A24 releases have become a must watch for me. In a world of superhero movies and reboots, I love the originality of the plots. Here are my favourites, award winners, critically acclaimed and cult favourites. You might also be interested in the best 24 horror movies.
WYALAN star rating explained:
- 5 stars – Highly enjoyed and would highly recommend as a must watch
- 4 stars – Enjoyed and would watch again in the future
- 3 stars – Glad I watched it once, but I’ll probably never watch it again
- 2 stars – Watched to the end, but I wouldn’t watch it again
- 1 star – DNF (did not finish)
Award Winning and Critically Acclaimed
Hereditary (2018) – Horror
For fans of: The Babadook, Rosemary’s Baby, The Night House
A grieving family unravels under the weight of secrets, trauma, and supernatural dread in Ari Aster’s breakout debut. Toni Collette’s performance and the film’s slow-building terror earned widespread acclaim. WYALAN Rating – 4.5/5
Everything Everywhere All At Once (2022) – Sci-Fi/Drama
For fans of: The Matrix, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Swiss Army Man
A laundromat owner is thrust into a multiverse-spanning battle for existence — and her family’s future. With seven Oscars including Best Picture, it became the most awarded film in Academy history. WYALAN Rating – 4.5/5
Midsommar (2019) – Horror/Drama
For fans of: The Wicker Man, The Ritual, The VVitch
A grieving woman joins her boyfriend’s friends on a trip to a Swedish commune, where daylight horror unfolds. Ari Aster’s folk horror standout was praised for its unsettling beauty and emotional depth. WYALAN Rating – 4.5/5
Uncut Gems (2019) – Thriller
For fans of: Good Time, The Wolf of Wall Street, Black Swan
Adam Sandler plays a manic jeweler chasing a high-stakes score in a world of debt, addiction, and chaos. The Safdie brothers’ relentless pacing and sound design earned it the Indie Spirit Award and critical top lists. WYALAN Rating – 4.5/5
Lady Bird (2017) – Coming-of-Age/Drama
For fans of: Frances Ha, The Edge of Seventeen, Little Women
Greta Gerwig’s directorial debut earned five Oscar nominations and a Golden Globe win for its sharp, heartfelt depiction of a Sacramento teen. Saoirse Ronan and Laurie Metcalf shine in this mother-daughter tug-of-war. WYALAN Rating – 4.5/5
The Whale (2022) – Drama
For fans of: Requiem for a Dream, The Wrestler, Mass
Brendan Fraser’s comeback performance as a reclusive, grieving man earned him the Oscar for Best Actor. Darren Aronofsky’s chamber drama explores guilt, redemption, and the limits of compassion. WYALAN Rating – 4/5
Moonlight (2016) – Drama
For fans of: If Beale Street Could Talk, Pariah, The Last Black Man in San Francisco
Told in three chapters, this luminous portrait of a young Black man’s journey through identity, masculinity, and love won the Oscar for Best Picture. Barry Jenkins’ direction and Mahershala Ali’s performance helped it earn three Academy Awards total. WYALAN Rating – 3.5/5
The Lighthouse (2019) – Horror/Drama
For fans of: The Witch, Eraserhead, The Shining
Two lighthouse keepers descend into madness on a remote island in Robert Eggers’ black-and-white fever dream. Premiering at Cannes, it became a critical darling for its mythic tension and grotesque beauty. WYALAN Rating – 3.5/5
Room (2015) – Drama/Thriller
For fans of: The Lovely Bones, The Nightingale, A Monster Calls
Brie Larson won the Oscar for Best Actress for her role as a mother raising her son in captivity. The film’s emotional intensity and claustrophobic tension made it a standout of the decade.
Amy (2015) – Documentary
For fans of: Whitney, Montage of Heck, 20 Feet from Stardom
This intimate portrait of Amy Winehouse traces her rise, struggles, and tragic fall through archival footage and raw interviews. It won the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature and remains one of the most affecting music docs ever made.
Minari (2021) – Drama
For fans of: The Farewell, Roma, The Tree of Life
A Korean-American family starts a farm in 1980s Arkansas, chasing their version of the American dream. Youn Yuh-jung won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress, and the film was nominated for six more.
Aftersun (2022) – Drama
For fans of: The Souvenir, Blue Jay, Past Lives
Charlotte Wells’ debut follows a woman reflecting on a childhood vacation with her father, piecing together memory and melancholy. Paul Mescal’s performance earned an Oscar nomination, and the film won Best British Film at the BAFTAs.
The Zone of Interest (2023) – Historical/Drama
For fans of: Son of Saul, The White Ribbon, The Act of Killing
Jonathan Glazer’s chilling Holocaust drama observes the domestic life of a Nazi commandant’s family living beside Auschwitz. It won the Grand Prix at Cannes and is considered a frontrunner for multiple Oscars.
The Tragedy of Macbeth (2021) – Drama
For fans of: The Lighthouse, Hamlet (2000), The Green Knight
Joel Coen’s stark, monochrome adaptation of Shakespeare’s tragedy stars Denzel Washington and Frances McDormand. Praised for its visuals and performances, it earned multiple Oscar nominations.
The Farewell (2019) – Drama/Comedy
For fans of: Minari, The Big Sick, Still Walking
A Chinese-American family stages a fake wedding to say goodbye to their terminally ill matriarch — who doesn’t know she’s dying. Lulu Wang’s bittersweet story won the Indie Spirit Award and a Golden Globe for Awkwafina.
Eighth Grade (2018) – Comedy/Drama
For fans of: Bo Burnham: Inside, Lady Bird, Welcome to the Dollhouse
Kayla Day navigates the awkward final week of middle school in this painfully honest portrait of adolescence. Bo Burnham’s debut won the WGA Award for Best Original Screenplay and the Indie Spirit for Best First Feature.
Ex Machina (2015) – Sci-Fi/Thriller
For fans of: Under the Skin, Her, Annihilation
A young programmer is invited to administer a Turing test to a humanoid AI in a remote compound. Alex Garland’s cerebral thriller won the Oscar for Best Visual Effects and redefined modern sci-fi minimalism.
The Florida Project (2017) – Drama
For fans of: American Honey, Beasts of the Southern Wild, Fish Tank
Set in the shadow of Disney World, this vibrant drama follows a precocious girl and her struggling mother living week-to-week in a budget motel. Willem Dafoe earned an Oscar nomination, and the film premiered to acclaim at Cannes
Past Lives (2023) – Romance/Drama
For fans of: Before Sunrise, In the Mood for Love, Columbus
Two childhood friends reunite decades later, caught between fate, longing, and the lives they’ve built apart. Celine Song’s debut earned Oscar and BAFTA nominations, with Sundance and Berlinale acclaim for its emotional clarity.
The Green Knight (2021) – Fantasy/Drama
For fans of: The Tragedy of Macbeth, The Fall, Valhalla Rising
Dev Patel stars in this mythic retelling of Sir Gawain’s quest, where honor and mortality blur in surreal landscapes. Critics praised its ambition and visual splendor, cementing its place as a modern arthouse epic.
First Reformed (2018) – Drama/Thriller
For fans of: Diary of a Country Priest, Silence, The Card Counter
A tormented pastor spirals into despair and radicalism in Paul Schrader’s austere meditation on faith and climate collapse. The screenplay earned an Oscar nomination and became Schrader’s most critically lauded work.
The Souvenir (2019) – Drama
For fans of: Aftersun, Blue Jay, 20th Century Women
A young film student navigates a toxic relationship and creative awakening in Joanna Hogg’s semi-autobiographical drama. It won the BAFTA for Best British Film and was praised for its emotional precision.
The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017) – Thriller/Drama
For fans of: Dogtooth, The Shining, The House That Jack Built
A surgeon’s life unravels after a mysterious teenager enters his family’s orbit in Yorgos Lanthimos’ unsettling parable. It won Best Screenplay at Cannes and polarized critics with its icy tone and moral horror.
Saint Maud (2021) – Horror/Drama
For fans of: The Others, Saint Frances, The Night House
A devout hospice nurse becomes obsessed with saving her patient’s soul, descending into psychological and spiritual chaos. Rose Glass’s debut earned BAFTA nominations and acclaim for its eerie restraint.
Red Rocket (2021) – Drama/Comedy
For fans of: American Honey, Tangerine, The Florida Project
Simon Rex plays a washed-up adult film star returning to his Texas hometown in Sean Baker’s raw, energetic character study. Premiering at Cannes, it was praised for its lead performance and unflinching tone.
Swiss Army Man (2016) – Comedy/Drama
For fans of: Everything Everywhere All At Once, The Science of Sleep, Lars and the Real Girl
A stranded man befriends a flatulent corpse in this surreal buddy comedy from Daniels. It won Sundance’s Directing Award and became a cult favorite for its originality and emotional weirdness.
Good Time (2017) – Thriller
For fans of: Uncut Gems, Drive, Dog Day Afternoon
Robert Pattinson plays a desperate man racing through New York’s underbelly to free his brother after a botched robbery. The Safdie brothers’ neon-lit panic attack premiered at Cannes and became a critics’ favorite.
Pearl (2022) – Horror/Drama
For fans of: Carrie, Black Swan, The Love Witch
Mia Goth delivers a chilling, theatrical performance as a farm girl dreaming of stardom in this X prequel. Critics praised its Technicolor horror aesthetic and Goth’s unhinged monologue as instant cult canon.
Talk to Me (2023) – Horror
For fans of: Smile, The Babadook, It Follows
Teenagers conjure spirits using a cursed embalmed hand in this Australian breakout hit. Its inventive scares and emotional core earned rave reviews and launched a new horror franchise.
C’mon C’mon (2021) – Drama
For fans of: The Florida Project, Beginners, Aftersun
Joaquin Phoenix plays a radio journalist caring for his young nephew in this gentle, black-and-white meditation on connection. Critics praised its emotional honesty and quiet resonance.
Marcel the Shell With Shoes On (2022) – Animation/Mockumentary
For fans of: Paddington, My Life as a Zucchini, The Little Prince
A one-inch-tall shell with a big heart searches for his lost family in this tender, stop-motion mockumentary. Oscar-nominated and beloved for its whimsy and melancholy, it became a surprise indie hit.
The Souvenir Part II (2021) – Drama
For fans of: Aftersun, 20th Century Women, The Worst Person in the World
Joanna Hogg’s sequel follows a young filmmaker reconstructing her past through art and memory. It landed on critics’ top lists for its emotional depth and meta-narrative elegance.
Cult Favourites
The Lobster (2016) – Comedy/Drama
For fans of: Being John Malkovich, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Dogtooth
In a dystopian society, single people must find a mate or be turned into animals. Yorgos Lanthimos’ absurdist satire gained cult traction for its deadpan delivery and surreal world-building. WYALAN Rating – 4.5/5
Beau is Afraid (2023) – Surreal/Drama
For fans of: Synecdoche, New York, Mother!, Brazil
Joaquin Phoenix stars in Ari Aster’s sprawling, anxiety-ridden odyssey through guilt, grief, and maternal terror. Polarizing and maximalist, it’s already building cult momentum for its audacity. WYALAN Rating – 2.5/5
Spring Breakers (2013) – Crime/Drama
For fans of: Drive, The Bling Ring, Kids
Four college girls descend into neon-soaked chaos under the influence of a gun-toting gangster named Alien. Harmony Korine’s provocative satire became a divisive icon of millennial excess and aesthetic rebellion.
Under the Skin (2014) – Sci-Fi/Horror
For fans of: Annihilation, Ex Machina, The Man Who Fell to Earth
Scarlett Johansson plays an alien seductress harvesting men in Glasgow in this hypnotic, minimalist thriller. Its eerie score and abstract visuals earned it cult status among sci-fi purists.
The Witch (2016) – Horror
For fans of: The Babadook, Saint Maud, The Ritual
A Puritan family faces supernatural forces in the woods in Robert Eggers’ breakout folk horror. Its archaic dialogue and slow dread helped redefine modern horror and launched Eggers’ career.
X (2022) – Horror
For fans of: Texas Chain Saw Massacre, Pearl, The House of the Devil
A film crew shooting an adult movie on a rural farm becomes prey to its elderly hosts. Ti West’s slasher revival earned praise for its style and spawned a devoted fanbase.
Bodies Bodies Bodies (2022) – Horror/Comedy
For fans of: Scream, Assassination Nation, Heathers
A group of Gen Z friends play a party game that turns deadly in this satirical whodunnit. Its social media skewering and chaotic energy made it a breakout horror hit.
Under the Silver Lake (2019) – Mystery/Neo-noir
For fans of: Mulholland Drive, The Big Lebowski, Inherent Vice
A slacker investigates a missing woman and uncovers a surreal conspiracy in Los Angeles. David Robert Mitchell’s cryptic, pop-culture-soaked noir became a cult obsession for decoding fans.
Men (2022) – Horror
For fans of: Possession, The Wicker Man, Antichrist
A grieving woman retreats to the countryside, only to encounter a series of increasingly disturbing male figures. Alex Garland’s controversial horror divided audiences but earned niche acclaim for its allegorical ambition.
Climax (2019) – Horror/Dance
For fans of: Enter the Void, Suspiria, Mother!
A dance troupe’s rehearsal spirals into drug-fueled chaos in Gaspar Noé’s hypnotic descent. Its single-take choreography and sensory overload earned underground acclaim.
The Death of Dick Long (2019) – Comedy/Drama
For fans of: Fargo, I Don’t Feel at Home in This World Anymore, The Greasy Strangler
After a mysterious death, two friends scramble to hide the truth in this darkly comic small-town mystery. Daniel Scheinert’s solo directorial effort became an underground favorite for its tonal whiplash.
The Blackcoat’s Daughter (2017) – Horror
For fans of: The Innocents, Saint Maud, The Others
Two girls left at a Catholic boarding school face sinister forces in this slow-burn psychological horror. Oz Perkins’ debut built cult status for its atmosphere and elliptical storytelling.
The Bling Ring (2013) – Crime/Drama
For fans of: Spring Breakers, Hustlers, The Social Network
Teenagers obsessed with celebrity culture rob Hollywood homes in Sofia Coppola’s satirical true-crime tale. Its pop aesthetic and commentary on fame earned it a devoted following.
Slice (2018) – Horror/Comedy
For fans of: Scary Movie, Ghostbusters, Jennifer’s Body
A pizza delivery guy investigates supernatural murders in a town full of werewolves, ghosts, and portals. This campy horror-comedy starring Chance the Rapper gained niche appeal for its chaotic charm.
MaXXXine (2024) – Horror
For fans of: X, Pearl, Scream
Mia Goth returns as Maxine in the third chapter of Ti West’s horror trilogy, set in 1980s Hollywood. Anticipation and early buzz have already positioned it as a cult sequel-in-the-making.