Top 21 Movies Of 2021: Spider-Man: No Way Home And More!

With 2021 behind us, we had to give it up for the movies that managed to move, and excite us in a time where the future of cinema and how we digested it seemed so uncertain. Our top movies of 2021 blew our minds, regardless of the outlet where we saw them. Sitting in a theater, or in the comfort of our own beds, we couldn’t take our eyes off the screen!

Cruella

Emma Stone has had our hearts since we first saw her in Easy A, she’s always been our it girl. Seeing her bring an iconic Disney villain’s backstory to life was exactly the next career step we were hoping for from Emma Stone. And of course, like always, she bodied it. We are eagerly awaiting Cruella 2!

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings

Representation is one of the most important things that movies give, and by seeing the audience’s reaction to Shang-Chi it’s so clear how the representation in the film has impacted people. We can’t wait to see what the MCU continues to do with these characters.

To All The Boys: Always and Forever

We’ll admit it, we were completely hooked on this entire series. Netflix got this one really right. From the soundtrack to so much payoff for the audience that has watched Lara-Jean and Peter fall in love for three movies, it all makes for the ideal modern rom-com.

No Time To Die

2021 was the year we sadly had to say goodbye to Daniel Craig as James Bond. As sad as closing this chapter on one of the most stellar actors of our time playing such a beloved character is, we got No Time To Die out of it. And honestly, No Time To Die might just be our favorite James Bond movie yet!

Blue Bayou

Upon watching Blue Bayou you’ll fall completely in love with the mind of Justin Chon. From his brilliance forming this movie to him being the lead actor, it proves there is nothing he can’t do. We will be seriously shocked if you’re not moved to tears a solid 100 times.

Jungle Cruise

We can’t think of many (if any) times that Dwayne Johnson or Emily Blunt have missed, Jungle Cruise is no exception. Anyone who loves the magic of Disney, specifically the magic of Disneyland will feel like a kid again while watching this movie. From the acting to the familiarity of so many people’s favorite rides taking on a whole new life, Jungle Cruise is pure proof that the Disney train is not slowing down anytime soon.

Halloween Kills

Every year we need a really good horror movie, 2021 brought us the long-awaited Halloween Kills, starring the queen of Halloween herself, Jamie Lee Curtis. Living up to the original Halloween is near impossible, it’s just an all-time classic, but Halloween Kills sure comes close.

In The Heights

We have been singing the line “you’ve been shaking your a** for like half of the heights” since the day we first saw In The Heights.

Anything Lin-Manuel Miranda touches instantly turns to gold, so it’s no shock that this labor of love that he created is beyond fantastic. The soundtrack is one of our favorites of the year, and the actors are some you’re going to be seeing taking over both the stage and screen in the future.

House of Gucci

House of Gucci was arguably one of the most anticipated movies of the year. Come on, when you have Lady Gaga and Adam Driver in the same movie there is no way you can go wrong. We will be genuinely shocked if we don’t see House of Gucci all over the Academy Awards.

Eternals

Anything Marvel we will eat up! Which may be why we have three Marvel movies on this list. Eternals is the best of the MCU, we get diversity, we get the start of storylines, and of course, we get Harry Styles!!!!! *Spoiler Alert* but you always have to stay for those post-credit scenes. If you don’t you miss the introduction of Harry Styles as ‘Starfox’ into the MCU.

Spider-Man: No Way Home

*Spoiler Alert*

Did Spider-Man: No Way Home just come out two weeks ago? Yes! Do we still think it’s one of the best movies of the year? Oh without a doubt! Debate all you want but Tom Holland as Spider-Man/Peter Parker holds his own against Tobey and Andrew. And having all three of them on the same screen? Absolutely made us lose our minds. We screamed, we cried, and are hopeful Tom’s reign as Spider-Man still has more to come.

Licorice Pizza

There’s no debate, Licorice Pizza will be nominated for ‘Best Picture’ at the Oscars. Alana Haim was the complete breakout star of the year. And this movie proved that she will be a pillar in the movie industry for years to come. Paul Thomas Anderson is a visionary, he’s created this movie that people will love for years and years. Licorice Pizza will eventually be named a classic.

Spencer

If there’s one thing we have to stress about Spencer it’s that Kristen Stewart is in an acting class all her own. She embodies Princess Diana in a way we’ve seen so many before her fail to execute. The elegance, and approach to Spencer all add to what makes it so special. So many movies about the royal family exist, but this one tops our lists.

Lamb

We’re telling you right now, foreign films should be an essential part of everyone’s watch history. Lamb is an Icelandic film and it will mess with your mind, leave you wanting more and completely blow you away. The acting is top-notch, and the emotions come across so raw and real, you’ll be so invested by the end of the film and will be, like us, awaiting a potential sequel.

Last Night In Soho

If Anya Taylor-Joy is in it, we’re watching it, it’s that simple. She’s an it-girl in Hollywood for good reason! From The Queens Gambit to her roles in Split and Glass, she never disappoints. Last Night In Soho is one of those movies that we can see having a cult status, like a Great Gatsby of sorts.

Ghostbusters: Afterlife

Was the main reason we checked out this film because we are the biggest Paul Rudd simps? Maybe! But, Ghostbusters: Afterlife makes our year-end list because it’s a delicious slice of nostalgia. You have the characters you know and love making an appearance, plus you have this new cast of characters making it a movie for lifelong fans of the series and fans that are just being introduced.

Dune

Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, and Jason Momoa in one movie? The film gods have truly smiled on us! Dune is one of the best films to come out of the last year, in large part to one of the best performances we’ve seen yet from one of the hottest actors on the scene, Timothee Chalamet. We can not wait for the sequel!

The Kissing Booth 3

Listen, The Kissing Booth series is not a guilty pleasure for us, it’s all pleasure! These films have had us hooked on Noah and Elle’s relationship since the first film and we’ve held on until the end! While we weren’t thrilled with the ending, the payoff is there and we are loved getting to see these characters’ stories wrap-up.

Don’t Look Up

You simply can’t find a cast better than the one of Don’t Look Up. Come on, Meryl Streep, Jonah Hill, Leonardo Dicaprio!? Absolutely unreal. Don’t Look Up is a look into media and the pitfalls of how it works. It’s a genius adaptation, we’re certain anyone who watches this movie is going to take so much from it.

And yes, we’re also in love with Jonah Hill.

Free Guy

Ryan Reynolds has simply never done wrong. Every movie he does is a smash, and Free Guy is no different. So many fun cameos, such a unique concept for a film, and so widely well-received by audiences. In a world where movie-going is still slowly coming back, Free Guy was one of the first movies to smash the box office in a post covid world.

Dear Evan Hansen

We couldn’t round out our top movies of 2021 movie wrap-up without mentioning Dear Evan Hansen. This film adaptation of a beloved musical was long-awaited, and we would say it was well worth the wait! From the soundtrack that we know and love to getting to see Ben Platt reprise the role he was born to play as Evan Hansen, it was all perfect.

Check out more of our 2021 year-end lists here!

We would love to hear from you! What was your favorite movie of 2021? Let us know your favorite movie of 2021 by commenting down below or by tweeting us @TheHoneyPOP! We are also on Facebook and Instagram!