Uncover the Best of 2024 Entertainment on Streaming

2024 movies to stream

Glen Powell and Daisy Edgar-Jones shine in "Twisters." Universal Pictures, Warner Bros. Pictures, & Amblin Entertainment. This past summer saw a sequel hit in "Twisters," directed by Lee Isaac Chung. While it doesn't feature returning cast members, the new storm chasers face tornados in the name of science and YouTube views. Henderson gave it 2½ stars, stating it "lives up to the sequel maxim of being louder, larger, and busier." Available on Peacock.

Halloween may be over, but if you're in need of a good scare with a sci-fi twist, check out "Alien: Romulus." Set between Ridley Scott's 1979 "Alien" and James Cameron's 1986 "Aliens," director Fede Álvarez takes the lead. Starring Cailee Spaeny, the new flick earned 3 stars from Globe film critic Odie Henderson, who called it "the best 'Alien' movie since Cameron's first sequel." Available on Hulu.

Will Smith and Martin Lawrence returned this summer as Miami's gun-slinging detectives in "Bad Boys: Ride or Die." In the fourth installment, they're on the run from shady characters and must clear their names. "This by-the-numbers hat tip to 'The Fugitive' even gets its own Tommy Lee Jones clone in the guise of FBI agent Judy Howard," played by "Better Call Saul" star Rhea Seehorn. Henderson gave it 2½ stars. Available on Netflix.

"Challengers" is one of the steamiest films of 2024, a tennis drama with a sexy spin. Directed by Luca Guadagnino and filmed around Boston, it focuses on a love triangle among Zendaya, Josh O'Connor, and Mike Faist. "It's tennis match as ménage à trois," writes Globe's Mark Feeney in his 2½-star review. Available on Amazon Prime Video and MGM+.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe got a boost with "Deadpool & Wolverine." Ryan Reynolds reprised his role as the katana-wielding antihero, teaming up with a variant of Hugh Jackman's Wolverine. Feeney writes that it "is an extended (and very bloody) live-action Bugs Bunny movie, with Deadpool in the role of Bugs." Available on Disney+.

Acton-raised actor Steve Carell returns as Gru in "Despicable Me 4." As Gru tries to embrace family life, old nemesis Maxime Le Mal is back. Henderson, a fan of the franchise's "Minion madness," gave it 3 stars. Available on Peacock.

As one of the year's highest-grossing box office hits, "Dune: Part Two" had fans flocking to theaters. Picking up after the first installment, Timothée Chalamet's Paul Atreides leads the Fremen against House Harkonnen. Also starring Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, and Josh Brolin, the sci-fi epic now has a prequel series on HBO. Available on Max.

In a year of sequels and prequels, "Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga" brought the post-apocalyptic thrills. Anya Taylor-Joy plays a younger version of the fierce Imperator, with director George Miller shining a light on her origin story. Henderson gave it 2½ stars, stating it's filled with "exciting action set pieces." Available on Max.

"Inside Out 2" was a box office success, becoming the highest-grossing animated film of all time. Amy Poehler stars as Joy, joined by Ayo Edebiri as Envy. They help hockey-playing Riley adjust to high school. Henderson gave it 3 stars. Available on Disney+.

Writer-director Josh Margolin's "Thelma" was a surprise hit. June Squibb gets her first leading role in this action-comedy about a senior citizen seeking revenge. Also starring Richard Roundtree, it earned 4 stars from Henderson, who called it "one of the year's best films." Available on Hulu.

2024 TV shows to stream

Not caught up on "The Bear" yet? Now's the time. Carmy (Jeremy Allen White), Sydney (Ayo Edebiri), and the Beef gang have transformed their Chicago joint into a fine-dining destination in season three. While it doesn't have chaotic holiday hoopla like season two, the Berzatto matriarch makes a heartwarming appearance. "It's a very good TV show, still, with first-rate portraiture," says former Globe TV critic Matthew Gilbert. Available on Hulu.

No one's been able to catch Jean Smart at the Emmys yet. In "Hacks," she plays Deborah Vance, a stand-up comic legend, and forms a bond with Ava Daniels (Hannah Einbinder) as they help each other with their comedy careers. "Their evolved dynamic has helped to make season 3 a joy," Gilbert wrote. Available on Max.

Hulu's "Only Murders in the Building" continues to bring laughs with Zach Galifianakis, Eugene Levy, and Eva Longoria. Selena Gomez, Steve Martin, and Martin Short are back as true crime podcasters turned sleuths. "It deserves the fervent following it has attracted since its debut in 2021," writes Globe's Don Aucoin. Available on Hulu.

FX's "Shogun" set an Emmys record with 18 awards, including outstanding drama series. Based on the James Clavell novel, it follows Lord Toranaga and his English sailor ally John Blackthorne. "The visuals are stunning, the storytelling is tight, and the performances are strong," Gilbert wrote. Available on Hulu.

In "Slow Horses," acclaimed actor Gary Oldman shines as Jackson Lamb. The British spy series has been renewed for seasons five and six and just wrapped its fourth season. The show's third season scored nine Emmy nominations and won in the outstanding writing for a drama series category. Available on Apple TV+.