Best U.K. and International Films of the Year: 2024

Last updated: February 5, 2025

For Executive Editor Danny Brogan, there's nothing like discovering a new favorite film, even if it means sifting through some of the not-so-great picks out there. And his list of standout releases from this year isn't limited to where he resides in the U.K.—you'll also find selections from places like Japan, India, and New Zealand, too. Find your family's next watch here, and be sure to check out our Best of 2024 lists for other media, linked below.

Best of 2024 Collection: Movies | TV Shows | Books | Video Games

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Peppa's Cinema Party movie poster: Two children with their hands in the hair along with some cartoon characters from the movie
MOVIE

Peppa's Cinema Party

age 3+

Celeb guest voices, positive messages in episode collection.

February 9, 2024 2024 NR (65 minutes)
Puffin Rock and the New Friends movie poster: Cartoon birds and an otter all behind an egg
MOVIE

Puffin Rock and the New Friends

age 3+

Sweet Irish animation has teamwork, empathy, migrant theme.

April 16, 2024 2024 NR (79 minutes)
A close-up of an otter's head is shown on the poster for Billy & Molly: An Otter Love Story
MOVIE

Billy & Molly: An Otter Love Story

age 6+

Beautiful, heartwarming nature docu has positive messages.

May 6, 2024 2024 NR (77 minutes)
Epic Tails movie poster: A mouse leads a boat crew
MOVIE

Epic Tails

age 6+

Mythology adventure has smart, brave characters; icky jokes.

April 5, 2024 2024 PG (95 minutes)
A Greyhound of a Girl movie poster: A girl reads a book to three women and three men cheering
MOVIE

A Greyhound of a Girl

age 7+

Sweet animated adaptation about losing a grandparent.

July 27, 2024 2024 NR (85 minutes)
Wallace & Gromit — Vengeance Most Fowl movie poster: Wallace, a "smart" gnome, and Gromit all holding coffee mugs
MOVIE

Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl

age 7+

Charming stop-motion animation with comic slapstick action.

December 18, 2024 2024 PG (79 minutes)
Kensuke's Kingdom movie poster: A young boy looks over an island from a wooden platform in the trees
MOVIE

Kensuke's Kingdom

age 8+

Magical animated adaptation about the power of friendship.

October 18, 2024 2024 PG (85 minutes)
Perfect Days movie poster: Koji Yakusho smiles as he looks up to the sky
MOVIE

Perfect Days

age 12+

Heartwarming Japanese drama has partial nudity, smoking.

February 7, 2024 2024 PG (124 minutes)
Conclave movie poster: A cardinal in red and black robes, with three others framed in a cross. The Vatican looms in the background under a fading sky.
MOVIE

Conclave

age 13+

Twists and turns in thriller about search for a new pope.

October 25, 2024 2024 PG (120 minutes)
Cottontail movie poster: Yuri Tsunematsu stands in the shallow waters of a lake holding her dress up out of the water
MOVIE

Cottontail

age 13+

Poignant drama has drinking, smoking, upsetting scenes.

June 7, 2024 2024 NR (94 minutes)
Joy movie poster: Bill Nighy, Thomasin McKenzie, and James Norton look at the camera
MOVIE

Joy

age 13+

Sensitive themes in drama about the world's first IVF baby.

November 22, 2024 2024 PG-13 (115 minutes)
Small Things Like These movie poster: Cillian Murphy with a nun behind him
MOVIE

Small Things Like These

age 13+

Understated Irish drama looks at abuse within the Church.

November 8, 2024 2024 PG-13 (98 minutes)
Uproar movie poster: Julian Dennison stands with James Rolleston, Erana James, Minnie Driver, and Rhys Darby behind him
MOVIE

Uproar

age 13+

New Zealand coming-of-age tale has themes of racism.

March 15, 2024 2024 PG-13 (110 minutes)
Bonus Track movie poster: Samuel Small and Joe Anders lay on a bed together
MOVIE

Bonus Track

age 14+

Heartwarming teen romcom has language, drinking.

October 11, 2024 2024 NR (98 minutes)
Hard Truths movie poster: Two Black women hold each other, both looking sad
MOVIE

Hard Truths

age 14+

British drama about depression still finds light relief.

December 6, 2024 2024 R (97 minutes)
Memoir of a Snail movie poster: A figure peeps out from under a giant snail shell
MOVIE

Memoir of a Snail

age 14+

Adult themes in darkly comic, moving animated drama.

October 25, 2024 2024 R (94 minutes)
Keeley Hawes, Gillian Anderson, and Billie Piper look towards a man, who is shown from behind, on the poster for Scoop
MOVIE

Scoop

age 14+

Fictionalized British drama has child sex abuse references.

April 5, 2024 2024 NR (102 minutes)
The Beast movie poster: Léa Seydoux's head and shoulders are shown in close-up against a green background
MOVIE

The Beast

age 14+

Stylish French sci-fi has language, sex references, threat.

April 5, 2024 2024 NR (146 minutes)
And Mrs movie poster: Aisling Bea wears a wedding dress in front of a giant wedding cake against a pink background
MOVIE

And Mrs

age 15+

Funny, salty British romcom about dealing with grief.

September 20, 2024 2024 NR (111 minutes)
Better Man movie poster: A monkey stares straight ahead surrounded by paparazzi cameras
MOVIE

Better Man

age 15+

Creative biopic on pitfalls of fame; drugs, strong language.

December 25, 2024 2024 R (134 minutes)
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