Best Movies of the Year: 2021

Last updated: December 15, 2021

Childhood memories are made during family movie nights. Our editors have gathered the best movies released this year that will conjure up nostalgia for years to come. Executive Editor Betsy Bozdech loves the message about families being honest, understanding, and accepting in The Mitchells vs. the Machines. For Beth Pratt, Senior Editor, DVD & Streaming, Wish Dragon's focus on friendship and humility made it the perfect choice to share with her family. The feel-good adaptation of the musical stageplay Everybody's Talking About Jamie made the top of Senior U.K. Editor Danny Brogan's list for its themes of self-acceptance. Check out these and the rest of our favorite picks, all instant classics the whole family will enjoy.

Don't miss the rest of our 2021 favorites: TV Shows | Books | Video Games | Apps

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PAW Patrol: The Movie Poster Image

MOVIE

PAW Patrol: The Movie

age 4+

Brave, talented pups save the day in pre-K adventure.

August 20, 2021 2021 G (88 minutes)

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My Little Pony: A New Generation Poster Image

MOVIE

My Little Pony: A New Generation

age 5+

Sweet tale of acceptance has some mildly scary scenes.

September 24, 2021 2021 PG (90 minutes)

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Encanto Poster Image

MOVIE

Encanto

age 6+

Vibrant visuals, catchy songs, moving messages.

November 24, 2021 2021 PG (99 minutes)

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Luca Poster Image

MOVIE

Luca

age 6+

Sweet fish-out-of-water story about friendship, adventure.

June 18, 2021 2021 PG (95 minutes)

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Vivo Poster Image

MOVIE

Vivo

age 6+

Touching musical about family and love has a little peril.

August 6, 2021 2021 PG (103 minutes)

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Raya and the Last Dragon Poster Image

MOVIE

Raya and the Last Dragon

age 8+

Charming, epic adventure mixes monsters, humor, heart.

March 5, 2021 2021 PG (114 minutes)

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The Mitchells vs. the Machines movie poster: A car bursting with happy family members, a pug on the car hood

MOVIE

The Mitchells vs. the Machines

age 8+

Action-packed family adventure tackles tech dependence.

April 30, 2021 2021 PG (113 minutes)

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Wish Dragon Poster Image

MOVIE

Wish Dragon

age 8+

China-set animated comedy has great messages, some scares.

June 11, 2021 2021 PG (101 minutes)

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Ghostbusters: Afterlife Poster Image

MOVIE

Ghostbusters: Afterlife

age 10+

Playful paranormal reboot offers funny frights for families.

November 19, 2021 2021 PG-13 (124 minutes)

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Mixtape Poster Image

MOVIE

Mixtape

age 10+

Serious themes, language in poignant tween dramedy.

December 3, 2021 2021 NR (97 minutes)

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In the Heights Poster Image

MOVIE

In the Heights

age 11+

Joyous, touching musical has some innuendo, language.

June 10, 2021 2021 PG-13 (143 minutes)

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Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings Poster Image

MOVIE

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings

age 11+

Funny, poignant, thrilling MCU adventure; action violence.

September 3, 2021 2021 PG-13 (132 minutes)

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Spider-Man: No Way Home Poster Image

MOVIE

Spider-Man: No Way Home

age 11+

Fun, funny, touching Spidey sequel has comic book violence.

December 17, 2021 2021 PG-13 (148 minutes)

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CODA Poster Image

MOVIE

CODA

age 13+

Heartwarming, salty story about hearing teen in deaf family.

August 13, 2021 2021 PG-13 (111 minutes)

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The Map of Tiny Perfect Things Poster Image

MOVIE

The Map of Tiny Perfect Things

age 13+

Familiar but likable teen time loop tale; cursing, drinking.

February 12, 2021 2021 PG-13 (109 minutes)

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tick, tick...BOOM! Poster Image

MOVIE

tick, tick...BOOM!

age 13+

Moving tribute to late composer has language, drinking.

November 12, 2021 2021 PG-13 (115 minutes)

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West Side Story (2021) Poster Image

MOVIE

West Side Story (2021)

age 13+

Dazzling musical adaptation has violence, language.

March 15, 2022 2022 PG-13 (156 minutes)

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Everybody's Talking About Jamie Poster Image

MOVIE

Everybody's Talking About Jamie

age 14+

British feel-good teen drag musical; some strong language.

September 10, 2021 2021 PG-13 (115 minutes)

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