2021 was quite the year for movies. After having endured fewer films during 2020 with the Covid-19 pandemic bringing about lockdowns, theaters opened back up in 2021 to a host of new movies. There were plenty of pictures that had been held back in 2020 and left us waiting another year for debut, such as the new James Bond No Time to Die and the latest entries in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It was quite the busy year as new movies swarmed over the multiplexes, especially during the month of October. Now that 2021 has ended, it’s time to sort through the many films and fish out the best. Here fifteen of the best movies of the past year that you should check out if you haven’t already.

Pig

Nicolas Cage shines in one of his brightest roles yet, despite being such a dark and somber picture. He plays the character of Rob, a truffle hunter of Oregon who lives in the woods. He regularly meets with a dealer but he enjoys spending more time with his trusty pig. When his pig is stolen from him, he ventures out of the woods and into the city to find out just who has taken his beloved pet. The film features some fantastic sequences of Rob favoring non-violence in the face of such violent people, often cutting deep with his words and his ability to take a punch. The film is astounding considering it comes from first-time director Michael Sarnoski and additionally stars the talents of Alex Wolff, Adam Arkin, and Gretchen Corbett.