Summary
- Despite challenges, 2024 has produced strong drama films with standout performances and compelling stories.
- Films like "Bob Marley: One Love" and "Young Woman and the Sea" offer intriguing glimpses into real-life events.
- "Robot Dreams" and "Challengers" showcase diverse storytelling styles and captivating character studies in the drama genre.
In the wake of 2023's dual Hollywood strikes, there's no denying that it is a difficult time for the movie industry. Films continue to fall short of box-office expectations, even when they hail from previously acclaimed franchises (i.e. Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga) or received universal raves. Nonetheless, there have been solid releases, especially where drama movies are concerned. Packed with some of the year's stand-out performances, 2024's best dramas don't necessarily reinvent the wheel, but they provide compelling glimpses into characters' lives, from decorated athletes to teenagers who find refuge in a TV series.
While "best of" lists have subjective, sometimes nebulous criteria, Screen Rant's editors have compiled a thoughtful list of 2024's best drama movies. With few exceptions, all the entrants have seen wide releases as of June 2024, which means most movie-goers should have access to the editors' picks. Although some films straddle genres, all the selections have a dramatic narrative at their core — even when blended with elements of sci-fi or comedy. With several months of releases on the horizon, the list will no doubt shift. Chosen by Screen Rant's editors, here are 2024's best dramas so far.
6 Reasons So Many Movies Are Struggling At The Box Office In 2024
For every Barbie, Oppenheimer, and Dune: Part Two, there are many more theatrically released movies that struggle to become box-office successes.
10 Bob Marley: One Love
Directed By Reinaldo Marcus Green
Directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green, Bob Marley: One Love is a biographical music-drama that explores the life of Bob Marley, as portrayed by Kingsley Ben-Adir. The film highlights the ups and downs of Marley's life and career until his untimely death in 1981.
- Cast
- Kingsley Ben-Adir, Lashana Lynch, James Norton, Tosin Cole, Anthony Welsh
- Runtime
- 107 Minutes
- Director
- Reinaldo Marcus Green
- Writers
- Zach Baylin, Frank E. Flowers, Terence Winter
- Studio(s)
- Tuff Gong
- Distributor(s)
- Paramount Pictures
Directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green (King Richard), songwriter Bob Marley is played by Kingsley Ben-Adir. While the film as a whole doesn't quite do its central figure justice, Ben-Adir nails Marley's charismatic public persona, all while capturing his more downbeat private moments too. A run-of-the-mill musical biopic, One Love also boasts a memorable performance from Lashana Lynch.
9 Young Woman and the Sea
Directed By Joachim Rønning
Daisy Ridley stars as the accomplished swimmer who was born to immigrant parents in New York City in 1905. Through the steadfast of her older sister and ive trainers, she overcame adversity and the animosity of a patriarchal society to rise through the ranks of the Olympic swimming team and complete the staggering achievement – a 21-mile trek from to England.
- Cast
- Stephen Graham, Christopher Eccleston, Jeanette Hain
- Runtime
- 100 Minutes
- Director
- Joachim Rønning
- Writers
- Jeff Nathanson
- Main Genre
- Biography
Trading lightsabers for untested waters, Daisy Ridley stars in Gertrude Ederle has an incredibly compelling life story, which Ridley translates to the screen with easy charm. In the best way, Young Woman and the Sea is an old-fashioned sports drama that hits its marks.
8 The Bikeriders
Directed By Jeff Nichols
The Bikeriders tells the story of a 1960s Midwestern motorcycle club, the Vandals. Through the eyes of Kathy, played by Jodie Comer, the film explores the club's evolution from a group of local outsiders to a dangerous gang.
A buzzy entry on the festival circuit, The Bikeriders' charming cast of characters. Inspired by the 1967 photo-book of the same name, the film centers on the Outlaws MC, an Illinois-based motorcycle club. Full of both cutting grit and warm humor, The Bikeriders feels like an authentic, grounded portrayal of motorcycle culture.
7 The Promised Land
Directed By Nikolaj Arcel
The Promised Land is a Danish biographical drama from director Nikolaj Arcel based on a book written by Ida Jenssen. The film follows the story of Ludvig Kahlen, a former captain in the Army who lives in poverty despite his service, and seeks a future of honor and wealth. When he finally attains the right to build a property, he must contend with a ruthless magistrate who seeks to control surrounding areas.
- Cast
- Mads Mikkelsen, Amanda Collin, Simon Bennebjerg, Kristine Kujath Thorp, Gustav Lindh
- Runtime
- 127 Minutes
- Director
- Nikolaj Arcel
- Writers
- Nikolaj Arcel, Anders Thomas Jensen
- Studio(s)
- Zentropa Entertainments, Film i Väst
- Distributor(s)
- Magnolia Pictures
- Budget
- $8.8 Million
An epic historical drama, The Promised Land was the Danish entry for Best International Feature Film at the 96th Academy Awards — and for good reason. Directed by Nikolaj Arcel (A Royal Affair), The Promised Land centers on Ludwig Kahlen (Hannibal's Mads Mikkelsen), a retired and impoverished German Army officer who uses his meager pension to acquire property in his homeland of Denmark. Hoping to establish a meaningful life, Ludwig comes into conflict with a merciless nobleman-turned-magistrate, who feels threatened by the ambitious war hero. The slow-burn, Western-inspired movie is a must-watch for Mikkelsen alone.
10 Movies That Could Dethrone Dune 2 As 2024's #1 Movie At The Box Office
Denis Villeneuve's Dune: Part Two has been 2024's most successful movie so far, but there are a few contenders that could dethrone its box office win.
6 Robot Dreams
Directed By Pablo Berger
Robot Dreams follows the poignant journey of a lonely dog and his robot companion, exploring themes of friendship and separation. When a malfunction occurs, Dog is compelled to leave Robot at the beach, leading to a heartfelt quest centered on reunion and rediscovery.
- Runtime
- 102 minutes
- Director
- Pablo Berger
- Writers
- Pablo Berger, Sara Varon
- Distributor(s)
- Neon
- Main Genre
- Animation
Written and directed by Pablo Berger, Robot Dreams stands out for many reasons, from its beautiful animation to its charming characters, but what really stands out is that the film contains no dialogue. Both heartwarming and heart-wrenching, Robot Dreams underscores the power of a good story, of a tale that needs no frills — or even words.
5 Sing Sing
Directed By Greg Kwedar
Based on actual events, Sing Sing is a drama movie that tells the story of the Sing Sing Correctional Facility and a group of prisoners within that decide to stage their own musical production within the prison's walls.
- Cast
- Colman Domingo, Clarence Maclin, Sean San Jose, Paul Raci, David Dap Giraudy, Patrick Preme Griffin, Mosi Eagle, James Big E Williams, Sean Dino Johnson, Cornell Nate Alston, Camillo Carmine LoVacco, Dario Peña, Pedro Cotto, Miguel Valentin
- Runtime
- 107 Minutes
- Director
- Greg Kwedar
- Writers
- Clint Bentley, Greg Kwedar
- Studio(s)
- Marfa Peach Company, Edith Productions, Black Bear
- Main Genre
- Drama
After being nominated for an Academy Award for his incredible performance in Rustin, Colman Domingo returns to the silver screen with a career-best turn in Colman Domingo and Paul Raci star in Sing Sing, it also features an ensemble of formally incarcerated first-time film actors who participated in the real-life arts program. Beautifully acted and written, Sing Sing is a wrenching story that legitimately centers on the people whose stories are being told.
4 I Saw the TV Glow
Directed By Jane Schoenbrun
I Saw the TV Glow follows teenager Owen, who navigates suburban life until introduced by classmate Maddy to a mysterious late-night TV show.
- Cast
- Amber Benson, Albert Birney, Michael C. Maronna, Danny Tamberelli, Tyler Dean Flores, Elizabeth Scopel, Marlyn Bandiero, Phoebe Bridgers, Kris Esfandiari, Michael Twaine, Julissa Piatt, Michelle Santiago
- Runtime
- 100 minutes
- Director
- Jane Schoenbrun
- Writers
- Jane Schoenbrun
- Studio(s)
- Smudge Films, Fruit Tree
- Distributor(s)
- A24
One of the year's most distinctive films, A24 horror film is perfect for Twin Peaks fans thanks to Schoenbrun's singular style and willingness to lean into the surreal. At its core, I Saw the TV Glow is a truly wrenching film about transness — about queer and trans characters who either embrace their truth or run from living an authentic life.
3 Challengers
Directed By Luca Guadagnino
Challengers follows tennis player-turned-coach Tashi as she transforms her husband Art into a Grand Slam champion. To revitalize his career, she enters him in a lower-tier tournament where he confronts his past, facing both his former best friend and Tashi’s ex-boyfriend.
- Cast
- Zendaya, Mike Faist, Josh O'Connor, Darnell Appling, Bryan Doo, Shane T Harris, Nada Despotovich, Joan Mcshane, Chris Fowler, Mary Joe Fernández, A.J. Lister, Connor Aulson, Doria Bramante, Christine Dye, James Sylva, Kenneth A. Osherow, Kevin Collins, Burgess Byrd, Jason Tong, Hudson Rivera, Noah Eisenberg, Emma Davis, Naheem Garcia, Alex Bancila, Jake Jensen, Konrad Ryba, Hailey Gates, Andrew Rogers, Beverly Kristenson Helton, Brad Gilbert, Sam Xu, Caleb Schneider
- Director
- Luca Guadagnino
- Writers
- Justin Kuritzkes
- Studio(s)
- Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Pascal Pictures
- Distributor(s)
- Amazon MGM Studios
Directed by Call Me by Your Name filmmaker Luca Guadagnino, Challengers centers on a charged, years-spanning love triangle between Tashi (Zendaya), a tennis star-turned-coach; her less successful tennis player ex-boyfriend, Patrick (Josh O'Connor); and Art, her tennis champ husband (Mike Faist). Framed by Art and Patrick's rematch of the decade, Challengers serves up Guadagnino's signature elements, from emotionally complex characters to eroticism. An intense and powerfully acted drama, Challengers is an incredibly captivating character study wrapped in a sports drama narrative.
2 Civil War
Directed By Alex Garland
Civil War is a 2024 action thriller from writer and director Alex Garland. Starring Kirsten Dunst, Wagner Moura, and Stephen McKinley Henderson, Civil War takes place in the near future and shows the United States entering a new Civil War after California and Texas attempt to separate from the country.
- Cast
- Kirsten Dunst, Wagner Moura, Sonoya Mizuno, Tim James, Simeon Freeman, James Yaegashi, Dean Grimes, Alexa Mansour, Martha B. Knighton, Melissa Saint-Amand, Karl Glusman, Jin Ha
- Runtime
- 109 Minutes
- Director
- Alex Garland
- Writers
- Alex Garland
- Studio(s)
- DNA Films
- Distributor(s)
- A24
In Alex Garland's what caused Civil War's titular conflict, the incredibly sharp, often-violent film interrogates the moral quandaries that arise in Lee's line of work. Plus, Civil War is anchored by a career-best performance from Dunst.
1 Dune: Part Two
Directed By Denis Villeneuve
Dune: Part Two continues the epic saga of Paul Atreides as he allies with Chani and the Fremen. Pursuing retribution for his family's devastation, Paul grapples with a significant decision impacting his personal desires and the universe's future, attempting to avert a dire destiny that only he anticipates.
- Cast
- Stellan Skarsgård, Charlotte Rampling, Souheila Yacoub, Roger Yuan, Babs Olusanmokun, Giusi Merli, Kait Tenison, Tara Breathnach, Akiko Hitomi, Imola Gáspár, Elbooz Omar Ahmed Fathie, Abdelkarim Hussein Seli Mohamed Hassanin, Joseph Beddelem, Xavier Alba Royo, Rachid Abbad
- Runtime
- 167 minutes
- Director
- Denis Villeneuve
- Writers
- Denis Villeneuve
- Sequel(s)
- Dune: Part Three
- Franchise(s)
- Dune
- Studio(s)
- Legendary Pictures
- Distributor(s)
- Warner Bros. Pictures
- Budget
- $122 Million
- Main Genre
- Sci-Fi
The second installment in Denis Villeneuve's two-part sci-fic epic is not only 2024's highest-grossing film, but also the year's best drama. Picking up where Dune left off, Dune 2's incredible cast of characters, the 2024 sequel delivers on all fronts, making it the most fully-realized drama of the year.
This list will be updated as new drama films are released throughout 2024.
