By Charlie Broad ‘25

Through breathtaking visuals, powerful music, and heartfelt storytelling, the movies of 2024 resonated strongly with Catlin Gabel School (CGS) students. Their top choices reflected hints of nostalgia along with excitement for where cinema is headed.

2024 was a down year for Hollywood and the film industry, ticket sales dropped, as fewer and fewer people were spending time watching movies at the theater. It was a disappointment in many regards, yet it would be remiss not to appreciate the films released in 2024. The CGS students still had high praise for the various movies that hit the big screen.

Dominating the favorites of the CGS students were prequels and sequels of famous movie franchises. A randomly stratified survey was sent out, identifying the student body’s top 5 favorite movies: Dune: Part 2, Wicked, Inside Out 2, Deadpool & Wolverine, and Kung Fu Panda 4.

*Results are based on a randomly stratified survey of 80 CGS high school students conducted in January 2025. This chart displays the CGS students' choices for their favorite movie of 2024.*
*Survey results courtesy of Charlie Broad ‘25*

Each of the films displays unique stories and messages that CGS students connect to. Understanding the components of acting, soundtrack, storyline, and other cinematic elements, the students reflected on what made each movie their favorite.

Wicked

Wicked, a film adaptation of its Broadway musical, has had a massive global impact since its release. Bolstering its cultural significance, the soundtrack has found its way onto social media, along with fans feeling connected to the familiar storyline.

The prequel of the popular movie The Wizard of Oz focuses on the story of ‘The Wicked Witch’; a societal outcast who makes unlikely friends with a self-absorbed classmate. The protagonist, Elphaba, is born with green skin causing her to face struggles that she has to overcome.

As a musical, one of the most prominent aspects for many viewers was the soundtrack. For Senior Lily Wang, “the songs just blew me out of the water.” Wang has been able to interact with the movie, even after watching it, through singing and listening to the film’s songs.

Being the prequel to The Wizard of Oz, there are aspects of nostalgia that viewers cherish. “I felt super connected to [Wicked] because it has remnants of the Wizard of Oz, which I enjoyed as a kid,” said Wang.

The film also featured an abundance of famous actors and musicians. Senior Adam Li said, “The biggest draw was definitely Ariana Grande.” Grande, a world-renowned ‘pop artist’, co-starred in the film, drawing in many viewers.

Wang, however, felt more drawn to the connection with the characters. “You can control your willingness to embrace your unique identity, just like Elphaba did,” said Wang, touching on how the messaging of Wicked’s protagonist is influencing her life.

Dune: Part 2

A science fiction action, Dune: Part 2, is the second movie from the adaption of the book, Dune. The futuristic film is set on a fictional planet, Arrakis, during a moment of political instability. The protagonist, Paul, seeks to overcome personal challenges and avenge his family.

The cast is filled with ‘A-List’ actors such as Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya, creating an obvious draw for viewers. The continuation of this popular series was captivating for the CGS community.

Senior Spencer McNeil appreciated the film score composer, Hans Zimmer, a multi-time Academy Award winner. “The music was stellar… and the directing,” said McNeil, appreciating the movie’s production. As conflicts and tension heightened, McNeil enjoyed how Dune: Part 2 had more action than the first movie.

For some, it is the experience of watching movies at the theater with others that makes their experience. Reflecting on his time at the theater watching Dune: Part 2, Charlie Rouhe, a ninth-grader, said, “It was really fun to watch with my family.” For Rouhe, the storyline of the movie was the most impactful.

Embedded into the storyline were messaging and themes appreciated by the viewer. “[Dune: Part 2] is a very good analysis of what it means to have faith in something,” said McNeil.

Deadpool & Wolverine

Deadpool & Wolverine was another successful film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. A crossover of two prominent Marvel protagonists, the film blended elements of action and comedy. The two characters present polar opposite personalities that work together to save the world.

The movie stars two established actors, Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman, a well-liked duo among media outlets and audiences alike. The community embraced the seemingly perfect sequel for both movie characters.

As a “superhero” movie the film was very fast-paced and filled with energy. Sophomore Mateo Pedroza said, “I liked all the action scenes, and it didn’t have a lot of downtime,” making it easy for him to watch as he didn’t lose interest.

In addition to the genre of the movie, viewers also felt connected to the characters. “I find myself being very similar to ‘Wolverine’ in the aspect of strength and ultra healing,” said Pedroza.

Kung Fu Panda 4

The animated classic, Kung Fu Panda, released its fourth installment of the beloved series. Since its original release in 2008, the franchise’s charismatic panda protagonist, Po, has been a beloved cultural figure.

In the most recent film, Po, the “Dragon Master”, is tasked with finding and training the heir to his Kung fu legacy. His mentor, Master Shifu, explains how Po must advance to become a Spiritual Leader

Senior Evan Rees chose Kung Fu Panda 4 as his favorite movie of 2024, and loved how the film was a “continuation of a childhood classic.” Although he recognized that the franchise was being “dragged,” it was still incredibly comedic for him to watch.

The voice actors in the film contributed to the comedic aspects for Rees. Bryan Cranston, Jack Black, and Mr. Beast, specifically, were actors that Rees was excited to hear. These familiar and charismatic voices fostered an enjoyable watching experience.

Rees hopes future films in the Kung Fu Panda franchise will feature a new protagonist. Shifting gears is something Rees thinks will benefit the franchise.

Inside Out 2

The highest-grossing animated film of all time, Inside Out 2 saw historic box office numbers in 2024. A sequel like much of the list, the film is the continuation of the 2015 family-comedy, Inside Out. The second movie continues sharing the story of Riley, a young girl, and how her emotions influence her.

“It's the greatest piece of film I’ve ever seen in my life,” said Senior Riley Nordhoff, remarking on the prominence of the film. Nordhoff also joked about how he felt connected to the movie through sharing the same name as the protagonist.

“It was cool to see how the character matured through new emotions,” said Senior Ben Chesebro. He could see a lot of himself through the coming-of-age changes in the movie.

The film industry lies at the heart of American entertainment culture, deeply intertwined with cherished theater traditions—like enjoying a box of popcorn—and remaining a vital part of social life.
Whether it was animated classics or riveting musical performances, the CGS students thought positively about last year's film rollout. With upcoming movie releases, such as Wicked: For Good and Superman, 2025 has the makings for a great year of movies.

The Catlin community’s 5 favorite movies of 2024