2024 was a big year for pop culture, but personally, I'm tied of "the discourse." On the last day of 2024 (which was a pretty good year for me, all things considered) I'm just gonna shut up and drive. Below will be lists of my favorite, or least favorite, things this year. I'm talking movies, songs, albums, etc., anything pop culture related. For the most part, these will simply be lists, but I might pop in with some elaboration on occasion. If you disagree with a placement or have questions, too damn bad. The time for talk is over; I'm tired. (This list does have some crossover with Halftone's Toney awards, so do check that out if you're so inclined.)
Happy New Year, everyone. Let's hope 2025 heralds a bright future.
Favorite Songs of 2024:
Honorable Mention: "Nasty" by Tinashe
10. "Crystal Bay" by Holiday Sidewinder
9. "Anchor" by Soccer Mommy
8. "Not Like Us" by Kendrick Lamar
7. "Juna" by Clairo
6. "Guess" by Charli XCX
5. "So Sick of Dreaming" by Maggie Rogers
4. "MILLION DOLLAR BABY" by Tommy Richman
3. "Spring is Coming with a Strawberry in the Mouth" by Caroline Polachek
2. "Espresso" by Sabrina Carpenter
1. "Galina" by Allie X
Worst Songs of 2024:
Honorable Mention: "Bigfoot" by Nicki Minaj (not even going to dignify this with an actual placement.)
10. "First Class" by Jack Harlow
9. "Love Somebody" by Morgan Wallen
8. "Spicy Margarita" by Michale Buble, Jason Derulo
7. "I LUV IT" by Camila Cabello, Playboi Carti
6. "QUIT!!" by HARDY
5. "Cockblocker" by Kim Petras
4. "Think U The Shit (Fart)" by Ice Spice (a guilty pleasure, I'll admit)
3. Take Me To The Beach by Imagine Dragons
2. Grippy by Cash Cobain, J. Cole
1. The Heart Pt. 6 by Drake
Favorite Movies of 2024:
Horrible Mention: Dune: Part 2
5. Lisa Frankenstein
4. Alien: Romulus
3. The Substance
2. Kingdom of the Planets of the Apes
1. Challengers
Favorite Albums of 2024:
Honorable Mention: Speak For Yourself by Imogen Heap (This didn't come out this year but I discovered Imogen Heap this year and I am OBSESSED.)
5. Short ‘n Sweet by Sabrina Carpenter
4. Evergreen by Soccer Mommy
3. Charm by Clairo
2. The Last Resort by Holiday Sidewinder
1. Brat by CharliXCX (obviously)
Favorite Shows of 2024:
5. The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live
4. Dune: Prophecy
3. X-Men ‘97
2. The Penguin
1. Shogun
Favorite Books Read in 2024 (including comics):
5. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
4. X-Men: E is for Extinction by Grant Morrison, Frank Quietly, et al.
3. Superman: The Warworld Saga by Phillip Kennedy Johnson, et al.
2. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley.
1. A Dance With Dragons by George R.R. Martin
Disappointments of 2024: (A catch-all category)
5. Radical Optimism by Dua Lipa
4. Ultimate Black Panther (admittedly, I only read the first issue, which was a let down)
3. Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga
2. Arcane season 2 (its complicated, okay.)
1. The Presidential Election
Surprises of 2024: (A catch-all category)
5. Chappell Roan (I knew her before she blew up, fyi)
4. The Acolyte
3. Absolute Superman
2. Dune: Prophecy
1. Marvel Rivals
Favorite New Phrases:
3. "Match my freak"
2. "Bumpin’ that"
1. "Locked in"
Most Anticipated of 2025
Shows:
5. Castlevania: Nocturne season 2
4. Interview with The Vampire season 3
3. Severance season 2
2. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
1. Daredevil: Born Again
Movies:
5. Tron: Ares (ew, Jared Leto)
4. Avatar: Fire and Ash
3. Guillermo Del Toro’s Frankenstein
2. Fantastic Four
1. Superman
Comics:
5. Aquaman by Jeremy Adams
4. Absolute Flash
3. Whatever Jonathan Hickman’s “Imperial” will be
2. Ultimate Wolverine
1. Absolute Martian Manhunter
Video Games:
5. Borderlands 4 (It can't be worse than the last one, right?)
4. FBC Firebreak
3. Hades 2
2. Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater
1. Ghost of Yotei
That's all, folks!
