Movies offer a couple of hours of stress relief and provide an escape from a normal routine. With the sizable amount of tension that transpired during the past two years, movies provided social interactions and connections. From Disney’s Marvel Catalog to Netflix Originals, 2021 contained numerous movies that gained plenty of publicity. 

10) “Godzilla vs. Kong”

One of the earlier productions of 2021, the action-packed “Godzilla vs. Kong” film, made this list with its epic CGI and a wonderful soundtrack. The story features Kong and his companion Jia, who possesses an affinity for Kong while looking for his true home. 

However, production did not reach its full potential due to critics pointing out faults. Most fans think that an excessive amount of human involvement inhibited the plot, especially when the movie features a fight between two of the greatest fictional monsters in anime, movie, and video game history. Even the mere action of villainizing Godzilla for the sake of the plot should ensure enough reason to account for this expensive film taking the number ten spot. 

9) “In The Heights”

The book by Quiara Alegría Hudes, “In The Heights” possesses both a play and live-action adaptation to make the list. Based on the Hispanic community in Washington Heights where everyone harbors myriad dreams and aspirations. The movie adaptation did not receive a lot of attention, because it released during the pandemic and exclusively on HBO Max.

8) “Don’t Look Up”

The Netflix Original of the year features great actors and actresses, such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence, and Timothee Chalamet. In the movie, Elizabeth Holmes discovered an asteroid heading straight for earth, but no one cared until it appeared right above them. It gained plenty of attention because of its pre-apocalyptic theme, but a multitude of fans have said they would not become shocked if this scenario happened in real life, due to the part that politics and media contributed.  

7) “Demon Slayer – Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Mugen Train” 

Numerous “Demon Slayer” fans recognize the show as one of the best anime out there, and the show itself received praise from fans and anime critics alike. Having released in Japan in 2020, “Mugen Train” debuted worldwide in 2021. The movie received eight points out of ten from IMDB and a 98% approval rating from Rotten Tomatoes. A great anime film, yes, yet it only existed as a singular major arc within the storyline and that can explain its spot. 

 6) “House of Gucci”

Starring a great deal of the best names in the acting industry such as Adam Driver, Jared Leto, Jeremy Irons, Al Pacino, and Lady Gaga, who played the murderer of Maurizio Gucci. The murder mystery received $144.7 million in box office, however, numerous people think that the movie could have achieved more if it did not undergo release during covid-19. 

5) “Dune”

Based on the book, “Dune” by Frank Herbert, starring Timothee Chalamet, the movie “Dune” came out on October 22, 2021, and received the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Score. The film broke a record, with $40.1 million grossed in the opening weekend. Even if it won major acclaim and praise, Dune misled fans in its advertisement, since Zendaya became staged as a major character for the film, yet only got seven minutes of screen time and her fans noticed.

4) “Spiderman: No Way Home”

With the incorporation of the three spider-men and all their villains, this new blockbuster ended 2021 with a pang of sadness with the death of a major character. Tom Holland and Zendaya star in the film together, along with epic sidekick Jacob Batalon. 

“I really enjoyed Spiderman, mainly because all the actors got featured in the movie, and there was a lot of character development for every character, even MJ,” says magnet freshman Ciara Wimbush. 

3) “Cruella”

The villainess Cruella takes form in her film, “Cruella”. It explains her childhood and how she fended for herself in London, England, and her aspiration to become a fashion icon. The film expresses insane creativity with Cruella existing as her evil self, with a twist of vengeance added. The film aired in movie theaters but soon became a Disney+ exclusive. 

2) “Encanto”

The magic film of 2021, “Encanto” uses Columbian culture and history to make the Familia Madrigal, each member having their gift granted to them by a miracle. The movie, known for its inclusivity, complimented dark skin tones with different curly hair types, different from the usual straight blonde hair that Disney movies tend to include. All of its differences account for the high ranking of spot two. 

1) “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings”

“Shang-Chi” features the first Asian superhero to appear in the MCU and the great actress Nora Lum or Akwafina. The movie defines not only a chunk of Asian culture but also its modernization, because not only did Shang-Chi’s father covertly rule the world with his business dating back thousands of years, but he hid it under the facade of a normal Chinese corporation. 

The movie possessed more success than the previous films on the list, and not just financially. It contained countless original elements, its own album made by Black and Asian artists and major character development from both Shang-Chi and his sister. 

Despite the past year’s downfalls, movies provided an escape for everyone. Film making became harder once COVID-19  hit, yet these productions pulled through and gave everyone a source of entertainment, and for that the public thanked them. Movie fans say farewell to 2021 and hope that this new year provides just as much entertainment as the last.