The 2024 Show and Movie Surveys are In

1/9/24 - To determine the definitive favorites of 2024, I thought that it would be fun to take a data-driven approach in addition to just making my personal top fives.

After surveying 15 friends and family members, I compiled their responses and ranked their top shows and movies using a scoring system that combined the total number of submissions, weighted ranks, and bonus points. 

Here’s a closer look at how I crunched the numbers to arrive at an overall survey score for each title:

• Total Submitted: The total number of times a title appeared on someone’s survey entry. This metric gave an immediate sense of a title’s popularity.

• Weighted Rank: Titles were awarded points based on their rank in each survey submission. For example:

• 5 points for being ranked #1

• 4 points for #2

• 3 points for #3

• 2 points for #4

• 1 point for #5

  These points were summed up for each title, providing a clear measure of how strongly people felt about their favorites.

• Top Rank Bonus: Titles that appeared as the #1 pick on survey submissions received an additional bonus point for every time they topped a list.

• Top Submitted Bonus: The title with the highest total submissions received an extra bonus point. If there was a tie between multiple titles, all tied titles received the bonus.

• Survey Score: The final score was calculated by summing up the Total Submitted, Weighted Rank, Top Rank Bonus, and Top Submitted Bonus for each title. This overall score determined the ranking order.

Armed with these metrics, I ranked the top shows and movies of 2024 based on both their widespread appeal and their passionate support. 

If you would like to submit your entry for your top shows of 2024 it’s never too late. Please feel free to do so here:

My general thoughts on the show survey results:

• The House of the Dragon Season 2 and The Perfect Couple were ranked exactly the same and tied for the number 5 ranked show of the year, narrowly beating out The Menendez Brothers and Shogun for that last spot on the top 5.

• Baby Reindeer was ranked as the best show, though it didn’t dominate as decisively as Dune 2 did in the movie category.

• There was a tie for fifth place, and I decided not to break it. I’m just operating with these five main metrics, and I believe they create enough variance to serve the purpose of ranking such subjective pieces of art. So ties are ok in this ranking algorithm.

• Baby Reindeer was the only show to be ranked #1 by more than one person (two participants placed it at the top).

• The Penguin had more total submissions than Fallout, but Fallout had a higher weighted rank. This suggests that the people who liked Fallout liked it MORE than the people who liked The Penguin. Let me know in the comments which you thought was better: The Penguin or Fallout?

• Mr. and Mrs. Smith appeared on many lists but didn’t rank high enough to make the top spots. While people liked it, it wasn’t anyone’s standout favorite.

• There was one fewer show submission compared to movies, which makes sense considering there are so many options but limited time to watch shows. Plus, shows often require a bigger time commitment.

My general thoughts on the movie survey results: 

• Dune 2 was the clear winner, with five people ranking it as their #1 choice. It also appeared on the most total lists.

• Speak No Evil was among the most submitted titles but didn’t make it into the top five, similar to Mr. and Mrs. Smith in the shows category.

• Conclave and Longlegs performed exceptionally well despite being submitted only twice each.

• Conclave was ranked #1 on both of its submissions, making it a standout.

• I’m currently watching Conclave, and it might even make my personal top five, potentially shifting the overall rankings here because one survey submission has the power to do so.

• Conclave was the only movie, aside from Dune 2, to be ranked #1 by two different participants.

• These movies were submitted only once across all survey ballots, but each time they were ranked #1 by their respective submitters. These are some solid movies that are, I guess, hidden gems:

• Challengers

• Blink Twice

• Problemista

• Janet Planet

• Wild Robot was submitted enough times to give it a popularity push to the second best movie of the year. It was ranked a ton but often times lower on the list. This is similar to, but more extreme than, Mr. and Mrs. Smith for shows and Speak No Evil for movies. Widely liked but not passionately loved.

• Civil War and Conclave ended up tied for the fourth and fifth spots. Since I don’t have a tie-breaking system beyond the five metrics I used, I’m fine with leaving it as a tie.

Please see the complete results of the surveys up to this point (January 9, 2024) in the Google Sheets below:

I’m working on a separate post with my personal rankings to be posted soon, and it will probably be more in depth. But here it is quickly anyways for those interested:

My Personal Favorite Movies of 2024

1. Problemista
   This very quirky, very artsy film blends humor with a powerful exploration of immigration and creativity. With a Mexican filmmaker and lead actor, plus Tilda Swinton in a standout performance, Problemista struck a personal chord with me. The anti-corporate vibe and unique story line made it one of my favorites.

2. Small Things Like These
   A slow-burning drama featuring a central character whose kindness and moral struggles I couldn’t help but root for. This film deftly explores serious issues—especially the trauma inflicted on children—without resorting to graphic violence, making it all the more powerful.

3. Wild Robot
   An animated gem that balances high-stakes adventure with a universally relatable story. The visual style and voice acting are top-notch, making it a movie that stays with you long after you watch it.

4. That Christmas
   I can’t resist a good holiday film, and That Christmas was a perfect blend of modernity and tradition. The movie tackled contemporary issues like climate change and vegetarianism while staying true to the heart of Christmas. It’s both fun and thoughtful, making it a standout this year.

5. Exhibiting Forgiveness
   A film that explores the contrast between modern and traditional fatherhood, focusing on the emotional struggles of a father figure. Its stylized approach and underlying social commentary kept me thinking long after the credits rolled.

My Personal Favorite Shows of 2024

1. House of the Dragon (HoTD)
   The latest season of HoTD continues to impress, focusing on the deeper aspects of the story rather than the epic battles. The dynamic between the two female lead characters captivated me, and I appreciated the show’s shift towards complex political maneuvering rather than relying solely on violence.

2. X-Men '97
   This show was pure melodrama in the best way possible. Iconic characters, memorable story arcs, and a great blend of nostalgia with new twists kept me coming back for more. Gambit’s episode, in particular, was a highlight.

3. One Day
   A beautifully nuanced depiction of a relationship, One Day combines mundane moments with profound emotional depth. I found myself completely invested in the two lead characters, rooting for them and feeling deeply connected to their journey.

4. Baby Reindeer
   An intense look at identity, mental health, and self-destruction, this show is unforgettable. The performances were raw, and the emotional depth and shocking moments left a lasting impact.

5. Penguin
   A gritty exploration of Gotham’s criminal underworld, Penguin gives a fresh perspective on mobsters and the psychological toll of greed and manipulation. While it dropped in rank over time, it still holds a special place for its connection to the Batman universe.

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