1. Eighth Grade
Eighth Grade is a recent release by A24 Films and is already considered a strong contender for this year's Oscar race. The movie follows the life of an eighth-grade girl navigating the ups and downs of adolescence. Despite its focus on the teenage experience, Eighth Grade carries an R rating due to mature content, offering a realistic portrayal of the challenges of growing up. Although the major award shows like the Oscars and Golden Globes are still pending, the film has already won numerous awards at festivals like Sundance, Chicago, and Heartland.
Details:
- Release Year: 2018
- Genre: Drama, Comedy, Coming-of-Age
- Director: Bo Burnham
- Meta Critics Score: 90
- Awards: Audience Award at Sundance Film Festival, Audience Award at Chicago Film Festival, Best Film at Heartland Film Festival, plus one additional nomination at Sundance Film Festival.

2. Hereditary
Hereditary is a horror film that has earned a spot in the Top 10 Best Movies from the Oscar-winning A24 Studio. Unlike typical horror films filled with jump scares or gore, Hereditary stands out for its psychological depth, ominous atmosphere, and disturbing secrets surrounding the curse of Paimon, the demon king. It is widely regarded by critics as one of the best horror films ever made, often compared to classics like The Exorcist.
Details:
- Release Year: 2018
- Genre: Horror, Mystery, Psychological, Thriller
- Director: Ari Aster
- Meta Critics Score: 87
- Awards: 10 nominations at various film festivals

3. Room
Room is a powerful film that made a significant impact at the 2015 Academy Awards. Based on the novel by Emma Donoghue, it tells the story of a woman who is kidnapped and held captive for several years. The story, however, is told through the eyes of her young son, who has never left the small room they are trapped in. His innocent perspective brings a sense of hope and humanity to an otherwise harrowing situation, evoking both empathy and sorrow for the victims. The film was nominated for four Oscars, including Best Picture, and won one award in the process.
Details:
- Release Year: 2015
- Genre: Drama, Family, Emotional
- Director: Lenny Abrahamson
- Meta Critics Score:
- Awards: Academy Award for Best Actress, Golden Globe for Best Actress, three Oscar nominations, and two Golden Globe nominations.

4. A Ghost Story
A Ghost Story stands out in the Top 10 Best Films from the Oscar-winning A24 Studio as one of the few films not nominated for major awards like the Oscars or Golden Globes, despite its artistic brilliance. This low-budget independent film tells the haunting tale of a ghost, 'C,' who lingers in the space of his former life after a fatal accident. As time passes, everything around him changes, but the ghost remains, offering a meditative exploration of time, life, and memory. The film captivates with its unique approach to storytelling and existential themes.
Details:
- Release Year: 2017
- Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Romance
- Director: David Lowery
- Meta Critics Score: 84
- Awards: Texas Independent Award, Houston Critics Association Award, Best Director at Fantasia Film Festival, three awards at the Deauville Film Festival, and a nomination at Sundance Film Festival.

5. 20th Century Women
20th Century Women is a film set in 1979 Southern California, focusing on a young boy who is guided by his mother and the women in his life as they help him navigate love and freedom. The film was nominated for an Oscar in the category of Best Original Screenplay.
Details:
- Release Year: 2016
- Genre: Drama, Family
- Director: Mike Mills
- Meta Critics Score: N/A
- Awards: Best Supporting Actress at the Detroit Film Critics Society, two awards from the Nevada Film Critics Society, one Oscar nomination, and two Golden Globe nominations.

6. The Lobster
The Lobster is an eccentric film directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, known for his distinct style, which was also showcased in his later film, The Killing of a Sacred Deer. In The Lobster, love is mocked as a taboo subject, set in a hotel where romantic relationships are strictly prohibited. Anyone who falls in love is breaking the law. The protagonist, however, falls for someone and escapes with her, joining a rebellion of lovers. But the story takes unexpected and strange turns from there.
Details:
- Release Year: 82
- Genre: Mystery, Absurd, Romance
- Director: Yorgos Lanthimos
- Meta Critics Score: 82
- Awards: 3 awards at the Cannes Film Festival, Best Supporting Actress at the British Independent Film Awards, 2 awards from the Florida Film Critics Association, 1 Oscar nomination, and 1 Golden Globe nomination.

7. Ex Machina
6. Ex Machina

Ex Machina is a captivating sci-fi film about a young programmer invited to a remote island by the CEO of a leading tech company. There, he is tasked with assessing an artificial intelligence (AI) housed in a robot under strict security. As the programmer grows attached to the AI, he helps it escape from its cruel captor, only to realize the AI had planned the entire scheme. The film was nominated for two Oscars, for Best Original Screenplay and Best Visual Effects, ultimately winning the latter.
Details:
- Release Year: 2014
- Genre: Sci-Fi, Mystery, Thriller
- Director: Alex Garland
- Meta Critics Score: 78
- Awards: Oscar for Best Visual Effects, Amsterdam Film Festival Award, 2 Austin Film Critics Association Awards, Boston Film Critics Award, 4 British Independent Film Awards, 1 Golden Globe nomination, and 1 additional Oscar nomination.

9. Lady Bird
Lady Bird is a poignant coming-of-age family drama that was a major contender at the Oscars last year. The film follows Christine "Lady Bird" McPherson, a rebellious teenager eager to escape her stifling family life and assert her independence. However, she soon learns that life isn't as simple as she thought. The film beautifully explores her growing understanding of love, particularly her relationship with her mother, which she eventually comes to realize is the most valuable bond of all. Despite receiving 5 Oscar nominations, including Best Picture, the film unfortunately did not win any of the awards.
Details:
- Release Year: 2017
- Genre: Drama, Family, Coming-of-Age
- Director: Greta Gerwig
- Meta Critics Score: 94
- Awards: Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, 5 additional Oscar nominations.

The Florida Project is a 2017 film by A24 that depicts the lives of children living in a budget motel in Florida. These children, while innocent and carefree, lack proper parental guidance and supervision, often engaging in mischievous and even dangerous behaviors. The film serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of parenting and the impact of neglect. The Florida Project was also nominated for an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor in the same year.
Details:
- Release Year: 2017
- Genre: Drama, Social, Educational
- Director: Sean Baker
- Meta Critics Score: 92
- Awards: Oscar nomination, Golden Globe nomination, BAFTA nomination
