It has been quite the blockbuster year for movies, as fans turned out by the thousands to cast their votes for their favorites at the Digital Spy Reader Awards 2024. With countless opinions shared and preferences expressed, the results signify not just popularity but also cinematic excellence. Here’s the complete rundown of this year’s winners and what made them stand out.
Leading the field is Ryan Reynolds, who has triumphed as Best Actor for his return as the wisecracking antihero Deadpool in Marvel's latest blockbuster, Deadpool & Wolverine. Following closely behind him is Ariana Grande for her enchanting portrayal of Glinda the Good in Jon M. Chu's adaptation of Wicked. Other notable performances included Andrew Scott’s emotional acting in the queer drama All of Us Strangers, Kate Winslet’s compelling role in the war film Lee, and Zendaya’s inspiring performance as Tashi, the tennis champion turned coach, in Challengers.
The Best British Rising Star award also featured compelling entries, with Emma Corrin taking the top place for her role as the villainous Cassandra Nova in Deadpool & Wolverine. Fresh talent Joseph Quinn followed suit, recognized for his performances in both Hoard and the prequel A Quiet Place: Day One. Other rising stars like Marisa Abela, Freya Allen, and Spike Fearn also made significant impressions this year.
Deadpool & Wolverine doesn’t just stop there—it also clinched the Best Movie title, grossing over $1 billion at the global box office and marking itself as the highest-grossing R-rated film to date. This success was mirrored by the box office charm of Wicked, which nabbed the second spot, followed by Inside Out 2, Paddington in Peru, and All of Us Strangers.
When it came to cinema experiences, the audience crowned Deadpool & Wolverine as the Best Blockbuster You Had to See At The Cinema. This sentiment reiterated the importance of blockbuster sequences, as the audience also loved sequels like Inside Out 2, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, Dune: Part Two, and Twisters.
Meanwhile, the comedy genre shined through with The Fall Guy, led by Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt, being chosen as the Best Comedy. Other crowd-pleasers included Wicked Little Letters, Poor Things, The Holdovers, and the chaotic, humorous Hit Man.
Horror enthusiasts hailed A Quiet Place: Day One as the Best Horror Movie, with the chilling sequel Smile 2 coming closely behind it, along with body-horror titles like The Substance, Alien: Romulus, and Terrifier 3.
Basking under the Best British Movie category was Paddington in Peru, the charming tale recognized for its quintessential British character. It was followed by Wicked Little Letters, All of Us Strangers, Blitz, and The Zone of Interest.
One of the most standout categories this year was the Most Mindblowing Movie Moment, with the return of Blade, played by Wesley Snipes, from Deadpool & Wolverine taking home the award. Cynthia Erivo’s stirring rendition of 'Defying Gravity' from Wicked secured second, with other memorable moments stemming from Inside Out 2, Paddington in Peru, and All of Us Strangers.
Looking to the future, the Most Anticipated Movie of 2025 looks promising, with the sequel Wicked: Part Two leading expectations, followed by Jurassic World Rebirth, Mission Impossible - The Final Reckoning featuring Anthony Mackie’s solo superhero venture as Captain America, and 28 Years Later.
This year’s awards certainly reflect not just cinematic trends but also the passions of moviegoers. With iconic performances and films leading the charge, the 2024 awards will have movie lovers excited for what lies ahead.
