Year in review: The 25 movies, shows, and music that defined 2021

We kick off this list with a film that seemed destined for greatness from the start. Directed by Kenneth Branagh, Belfast is a coming-of-age, comedy-drama about a boy's life during the tense and dangerous 1960s in Northern Ireland. Lead child actor Jude Hill is one of the notable entertainment stories of the year for delivering an enthralling performance in a story that's deeply personal to Branagh. It's seven Golden Globe nominations tied for most of any film this season.

Get ready for ample mentions of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. After delay and delay, due to the coronavirus pandemic, Black Widow was finally released to the world in the summer of 2021. Regardless of any issues surrounding the film before and after its release, it was worth the wait. Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson) has one of the more intriguing Marvel backstories. While Florence Pugh's performance as Natasha's sister figure actually outshines that of the famed lead actor.

Yes, there are still those of a certain age who appreciate the simple nature of the box-office bomb 1984 version of the film. Yet, it seems everyone found time to salivate over this modern take. The first of a two-part film adaptation  of the novel from the 1960s, the latest take was hailed for its enhanced visuals, believable action schemes, and ensemble cast that includes Timothée Chalamet, Josh Brolin, and Rebecca Ferguson. It was also one of the biggest grossing films (making over $390 around the globe) of 2021. 

Yes, we love our biopics. King Richard is the story of Richard Williams, father-turned-coach of tennis superstars Venus and Serena Williams. Will Smith received plenty of acclaim in the title role. Delivering a realistic take of a father building up his children for greatness, while not ruining their lives in the process. Kind of what he's done at home with his own family -- for the most part. The movie received four Golden Globe nominations, including Bets Picture -- Drama and Best Actor -- Motion Picture Drama.

The latest from Paul Thomas Anderson doesn't make its nationwide release on Christmas Day, but through previews and premiers, has already generated some serious buzz. Mainly because of its two young, lead actors. Alana Haim is best known as one-third of her Grammy-nominated pop-rock band -- with sisters Este and Danielle -- of the same last name. Meanwhile, Cooper Hoffman, son of late actor Phillip Seymour Hoffman, is simply stellar while making their big-screen debuts in this  coming-of-age comedy-drama set in the San Fernando Valley in the early 1970s. Both received almost instant acclaim, and already earned Golden Globe and Critics' Choice Awards nominations, among others.

Led by Benedict Cumberbatch's run as rather surly and volatile rancher Phil Burbank,  The Power of the Dog  could very well end up being the most acclaimed film of 2021 -- if the award results follow the critical praise it's received. However, there are more notable performances than that of Cumberbatch. Kirsten Dunst  has resurfaced to perhaps resurrect her mainstream career with a splendid portrayal of widowed innkeeper Rose Gordon. Meanwhile, Kodi Smit-McPhee truly stands out as Rose's foppish son.

Is this the most anticipated Marvel offering of 2021 ? Probably a good bet. Released the week before Christmas, the pre-screening buzz was thick and might be the one film of 2021 that keeps people flocking to theaters amid these crazy times. Peter Parker (Tom Holland) is back, although these are not easy times, now that his super-hero secret appears to be out. Not to mention, he and Spider-Man have a bevy of bad guys -- past and present -- to deal with in this latest installment.

This Steven Spielberg version of the beloved story told through countless musicals and a classic film joins Belfast and The Power of the Dog as the most widely acclaimed pictures of 2021. Of course, the performances help. In the case of West Side Story, audiences cant's take their eyes -- and ears -- off  Rachel Zegler, who was immediately praised for her performance as Maria. Blessed with an angelic voice, Zegler has essentially become the individual focal point of the film.

For those who still aren't watching The CW's All-American, why not? Come on. Chop, Chop!! Amid its fourth season, the story of high school football star Spencer James (brilliantly played by Daniel Ezra) navigating life at both ends of the Los Angeles' socio-economic ladder, remains one of the most genuine and compelling shows on network television. Yes, network television still exists, and this is an example of why it does.

It was a busy year for Jean Smart, and one of her brightest professional moments came through this hilarious series from HBO Max. Smart is glorious as longtime Vegas stand-up comedian Deborah Vance, who needs a little help and more modern material to maintain her relevance in show business. From struggling young comedy writer Ava Daniels (Hannah Einbinder), who is a pleasant complement to Smart's antics.

We're learning more and more that Tom Hiddleston was born to be a leading man. Like Black Widow, final production and the release of the long-anticipated Loki series for Disney+ was delayed until the middle of 2021, due to the lingering pandemic. Of course, the wait was worth it, as we track the god of mischief in the events following his stealing of the Tesseract from Avengers: Endgame (2019). While Hiddleston is on point, Owen Wilson is equally entertaining as Mobius M. Mobius, the agent assigned to investigate Loki's time travel conundrum. 

Kate Winslet shines in just about everything she's in. Most recently as Mare Sheehan, an emotionally tortured detective sergeant in rugged Easttown, Pa., from HBO's Mare of Easttown. The single mom and grandmother have endured plenty of personal tragedy in her own life, and even more at work, especially after a young, local girl goes missing -- causing panic in her close-knit town. The aforementioned Jean Smart is superbly witty and concerning as Mare's mother. The miniseries won four of the 16 Primetime Emmy Awards it was nominated for, including Winslet for Outstanding Lead Actress.

Ted Lasso  burst onto the scene, via Apple TV+, as one of the great entertainment moments amid a rather bleak 2020. In 2021, Jason Sudeikis  and his hilariously charming alter ego English soccer coach picked up where they left off. Season Two was filled with plenty of memorable moments, and we're not even talking about that season-opening mascot killing. In September, the show and Sudeikis earned Primetime Emmy Awards, and both are nominated for the 2022 Golden Globes.

Netflix is good for one massive breakout show each year. No doubt, international sensation Squid Game will take the prize in 2021. More than 142 million member households have been on board with this South Korean series about more than 456 financially strapped individuals literally putting their lives on the line to play children's games for a chance to win a massive cash prize. The show earned three Golden Globe nominations, including Best Television Series -- Drama.

For some, Succession is a black comedy-drama that's an acquired taste. But, 2021's Season Three was still among the most anticipated returns of a series all year. The simple fact is that the Roy family is just too hard to quit. The happenings at Waystar RoyCo. are just so over the top and the one-upmanship between family members is so delicious. Plus, the use of the underrated Nirvana song "Rāpe Me," during a corporate conference, might be the highlight of Season Three.

With the historic tale of the escape from slavery  as a backdrop from the 2016 novel, the creative addition of magic and fantasy is what helps make this Amazon Prime Video limited series so unique. OK, it might take some time to get accustomed to, or even believe it's worth following. But the overall original take and consistently strong performances from the likes of Thuso Mbedu and Joel Edgerton is why the project earned some Primetime Emmy love.

How well-received was WandaVision ? Well enough to earn a whopping 23 Primetime Emmy Award nominations. It won three, but that didn't matter. Within Phase Four of the MCU, fans got a greater appreciation for the relationship between Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen) and Vision (Paul Bettany). Along with the ingenious and intriguing storylines, plus the exceptional talent of Kathryn Hahn, that needs to be more widely celebrated.

More than a half-century after the fact, The Beatles are still the talk of the pop culture world. Peter Jackson's 2021 documentary The Beatles: Get Back, streaming on Disney+, follows the band as it works on the 1970 album Let It Be. Contrary to the long-time belief that the Let It Be sessions were filled with tensions and disinterest, the nearly eight hours of footage put forth here, shows the group in a rather spirited light -- at least most of the time. Made more engrossing by the obscene talent level possessed by John, Paul, George, and Ringo. 

Indie pop with a haunting vibe. Maybe that's the way to describe the listening experience of the singer-songwriter's third studio album. Dacus might not be on the radar of many mainstream music fans, but she continues to find herself and work on various "Best of..." lists and is again with this project. Highlights from the record include the celestial  "Thumbs" and the snappy and nostalgic "Hot & Heavy."

We got our first taste of this Lil Nas X track during Super Bowl LV ad. Of course, it took off as expected. "Montero" debuted atop the Billboard Hot 100 and, naturally, was not without some level of controversy. From the tune's homosexually-themed lyrics to the over-the-top, biblically-eccentric music video in which Nas, himself, decides to give Satan a lap dance. The song earned Grammy nominations for Record of the Year, Song of the Year and Best Music Video.

This versatile young Los Angeles-based punk band, comprised of sisters Lucia and Mila de la Garza, their cousin Eloise Wong and pal Bela Salazar, became an internet sensation, thanks to its tune "Racist, Sexist Boy." A response song to Mila's classmate, who made an insensitive remark about her ethnicity. The tune, part of the group's massively popular show at a branch of the L.A. Public Library system, was hailed by the likes of Red Hot Chili Peppers and female punk icons Bikini Kill. The group eventually inked a deal with Epitaph Records and appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live!

One of the great musical debates over the decades is whether Iron Maiden should be considered a progressive metal band. There are enough arguments for and against to keep the conversation lively. One certainly for the "pro-progressive" side is 2021's Senjutsu. The band's 17th album, released in September, is yet another conceptual Maiden offering, hitting on themes of doom and despair. Despite spanning more than 80 minutes, Senjutsu reached No. 1 on various charts in 15 different countries, including Billboard's Top Hard Rock and Top Rock Albums charts in the U.S.

The Roots' Questlove comes through in a big way with his documentary about the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival . A forgotten musical moment in time. An urban Woodstock, if one will, featuring performances by legends like Stevie Wonder, Nina Simone, and Gladys Knight. For those who have not benefited from watching this well-put-together film, it streams on Hulu and is a must-see for any music fan.

Regardless of the format, music and film lovers still can't get enough of Tina Turner. Not only because of her tremendous talent, performances, and overall presence, but for the story she has to tell. One that has inspired countless women to pull themselves up from the depths of despair to live a life of empowerment. This HBO documentary from Dan Lindsay and J.T. Martin -- both of Undefeated (2011) -- fame offers another worthy detail. Meanwhile, Turner's showmanship still remains enjoyably impactful.

Rodrigo went from a Disney Network fan favorite to international pop superstar thanks to the 2021 release of her debut album SOUR. A No. 1 Billboard and Emmy-nominated release, it was recognized as the year's best album by Rolling Stone. SOUR featured five singles that were released, including the massively popular "Driver's License," the most-streamed song on Spotify this year. "Good 4 U" also hit No. 1 on the Hot 100, while Deja Vu" reached No. 3.