Great performances don’t just entertain—they resonate, haunt, and sometimes even redefine what we expect from an actor. Every year, a handful of performances transcend mere acting and become something truly unforgettable—transforming films, elevating storytelling, and leaving audiences in awe. In 2024, we saw performances that pushed boundaries, breathed life into complex characters, and made films unforgettable. It was an insane year that rewarded film lovers with a bounty of riches. Horror saw an influx of quality work from a number of actors and the more prestige films had so many great performances, it felt like it was anyone’s night at the Oscars. Some shattered expectations, some cemented their legendary status, and others became the faces of a new generation. Here are the performances that truly defined cinema in 2024.
These are the 50 Best Movie Performances of 2024.
30. The Entire Cast of Saturday Night
This is a gigantic cheat but since the film is based on the strength of an ensemble of newcomers, I think it’s only fair to count the film’s ensemble as one entity. Each individual performance is great but due to everyone’s limited screen time, none really get to shine. Gabriel LaBelle is the closest thing to a main character and he delivers a compelling performance as Lorne Michaels, the creator of SNL. His portrayal highlights Michaels’ determination and vision amidst the chaos of launching a live sketch show. Dylan O’Brien is simply transformative as Dan Aykroyd; Cory Michael Smith embodies Chevy Chase with remarkable accuracy; relative newcomer Matt Wood takes on the challenging role of John Belushi, capturing the late comedian’s wild energy and charisma, and Ella Hunt portrays Gilda Radner with sensitivity and depth, reflecting Radner’s pioneering spirit and comedic brilliance. The best and most accurate performance is probably Lamorne Morris as Garrett Morris, who enriches the narrative by authentically depicting the dynamics and challenges faced by the original SNL team. The only negative is that the rest of the female cast members get the shaft. Emily Fairn as Laraine Newman and Kim Matula as Jane Curtin seem well cast but are given nothing to do. It’s amazing how well cast this film is, Jason Reitman hit the jackpot over and over again with each actor.
29. Nell Tiger Free as Margaret in The First Omen
Known for her role in Servant, Nell Tiger Free delivers a chilling and career-defining performance in The First Omen, a prequel to the classic 1976 horror film The Omen. Directed by Arkasha Stevenson, the film explores the origins of the Antichrist’s arrival, delving into the sinister machinations of a secretive religious order. The film is surprisingly better than it has any right being. Diehard fans of the first take umbrage with the film’s major retcon (horror fans bitch about the dumbest shit, I swear) but they can go kick rocks. The Omen is lucky to get a prequel this good considering how bad each of its sequels is.
While it’s not perfect (the best moments are direct lifts of other movies, Possession being the main one), it’s oozing with style and has an incredible lead performance that’s as good or even better than anything found in the first film. Nell demonstrates an exceptional ability to convey psychological torment, using subtle expressions and physicality to evoke dread. In The First Omen, she channels both the emotional depth and terror required for a film that leans heavily on atmosphere and slow-burning horror. With its gothic horror aesthetics and unnerving tension, The First Omen benefits immensely from Free’s commanding presence. Her performance is likely to be remembered as one of the strongest in modern horror and would be the best of the year if the year wasn’t stacked beyond belief.
28. Yura Borisov as Igor in Anora
There’s a reason Sean Baker just became the first person to win four Oscars for the same movie, the man is as talented as they come. While they couldn’t be more different in terms of their approach to filmmaking and their individual styles, in some ways, Baker reminds me a lot of Sidney Lumet. There’s a million differences between the two but they both share one key strength — they’re the best at getting all time great performances out of actors. Baker loves filling his movies with unknown actors who’ve never stepped foot in front of a camera, whereas Lumet loved turning movie stars into genuine actors. They may cast movies differently but they’re unquestionably great at spotting talent. Yura Borisov has been making movies in Russia for a quarter of a century now, so he’s not exactly an up and comer but it doesn’t look like he has a single American film in his entire filmography, which tells me English isn’t a second language. The fact that Baker was able to get that good of a performance from a non native speaker, speaks volumes in his ability to craft gold from any raw material.
27. Kirsten Dunst as Lee Smith in Civil War
Kirsten Dunst is slowly becoming a powerhouse performer. Having built a career on a diverse range of roles—from Melancholia to The Power of the Dog—Dunst once again proves her ability to command the screen in complex, emotionally charged narratives. In Civil War, she embodies the film’s haunting realism, making it one of her most gripping performances to date. Dunst brings a world-weary gravitas to the role, portraying Lee as someone shaped by years of witnessing human suffering. Her quiet intensity and nuanced expressions convey a deep emotional toll, making her a compelling anchor for the film’s harrowing journey. As Lee and her colleagues travel through war-torn landscapes to document the chaos, Dunst’s performance balances courage and vulnerability, showcasing a character driven by both duty and personal demons. In many ways, the film feels like a mini series that was condensed down to a feature film and I kind of wish it existed in that format instead. This character was so compelling, I would’ve loved to have seen ten episodes of her story.
26. Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero Tigelaar in Wicked
Wicked was the biggest surprise of the year for me. I had zero expectations going in and actually thought it was going to be awful based on everything I saw, but everyone I know that saw it, raved about it, so I ended up pulling the trigger and I’m glad I did. Jon M. Chu pulled off a minor miracle with this film. He delivered a two party extravaganza that honors the stage play, while also offering a new experience for fans of the source material. A huge part of why it works so well, is the casting of the leads. Everyone delivers incredible performances but Jonathan Bailey was the secret MVP simply due to the fact that I hadn’t seen him in anything before.
This is a movie star performance that’s going to open every door for him in Hollywood. Bailey’s portrayal of Fiyero brings a charismatic and nuanced depth to the character. His performance in the “Dancing Through Life” sequence showcases not only his vocal prowess but also his ability to embody Fiyero’s carefree yet introspective nature. Bailey’s chemistry with both Erivo and Grande adds layers to the narrative, making the dynamics between the characters both compelling and heartfelt. He is every bit their equal and actually blows them out of the water in some ways. He is charisma personified and hopefully that new Jurassic Park movie doesn’t ruin his career too badly.
25. Monica Barbaro as Joan Baez in A Complete Unknown
Biopics are nobody’s favorite genre. They’re almost always paint by numbers affairs that offer no real insight into the person they’re depicting. Even the best ones feel like a greatest hits version of their story. The only thing they offer that a documentary couldn’t do better, is the chance for an actor to flex their chameleonic ability to channel someone famous. A Complete Unknown is a perfectly serviceable retelling of Bob Dylan’s life that’s worth it for the performances alone. Timothée Chalamet was singled out for his performance but the rest of the cast is as good, or even better in some ways. Edward Norton, Boyd Holbrook and Elle Fanning are excellent in their respected roles but Monica Barbaro is the revelation. In the film, she plays Joan Baez and perfectly embodies Baez’s spirit and musical prowess, capturing the essence of the iconic folk singer. Her on-screen chemistry with Chalamet, who portrays Dylan, is particularly noteworthy, especially during their duet of “It Ain’t Me Babe.” Zoe Saldana was probably great in Emilia Perez, I don’t know, I’ll never see it but this probably should’ve taken home the gold.
24. Kieran Culkin as Benjamin “Benji” Kaplan in A Real Pain
Kieran Culkin is great in A Real Pain. I wouldn’t have him this high on the list if I didn’t think he wasn’t a stand out or a scene stealer but in no world is this performance Oscar worthy. This could’ve been the year the academy nominated horror like crazy or gave lesser names a bump but instead, they decided to reward an actor for essentially playing themselves. I’m going to pretend that this is their way of rectifying the fact that they overlooked his performance in Scott Pilgrim vs The World, which is still his crowning achievement. Joking aside, Culkin’s portrayal of Benji in the film is both dynamic and deeply affecting. His ability to balance humor with profound emotional depth, seems effortless. It’s as if the actor had been preparing for it his entire life. The fact that Jesse Eisenberg cast him in this role without having seen him in anything outside of his small role in Home Alone, is insane. He created the perfect character for Culkin to showcase his charm and charisma. He’s sometimes abrasive and annoying as fuck but Culkin always finds the right thing to say to glaze things over. It’s a truly special performance and Is definitely the highlight of the film.
23. Austin Butler as Feyd-Rautha in Dune: Part Two
I love the radically different approaches David Lynch and Denis Villeneuve had to this character. Lynch saw his character description and thought “the only way to do this character properly, is to have the musician Sting play him in a weird looking speedo.” Now, don’t get me wrong, I think Sting is actually great in the role and his look is definitely memorable but I think Villeneuve had a better take on the character. For one thing, he had the faith that pretty boy Austin Butler could be as intimidating and menacing as he is and his instincts were correct. Butler truly disappears into the role. He is clearly an actor that goes the distance and commits 110%. Villeneuve envisioned Feyd-Rautha as a blend of a “psychotic serial killer” and a “sword master,” drawing parallels to the charisma of Mick Jagger. He remarked that Butler brought a “mesmerizing and hypnotic” presence to the screen, fully embodying the character’s menacing allure. Based on the roles he’s attaching himself to and the quality of his work, Butler is quickly becoming an actor on par with Robert Pattinson and that’s about as high of praise as I can give.
22. Sebastian Stan as Edward Lemuel / “Guy Moratz” in A Different Man
The quality of work Sebastian Stan has been producing while in the MCU, feels like an unnecessary dunk on his fellow superhero buddies. Not one actor that got their start within the MCU has a career even remotely comparable. He had two Oscar worthy performances in 2024, which puts him in a league far ahead of his costars. The Apprentice easily could’ve made this list and I’m not surprised it received a nom but I think his work here is the one worth praising. The film follows Edward (Sebastian Stan), a man with neurofibromatosis who undergoes reconstructive surgery, leading him into a complex exploration of identity and obsession. Stan’s portrayal of Edward is both haunting and compelling. It’s as if Woody Allen (minus the rambling and pedophilia) found himself in an existential crisis body horror. It feels like the weird cousin to The Substance. They both deal with similar themes but in significantly different ways. As good as Moore was in that film (she should’ve won), I prefer this brand of obsession. It’s more low-key and dialed back but still just as unpredictable.
21. Ariana Grande as Galinda “Glinda” Upland in Wicked
Ariana Grande is like the female Jared Leto in the sense that everything I know about them, makes me dislike them but everything they do is so entertaining, I can’t help but love them. Everything I’ve heard about Grande leads me to believe she’s a gigantic bitch but her appearances on SNL are fantastic and her interviews are always filled with memeable moments. She’s undeniably talented and even if I didn’t like her, she’d still make the list because of how perfectly cast she is in the role. Her portrayal of Glinda in Wicked: Part One showcases her versatility as an artist, blending her musical talents with nuance and a vocal range that’s unparalleled. She has as strong an arc as Elphaba but has the harder job because she has to win over the audience after being a cunt for about an hour. And she does it through sheer force of charm alone.
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What are some of your favorite movie performances from 2024? Maybe they will show up later in the list!