Every Movie I Saw at Sundance 2024 Reviewed & Ranked!

[@thomasedwards6641]

Please do a follow up video later in the year of these and other festival films giving us an update about which ones have released and where to find them as I get interested in these movies but forget about most of them by the time I have the ability to watch them.

[@kstepko]

“The Greatest Night in Pop” sounds great! I’m going to look that up. I was a five years old when “We Are the World” came out. I recently rewatched the music video and it definitely raised some questions. It’s good to know there’s a movie out there that might have the answers! Thanks, Dan!

[@deveshsood6087]

I knew it was coming out soon, but I has no idea it was actually out until this video. Absolutely one of the dangers of streaming that you would never have with a theatrical release!

[@lisap8411]

I am definitely watching this one on Netflix. I wish they'd do a good documentary about Sun City - Artists United Against Apartheid at some point....that album came out around the same time and as an issue album it has always been my favorite.

[@meabhusfromoursins1436]

Delighted you enjoyed Kneecap Dan! I was an extra in the film and work with a lot of people who worked on the film and there's been so much excitement about it here. I work everyday through the Irish language on television projects so it's a huge deal to have the language showcased on such an international stage!!

[@williamking2782]

An oibríonn tú le TG4? Úsáidim an aip chun mo chuid Gaeilge a chleachtadh.

[@rodneycooperjr3223]

'The Greatest Night in Pop' gave me goosebumps of nostalgia, just seeing that footage of all these people from how I remember them. It honestly brought water to my eyes... also the song itself is so touching to me, very goosebump-inducing 😁

[@guilhermelopes2985]

I love that you cover Sundance Dan, thanks!

[@mattgeiler8665]

not me litterally crying just hearing you talk about #2's premise

[@MrKangorilla]

This video is always such a tease, because here in the UK, the earliest I'll be able to watch most of these films is October and some won't get a theatrical release until next January or won't get one at all near me lol. I've known about the Zone of Interest for like 7 months and it's only getting released near me this Friday 😭

[@MagnitudeReviews]

The Zone of Interest was a Cannes film, not a Sundance film. Past Lives was the only Best Picture nominee this year from Sundance.

[@drewc981]

So glad to see a good review of Kneecap from you. I absolutely cannot wait to see it. Is teanga álainn í an Ghaeilge which means Irish is a beautiful language. One that as a Canadian I'm proud to say I have been trying to learn on my own for about a year and a half now and Kneecap is a small part of that journey for me.. It is my hope that others who live in Ireland, north and south who haven't had the best experience of learning Irish in schools that it inspires them to fall in love with it for the first time or all over again because it is their native language and they have a right to it. Secondary to that, I hope those like myself who aren't from Ireland or perhaps have Irish heritage are inspired to learn a few words as Gaeilge (in Irish) as well. Up Gaeilge! Up Kneecap!

[@Andrys04]

I'm really happy to hear you say so many great things about Ibelin. I first heard about it from my english teacher, who told me, that she used to play and be friends with Mats back then. 😄 This quite surprised me, because I live in a small country in Europe called Czech republic and I would have never imagined that someone I know was associeted with Ibelin. She was even supposed to appear in it and talk about her friendship with him, but due to time constrains, she was unable to. However, she still contributed quite a lot to the whole documentary. 😮 She also haven't seen it yet and it made me very happy to see her so excited about the fact, that Netflix acquired it. I can't wait to hear her thoughts and ask about some details about Ibelin's life after it comes out outside of Sundance! ❤

[@TheOfficialOC]

Glad you enjoyed Kneecap. These guys are doing great work in Northern Ireland. As someone from the Republic where Gaeilge (Irish) is more common as a first language and most people learn it in Primary and Secondary School, the North has to fight keep the language alive which I admire. I can only hope more people see the film and understand that Irish is not a dead language. Its very much alive and thriving and these guys will help the next generation of Northern Ireland continue the fight for recognition in their homeland.

[@williamking2782]

Bhain me sult as Gaeilge a fhoghlaim.

[@horacefairview5349]

Not a fan of nationalism I have no idea why people give it a pass just because it is a small country.

[@complicatedairflow7237]

So happy to see someone in the republic who’s aware of the struggle here in NI.

[@TheOfficialOC]

@@horacefairview5349 Ireland or Northern Ireland? Being proud of the Irish language and people for surviving British colonisation and embracing what they tried to kill would not be considered Nationalism. A threat that to this day is still posed by the British government who rule Northern Ireland. A completely desperate state to the Republic of Ireland currently. Ireland is not perfect and needs a lot of social and economic reform, but pride in our survival does not hurt the British nor do we wish it to.

[@drewc981]

I'm a Canadian who has been trying to learn Irish online and I really do hope that for those north and south in Ireland who haven't had the best experience in schools with Irish that this film inspires them to try again, fall in love with it and use it as much as possible. I was not the best student in school, extreme low confidence and self belief but learning some Irish has given me that gift of confidence now, Táim buíoch as. I'm grateful for it I'd like to see that for others too.

[@jmwsongs]

Great video as always. Was curious for your take on these! I saw 20 feature lengths and a crap ton of shorts myself. My 3rd year doing Sundance from home. I love it. Ibelin was easily my fave. I'm a sentimental guy so that movie's plot was a cheat code to my heart.

[@dwightstephen9790]

Looking forward to catching some of these! Thanks for your great work, Dan!

[@mywalkabout]

Being 14 at the time and remembering “we are the world” I just watched “the greatest night in Pop” . Great doc, thanks for the show and recommendation!

[@rylade475]

Didi, Ibelin, and The Greatest Night in Pop are definitely ones I will have to put on my radar, they sound very intriguing

[@kennymorelandiii9406]

Really looking forward to #2 on your list and this is why I'm so glad to be a subscriber to your channel. Of course sometimes I disagree with your take on a movie or show but you have such a great way of explaining why you feel a way about something that makes me appreciate it regardless if I agree or disagree. I also love when you do lists like this or when you do the yearly recap or the future years outlook because even though I feel like I do a decent job of staying in the know when it comes to the entertainment world there are tons of things that i completely miss that weren't on my radar at all and because of your channel I have gotten to experience so many fascinating and great things. So I sincerely appreciate your channel and all the great & hard work you put into this! Keep up the awesome work man

[@dylanrandazzo9455]

Great video Dan! I only saw 9 films at virtual Sundance, but my favorites of the fest were Daughters, Exhibiting Forgiveness, Thelma, A Real Pain, Rob Peace, and (if watching on Netflix a day after counts) The Greatest Night in Pop

[@pawacoteng]

Wow, this video makes me very optimistic for 2024. A lot of very interesting movies. I already started tearing up at the WoW documentary just by your review.

[@kstepko]

I love that you’re ranking all of the films that you saw, rather than just highlighting the films that you liked the most. Doing it this way doesn’t imply that you deliberately didn’t see, or saw and didn’t like, a film when it actually wasn‘t available for you to see.

[@ShaneRob93]

Oh wow! That Ibelin documentary sounds right up my alley, it reminds me so much of the early days of KZbin (2006-2008ish) when I came across a RuneScape player named Fat Wrecked. He tragically passed away from (I believe, this was a long time ago) heart related issues due to muscular dystrophy and for a short while afterward his father took over his channel and really expressed how grateful he was that his son got to be such a big part of the community - really sad but heartwarming stuff. This also brings to mind Ironmouse, a Twitch streamer who is very much alive but cannot leave her home due to CVID, her impact on that space is huge and it's a testament to the positives the internet has allowed us, which can often be forgotten. Edit: Did some searching and he had 'cap myopathy' to be specific. His original channel is now gone, unfortunately, but his father reuploaded some videos to the channel 'millertas'.

[@ProuvaireJean]

I used to play a bit of WOW and this documentary is now on my must-watch list. It reminded me of the infamous "funeral raid" in 2006, where a guild held an in-game funeral for a player who had died in real life, and another guild used the occasion to attack their enemies. It's an incident that really encapsulates both the best and the worst of MMORPG culture, and was the topic of a lot of discussion, and even academic papers. Search for fayejin funeral illidan serenity now for more info. The interplay between real life and in-game events can be fascinating, and moving. One of my most prized possessions was the rare (for its time) "Ashes of Al'ar" mount. I treasured that mount, not only because it was one of the most beautiful items in-game, but also because of its real life backstory involving a player called Ezra Chatterton, who was the first person to receive it.

[@danskyder1564]

Ironmouse is an inspiration to us all!

[@jasonraschen1109]

Sorry for the delay Dan. Thank you for the recommendations. I actually prefer indie films to most studio films. I've updated my "To Watch" list. Thanks again!

[@krystelfrancis6621]

The Bleecker comment towards the end of the video got a solid laugh out of me! Thank you, Dan 😂

[@Erasureeraser]

Yeesh, so many movies to look forward too. Thanks Dan, i hope someday you'll get to cover other festivals such as Cannes, Venice, Toronto someday

[@SupergirlSurprise]

Great Rundown of Sundance. You have put In The Summers on my radar, I'll watch out for that. 👍

[@edvaira6891]

Holy cow, Dan! NOT wearing a red flannel shirt??!! I’m Shocked!

[@motherplayer]

I do like that Dan is showing these general feelings I have sometimes too. Sometimes something will move beyond the trappings of festival fame to be well remembered, sometimes that's all the will be remembered for, sometimes something actually does manage to be fresh using familiar trapping, other times it doesn't but thinks it is, sometimes a film manages to feel tailor made for festival talk and nothing more, other times the film will go on to engender more discussion outside of the circuit. Lot to take in, and it's always subjective, as usual.

[@stephenhennel]

Loved the video, nice analysis and breakdowns. But dude you gotta add the titles of the movies somewhere on screen. 🤟🏼

[@Meb2x]

This year was my first Sundance and I saw a lot of the same movies that you saw, but my ranking is a lot different. 1. A New Kind of Wilderness: 5/5 2. Girls Will Be Girls: 4.5/5 3. Exhibiting Forgiveness: 4.5/5 4. Black Box Diaries: 4.5/5 5. Daughters: 4/5 6. Didi: 4/5 7. Ibelin: 4/5 8. Kneecap: 4/5 9. Love Me: 3.5/5 10. Sujo: 3.5/5 11. A Real Pain: 3/5 12. In the Summers: 2.5/5 13. Rob Peace: 2.5/5

[@adamsc8831]

I was able to watch seven feature length films and 51 short films at home. It was a lot but it was so much fun! I hope Sundance keeps offering this capability. Didi was my favorite film of the festival!

[@darkgate33]

World of Warcraft has been and will always be my favorite game. I've been playing it on and off for half of my life I CANNOT wait to watch Ibelin this story seems so intriguing

[@wesstapley]

I live in Utah and always secretly hope to run into Dan during Sundance. He’s my favorite public figure because his analysis is so enjoyable (even when I don’t agree).

[@mywalkabout]

So many new movies to look out for, thanks Dan!

[@Jasonleal77]

Great work. I loved Kidnapping inc!

[@robinsonlopez6463]

good stuff Dan thanks for the recs

[@platonicdescartes]

You are sleeping on "Sasquach Sunset", Dan. It is getting quite a bit of buzz at Sundance, you should watch it.

[@DanMurrellMovies]

I would’ve if I could have. It wasn’t available for at-home viewing.

[@nikitamohan3390]

@@DanMurrellMoviesshould Hit Man have been a wide theatrical film if you've seen it by now?

[@TheWisestWizards]

I'm still so far behind on my 2023 movies. The watch list never ends, it only grows.

[@seriliaykilel]

Can't wait to see Residente in this role - I don't love his music, but he is incredibly smart and skilled lyricist, and he's been leaning into acting in recent years in his music videos, so curious how he does.

[@fojemo1661]

I’m intrigued and want to watch Ibelin.

[@EleventhCubFan]

I waited too long and missed out on the online screenings I wanted to see. 😭 I only saw Between the Temples and thought it was so-so.

[@TVandManga]

Great video Dan!

[@trinitysmith8654]

Always appreciate your film thoughts Dan! I am compelled to mention something per your pronunciation of the title "Nai Nai and Wai Po". For Americans, negating the tonal aspect of Chinese, Nai Nai is pronounced as it is spelled, but Po in Wai Po is not pronounced like Po in Kung Fu Panda. It is, put phonetically, more like p-w-oa. No harm for mistaking something you don't know! Looking forward to whatever you have up next!

[@chrisdemetriou8593]

Thank you so much for this video!

[@StevenGolden]

Thelma just sold to Magnolia, and Didi sold to Focus Features. Hopefully that means both of them get theatrical releases later this year

[@michl8379]

(Adds Kneecaps, Daughters, Didi, and Ibelin to my "To Watch" list)

[@barbararowley6077]

I’ve always wanted to read Handling the Undead. It’s supposed to be both amazing and devastating.

[@MikeTaffet]

I went to Sundance for the first time this year. Here’s the movies I saw: “The Outrun”, “Between the Temples”, “Freaky Tales”, “Love Me”, “A Different Man”, “My Old Ass”, “Rob Peace”, “Thelma”, “Will & Harper”, “Skywalkers: A Love Story”, “Hit Man”, “Little Death”, “A Real Pain”, “I Saw the TV Glow” My top 3 are Freaky Tales, Thelma, and Will & Harper

[@ZachBobBob]

Even you just describing that Ibelin documentary got me a bit emotional.

[@brandonhamaguchi]

Just let you know that seems that using "#" for chapters names on the description, the names gets cut on the chapters UI. So is a bit confusing.

[@NorthwayFilms]

Solid rank Dan!

[@captsfufp]

I didn’t see “War Game” listed, I guess it wasn’t available virtually? I know one of the executive producers (though I haven’t seen it), so I’m interested to see how it does.

[@PokhrajRoy.]

I hope that you get to cover the festival next year. And then obviously culminating in announcing Oscar nominations by a ‘cinephile’.

[@theaaravaanyachannel5493]

Arrey Pokhraj aap yahan bhi..Watched TISS today?

[@PokhrajRoy.]

@@theaaravaanyachannel5493 I watched it yesterday only lol

[@LisaCorrigan-p6r]

I hope you get to actually go to Sundance. I have been a volunteer at the fest for 10 years, seeing an average of 25 movies a fest, free movies are part of a full-time volunteer's perks. I thought you would find it interesting, the director of the Skywalker movie said that, although in a much, much much simpler form, was a bit of a roof topper as a young man. In a nutshell, he was cruising the internet reading about Ivan and then discovered Angela. He contacted Angela about doing a documentary on her. At this point she had not even met Ivan. So their whole meeting, climbing, and love story unfolded before him. The fact that he was able to juxtaposition the elements of a relationship like trust and communication with those same elements required in a climbing relationship, was just a stroke of luck. Hope you get to the actual fest. I'm sure you can appreciate how different a film is when you see it with an audience. By the way, there was lots of audible audience cringing in Girls Will Be Girls. And half the audience walked out of the Sasquatch film. Lol

[@samavila5138]

Sidenote: how does a parent completely not know their son is gaming in wow to that level?

[@DanMurrellMovies]

They knew he was gaming, they had no idea what he was doing or how impactful he was inside the game.

[@Aussie27Legend]

That WoW doc sounds really interesting.

[@Erasureeraser]

Hey Dan, I recently watched all of your "If I ran...." videos which are quite interesting to hear your take. I was wondering if you could do a video of "If I ran the Oscars" which means what would you do if you were the head of the Academy or the producer of the show in making the show's production given that the Oscars have been lacking in the past few years so there has to be an improvement in the show's production so I'm interested to see your take if you led all this. Especially that the Oscars is right around the corner so it's a perfect timing. Hopefully you consider in making one, thanks Dan, you're the best! 🤗

[@anna_shwnr]

“Doing it for the clout” my favorite Dan commentary now

[@markdaly1648]

Barring some major mishap, saoirse ronans name is on the Oscar for best actress for the outrun. Everyone agrees that it's a career best performance

[@metalandmagi6486]

Handling The Undead sounds a little like the BBC show In The Flesh, a much smaller, more human look at a "zombie apocalypse."

[@moviesmadman-v9k]

could you tell me the name of that documentary what were you talking at 27min .

[@stifler12333]

Looking forward to Krazy House with Nick Frost, coming from two dutch directors pretty well known here in Holland for their bonkers ruthless hilarious humor. Acquired taste, was quite surprised to see it being shown at Sundance.

[@brianmichaels8093]

I don't know why they bother having a remote component to the festival when almost all of the movies people really want to see aren't available to watch that way

[@GeorgeOfGeorge]

I’m most excited for the Kieran Culkin Eisenberg film. Not sure if it’s on the list but hopefully it’s good

[@INRamos13]

It's #1 on his list

[@garrytee6297]

Thank you so much .

[@purspike]

I am today years old, finding out what VHS stands for.

[@thedudeabides3138]

Fascinating. Thank you Dan.

[@verazollinger6862]

Timecodes?

[@7amart177]

Which other horror movies u think were good

[@stephenmoscatello8380]

I wish you had reviewed a movie i was in Ponyboi

[@rochesterproducers8847]

Hope you can go next year!

[@runningonemty8566]

Becoming a lover of Norwegian movies Dan ❓❓

[@davidzimmerman1354]

Your letterboxd profile pic is gone so it’s good to see you’re okay 😅

[@reelandyreid]

I got to see 24 movies 10 were in person and 14 were online, here they are worst to best: 24. Little Death 23. Handling the Undead 22. Sebastian 21. Between the Temples 20. The Outrun 19. Love Me 18. Thelma 17. Winner 16. Exhibiting Forgiveness 15. How to Have Sex 14. Ponyboi 13. American Society of Magical 12. Kidnapping Inc. 11. Brief History of a Family 10. Love Lies Bleeding 9. Didi 8. A Different Man 7. Your Monster 6. In the Summers 5. Kneecap 4. A Real Pain 3. Hitman 2. Freaky Tales 1. I Saw the TV Glow I would recommend pretty much anything in my top 18 depending on what genres you like, and my top 7 are movies I think everyone should keep an eye out for. Great coverage here as always Dan, it would be so cool if you went in person in 2025!

[@GeorgeOfGeorge]

Is there any news about when ‘A Real Pain’ will release?

[@reelandyreid]

@@GeorgeOfGeorge no official release date yet, but Searchlight Pictures acquired it which means it’s very likely it’ll come out this year!

[@ashmews5489]

I saw a review saying the outrun was good and that Saoirse Ronon had a great performance

[@for_your_health_drangus]

so wait, you're not ethan hawke?

[@andrefiremaster]

3:15 so, there's this ""rift"" between straight cis people and queer/trans, because a lot of times trans people will say "I'd like to see a movie with a trans character that's not focused on him being trans, just like movies about straight people doesn't focus on them being straight. I just want a heist movie but with a trans in the lead" so maybe that's why "it could tell more as a trans story" but doesn't

[@craigbarr2003]

I agree with the worst and the best. I wanted to see the Reeve doc, but couldn't. I did see SUNCOSAST though. Nico Parker and Linney are strong, but Harrelson's character was extremely underwritten.

[@dannydentarkis6482]

Thelma sounds great. Looking forward to that one.

[@bitnev]

Hm, can't find this Velma film. Did i get the name right? Sixth in your list.

[@TexTheBest]

thelma

[@arminarlet]

i want to watch hitman so bad

[@vladavram9209]

Did anyone bother to make a list?

[@BussinandDiscussin]

Why do you sometimes go so negative in thumbnails? No offense intended at all, this is just unasked for advice? I feel like you overall liked this, you should check out Chris Stuckmanns super millennial core soy face as an example of what you could do to possibly get some more viewers. If I am wrong sorry didn't mean anything rude about it just feedback.

[@StevenGolden]

Of the movies I saw at Sundance (at home), my favorites were: 1. Didi 2. Thelma 3. Rob Peace 4. Black Box Diaries 5. A Real Pain Least favorite by far was Little Death. Might have been the worst movie I've seen at Sundance. It uses AI art extensively, and it made me think less of David Schwimmer after seeing it.

[@annschmitt2909]

We saw five films online at Sundance. A Real Pain we found unsatisfying because of Keiran Culkin’s annoying character. Good One was boring and a dud. Little Death had a good performance by Talia Ryder but was one movie then all of a sudden it became a different movie. Thelma was ridiculous but loved the actor playing Danny. Veni Vidi Vici was unwatchable. What a bust!!!

[@paradisecity0406able]

Uh-oh! Based on the thumbnail, I take it that this year's Sundance Film Festival was not good

[@AlishaAnn94]

Much like Dan, this is the first time I’ve done Sundance and liked everything I saw! I’ve gone to Sundance for 13 years now, and usually see at least 1-2 films that I don’t like at all, but not this year. I saw 18 films, 12 in person, 6 online, and there was nothing that I felt like was a waste of time. The festival program was really strong this year.

[@jack0026]

Bro it's pronounced "boy"

[@Ready4Wednesday]

Those first handful of movies sound terrible

[@pplsyhn]

I can't wait for Love Lies Bleeding.