Overview
- Published by New York Magazine, the lineup blends a studio franchise entry with under-the-radar arthouse films.
- Waters singled out Final Destination: Bloodlines as "the best sequel to the coolest cinematic franchise ever," and No Film School notes it has earned over $315 million worldwide as the series' best-reviewed installment.
- Other selections include the Oslo Trilogy, Sirāt, Sauna, Room Temperature, Misericordia, When Fall Is Coming, My Mom Jayne, and The Empire.
- Waters has said he prefers difficult films and dislikes movies that aim to make audiences feel good, a stance often reflected in his year-end picks.
- No Film School points out this is his second consecutive year placing an Ari Aster film at No. 1 after topping his 2023 list with Beau Is Afraid.