Top Movies of 2021 – Film For Fans

Who needs the Oscars when we are here to give you the definitive list of the top movies of 2021?

How it works:

Our Film for Fans hosts, Ryan and Rob, each created their personal top 10 list. The movies were then weighted based on how high they were on the list. Greater weight was given to movies closer to the top of each list. The list were then combined and movies were ranked based on their cumulative, weighted score.

Our individual rankings for each movie are at the bottom of each film. (NR= not ranked, HM= honorable mention)

Thus you get THE definitive list of Top Movies for 2021.

Enjoy!

Honorable Mentions

The Wrath of Man
Reminiscence
Candyman
Last Night in Soho
Mitchell’s vs. Machines

Top 1o movies of 2021

10. The Little Things

The Little Things is a complex and multifaceted story about the hunt for a clever killer and the strain constantly looking at the dark side of life puts on you. The interplay between Denzel Washington, Rami Malek, and Jared Leto drives this movie.

Streaming: HBO Max
Ryan: #6, Rob: NR

9. Free Guy

Probably the most fun movie on our list, Free Guy gives you a look at the immersive world of modern video games without traveling so far down the rabbit hole that it leaves non-hardcore gamers behind. It remains very accessible to most people. Ryan Reynolds, as always, is entertaining and engaging. Jodie Comer is low-key very compelling in this movie. A good date night option.

Streaming: HBO Max, Disney+
Ryan: #8, Rob: #8

8. The Green Knight

This is a movie that frequently leaves you wondering, “What actually is happening here?” It’s a fantasy movie that doesn’t clearly define rules of the fantasy realm. It’s an often isolated and stark, but compelling and eerie retelling of Sir Gawain. You can really see the influence of indie powerhouse studio A24. Not for everyone, but if you’re looking for something different, it’s worth a look.

Streaming: Showtime Anytime
Ryan: #5, Rob: NR

7. Ghostbusters: Afterlife

Ghostbuster: Afterlife resurrected the franchise after the disaster that was the previous Ghostbusters movie. This movie did a fantastic and skillful job of honoring and paying homage to the original movie forgoing cliché, and creating something original.

Streaming: Available to Rent
Ryan: HM, Rob: #5

6. The French Dispatch

If you’ve followed director Wes Anderson’s career, you won’t be shocked to find that this is a Wes Anderson movie in all it’s glory. Symmetry in every scene, quirky dialogue and relationship, vintage scenery, Frances McDormand. It’s all there. The movie takes on the form of a video telling of a number of stories from and American language newspaper in France. Lots of post-war 20th century tribute here.

Streaming: HBO Max
Ryan: #4, Rob: NR

5. Cruella

To quote FfF host Rob: “If a movie can make you care about someone you’ve hated your entire life, there’s something to be said for that.” That is the essence of this movie. Combine and excellent soundtrack with a blockbuster performance from Emma Stone, and you have a winner.

Streaming: Disney+
Ryan: NR, Rob: #3

4. Nightmare Alley

Guillermo Del Torro directs this fantastic retelling of a classic thriller. This movie is blessed with a stellar cast featuring a brilliant performance from Bradley Cooper. Scenery and world creation is a Del Torro specialty and this movie delivers. The ending of the film delivers.

Streaming: HBO Max, Hulu
Ryan: #7, Rob: #2

3. Spiderman: No Way Home

The biggest blockbuster in well over 2 years, and one of the most anticipated films in recent memory delivered for audiences in a big, big way. The stakes were real for this movie, the emotion was real, the drama was intense. The best part of this film was the way it redeemed what had been a fractured Spiderman movie universe. The next phase of Marvel is off to a great start.

Streaming: Available for purchase only
Ryan: #3, Rob: #6

2. No Time to Die

The Daniel Craig bond movies have been rather schizophrenic. They’ve been alternatingly brilliant and very disappointing. This one firmly fell into the category of brilliant. No Time to Die gave you a bond that was strong, tough, and ruthless as you’ve come to expect, but also one that’s caring and protective, and vulnerable. This film featured moments of incredible suspense and moments that were touching and raw. A fitting end to Daniel Craig’s run as Bond.

Streaming: Available to Rent
Ryan: #2, Rob: #4

1. Dune

Denis Villanueva is a master of epic cinema. The Dune book is a complex, multilayered web of intrigue depth. Bringing it to the screen is no easy task. Villanueva, however, does so with the ease that only a master craftsman at the top of his game can deliver. This film is a triumph of visual storytelling. You are shown, not told throughout the film. Dune creates a spectacular visual world, simultaneously beautiful and severe. This film is the first half of a 2 part story, which was a brave undertaking considering the second part was not a guarantee when the film hit theaters. I’m glad to say this film master will be given the chance to continue this masterpiece. Dune is worthy to sit atop the Film for Fans movie list for 2021.

Streaming: HBO Max
Ryan: #1, Rob: #1

Listen to Ryan and Rob talk about our lists in detail on the Film for Fans podcast.