A24 has built a massive reputation for itself since the company was founded in 2012. In just a decade, the company has released a slew of critical and commercial hits, including Uncut Gems, Spring Breakers, and Green Room. A24 is arguably the most unique production company in the world.

They are not focused on a specific genre or theme. Instead, A24 opts to make films that are interesting, engaging, entertaining, and, most of all, an experience. With a whole host of A24 on streaming platforms like Max (formerly HBO Max), now is the perfect time to dive into the works of this quirky production company and the best A24 films to date (on IMDb).

16 'Minari' (2020)

IMDb Rating: 7.4/10

Steven Yeun and Alan Kim in Minari
Image via A24

Minari is a semi-autobiographical drama film directed by Lee Isaac Chung. It's centered on a Korean-American family that struggles to build a new life in Arkansas, where they try to revive a farm to fulfill their American dream. The parents, Jacob Yi (Steven Yeun) and his wife Monica (Han Ye-ri), struggle to adjust to the community and support their kids, which becomes an even harder task when the eccentric grandma, Soon-ja (Youn Yuh-jung), arrives.

A gentle, slow-paced, and nuanced portrait of immigrants' unique experiences in a new community, Minari tells its story with both grace and power. Its gorgeous cinematography and slow-burn story may catch audiences off guard, who won't realize that tears are streaming down their faces as the credits roll.

Minari
PG-13
Release Date
2020-00-00
Director
Lee Isaac Chung
Cast
Steven Yeun , Alan Kim , Noel Kate Cho , Will Patton
Runtime
115

Watch on Netflix

15 'The Lighthouse' (2019)

IMDb Rating: 7.4/10

Two men standing in front of a lighthouse

No film is more indicative of the style and tone of A24 films than Robert Egger's The Lighthouse. The film, which was shot entirely in black and white, follows two lighthouse keepers as they attempt to hold onto their sanity while living on a remote island in the 1890s. Things escalate quickly and what is seemingly a survival movie soon takes a supernatural twist in this genre-busting film.

Starring Robert Pattinson and Willem Dafoe, The Lighthouse is a slow burn that really dives into the headspace of its two protagonists, watching as their hatred and resentment for one another slowly bubbles over into something more sinister – audiences loved the creepy atmosphere of The Lighthouse.

The Lighthouse
R

Two lighthouse keepers try to maintain their sanity while living on a remote and mysterious New England island in the 1890s.

Release Date
October 18, 2019
Director
Robert Eggers
Cast
Willem Dafoe , Robert Pattinson , Valeriia Karaman
Runtime
110

Watch on Showtime

14 'Uncut Gems' (2019)

IMDb Rating: 7.4/10

Adam Sandler holding necklace in Uncut Gems
Image via A24

Fans are undoubtedly loving the renaissance of Adam Sandler. The renaissance began with his unforgettable performance in Uncut Gems, a performance so good that many people still struggle to believe he wasn't nominated for an Academy Award in this remarkable work A24 films produced.

Sandler played Howard Ratner, a quick-talking New York City jeweler who, with debts mounting and enemies closing in, must risk everything in the hope of saving his life. Uncut Gems is a frantic, stressful movie that barely gives audiences time to breathe as the protagonist makes one dim-witted decision after another. Sandler enjoyed working with the directors, the Safdie brothers, so much that they are reuniting for another project. Uncut Gems was incredibly well-received and has become a beloved instant classic.

Uncut Gems
R
Release Date
August 30, 2019
Director
Ben Safdie , Joshua Safdie
Cast
Adam Sandler , Julia Fox , Kevin Garnett , The Weeknd , Idina Menzel , Jonathan Aranbayev
Runtime
130

Watch on Netflix

13 'Lady Bird' (2017)

IMDb Rating: 7.4/10

Lady Bird IMDb
Image via A24

Coming-of-age stories don't get any better than Lady Bird. The semi-biographical film, which was written and directed by Greta Gerwig, takes place in 2002 and follows a seventeen-year-old girl as she tries to find her place in the world while growing up in Sacramento.

Saorise Ronan plays the titular character, delivering a never-better performance as she explores the trials and tribulations of dating, friendship, and the problematic relationship that many daughters share with their mothers (Laurie Metcalf). As Lady Bird matures, she realizes that her small town isn't as terrible as she has made it out to be, among many other lessons that culminate in a heartbreaking ending. Gerwig's latest film, Barbie, recently premiered to critical acclaim, and is equally worth watching.

Lady Bird
R

In 2002, an artistically inclined 17-year-old girl comes of age in Sacramento, California.

Release Date
September 8, 2017
Director
Greta Gerwig
Cast
Saoirse Ronan , Laurie Metcalf , Tracy Letts , Lucas Hedges , Timothee Chalamet , Elizabeth 'Beanie' Feldstein
Runtime
93

Watch on Showtime

12 'Remember' (2015)

IMDb Rating: 7.5/10

remember movie christopher plummer max landau nazi hunters a24 hbo max

A heartbreaking drama (and revenge movie of sorts) directed by Atom Egoyan, Remember is centered on Auschwitz survivor Zev (Christopher Plummer), who makes it his mission to find and kill the Nazi war criminal responsible for the deaths of his family members. He enlists the help of fellow survivor Max (Martin Landau), and the duo embarks on a challenging trip, with Zev battling memory loss in the process.

Plummer's incredible performance as the determined yet struggling Zev elevates the film, and audiences can expect to root for him every step of the way. The A24 movie's story focused on seniors is an unconventional tale of love, loss, and revenge, and it all comes together in an engrossing way.

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11 'Waves' (2019)

IMDb Rating: 7.5/10

Taylor Russell riding her bik in Waves.

As is often the case with A24 films, Waves boasts an exceptional cast filled with well-known and up-and-coming actors. To name just a few, Waves stars Sterling K. Brown, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Alexa Demie, and Lucas Hedges, making it no surprise that the film was so well received by critics and fans alike.

Waves follows a well-intentioned but dominating father as he and his family navigate their way through life in the wake of a tragedy. Waves is one of the saddest A24 movies that tells a touching story about how people can grow and come together even in the darkest of times. The emotional, moving film deserves its high score and is a must-see for fans of family dramas.

Waves
Release Date
November 15, 2019
Director
Trey Edward Shults
Cast
Taylor McKenzie , Kelvin Harrison , Alexa Demie , Bill Wise , David Garelik , Justin R. Chan
Runtime
135

Watch on Hoopla

10 'The Farewell' (2019)

IMDb Rating: 7.5/10

The cast of The Farewell
Image via A24

Lulu Wang wrote and directed the comedy-drama film The Farewell based on a true story from her life. The moving film follows a Chinese-American woman named Billi (Awkwafina) who finds that her dear grandma Nai Nai (Shuzhen Zhou) in China has been diagnosed with terminal lung cancer and that the family has chosen to keep the diagnosis a secret from her.

Thanks to Awkwafina's stellar performance, Lulu Wang's direction, and the film's emotional depth, the movie gained widespread critical acclaim. Many viewers were moved by the film's portrayal of themes such as family, culture, and identity. The Farewell was also highly praised for its realistic and nuanced portrayal of the Chinese-American experience, its realistic and heartfelt depiction of family interactions, and its ability to tackle tough issues like grief and loss with wit and nuance.

The Farewell
PG
Release Date
July 12, 2019
Director
Lulu Wang
Cast
Awkwafina , Tzi Ma , Gil Perez-Abraham , Diana Lin , Ines Laimins , Jim Liu
Runtime
98

Watch on Netflix

9 'The Florida Project' (2017)

IMDb Rating: 7.6/10

Brooklynn Prince and Willem Dafoe in The Florida Project
Image via A24

The Florida Project is one of the most aesthetically pleasing films of recent memory. Every single shot is a work of art, filled with bright colors and gloriously mundane locations, making audiences never want to blink. The film, co-written and directed by Sean Baker, follows a mischievous six-year-old girl who seeks adventure and bonds with her mother while living in a motel that is within touching distance of Walt Disney World.

Willem Dafoe leads a cast of largely unknown actors, all of whom deliver memorable and often sweet performances. At its core, The Florida Project is about a mother-and-daughter relationship seen through the perspective of innocent children. Baker reunited with A24 for his follow-up movie, Red Rocket, which received mixed reviews.

The Florida Project
R

Set over one summer, the film follows precocious six-year-old Moonee as she courts mischief and adventure with her ragtag playmates and bonds with her rebellious but caring mother, all while living in the shadows of Walt Disney World.

Release Date
October 6, 2017
Director
Sean Baker
Cast
Brooklynn Prince , Christopher Rivera , Aiden Malik , Josie Olivo , Valeria Cotto , Edward Pagan
Runtime
111

Watch on Showtime

8 'Ex Machina' (2014)

IMDb Rating: 7.7/10

Alicia Vikander touching a robot's face in 'Ex Machina'
Image via A24

If you're looking for a masterclass in tension and intrigue, then Ex Machina is the movie for you. Written and directed by acclaimed filmmaker Alex Gartland, Ex Machina follows a young computer programmer selected to participate in a ground-breaking experiment in which he will assess the functionality and human quality of an advanced A.I. When he arrives at the location, however, he slowly realizes that there's something sinister behind the tests.

Set predominantly in one location, Ex Machina is a claustrophobic thriller boasting sensational performances from Oscar Isaac, Domnhall Gleeson, and Alicia Vikander. Like all the best science fiction movies, Ex Machina is a film that makes its audience sit back and think and is especially relevant today.

Ex Machina
R

Release Date
April 24, 2015
Director
Alex Garland
Cast
Domhnall Gleeson , Corey Johnson , Oscar Isaac , Alicia Vikander , Sonoya Mizuno , Claire Selby
Runtime
108 minutes

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7 'Aftersun' (2022)

IMDb Rating: 7.7/10

aftersun-frankie-corio-paul-mescal-social-featured
Image via A24

Serving as Charlotte Wells' directorial debut, Aftersun captivated fans with its subtle yet heartbreaking story that revolves around Sophie (Frankie Corio), who looks back on her time spent with her dad Calum (Paul Mescal) in a shabby vacation resort in Turkey two decades ago. Her memories play out with a tinge of nostalgia, which soon helps her differentiate between who she thought her father was with who he actually became.

An emotional coming-of-age drama film, Aftersun only hints at the darkness behind Calum's character. It's a painfully accurate portrayal of depression, and a reminder that it's rarely easy to spot even in closest companions and loved ones. Sophie's poignant story is a difficult one to hear, but a necessary one to watch nonetheless.

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6 'The Whale' (2022)

IMDb Rating: 7.7/10

A close-up of Charlie looking intently to his right in The Whale.

Directed by Darren Aronofsky, The Whale is a divisive film centered on an English teacher with obesity, who has become more isolated over the years. Set in Idaho, mostly in Charlie's (Brendan Fraser) room, the A24 movie depicts his attempts at reconnecting with his estranged and angry teenage daughter, Ellie (Sadie Sink).

Love it or hate it, there's no denying that The Whale tells an unforgettable story that highlights Charlie's struggles. Brendan Fraser's incredible Oscar-winning performance makes the protagonist's experiences feel more real, and thus, more painful, as he grapples with the choices he has made to get to that point and attempts to right some wrongs before it's too late.

The Whale
R

A reclusive, morbidly obese English teacher attempts to reconnect with his estranged teenage daughter.

Release Date
December 21, 2022
Director
Darren Aronofsky
Cast
Brendan Fraser , Sadie Sink , Ty Simpkins , Hong Chau
Runtime
117 minutes

Watch on Showtime

5 'Amy' (2015)

IMDb Rating: 7.8/10

Amy Winehouse from her titular documentary 'Amy'
Image via Altitude Film Distribution

Amy is a documentary film directed by Asif Kapadia that depicts the life of British singer-songwriter Amy Winehouse. The documentary is composed primarily of archival footage and personal recordings from Winehouse, as well as interviews with her friends, family, and colleagues. The film chronicles her meteoric rise to stardom and her experiences with addiction and mental health conditions, leading up to her tragic death at the age of 27.

The movie portrays Winehouse's life in a raw and intimate manner, and it masterfully uses archival footage to create a thorough and complex portrait of the singer. It was rightly nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature and won multiple accolades, including the BAFTA for Best Documentary.

Amy
R
Release Date
July 3, 2015
Director
Asif Kapadia
Cast
Amy Winehouse , Yasiin Bey , Mark Ronson , Pete Doherty , Mitch Winehouse , Blake Fielder-Civil
Runtime
90

Watch on Max

4 'Close' (2022)

IMDb Rating: 7.8/10

Close Movie 2022
Image Via Lumière 

Director Lukas Dhont's Close revolves around two 13-year-old boys, Léo (Eden Dambrine) and Rémi (Gustav De Waele), who share an incredibly deep bond as childhood best friends who spend most of their days together. When their schoolmates (and bullies) learn of their unique connection, things take a dark turn as Léo decides to distance himself from his closest friend.

Close starts out as a heartwarming tale of friendship, but then turns into a horrific and tragic portrayal of the consequences of prejudice and discrimination. Societal norms have a way of ruining perfectly innocent and one-of-a-kind relationships, which can leave more than one person reeling and hurting for the rest of their lives, as poignantly depicted in this hard-hitting LGBTQ+ movie.

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3 'Everything Everywhere All at Once' (2022)

IMDb Rating: 7.8/10

Evelyn in battle in Everything Everywhere All At Once
Image via A24

Everything Everywhere All at Once was, without a doubt, the biggest surprise of 2022 and one of the top A24 movies from every angle. It became the first A24 film to gross over $100 million at the global box office, which should make it no surprise that it is deemed among the best films ever made by A24 on IMDb.

Directed by The Daniels, Everything Everywhere All at Once follows a Chinese immigrant (Michelle Yeoh) who gets swept up in a wild adventure in which she explores parallel realities while fighting to stop an evil entity from destroying reality. Yeoh is an absolute delight as Evelyn Wang, a woman who has been beaten down by life. The movie was one of the best releases of 2022, and it will take a great deal of effort for A24 to ever make a more entertaining movie than this.

Everything Everywhere All at Once
R

A middle-aged Chinese immigrant is swept up into an insane adventure in which she alone can save existence by exploring other universes and connecting with the lives she could have led.

Release Date
March 25, 2022
Cast
Jenny Slate , Michelle Yeoh , jamie lee curtis , Ke Huy Quan
Runtime
139 minutes

Watch on Showtime

2 'Past Lives' (2023)

IMDb Rating: 8.0/10

Greta Lee as Nora
Image via A24

Receiving near-universal acclaim from fans and critics alike, Past Lives quickly became among A24's top-rated movies on numerous platforms. Directed by Celine Song, the 2023 film revolves around Nora (Greta Lee) and Hae Sung (Teo Yoo), childhood best friends who have not seen each other in decades, but are fatefully reunited for a week full of questions, hopes, and promises.

As the duo explores and shares their present lives, their conversations inevitably drift to the intermingling of their pasts and futures. What has captured viewers' attention is the poignant and moving way Past Lives depicts universal feelings of regret, love, and loss. Past Lives has managed to hold its exceptionally high score on IMDb, making it one of the best movies of 2023 and a must-see for fans of the studio.

Past Lives
PG-13

Release Date
June 23, 2023
Director
Celine Song
Cast
Greta Lee , John Magaro , Teo Yoo , Moon Seung-ah
Runtime
106 minutes

Watch in Cinemas

1 'Room' (2015)

IMDb Rating: 8.1/10

Still of Brie Larson embracing Jacob Tremblay in Room movie

Brie Larson is at her Academy Award-winning best in Room, giving an incredibly vulnerable and moving performance that resonated with audiences worldwide. The film, based on the best-selling novel of the same name, follows a mother (Larson) and her son (Jacob Tremblay) who finally gain their freedom after being held captive for seven years. The duo content with the fact that freedom isn't what they thought it would be.

The decision to tell the story from the perspective of five-year-old Jack lends the film a sense of innocence, ensuring there is always a sense of hope, no matter how bleak the situation is. Room is a powerful film that deserves to be seen by all, and it is no surprise that audiences opted to give it a high rating.

Room
R

Release Date
October 16, 2015
Director
Lenny Abrahamson
Cast
Brie Larson , Megan Park , William H. Macy , Joan Allen , Amanda Brugel , Sean Bridgers
Runtime
113 minutes

Watch on Max

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