This article is about the films in 2021 that appealed to me the most. I'm not a professional critic, so I might not have the best choices. However, I still felt the desire to share my opinions for the best films of the year. There are some 2021 films that I wanted to see, but haven't seen, including The Addams Family 2 and Spider-Man: No Way Home, so those films could count as my honorable mentions. Other honorable mentions include Cruella and Dune, both of which were cool films with impressive visuals.
10. Space Jam: A New Legacy
Space Jam: A New Legacy is the sequel to 1996's Space Jam. Space Jam was one of my childhood favorites, so the thought of it getting a sequel was pretty exciting. While the sequel isn't as memorable and fun as the first film, it's still an entertaining film. As usual, the Looney Tunes are witty and fun. Also, this film is packed with fun cameos from various animated icons and superheroes.
9. Jungle Cruise
Jungle Cruise, which is based on a ride, is an enjoyable adventure film. The film stars Dwayne Johnson, as well as one of my all-time favorite actresses, Emily Blunt. Dwayne and Emily make a good duo that are fun to watch. Some people thought the film was a bit unoriginal, but I thought it was a solid, good film.
8. Raya and the Last Dragon
Raya and the Last Dragon is a Disney animated film. It's an adventurous, beautiful film. Raya is a very cool and likeable protagonist. As for the dragon, Awkwafina's Sisu is a major highlight. With a sunny, upbeat and optimistic personality, Sisu is one of Disney's most delightful cartoon characters.
7. My Little Pony: A New Generation
When I heard that a new version of My Little Pony was coming out, I was a little concerned. I loved Friendship is Magic and Equestria Girls. Since A New Generation has a new vision and a new cast of characters, I feared that it wouldn't be as good. Thankfully, A New Generation has lovable characters, appealing animation, catchy songs and positive messages. It might not be as great as Friendship is Magic and Equestria Girls, but it's a good, charming version of My Little Pony.
6. Paw Patrol: The Movie
Paw Patrol is one of the cutest shows that Nickelodeon has ever had. The film adaptation is full of the same type of heart, innocence and comedy as the show. Chase and Liberty are both very likeable, cute protagonists who have fulfilling arcs. As for the villain, Mayor Humdinger steals the show. Mayor Humdinger feels like a throwback to classic villains. With his mustache-twirling antics, pettiness and goofiness, he's one of the funniest characters of the year.
5. Batman: The Long Halloween Parts One and Two
The Long Halloween film is a two-part adaptation of The Long Halloween storyline from the comics. The Long Halloween was one of my favorite Batman stories, so I was excited to hear that it was getting adapted into a film. The film does a very good job at adapting the classic storyline. The Long Halloween is heavily influenced by The Godfather, especially when it comes to Carmine Falcone and his family. By taking inspiration from the greatest trilogy of films, both The Long Halloween comic and film shine. The story also serves as an excellent look at the conflicted actions of Harvey Dent, better known as Two-Face, who serves as both an anti-hero and anti-villain in the story.
4. The Suicide Squad
The Suicide Squad is the sequel to 2016's Suicide Squad. The cast is almost entirely new, and because of that, the film is bursting with new ideas, jokes and forms of entertainment. Featuring mostly obscure characters, The Suicide Squad serves as a celebration of some of DC's more underrated and underappreciated characters, such as Bloodsport, Peacemaker, Ratcatcher and Polka-Dot Man. With tons of violence and dark humor, The Suicide Squad isn't a film for everyone. However, I still consider it one of the most entertaining, colorful and fun films of the year.
3. Zack Snyder's Justice League
After 2017's Justice League disappointed a lot of fans, people have been begging for the director's cut of the film. The cut finally came out. This version is twice as long. Four hours might seem like overkill, but if you look into the film's complicated production history, it'll make more sense. Zack Snyder's Justice League serves as a gift to the fans. The added content adds a lot of heart and depth to the film. In addition to that, we finally get to see Darkseid, Superman's new costume, Steppenwolf's new design, Cyborg's backstory and much more. It's an exciting and meaningful addition to the world of superhero films.
2. Clifford the Big Red Dog
When I heard that a Clifford film was coming out, I thought it'd be a nice film, but it ended up being much more. Watching the Clifford film was one of the most pleasant experiences of my year. Clifford might be the most wholesome and adorable film of the year. Clifford and his owner, Emily, are an incredibly sweet duo that are a delight to watch. Along with an entertaining group of supporting characters, the film has a strong cast of appealing characters. The Clifford film has all of the heart that a film like this should have. It's so innocent, pure-hearted and cute that it served as a very bright, lovely experience for me to watch. Most people probably won't like this film as much as I did, but for me, Clifford is a wonderful film.
1. Ghostbusters: Afterlife
After 2016's controversial reboot, the Ghostbuster franchise wasn't in the best of shape. However, Ghostbusters: Afterlife serves as an amazing return to the Ghostbusters franchise. The film is directed by Jason Reitman, the son of Ivan Reitman, the director of the original film. Ghostbusters: Afterlife is a film that I love for the same reasons that I love Superman Returns. Superman Returns was a heartwarming tribute to Christopher Reeve and his Superman films. Ghostbusters: Afterlife serves as a tribute to Harold Ramis and his Ghostbusters films. Ghostbusters: Afterlife isn't a cynical reboot that ignores or mocks the original. It's a nostalgic sequel that serves as a heartwarming look at how important Harold Ramis and his work was to people.
Another thing I love about the film is that the film's protagonist, Phoebe, has autism. As someone who has autism, I felt that the way people represented people with autism was very meaningful and touching. Phoebe is the granddaughter of Egon Spengler. At first, a lot of the characters are mad at Egon for something he did in the past. However, after learning that Egon was actually dedicating the last years of his life to protecting the world, the film serves as a heartfelt tribute to Harold Ramis. Phoebe is a character that has a lot in common with her grandfather, while having her own traits that make her unique and memorable. As someone who really likes the original Ghostbusters cast and their films, Ghostbusters: Afterlife is a heartwarming, sentimental experience that all Ghostbusters fans should see.
10. Space Jam: A New Legacy
Space Jam: A New Legacy is the sequel to 1996's Space Jam. Space Jam was one of my childhood favorites, so the thought of it getting a sequel was pretty exciting. While the sequel isn't as memorable and fun as the first film, it's still an entertaining film. As usual, the Looney Tunes are witty and fun. Also, this film is packed with fun cameos from various animated icons and superheroes.
9. Jungle Cruise
Jungle Cruise, which is based on a ride, is an enjoyable adventure film. The film stars Dwayne Johnson, as well as one of my all-time favorite actresses, Emily Blunt. Dwayne and Emily make a good duo that are fun to watch. Some people thought the film was a bit unoriginal, but I thought it was a solid, good film.
8. Raya and the Last Dragon
Raya and the Last Dragon is a Disney animated film. It's an adventurous, beautiful film. Raya is a very cool and likeable protagonist. As for the dragon, Awkwafina's Sisu is a major highlight. With a sunny, upbeat and optimistic personality, Sisu is one of Disney's most delightful cartoon characters.
7. My Little Pony: A New Generation
When I heard that a new version of My Little Pony was coming out, I was a little concerned. I loved Friendship is Magic and Equestria Girls. Since A New Generation has a new vision and a new cast of characters, I feared that it wouldn't be as good. Thankfully, A New Generation has lovable characters, appealing animation, catchy songs and positive messages. It might not be as great as Friendship is Magic and Equestria Girls, but it's a good, charming version of My Little Pony.
6. Paw Patrol: The Movie
Paw Patrol is one of the cutest shows that Nickelodeon has ever had. The film adaptation is full of the same type of heart, innocence and comedy as the show. Chase and Liberty are both very likeable, cute protagonists who have fulfilling arcs. As for the villain, Mayor Humdinger steals the show. Mayor Humdinger feels like a throwback to classic villains. With his mustache-twirling antics, pettiness and goofiness, he's one of the funniest characters of the year.
5. Batman: The Long Halloween Parts One and Two
The Long Halloween film is a two-part adaptation of The Long Halloween storyline from the comics. The Long Halloween was one of my favorite Batman stories, so I was excited to hear that it was getting adapted into a film. The film does a very good job at adapting the classic storyline. The Long Halloween is heavily influenced by The Godfather, especially when it comes to Carmine Falcone and his family. By taking inspiration from the greatest trilogy of films, both The Long Halloween comic and film shine. The story also serves as an excellent look at the conflicted actions of Harvey Dent, better known as Two-Face, who serves as both an anti-hero and anti-villain in the story.
4. The Suicide Squad
The Suicide Squad is the sequel to 2016's Suicide Squad. The cast is almost entirely new, and because of that, the film is bursting with new ideas, jokes and forms of entertainment. Featuring mostly obscure characters, The Suicide Squad serves as a celebration of some of DC's more underrated and underappreciated characters, such as Bloodsport, Peacemaker, Ratcatcher and Polka-Dot Man. With tons of violence and dark humor, The Suicide Squad isn't a film for everyone. However, I still consider it one of the most entertaining, colorful and fun films of the year.
3. Zack Snyder's Justice League
After 2017's Justice League disappointed a lot of fans, people have been begging for the director's cut of the film. The cut finally came out. This version is twice as long. Four hours might seem like overkill, but if you look into the film's complicated production history, it'll make more sense. Zack Snyder's Justice League serves as a gift to the fans. The added content adds a lot of heart and depth to the film. In addition to that, we finally get to see Darkseid, Superman's new costume, Steppenwolf's new design, Cyborg's backstory and much more. It's an exciting and meaningful addition to the world of superhero films.
2. Clifford the Big Red Dog
When I heard that a Clifford film was coming out, I thought it'd be a nice film, but it ended up being much more. Watching the Clifford film was one of the most pleasant experiences of my year. Clifford might be the most wholesome and adorable film of the year. Clifford and his owner, Emily, are an incredibly sweet duo that are a delight to watch. Along with an entertaining group of supporting characters, the film has a strong cast of appealing characters. The Clifford film has all of the heart that a film like this should have. It's so innocent, pure-hearted and cute that it served as a very bright, lovely experience for me to watch. Most people probably won't like this film as much as I did, but for me, Clifford is a wonderful film.
1. Ghostbusters: Afterlife
After 2016's controversial reboot, the Ghostbuster franchise wasn't in the best of shape. However, Ghostbusters: Afterlife serves as an amazing return to the Ghostbusters franchise. The film is directed by Jason Reitman, the son of Ivan Reitman, the director of the original film. Ghostbusters: Afterlife is a film that I love for the same reasons that I love Superman Returns. Superman Returns was a heartwarming tribute to Christopher Reeve and his Superman films. Ghostbusters: Afterlife serves as a tribute to Harold Ramis and his Ghostbusters films. Ghostbusters: Afterlife isn't a cynical reboot that ignores or mocks the original. It's a nostalgic sequel that serves as a heartwarming look at how important Harold Ramis and his work was to people.
Another thing I love about the film is that the film's protagonist, Phoebe, has autism. As someone who has autism, I felt that the way people represented people with autism was very meaningful and touching. Phoebe is the granddaughter of Egon Spengler. At first, a lot of the characters are mad at Egon for something he did in the past. However, after learning that Egon was actually dedicating the last years of his life to protecting the world, the film serves as a heartfelt tribute to Harold Ramis. Phoebe is a character that has a lot in common with her grandfather, while having her own traits that make her unique and memorable. As someone who really likes the original Ghostbusters cast and their films, Ghostbusters: Afterlife is a heartwarming, sentimental experience that all Ghostbusters fans should see.
