The year 2021 may have been full of ups and downs, but the one thing we could always count on was movies. Whether you made it out to the theater or caught a few flicks on streaming, you've probably seen some of what the year has had to offer.
And man, was there a lot to offer. Here's a list of some of the best (in no particular order), though it really barely scratches the surface.
If you haven't seen this Cold War thriller, here's a synopsis, courtesy of IMDb:
"In the shadow of the Cold War a letter from Oleg Penkovsky (Merab Ninidze) an agency of the Soviet Union received by MI6 stating the concern of Penkovsky about world safety and his anxiety about a nuclear war, so Emily Donovan (Rachel Brosnahan) a CIA Agent reached out to MI6 Agent Dickie Franks (Angus Wright) , who recruited British salesman Greville Wynne (Benedict Cumberbatch) to be their spy."
According to the critics on Rotten Tomatoes, "The Green Knight honors and deconstructs its source material in equal measure, producing an absorbing adventure that casts a fantastical spell."
Definitely a must-see if you're into medieval settings, or if you happen to be a fan of the original tale.
Though technically three movies, this binge-worthy series can be watched in one sitting, providing thrills and chills.
Rotten Tomatoes gives this synopsis for the first film:
"After a series of brutal slayings, a teen and her friends take on an evil force that's plagued their notorious town for centuries."
IMDb's synopsis is as follows: "When a young loner becomes the gestational surrogate for a single man in his 40s, the two strangers come to realize this unexpected relationship will challenge their perceptions of connection, boundaries and the particulars of love."
The kind of heartwarming story we need right now.
As the much-anticipated sequel to the 2018 smash hit A Quiet Place, Part II definitely doesn't disappoint. The critics of Rotten Tomatoes loved this movie, saying "expands the terrifying world of the franchise without losing track of its heart."
A late addition to 2021, but Stephen Spielberg's take on the classic musical shouldn't be overlooked. Audiences loved it, with their consensus on Rotten Tomatoes stating, "The acting, singing, and dancing are terrific, and Steven Spielberg's West Side Story updates the original without losing its heart."
Though this biopic may not have been 1-to-1 with Princess Diana's real life, critics couldn't get enough of Kristin Stewart's incredible performance. The film got a very solid 84% from critics on Rotten Tomatoes.
After being delayed over a year thanks to the pandemic, the world finally got to see Scarlett Johansson's Natasha Romanov in a solo film. And boy, was it worth the wait.
Grossing nearly $380 million worldwide, it's pretty clear that this was one of 2021's most anticipated movies.
Yes, even animated movies have made it onto this list. Raya and the Last Dragon is one of those movies that anyone can find enjoyment out of, regardless of age.
"Another gorgeously animated, skillfully voiced entry in the Disney canon, Raya and the Last Dragon continues the studio's increased representation while reaffirming that its classic formula is just as reliable as ever," say the critics of Rotten Tomatoes.
Another much-anticipated 2021 release, Dune is one of those movies that'll scratch your sci-fi itch. Audiences gave this adaptation to the first half of the novel a whopping 90% on Rotten Tomatoes, and I think that just about sums up why you should watch it.
If you've ever played a video game, you'd probably love seeing all the action in Free Guy. Audiences and even critics loved this action comedy with audiences calling it an "all-around good time, with a funny Ryan Reynolds performance leading an exciting story and some impressive special effects."
Sure, horror may be one of the more subjective genres out there, but this one is a must-see for anyone who loves experiencing a few spooks. Plus, it boasts a plot twist that literally no one saw coming.
Okay, but were any of us really expecting any less from Daniel Craig's last hurrah as James Bond? With a critic rating of 83% and an audience rating of 88% on Rotten Tomatoes, it's safe to say Craig's 007 went out with a bang.
This is one of those movies where the trailers don't give a lot away. And audiences loved every second of it, saying, "Last Night in Soho has visual thrills, a great soundtrack, and a plot that keeps you guessing — in other words, everything you want from an Edgar Wright movie."
2021 felt like a year full of villain origin stories, but none stood out quite like Cruella. Seriously, this movie is worth a watch just for the amazingly stylish outfits.
And with an audience score of 97% on Rotten Tomatoes, it looks like there was a lot to love about this film.
It's safe to say that 2021 was a pretty good year for Marvel (and for Disney in general). Simu Liu's MCU debut had critics and audiences wanting for more.
"Shang-Chi covers new cultural ground for the MCU without losing any of the action, comedy, and emotion Marvel's movies are known for." (via Rotten Tomatoes).
In a year full of comic book adaptations (both on the big screen and the small screen), there wasn't one nearly as hyped as Spider-Man: No Way Home. And why wouldn't it be? Everyone loves Spider-Man!
Given the fact that this film broke Netflix viewership records, chances are you've already seen it. And, chances are you already love it. The movie may have come out at the very end of 2021, but it already feels timeless.
Not to be confused with 2016's Suicide Squad, The Suicide Squad is nothing but a fun, action-packed superhero (or rather, supervillain) flick. Critics on Rotten Tomatoes gave it an impressive score of 90% making it a must-see for fans of the DC universe.
Is it just me, or does it feel like this movie came out of nowhere? Regardless, critics and audiences both agree that Disney has done it again.
"Whether you're looking for gorgeous animation, catchy songs, a heartwarming message, or all of the above, Encanto delivers." (via Rotten Tomatoes)
Do you have a favorite movie of 2021? Tell us about it in the comments!
