We may not have gone to the cinemas this year, but movies still remained active in our lives through OTT. Most huge Hollywood films scheduled for release in early 2021 were postponed, but there were a few on OTT platforms that piqued our interest. These also include films that were initially released in 2020 but were made available on streaming media this year.
Many things did not go right this year. However, we saw some amazing cinema. It was the year of Timothee Chalamet's Dune, classics like Minari. Here are the best English movies of 2021 available on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and other streaming services:
Nomadland - Disney+ Hotstar
Fern, played by Frances McDormand, is a lady in her 60s who chooses to travel to the American Midwest after losing everything during the Great Recession. She only has her van and all that is in. In Nomadland, director Chloe Zao brilliantly weaves together her life experience, such as doing strange jobs to support and meet new people daily. Nomadland won the prestigious 'Best Picture' awards at the 93rd Academy Awards and China-born Zhao became the first woman of colour to win Best director.
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I Care a Lot - Netflix
I Care a Lot is a slick con film that stars Rosamund Pike as a cunning legal guardian who takes care of the elderly and then takes possession of their wealth. But when she tries to swindle money from a woman (Dianne West) with ties to a powerful gangster (Peter Dinklage), all hell breaks loose.
Luca - Disney+ Hotstar
Pixar movies aren't supposed to make sense, but this one manages to strike a chord with its message. Luca is yet another shining example of this. A coming-of-age story about a boy who spends an unforgettable summer with his newfound best friend in an Italian seaside town, but their bond is threatened by a secret that could change everything.
The Dig - Netflix
Set just before World War II, Edith Pretty, a wealthy landowner, hires an amateur but skilled archaeologist, Basil Brown, to investigate the mounds on her property. How he and his squad explore becomes a topic of national importance. With the war looming over Britain, the duo needs to do everything in their power to keep it safe from the authorities. The Dig is a charming film set in the English countryside, with memorable performances by Carey Mulligan and Ralph Fiennes.
Godzilla vs Kong - BookMyShow Stream
Godzilla vs Kong was supposed to carry the so-called Monsterverse forward following the events of Godzilla: King of Monsters, and boy, does it succeed. The film is a visual treat with a simple storyline that doesn't detract from the film's apparent clash of titans theme.
Minari - Amazon Prime Video
The plot revolves around a South Korean family who relocates to the United States of America in search of a better life. While both husband and wife work in the poultry industry, the former aspires to start his own farm that sells exotic Korean produce to the American market. Many situations arise that test this family, but they also learn to face them firmly and collectively. Minari exemplifies the realistic challenges of the American dream in many ways.
Malcolm and Marie - Netflix
Sam Levinson, the showrunner for Euphoria, brought two very talented actors – John David Washington and Zendaya – under one roof and created Malcolm and Marie, one of the most exciting projects shot when the entire world was under lockdown. The plot revolves around an aspiring Hollywood director and his girlfriend, who adapted her story for his big break. One night, they have a heated argument that threatens their relationship.
