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. 

Current Top 5 Favorite Shows of 2024

Ranked by the highest survey score.

1. Baby Reindeer - survey score 29

2. Fallout - survey score 22

3. The Penguin - survey score 19

4. House of the Dragon Season 2 - survey score 19

5. One Day - survey score 18

Current Top 5 Favorite Movies of 2024

Ranked by the highest survey score.

1. Dune 2 - survey score 39

2. Wild Robot - survey score 24

3. Conclave - survey score 21

4. Deadpool and Wolverine - survey score 15

5. Civil War - survey score 14

How I Calculated the Survey Score

• 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:

Walter Goggins in Fallout.

1/15/25 -

These individual submissions that are coming in late have a significant impact on the overall ranking of the best movie of the year. Conclave was bumped up to a position I believe it deserves. I watched it recently, and though it wasn't in my top five before, I'm now considering it for a spot—possibly even number four. Adjusting the rankings to reflect genuine changes of heart or new movie viewings aligns with my initial intent for this list.

Initially, I had 16 films I still wanted to watch, not to mention countless others I may not yet even know about. Over time, this survey list will evolve as films are absorbed, their impressions fade, and their legacy settles. As movies age, it will be fascinating to see how these rankings evolve.

For now, Conclave surpassed Deadpool, Wolverine, and Civil War. Personally, I like this shift. While I thought all three were highly entertaining, the latter two lacked lasting meaning for me.

Deadpool offered clever world-blending with the return of Wolverine and X-Men characters, while Civil War leaned on hype about the director and its central concept.

Yet, neither left a profound or enduring message beyond surface-level excitement. But beyond that they both brought me to the theaters for really fun experiences and that says a lot.

Interestingly, The Bear, The Great British Baking Show, Griselda, and Sugar were the four lowest-ranked shows of 2024, but the fact that they're even on this list speaks volumes about their artistic power and the loyalty of their audiences.

This is especially true in today’s saturated entertainment landscape. With limited time and attention spans, it’s increasingly challenging for shows to capture and hold viewers’ attention.

This list also reflects submissions from many parents whose time is often consumed by childcare. I'm happier with these adjustments, though, to the TV rankings than with those for movies because the latter’s top five stayed the same.

For TV, there was a shift in the rankings, breaking a previous tie for fifth place. Nobody Wants This (formerly ranked 4 before this most recent submission) and The Perfect Couple (formerly tied with House of the Dragon for number 5 before this most recent submission) swapped spots with One Day, which I felt deserved its new spot in the top five overall.

The new list resonates more with my preferences. One Day was one of the year's best shows, and House of the Dragon (HoTD) perfectly delivered what I was looking for especially in 2024 when I started reading the Game of Thrones books. It focused on the magical elements of GRRM’s world and the intense conflict between Rhaenyra and Alicent. Their "motherhood war"—indirectly participating in the death’s of each other's children—depicts the depravity of power struggles while distinguishing between those who perpetuate violence and those trapped within these dynamics.

Daemon is trash. Rhaenyra is gold. That’s the essence of the show from my perspective.

1/9/24:

• 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.

• 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 submissions. 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.

Google sheet survey results (last update 1/15/2025):

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 the magical element 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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