24 Best A24 Movies

The solo directorial debut from Greta Gerwig, Lady Bird is set in the early 00s and focusses on the relationship of its adventurous title character (Saoirse Ronan) and her embattled mother (Laurie Metcalf) as their lives begin to take on new shapes.

Lyrical in its dialogue and bittersweet in its depiction of both adolescent turmoil and the highs and lows of parenthood, the comedy-drama is at once fresh, witty, relatable and heartwarming, and all of its strengths come together beautifully thanks to Ronan and Metcalf's daring performances and Gerwig's warm storytelling.

Few films in the studio's back catalogue are as sweet and cathartic as Lady Bird, and the fact that Ronan lost the Best Actress race that year still doesn't sit right.