The 2024 Rewind: A fashionably late list of the best things of last year
Movies! TV! Music! More! There's a list for that!
It wouldn’t be the waning days of the year without an abundance of lists everywhere you look.
I’m not gonna lie… this was meant to be sent in the waning days of the year, but here we are on January 6th (Yikes!). Happy New Year!
How late is too late to still be doing 2024 wrap up content? Does it all have to be shared before the end of the year? Is New Year’s Day still acceptable? Am I still allowed to make lists today?
Let’s ask “Girls” star Jemima Kirke:
Thanks, Jemima! It is still, in fact, List Time™️
Four more end of year lists coming right up, let’s do it.
🎥 Movies: Denis Villeneuve, you did it… you actually did it
I’m sorry to all the movies that came out this year, but the race for the top spot on my list was a lost cause. This thing was decided on October 26, 2021, aka the day “Dune: Part Two” was green lit. It was always “Dune: Part Two.” Then when the thing actually came out, it was truly curtains for every other film this year.
But that’s not to say there weren’t plenty of other hits in 2024 worthy of a spot in my top 10. Mainly dominating my favorites? Freaky movies – both in the horror sense and the sexy sense.
Honorable Mentions: “Sing Sing,” “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga,” “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes,” “Smile 2,” “The Fall Guy”
Check out the full Top 10 list below:
And check out our full podcast breakdown here:
📺 TV: Dragons! Penguins! Bears! Oh my!
The Golden Era of prestige television may be on its way out, but that doesn’t mean 2024 didn’t still have a few bangers. Admittedly, I didn’t watch nearly as much TV this year as in years past – 16 new releases in 2024 compared to 31 in 2023 – so this list shouldn’t be seen as a “best” list and more of a “favorites” list.
From Gotham City to the islands of Fiji (yes, both 2024 seasons of “Survivor” made the list), there are a wide range of titles that made my Top 10, but knowing my own limitations, I had to bring in the big guns to break it all down: TV Insider’s managing editor of Swooon.com, Avery Thompson!
We put together a great podcast episode breaking down the year in TV, two Emmys ceremonies, and all our favorite shows (and biggest flops!) in 2024.
Tune in to hear our full Top 10 lists:
📚 Books: Oh look! More dragons!
I feel like my years are always determined by a particular form of media. Was it a movie year? A TV year? Well, 2024 was most definitely a book year.
Not to flex, but my personal goal was to read nine books for pleasure this year (huge numbies, I know). In reality, I finished the year reading 20 books. Go me!
While I’m no literary critic, I can definitely still tell you the books I enjoyed the most this year. Unlike my other lists focusing on 2024 releases, this list spans release dates.
Honorable Mentions: “A Flicker in the Dark," “Remarkably Bright Creatures,” “Home Before Dark”
Check out the full list below:
🎤 Live Performances: The year of the Pink Pony Club
I’m not nearly qualified enough to weigh in on best albums of the year, so I’m not even going to pretend to rank any! I will share some of my favorites though:
“HIT ME HARD AND SOFT” – Billie Eilish
“Live From Fenway Park” – Noah Kahan
“Don’t Forget Me” – Maggie Rogers
“Short n’ Sweet” – Sabrina Carpenter
“COWBOY CARTER” – Beyoncé
“Never Better” + “Better Now” – Wild Rivers
What I *am* willing to rank, though, are my favorite live performances of the year, because if there’s one thing I love, it’s a concert. Between four music festivals and a handful of concerts, I saw 57 musical acts this year – and there was plenty to love.
Honorable Mention: The Fray at Lovin’ Life Music Festival (an absolute DREAM for middle school Zach)
5. Dua Lipa, Austin City Limits Fest (Austin, TX) – No one’s got bangers like Dua. Even those songs you think you don’t know? Yeah, turns out you know them. After posting up for two hours to get within 10 feet of Ms. Dula Peep’s catwalk, the vibes were immaculate, the mic was on, and the production was top notch.
Best Song: “One Kiss”
4. The Killers, Lollapalooza (Chicago, IL) – Okay I know I said The Fray was a dream for middle school Zach (I stand by it!), now we’re really talking. Just nonstop bangers for two hours, and another experience up close and personal in the pit. Brandon Flowers had the crowd in the palm of his hand as the band played through all the classics and their newer hits. Plus, they brought a fan on stage to play the drums for one song, and my guy Oscar freakin’ killed it.
Best Song: “When You Were Young” (and obviously “Mr. Brightside”)
3. Noah Kahan, Harrah’s Cherokee Center (Asheville, NC) – Round five with Mr. Kahan and man, he still gets me. Noah Kahan shows are a two-for-one special: he’s part musical genius and part stand-up comic. Kahan’s commentary and bits between songs are just as important to the show as any song is – especially when it involves throwing Preparation H wipes into the crowd. Despite the silliness, there were tears shed. Trust me.
Best Song: “Call Your Mom”
2. Hans Zimmer, PNC Arena (Raleigh, NC) – After seeing Taylor Swift in 2023, there was one performer left on my bucket list: Hans, bubby. You can’t be a movie fan and not geek out to Hans Zimmer’s ridiculous impressive catalogue. This was unlike any concert I’ve ever been to – imagine an orchestra, but shredding with the same energy as the craziest rock concert you’ve ever seen. From the gnarly bagpipes of “Dune” to the tender vocals from “Gladiator,” ever single song was an otherworldly experience.
Best Song: “Interstellar” Suite
1. Chappell Roan, Lollapalooza (Chicago, IL) – I mean, how could it not be? Chappell Roan was THE artist of 2024 and I was lucky enough to see her twice. Lolla’s show edges out ACL on the fact that it was my first time, plus I was in the pit for a record-setting Lollapalooza crowd of over 100,000 people. Oh, and the fact that she was the FIVE O’CLOCK PERFORMER, not even a headliner. Unreal. This is one of those performances you’ll tell your grandkids you witnessed in the flesh.
Best Song: “Good Luck, Babe!”
Now I can officially declare that 2024 is a wrap – and so is this week of The Rewind!
Do us a favor and forward this to two of your movie and TV-obsessed friends and tell them to subscribe.
Stay tuned for more!