Five Underappreciated A24 Films You Might Have Missed

A24 has carved out a stellar reputation in modern cinema, with films that sweep festivals, vie for Oscars, and win the hearts of devoted fans eager for every new release. But with such a rich catalog, some remarkable movies slip through the cracks, overshadowed by bigger hits. Here are five bold, original films that deserve a closer look.

Waves, 2019

Trey Edward Shults delivers the ultimate teenage fantasy for mid-2010s music lovers, crafting a film where tracks by Kendrick Lamar, Frank Ocean, Kanye West, and Radiohead aren’t just background noise—they’re the key to understanding a high schooler’s inner turmoil. The story captures youthful intensity through a music-video aesthetic, with shifting aspect ratios that mirror its emotional highs and lows. It follows a young man whose life unravels after a career-ending sports injury and news of his girlfriend’s pregnancy. At first glance, it might feel like another angsty teen saga in the vein of Euphoria, but don’t be fooled. Waves weaves a clever narrative structure, pivoting unexpectedly from impending tragedy to a tender meditation on healing.

The End of the Tour, 2015

Long before Jesse Eisenberg starred in conversational road movies like A Real Pain, he played one half of a wandering dialogue in this gem. Eisenberg portrays Rolling Stone journalist David Lipsky, who, in the mid-1990s, spent days interviewing David Foster Wallace (Jason Segel) just after the release of his monumental novel Infinite Jest. The film thrives on their sharp, sprawling exchanges about art, ambition, ego, success, and the loneliness that trails it. When it premiered a decade ago, Wallace was lesser-known to some audiences, but his works, including Jest, have since found wider reach. Today, The End of the Tour offers a sly, accessible entry into the mind of one of the wittiest, most audacious writers of his time.

Funny Pages, 2022

If you’ve ever dabbled in underground American comics from the late 20th century or geek out over Robert Crumb’s provocative work, Funny Pages was made for you. Owen Kline’s debut dives into the gritty world of indie comics, channeling its offbeat spirit with eccentric characters—think odd looks and fractured psyches—absurd scenarios, dark humor, and a creeping sense that something awful looms. No surprise it’s produced by the Safdie brothers, masters of nerve-jangling tales where dreams crash against harsh realities. Funny Pages doesn’t just entertain; it captures the raw, paranoid pulse of a niche subculture.

Showing Up, 2022

It’s a shame that a filmmaker as revered as Kelly Reichardt lands on a list like this—her work deserves to light up box offices, not just critics’ year-end rankings. Showing Up is warm, genuinely funny, and relatable, yet it flew under the radar despite starring Michelle Williams and Hong Chau. The story centers on an artist racing to finish a sculpture for a big exhibition, only to be sidetracked by trivial—and sometimes absurd—daily hassles. Without grand gestures or pretension, Reichardt muses on how mundane frustrations and quiet setbacks are as much a part of the creative process as inspiration itself.

Obvious Child, 2014

Movies about abortion often lean into heavy drama, grappling with legal battles or wrenching choices. Comedies on the topic are rare, but Obvious Child breaks the mold. Gillian Robespierre’s debut follows a stand-up comedian (Jenny Slate) navigating a rough patch: a breakup, job loss, and an unexpected pregnancy after a fling. Rather than dwelling on injustice or moral agony, Robespierre crafts a candid, judgment-free dramedy about finding yourself, leaning on friends, and staying resilient enough to laugh through life’s messiest moments. Above all, it’s a heartfelt reminder that making tough choices—especially ones that defy expectations—takes courage and doesn’t need to dim your light.