Ranking the 11 best Netflix shows and movies of 2021
By Dan Girolamo
Which Netflix shows and movies are the best of the year 2021? We rank the top 11!
It’s been an eventful year for the streaming giant Netflix. The platform continues to release original programming at a rapid pace, and shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.
With other streamers taking previous Netflix staples, such as The Office, to their platform, the service has put an emphasis on original content over the past few years. According to Variety, Netflix is expected to spend $13.6 billion on content, which is a 26% increase from the previous year.
The year 2021 was a year of firsts for the streamer. The Crown swept every major acting category at the 2021 Emmys and won Netflix its first ever award for Outstanding Drama Series. In addition to The Crown, The Queen’s Gambit walked away with two Emmys including the prestigious Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series.
In addition to Emmy’s success, Netflix also smashed the record for their most-watched series and movie, respectfully. Squid Game became a global phenomenon on its way to becoming the most-watched show ever on the service while Red Notice registered the most views ever for a Netflix original film.
With so much new content to choose from, narrowing down a list to the best 11 original programs of 2021 is downright impossible. Where to even begin?
What are the best Netflix shows and movies of 2021?
We have to start at the beginning of the year. In fact, Cobra Kai and Lupin were both released within the first eight days of January 2021. The rest of the year included Oscar contenders, familiar favorites, and huge sequels.
Luckily for you, I’m here to decide which programs made the final 11. Keep in mind that this is subjective! If I missed one of your favorite shows or films, let me know in the comments!