Top Films of 2021
*Note*: I haven’t seen every single film released in 2021. If a title isn’t on this list, it may be because I haven’t watched it or because it didn’t resonate with me.
*Another Note*: Some films premiered before 2021 but had their wide release in 2021, so they’re included here.
*Final Note*: Images are included to help identify each film; titles and short reviews follow. This selection focuses on the best films of 2021, celebrated for direction, performances, and cinematic craft.
10. Saint Maud
Saint Maud is a tightly wound psychological drama that rewards patient viewers. The film builds to a single, unforgettable final image, and its careful pacing and unsettling atmosphere linger long after the credits. With focused direction and a performance that anchors every scene, Saint Maud is a standout for audiences who appreciate slow-burn horror and character-driven storytelling.
9. The Killing of Two Lovers
This intimate drama is a masterclass in restraint. The Killing of Two Lovers uses composition and silence as much as dialogue, creating a slow burn that pays off emotionally. Strong, naturalistic performances and precise framing help the film maintain an even, simmering tone. It’s a subtle, deeply human film about family, pain, and the fragile architecture of relationships.
8. The Last Duel
Ridley Scott’s The Last Duel experiments with perspective in the mode of Rashomon, giving each viewpoint distinct tone and texture. The film challenges viewers to confront truth, power, and the consequences of disbelief. Though its box office reception was disappointing, the film’s craft—production design, performances, and narrative structure—makes it a memorable historical drama worth revisiting.
7. The Long Goodbye
Short but impactful, The Long Goodbye proves that powerful filmmaking doesn’t require a long runtime. This compact piece deserves attention for its clarity of vision and emotional punch. If you have fifteen minutes, it’s a concentrated example of how a brief film can convey a fully realized mood and character arc. Ideal for viewers who appreciate concise storytelling.
6. Another Round
On its surface, Another Round centers on an odd premise: a group of teachers experiment with keeping a steady blood alcohol level during their workday. But the film evolves into a meditation on midlife, risk, and human connection. Mads Mikkelsen leads an excellent ensemble, and the balance of humor and melancholy keeps the story grounded. It’s both surprising and deeply humane.
5. Dune
Dune is a sensory triumph: visuals, sound design, and world-building come together in a way that feels both grand and intimate. Denis Villeneuve’s long-held passion for the material is evident in every frame. The film functions primarily as an immersive foundation for the story to come, establishing mood, culture, and scale. As a technical and artistic achievement, Dune stands out among 2021’s biggest releases.
4. The Green Knight
The Green Knight is a modern, meditative take on medieval myth, balancing the fantastical and the personal. Amid surreal imagery—naked giants and arboreal knights—the story remains rooted in human stakes and moral ambiguity. Dev Patel delivers a nuanced lead performance, and the film’s deliberate pacing and visual imagination create an experience that rewards attentive viewing. Cinematic, strange, and quietly affecting.
3. Inside
Bo Burnham’s Inside transcends the label “comedy special.” It’s a formally inventive, emotionally rich film that captures the isolation and digital overload of the pandemic era. Through music, editing, and performance, Burnham transforms a one-person project into a layered cinematic statement. For viewers who follow contemporary film and performance art, Inside stands out as one of the most original works of 2021.
2. Petite Maman
Céline Sciamma’s Petite Maman is a concise, delicate exploration of childhood, grief, and imagination. Following her acclaimed work on A Portrait of a Lady on Fire, Sciamma returns with a film that feels both intimate and universal. Clocking in at just over an hour, Petite Maman avoids excess and trusts its young performers, especially Gabrielle Sanz, to convey authenticity. It’s a small film with a lasting emotional reach.
1. C’mon C’mon
Topping this list, C’mon C’mon is an intimate, humane film about family, connection, and how we listen to one another. Joaquin Phoenix delivers a quietly controlled performance opposite child actor Woody Norman, and the film’s blend of real interviews with fictional storytelling gives it emotional depth and honesty. Simple in premise but rich in feeling, C’mon C’mon lingers in the best way possible.