Best English Movies of 2021 You Can Stream Right Now!

On the topic of the Best English Movies of 2021, Hollywood had a decent start to the year so far with a ton of quality films making their way to the theatres or exclusively to the streaming platforms. From Oscar winners like Nomadland to entertaining action flicks like Godzilla vs. Kong and animated films like Raya and the Last Dragon, Hollywood is partly back on its feet and seemed to have recovered from the pandemic. And with many more high-profile films like Black Widow and Dune yet to release, 2021 certainly looks promising and has all the potential to turn out to be great. So, to celebrate the best out-of-the-bunch, here are the Best English Movies of 2021 you should not miss watching.

Last Updated on January 07, 2022

Also Read: Best Kollywood (Tamil) Movies of 2021
Also Read: Best Tollywood (Telugu) Movies of 2021

11. Luca

Starring – Jacob Tremblay, Jack Dylan Grazer
Director – Enrico Casarosa
Streaming – Disney+

Luca was a beautiful representation of the classic theme that to do not judge the book by its cover. While this theme may have been used, time and time again, Luca brings us a fresh new look at this theme which has lasted through the test of time. Not only did Luca have a great message, but it was such an enjoyable watch. Both entertaining and humorous. Captivating and unique. Luca is simply a must-watch. The direction is phenomenal. The voice acting by everyone is great. The animation was absolutely stunning and original.

10. The Mitchells vs. the Machines

Starring – Abbi Jacobson, Danny McBride
Director – Michael Rianda
Streaming – Netflix

The Mitchells vs. the Machines is a super fun animated film on Netflix for the whole family. The quirky story takes us through a chaotic family road trip when they find themselves in the middle of the robot apocalypse and quickly become humanity’s last hope. Filled with great voice acting by the entire cast and a unique approach in both the film itself and its animation, this film is refreshing and innovative. By the end of the year, The Mitchells vs. the Machines will prove to be not only one of the best animated films of the year but one of the best family movies as well.

9. Raya and the Last Dragon

Starring – Kelly Marie Tran, Awkwafina, Izaac Wang
Directors – Carlos Lopez Estrada, Don Hall
Streaming – Disney+

One of the best Disney films to date, the enjoyable story that narrates the story of our protagonist Raya, who is determined to find the last dragon not only provides us with spectacular action scenes and a phenomenal female lead. But with lots of significant messages lying within its runtime. Including Trust, Love, and Family, which are especially important for the times, we live in today. Raya and the Last Dragon was a breath of fresh air and is, without a doubt, one of the Best English Movies of 2021.

8. Billie Eilish: The World’s a Little Blurry

Starring – Billie Eilish, FINNEAS
Director – R. J. Cutler
Streaming – Apple TV

Billie Eilish: The World’s a Little Blurry is an exquisite documentary from director R. J. Cutler. This film is both real and beautiful, it is a down-to-earth look at being young and famous and the challenges that come along with success. Go on a journey with Billie Eilish and her family from home life to on tour, to the intimate songwriting moments behind closed doors. This film is truly a triumph for documentary filmmaking and is not to be missed.

7. In The Heights

Starring – Anthony Ramos, Melissa Barrera
Director – Jon M. Chu
Streaming – Prime Video

In the Heights tells the story of the community of Washington Heights and the goals, and dreams of the people residing there. Director Jon M. Chu did a great job bringing this musical to the screen. Not only was the film entertaining, but it was also packed with great music. If you’re a fan of musicals or if you are a fan of Hamilton I think you are going to enjoy this film, it is relevant and brilliant. One of the Best English Movies of 2021.

6. A Quiet Place Part II

Starring – Emily Blunt, Cillian Murphy
Director – John Krasinski
Streaming – Prime Video

[This excerpt comes from Rob’s ‘A Quiet Place 2’ Review]

A Quiet Place Part 2, directed by John Krasinski and starring Emily Blunt, Cillian Murphy, Noah Jupe, and Millicent Simmonds, picks up right at the end of A Quiet Place Part 1. A fantastically executed movie with excellent direction, music, camera work, and writing combined with performances that are remarkable through and through make A Quiet Place Part 2 a worthy sequel of its predecessor. One of the Best English Movies of 2021.

5. Pig

Starring – Nicholas Cage, Alex Wolff
Director – Michael Sarnoski
Streaming – Hulu

With Pig, director Michael Sarnoski took this compelling but very simple idea and developed a deep and impressive narrative. Each character is given immense depth and development, and it truly was astonishing how real the characters felt. Alex Wolff did a great job in the supporting role, and Nicholas Cage gave us one of his best performances to date as he shines every second he is on screen. While may not be for everyone as it is a slow-burn character study, it is nothing less than a remarkable and heartbreaking story that will keep you enthralled through its entire 92-minute runtime.

4. Judas and the Black Messiah

Starring – Daniel Kaluuya, Laketh Stanfield
Director – Shaka King
Streaming – Prime Video

Judas and the Black Messiah, directed by Shaka King, tells the story of petty criminal Bill O’Neal, who gets busted on charges of impersonating an officer and robbery. With a runtime of just over two hours, this is an evocative film, and the remarkable performances from the cast will profoundly move you in every way possible. The story will make you feel it all. To sum up, I highly recommend Judas and the Black Messiah, and I will go as far as to say this is a must-watch film.

3. Nomadland

Starring – Frances McDormand, David Strathairn
Director – Chloé Zhao
Streaming – Disney+

[This excerpt comes from Rob’s ‘Nomadland’ Review]

Nomadland, written and by directed Chloé Zhao and starring Frances McDormand and David Strathairn in the lead roles, tells the story of a grieving woman’s journey as a nomad as she travels the regions of the western United States countryside. This film was an all-around terrific analysis of life as Nomad and details the themes of tragedy, grief, and love. Nomadland let’s us relish in the fullness of life everything in which the world has to offer. Majestic in both craft and substance. One of the Best English Movies of 2021.

2. The Green Knight

Starring – Dev Patel, Alicia Vikander
Director – David Lowery
Streaming – Prime Video

[This excerpt comes from Rob’s ‘The Green Knight’ Review]

The Green Knight was written and directed by David Lowery. The film is based on Sir Gawain and the Green Knight by anonymous. It narrates the story of the nephew of King Arthur who sets out on a quest to come face to face with the mysterious Green Knight. The Green Knight is what the movie theater was meant for a film like this. A film like this is what other films strive to be and will be an inspiration to young filmmakers everywhere. This movie is simply a masterpiece that deserves all of the recognition it is getting.

1. Minari

Starring – Steven Yeun, Han Ye-ri, Alan Kim
Director – Lee Issac Chung
Streaming – Prime Video

The Best Picture nominee at the 93rd Academy Awards, Minari, written and terrifically directed by Lee Issac Chung, explores the narrative of a Korean American family who moves to an Arkansas plantation in search of its American dream. Illustrating the failures, triumphs, and hardships of a struggling family trying to assimilate into their new life in Arkansas, Minari will make you feel things you would not expect to feel. A master class in every way and one of the Best English Movies of 2021.

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Robert Arcidiacono

Guest Writer at Just for Movie Freaks

Rob is a 20-year old film lover living in the Big Apple. He fell in love with films at the age of 10 and hopes to be a film writer someday.

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