The Absolute Best Movies of 2021

From stunning large-scale epics to intimate character studies, the year delivered a wide spread of filmmaking styles across genres and languages. Filmmakers leaned into bold formal choices, inventive production design, and meticulous sound and music work, while distributors experimented with hybrid releases that brought many titles to wider audiences faster than ever before.

Below you’ll find a hand-picked collection of standout features from around the world. Each entry notes the key creative team, principal cast, source material where relevant, festival highlights, distribution details, and other production specifics to help you quickly understand what each project is and how it came together.

‘Dune’ (2021)

Directed by Denis Villeneuve and adapted from Frank Herbert’s novel by Jon Spaihts, Villeneuve, and Eric Roth, this science-fiction epic stars Timothée Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Oscar Isaac, and Zendaya. Greig Fraser handled cinematography, Hans Zimmer composed the score, and production took place across Hungary, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates with Legendary and Warner Bros. backing.

The film premiered out of competition at Venice and rolled out with a day-and-date strategy in select regions. It won multiple Academy Awards across craft categories, including cinematography, score, sound, and visual effects, reflecting its large-format capture and extensive practical-CG integration.

‘The Power of the Dog’ (2021)

Jane Campion wrote and directed this adaptation of Thomas Savage’s novel, starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Kirsten Dunst, Jesse Plemons, and Kodi Smit-McPhee. Ari Wegner served as cinematographer, with production based in New Zealand to stand in for the American West, and Jonny Greenwood provided the score.

The film was distributed by Netflix following a festival launch that included Venice and Telluride. It received wide awards recognition, earning Campion the Academy Award for Best Director and garnering nominations across acting, writing, and technical categories.

‘Drive My Car’ (2021)

Ryusuke Hamaguchi co-wrote and directed this Japanese drama inspired by Haruki Murakami’s short stories, with Hidetoshi Nishijima, Tōko Miura, and Reika Kirishima leading the cast. Filming took place in Hiroshima and Tokyo, blending Japanese and multilingual theater-rehearsal settings, with Eiko Ishibashi composing the score.

The film premiered at Cannes, where it won Best Screenplay, and later achieved extensive international distribution through specialty labels. It went on to win the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film and secured nominations in directing, adapted screenplay, and best picture.

‘Licorice Pizza’ (2021)

Written and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, this coming-of-age comedy-drama stars Alana Haim and Cooper Hoffman, alongside Bradley Cooper and Sean Penn. Mihai Mălaimare Jr. and Anderson collaborated on cinematography using period-appropriate film stocks, and the soundtrack features needle-drops curated by the director.

MGM and United Artists Releasing handled distribution in North America with a platform release strategy. The film received Academy Award nominations for best picture, director, and original screenplay and earned multiple critics’ group accolades for its ensemble and craft.

‘The Green Knight’ (2021)

David Lowery wrote and directed this adaptation of the Arthurian poem, starring Dev Patel, Alicia Vikander, and Joel Edgerton. Cinematography was by Andrew Droz Palermo, with production mounted in Ireland and a score by Daniel Hart that combined choral and folk instrumentation.

A24 released the film in theaters with a limited-to-wide expansion. It drew strong attention to production design and practical effects work, with extensive home-media features documenting its visual development and editorial process.

‘West Side Story’ (2021)

Steven Spielberg directed this re-imagining of the stage musical, with a screenplay by Tony Kushner and choreography inspired by Jerome Robbins. The ensemble includes Rachel Zegler, Ansel Elgort, Ariana DeBose, and David Alvarez, with Janusz Kamiński as cinematographer and music supervision honoring the Bernstein-Sondheim score.

20th Century Studios managed the theatrical release, followed by streaming on Disney+ and other platforms in different regions. Ariana DeBose won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, and the film received nominations for production design, cinematography, and sound.

‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ (2021)

Directed by Jon Watts with a screenplay by Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers, this Marvel Studios and Columbia Pictures co-production stars Tom Holland, Zendaya, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Jacob Batalon. The production integrated large-scale visual effects and StageCraft-style techniques, with Michael Giacchino composing.

Sony Pictures handled the global theatrical rollout with premium formats including IMAX and 4DX. The release achieved record-setting box office results for its period and later arrived on home media with extended cut material and behind-the-scenes features.

‘CODA’ (2021)

Sian Heder wrote and directed this English-language remake of the French-Belgian film ‘La Famille Bélier’, starring Emilia Jones, Troy Kotsur, Marlee Matlin, and Daniel Durant. Production took place in Massachusetts coastal towns, with real-life Deaf actors in principal roles and original music performances recorded live.

Apple acquired the film after its Sundance premiere and released it on Apple TV+ alongside a limited theatrical run. It won the Academy Award for Best Picture, with Heder earning Best Adapted Screenplay and Troy Kotsur winning Best Supporting Actor.

‘The Worst Person in the World’ (2021)

Joachim Trier directed and co-wrote this Norwegian feature with Eskil Vogt, starring Renate Reinsve and Anders Danielsen Lie. Filmed in Oslo with cinematography by Kasper Tuxen, the production blends chapter-based structure with a contemporary urban setting.

Neon and other international distributors handled the rollout following a Cannes premiere, where Renate Reinsve won Best Actress. The film received Academy Award nominations for international feature and original screenplay and enjoyed strong art-house attendance.

‘Belfast’ (2021)

Written and directed by Kenneth Branagh, this semi-autobiographical drama stars Jude Hill, Caitríona Balfe, Jamie Dornan, Ciarán Hinds, and Judi Dench. Shot in black-and-white with cinematography by Haris Zambarloukos, the film uses selective color elements and a Van Morrison soundtrack.

Focus Features led the theatrical release with Universal handling international markets. It won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay and secured additional nominations across acting, directing, and best picture categories.

‘No Time to Die’ (2021)

Cary Joji Fukunaga directed this installment in the James Bond franchise, with Daniel Craig alongside Léa Seydoux, Rami Malek, and Lashana Lynch. Linus Sandgren served as cinematographer, with production spanning locations in Italy, Norway, Jamaica, and the UK, and a Billie Eilish title song produced with Finneas.

Universal and MGM coordinated a global theatrical release in premium formats. The film won Academy Awards for original song and sound and features extensive behind-the-scenes documentation of stunts and miniature work in official making-of materials.

‘Titane’ (2021)

Julia Ducournau wrote and directed this French-language body-horror drama starring Agathe Rousselle and Vincent Lindon. Ruben Impens handled cinematography, with practical effects and makeup leading the design approach and an industrial-electronic score setting the tone.

The film premiered in competition at Cannes, where it won the Palme d’Or. Distribution followed through Neon and other art-house partners, with unrated or restricted classifications depending on territory due to intense thematic content.

‘Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings’ (2021)

Destin Daniel Cretton directed this Marvel Studios feature starring Simu Liu, Awkwafina, Meng’er Zhang, Tony Leung, and Michelle Yeoh. Bill Pope served as cinematographer, and production incorporated wuxia-influenced choreography and large-scale set pieces built on soundstages in Sydney.

Walt Disney Studios released the film theatrically with an exclusive window before streaming availability. It introduced new characters to the Marvel Cinematic Universe and features original songs and a score by Joel P. West.

‘The Mitchells vs. the Machines’ (2021)

Directed by Michael Rianda and co-directed by Jeff Rowe, this animated feature from Sony Pictures Animation and produced by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller features voice performances by Abbi Jacobson, Danny McBride, Maya Rudolph, and Olivia Colman. The film blends stylized 3D with hand-drawn 2D embellishments and doodle overlays.

Netflix acquired distribution rights and released the film globally on the service, with later physical media editions including extensive production art galleries. It received multiple awards from animation guilds and associations, including the Annie Awards.

‘Encanto’ (2021)

Walt Disney Animation Studios produced this musical fantasy directed by Jared Bush and Byron Howard, co-directed by Charise Castro Smith. The voice cast includes Stephanie Beatriz, John Leguizamo, María Cecilia Botero, and Jessica Darrow, with songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda and a score by Germaine Franco.

Disney released the film in theaters followed by streaming on Disney+, and the soundtrack reached notable chart positions. The film won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature and received additional nominations for original song and score.

‘Pig’ (2021)

Michael Sarnoski wrote and directed this drama starring Nicolas Cage, Alex Wolff, and Adam Arkin. Shot in and around Portland, the production used a restrained visual style from cinematographer Patrick Scola and an atmospheric score by Alexis Grapsas and Philip Klein.

Neon distributed the film with a targeted theatrical release. Cage’s performance received widespread recognition from critics’ groups, and the film gained a sustained audience through digital rental and physical release.

‘The French Dispatch’ (2021)

Wes Anderson wrote and directed this anthology feature featuring an ensemble including Benicio Del Toro, Adrien Brody, Tilda Swinton, Frances McDormand, and Jeffrey Wright. Adam Stockhausen’s production design and Robert Yeoman’s cinematography support distinct visual chapters inspired by mid-century magazines.

Searchlight Pictures released the film with a platform strategy emphasizing specialty theaters before broader expansion. The production’s costumes and makeup teams received industry nominations, and the film includes a companion book collecting articles, artwork, and screenplay material.

‘Nightmare Alley’ (2021)

Guillermo del Toro directed and co-wrote this adaptation of William Lindsay Gresham’s novel, starring Bradley Cooper, Cate Blanchett, Rooney Mara, and Toni Collette. Production design by Tamara Deverell and cinematography by Dan Laustsen emphasize noir aesthetics, with an original score by Nathan Johnson.

Searchlight Pictures released both a standard color version and a separate black-and-white presentation in select theaters. The film received Academy Award nominations including best picture and recognition for production design, cinematography, and costume design.

‘A Quiet Place Part II’ (2021)

John Krasinski wrote and directed this sequel starring Emily Blunt, Millicent Simmonds, Noah Jupe, and Cillian Murphy. Polly Morgan handled cinematography, with location shoots in upstate New York and sound design centered on dynamic range and silence to support narrative tension.

Paramount Pictures launched the theatrical release followed by early availability on Paramount+. The film achieved strong box office in premium formats and includes extensive stunt and creature-effects featurettes in home-media editions.

‘The Suicide Squad’ (2021)

James Gunn wrote and directed this DC film featuring Margot Robbie, Idris Elba, John Cena, Daniela Melchior, and Sylvester Stallone’s voice work. Filming occurred in Panama and at Atlanta soundstages, with Henry Braham as cinematographer and a score by John Murphy.

Warner Bros. released the movie in theaters and on HBO Max in select regions during its initial window. The production showcases large practical sets and creature work, with VFX houses contributing extensive simulation and compositing across the third act.

‘Don’t Look Up’ (2021)

Adam McKay co-wrote and directed this satire starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence, Meryl Streep, and Jonah Hill. Cinematography by Linus Sandgren employed handheld techniques, and Nicholas Britell composed the score, complemented by original songs.

Netflix distributed the film after a limited theatrical run, accompanied by a broad marketing campaign and cast interviews across major outlets. It received Academy Award nominations for best picture, original screenplay, score, and editing, and became one of the service’s most-viewed releases during its debut window.

‘King Richard’ (2021)

Reinaldo Marcus Green directed this biographical drama starring Will Smith, Aunjanue Ellis, Saniyya Sidney, and Demi Singleton. The screenplay is by Zach Baylin, with cinematography from Robert Elswit and a score by Kris Bowers.

Warner Bros. released the film with a combined theatrical and streaming approach on HBO Max in select markets. Will Smith won the Academy Award for Best Actor, and the film earned additional nominations including supporting actress and original screenplay.

‘tick, tick… BOOM!’ (2021)

Lin-Manuel Miranda directed this adaptation of Jonathan Larson’s stage musical, with Andrew Garfield, Alexandra Shipp, and Robin de Jesús leading the cast. Alice Brooks served as cinematographer, and the film features new arrangements by music supervisor Kurt Crowley alongside original Larson compositions.

Netflix handled global distribution following a limited theatrical bow. Andrew Garfield received major awards recognition for his lead performance, and the film’s soundtrack charted strongly on digital platforms.

‘The Tragedy of Macbeth’ (2021)

Joel Coen wrote and directed this adaptation of the Shakespeare play, starring Denzel Washington and Frances McDormand. Cinematography by Bruno Delbonnel emphasizes high-contrast black-and-white imagery, with minimalistic production design by Stefan Dechant and music by Carter Burwell.

A24 and Apple Original Films partnered on a hybrid release that included theaters and Apple TV+. The film earned Academy Award nominations, particularly recognizing Washington’s performance and Delbonnel’s cinematography.

‘C’mon C’mon’ (2021)

Mike Mills wrote and directed this black-and-white drama starring Joaquin Phoenix, Woody Norman, and Gaby Hoffmann. Robbie Ryan was the cinematographer, and the score was composed by Bryce and Aaron Dessner, with production traveling through multiple US cities.

A24 released the film with a gradual expansion from limited markets. Woody Norman’s performance drew significant awards attention, and the film’s home release includes director commentary and behind-the-scenes featurettes.

Share your own picks and what we missed in the comments so everyone can compare favorites and discover a few new titles to watch next!