Ranked roundup
The best films of 2021
25 ranked · updated July 2026
The cinematic landscape of 2021 was defined by a powerful convergence of epic myth-making, intimate character-driven dramas, and bold explorations of identity. These standout selections capture a year where stories of redemption, family bonds, and the reclamation of personal power resonated deeply across diverse genres and artistic visions.
How this ranking works
Ranked by a Bayesian-weighted score combining each title's average rating and rating count (minimum 200 ratings to qualify, weighted toward titles with more votes), filtered to films released in 2021.
Zack Snyder's Justice League
This definitive cut transforms the superhero epic into a sprawling, mythic exploration of sacrifice and the necessity of unity against overwhelming cosmic threats.
Explores: Heroism, Sacrifice, Teamwork.
Cruella
Craig Gillespie
A stylish, high-energy origin story that expertly blends punk-rock aesthetics with a biting critique of class conflict and the ruthless nature of the fashion industry.
Explores: Revenge, Fashion Industry, Class Conflict.
Spider-Man: No Way Home
Jon Watts
By centering the narrative on the crushing weight of responsibility and the consequences of identity, this film elevates the multiverse concept into a poignant character study.
Explores: Identity Crisis, Responsibility, Consequences.
Palmer
This film earns its place through a raw, grounded performance that explores the difficult path toward redemption and the transformative power of unlikely fatherhood.
Explores: Fatherhood, Redemption, Social outcasts.
Nobody
Ilya Naishuller
A masterclass in subverting suburban tropes, this relentless thriller finds profound catharsis in the reclamation of a man's long-buried capacity for protective violence.
Explores: Hidden Identity, Reclamation of Power, Midlife Crisis.
Jujutsu Kaisen 0
This dark fantasy excels by weaving a complex emotional tapestry of self-discovery and friendship, grounding its supernatural stakes in the protagonist's struggle with internal curses.
Explores: Cursed spirits, Friendship, Self-discovery.
Dune
Denis Villeneuve
A monumental achievement in science fiction that balances vast planetary politics with a meditative look at the tension between destiny and individual free will.
Explores: Destiny vs. Free Will, Colonialism, Environmentalism.
Raya and the Last Dragon
Carlos López Estrada
This vibrant adventure uses the framework of dragon mythology to deliver a resonant message about the necessity of trust in restoring harmony to divided lands.
Explores: Restoring Harmony, Divided Lands, Quest for a Legendary Being.
Luca
Enrico Casarosa
A beautifully realized coming-of-age story that uses its fantastical sea-monster premise to highlight the universal importance of acceptance and the secrets we keep from others.
Explores: Friendship, Acceptance, Secrets.
CODA
Sian Heder
This drama provides a moving look at the tension between family obligation and the pursuit of individual dreams, bolstered by its authentic representation of deaf culture.
Explores: Family obligation, Pursuit of dreams, Deaf culture.
The Mitchells vs. the Machines
Mike Rianda
By pitting a dysfunctional family against a robot uprising, this film finds humor and heart in the chaotic, relatable messiness of modern domestic life.
Explores: dysfunctional family, robot uprising, found family.
Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time
A profound conclusion to a series that tackles complex themes of trauma and existentialism, offering a contemplative look at finding peace in a ruined world.
Explores: Existentialism, Redemption, Trauma.
Sing 2
Garth Jennings
This musical sequel succeeds by focusing on the universal struggle of finding one's voice while navigating the high-stakes pressure of second chances and professional ambition.
Explores: Finding Your Voice, Overcoming Fear, Second Chances.
Finch
Miguel Sapochnik
A heartfelt post-apocalyptic narrative that uses the bond between a creator and his robot to explore the fundamental essence of humanity, love, and survival.
Explores: Man's Best Friend, Artificial Intelligence, Survival.
Ron's Gone Wrong
Sarah Smith
This story offers a poignant commentary on technology and childhood, highlighting how a malfunctioning robot can teach us more about genuine friendship than digital perfection.
Explores: Friendship, Social Isolation, Technology and Childhood.
Wish Dragon
Chris Appelhans
A standout among the best films of 2021.
Explores: Childhood Friendship, Class Differences, The Value of True Friendship.
Impossible Things
A standout among the best films of 2021.
Explores: Coping with loss, Intergenerational friendship, Breaking free from abuse.
Encanto
Byron Howard
A standout among the best films of 2021.
Explores: Family Dynamics, Intergenerational Trauma, Self-Discovery.
Wrath of Man
Guy Ritchie
A standout among the best films of 2021.
Explores: undercover revenge, organized crime, moral ambiguity.
Godzilla vs. Kong
Adam Wingard
A standout among the best films of 2021.
Explores: Man vs. Nature, Ancient Civilizations, Apex Predators.
King Richard
Reinaldo Marcus Green
A standout among the best films of 2021.
Explores: Parental Dedication, Overcoming Adversity, American Dream.
Bo Burnham: Inside
A standout among the best films of 2021.
Explores: Mental Health, Isolation, Internet Culture.
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Lin-Manuel Miranda
A standout among the best films of 2021.
Explores: Existential Crisis, Artistic Pressure, Fear of Failure.
Free Guy
Shawn Levy
A standout among the best films of 2021.
Explores: Artificial Intelligence, Self-Awareness, Existential Crisis.
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
Destin Daniel Cretton
A standout among the best films of 2021.
Explores: Family Legacy, Redemption, Confronting the Past.
Common questions
What are the best animated films from 2021?
The top-rated animated films from 2021 include Raya and the Last Dragon, Luca, The Mitchells vs. the Machines, Sing 2, and Ron's Gone Wrong. These films explore themes ranging from family dynamics and self-discovery to the impact of technology on childhood.
Which superhero movies were released in 2021?
Notable superhero films from 2021 include Zack Snyder's Justice League, which focuses on teamwork and sacrifice, and Spider-Man: No Way Home, which explores the consequences of Peter Parker's identity crisis and his reliance on Doctor Strange.
Are there any good 2021 sci-fi movies about the apocalypse?
Yes, several 2021 films deal with apocalyptic or post-apocalyptic settings, including Dune, which focuses on planetary destiny, Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time, which explores trauma, and Finch, a story about a robot companion surviving on a ruined Earth.