A year of in-between, 2021 did not produce many blockbusters. Sifting through 273 films might seem like a daunting task, so I sorted through the top-rated movies of 2021 and chose my 5 favorites. 

My top 5 movies released in 2021: 

1. Minari- My favorite film of the year was Minari. Truly one of the most emotional and beautiful movies I have ever seen, Minari explores the challenges of Asian immigrants in America. Jacob and Monica Yi and their two children, Anne and David, move from California to Arkansas, while later the children’s grandmother, Soon-Ja, joins them. Jacob decides to build his own farm on the property, growing traditional Korean crops.  Well deserving of the six academy awards it was nominated for, as well as several other awards, Minari makes you connect with the characters like no other film released this year. Demonstrating the challenges of immigration and discrimination of rural areas, economic issues contributing to ruining dreams, and the struggle to connect with culture in a foreign place, Minari is able to show how difficult life can be, while still inciting hope in the audience. Crying, laughing, screaming are all things you will be doing while watching this movie. Where to watch it: Rent on Amazon, Apple TV, Google Play, Vudu, and YouTube.
2. CODA- Coming in a close second, CODA follows a hearing teenage girl who lives with her deaf mother, father, and brother. Ruby discovers her love for singing and begins to pursue it as a possible path in her life. However, her family needs her help running their fish-catching business, because she is the only person capable of translating for the family, so they are able to communicate prices, as well as hear important messages on the chaos of the boat. Her family struggles to understand her passion for singing, considering they will never be able to hear it. Ruby must learn to balance her family life and her musical skills, and ultimately decide how to move on with her life. A hilarious dynamic between the family and her awkward manner, you truly connect with Ruby. The audience struggles along with Ruby as to how to go about balancing her unique life. Nominated for two academy awards, CODA is a fantastic film that explores the difficulties of deafness, as well as how that deafness can impact the hearing members of a family. Where to watch it: Apple TV
3. The French Dispatch- Wes Anderson’s first film in over four years does not lack his signature cinematography style. The French Dispatch follows the oddball publishing company proceeding with its editor-in-chief’s (Bill Murray) death. Owen Wilson introduces the film with a cycling tour of the city where the movie takes place in–Ennui-sur-Blasé. It then goes on to explore four more news segments: the Concrete Masterpiece, Revisions to a Manifesto, the Private Dining Room of the Police Commissioner, and finally, the Obituary. Although the plot can be a little difficult to follow, and you don’t get as much of a chance to connect with the characters as some of Anderson’s other films, it offers an extremely entertaining and riveting story. This is the kind of movie that makes you want to fly to the city where it takes place and just see it all from your own perspective. Not to mention, the cast is absolutely packed. Bill Murray, Timothee Chalamet, Tilda Swinton, and Owen Wilson all perform wonderfully in this beautifully shot film. Where to watch: Available for rent on Amazon Prime Video, Vudu, and Apple TV
4. Spider Man- No Way Home. Absolutely breaking the box office, Spiderman No Way Home lives up to the hype. I have never cried so much at a movie, let alone a Marvel movie. Tom Holland plays the perfect nerdy but charming Spiderman. Of course, seeing Zendaya and Tom Holland (who are dating in real life) is super exciting, but their on screen chemistry is also amazing. This movie tells the story of Peter Parker battling five villains, while also battling his conscious and moral compass. The visual effects are, of course, fantastic, and all the characters are very likable. Where to watch: in theaters only.
5. Don’t Look Up- Another packed cast, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence, Meryl Streep, Jonah Hill, Timothee Chalamet, Ariana Grande, and Kid Cudi all have great performances in this apocalyptic movie. An obvious reference to events actually occurring in the world today. Don’t Look Up tells the story of a potential extinction level asteroid hitting Earth. Exploring the reliability of media, superficial desires, and how fame can change a person, the film is terrifying. However, this movie is also super fun and sarcastic. Putting a light twist on an otherwise heavy subject, this Netflix Original is a must-watch. Where to watch: Netflix