Top 10 Most Exciting Movies of 2021 (That I've Watched)

Back when 2021 began nearly 12 months ago, the world wasn't the same place it is today. It was year two of a raging pandemic that refused to die and no one knew what to expect. But slowly and surely as the world healed and we started venturing beyond our thresholds again, we were greeted by new and exciting (sometimes disappointing) movies and TV shows that we could enjoy either from the comfort of our couches or along with likeminded folk in theatres as they made quite the comeback this year.

Although, I wasn't able to experience every single piece of content whether good or bad this year (I know. Shocking), being the film connoisseur I am, I decided to put together my personal list of films that moved me and brought me the most joy in 2021.

[Disclaimer: Rankings are completely subjective and based purely on the authors opinion and sensibilities. Any resemblance to anyone dead or alive is purely coincidental.]

#10. Nobody

Bob Odenkirk does his best John Wick impression in this fun and action packed journey.

Directed by: Ilya Naishuller

Starring: Bob Odenkirk, Aleksey Serebryakov, Connie Nielsen and Christopher Llyod

#9. Don't Look Up

A satire on real world climate change problems with frankly as star studded a cast as any that delivers the humor when needed and manages to convey its underlying warning without seeming preachy.

Directed by: Adam McKay

Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence, Meryl Streep, Jonah Hill and many more

#8. The White Tiger

Based on the best selling novel, The White Tiger holds a mirror to the classism and casteism issue that still exist in India while relative newcomer Adarsh Gourav shines as the titular character Balram who breaks away from a life of servitude to go on to become the master of his own fate.

Directed by: Ramin Bahrani

Starring: Adarsh Gourav, Rajkumar Rao and Priyanka Chopra Jonas

#7. The Suicide Squad

A much more well received reboot of the 2016 disaster of a film that gives each of its anti-heroes their time to shine and has plenty of colorful characters to root for but especially King Shark voiced by Sylvester Stallone. Overall a great showcase of director James Gunn's style and ability in crafting a compelling story of misfits that find a place where they can truly belong through the power of fighting a giant mind controlling starfish monster from space.

Directed by: James Gunn

Starring: Margot Robbie, Idris Elba, John Cena and Viola Davis

#6. Pagglait

Actor Sanya Malhotra steals the show in this quirky, offbeat comedy about a widow who struggles to grieve the death of her late husband which leads her to evaluate several of her life choices and question the nature of true love itself. A story brilliantly told through the lens of a middle class Indian family that is both relatable in some ways but also quirky and fun.

Directed by: Umesh Bist

Starring: Sanya Malhotra, Sayani Gupta, Sheeba Chaddha and Ashutosh Rana

#5. The Mitchells vs The Machines

One of the best animated films to come out this year that follows a less than perfect family attempting to survive an apocalypse. The animation style along with the heartwarming and sometimes zany story makes this a must watch.

Directed by: Michael Rianda, Jeff Rowe

Starring: Abbi Jacobson, Danny McBride, Maya Rudolph and Eric Andre

#4. Shershaah

Patriotic films often tend to veer dangerously close to the realms of hyper nationalism but Shershaah manages to treat its characters and setting with the utmost respect which combined with comfortable the best performance of actor Sidharth Malhotra's career provides the perfect tribute to war hero Capt. Vikram Batra.

Directed by: Vishnivardhan

Starring: Sidharth Malhotra, Kiara Advani and Shiv Panditt

#3. Dune

A visual masterpiece from director Denis Villeneuve, scored by the legendary Hans Zimmer that according to many has been the best theatrical experience of the year. Dune turned out to be a treat for all Sci Fi fans regardless of whether they may have been privy to the source material or even the ambitious although less than stellar 1984 film adaptation. Here's hoping for an even grander Part 2 of this epic tale.

Directed by: Denis Villeneuve

Starring: Timothée Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Zendaya and Oscar Isaac

#2. Spiderman : No Way Home

One of the if not the most anticipated superhero movies of 2021 delivers not just in terms of a stellar Spiderman story and heaps of fan service but also serves as the perfect conclusion for actor Tom Holland's take on the character that began its solo journey with 2017's Spiderman: Homecoming while in typical MCU fashion also setting the stage for several future multiversal implications.

Directed by: Jon Watts

Starring: Tom Holland, Zendaya, Benedict Cumberbatch and Jacob Batalon

#1. Minnal Murali

Whether its due to recency bias or sentimentality, this Malayalam language superhero film clinches the top spot in 2021 (in my opinion) for being not just an incredibly grounded yet grandiose superhero origin story but also a brilliantly dark supervillain origin story too. Tovino Thomas knocks it out of the park with his portrayal of bumbling village boy Jaison who eventually learns to shoulder the responsibilities that his new abilities bring while Guru Somasundaram's take on our hero's counterpart and foe leaves you baffled as to who to root for by the end.

Directed by: Basil Joseph

Starring: Tovino Thomas, Guru Somasundaram and Aju Varghese