entering a new Civil War after California and Texas attempt to separate from the country.
In Alex Garland’sCivil War, Kirsten Dunst stars as renowned war photographer Lee Smith who plans to interview the US president with her work partner, Reuters writer Joel (Wagner Moura). However, as the film’s dystopian title implies, civil war has wracked the country, with secessionist movements opposing the three-term president’s authoritarian rule. Even though viewers never learnwhat causedCivil War’s titular conflict,the incredibly sharp, often-violent film interrogates the moral quandaries that arise in Lee’s line of work. Plus,Civil Waris anchored by a career-best performance from Dunst.
Directed By Denis Villeneuve
Dune: Part Two
Dune: Part Two continues the epic saga of Paul Atreides as he allies with Chani and the Fremen. Pursuing retribution for his family’s devastation, Paul grapples with a significant decision impacting his personal desires and the universe’s future, attempting to avert a dire destiny that only he anticipates.
The second installment in Denis Villeneuve’s two-part sci-fic epic is not only 2024’s highest-grossing film, but also the year’s best drama. Picking up whereDuneleft off,Dune: Part Twochronicles the story of Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) — the unwilling leader-turned-ruthless-messiah who leads a revolt against the Known Universe’s powers that be. Bolstered by stunning visuals, an engrossing sci-fi world, andDune 2’s incredible cast of characters,the 2024 sequel delivers on all fronts, making it the most fully-realized drama of the year.
This list will be updated as new drama films are released throughout 2024.
