Hideo Kojima’s Top Movies and TV Shows to Watch in 2024

Hideo Kojima, a pivotal figure in the video game industry, recently disclosed his favorite movies and shows of 2024. Widely celebrated as one of the first true video game auteurs, Kojima’s work is heavily influenced by both cinema and literature. He began his career at Konami in 1986, crafting the iconic Metal Gear in 1987, a title that effectively defined the stealth genre. Notable works under his belt include Zone of the Enders, alongside cinematic adventure narratives like Snatcher (1988) and Policenauts (1994). After establishing Kojima Productions in 2005 and departing from Konami in 2015, he independently launched Death Stranding in 2019.

In a post following the recent Golden Globes celebration of 2024’s best in film and television, Kojima revealed a curated list of his favorite films and series from the past year. His cinematic favorites included a diverse range of titles: Past Lives, The Teachers’ Lounge, Dune: Part Two, All of Us Strangers, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, La Chimera, Hit Man, Gondola, The Seed of the Sacred Fig, The Substance, The Holdovers, and Juror #2. When it comes to Japanese cinema, he recognized A Girl Named Ann, All the Long Nights, and My Sunshine as outstanding selections.

Kojima’s picks for the top drama series featured Shōgun and True Detective: Night Country. In the realm of anime, his favorites included Look Back, Flow, and Robot Dreams. You can explore Kojima’s complete post on Threads as shown below:

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Analysis of Kojima’s Favorite Movies & Shows

Insights Into His Selections

Kojima’s selection of films for 2024 illustrates his appreciation for stories that combine emotional complexity and philosophical themes. His emphasis on titles like Past Lives and All of Us Strangers, despite their U.S. release in 2023, reflects a deep-seated admiration for nuanced narratives exploring memory and connection—concepts that resonate with his own work on Death Stranding. Additionally, his engagement with grand narratives such as Dune: Part Two and Furiosa demonstrates a clear appreciation for expansive storytelling and world-building, traits that are synonymous with his renowned creations like the Metal Gear franchise.

In his television choices, Kojima exhibits a preference for intricate narratives and atmospheric storytelling. His favorites, Shōgun and True Detective: Night Country, showcase a liking for narratives rich in cultural complexity and psychological layers, akin to the elaborate plots often found in his games. Moreover, his interest in anime such as Look Back and Flow highlights a fascination with innovative visuals paired with emotionally potent narratives, reinforcing the cinematic depth that characterizes his own projects.

Reflections on Kojima’s Curated List

Kojima’s curated selections reveal a keen taste and an insight into the storytelling that may influence his future projects. Titles like Past Lives and The Holdovers, which garnered acclaim as Best Picture nominees at the Academy Awards, underscore his commitment to quality cinema. Likewise, films such as Dune: Part Two, Hit Man, and The Substance were honored at the Golden Globes, further validating his choices.

However, his list does have notable omissions, including The Brutalist and Emilia Pérez, likely due to their limited availability in Japan at this time. Altogether, Hideo Kojima‘s selections not only speak volumes about his sophisticated aesthetic but also hint at the narrative styles and themes that could potentially shape his upcoming creative endeavors.

Source: Hideo Kojima/Threads

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