In 2021 cinema proved more important than ever as a way to connect people. Whether viewed on phones, home screens or in large-format theaters, the year’s standout films and creators sparked conversation, challenged assumptions, and prompted unexpected reflection amid a difficult global moment.
At The Film Magazine, our team of experienced, thoughtful writers reviewed and celebrated more than 100 new releases and covered many of the year’s leading festivals. Their work—ranging from in-depth festival reviews to accessible “where to start” guides, ranked lists, interviews, and breaking news—helped readers explore cinema from many fresh angles.
Our core roster of 19 regular writers, alongside numerous guest contributors, produced content that drew substantially more visitors than in previous years. We are grateful to our readers and social followers for making 2021 a record year for thefilmagazine.com.
In this Movie List we present the 21 most popular articles of 2021, ranked by visitor numbers. Each entry below was first published in 2021; updated or republished pieces published earlier are not included. Please note that multi-page list articles may accumulate higher visitor counts over time.
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21. Voice of Silence (2021) Review
Author: Jack Cameron
Twitter: @JackCam86118967
Reviewed as part of our Glasgow Film Festival coverage, this South Korean drama from debut director Hong Eui-jeong balances gentle warmth with sharp moral complexity. Jack Cameron’s concise, insightful review highlighted the film’s emotional subtlety and ethical weight.
Read here.
20. ‘Planet of the Apes’ at 20 – Review
Author: Sam Sewell-Peterson
Twitter: @SSPThinksFilm
For the 20th anniversary of Tim Burton’s divisive remake of Planet of the Apes, Sam Sewell-Peterson revisited the film and found that, with two decades of reboots and remakes behind us, the movie’s faults and virtues look different in hindsight.
Read here.
19. Where to Start with Gene Kelly
Author: Joseph Wade
Twitter: @JoeTFM
Shared by Patricia Kelly, Gene Kelly’s widow, this practical guide introduces new viewers to one of Hollywood’s most beloved performers. Joseph Wade’s recommendations point readers toward classic musicals and unforgettable performances that define Kelly’s legacy.
Read here.
18. Showa Era Godzilla Movies Ranked
Author: Sam Sewell-Peterson
Twitter: @SSPThinksFilm
Toho’s original Godzilla films captured postwar anxieties and became a global phenomenon. Sam Sewell-Peterson ranked the fifteen films of the Shōwa Era, guiding readers through the series’ highs and lows.
Read here.
17. ‘Spirited Away’ at 20 – Review
Author: Katie Doyle
Twitter: @Katie_TFM
Katie Doyle reflected on twenty years of Hayao Miyazaki’s Spirited Away, examining why this Studio Ghibli masterpiece remains one of anime’s most influential and emotionally resonant films.
Read here.
16. The Winter Lake (2021) Review
Author: Kevin Woodley
Kevin Woodley’s sharp analysis of the British thriller The Winter Lake paired well with the film’s star Emma Mackey, making this review a widely read take on a tense and atmospheric release.
Read here.
15. Ben Wheatley Films Ranked
Author: Sam Sewell-Peterson
Twitter: @SSPThinksFilm
Sam Sewell-Peterson ranked Ben Wheatley’s eight feature films, offering readers a clear guide to the director’s most remarkable and most divisive work.
Read here.
14. Cruella (2021) Review
Author: Mark Carnochan
Twitter: @MarkJurassic
One of the first major theatrical releases after pandemic restrictions eased, Cruella attracted attention for Emma Stone’s performance and its stylish reimagining of the classic villain. Mark Carnochan called it a refreshing entry among recent studio remakes.
Read here.
13. Marvel Cinematic Universe Villains Ranked
Author: Sam Sewell-Peterson
Twitter: @SSPThinksFilm
Sam Sewell-Peterson ranked the MCU’s most memorable antagonists, a list that reignited debates over whether Thanos, Loki or another foe deserves top billing among Marvel’s rogues gallery.
Read here.
12. Creation Stories (2021) Review
Author: Leoni Horton
Twitter: @inoelshikari
Leoni Horton’s critical review of Creation Stories, a biopic about music manager Alan McGee, challenged the film’s accuracy and ambition following its Glasgow Film Festival premiere.
Read here.
11. Todd Phillips Movies Ranked
Author: Joseph Wade
Twitter: @JoeTFM
From broad comedies like The Hangover to the darker character study of Joker, Joseph Wade’s ranking of Todd Phillips’ filmography offered readers a clear view of the director’s range and recurring themes.
Read here.
10. 21st Century Best Picture Oscar Winners Ranked
Author: Joseph Wade
Twitter: @JoeTFM
Joseph Wade ranked all Best Picture winners of the 21st century— from widely praised films like Parasite and 12 Years a Slave to more controversial choices—offering context and opinions on how each title has aged.
Read here.
9. Breach (2020) Review
Author: Kieran Judge
Twitter: @KJudgeMental
Despite its poor critical reception, Bruce Willis’ presence in the sci-fi thriller Breach drew reader interest. Kieran Judge delivered a frank review that didn’t shy away from the film’s shortcomings.
Read here.
8. Candyman (2021) Review
Author: Kieran Judge
Twitter: @KJudgeMental
Nia DaCosta’s contemporary take on the Candyman myth provoked intense online debate. Kieran Judge’s concise, well-informed review captured the film’s strengths and the elements that divided audiences.
Read here.
7. David Fincher Movies Ranked
Author: Jacob Davis
Twitter: @JacobFilmGuy
In a year when Fincher’s Mank returned him to awards conversations, Jacob Davis ranked the director’s films and explored why Fincher’s style continues to resonate.
Read here.
6. Superman Movies Ranked
Author: Mark Carnochan
Twitter: @MarkJurassic
Published during the buzz surrounding Zack Snyder’s Justice League, Mark Carnochan’s guide to the Superman filmography served as a useful primer for viewers wanting to revisit the Man of Steel’s screen history.
Read here.
5. Terminator Movies Ranked
Author: Sam Sewell-Peterson
Twitter: @SSPThinksFilm
Sam Sewell-Peterson’s ranking of the Terminator franchise reminded readers of the franchise’s highs—especially the James Cameron originals—and its more uneven later entries.
Read here.
4. Texas Chainsaw Massacre Movies Ranked
Author: Luke Hinton
Twitter: @lukeh38
Published in October—one of our busiest months—Luke Hinton’s ranking of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre films offered horror fans a clear ordering of a long-running and influential franchise.
Read here.
3. Spy Kids Movies Ranked
Author: Sophia Patfield
Nostalgia for family-friendly puerile adventures remains strong. Sophia Patfield’s ranking of the Spy Kids series resonated with younger readers and longtime fans alike.
Read here.
2. Pokémon Anime Movies Ranked
Author: George Taylor
Twitter: @MrGeorgelax
George Taylor ranked twenty-three Pokémon films released over more than two decades, delivering a thorough guide that appealed to long-time fans and newcomers curious about the animated franchise.
Read here.
1. DCEU Movies Ranked
Author: Joseph Wade
Twitter: @JoeTFM
With anticipation for The Batman and debate around Zack Snyder’s Justice League, Joseph Wade’s long-overdue ranking of the DCEU proved hugely popular. Readers returned for a definitive ordering of the franchise’s theatrical releases and streaming entries.
Read here.
Recommended for you: 9 Best Reviewed Films 2021 – The Film Magazine
Which of these articles did you enjoy most? Which do you think deserved more attention? Share your thoughts in the comments, and follow @thefilmagazine on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for more coverage of film culture.