Most Popular Movies 2021
This chart shows the 2021 movie releases that have attracted the most interest on The Numbers web site over the past 24 hours. A share of 100 corresponds to 1 percent of the total views for all 2021 releases.
See also: Domestic Release Schedule for 2021 - Top 2021 Worldwide
← 2020 | Most Popular Overall | 2022 → |
Encanto |
Director: Jared Bush, Byron Howard |
Lead Roles: Stephanie Beatriz as Mirabel Madrigal |
Initial Theatrical Release: November 24, 2021 (Wide) by Walt Disney |
Keywords: Family Adventure, Sibling Rivalry, Disrupted by 2020 COVID-19 pandemic |
Classification: Original Screenplay, Adventure, Digital Animation, Kids Fiction |
Domestic BO: $96,093,622 |
International BO: $134,947,977 |
Synopsis
The Madrigals are an extraordinary family who live hidden in the mountains of Colombia in a charmed place called the Encanto. The magic of the Encanto has blessed every child in the family with a unique gift — every child except Mirabel. However, she soon may be the Madrigals last hope when she discovers that the magic surrounding the Encanto is now in danger.
Dune |
Director: Denis Villeneuve |
Lead Roles: Timothée Chalamet as Paul Atreides, Rebecca Ferguson as Lady Jessica, Oscar Isaac as Duke Leto Atreides, Josh Brolin as Gurney Halleck, Stellan Skarsgård as Baron Harkonnen, Dave Bautista as Glossu Rabban, Stephen McKinley Henderson as Thufir Hawat, Zendaya as Chani, Chen Chang as Dr. Wellington Yueh, David Dastmalchian as Piter De Vries, Sharon Duncan-Brewster as Dr. Liet-Kynes, Charlotte Rampling as Reverend Mother Mohiam, Jason Momoa as Duncan Idaho, Javier Bardem as Stilgar |
Initial Theatrical Release: September 15, 2021 (Wide) (France) |
Keywords: 3-D, 3-D - Post-production Conversion, IMAX: DMR, Space Opera, Heroic Adventure, Disrupted by 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, 2022 Oscars Best Picture Nominee |
Classification: Based on Fiction Book/Short Story, Action, Live Action, Science Fiction |
Domestic BO: $109,987,830 |
International BO: $320,168,738 |
Synopsis
Paul Atreides is a brilliant and gifted young man born into a great destiny beyond his understanding, who must travel to the most dangerous planet in the universe to ensure the future of his family and his people. As malevolent forces explode into conflict over the planet’s exclusive supply of the most precious resource in existence—a commodity capable of unlocking humanity’s greatest potential—only those who can conquer their fear will survive.
Spider-Man: No Way Home |
Director: Jon Watts |
Lead Roles: Tom Holland as Peter Parker/Spider-Man |
Initial Theatrical Release: December 14, 2021 (Wide), released as 스파이더맨: 노 웨이 홈 (South Korea) |
Keywords: Action Adventure, Alternative Dimensions / Parallel universe, Ensemble, Secret Identity |
Classification: Based on Comic/Graphic Novel, Action, Animation/Live Action, Super Hero |
Domestic BO: $814,115,070 |
International BO: $1,093,721,184 |
Synopsis
For the first time in the cinematic history of Spider-Man, our friendly neighborhood hero is unmasked and no longer able to separate his normal life from the high-stakes of being a Super Hero. When he asks for help from Doctor Strange the stakes become even more dangerous, forcing him to discover what it truly means to be Spider-Man.
Godzilla vs. Kong |
Director: Adam Wingard |
Lead Roles: Alexander Skarsgård as Nathan Lind |
Initial Theatrical Release: March 25, 2021 (Wide) by Warner Bros (Australia) |
Keywords: 3-D, 3-D - Post-production Conversion, IMAX: DMR, Disrupted by 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, Kaiju, Creature Feature, Secret Societies, Deaf, Mute, Sign Language, Enemies Forced to Work Together, Robot |
Classification: Original Screenplay, Action, Live Action, Science Fiction |
Domestic BO: $100,916,094 |
International BO: $348,534,018 |
Synopsis
Kong and his protectors undertake a perilous journey to find his true home, and with them is Jia, a young orphaned girl with whom he has formed a unique and powerful bond. But they unexpectedly find themselves in the path of an enraged Godzilla, cutting a swath of destruction across the globe. The epic clash between the two titans—instigated by unseen forces—is only the beginning of the mystery that lies deep within the core of the Earth.
Ghostbusters: Afterlife |
Director: Jason Reitman |
Lead Roles: Carrie Coon as Callie, Finn Wolfhard as Trevor, Mckenna Grace as Phoebe, Paul Rudd as Mr. Grooberson, Celeste O’ Conner as Trevor’s Classmate, Logan Kim as Phoebe’s Classmate |
Initial Theatrical Release: November 18, 2021 (Wide) by Sony Pictures, released as Ghostbusters: Legacy (Germany) |
Keywords: Supernatural, Delayed Sequel, Horror Comedy |
Classification: Original Screenplay, Comedy, Live Action, Science Fiction |
Domestic BO: $129,360,575 |
International BO: $74,179,602 |
Synopsis
When a single mom and her two kids arrive in a small town, they begin to discover their connection to the original ghostbusters and the secret legacy their grandfather left behind.
Space Jam: A New Legacy |
Director: Malcolm D. Lee |
Lead Roles: LeBron James as Himself, Jeff Bergman as Bugs Bunny/Sylvester/Yosemite Sam/Fred Flintstone/Yogi Bear, Diana Taurasi as White Mamba, Damian Lillard as Chronos, Nneka Ogwumike as Arachnneka, Anthony Davis as The Brow, Klay Thompson as Wet-Fire |
Initial Theatrical Release: July 14, 2021 (Wide) (Iceland) |
Keywords: Delayed Sequel, Basketball, Video Game Industry, Father’s Footsteps, Dysfunctional Family, Artificial Intelligence, Family Comedy, Disrupted by 2020 COVID-19 pandemic |
Classification: Original Screenplay, Comedy, Animation/Live Action, Kids Fiction |
Domestic BO: $70,592,228 |
International BO: $72,595,146 |
Synopsis
When LeBron James and his young son Dom are trapped in a digital space by a rogue A.I., LeBron must get them home safe by leading Bugs, Lola Bunny and the whole gang of notoriously undisciplined Looney Tunes to victory over the A.I.’s digitized champions on the court: a powered-up roster of professional basketball stars. It’s Tunes versus Goons in the highest-stakes challenge of his life, that will redefine LeBron’s bond with his son and shine a light on the power of being yourself. The ready-for-action Tunes destroy convention, supercharge their unique talents and surprise even “King” James by playing the game their own way.
Mortal Kombat |
Director: Simon McQuoid |
Lead Roles: Lewis Tan as Cole Young, Jessica McNamee as Sonya Blade, Josh Lawson as Kano, Tadanobu Asano as Lord Raiden, Mehcad Brooks as Jax, Ludi Lin as Liu Kang, Chin Han as Shang Tsung, Joe Taslim as Bi-Han/Sub-Zero, Hiroyuki Sanada as Hanzo Hasashi/Scorpion |
Initial Theatrical Release: April 8, 2021 (Wide) (South Korea) |
Keywords: Reboot, Tournament, Mixed Martial Arts |
Classification: Based on Game, Action, Animation/Live Action, Fantasy |
Domestic BO: $42,326,031 |
International BO: $41,182,228 |
Synopsis
MMA fighter Cole Young, accustomed to taking a beating for money, is unaware of his heritage—or why Outworld's Emperor Shang Tsung has sent his best warrior, Sub-Zero, an otherworldly Cryomancer, to hunt Cole down. Fearing for his family’s safety, Cole goes in search of Sonya Blade at the direction of Jax, a Special Forces Major who bears the same strange dragon marking Cole was born with. Soon, he finds himself at the temple of Lord Raiden, an Elder God and the protector of Earthrealm, who grants sanctuary to those who bear the mark. Here, Cole trains with experienced warriors Liu Kang, Kung Lao and rogue mercenary Kano, as he prepares to stand with Earth’s greatest champions against the enemies of Outworld in a high stakes battle for the universe. But will Cole be pushed hard enough to unlock his arcana—the immense power from within his soul—in time to save not only his family, but to stop Outworld once and for all?
Pig |
Director: Michael Sarnoski |
Lead Roles: Nicolas Cage as Rob |
Initial Theatrical Release: July 16, 2021 (Limited) by Neon |
Keywords: Life Drama, Off the Grid, Missing Pet, Mystery Drama, Death of a Spouse or Fiancée / Fiancé, Coma, Dysfunctional Family, Suicide, Death of a Pet |
Classification: Original Screenplay, Drama, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
Domestic BO: $3,186,667 |
International BO: $688,412 |
Synopsis
A truffle hunter who lives alone in the Oregonian wilderness must return to his past in Portland in search of his beloved foraging pig after she is kidnapped.
Luca |
Director: Enrico Casarosa |
Initial Theatrical Release: June 17, 2021 (Wide) (South Korea) |
Keywords: Family Adventure, Underwater, Set in Italy, Coming of Age, Disrupted by 2020 COVID-19 pandemic |
Classification: Original Screenplay, Adventure, Digital Animation, Kids Fiction |
Domestic BO: $1,324,302 |
International BO: $49,788,012 |
Synopsis
Set in a beautiful seaside town on the Italian Riviera, Disney, “Luca” is a coming-of-age story about one young boy experiencing an unforgettable summer filled with gelato, pasta and endless scooter rides. Luca shares these adventures with his newfound best friend, but all the fun is threatened by a deeply-held secret: they are sea monsters from another world just below the water’s surface.
The Suicide Squad |
Director: James Gunn |
Lead Roles: Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn, Viola Davis as Amanda Waller, Joel Kinnaman as Rick Flag, Jai Courtney as Boomerang, Idris Elba as Robert DuBois/Bloodsport, Sylvester Stallone as King Shark, Peter Capaldi as Thinker |
Initial Theatrical Release: July 28, 2021 (Wide) (France) |
Keywords: Action Comedy, Reboot, Special Ops, Ensemble, Sequels Without Their Original Stars, Sequel With Lead Character Recast |
Classification: Based on Comic/Graphic Novel, Action, Live Action, Super Hero |
Domestic BO: $55,817,425 |
International BO: $111,280,312 |
Synopsis
Welcome to hell—a.k.a. Belle Reve, the prison with the highest mortality rate in the US of A. Where the worst Super-Villains are kept and where they will do anything to get out—even join the super-secret, super-shady Task Force X. Today’s do-or-die assignment? Assemble a collection of cons, including Bloodsport, Peacemaker, Captain Boomerang, Ratcatcher 2, Savant, King Shark, Blackguard, Javelin and everyone’s favorite psycho, Harley Quinn. Then arm them heavily and drop them (literally) on the remote, enemy-infused island of Corto Maltese. Trekking through a jungle teeming with militant adversaries and guerrilla forces at every turn, the Squad is on a search-and-destroy mission, with only Colonel Rick Flag on the ground to make them behave…and Amanda Waller’s government techies in their ears, tracking their every movement. And as always, one wrong move and they’re dead (whether at the hands of their opponents, a teammate, or Waller herself). If anyone’s laying down bets, the smart money is against them—all of them.
Willy’s Wonderland |
Director: Kevin Lewis |
Lead Roles: Nicolas Cage as The Janitor, Emily Tosta as Liv Hawthorne, Chris Warner as Jed Love, Kai Kadlec as Chris Muley, Christian Del Grosso as Aaron Powers, Caylee Cowan as Kathy, Terayle Hill as Bob McDaniel |
Initial Theatrical Release: February 12, 2021 (Limited) by Screen Media Films |
Classification: Original Screenplay, Horror, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
Domestic BO: $418,286 |
International BO: $12,159 |
Synopsis
A quiet loner finds himself stranded in a remote town when his car breaks down. Unable to pay for the repairs he needs, he agrees to spend the night cleaning Willy’s Wonderland, an abandoned family fun center. But this wonderland has a dark secret that the “The Janitor” is about to discover. He soon finds himself trapped inside Willy's and locked in an epic battle with the possessed animatronic mascots that roam the halls. To survive, he must fight his way through each of them.
Free Guy |
Director: Shawn Levy |
Lead Roles: Ryan Reynolds as Guy |
Initial Theatrical Release: August 11, 2021 (Wide), released as Free Guy — Eroe per gioco (Italy) |
Keywords: Action Comedy, Video Game, Video Game Industry, Artificial Intelligence, Disrupted by 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, Prologue, Voiceover/Narration, Love at First Sight, Romance, Interspecies Romance |
Classification: Original Screenplay, Action, Live Action, Science Fiction |
Domestic BO: $121,626,598 |
International BO: $201,847,194 |
Synopsis
A bank teller who discovers he is actually a background player in an open-world video game, decides to become the hero of his own story…one he rewrites himself. Now in a world where there are no limits, he is determined to be the guy who saves his world his way… before it is too late.
Venom: Let There be Carnage |
Director: Andy Serkis |
Lead Roles: Tom Hardy as Eddie Brock/Venom, Woody Harrelson as Carnage |
Initial Theatrical Release: September 30, 2021 (Wide), released as Веном 2 (Russia (CIS)) |
Keywords: Action Thriller, Serial Killer, Friendly Alien on Earth, Investigative Journalist, Prison Break |
Classification: Spin-Off, Action, Animation/Live Action, Super Hero |
Domestic BO: $213,550,366 |
International BO: $287,996,556 |
Synopsis
Eddie Brock is still struggling to coexist with the shape-shifting extraterrestrial Venom. When deranged serial killer Cletus Kasady also becomes host to an alien symbiote, Brock and Venom must put aside their differences to stop his reign of terror.
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings |
Director: Destin Daniel Cretton |
Lead Roles: Simu Liu as Shang-Chi |
Initial Theatrical Release: September 1, 2021 (Wide) (South Korea) |
Keywords: Action Adventure, Dysfunctional Family, Organized Crime, Martial Arts, Origin Story, Asian-Americans, The Past Catching up with You |
Classification: Based on Comic/Graphic Novel, Action, Live Action, Super Hero |
Domestic BO: $224,543,292 |
International BO: $207,681,342 |
Synopsis
Shang-Chi must confront the past he thought he left behind when he is drawn into the web of the mysterious Ten Rings organization.
Gekijouban Jujutsu Kaisen 0 |
Director: Seong-Hu Park |
Initial Theatrical Release: December 24, 2021 (Wide), released as 劇場版 呪術廻戦 0 (Japan) |
Keywords: Action Adventure, Demons, Curses, Anime |
Classification: Based on Comic/Graphic Novel, Action, Digital Animation, Fantasy |
Domestic BO: $33,919,605 |
International BO: $162,389,098 |
Synopsis
When they were children, Rika Orimoto was killed in a traffic accident right before the eyes of her close friend, Yuta Okkotsu. “It's a promise. When we both grow up, we'll get married." Rika became an apparition, and Yuta longed for his own death after suffering under her curse, but the greatest Jujutsu sorcerer, Satoru Gojo, welcomed him into Jujutsu High. There Yuta meets his classmates, Maki Zen'in, Toge Inumaki, and Panda, and finally finds his own determination. “I want the confidence to say it’s okay that I'm alive!” “While I'm at Jujutsu High, I’ll break Rika-chan’s curse.” Meanwhile, the vile curse user, Suguru Geto, who was expelled from the school for massacring ordinary people, appears before Yuta and the others. “This coming December 24th, we shall carry out the Night Parade of a Hundred Demons." While Geto advocates for creating a paradise for only jujutsu sorcerers, he unleashes a thousand curses upon Shinjuku and Kyoto to exterminate all non-sorcerers. Will Yuta be able to stop Geto in the end? And what will happen to breaking Rika’s curse…?
Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City |
Director: Johannes Roberts |
Lead Roles: Kaya Scodelario as Claire Redfield |
Initial Theatrical Release: November 24, 2021 (Wide) by Sony Pictures |
Keywords: 1990s, Survival Horror, Reboot, Zombies |
Classification: Remake, Horror, Live Action, Science Fiction |
Domestic BO: $17,000,612 |
International BO: $24,908,479 |
Synopsis
Once the booming home of pharmaceutical giant Umbrella Corporation, Raccoon City is now a dying Midwestern town. The company’s exodus left the city a wasteland…with great evil brewing below the surface. When that evil is unleashed, the townspeople are forever…changed…and a small group of survivors must work together to uncover the truth behind Umbrella and make it through the night.
Black Widow |
Director: Cate Shortland |
Lead Roles: Scarlett Johansson as Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow, Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova, Rachel Weisz as Melina, David Harbour as Alexei/Red Guardian , Ray Winstone as Dreykov, O.T. Fagbenle as Mason |
Initial Theatrical Release: July 7, 2021 (Wide) by Walt Disney (United Kingdom) |
Keywords: Action Thriller, Secret Agent, Dysfunctional Family, You Can't Go Home Again, Marvel Comics, Prequel, 2010s, Cold War, Disrupted by 2020 COVID-19 pandemic |
Classification: Based on Comic/Graphic Novel, Action, Live Action, Super Hero |
Domestic BO: $183,651,655 |
International BO: $196,099,476 |
Synopsis
Natasha Romanoff aka Black Widow confronts the darker parts of her ledger when a dangerous conspiracy with ties to her past arises. Pursued by a force that will stop at nothing to bring her down, Natasha must deal with her history as a spy and the broken relationships left in her wake long before she became an Avenger.
Wrath of Man |
Director: Guy Ritchie |
Lead Roles: Jason Statham as H |
Initial Theatrical Release: April 22, 2021 (Wide), released as Гнев человеческий (Russia (CIS)) |
Keywords: Action Thriller |
Classification: Based on Movie, Action, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
Domestic BO: $27,466,489 |
International BO: $76,446,916 |
Synopsis
H, a cold and mysterious character, works at a cash truck company responsible for moving hundreds of millions of dollars around Los Angeles each week. He surprises his coworkers during a heist in which he unexpectedly unleashes precision skills. The crew is left wondering who he is and where he came from. Soon, the marksman’s ultimate motive becomes clear as he takes dramatic and irrevocable steps to settle a score.
Love |
Director: Igor Tverdokhebov |
Initial Theatrical Release: February 11, 2021 (Wide) (Russia (CIS)) |
Classification: Original Screenplay, Comedy, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
International BO: $991,474 |
Sharks of the Corn |
Director: Tim Ritter |
Video Release Date: July 6, 2021 by Srs Cinema |
Classification: Original Screenplay, Horror, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It |
Director: Michael Chaves |
Lead Roles: Patrick Wilson as Ed Warren, Vera Farmiga as Lorraine Warren |
Initial Theatrical Release: March 7, 2021 (Wide), released as The Conjuring 3: A Obra do Diabo (Portugal) |
Keywords: Supernatural Horror, Supernatural, Based on an UNTRUE Story, Demons, Paranormal Investigation |
Classification: Original Screenplay, Horror, Live Action, Historical Fiction |
Domestic BO: $65,631,050 |
International BO: $134,635,391 |
Synopsis
A story of terror, murder and unknown evil that shocked even experienced real-life paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. One of the most sensational cases from their files, it starts with a fight for the soul of a young boy, then takes them beyond anything they’d ever seen before, to mark the first time in U.S. history that a murder suspect would claim demonic possession as a defense.
Jungle Cruise |
Director: Jaume Collet-Serra |
Lead Roles: Dwayne Johnson as Frank Wolff, Emily Blunt as Lily Houghton, Edgar Ramirez as Aguirre, Jack Whitehall as MacGregor Houghton, Jesse Plemons as Prince Joachim, Paul Giamatti as Nilo |
Initial Theatrical Release: July 28, 2021 (Wide) (Italy) |
Keywords: Chase Adventure, 1900s, Development Hell, Disrupted by 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, Delayed Release, Jungle, On a Boat, Character's Journey Shown on Map |
Classification: Based on Theme Park Ride, Adventure, Animation/Live Action, Historical Fiction |
Domestic BO: $116,987,516 |
International BO: $93,482,287 |
Synopsis
Dr. Lily Houghton travels from London, England to the Amazon jungle and enlists Frank Wolff’s questionable services to guide her downriver on La Quila—his ramshackle-but-charming boat. Lily is determined to uncover an ancient tree with unparalleled healing abilities—possessing the power to change the future of medicine. Thrust on this epic quest together, the unlikely duo encounters innumerable dangers and supernatural forces, all lurking in the deceptive beauty of the lush rainforest. But as the secrets of the lost tree unfold, the stakes reach even higher for Lily and Frank and their fate—and mankind’s—hangs in the balance.
The Power |
Director: Corinna Faith |
Lead Roles: Rose Williams |
Initial Theatrical Release: June 3, 2021 (Wide), released as Napätie (Slovakia) |
Keywords: 1970s, Set in London |
Classification: Original Screenplay, Horror, Live Action, Historical Fiction |
International BO: $30,417 |
Synopsis
London, 1974. As Britain prepares for electrical blackouts to sweep across the country, trainee nurse Val arrives for her first day at the crumbling East London Royal Infirmary. With most of the patients and staff evacuated to another hospital, Val is forced to work the night shift, finding herself in a dark, near empty building. Within these walls lies a deadly secret, forcing Val to face both her own traumatic past and deepest fears in order to confront the malevolent force that’s intent on destroying everything around her.
Kate |
Director: Cedric Nicolas-Troyan |
Lead Roles: Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Woody Harrelson |
Video Release Date: September 10, 2021 by Netflix |
Keywords: Action Thriller, Hitmen, One Night, Revenge |
Classification: Original Screenplay, Thriller/Suspense, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
Synopsis
After she’s poisoned, a ruthless criminal operative has less than 24 hours to exact revenge on her enemies and in the process forms an unexpected bond with the daughter of one of her past victims.
Old |
Director: M. Night Shyamalan |
Lead Roles: Gael Garcia Bernal as Guy, Vicky Krieps as Prisca, Rufus Sewell as Charles, Alex Wolff as Trent (aged 15), Thomasin McKenzie as Maddox (aged 16), Abbey Lee as Chrystal, Nikki Amuka-Bird as Patricia, Ken Leung as Jarin, Eliza Scanlen as Kara (aged 15), Aaron Pierre as Mid-Sized Sedan, Embeth Davidtz as Adult Maddox, Emun Elliott as Adule Trent |
Initial Theatrical Release: July 21, 2021 (Wide) (Italy) |
Keywords: Psychological Thriller, Tourists In Trouble, Vacation, Family Vacations, Same Role, Multiple Actors, Supernatural |
Classification: Based on Comic/Graphic Novel, Thriller/Suspense, Live Action, Contemporary Fiction |
Domestic BO: $48,276,510 |
International BO: $41,560,287 |
Synopsis
A family on a tropical holiday discover that the secluded beach where they are relaxing for a few hours is somehow causing them to age rapidly … reducing their entire lives into a single day.