Film & Series: The Best of 2021
This year featured some incredible releases right up into December. From the MCU to horrifying church mass, here’s our best of 2021.
Film and television have had a very strange couple of years. With multiple production delays due to COVID, we’re feeling extra grateful for some of the amazing works that were released in theaters and on streaming services.
Whether you love a good super-human romp, a moody fantasy drama, or just having the sweatpants scared off of you, there was something to love. Before we ring in the new year, let’s take a fond look back at the best of 2021 in movies and series.
Best Superhero Movies of 2021
The final chapter in the trilogy had audiences laughing, crying, and whooping for joy in the theater. For Spider-Man fans, the film brought closure to more than one Spidey-timeline, and it was an absolute smash at the box 0ffice.
Courtesy of Marvel Studios
Violent, gory, and absolutely hilarious, this Squad movie got absolutely everything right with this team of underdogs. It gave us John Cena’s hilarious take on Peacemaker, the “aww” factor of King Shark and Rat Catcher 2, and plenty of Harley Quinn perfection. James Gunn’s foul-mouthed story is great for multiple rewatches, and will no doubt have a significant impact on the future of the DCEU.
Courtesy of Warner Bros
Marvel’s first phase 4 origin story pulled a relatively-obscure Marvel hero out of the past and into the modern-day. Featuring brilliantly choreographed fights that paid homage to classic kung fu movies and the romance of wuxia films, the power of the Ten Rings will definitely play a role in the future of the MCU.
Courtesy of Marvel Studios
Finally, we got the Black Widow movie we’d been asking for since phase 1! And it did not disappoint. Audiences got a look at Natasha’s childhood and her badass little sister, Yelena Belova, and David Habour and Rachel Wiesz as her adoptive spy parents. Part spy film, part action, and a whole lot of comedy, one last heroic adventure for Natasha almost took the sting out of her death in Endgame.
Courtesy of Marvel Studios
Best of 2021: Superhero Series
This series blew the lid off of the MCU’s phase 4. Not only is it a pivotal world-building source for upcoming stories, but the show’s sitcom stylings gave us some of the MCU’s most uniquely stylized moments. Introducing new forms of magic into the universe through both Wanda and Agatha Harkness, the series showed just how powerful the Scarlet Witch really is.
Courtesy of Disney Plus
When Loki, Sylvie, and a whole squad of other Loki variants decided to take on the Time Variance Authority, they didn’t realize that they’d be opening the door to a multiverse of mishaps. On the way, we get the full redemptive arc of arguably the most lovable character since the early days of the MCU. Once again, Marvel didn’t bother with the fluff– the impacts of this series will have a huge impact on the MCU going forward.
Courtesy of Marvel Studios
This classic holiday tale was the perfect way to ring in the most wonderful time of the year Marvel style. Featuring some canon-setting cameos, this action-packed yarn is the first of what we expect to be many passing-the-torch Marvel stories. Kate Bishop, Echo, and Yelena charmed audiences with their humor and wit, making it easily one of the best of 2021.
While Loki and WandaVision were expanding the metaphysical concepts of the MCU, Falcon & the Winter Soldier were catching up with a post-blip world on the ground. Sam and Bucky begrudgingly team up against a group known as the Flag Smashers, and in doing so, start working out some of their own baggage as well. The show is full of poignant commentary on the MCU that resonated particularly well in our current social climate.
A best of 2021 that may have slipped under the radar comes from Walking Dead creator Robert Kirkman. This animated adaptation of his popular superhero comic book of the same name stuck pretty close to the source material. But the voice casting and the sheer perfection of the story made it a phenomenal watch, even for fans who know the comic well.
via Amazon
Best Sci-Fi Movies of 2021
Denis Villeneuve’s take on the classic novel is a sweeping epic and a feast for the eyes. It has brilliant performances and shows an understanding of the source material that we haven’t seen on the big screen before. Cannot wait to see Chapter Two of this adaptaion.
Courtesy of Warner Bros.
This Korean sci-fi adventure is goofy with a Cowboy Bebop feel. A hotshot pilot that’s down on his luck and his crew end up in the possession of a weapon of mass destruction that looks like an 8-year-old girl. They have to find a way to get rid of it while making a profit and staying alive.
Courtesy of Netflix
This story of the classic struggle between teens growing up and parents’ worry gets everything right. The characters are relatable and funny, and the journey is a blast for all ages. It also has fantastic animation from Sony inspired by Into the Spider-Verse.
Courtesy of Netflix
A virus that causes memory loss is running rampant across the globe. One couple fights to keep their memories of each other, sharing memories to test one another along the way. It’s a tear-jerker and it’s amazing.
One of the best non-franchise action movies we’ve gotten in a while. Free Guy knows exactly what it is and leans hard into its goofy premise. The cast, led by Ryan Reynolds, is great – Taika Waititi chewing scenery as an arrogant game developer is a major highlight. It’s just overall fun, doesn’t tip into being dark/gritty, and it’s got heart.
via 20th Century Studios
Best of 2021: Sci-Fi Series
The final season runs into next year, but that doesn’t stop it from being at the top this year. The series continues to prove that it’s one of the best sci-fi shows with its gritty, hard sci-fi story. It has great characters and complex political plots that make tuning in every week a must. The only negative is that we only have three more episodes.
via Amazon
Isaac Asimov’s take on the fall of the Roman Empire was generally considered unadaptable for the screen. Showrunner David S. Goyer and the show’s brilliant ensemble cast have proven that wrong. It does a wonderful job at taking Asimov’s core ideas and stories and making them work on screen. Is it perfect? No. But it is great.
Courtesy of AppleTV+
Best Horror Movies of 2021
The horror that is being human may be the scariest thing of all. Morfydd Clark’s performance as a hospice nurse that’s worried about the salvation of her patients is heart-wrenching. It will stick with you for months.
Courtesy of A24
A body horror like no other from Julia Ducournau, director of Raw. It took home the Palme D’orr from Cannes this year for good reasons. It’s gloriously weird.
“Titane: A metal highly resistant to heat and corrosion, with high tensile strength alloys, often used in medical prostheses due to its pronounced biocompatibility.”
Courtesy of Neon
Edgar Wright’s take on Giallo is mesmerizing and terrifying all at once. Modern-day and the underbelly of the swinging 60s meld when Ellie Turner rents a room with a blood-soaked past. It will make your head spin.
Courtesy of Focus Features
Best of 2021: Horror Series
The Korean thriller was an instant hit on Netflix for good reason. The show’s mix of sheer weirdness, brutal violence, characters pulls you in. As the story moves forward it explores deeper themes that will have you hooked till the end.
via Netflix
30 Coins is part telenovela, part Dan Brown novel, and part The Exorcist. It keeps things interesting with a non-pretentious script. The chemistry of the cast and the underlying mystery will keep you wanting more. The second season is in production now, so no worries that the cliffhanger is the end.
This Korean horror drama revolves around the social reaction to otherworldly creatures publicly whisking sinners away to hell. While the prospect of having your own death predicted and carried out by monsters is horrifying, the real terror in the show comes from the religious zealots who co-opt these declarations for their own purposes.
I’m a sucker for religious horror, and Mike Flanagan’s twisted take on the genre is fantastic. The congregation on isolated Crockett Island gets a new priest (played brilliantly by Hamish Linklater) who brings miracles and something sinister.
Courtesy of Netflix
This story of revenge is a deranged ride that veers into Cronenberg and Lynch territory at times. Not for the faint of heart, but a delight for those that are willing to follow its lead character into a dark fantasy world filled with strange places and beings.
Best Fantasy of 2021
Acclaimed director David Lowery’s adaptation of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is a medieval epic that isn’t afraid of venturing into the dark and dirty corners of the legends. It’s beautifully shot and has award-worthy performances.
Courtesy of A24
If there’s one thing we didn’t need more of this year, it’s a hopeless dystopian story. Fortunately, Gus’ story may take place is a gritty, forsaken world, but it’s not without hope. As this adorable albeit naïve kiddo makes his way through the world, he has to hide the antlers growing out of his head. After all, it’s rough out there for the animal-hybrid kids.
Courtesy of Netflix
Ghostbusters: Afterlife is a treat for existing fans and a great introduction for new ones. While it doesn’t have the SNL feel of the first two movies, it’s got a wonderful 1980s Amblin kid-led adventure feel to it (think Goonies). While it’s not a remake, it’s got a lot of callbacks to the original movie. A lot. A lot a lot.
Courtesy of Columbia Pictures
A delightful tale of self-discovery that both kids and grown-ups will enjoy. While its backbone is the Disney formula, it has a flavor all its own thanks to its unique setting and rich cultural inspiration. Bonuses: the animation is gorgeous and you’ll be humming the songs for at least a week.
Courtesy of Disney
Join your favorite Witcher, mage, bard, and confused princess in Season two. The story gets more engaging, the characters more complex and interesting. Even better when paired with prequel anime Nightmare of the Wolf.
Courtesy of Netflix
What were your favorite shows and movies this year? Any best of 2021 moments we missed? Let us know in the comments below! Here’s to a new year filled with more incredible stories to share.
