A24 has earned a reputation as a studio that embraces the kinds of movies that most would flee. In a world where most movies are beginning to feel like variations on the same theme, it brings a breath of fresh originality onto the scene. It began in 2013 with the release of A Glimpse Inside the Mind of Charles Swan III and has expanded from there to become one of the most renowned distributors of the modern era.

Awards ceremonies are beginning to take notice of this unique approach to filmmaking. Throughout the studio's history, it has been nominated for fifty-five Academy Awards and taken home sixteen of those. However, some of its best movies were simply nominated rather than winning the coveted award. Let's take a look at the best movies of A24 that have been recognized by the Academy Awards.

10 20th Century Women Pays Tribute to the Director's Childhood

Mike Mills' 20th Century Women is a labor of love. It follows the story of a young boy growing up around a group of very progressive women, each of whom is dedicated to shaping him into the most incredible person he could be. It's a letter to his upbringing, which was shaped by his mother and sisters rather than any older male figures in his life. Though he fictionalized his experiences, the fact remains that these characters and this story stem from his real life, therefore making it all the more impactful.

At the 89th Academy Awards, the film was nominated for Best Original Screenplay. It competed against incredible films like La La Land, Hell or High Water, and The Lobster, but ultimately lost the prize to Manchester by the Sea. It performed slightly better at the Golden Globes, where it still took home no victories, but was nominated for two awards: Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy and Best Actress in a Leading Role for Annette Bening.

9 Ex Machina Blends Philosophy with Science Fiction

Alex Garland's directorial debut established everything he stood for as a creator. It kickstarted his career as one of the most prominent directors of the sci-fi genre and introduced some of the more intellectual aspects of his filmmaking as well. It focuses on the story of a programmer, Caleb, whose CEO invites him to test a new AI named Ava. He strikes up a relationship with her that blurs the line between that of a man and a machine with that of a man and a real person.

Like 20th Century Women, Ex Machina earned a nomination for Best Original Screenplay at the Academy Awards, though it also didn't take home the prize (which instead went to Spotlight). Still, the movie was a smash hit with critics. They praised its philosophical nature, as the movie poses difficult questions while remaining engaging to watch, which is a difficult balance for many to strike.

8 The Lighthouse Strikes Audiences Visually

The Lighthouse is one of A24's darkest movies yet. Though the studio has garnered a bit of a reputation as a place for unique horror to thrive in an industry that often seeks to quell any originality, The Lighthouse still stands out as one of its most psychologically horrifying films. The story of two lighthouse keepers who find themselves pushed to the brink of insanity after being marooned at the titular location during a horrible storm sticks with audiences long after its close.

The Academy chose to recognize The Lighthouse for its cinematography, which was one of the things that made the film stand out so immensely when it was first released. Cinematographer Jarin Blaschke chose to shoot the film in black and white, which contributed to the ominous atmosphere of the movie as a whole. Additionally, he worked in a near-perfectly square aspect ratio, thus making the movie itself feel claustrophobic and confined, just as the characters are throughout the events that unfold. It's one of the most visually striking movies in recent years.

7 The Lobster is a Twisted Interpretation of Romance

Yorgos Lanthimos is one of the most unique directors in recent years. His instantly identifiable style lends itself to some of the most peculiar stories of all time - and perhaps the most unusual of all is The Lobster. Starring Colin Farrell and Rachel Weisz, the movie follows a man who checks into a unique hotel where he is supposed to meet his soulmate within the first forty-five days of his arrival. If he fails, he will be turned into an animal of his choice.

At the 89th Academy Awards, the film was nominated for Best Original Screenplay (which makes sense, considering how odd the concept was). It competed against 20th Century Women, another A24 film, but still ultimately lost to Manchester by the Sea. Still, it's one of the best-written films in recent years, and a unique take on romance for those who may be jaded by the more conventional approaches to the genre found in other films.

6 Moonlight Won the Studio Its First Best Picture Oscar

Barry Jenkins' Moonlight went down in Academy Awards history. Everyone remembers where they were when La La Land was wrongfully called for Best Picture - and when, subsequently, members of the Academy had to step out to rectify their error. Still, everyone was overjoyed when the excited creative team of Moonlight rushed to the stage and claimed the first Best Picture win for A24. At the ceremony, Moonlight competed in seven other categories and took home the prize in two others: Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Supporting Actor for Mahershala Ali.

Moonlight, based on the semi-autobiographical play In Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue by Tarell Alvin McCraney, tells the story of Chiron in three different stages of his life. It tackles difficult issues, such as Chiron's sexuality and the abuse he faced growing up as a young queer boy. It earned near-universal acclaim for the performances of its leading actors, its screenplay, and Jenkins' direction.

5 Marcel the Shell With Shoes On Brought A24 Into Animation

A24 is known throughout the film industry for its willingness to embrace somewhat unusual stories, and Marcel the Shell with Shoes On is no exception to that rule. The film is based on the existing character of Marcel, a small seashell who got his start in a series of YouTube short films created by Dean Fleischer as director and Jenny Slate as the voice of Marcel. The shorts' popularity directly led to the creation of this feature-length film that ties Marcel's universe together, and which proved to be one of A24's most successful creations yet. It was nominated for Best Animated Feature at the Academy Awards, though it lost the prize to Guillermo Del Toro's take on Pinocchio.

Marcel the Shell with Shoes On tackles two narratives at the same time: that of Marcel himself as he struggles to find the community of shells who he got separated from during a move, and that of the filmmaker who begins making a documentary about him to help him find that family. It touches on what it means to be human and to be part of a community like this, and relates back to every being's desire for connection in the face of a world that is increasingly alienating to those who don't fit into a prescribed mold.

4 Lady Bird Put Greta Gerwig on the Map

Greta Gerwig has turned out to be one of the most successful filmmakers of the modern era. All three of her films have been nominated for Best Picture at their respective Academy Awards, and Barbie became the first movie by a solo female director to make over a billion dollars at the global box office. She began her work as an actress and moved to the other side of the camera a few years into her career, which proved to be one of the best decisions she could have made. She's one of the most well-known female directors in cinematic history.

None of her later success would have been possible without that Lady Bird, her directorial debut, and one of the most acclaimed movies of 2017. The semi-autobiographical story of Christine "Lady Bird" MacPherson and her mother as they struggle to get along throughout Lady Bird's senior year of high school touched young women everywhere. At the Academy Awards, it was nominated for five different awards, though it didn't take home any of them.