The return of my annual long December vacation helped push up a weak first eleven months of the year, giving me my lowest total since 2021. I managed to watch 52 movies last year, my fourth consecutive year under 100, despite being home all day and not needing to bother with pesky things like a commute. Or exercise. Reading 62 books and watching game shows all day probably didn’t help either.
Here’s a look back at the first 50 movies I watched last year and what recollection, if any, I have of them. The films are listed in the order I saw them.
The Assistant (2019)
A day in the life of an assistant to a film producer, who quickly realizes that abuse is all around her.
The Holdovers (2023)
A tight-assed teacher and a troublesome student bond when they are left alone at their boarding school over winter break.
May December (2023)
An actress starts to come between a couple who, twenty years ago, had a notorious tabloid relationship.
The Equalizer 3 (2023)
The latest entry in the Denzel Washington series.
Wrong Turn (2021)
A group of friends hiking the Appalachian Trail come across a community none too happy to see them.
The Equalizer (2014)
When a young girl is kidnapped by Russian pimps, a former commando comes out of retirement to rescue her.
Plus One (2019)
Longtime friends agree to be each other’s plus one at the various weddings they get invited to.
Pearl (2022)
A young woman tries to become a star to escape from her overbearing parents and living on an isolated farm.
Thanksgiving (2023)
A killer attacks on Thanksgiving.
Upgraded (2024)
An intern at an auction house misrepresents herself to impress a man.
Damsel (2024)
Millie Bobbie Brown stars as a young damsel betrothed to a prince who, instead of marriage, plans to use her as a human sacrifice.
Madame Web (2024)
Sony’s latest half-hearted attempt to make something out of the Spider-Man license without actually using Spider-Man.
Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F (2024)
Eddie Murphy returns for his fourth go-around as Axel Foley.
War For the Planet of the Apes (2017)
Caeser and the apes battle against a human colonel determined to control, if not destroy, the apes.
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (2024)
Far in the future, a young ape battles to keep his family together.
Anyone But You (2023)
Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell star as a star-crossed couple who hate each other until they don’t.
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (2023)
This prequel to the original series tells the origin story of President Snow.
The Marvels (2023)
When Carol’s powers get entangled with those of Monica Rambeau and Kamala Khan, they are forced to work together to save the universe from the Kree.
Over Her Dead Body (2008)
A ghost tries to sabotage her former boyfriend’s budding relationship with a psychic.
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (2024)
Back in New York, the new team of Ghostbusters gets some help from the remaining originals to save the city.
Bodies Bodies Bodies (2022)
Things turn deadly when a group of rich 20-somethings try to ride out a hurricane at a remote mansion.
Trap (2024)
A serial killer takes his daughter to a concert, only to find out it is a trap to catch him.
Woman of the Hour (2023)
A woman matches with a killer on The Dating Game.
Time Cut (2024)
A high school student travels back in time and tries to save her sister from getting brutally murdered, even if it means she will never be born.
Heretic (2024)
Two Mormon missionaries are held captive by a man convinced he has found a way to bring the dead back to life.
My Old Ass (2024)
A bad trip allows a teenager to meet and text with her future self.
Twisters (2024)
A storm chaser comes out of retirement to help an old friend, but instead aligns herself with his competition.
Deadpool & Wolverine (2024)
When his timeline is threatened, Deadpool teams up with a version of Wolverine to save it.
Clerks III (2022)
Kevin Smith tries to go home again for the third time, which mostly doesn’t work but has a poignant ending.
Smile 2 (2024)
A popular pop singer is infected by the Smile virus, causing her to lose her mind.
A Quiet Place: Day One (2024)
A reformed junkie is visiting New York on the day sound-hating aliens arrive.
It Ends with Us (2024)
A battered woman decides to end the cycle of violence by leaving her abusive husband.
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024)
When a death in the family brings the Deetz family back together, their friend from the afterlife comes along.
Red One (2024)
When Santa Claus goes missing, his guard brings in an outside consultant to help find him.
Flight of the Living Dead (2007)
When a group of moronic doctors bring a zombie on an airplane, the predictable outcome occurs.
Role Play (2024)
A hired killer tries to retire to raise her family, but her former employer has other ideas.
Speak No Evil (2024)
An American family finds itself held captive in the English countryside.
Carry-On (2024)
A TSA agent is targeted to help sneak a bomb through airport security.
Juror #2 (2024)
A juror knows that the defendant in his case is innocent, because he is the one who killed the victim.
The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
In the first outing following the death of Jim Henson, the Muppets tackle Dicken’s classic tale.
Wicked (2024)
The initial installment of the adaptation of the stage musical.
Bad Boys: Ride or Die (2024)
Will Smith and Martin Lawrence return for another go-around.
Nightbitch (2024)
A depressed mother, who gave up her career to raise her child, thinks she is turning into a dog.
The Girl in the Pool (2024)
A man finds his mistress dead in the pool just before his surprise birthday party.
Uglies (2024)
A girl meets a rogue band in a dystopian future where beauty is cherished above all else.
AfrAId (2024)
A family’s life gets flipped upside down when they bring a new AI assistant into their home.
Conclave (2024)
Following the death of the current pontiff, the college of cardinals starts jockeying into position to become the next pope.
Civil War (2024)
A group of photographers travel to Washington DC to interview the president before the rebel forces can get to him.
Amber Alert (2024)
A woman and an Uber driver track a kidnapped girl.
Alien: Romulus (2024)
A group of space travelers come across an alien or two.