This past year has been full of movie and TV show releases (something to do with covid I think). Since I love watching… anything basically, I’d love to share with you my top 10 Movies and TV Shows of 2021 list (in order of release date).
You know, I’m something of a movie enthusiast myself.
1. WandaVision
The year started off right away with WandaVision, which to me is some of the best content related to the MCU. It starts off slow and sort of makes you think “What the f**k is this??” Although, after the first two episodes, you can’t stop watching and wonder what’s going to happen next.
I chose this show mostly because of its uniqueness. It’s the first of its kind, I think. Just like the modern action and superhero movies combine different genres, like drama and comedy, so does this show start off as a sit-com and slowly transcends into something more.
It was definitely worth the wait and it sure as hell was the perfect opener to this new MCU phase.
2. Loki
Another MCU…drama? The third one this year. But it was more than that. Again, I put it on this list because, besides the fact that it was an amazing MCU show, it was a great stand alone TV Show. So far, everyone that I’ve talked to, I’ve recommended they watch this show.
I didn’t really know what to expect from it, but it exceeded my expectations. The music, the visuals, the characters, the story and especially Loki’s growth as a character. He has truly been humbled throughout the 6 episode series.
I think if you watch any live-action show from 2021, Loki should be at the top of your list.
3. Army of the Dead
This movie took me by surprise. I watched it at like 1 in the morning with a bucket of fried chicken and a bottle of coke and kind of just wanted to forget I had exams coming up in like two weeks. I didn’t know what it was. I knew it had something to do with zombies, but that was about it. Oh, and that it was directed by Zack Snyder. I put it on and I knew I’d love it in the first 5-10 minutes.
It’s not your typical zombie apocalypse movie. It’s a weird, zombie, heist, horror, action, blank-blanks-blank-blank-blank movie. It’s fun. It’s exciting. Like most good zombie focused movies or shows – it keeps you on your toes. The best thing about it is the way things develop in the last part of the movie. I won’t spoilt it for you, but I definitely think you should give it a try.
4. The Suicide Squad
This movie right here was amazing. It’s directed by James Gunn. Think Guardians of the Galaxy but triple it. Triple how good it was. Quadruple it. It’s hilarious, fun, intense, action-packed and all the other amazing James Gunn attributes that the Suicide Squad members were deserving of.
The rivalry between John Cena’s Peacemaker and Idris Elba’s Bloodsport. The hilariousness (and I mean can’t-stop-laughing hilarious) of Sean Gunn’s Weasel. The return of Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn. I just can’t believe that this movie is based idea as the 2016 movie.
P.S: It’s also worth mentioning that the first episode of the Peacemaker series comes out on the 13th of January.
5. Dune (Part One)
This movie is an obvious choice. I wasn’t familiar with the Novel before watching this movie. To me, it resembled an adult, upscaled version of Star-Wars. In a very good way of course. It was dramatic. It featured some great actors – Oscar Isaac, Timothee Chalamet, Zendaya, Josh Brolin, etc.
The best thing about this movie was the cinematography in my opinion. I would watch this movie just for like a couple of those 5-second long scenes. Those that watched it know what I’m talking about.
6. No Time To Die
I actually watched all of the Daniel Craig movies just days before watching No Time To Die and while I wasn’t so impressed with the first one, I really loved the Madeleine Swann character and relationship development over the course of the Spectre movie.
The constant back and forth between flashbacks and present time. The new 007 agent. The mysterious villain played by Rami Malek. And, of course, the beautiful theme song by Billie Eilish. It all beautifully ties in together to end the amazing Craig-Bond era.
7. Red Notice
This isn’t one of those movies that changes lives. Red Notice might help you relax though. Ryan Reynolds, Gal Gadot and Dwayne Johnson put on quite the show. The movie starts off quickly and features some quality chase scenes, action sequences and even plot twists that, personally, I didn’t see coming.
The ending suggests that there will be a second movie, which I am excited for. Nothing is confirmed just yet, but, considering the grand success it had, I think they might do a sequel pretty soon. Maybe a 2023 or 2024 release.
8. Arcane
Arcane, the show based on the League of Legends video game lore, is the greatest animated series, the best animated piece of work since Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. Unless you absolutely hate animated shows, you will most probably fall in love with this show and its characters.
IMPORTANT: You don’t really need to know any of the League of Legends lore to enjoy Arcane (I wasn’t familiar with any of it).
The series is basically three main plot lines that intertwine to form a much bigger story. It’s centered around the story of Jinx and Vi – two sisters that were separated young due to some tragic misfortune. (I’m really trying my best not to spoil anything here)
As I’m writing this, I’m trying to figure out what the best thing about this show is and I can’t choose between the intense story, great characters and beautiful graphics.
9. Don’t Look Up
This was a weird movie. Good experience – weird movie. It’s a satire movie featuring an A-list cast that basically just makes fun of the US. Not just the US. It’s a metahor for the whole Climate Crisis happening in the world. While staying true to its serious undertone, it’s a hilarious watch – mostly thanks to Meryl Streep and Jonah Hill’s characters.
It pokes fun at the media companies and personalities, world leaders, billionaire CEOs, “influencers” (whatever that means) in a very obvious non-obvious way.
10. Spider-Man: No Way Home
The big finale. What a way to end this list. To be frank, I wasn’t expected the movie to be what it was. That’s why the first time I watched it, it was difficult for me to enjoy/comprehend some parts.
Main take-aways:
- Green Goblin absolutely stole the show in my opinion. It’s incredible to think the Willem Dafoe came back 20 years after the first Spider-Man movie and played Norman Osborn even better than the first time.
- On top of THAT spectacular performance, the boys are back. Both Andrew and Tobey got to make quite the entrance into the movie and the three of them had quite the amazing chemistry.
- The movie is filled with easter eggs that even casual fans will enjoy, but that’s not the best thing about it. The genius behind it is that the movie is able to both be an Avengers: Endgame -like movie, but also setup the future of the MCU and Tom Holland’s Spider-Man without it feeling like it’s trying to do too many things at once (something superhero movies are sometimes guilty of doing).
- It looks like the next Tom Holland trilogy will be extremely different from the previous movies.
BONUS: Honorable Mentions
- Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
- The Guilty
- Squid Game
This is my list for 2021. Do you agree with it? Comment below!
As always, thanks for reading!
August 