2024: The Good, The Bad, The Surprising, & The Disappointing
It’s time to look back on the year that’s a solvable math problem.
The following are my picks for the best and worst Movies, TV Shows, Books, and Video Games that I watched, read, and played in 2024. Just like previous years, this is NOT the best and worst of what was released in 2024, but of what I experienced in 2024. Many of these may have come out years prior, but I just now got around to them. And now, drumroll…
MOVIES | TV SHOWS | BOOKS | VIDEO GAMES | EVENT
Movies
BEST
Deadpool & Wolverine
Sure, Deadpool & Wolverine wasn’t the best movie of the year, but it was easily the best movie experience of the year. The plot was thin, and it leaned heavily on nostalgia, but it was undeniably fun and wildly entertaining. And it didn’t just toss in cheap, one-off references; it genuinely paid tribute to the old-school superhero movies many of us grew up with, skillfully weaving them into the story.
In the lead-up to its release, this was hyped as the film that would save the MCU. Whether it ultimately does remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: it was exactly the shot of life the MCU needed in its current state.
Honorable Mentions
Godzilla Minus One
The problem with Hollywood monster movies is that they’re often misguided. They tell monster stories but focus too much on the humans. Godzilla Minus One flips that formula: it’s a human story that just happens to be interrupted by a monster. It’s the film that made Godzilla terrifying again, made his atomic breath feel truly devastating, and made us actually care about the humans in a monster movie for the first time in a long while.
Produced on a modest $15 million budget and winning the Oscar for Best Visual Effects, it stands as a perfect example of everything Hollywood is getting wrong.
Twisters
Twisters finds itself in an interesting place: it’s a movie that can be equally praised and criticized. But in an era dominated by legacy sequels, it manages to set itself apart by standing on its own merits rather than coasting on the success of its predecessor. What really won me over, though, is its rewatchability. It’s one of those fun, high-energy rides you don’t realize you need until you’re already strapped in and enjoying it.
WORST
Borderlands
Borderlands was doomed from the start, plagued by incompetence at nearly every level. From the moment it revealed its bafflingly bad casting choices, things spiraled. The production was a disaster (honestly, the behind-the-scenes chaos would probably make for a fascinating documentary). It all culminated in a brutal box office flop and Randy Pitchford’s public internet meltdown as he scrambled to defend the film. This wasn’t just a failure, it was a Hollywood trainwreck so spectacular, it was practically a historical event.
Dishonorable Mentions
Comic Book Movies
The genre that dominated Hollywood for the past decade and a half has officially hit rock bottom. Lately, the only comic book films worth watching have leaned almost entirely on nostalgia, the laziest crutch a filmmaker can use. Aside from Deadpool & Wolverine, 2024 might be remembered as one of the worst years ever for comic book movies.
(I know The Marvels came out in 2023, but I needed a 6th picture for symmetry.)
Lift
Sure, there are far worse movies that came out this year, but I have to single out Lift because it easily has some of the laziest writing I’ve ever seen, and it doesn’t even try to hide it. Honestly, I’m starting to feel bad for Kevin Hart. He’s clearly been making an effort to break into action hero territory, but he keeps getting saddled with the worst scripts.
MOST SURPRISING
The Wandering Earth II
The scope and scale of The Wandering Earth II is absolutely absurd in the best possible way. Even after watching and loving the first film, I didn’t expect this sequel to go as hard as it did. It’s three hours of epic!
One of the main criticisms I’ve seen of this series is that the characters are underdeveloped and the story is over-the-top. Sure, it’s a little absurd, but it’s crucial to remember that this is a Chinese story told through the lens of Chinese culture. Unlike Hollywood’s obsession with godlike heroes or “chosen ones” destined to save the world, Chinese storytelling often places its faith in the collective; the belief that alone we are powerless, but together we can move mountains. The monumental feats depicted in this film would demand total commitment and sacrifice from everyone involved, to the point where individual, interpersonal stories naturally take a back seat.
Honorable Mentions
The Beekeeper
A lean, no-nonsense thrill ride that perfectly channels the over-the-top, gloriously dumb action movies of the ’90s. It wastes no time and delivers exactly what you’d hope from a throwback like this.
The only downside is that as the movie progresses, it starts to take itself a little too seriously, losing some of the cheesy charm that made it so fun in the first place.
Rebel Ridge
Rebel Ridge could almost be considered a non-violent action movie; a stark contrast to the blood-soaked, high-body-count films that dominate the John Wick era of action. Both the film and its main character make a deliberate effort to neutralize rather than kill, favoring non-lethal disarms over brutal finishing moves. Yet, it still manages to deliver the same level of tension and suspense as many of its more violent contemporaries.
MOST DISAPPOINTING
Gladiator II
Gladiator 2 is a movie no one asked for and one that simply didn’t need to exist. Beyond the action scenes, it brings nothing new to the table. And I don’t just mean it feels generic, I mean it’s almost the same movie all over again. The story borrows so heavily from the original that it feels more like a soft remake than a true sequel. Character motivations are either wildly inconsistent or painfully thin. Aside from Denzel Washington, who at least brings some charisma, the rest of the cast is bland and forgettable, with the two emperors coming off as downright irritating.
Safe to say: I am not entertained.
Dishonorable Mentions
Atlas
Atlas feels like the filmmakers wanted to adapt Titanfall but couldn’t get the rights, so instead, they delivered a poorly acted, far less interesting knockoff. Somehow, Jennifer Lopez gives one of her most cringeworthy performances to date. To make things worse, the title Atlas isn’t even a reference to the mechs or the world, it’s just the name of her character, which only adds to the frustration.
Civil War
A superficial action movie riding the wave of a controversy it manufactured for itself. And I say “manufactured” because the film goes out of its way to stay as politically neutral as possible, clearly afraid of sparking any real debate or taking an actual stance.
I can’t be the only one who felt misled by the marketing. This isn’t a movie about a civil war, it’s about a group of reporters covering one. It accomplishes nothing, says nothing, and ultimately leaves you with more questions than answers.
MOVIES | TV SHOWS | BOOKS | VIDEO GAMES | EVENT
TV Shows
BEST
The Penguin
The Penguin easily delivers some of the best acting performances of the year. The incredible makeup and prosthetics, combined with Colin Farrell’s transformative performance, make him completely disappear into the role of Oz that you genuinely forget it’s him. But it’s Cristin Milioti who absolutely steals the show. Her portrayal of Sofia Falcone is so commanding that I wouldn’t be surprised if this becomes the role she’s most known for, even more than her time as The Mother in How I Met Your Mother.
Honorable Mentions
Shōgun
Shōgun is a rare example of masterful television in the modern era. It’s visually stunning, deeply immersive, and effortlessly compelling, elevated by writing that weaves intrigue, humor, romance, and action into something that feels almost poetic on screen.
For All Mankind
I’m definitely late to the party on this one, as For All Mankind already has four seasons under its belt, but I finally sat down to watch it and ended up flying through the entire series. It’s easily one of the best sci-fi shows on television, featuring some of the most impressive space sequences you’ll see, whether on the small screen or in film. One of its most unique storytelling features is how it jumps forward roughly a decade between each season. Season 1 begins in the 1960s at the height of the space race, while Season 4 wraps up in 2012. It’s a fascinating alternate history that brilliantly weaves real-world events into its narrative, making the story feel immersive, grounded, and all the more captivating.
WORST
The Acolyte
An utterly nonsensical story that blatantly disregards established lore, packed with bafflingly bad dialogue and characters whose motivations shift without reason. The Acolyte feels like the culmination of everything that’s gone wrong with Disney’s Star Wars, a perfect symbol of the downfall of a once-beloved franchise.
And then there’s all the off-screen controversy… but we’ll just leave it at that.
Dishonorable Mention
The Rings of Power (Season 2)
It doesn’t belong in the Disappointing category because we all saw this coming. With the continued bastardization of the source material by showrunners who clearly didn’t learn their lesson from the first season, it was always destined to be bad. What makes it even worse is the absolutely ridiculous amount of money being poured into the show, only to magnify its flaws.
MOST SURPRISING
Fallout
A cheerful yet brutal apocalypse, Fallout bursts with satirical black comedy and unapologetically gory violence, as if every character is playing with the Bloody Mess perk enabled. From its quirky, offbeat characters to the beautifully realized retro-future aesthetic, the show perfectly captures the heart of what makes the games so beloved. Whether it’s the quiet vulnerability of those desperate to die or the pure adrenaline rush of stepping into power armor, Fallout nails it. It’s a rare adaptation that truly understands its source material, delivering something that satisfies die-hard fans while remaining accessible to newcomers.
Honorable Mention
Obliterated
There’s no deep meaning here, no complex story, Obliterated isn’t trying to be anything more than what it is: action, sex, and a good time. The show is raw, crude, and unapologetically over-the-top, and honestly, that’s exactly what makes it work. In today’s overly cautious entertainment landscape, it’s refreshing to have a show that throws all restraint out the window and does whatever it wants simply because it can.
MOST DISAPPOINTING
Arcane (Season 2)
Season 1 of Arcane was an absolute masterpiece, but season 2 felt rushed and chaotic. Key moments lost their impact because they weren’t given enough time to develop or build up. Before you knew it, events were unfolding so quickly that it was hard to keep up or fully grasp what was happening. Each weekly release felt like they were trying to cram an entire season’s worth of story into just a couple episodes.
Dishonorable Mention
3 Body Problem
David Benioff and D.B. Weiss are clearly eager to establish themselves as producers who can adapt the “unadaptable.” Sure, they nailed Game of Thrones for a while, but then completely botched the ending. Their adaptation of The Three-Body Problem suffers from the same issue: an oversimplification of a complex story, missing the very complexity that made the original so compelling.
If you want the best version, I highly recommend the Chinese adaptation, it handles the material far better.
MOVIES | TV SHOWS | BOOKS | VIDEO GAMES | EVENT
Books
BEST
Betrayal (Ryan Drake, Book 3) by Will Jordan
Anya is one of the most well-crafted characters I’ve ever encountered, and in Betrayal, her past takes center stage in a heart-pounding tale of espionage and revenge. Despite her ruthless nature, you can’t help but root for her every step of the way.
I almost wish this had been book two, it would’ve made for the perfect follow-up to Redemption.
Honorable Mention
Cleopatra: A Life by Stacy Schiff
I rarely read non-fiction, so the fact that this is one of the best books I’ve read all year speaks volumes about its quality. Cleopatra stands out as one of history’s most fascinating figures, and this book is an absolute must-read for anyone curious about her story.
WORST
Ready Player Two (Ready Player One, Book 2) by Ernest Cline
I knew this was going to be bad, but WOW!
RP2 is just a worse version of its predecessor. It's just another race to hunt down powerful hidden objects within the Oasis. The problem here is the lack of capitalizing on the world building that's been done. For all intents and purposes, the series takes place within the Oasis, a virtual reality world where anything is possible and a countless variety of stories can be told, and yet Cline decided to just do the same thing. SEE FULL REVIEW.
Dishonorable Mention
A Thousand Heartbeats by Kiera Cass
I honestly wanted this book to be good. I wanted this to be Kiera Cass' return to form after her fumbling the end of The Selection series and missing the mark on The Betrothed series. But Cass' writing has regressed so much that she's lost all intrigue and variety. SEE FULL REVIEW.
MOST SURPRISING
Redemption (Ryan Drake, Book 1) by Will Jordan
When I heard The Critical Drinker was also a published author, I was very skeptical and even more curious. But WOW, he doesn’t just talk the talk, he walks the walk. With great pacing, great action, and great characters, Redemption is an amazing opening to a series. SEE FULL REVIEW.
Honorable Mentions
The Korean Woman by John Altman
Intriguing yet straightforward, the story follows a Korean sleeper agent living undercover in the U.S. While not overly complex, it’s packed with tension and suspense as she navigates her double life and finds herself on the run.
Neon Gods (Dark Olympus, Book 1) by Katee Robert
Not gonna lie, while Neon Gods is undeniably steamy, part of me wonders if I liked it mostly because it delivered what I was expecting A Touch of Darkness to be.
MOST DISAPPOINTING
A Touch of Darkness (Hades x Persephone Saga, Book 1) by Scarlett St. Clair
At the time of writing, A Touch of Darkness holds the #1 spot in Urban Erotica on Amazon, and honestly, someone’s going to have to explain that to me. But that’s not why I picked it up. I wanted to see what all the hype was about since it was everywhere online, so I finally gave in. My overall takeaway? A resounding meh. It’s a thing that exists; moving on.
Dishonorable Mention
Mystic (Mystic, Book 1) by Jason Denzel
I really wanted to like Mystic and dive into the series, but something just kept it from crossing the finish line. It never quite did… enough. Almost every aspect felt like it needed to be taken further. Plus, it lands in this odd gray area where it doesn’t seem sure what it wants to be; marketed as adult fantasy but written in a way that tries to appeal to younger readers.
MOVIES | TV SHOWS | BOOKS | VIDEO GAMES | EVENT
Video Games
BEST
Helldivers 2
The game that took the world by storm.
Helldivers 2 nails nearly every aspect: from its addictive gameplay loop and rewarding progression to its diverse weapons and enemies, immersive atmosphere, and sharp satirical humor. Most importantly, it embodies pure fun and sets a new standard for how live service games should be done in the industry.
Honorable Mentions
Stellar Blade
A stellar, over-the-top sci-fi action game reminiscent of the PS3 era with satisfyingly smooth, skill-based combat, only to be overshadowed by a frustratingly dumb controversy.
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is a lot of game, boasting a roughly 50-hour campaign, over 30 minigames, stunning visuals, and finely tuned combat. Square Enix went all out with this entry, not only addressing many of the criticisms of the original Remake but also expanding the world and deepening the characters, all while staying true to what made the series beloved.
WORST
Skull and Bones
After a decade stuck in development hell, multiple reboots, and Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot defending its $70 price tag by calling it a “quadruple-A” game, Skull and Bones still hasn’t justified its existence. Even with all the extra mechanics borrowed from the Assassin’s Creed formula, Black Flag remains the superior pirate game by a wide margin. It’s baffling how this title ended up in such a broken state when arguably 60% of what it needed was already nailed by Black Flag years ago.
Skull and Bones stands as a glaring symbol of Ubisoft’s fall from grace.
Dishonorable Mention
Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League
The live-service-when-it-didn’t-need-to-be, braindead looter shooter that strips all its characters of personality. Instead of making a combat system that takes advantage and showcases each character’s unique skillset, they just gave everyone a gun. The enemies suffer the same fate: rather than requiring different strategies, they’re all just bullet sponges that are defeated once you pump enough lead into them.
If anything, it deserves the award for Most Chaotic HUD.
MOST SURPRISING
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
A game from a developer stepping outside their comfort zone. An IP that hadn’t seen a video game in years. A film franchise long stuck in mediocrity. All signs pointed to Indiana Jones and the Great Circle being a disaster, but instead, it turned out to be everything you’d want in an Indiana Jones game.
Honorable Mention
Warhammer 40k: Space Marine 2
What makes this such a surprise for me is that I didn’t really care for the first game. It was fine, nothing special, it just kind of existed. But Space Marine 2 absolutely nails what makes Warhammer 40k so beloved: the sheer power fantasy of being a Space Marine, the brutal violence and gore, and a world brought to life with immaculate art design. It’s easily the best Warhammer 40k game to date.
MOST DISAPPOINTING
Star Wars: Outlaws
Star Wars is supposed to be about action and adventure, so when we finally got the chance to play as an outlaw fighting our own rebellion against the Empire, it was frustrating to find the game bogged down by an onslaught of forced stealth sections that were far too unforgiving. Making matters worse, checkpoints are incredibly scarce. Getting caught often meant replaying long stretches of gameplay, sometimes even respawning in completely different areas of the map instead of the mission’s starting point. On top of that, the lack of fast-travel options turned map traversal into a tedious chore rather than an exciting exploration.
The real irony? This is the one game where the classic Ubisoft formula would’ve actually worked. A bloated open world, a never-ending checklist of side missions, and constant exploration set in the Star Wars universe? Honestly, this might’ve been the one time players would’ve welcomed it.
Dishonorable Mention
Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2
Visually, the game is stunning (arguably the best-looking game of the year), but it misses the mark in almost every other area. The combat, which already felt secondary in the first game, is even more barebones here. Senua’s character development is minimal, and the overall story barely moves forward. The game is incredibly short, with long stretches of walking and very little to actually do. Honestly, you could get the full experience just by watching someone else play it.
MOVIES | TV SHOWS | BOOKS | VIDEO GAMES | EVENT
Event of the Year
2024 Paris Olympics
Less about the controversies, more about the memes. While it’s an event built on competition, in ways no one could have predicted, the Paris Olympics managed to unite the world through moments of awe, hilarity, annoyance, and pure cringe. If nothing else, it proved one timeless truth: there’s no greater unifier than sports.
Honorable Mention
Women’s Sports Explodes
I know, sports again. But the explosion of women’s sports in 2024 is simply undeniable.
Caitlin Clark turned women’s basketball into must-watch TV.
The WNBA is expanding.
The NWSL is expanding.
The PWHL launched and skyrocketed in popularity almost overnight.
And Canada just announced its own women’s professional soccer league.
It’s been a landmark year, and the momentum is only growing.
