Top 10 Movies to Watch Out For

This is my top 10 movie list to watch based on recent releases, popularity, and reviews. These are the movies worth your time! 

#10 Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Rated PG-13 

It is about to become your new go-to plane movie: the plot is easy to follow (aka your half-awake brain can handle it), it has the dumb jokes to make you laugh, and an amazing cast to keep you engaged. You can still watch this sequel without necessarily watching the first one; all you need to know is that the Deetz family lived in a haunted house where Beetlejuice terrorized them. Now, 36 years later, still haunted by Beetlejuice, Lydia’s life is turned upside down when her teenage daughter, Astrid, accidentally ends up in the Afterlife. It is your fun family comedy movie set during Halloween, but it will not cause nightmares. 

#9 Saturday Night Rated R 

Hey man, came all this way, had to explain, direct from Domingo: it is the 90 minutes leading up to the first-ever episode of SNL. It is your fun chaotic movie with a star-studded cast that is sure to make you have an enjoyable time. After giving us so many good sketches and having us believe "Big Boy" was a real SZA song, I think you should give it a watch. 

#8 Monkey Man Rated R 

I find this movie to be so underrated. Not only does Dev Patel star in this, but he also directed, produced, and wrote the script for this movie. It is an action-packed revenge tale movie that is truly phenomenal and so different from what we’re used to. After years of suppressed rage, Kid discovers a way to infiltrate the enclave of the city’s sinister elite. As his childhood trauma boils over, his mysteriously scarred hands unleash an explosive campaign of retribution to settle the score with the men who took everything from him. Monkey Man shows how oppression can turn to anger, vengeance, and coming out on top. It is a much more violent movie where you should read the content warnings before watching. Dev Patel truly steals the show; you cannot help but be in awe (watch it and you will see what I mean). 

#7 The Substance Rated R 

Let me tell you that the original "substance girl" is Mother Gothel: it is the same concept except it is much more "ethical"... (not really, you will see). It is not for the faint of heart as it is a body horror movie with a grotesque style, so I do recommend you look at the list of content warnings before going into it. This movie really delves into Hollywood's unrealistic beauty standards for women, and I cannot help but stan. Especially today, we struggle with our body image more than anything: the internet has raised our level of insecurity and our desire to stay forever young. That is exactly what the movie is about: a fading celebrity decides to use a black-market drug that temporarily creates a younger version of yourself. It is disturbing, to say the least, but worth a watch if you can handle it. It is currently one of the most trending movies on the internet; it is one of those love-it-or-hate-it kind of movies. Watch it at your own risk… 

#6 Blink Twice Rated R 

2024 is the year for psychological thrillers, and I am sorry, but I am ALL for it. I have never been more on the edge of my seat: it is both brainfood and a blast. Once again, make sure to read the content warning list before going to see it, as it has strong violent content, sexual assault, and drug use. It is Zoë Kravitz’s directorial debut, and I was definitely not familiar with her game: Channing Tatum gives, in my opinion, one of his best performances, and Naomi Ackie is once again stealing the show. If I could describe this movie in one phrase, it would be: this is why women choose the bear. When tech billionaire Slater King meets cocktail server Frida at his fundraising gala, he invites her (and her best friend) to join him and his friends on his private island for a dream vacation. It has an epic setting, beautiful people, ever-flowing champagne, and late-night dance parties; are you having a good time? 

#5 Woman of the Hour Rated R 

This is Anna Kendrick’s directorial debut, and she has truly found her calling. Anna Kendrick also stars in this movie as Sheryl Bradshaw, and she is equally phenomenal. This is a thriller movie that is based on a true story: in 1978, a serial killer appeared on live TV as a bachelor on The Dating Game. The only people who suspected him were the women he pursued. It is a movie that should be watched by everyone. It is a chilling tale that keeps you on the edge of your seat: you do not need to show rape and murder to instill fear in the viewer. Nonetheless, make sure to read the content warnings before watching this movie. It is a movie that every woman will understand and that every man should watch (but will never truly get). If you loved the movie Zodiac, then you will love this. We finally have a movie that isn’t focused on the killer, but instead, we have the story of the women who survived the murderer and rapist Rodney Alcala, from a woman’s perspective. Truly a brilliant movie that is worth your time. 

#4 We Live in Time Rated R 

Before seeing this, make sure you have restocked your tissues because it is impossible to finish this movie with a dry eye. It is for the people who say, “this is my comfort movie!” and then proceed to show you the most gut-wrenching movie you will cry over for weeks (mine is La La Land). It is the romcom that makes you feel joy and pain simultaneously; watching teary-eyed Andrew Garfield for 108 minutes is not for the weak. It is the story of an up-and-coming chef and a recent divorcee who find their lives forever changed when a chance encounter brings them together, in a decade-spanning, deeply moving romance. It is funny how we are surrounded by the constant reminder that our stay here on Earth is limited, whether it is on a clock, a timer, a phone, etc. We as students often overwork ourselves and get overwhelmed trying our best to reach university and/or our dream jobs; we end up so stuck in our future we forget to live in the present. I find this movie to be a good reminder to take life a day at a time because you cannot control the future, but you can enjoy the present. 

#3 It’s What’s Inside Rated R 

It is a horror/sci-fi movie that has a mind-bending plot (quite literally and figuratively) that is fascinating and captivating. It is the kind of fresh new movie that is an absolute treat, an out-of-body experience, if you will. You must be attentive: blink and you might miss it. I would classify it as your WikiHow - How to make a friend gathering messy and fun: step one is to have a friend who can and will get you into the weirdest things, with step two being make sure he brings a mysterious suitcase and step three, well, go watch the movie to find out. It is the kind of movie where you stop rooting for any of the characters and just stick around to see what horrendous thing they are going to do to each other next. It is the perfect movie for your next movie night. 

#2 Will and Harper Rated R 

It is a documentary that feels like a warm hug, truly. When Will Ferrell’s good friend Harper comes out as trans, they take a road trip together to bond and reintroduce Harper to the country as her true self. It is the kind of movie that is lighthearted while still dwelling on genuine issues that trans people experience daily. It is very moving and the kind of movie your ally of a mom would completely sob to. It is truly made for anyone, and their dynamic makes them feel like they are your friends too. This is my official campaign to get them their own TV show because I would be their biggest fan. 

#1 The Wild Robot Rated PG 

How can I explain to you guys that I cried my heart out watching a baby goose learn how to fly… It is truly such an amazing movie and an even more amazing comeback from DreamWorks after Kung Fu Panda 4. This movie is not only visually stunning, but it also has lovely characters that are easy to care about and who really grow on you. It’s definitely one of the greatest animated movies of all time. In DreamWorks terms: this movie has the heart of Shrek 2 with the found-family trope like in Madagascar, and makes you feel unashamed to admit you love it, unlike Trolls. It even has that euphoric DreamWorks score we’re so fond of, like in How to Train Your Dragon. It’s your proof that even movies targeted for kids are truly worth your time. I fell so in love with it, and it’s exactly why I put it as number one. 

That was my top 10 movies to watch out for! I hope you find your new favorite movie or your new most-hated movie to mention at every dinner party. Either way, it was my pleasure to share these with you. Until next time!