Every year, people love to hear which movies former US President Barack Obama thinks are the best. He has a great way of choosing films that make you think and entertain. His choices usually show varying stories and great acting.
For 2024, Obama picked some movies that aren't out yet and some that are already popular, like All We Imagine as Light, Conclave, The Piano Lesson, and The Promised Land.
Obama posted on Instagram,
“Here are a few movies I’d recommend checking out this year.”
This includes a carefully chosen group of movies that show his love for stories that question "normal" ideas and celebrate different cultures.
Some of these films are expected to be big winners at award shows (Dune: Part Two, A Complete Unknown), while others (such as Sugarcane and Dìdi) focus on stories from people who don't often get heard.
Whether you're a movie expert or just someone who likes to watch films, this curation has something for everyone.
We explain why each should be on your list of movies to watch!
Reasons why you need to watch Barack Obama's favorite movies of 2024
1) All We Imagine as Light
Payal Kapadia's film, All We Imagine as Light, won the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival, becoming the first Indian movie to do so. It also received the Best International Feature award at the 2024 Gotham Awards and was named Best International Film by the New York Film Critics Circle.
Furthermore, it was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film and Best Director at the Golden Globes. The film's touching story and beautiful visuals have received widespread praise, including a perfect 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes and being listed as one of the top five international films by the National Board of Review.
2) Conclave
Conclave, a movie by Edward Berger, was praised for its exciting and detailed look at how a new pope is chosen. It won the Best Gala Film award at the 2024 San Diego International Film Festival and won the Best Ensemble Award at the National Board of Review.
The movie's powerful story, which explores ideas about belief and authority, is deeply connected with both viewers and critics, leading to its inclusion on many best-of-the-year lists. Its strong acting and complex plot have made it a top choice among political thrillers in recent years.
3) The Piano Lesson
Malcolm Washington's version of August Wilson's The Piano Lesson has been praised for its strong storytelling and acting. It won the Best U.S. Narrative prize at the 2024 Newport Beach Film Festival and also on the "Directors to Watch" at the Palm Springs International Festival.
The movie's focus on African American history through its detailed story has received lots of positive reviews, making it an important film in modern cinema that shows the importance of cultural identity.
4) The Promised Land
The Promised Land has won many awards, such as Best European Cinematographer at the 2023 European Fiolmo Awards, and was screened in the World Cinema category at the 2023 Busan International Film Festival.
Its touching look at the lives of immigrants has connected with viewers. The movie’s way of combining personal stories with historical background makes having conversations about identity and feeling at home important.
5) The Seed of the Sacred Fig
This beautiful movie won the Best Screenplay award at the 2024 Chicago International Film Festival and was nominated for Best International Feature at several film festivals, like Berlin, Cannes, and Toronto.
It explores nature and spirituality, which has impressed viewers and earned compliments for its artistic style. The film's stunning pictures and focus on environmental issues make it a meaningful and important film in today's cinema.
6) Dune: Part Two
Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part Two has been very well-received by critics, winning several awards, such as Best Cinematography at the 2024 Astra Film and Creative Arts Awards and getting nominated for many categories at the BAFTAs and the Oscars.
Its big, exciting story and amazing visuals have raised the bar for science fiction movies. The film’s focus on how power works in a detailed and imaginative world has been praised a lot, making it a significant film in cinema history.
7) Anora
Sean Baker's movie Anora has won awards like Best Picture from the Los Angeles Film Critics Association and was nominated for Best Ensemble Cast at the Critics' Choice Movie Awards.
With storytelling and characters that people can connect with, Anora has become popular among viewers, standing out in the world of modern relationship dramas. The film's honest look at love and being vulnerable encourages viewers to think about their own lives.
8) Dìdi (弟弟)
This emotional movie won the CineKindl Audience Award at the 2024 Munich International Film Festival. It was also nominated for awards by different groups of film critics. The film's honest look at family relationships in immigrant communities has connected with viewers.
It helps people understand more about cultural identity. The movie's strong feelings make it key to conversations about fitting in and disagreements between different generations.
9) Sugarcane
Sugarcane received praise, including the Best True Crime Documentary at the Critics' Choice Documentary Awards 2024, and was nominated for Best Feature at several local festivals. Its lively storytelling highlights the strength of communities facing social issues, similar to themes in Moonlight.
The movie's positive message about unity has made it popular with film viewers looking for inspiration.
10) A Complete Unknown
Joshua Marston's movie A Complete Unknown got praise from critics and was nominated for Best Motion Picture Drama at the Golden Globes Awards and was honored at the Gotham Awards.
Its way of telling the story about changing who you are has impressed people; some have even said it's like the movie Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. The movie makes you think about your path to discovering who you are. Not to mention the charm of seeing Bob Dylan's life on screen.
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Several of these movies will first come out in cinemas, and later, you can watch some of them on streaming services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and HBO Max.
Make sure to check the release dates to see these great films!
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