There were many great films that earned Oscar nominations this year, but which films are the best of the best? It is easy to go off of reviews and word of mouth, but there were thirty-eight films that received nominations this year. That is a lot to watch!
Luckily, Oscars. The highest-rated movies might be surprising!
West Side Story (2021) - 3.9; Stream On HBO Max Or Disney+
some of the most incredible performances of the year.
The musical currently has a 3.9/5 rating on Letterboxd, with fans of the remake lauding the film for its more realistic portrayal of race relations and the strong performances of the ensemble cast, especially Oscar-nominated actress Ariana DeBose as Anita. Spielberg’s direction has been described as masterful due to his well-choreographed scenes that pop with impressive cinematography.
The Mitchells Vs. The Machines (2021) - 3.9; Stream On Netflix
The Mitchells vs. the Machines is an animated film about a dysfunctional family that becomes the last remaining, and unlikely, ragtag group to save humanity from a machine takeover. The film was nominated for the Best Animated Feature Oscar.
The animated film has a current Letterboxd rating of 3.9/5, with fans of the film praising it for its positive representation of a queer character, the portrayal of a realistic family dynamic ( Machines is very relatable), and the engaging animation. Most of all, fans love the film for its message of choosing family over technology.
Tick, Tick… BOOM! (2021) - 3.9; Stream On Netflix
Tick, Tick… BOOM! is a movie musical based on the life of Jonathan Larson, the creator of the legendary Broadway musical Rent. Andrew Garfield plays Larson in this film that nabbed two Oscar nominations, one for Garfield’s energetic performance.
This musical currently has a score of 3.9/5 on Letterboxd. Viewers of the film have praised the film for Garfield’s portrayal of a genius composer and playwright. The energized numbers, especially a cameo-filled one that has gone down as one of the best musical sequences, have also earned high praise.
Luca (2021) - 3.9; Stream On Disney+
Another great animated film, is considered one of Pixar's best films.
Luca currently has a 3.9/5 rating on Letterboxd, with reviewers praising the film for its touching theme of friendship, lush animation, and great voiceover work from the film’s cast. The witty dialogue made this movie a fan-favorite with people quoting “Silenzio Bruno!” in casual conversation.
Dune (2021) - 4.0; Stream On Amazon Prime
Dune, based on the acclaimed novel by Frank Herbert, is a futuristic sci-fi film starring Timothée Chalamet as the legendary Paul Atreides. The film is about his family’s rule over a desolate desert planet and the government that seeks to sabotage them.
Dune has a Letterboxd rating of 4.0/5, with fans of the film appreciating the movie’s faithfulness to the text and the many technical feats Denis Villeneuve achieved in creating such a visually stunning film that earned Dune ten Oscar nominations. Dune could very well sweep the Oscars due to this acclaim.
Summer Of Soul (2021) - 4.1; Stream On Hulu
Summer of Soul is a documentary about the Harlem Cultural Festival of 1969, a festival that has not been witnessed on film by many until now. Summer of Soul received an Oscar nomination for Best Documentary Feature.
The documentary has a current Letterboxd rating of 4.1/5, with viewers praising the sheer monumental uncovering of history that most people have never known. When it comes to documentaries, the ability to source archival footage can be a tremendous undertaking, and Summer of Soul makes it look easy.
Flee (2021) - 4.2; Stream On Hulu
Another documentary, Flee, is an animated documentary about a Syrian refugee’s journey to Denmark and the perilous tolls he faced as a closeted gay teenager. Flee made history by being nominated for three Oscars: Best Animated Feature, Best Documentary Feature, and Best International Feature.
This category-breaking documentary currently has a 4.2/5 rating on Letterboxd. Reviewers of the film have praised the documentary for its inventive use of animation to protect the identity of its subject while also being able to tell a compelling narrative based on a true story.
Drive My Car (2021) - 4.2; Stream On HBO Max
Drive My Car is about a theater director coping with the death of his wife when he is tasked to put on a play and take on a chauffeur. This film from Japan was nominated for four Oscars, including Best Picture.
Drive My Car has a rating on Letterboxd of 4.2/5, with fans of the film comparing the movie to an expertly layered novel. The film is known for its simple theme of the importance of human connection while at the same time exploring complex aspects that make a person human.
The Worst Person In The World (2021) - 4.2; Watch In Theaters
The Worst Person in the World may happen to be one of the best movies in the world! This romantic comedy is about a young woman who, through chapters, learns about who she is and the life, and love, she wants. This Norwegian film earned two Oscar nominations: Best International Film and Best Original Screenplay.
This movie has a current rating of 4.2/5 on Letterboxd, with fans praising the film for its narrative structure, the acting of the leading actors, and the script. Specifically, about the script, viewers loved the realistic way the film was told, with a dry wit that made viewers both laugh and cry.
Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) - 4.2; Watch In Theaters
Spider-Man: No Way Home found all three live-action Spider-Men come together to battle each separate web-slinger’s villains and save the multiverse. Even though No Way Home only earned one Oscar nomination for Visual Effects, it is the highest-rated film of every film nominated this year.
The newest film about the famed web-slinger has a rating of 4.2/5 on Letterboxd. Fans of the film love this movie for the sheer coolness of having the three live-action Spider-Men together but also because of the emotional reaction the film brought out of fans for creating one of the most poignant Spider-Man films of all time.
