A24 Ranked: From "Moonlight" to "Lady Bird," Discover the Best Films of the Cult Studio

Across the whole entertainment sector, very few companies inspire as much brand loyalty as A24.

Over the past decade, The hip distributor has swept through the realm of film enthusiasts like a tornado. , has released many highly praised independent films recently, including Aftersun , All at Once Everything Everywhere , Midsommar , The Zone of Interest and Ti West’s X trilogy .

Although "an A24 movie" often evokes certain aesthetic associations, the truth is that this production house has put out a wide array of films encompassing various styles and categories.

From youth-focused comedies to grand historical dramas, here are the top 15 A24 films ranked...

15. Climax (2018)

A fantastic exercise soundtrack masquerading as a gritty, sleazy psychosexual thriller, Gaspar Noé’s Climax unfolds through a sequence of extended shots (including one that lasts for 42 minutes), as a group of French performers lose their composure following consumption of tainted sangria. Similar to the finest of Noé’s movies (one of which includes the "classic stoner" movie favorite Enter the Void and the distressing Irreversible ), Climax It is essentially crafted to create division, and its captivating blend of terror, surrealism, and visual spectacle makes it quintessential A24. Adam White

14. Under the Silver Lake (2018)

Yet another polarizing A24 film that has become a cult favorite. Under the Silver Lake often evokes sighs of exasperation as much as admiration – and that’s perfectly fine! After the success of his 2014 low-budget horror film, filmmaker David Robert Mitchell appeared to receive complete artistic freedom. It Follows , and ta-da: a chaotic, romantic neo-noir conspiracy story that openly acknowledges its influences, particularly those from Robert Altman’s works. The Long Goodbye It proudly displays a fantastic faux band tune ("Turning Teeth" by the fictitious Jesus & The Brides of Dracula) and features an utterly captivating performance from Andrew Garfield as a directionless resident of Los Angeles who delves into the mystery surrounding his neighbor's vanishing act. It's such a peculiar yet delightful treat. AW

13. The Tragedy of Macbeth (2021)

Joel Coen’s The Tragedy of Macbeth Was the initial response to the long-standing thought experiment, "How might a Coen brothers' movie appear if Joel and Ethan went their separate ways?" The subsequent reply pointed to Ethan's 2024 comedy. Drive-Away Dolls .) This Macbeth It stands out as quite an engaging response and continues to be among the finest and most visually stunning interpretations of Shakespeare adapted for film. Denzel Washington delivers a remarkable performance as the cunning future monarch, alongside Frances McDormand’s electrifying portrayal of his treacherous lover. Louis Chilton

12. Eighth Grade (2018)

Deeply truthful regarding adolescence, Eighth Grade It's far from an effortless watch. We track young Kayla (brilliantly portrayed by Elsie Fisher) through her journey across different academic years, where her apprehensions and worries become increasingly evident even as she tries hard to conceal them. While elements like vlogging, smartphones, and online culture distinctly anchor this story in the 2010s, its underlying sense of pervasive sadness resonates universally. Eighth Grade This is likely to resonate with viewers of all ages. Disappointingly, director Bo Burnham – who hails from the world of internet humor – has not yet produced another feature film since then. AW

11. The Brutalist (2024)

Brady Corbet’s architectural masterpiece was a leading contender for numerous top honors at the 2025 Academy Awards, and it may largely be recalled as the movie featuring Adrien Brody’s never-ending Best Actor acceptance speech. Fortunately, The Brutalist Is certain to be recalled not just for its ambitious scope, deep symbolism, and boldly distinctive style. This stands as one of the finest productions from A24 and among the top movies in recent years. LC

10. Janet Planet (2023)

In recent years, A24 has definitely expanded its commercial ambitions, most notably with films such as Alex Garland’s Civil War And vague horror-comedy hybrids like Death of a Unicorn and Opus ), they remain a studio still enthusiastic about producing movies like Annie Baker’s tender, intimate Janet Planet Zoe Ziegler, the silent 11-year-old protagonist, finds herself caught between an array of unusual paternal influences and constant existential longing due to her mother’s impact (brilliantly portrayed by Julianne Nicholson). AW

9. Lady Bird (2017)

Greta Gerwig’s first film as a standalone director is an endearing and distinct tale of adolescence centered around 17-year-old Christine "Lady Bird" McPherson from Sacramento (played by Saoirse Ronan). The narrative oscillates between humor, emotion, perceptiveness, and striking visuals, enhanced by Laurie Metcalf delivering what many consider her finest performance as Lady Bird’s contentious mom. This cinematic endeavor firmly established Gerwig as a noteworthy filmmaker; indeed, she was long overdue for such recognition. LC

8. High Life (2018)

High Life is entirely distinct science fiction drama from France maestra In this movie directed by Claire Denis, Robert Pattinson portrays a convict aboard a spacecraft heading towards a black hole, sharing the screen with actors like Juliette Binoche, Mia Göth, and André 3000. The somewhat awkward and exaggerated lines in the script accentuate the unusual nature of the film, making it multifaceted—it’s vivid, sensory-rich, thought-provoking, erotically daring, and occasionally quite touching. LC

7. Hereditary (2018)

Similar to Robert Eggers’s folk tale produced by A24 The Witch — which barely missed out on a place in this ranking — Hereditary It felt as though we were witnessing the emergence of an exceptionally talented horror director. In his chilling and truly frightening first full-length movie, Ari Aster explores a dysfunctional family (starring Toni Collette and Gabriel Byrne), who seem to be under the influence of some primordial malevolence. Throughout this unsettling journey, the story ventures into ghastly territories with consistent effect, particularly due to a startling plot turn at the conclusion of the first act—a scene centered around a telephone pole—that completely reshapes your expectations. Hereditary is going. AW

6. 20th Century Women (2016)

Mike Mills' 2016 drama feels like a comforting embrace, brimming with authenticity so strong that viewers might find themselves tearing up frequently throughout the movie. Annette Bening plays the role of an unconventional but domineering, insightful yet adrift single mom who aims to properly rear her young boy toward the close of the '70s, enlisting various friends and romantic partners along the way for support. AW

5. Under the Skin (2013)

Jonathan Glazer leaves one astounded. The British filmmaker has directed only four movies so far. Each one is a masterpiece and totally different from anything that has preceded it. . Under the Skin This arthouse horror features Scarlett Johansson as an extraterrestrial that takes on the form of, unsurprisingly, Scarlett Johansson to attract various unsuspecting Scottish men into what seems like a mysterious hideout. The film stands out uniquely, brimming with creativity and depth, offering emotional and philosophical insights. LC

4. American Honey (2016)

British director Andrea Arnold Fish Tank ; Red Road She shifted her focus to poverty in the USA with American Honey This lively and emotionally charged movie captures the essence of romance during travels. Rookie actress Sasha Lane delivers a captivating portrayal of Star, a young woman who leaves her old life behind to join a group of traveling magazine sellers. Even Shia LaBeouf, playing her ruggedly charming partner, turns in an impressively nuanced performance. The film brims with vitality in each scene, making it nothing short of a complete success. LC

3. Moonlight (2016)

It’s still remarkable that Moonlight In 2017, a movie directed by an up-and-coming filmmaker named Barry Jenkins and backed by a fledgling production company with limited resources for award season campaigning, took home the Academy Award for Best Picture. This film truly merits all its praise; each scene showcases a deeply moving trilogy of stories chronicling the journey of a gay African American man as he grows from boyhood into maturity. The performances are outstanding, and visually, the film is stunning, making it well-deserving of its status as a contemporary classic today. AW

2. I Noticed the Television Light (2024)

Jane Schoenbrun’s I Noticed the Television Light centers on two adolescent outsiders who are brought together through their shared fascination with a captivating book series. Buffy — reminiscent of popular '90s horror movies — as they see their own lives echoing its eerie, surreal plot turns. However, the film mainly focuses on transitioning during adolescence and the distress caused by leading a life that feels misaligned. It's an extraordinary piece of cinema where Schoenbrun crafts a mesmerizing suburban dreamscape filled with vibrant purple neon lights, lunar beings, and Caroline Polacheck providing haunting vocals for the score. A splendid work indeed. AW

1. Uncut Gems (2019)

A movie featuring such intense suspense that it feels like you'd require a machete just to navigate through it, Josh and Benny Safdie’s work. Uncut Gems The narrative revolves around Howard Ratner (played by Adam Sandler), a New Yorker who deals diamonds but is entangled in disordered gambling habits. This film stands out as some of the most impressive and impactful work from Sandler, contributing to what many consider one of the funniest, most suspenseful, and overall finest movies of the 21st century so far. LC

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