Choose whatever idiom you prefer ("time flies," "in a blink of an eye," etc.), but the simple fact is now that the calendar has flipped to July we are officially in the second half of 2024. That also means we're halfway through the slate of 2024 new movies. As an avid movie nerd, the halfway point of the year has me looking back at the movies I've seen so far this year to ID some of my favorites.
I've settled on five titles that truly stood out to me: Dune: Part Two, The Fall Guy, Hit Man, The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare and Problemista. And good news, all of them are available to watch at home right now.
Let me break down why I think these five are in the upper echelon of 2024 movies so far and just where you can watch them right now to judge for yourself.
Dune: Part Two
Frank Herbert's classic sci-fi novel finally got the movie adaptation it deserved from Denis Villeneuve. While I very much enjoyed Dune: Part One for its scope and creating the world of Dune, the pay-off truly comes in Dune: Part Two, as it earns its epic status with incredible battles, stunning visuals and story filled with rich themes and character moments. It's absolutely stunning filmmaking, with everyone — Villeneuve, Timothee Chalament, Zendaya, Austin Butler and more — on their A game.
While I hope most of you saw Dune: Part Two in theaters (Arrakis really needs to be seen on the big screen), you can watch it right now at home, as the movie is streaming on Max in the US, while it is also available via digital on-demand in the US and UK.
Read our Dune: Part Two review.
The Fall Guy
It's taken a while for the summer box office to pick up (it finally got a kickstart with Inside Out 2 and A Quiet Place: Day One), but that doesn't mean the early entries of the summer blockbuster season aren't worth watching. Exhibit A, the endlessly funny and thrilling The Fall Guy. Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt are fantastic together in this action comedy that is an ode to the stunt man. While it may be labeled as a box office dud, this is a movie I think people are going to love revisiting in the future.
You can do so right now by renting The Fall Guy on digital on-demand platforms in the US and UK. (It is also still available in select movie theaters).
Read our The Fall Guy review.
Hit Man
I thoroughly enjoyed Glen Powell and Richard Linkalter's two previous collaborations (Everybody Wants Some!!, Apollo 10 1/2), so I was definitely excited to see their new movie Hit Man, which is loosely based on the true story of a college professor who moonlighted as a fake hit man for the police to capture those looking to commit murder. Powell reaffirms his status as a major star on the rise, showing his versatility on screen with his character donning various disguises and behind the camera co-writing the script Linklater. Throw in electric chemistry with Adria Arjona and an ending that will have you wondering what is true and what is fiction, Hit Man is a pure delight.
Hit Man is available to stream exclusively on Netflix worldwide.
The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare
Guy Ritchie movies are typically known for their frenetic energy, but he took a bit of a step back with his new World War Two action movie, The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare. Based on a previously classified mission, Ritchie is able to create simple yet wholly entertaining action sequences. The movie also features a fantastic ensemble, with particularly strong performances from Henry Cavill and Eiza Gonzalez.
The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare is available to rent on digital on-demand in the US. For UK audiences, the movie arrives on Prime Video starting July 25.
Read our The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare review.
Problemista
My favorite hidden gem of 2024 so far, Problemista was written, directed and starred Julio Torres (Los Espookys), and his imagination, humor and heart is on full display. Torres plays a young immigrant who aspires to become a toymaker. However, with his visa expiring, he must find a job in order to stay in the US, which brings him in contact with an eccentric and demanding art socialite, brilliantly played by Tilda Swinton. It's a touching immigrant tale, a funny work comedy and a wholly original creation from Torres that you won't regret checking out.
And you can do that on Max in the US or via digital on-demand. Unfortunately, Problemista is not available to watch in the UK right now.
Discover more of our favorites from the year so far by finding out which are our best-reviewed movies of 2024.
