Looking back at the year of movies in 2021, everyone will have their own opinion about which was the best of the year. But it is also fun to see which movies earned the biggest praise from audiences and stood out among the countless releases of the year.
Letterboxd is a terrific format for movie fans to log and rate the movies they watch throughout the year. Given the cinema-loving users, it is interesting which movies they chose as the best of the year. From powerful documentaries to intense dramas to fun superhero epics, these 2021 movies ranked as the highest user scores.
The Rescue (4.00)
While documentaries can often get overlooked by the general public, the user community at Letterboxd highlighted a few that stood out among the best movies of the year. One such non-fiction movie was the gripping The Rescue.
The movie chronicles the incredible and seemingly impossible rescue mission that took place in 2018 when a group of 12 boys and their coach became stuck in a flooded cave in Thailand. Many viewers called The Rescue a more intense thriller than any other movie of 2021.
West Side Story (4.02)
Few people were looking for a remake of the classic musical West Side Story, but with Steven Spielberg at the helm, it certainly grabbed everyone's attention. Spielberg proved once again why he is one of the greatest directors of all time with this vibrant, touching, and powerful musical.
The period setting comes alive at the hands of the master filmmaker and serves as a journey to share the world with these characters and become entranced by the music that is still effective all these years later.
Judas And The Black Messiah (4.03)
Given that Judas and the Black Messiah was already a contender at the last Oscars ceremony, fans may be confused about how it ended up on a list of 2021 movies. However, the movie was actually released in early 2021 and was still eligible due to last year's new Oscar rules.
The movie told the gripping true story of the plot by the FBI to take down the Black Panther Party's powerful leader, Fred Hampton. Daniel Kaluuya won an Oscar for his towering performance as Hampton and the movie was regarded as a hard-hitting historical piece that holds strong relevance today.
Dune (4.05)
Along with being Letterboxd's most popular movie of the year, Dune is also one of the top-rated among users. The ambitious adaptation of Frank Herbert's seminal sci-fi novel was brought to life by visionary filmmaker Denis Villeneuve.
Many viewers were blown away by Dune's engrossing atmosphere and complex story of intergalactic intrigue. Along with telling this grand and epic saga, it also got fans eagerly awaiting the second part of the story which is still to come.
Licorice Pizza (4.11)
Paul Thomas Anderson is one of the most acclaimed filmmakers working today and there is excitement among fans whenever his latest project is set to be released. Anticipation for his latest movie Licorice Pizza seems to have been well-placed as it is one of Anderson's top-rated movies.
The coming-of-age comedy follows a high school boy who forms a relationship with an older girl in the San Fernando Valley in 1973. The movie has been praised as a funny, touching, and thoroughly entertaining new addition to Anderson's incredible filmography.
The Worst Person In The World (4.11)
Letterboxd is always a great platform for highlighting movies from all over the world that have made a big impression. The Worst Person in the World is one of the international titles that gained considerable acclaim from users in 2021.
The inventive dark comedy from Norway follows a young woman as she struggles with her own love life and uncertainty about her career. The movie gained buzz after its debut at the Cannes Film Festival and fans have continued to talk about it as one of the year's best since then.
Summer Of Soul (…Or, When The Revolution Could Not Be Televised) (4.16)
The documentary Summer of Soul uncovers an incredible music festival that took place during the same summer as Woodstock yet didn't get nearly as much attention. The 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival was a celebration of Black music and Black pride and the documentary showcases the incredible never-before-seen footage from that powerful event.
Along with being a terrific concert movie, Summer of Soul is an engrossing glimpse at a key era of change amidst this celebration. It is beautiful, inspiring, and entertaining.
C'mon C'mon (4.19)
Just a couple of years after collecting his Best Actor Oscar for his dark performance in Joker, Joaquin Phoenix is once again receiving widespread acclaim for his much lighter performance in the comedy-drama C'mon C'mon.
Phoenix plays a journalist who is asked to take care of his young nephew and he proceeds to take him on an explorative trip across the country. Viewers were enchanted by the sweet and engaging story of family that features a great performance from Phoenix and his young co-star Woody Norman.
Drive My Car (4.19)
Another international movie that made a big impact on viewers in 2021 was the Japanese movie Drive My Car. It tells the story of a widowed stage director who is invited to participate in a festival. As he is driven around by his festival chauffeur, the man learns to face some hard truths he has avoided.
Despite the three-hour runtime, many viewers were riveted by the complex drama. As more fans name it as one of the year's best movies, it could become 2021's breakout international movie.
Spider-Man: No Way Home (4.29)
While it is no surprise that Spider-Man: No Way Home would be one of the biggest box office hits of the year, few expected that it would also rank as one of the most acclaimed. Despite the idea of superhero fatigue still being talked about, users at Letterboxd were significantly thrilled by the MCU's latest adventure.
The movie follows the aftermath of Peter Parker's identity getting out as well as the opening of the multiverse with a lot of big implications. It made for an emotional, entertaining, and surprising movie that ranks among the MCU's best.