Film lovers still faced uncertainty when it came t0 theatrical releases for much of the year, but Netflix released some noteworthy movies in 2021, and here are some of the best. As the years go by, Netflix has increased its movie presence by acquiring big studio titles post-release and getting the distribution rights to debut on the streaming service. Gone are the days where big-budget movies with A-list leads are restricted to theatrical releases, and Netflix is a major factor in that continuing trend.
Thanks to studios electing to bypass theaters to instead release highly-anticipated 2021 movies through streaming services, subscribers had more titles than ever accessible from the comforts of their own homes. Granted, Netflix had vowed to ramp up their original movie quality well before the coronavirus pandemic changed the release model. Based on the number of Netflix original movies released in 2021, the streaming giant seems to be making good on its promise.
Despite the altered release models for several major movies on other platforms like Disney+, HBO Max, and Peacock, Netflix experience consistently notable movies throughout 2021. Ranging anywhere from a sci-fi satire to coming-of-age tales or an autobiographical musical to a zombie-filled heist from Zack Snyder, Netflix checked off a lot of boxes this year. That said, here are some of the best Netflix movies to premiere in 2021, leading to the best of the best.
13. Stowaway
Stowaway may not have received much buzz surrounding its April 2021 release, but the sci-fi drama from Joe Penna is a thought-provoking tale that has the benefit of being set in the visually-appealing edges of space. While Stowaway falls victim to some pacing issues with a slow burn, the moral dilemma at the center of the story when the ship heading to Mars can't sustain enough oxygen with the amount of crew onboard gives the movie enough depth. Stowaway's cast of Anna Kendrick, Daniel Dae Kim, Shamier Anderson, and Toni Collette allow for each character to shine in the small-budget film. The ending may be frustrating for some, but the movie delivers in introducing an ethical dilemma that had repercussions on a crew that could have ripple effects on the advancement of humankind.
12. Red Notice
Rawson Marshall Thurber's Red Notice isn't a hit with critics, but Netflix subscribers are sure getting a kick out of the big-budget action-comedy. The movie, which was one of the highly-anticipated titles of the year for the streaming service, was an easy sell with Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Ryan Reynolds, and Gal Gadot in the lead. While building on the recent track record of worthwhile action movies, Red Notice banks on the cast's popularity even if the movie's plot isn't as intriguing as the blockbusters the trio are usually headlining. Still, the fast-paced movie, which pins Gadot against the leading men, offers viewers a two-hour humorous thrill ride with some of Hollywood's biggest stars.
11. Army of the Dead
Zack Snyder was one of the biggest names in 2021 due to the release of his long-awaited Justice League director's cut. On the heels of the movie's release, Snyder debuted another passion project in the form of Army of the Dead on Netflix. This one allows the filmmaker to return to his zombie subgenre roots while funneling the world of the undead into a heist set in the vibrant ruins of Las Vegas. With an ensemble cast including Dave Bautista, Omari Hardwick, Ana de la Reguera, and Matthias Schweighöfer, Snyder introduces an intricate world capable of further examination. Some elements of Army of the Dead may have been overstuffed, but with prequels and sequels planned, the vast elements could easily pay off.
10. Army of Thieves
Army of Thieves marks the second installment of the Army of the Dead franchise and a prequel to Zack Snyder's original title. Though Army of Thieves wouldn't have been possible without Army of the Dead, Matthias Schweighöfer's movie benefits from a smaller scope. Schweighöfer, of course, starred in the movie as safecracker Ludwig Dieter, a fan-favorite in Army of the Dead. This time around, Dieter goes by Sebastian Schlencht-Wöhnert with a team comprised of Nathalie Emmanuel, Ruby O. Fee, and Stuart Martin for a different kind of heist. It doesn't involve the undead, but there are fun, high-stakes sequences that build on the backstory of a likable character.
9. Fear Street Trilogy
Technically, three separate Fear Street movies released on Netflix in July, but considering they were marketed as a cohesive story split into three distinct eras, it could be counted as one title. In all honesty, all three of Leigh Janiak's Fear Street installments deserve a spot on all best-of Netflix lists. Not only do the movies do an excellent job in blending several subgenres of nostalgic horror, but the trilogy also anchored the story with a love story between two teenage girls. Viewers and critics alike have praised the Feat Street movies for their LGBTQ+ representation, but leads Kiana Madeira and Olivia Welch deserve credit for their performances as lovers pulled apart within multiple centuries.
8. Concrete Cowboy
Though Ricky Staub's Concrete Cowboy made its debut during TIFF in 2020, it didn't make its wider release on Netflix until the spring of 2021. The movie, starring Idris Elba and Caleb McLaughlin, is based on the brilliant book titled Ghetto Cowboy by Greg Neri, which, in turn, centers on Black horseriders in a Philadelphia, Pennsylvania neighborhood. The story of city cowboys puts a lesser-known culture on display without saturating the plot with cliches that often come alongside the depiction of urban communities. Elba and McLaughlin shine in Staub's tale as a father-son duo who learn from each other by also relying on the community around them.
7. Don't Look Up
Out of all the Netflix movies on the list, Don't Look Up features one of the biggest gaps in terms of critic and audience reception. The latter of which has bought into Adam McKay's satirical sci-fi much more than critics. While some may have considered the plot of the planet's impending doom a bit of a reach, others embraced McKay's dramatic yet comedic storytelling through A-list actors. Earth's destruction might spell doom-and-gloom, but it's a thrill witnessing eccentric characters played by the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence, Jonah Hill, and Meryl Streep be the ones thrown in the center of the mess.
6. Passing
Not only does Passing deserve to be considered as one of the best Netflix movies of 2021, but it could also make the argument for one of the best movies of the year outside of the streamer. The beautifully poignant story serves as Rebecca Hall's directorial debut, but it is truly brought to life by the brilliant performances by Tessa Thompson and Ruth Negga. The black-and-white film centered on the notion of "racial passing," in this case, when two light-skinned Black women pass as white women. Passing tackles difficult themes involving confinement when it comes to racial identity. Though set in the past, Hall's movie has messages that still apply to the present day.
5. The Power of the Dog
Jane Campion's The Power of the Dog could very well end up an awards darling in the coming months, and any wins would be well-deserved based on the balanced Western. Based on a novel from 1967, The Power of the Dog presents an emotional and unsettling tale that perfectly uses the strengths of its leads, particularly Benedict Cumberbatch. The actor plays a rich ranch owner whose resentment of others stemmed from deeper secrets, affecting his relationship with his brother and the son of his brother's new wife. Pair the LGBTQ+ themes with the struggles of alcoholism and solitude while adding in the notable score and praise-worthy cast performances, and Campion has a winner on her hands.
4. The Mitchells vs. the Machines
Netflix has been churning out its fair share of animated original movies, but The Mitchells vs. the Machines goes above and beyond the typical cookie-cutter quality that often hinders the genre. Created by Mike Rianda, the sci-fi comedy puts a family on a surprise journey that touchingly helps prove that love can still be found within dysfunctional relationships. The feel-good story is centered by Katie Mitchell, who experiences the coming-of-age realization during an adventure involving robots and deadly technology. In addition, The Mitchells vs. the Machines incorporates LGBTQ+ representation in a title that's fun for all ages, making it a must-watch in 2021.
3. 7 Prisoners
Though 7 Prisoners lacks a flashy cast and the buzz surrounding its late 2021 release, the Brazilian film deserves a spot near the top of any best of the year list. Written and directed by Alexandre Moratto, 7 Prisoners follows Christian Malheiros' Mateus, an 18-year-old who finds himself stuck working in a junkyard after falling into modern slavery. Malheiros gives a chilling performance of a young man trapped in Brazil's class system as he must decide to comply or risk his family's safety. 7 Prisoners tackles corruption, exploitation, and human trafficking through the lens of a victim as if it is more like a documentary than a work of fiction.
2. The Harder They Fall
Netflix's The Harder They Fall has a lot going for it; the Western setting, a stellar cast, and an unforgettable soundtrack featuring names like Kid Cudi, Jay-Z, and Lauryn Hill. That said, even for those that don't find the Western subgenre appealing have found Jeymes Samuel's movie to be a fun thrill ride. Samuel set out to create a Western that features an all-Black cast, but the filmmaker upped the game by acquiring names like Jonathan Majors, Idris Elba, Zazie Beetz, and Regina King. The story about an outlaw and his team hunting down a brutal enemy is captivating from start to finish and one of the few movies viewers would regret not watching right away.
1. Tick, Tick...Boom!
2021 saw the release of Lin-Manuel Miranda's In the Heights movie adaptation, but actor/playwright/producer's most significant project came in the form of Tick, Tick...Boom!, which debuted on Netflix in November. The biographical musical drama serves as Miranda's directorial debut, and he sure set the bar high with the movie based on Jonathan Larson's stage play. Tick, Tick...Boom! follows Larson, played sensationally by Andrew Garfield, in the '90s during his creation of Rent. While Rent went on to become a gamechanger in the theater community, the path for Larson wasn't so easy. The music is a masterpiece, but the story itself is a complex look into a creative mind who faced devastating pressure from all aspects of his life. Tick, Tick...Boom! is a Netflix movie from 2021 that should not be missed.