The Best Movies of 2021 (So Far)

16.

On the low, 2021 is shaping up to be one of the more important years in the history of cinema. Think about it: Before the spring of 2020 was done, many (incorrectly) predicted that the theater business was done. COVID-19 kicked the idea of heading into a theater to see movies to the curb, which resulted in many movies being held back while Hollywood figured out alternative measures, which ended up either being “drop it on a streaming service” or “wait until 2021”. Well, it’s 2021, and we’ve got an awkward year of cinema that’s trying to recoup on the monies lost due to a global pandemic while navigating a growing demand for on-demand streaming content. This could be the year that everything changes. It may be the year that we get more of the same. The hope is that, along the way, we get some amazing films to get lost within.

And so far, 2021 is delivering. Some highly anticipated projects left us wanting more, while others taught us about atrocities across the United States of America. We’re extremely light on superheroes (it’s still early), but we have some fantastical battles and edgy action-comedies to keep us entertained while we wait. Round it out with some awe-inspiring AWARDS SZN stand-outs and forward-thinking directorial debuts and you have a much-broader batch of films to celebrate mid-year—much more than we did in 2020! Grab your popcorn and dive into the best movies of 2021 (so far).

15.'Malcolm & Marie'

Director: Sam Levinson

Starring: Zendaya, John David Washington

Distributor: Netflix

Where to Watch: Netflix

Malcolm & Marie is what happens when Euphoria gets delayed during a pandemic and Sam Levinson’s creative juices are flowing. He hits up shining Euphoria star Zendaya (fresh off a historic Emmy win) and they concoct a tale fit to be produced in early quarantine: a couple has an argument after a film premiere. Malcolm (played by Tenet star John David Washington) is ecstatic over the feedback he received for his latest project as a director, and his girlfriend Marie (Zendaya) is miffed at his lack of bigging her up during his speeches that night. That spirals into an old-Hollywood-esque dissection of the Hollywood review machine, how Black creatives are seen, and how much a lover can influence creativity. Most importantly, it was a delicate dance; Zendaya and John David really unloaded on each other, hurling vicious barbs at each other, sinking to the depths of humanity before rising once again to make up. Its black-and-white color palette and artistic close-ups on boxed mac and cheese are dope, but ultimately it’s an exercise in highlighting just how on-point Zendaya is right now. Her work as Marie is frightening at times—I swore she was going to turn this into a horror flick with one swipe of that knife. She’s just so fucking good; it was easy to pull for Marie (if you were aligned with her side of this three-round bout), as Zendaya made you care. Her emotions were written all over her face; the fact that she could then talk about it made the film that much more enticing.

If I’m keeping it a buck, Malcolm & Marie makes this particular list just to remind the AWARDS SZN naysayers who left Z with one lone acting nomination (Best Actress at the 26th Critics’ Choice Awards). That’s ridiculous, even in a year of stellar, critically -acclaimed films that are more up the awards bodies’ alley. Zendaya has been here, and Malcolm & Marie has put everyone on notice: Zendaya’s just getting started. —khal

14.'Monster'

Director: Anthony Mandler

Starring: Kelvin Harrison Jr., Jennifer Ehle, Tim Blake Nelson, Rakim “ASAP Rocky” Mayers, John David Washington, Jennifer Hudson, Jeffrey Wright

Distributor: Netflix

Where to Watch: Netflix

Monster follows a 17-year-old teenager from New York City who is on the brink of losing everything after being involved in a robbery-turned-murder at a bodega. Steve Harmon (Kelvin Harrison Jr.) is an honors student from a good family who has a bright future in photography ahead of him. His friendship with James King (ASAP Rocky) lands him in a bad situation after King and another man named Richard Evans (John David Washington) implicate Harmon as an accomplice. His involvement threatens to take away everything he has ever known when he is charged with felony murder. The movie follows Harmon’s legal battle as he grapples with the possibility of spending the rest of his life in prison. Aside from Harrison’s stellar performance as the lead, the supporting cast is also stacked with names like Jennifer Hudson, Jeffrey Wright, Nasir “Nas” Jones, and Jharrel Jerome. While the movie had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2018, it was ultimately acquired and released by Netflix in May 2021, in a time where a story like this is even more important than it was when the original novel was released in 1999.

Monster is a lesson that for some Black men and people of color, simply being in the wrong place at the wrong time can jeopardize everything they’ve worked hard to build. —Karla Rodriguez

13.'In the Heights'

Director: Jon M. Chu

Starring: Anthony Ramos, Corey Hawkins, Leslie Grace, Melissa Barrera, Olga Merediz, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Gregory Diaz IV, Jimmy Smits

Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures

Where to Watch: HBO Max

In the Heights was expected to be the event of the summer and a movie that would change the way Latinos are perceived in Hollywood. Instead, the film (produced by Lin-Manuel Miranda and directed by Crazy Rich Asians’ Jon M. Chu) garnered plenty of criticism for its lack of Afro-Latinx representation. The film takes place in NYC’s Washington Heights neighborhood, and its population is primarily made up of Dominicans, specifically Afro-Dominicans. Viewers spoke up about the lack of Afro-Latinx representation in the lead and speaking roles, and the colorism criticism quickly overshadowed the film’s intended impact. Critics and audiences still gave the movie glowing reviews for its vibrance, its rich story, and bringing to life an NYC neighborhood that’s not usually centered in the countless stories told about the Big Apple. And the talented cast did the beloved Broadway musical justice. Anthony Ramos, Leslie Grace, Corey Hawkins, Melissa Barrera, Olga Merediz, and the rest of the ensemble cast all came together to tell the story of immigrant and first-generation young adults trying to decide if they should leave their cherished neighborhood behind to fulfill their dreams or if they should stay. It’s a story that needed to be told, and from beginning to end, the film provides a boost of feel-good, hopeful energy that’s needed after a year full of hardship. —Karla Rodriguez

12.'Gully'

Director: Nabil Elderkin

Starring: Jacob Latimore, Charlie Plummer, Jonathan Majors, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Amber Heard, Terrence Howard

Distributor: Vertical Entertainment​​​​​​​

Where to Watch: iTunes

Nabil Elderkin could have spent the rest of his life making dynamic images for the hottest music acts in the world. He’s spent years shooting and directing music videos for everyone from Kanye West to Kendrick Lamar—his réesumée is official. With his feature-length directorial debut, Gully, Elderkin is set to channel the creativity of the future of Hollywood into a story about the unheard American youth out there.

With its dynamic cast and fanciful eye, Gully is a symphony of chaos. Jacob Latimore is the mad leader, with tinges of Alex from A Clockwork Orange about him. Charlie Plummer’s Nicky is the ultimate ride-or-die. He likely has something to prove, but whatever his motivation, he’s got your back. Kelvin Harrison Jr. (Luce, Waves) plays Jesse, a young man who’s figuring out how to deal with the terrible trauma that he’s holding onto. Their paths lead to violence, as is the case in situations like this, but the film begs the question: What would’ve happened if these kids had a real outlet? What if they had someone like Jonathan Majors’ Greg, himself a man just coming out of prison and trying to make a better way? It’s a twisted tale that’s told throughout the forgotten towns across the country, a tale as old as time. The film, more importantly, uses this tale as the mission statement for the next phase of Elderkin’s output: The voices of the underrepresented need to be heard now more than ever. Listen close before things get worse. —khal

11.'Bad Trip'

Director: Kitao Sakurai

Starring: Eric Andre, Lil Rel Howery, Tiffany Haddish

Distributor: Netflix

Where to Watch: Netflix

Eric Andre is at his best when he is working at the intersection of comedy and performance art, and that’s just where Bad Trip lives. Andre stars opposite the always-hilarious Lil Rel Howery and Tiffany Haddish in what appears at first glance to be a boilerplate buddy comedy road trip movie, but is actually a bold experiment. That’s because the film is ultimately told from the perspective of the passersby who observe the story.

As the actors play out tired rom-com tropes on the street guerilla-style, non-actors and extras react, not realizing that they are being filmed. Combining Andre’s trademark hidden camera antics with plotting worthy of American Pie or EuroTrip, he and director Kitao Sakurai create some of the most hilarious scenes of the year. They also invite the audience to question the plausibility of our favorite film moments, testing how scenes would be received in the real world.

As courageous as Johnny Knoxville and as thoughtful as Tim Heidecker, Eric Andre has taken his place in the comedy pantheon. Bad Trip is a bold, brash, hilarious experiment that demonstrates the true heights of his comedic powers. —Brenden Gallagher

10.'The Night'

Director: Kourosh Ahari

Starring: Shahab Hosseini, Niousha Noor, Leah Oganyan, George Maguire

Distributor: IFC Midnight

Where to Watch: Hulu

The best horrors have always been low budget, but thanks to recent leaps in digital film they no longer have to look it. The cash-strapped/creativity-rich 2021 horror The Night is a perfect example. Channeling Kubrick via Persian American roots, this largely Farsi language chiller shadows a young family, Babak (Shahab Hosseini), Neda (Niousha Noor), and their baby for an overnight stay in the once luxe, now creepy as hell Hotel Normandie. No doubt inspired by The Shining—a.k.a. the scariest movie ever—freshman director Kourosh Ahari’s abilities speak for themselves. As the character’s fears grow, so too do the audiences’. Pushed by fast cuts, growing tension between Neda and Babak, and the skill of suggestion to evoke a never-ceasing feeling of something lurking, The Night isn’t just my pick for best horror of the past few months, I’m giving it the crown for the last couple of years. Seriously, I still have goosebumps. —Nate Houston

9.'Godzilla vs. Kong'

Director: Adam Wingard

Starring: Alexander Skarsgård, Millie Bobby Brown, Rebecca Hall, Brian Tyree Henry, Shun Oguri, Eliza González, Julian Dennison, Lance Reddick, Kyle Chandler, Demián Bichir

Distributor: Warner Bros.

Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video

My inner 10-year-old self screamed when news of this one first dropped! OK, it was me, but that’s only because I’ve been waiting to see this fight for 20 years. [Shoutout to all the other kids who played “What If?” monster mash-ups on the playground.] I’ll also admit that worry came in a close second after my initial elation, but all that was cleared up post the theater / HBO Max dual release thing COVID has us doing now. If you don’t want to read further, just know that another piece of your childhood has NOT been butchered.

Combining cast and story world from the two already solid standalone films (2019’s Godzilla: King of the Monsters and 2017’s Kong: Skull Island), Godzilla vs. Kong. gives us Alexander Skarsgård, Millie Bobby Brown, Lance Reddick, Kyle Chandler, Brian Tyree Henry, and Julian Dennison for all the drama, top-notch acting, and laugh-out-loud moments you could want. What you really want is the action though, and I’m here to tell you…Fuego! Punches, bites, body slams, and radioactive fire blasts, I mean come on, how could it not be? If this movie doesn’t win a special effects Oscar just off big G’s nostril flares alone, I’m rioting. —Nate Houston

8.'Shiva Baby'

Director: Emma Seligman

Starring: Rachel Sennott, Molly Gordon, Polly Draper, Danny Deferrari, Fred Melamed, Dianna Agron

Distributor: Utopia

Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video

Anchored by a star turn from social media comedy breakout Rachel Sennott, Shiva Baby has charmed the film festival circuit. Director Emma Seligman’s feature debut follows Danielle (Sennott), a nearly graduated gender studies major earning extra cash as a sugar baby, as she attends what should have been a simple, obligatory family funerary function. When Danielle’s work, family, and sex life awkwardly and hilariously collide at a shiva, what little she has is poised to come crashing down. The film examines Jewish family dynamics, the post-collegiate pressures of the elite, and Gen Z sexual politics with a sharp edge and hilarious rat-a-tat dialogue courtesy of a supporting cast stuffed with accomplished character actors. Shiva Baby evokes the kind of project that launched Lena Dunham’s career (Tiny Furniture) and made Greta Gerwig a household name (Frances Ha). Seligman and Sennott seem poised for a similar destiny, as the director is reportedly developing Shiva Baby into an HBO series under the auspices of none other than Adam McKay, and the actress is making a name for herself all over the indie comedy scene. —Brenden Gallagher

7.'I Care A Lot'

Director: J Blakeson

Starring: Rosamund Pike, Peter Dinklage, Eiza González, Chris Messina

Distributor: Netflix

Where to Watch: Netflix

I enjoy hitting play on movies not knowing what to expect. I Care A Lot arrived on Netflix in February, a time when viewers had been stuck at home for nearly a full year and a lot of us were at our wit’s end and burned out from all the TV and movie streaming we’d done in that time. This movie was just as chaotic as 2020 was, and while the film’s plot escalates quickly, it’s worth sticking with it until the end. The story follows a con-artist named Marla Grayson (Rosamund Pike) who has found a way to legally obtain guardianship over senior citizens who she claims aren’t able to care for themselves, and she is given the rights to their assets and finances. Business is booming for her until she messes with the wrong woman, and all hell breaks loose. Pike’s performance was so damn convincing that she won the Golden Globe for Best Actress – Motion Picture Comedy or Musical for the role. The film teeters between the thriller, comedy, and horror genres, but however you classify it, it’s worth watching. —Karla Rodriguez

6.'North Hollywood'

Director: Mikey Alfred

Starring: Ryder McLaughlin, Vince Vaughn, Miranda Cosgrove

Distributor: Illegal Civilization

Where to Watch: Apple TV

I could give two shits about skateboarding. (Full disclosure, I can’t even ride a bike.) Still, ask me about North Hollywood and I will talk your damn ear off. Following L.A. high schooler Michael (Ryder McLaughlin) as he struggles to find his path, he eventually lands on the near-impossible dream of becoming a pro skateboarder. Like I already said, two shits, but that’s OK because it’s not the topic or double-ollie-who-gives-a-damn that’s meant to grab you. It’s the struggle. A struggle that is made evident, both in front of and behind the camera, as a cast of largely unknowns—and first-time writer/director Mikey Alfred—put their all into stunning scenes which must have needed a few hundred takes to get right. A mix of subculture, Los Angeles vibes, coming-of-age feels, and good old-fashioned passion makes this the kind of film I haven’t seen since the 1995 classic Kids, but I have no doubt will earn it a following every bit as large. Just remember, you heard it here first. —Nate Houston

5.'Nomadland'

Director: Chloé Zhao

Starring: Frances McDormand, David Strathairn, Linda May, Swankie

Distributor: Searchlight Pictures​​​​​​​

Where to Watch: Hulu

One of America’s most well-worn axioms is: “It’s not the destination, it’s the journey.” But, cliche as Ralph Waldo Emerson’s quote may be, there’s truth within. Chloé Zhao’s multi-Oscar-award-winning Nomadland optimizes this axiom, detailing the travels of Fern (an extraordinary Frances McDormand) in the wake of a vast personal tragedy amongst 2008’s Great Recession.

As Fern—and the audience—become further intertwined into the nomadic lifestyle, Zhao’s direction takes on a near documentary feel, charting the interconnectedness and belonging of the nomads. Zhao’s stunning photography captures the southwest’s splendorous sprawl; majestic landscapes are rendered in a painterly fashion, evoking the work of artists like Mark Maggiori. Nomadland’s naturalistic style extends to its inherently humanistic approach, as the film focuses on the ties—grief, love, loss, understanding, acceptance, decency—that bind us together at our best. At times, the movie feels as if it’s a collection of small moments, yet that’s a feature, not a bug; their presence lingers long after the movie ends.

So, yes, the effectiveness of Nomadland’s tale lies within the journey and what happens along the way. It’s about the spaces, places, and people we find in our travels between what’s past and what’s next. What’s more human and moving than that? —William Goodman

4.'A Quiet Place Part II'

Director: John Krasinski

Starring: Emily Blunt, Cillian Murphy, Millicent Simmonds, Noah Jupe, Djimon Hounsou, John Krasinski

Distributor: Paramount Pictures

Where to Watch: In theaters

The only thing standing in the way of John Krasinski’s A Quiet Place Part II toppling its predecessor was, well, Krasinski himself. It wouldn’t have been the first time that a franchise’s future was ruined by doing too much in the sequel. That said, A Quiet Place Part II isn’t better than the first film—it’s very good, but not better. “Better” is hard to obtain when you a) already understand this world, and b) have removed amazing set pieces like the silo and other spots in the farmhouse. Forget all of that, though: A Quiet Place Part II is the best horror film to drop in 2021. Krasinski found a way to pull the curtain back on the mythos of the world he’s building while baking in tougher obstacles, bigger stakes, and a larger cast. It’s a delicate balancing act, and it feels like he’s got a future in this. While we won’t demand you go see this in theaters—your comfort level is a real thing, and you should move into the world at your own pace—but it’s amazing that the Quiet Place films continue to showcase how important sound is in cinema, especially in horror. It’s a great horror film to see in theaters; possibly your best bet before Candyman and Halloween Kills drop later this year. The fact that there’s a third film on the way shouldn’t be a shock. We just hope that Krasinski can go three-for-three. —khal

3.'Nobody'

Director: Ilya Naishuller

Starring: Bob Odenkirk, Connie Nielsen, Aleksei Serebryakov, RZA, Michael Ironside, Colin Salmon, Christopher Lloyd

Distributor: Universal Pictures

Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video

Let’s be real, when you think of Bob Odenkirk you think of Saul Goodman, and when you think of Saul Goodman you don’t think, “Action Star.” That’s not me playing him, it’s just a fact. In fact, it’s such a fact it’s actually the reason producer, David Leitch, and director, Ilya Naishuller were so set on casting him. [Ed note: Odenkirk did go through a serious workout regiment to get ready for Nobody.] Starting the film off as Hutch Mansell (Bob Odenkirk), a seemingly wimpy suburban father, things get crazy quick when, true to reality, a fight breaks out on the local bus. Hutch walks away with a near-flawless victory over a handful of Russian goons, and we soon find out it’s because he’s some ex-assassin badass. Sound a little ridiculous? Again, not me playing because writer Derek Kolstad, of John Wick fame, wrote it that way on purpose. Crafting a brilliantly self-aware script, the tongue-in-cheek humor of watching the last person you’d think would win a fight, win several (in awesomely brutal fashion, I may add) is not squandered, but embraced to its full potential. There was not a second spent watching Saul Odenkirk kick-ass that I was not thoroughly entertained. So, if you want the best kind of popcorn action flick in a year when most people had to microwave their own, do yourself a favor, stay in (or go to a theater if vaccinated), and watch Nobody. —Nate Houston

2.'Minari'

Director: Lee Isaac Chung

Starring: Steven Yeun, Han Ye-ri, Alan Kim, Noel Kate Cho, Youn Yuh-jung, Will Patton

Distributor: A24

Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video

Minari is the kind of movie that’s best enjoyed whenever you have some quiet time for yourself. The semi-autobiographical A24 film by Lee Isaac Chung is about a South Korean immigrant family adjusting to rural life in Arkansas. Jacob (Steven Yeun) and Monica (Han Ye-ri) move their two children, Anne (Noel Cho) and David (Alan Kim) from California to help the father in his dreams of becoming a farmer, growing Korean vegetables to sell to Korean-American communities in Arkansas and neighboring states. The film might move slowly but it’s filled with tender, heartfelt moments, especially in the scenes between the children and their grandmother Soonja (Youn Yuh-jung), which landed the North Korean native the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. The family struggles as they realize that their version of the American Dream includes living in a mobile home, marital issues, and struggling to find a church community that accepts them in their new town. The movie may have been categorized as a foreign film by the Golden Globes, but this story is as American as they come. —Karla Rodriguez

1.'Judas and the Black Messiah'

Director: Shaka King

Starring: Daniel Kaluuya, Lakeith Stanfield, Jesse Plemons, Dominique Fishback, Ashton Sanders, Darrell Britt-Gibson, Lil Rel Howery, Algee Smith, Dominique Thorne, Martin Sheen

Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures

Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video

Out of all of the amazing things that Judas and the Black Messiah did for the legacy of Chairman Fred Hampton, one of my favorite things is that this film gave us a unique piece of history: Judas is the first film with an all-Black production team to be nominated for a Best Picture Oscar. While the path for Black creatives in Hollywood starts with more Black faces on screen, the real change is done with the Black people in producer roles, cinematographer roles, key grips, best boys, and any other role that scrolls during the credits.

Daniel Kaluuya earned each and every Best Supporting Actor award he received (which include both the Oscar and the Golden Globe), bringing Chairman Fred to life on screen with all of his fiery passion. Despite the failed campaign for Lead Actor (how the hell are they BOTH Supporting Actors when the film’s title literally starts with Judas and?, LaKeith Stanfield’s turn as Bill O’Neal (a.k.a. the man who was planted to snitch on Chairman Fred to the feds, ultimately helping in Hampton’s murder) is strong. He nailed O’Neal’s conflict with his position and what his actions would mean for the movement, a performance that had an effect on him mentally. The film also featured so much Black Excellence from Black Hollywood in all shapes and sizes—Dominique Fishback alone is worth the price of admission. Shaka King’s direction (and that keen eye; Judas is a beautiful film in and of itself). The Lucas Brothers being able to step outside of the box they’d been pigeonholed into and make a statement for decades-long injustices being done to Black people in this country. “To this day,” Kenny Lucas explained during a conversation with Complex earlier this year, “the FBI still has the building named after J. Edgar Hoover. I think that that’s a testament to how disrespectful we’ve been to Hampton’s legacy.”

Being able to craft a film that a) properly pays homage to the legacy of Chairman Fred, while b) putting on for Black Hollywood, and c) helping dismantle systemic racism? Your favorite film of 2021 could never. —khal