The Best Movies of the Past Few Years You Actually Should’ve Watched

We’ve got blockbusters, hero movies, intense indie cuts, and international films shaking up the game. Here’s the lineup — skip the algorithmic sludge and stay sharp, the best movies of the last few years

Award-Winners & Critics’ Darlings

The Brutalist (2024)

A brutalist masterpiece from A24: got a Silver Lion, Golden Globes, Critics’ Choice honors, and best film at NY Critics shown by NYFCC nods. It’s tense, gorgeous, and bleak—a modern classic in the making.

All We Imagine as Light (2024)

From India, directed by Payal Kapadia, this Cannes Grand Prix winner dives into intimate sisterhood and cultural pressure

Named best international film by critics worldwide. Pure, quiet fire.

Past Lives (2023)
Celine Song’s debut romantic time-twist struck a nerve—National Society of Film Critics picked it as their Best Picture of 2023 . Emotional, bittersweet, unforgettable.

Indie & Festival Standouts

Anora (2024)

Sean Baker (Tangerine) delivers a tender story praised by NY critics and featuring a top screenplay shout‑out

All We Imagine as Light + The Brutalist also swept 2024 critics polls . You can’t ignore them.

Big Studio Hits That Actually Matter

Dune: Part Two (2023)

IMDB rates this as a top film of 2024.Visionary, weirdly thought‑provoking, and still tanking overblown fantasy.

F1 (2025)

Brad Pitt stars in what critics are calling “the best blockbuster in 20 years” indiatimes.com. If you can, catch it on IMAX.

How to Train Your Dragon (2025)

Certified Fresh and delivering the sequel fans actually wante. Heart, scale, and teeth—big kid energy done right.

Global & Genre Wreckers

Weapons (2025) — streaming festival hype

Ex Machina, Her, Black Mirror etc. may follow soon (but yes, that’d be a full separate list). Stay tuned.

Whether you want prestige drama, blockbuster spectacle, or art-house introspection, the past few years delivered. These titles aren’t just hype — they defined cinema’s pulse from 2023 to now.

Read more – Best A24 Movies You Should Watch Right Now