The recent release of Past Lives plunged everyone into a deep state of existential contemplation, a similar feeling evoked by Everything Everywhere All at Once only a few months back. What do they have in common? Both are A24 films. So are The Lighthouse, Uncut Gems, Hereditary, Midsommar, and other titles known for unconventional storytelling and cinematography.
You would think that these movies would easily land a spot in A24’s best, but the most popular ones aren’t necessarily the greatest ones. Surprisingly, none of what were just mentioned, apart from Past Lives, made it to the cut of Rotten Tomatoes' top 10 highest rated movies from A24. Yes, not even the most awarded film of all time Everything Everywhere All at Once (which only ranked #17).
A24 has a huge movie catalog—at 138 movies and counting since the film production and distribution company was established in 2013—so don't be surprised if you aren't familiar with most of the titles on this list.
Below are A24's top 10 highest rated movies on Rotten Tomatoes, all of which earned a score of 96% and above from movie critics and regular audiences.
WATCH: Top 10 Highest Rated A24 Movies of All Time
1. Lady Bird (2017)
In the small town of Sacramento, Christine "Lady Bird" McPherson battles against the constraints of her Catholic high school, a city she feels is nothing but a cage, and a mother whose love is as intense as it is suffocating. In a journey of self-discovery, Lady Bird explores the beauty of flawed relationships, the sting of first loves, and the bittersweet taste of independence.
2. Eighth Grade (2018)
Eighth Grade portrays the life of Kayla Day, a 13-year-old girl trying to survive middle school. She's awkward, insecure, and lonely, as many other teenagers feel. She vlogs on how to navigate the eighth grade, but she can't seem to follow her own advice. This coming-of-age story is a raw look into the challenges of growing up in the digital age.
3. Marcel the Shell with Shoes On (2010)
Meet Marcel, a tiny shell with… well, shoes on. Marcel sees the world through a lens of wonder, where every small detail is a universe waiting to be explored. With an infectious spirit, Marcel takes us on an adventure that proves that the smallest beings can have the biggest stories.
4. Moonlight (2016)
Moonlight is a three-part story that chronicles the life of Chiron, a young black man coming to terms with his identity and sexuality in a tough Miami neighborhood. After all, finding his place in the world isn't so straightforward as a black and queer person in America.
5. Minari (2020)
Minari tells the story of a Korean-American family's pursuit of the American Dream as they move to rural Arkansas. The Yi family navigates cultural clashes and generational divides, finding a balance between assimilation and tradition. In the background, a resilient plant called Minari grows, symbolizing the fragile but unyielding spirit of family.
6. The Farewell (2019)
When the beloved Nai Nai is diagnosed with terminal cancer, her family decides to keep her in the dark—a common practice in Chinese culture. Billi returns to China with her family under the pretense of a fake wedding to stealthily say goodbye to her ailing grandmother as she struggles between the Eastern collective and Western individualism.
7. Past Lives (2023)
In the bustling streets of South Korea, Nora and Hae Sung share a bond that transcends the ordinary, but the connection is severed when destiny had other plans. Two decades later, fate orchestrates a reunion in this anti-multiverse tale. Past Lives unveils a narrative of love, loss, and the eternal echo of connections that defy time and space.
8. The Florida Project (2017)
The Florida Project offers a poignant look at the lives of residents living in budget motels near Disney World, focusing on the story of a young girl named Moonee and her friends as they navigate the challenges of growing up in poverty. Childhood innocence meets the harsh awakening of reality.
9. Aftersun (2022)
Sophie reflects on a summer vacation she took with her father twenty years ago. Through the lens of her MiniDV camera, she captures the fleeting joy of childhood and the unspoken melancholies of adulthood in a moving portrait of a father-daughter relationship.
10. First Cow (2019)
A skilled cook and a Chinese immigrant form an unlikely friendship that create this contemplative tale. They embark on a risky business venture that challenges the hierarchy of the time, stealing milk from the region's first cow to make cakes.
*This story originally appeared on Spot.ph. Minor edits have been made by the Preview.ph editors.
Hey, Preview readers! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Tiktok, and Twitter to stay up to speed on all things trendy and creative. We’ll curate the most stylish feed for you!
