This is a top 10 countdown of the best movies released in Hollywood in the year 2021. The Hollywood movie industry returned to cinemas with full force in 2021 after being shut down for almost all of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now it is back and even better than before with the return of both new movies and also the continuation of some of our favourite movie franchises. I will be using box office sales, award nominations and a personal review to curate a list of the top 10 Hollywood movies in 2021.

Please be aware that this is based on my personal review of these movies, feel free to drop a list of your favourite movies of 2021 in the comment section. Here we go.

Below are the top 10 Hollywood movies in 2021:

10. Red Notice

Red Notice is an original Netflix movie production starring Ryan Reynolds, Dwayne Johnson and Gal Gadot. The crime comedy was released on Netflix in November 2021 and immediately topped the list of one of the most-watched movies on Netflix. The movie's plot revolves around the bromance between an Art thief and a Fbi special agent in a quest to steal three ancient eggs while evading the authorities and their nemesis Sarah Black played by Gal Gadot.

Despite receiving generally bad reviews from movie critics. The movie became one of the most streamed Netflix films of all time. It received a Rotten Tomatoes rating of 37% which I totally agree with. The movie lacked edge and a good plot. It solely relied on humour and plot twists which were rather obvious.

9. No Time To Die

Coming in at number nine on our countdown is the James Bond action thriller No Time To Die. The film serves as lead actor Daniel Craig's last appearance as the special agent James Bond. Daniel Craig began his Journey as 007 in the year 2006 with the Casino Royale. The fifteen-year journey came to an end in 2021 with the release of the 25th instalment of the James Bond series.

The movie also stars Oscar award winner Rami Malek as the villain in the film. The film was a commercial and critical success. It made over 700 million dollars at the box office and got positive reviews from critics. Rotten Tomatoes gave it an 83% rating, calling it a befitting end to Daniel Craig's reign as special agent James Bond. I particularly applaud Rami Malek's portrayal as the villain in this movie. He embodied the charisma and terrifying confidence of a fitting Bond villain.

8. Shang Chi & The legend of the Ten Rings

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YjFbMbfXaQ

The Marvel cinematic universe returns to cinema with its first Asian superhero Shang Chi. The action-packed movie stars Asian actor Simu Liu in his first major role as a lead character in a major film. The film centres around Shang Chi and his best friend and his sister Xu Xialing in their attempt to save the mystic town of Ta Lo and the rest of the world from an ancient beast. The film made over 400 million dollars at the box office and was well-received by critics. It received a 91% rating from Rotten Tomatoes and deserves a spot in the top 10 Nollywood movies in 2021. Critics praised Marvel's decision to expand its cinematic universe to other cultures.

7. Tick, Tick, Boom

The Netflix Original musical Biopic starring Andrew Garfield, is based on the true-life story of aspiring musical writer John Larson who puts pressure on himself to write the perfect musical before turning 30. Larson writes maniacally while juggling work at a diner and a failing relationship with his girlfriend. He finally gets his wish when his idol Sondheim calls him on his 30th birthday to congratulate him on his musical Superbia.

John Larson began working on his next project Tick, Tick, Boom which unfortunately he never finished. He died on the day his musical production Rent was to debut on Broadway.

The film was directed by Lin Miranda the writer and director of the classic Broadway musical Hamilton and was released on Netflix. It received massive praise from critics for its direction, writing and acting. It was nominated in the Best Film in a musical or comedy category at the Golden Globe awards. Lead actor Andrew Garfield received a nomination and won the award in the same award ceremony in the Best Actor in a musical or comedy category.

6. Don't Look Up

Don't Look Up is a work of pure satirical genius that exposes how collective dumb humans have become. The Netflix original movie was released on Netflix on Christmas Eve and stars Oscar award winner Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence. The story revolves around two astronomers who discover a planet-destroying Comet and embark on a media tour to warn the world about the coming armageddon.

Despite mixed reviews from critics like Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic who rated it 54% and 49%, the film was nominated in four different categories at the just concluded Golden Globes Award. Don't Look up exposes how easily manipulated society has become by social media and the news media. It also reveals how detached humans have become disconnected from one another and from the truth.

5. The Harder They Fall

This is without a doubt one of the most exciting movies of 2021, the all-black principal cast brings to life one of the most unique western films since Quintin Tarantino's Django Unchained. The Netflix original movie features Idris Elba, Jonathan Majors, Regina King, Lakeith Stanfield and many more.

The action-packed storyline revolves around a young group of cowboys led by Nat Love engaged in a feud against another group of revered bandits led by the Notorious Rufus Buck. The Harder They Fall is a beautifully written film with an intense story and plot twist. I particularly applaud the acting and background score used in the movie. It received an 88% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

4. King Richard

King Richard is a biographical movie portraying the lives of Tennis champions Serena Williams, Venus Williams and their father Richard Williams. It tells the story of Richard Williams dream to make his daughters into Tennis superstars. The film was released to cinemas and the HBO streaming platform. It made 27 million dollars at the box office. King Richard also received massive praise from critics for its story and especially lead actor Will Smith's performance.

King Richard received four nominations at the Golden Globe Awards including Best actor in a motion picture drama which Will Smith won. It received a 91% rating on Rotten Tomatoes with most of the praise going to Will Smith's performance and the film's storytelling. The film sits nicely in the top 10 Nollywood movies of 2021.

3. CODA

CODA(Child of deaf adults) is an English remake of the french movie La Famille Bélier. It was released at the prestigious Sundance film festival and then premiered on the Apple TV streaming platform. It is the story of Ruby Rossi, the only hearing person in a family of four deaf people. CODA is an emotionally intense movie that is bound to bring even the strongest of hearts to tears. The film received great praise from movie critics, it received a 96% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. It also received two nominations at the Golden Globe Awards.

2. The Power of the Dog

This is a psychological drama released on Netflix starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Kirsten Dunst and other stars. The movie is set in the year 1925. It revolves around two brothers Phil and George Burbank. Viewers are taking on an amazing journey of storytelling, directing and world-class acting especially from lead actor Benedict Cumberbatch.

The actor shows his immense range in this movie, playing a character that is not so common to him. The film received multiple nominations bat the Golden Globe awards. It won Best Motion Picture - Drama, Best Director and Best supporting actor in a motion picture - Drama. It received a 94% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

1. No.1 on the list of the best Hollywood movies of 2021 is Spider-Man : No Way Home

No.1 on the list of the best Nollywood movies of 2021 is Spider-Man : No Way Home — Doctor Strange and Spider-Man in No Way Home

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfVOs4VSpmA

This is the third and final instalment of the Spider-Man sequel and it's without a doubt the most successful film of 2021. The Marvel cinematic universe masterpiece takes us on a rollercoaster of action and emotions. The film continues from where it ended in the previous movie when Tom Holland's Spider-Man identity is revealed to the world by Mysterio (Quentin Beck).

Peter Parker goes to Doctor Strange for help and a simple magical spell turns into a chaotic war with the time-space continuum. Past and present collide in this film as we see all our favourite Spider-Man heroes and villains collide in this epic movie. The action blockbuster made over 1.5 billion dollars at the box office and received a 93% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

See also the top 10 Nollywood movies of 2021.