Best Movies of the Year: 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.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2021)
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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.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2021)
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Encanto Poster Image
MOVIE

Encanto

age 6+

Vibrant visuals, catchy songs, moving messages.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2021)
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Luca Poster Image
MOVIE

Luca

age 6+

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

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2021)
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Vivo Poster Image
MOVIE

Vivo

age 6+

Touching musical about family and love has a little peril.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2021)
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The Mitchells vs. the Machines Poster Image
MOVIE

The Mitchells vs. the Machines

age 8+

Action-packed family adventure tackles tech dependence.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2021)
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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.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2021)
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Wish Dragon Poster Image
MOVIE

Wish Dragon

age 8+

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

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2021)
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Ghostbusters: Afterlife Poster Image
MOVIE

Ghostbusters: Afterlife

age 10+

Playful paranormal reboot offers funny frights for families.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2021)
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Mixtape Poster Image
MOVIE

Mixtape

age 10+

Serious themes, language in poignant tween dramedy.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2021)
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In the Heights Poster Image
MOVIE

In the Heights

age 11+

Joyous, touching musical has some innuendo, language.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2021)
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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.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2021)
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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.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2021)
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CODA Poster Image
MOVIE

CODA

age 13+

Heartwarming, salty story about hearing teen in deaf family.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2021)
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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.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2021)
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tick, tick...BOOM! Poster Image
MOVIE

tick, tick...BOOM!

age 13+

Moving tribute to late composer has language, drinking.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2021)
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West Side Story (2021) Poster Image
MOVIE

West Side Story (2021)

age 13+

Dazzling musical adaptation has violence, language.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2022)
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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.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2021)
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