Top Movie Dramas of 2021

by tomlev-03240 | created - 03 Sep 2021 | updated - 27 Nov 2021 | Public
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1. The Many Saints of Newark (2021)

R | 120 min | Crime, Drama

60 Metascore

Witness the making of Tony Soprano. The story that reveals the humanity behind Tony's struggles and the influence his family - especially his uncle, Dickie Moltisanti - had over him becoming the most iconic mob boss of all time.

Director: Alan Taylor | Stars: Alessandro Nivola, Leslie Odom Jr., Jon Bernthal, Vera Farmiga

Votes: 63,315

2. Mass (2021)

PG-13 | 111 min | Drama

81 Metascore

The parents of both the shooter and one of the victims of a school shooting tragedy agree to meet and talk in an attempt to move forward.

Director: Fran Kranz | Stars: Jason Isaacs, Martha Plimpton, Ann Dowd, Reed Birney

Votes: 17,508

3. Blue Bayou (2021)

R | 117 min | Drama

58 Metascore

As a Korean-American man raised in the Louisiana bayou works hard to make a life for his family, he must confront the ghosts of his past as he discovers that he could be deported from the only country he has ever called home.

Director: Justin Chon | Stars: Justin Chon, Alicia Vikander, Mark O'Brien, Linh-Dan Pham

Votes: 10,476

4. Respect (2021)

PG-13 | 145 min | Biography, Drama, Music

61 Metascore

Following the rise of Aretha Franklin's career from a child singing in her father's church's choir to her international superstardom, RESPECT is the remarkable true story of the music icon's journey to find her voice.

Director: Liesl Tommy | Stars: Jennifer Hudson, Forest Whitaker, Marlon Wayans, Tituss Burgess

Votes: 17,855

5. King Richard (2021)

PG-13 | 144 min | Biography, Drama, Sport

76 Metascore

A look at how tennis superstars Venus and Serena Williams became who they are after the coaching from their father Richard.

Director: Reinaldo Marcus Green | Stars: Will Smith, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Jon Bernthal, Saniyya Sidney

Votes: 136,778

6. House of Gucci (2021)

R | 158 min | Biography, Crime, Drama

59 Metascore

When Patrizia Reggiani, an outsider from humble beginnings, marries into the Gucci family, her unbridled ambition begins to unravel their legacy and triggers a reckless spiral of betrayal, decadence, revenge, and ultimately...murder.

Director: Ridley Scott | Stars: Lady Gaga, Adam Driver, Al Pacino, Jeremy Irons

Votes: 160,003 | Gross: $53.81M

7. The United States vs. Billie Holiday (2021)

R | 126 min | Biography, Drama, Music

52 Metascore

Follows Holiday during her career as she is targeted by the Federal Department of Narcotics with an undercover sting operation led by black Federal Agent Jimmy Fletcher, with whom she has a tumultuous affair.

Director: Lee Daniels | Stars: Andra Day, Trevante Rhodes, Garrett Hedlund, Natasha Lyonne

Votes: 14,683

8. CODA (2021)

PG-13 | 111 min | Comedy, Drama, Music

72 Metascore

As a CODA (Child of Deaf Adults) Ruby is the only hearing person in her deaf family. When the family's fishing business is threatened, Ruby finds herself torn between pursuing her passion at Berklee College of Music and her fear of abandoning her parents.

Director: Sian Heder | Stars: Emilia Jones, Marlee Matlin, Troy Kotsur, Daniel Durant

Votes: 165,123

9. The Power of the Dog (2021)

R | 126 min | Drama, Western

89 Metascore

Charismatic rancher Phil Burbank inspires fear and awe in those around him. When his brother brings home a new wife and her son, Phil torments them until he finds himself exposed to the possibility of love.

Director: Jane Campion | Stars: Benedict Cumberbatch, Kirsten Dunst, Jesse Plemons, Kodi Smit-McPhee

Votes: 193,957

10. Boogie (2021)

R | 90 min | Drama, Sport

54 Metascore

Coming-of-age story of Alfred "Boogie" Chin, a basketball phenom living in Queens, New York, who dreams of one day playing in the NBA. While his parents pressure him to focus on earning a scholarship to an elite college, Boogie must find a way to navigate a new girlfriend, high school, on-court rivals and the burden of expectation.

Director: Eddie Huang | Stars: Taylor Takahashi, Pamelyn Chee, Jorge Lendeborg Jr., Taylour Paige

Votes: 2,546

11. Joe Bell (2020)

R | 94 min | Biography, Drama

54 Metascore

The true story of a small-town, working-class father who embarks on a walk across the U.S. to crusade against bullying after his son is tormented in high school for being gay. Meanwhile, he... See full summary »

Director: Reinaldo Marcus Green | Stars: Mark Wahlberg, Reid Miller, Connie Britton, Maxwell Jenkins

Votes: 9,572

12. Stillwater (2021)

R | 139 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery

60 Metascore

A father travels from Oklahoma to France to help his estranged daughter, who is in prison for a murder she claims she didn't commit.

Director: Tom McCarthy | Stars: Matt Damon, Camille Cottin, Abigail Breslin, Lilou Siauvaud

Votes: 57,991

13. Judas and the Black Messiah (2021)

R | 126 min | Biography, Drama, History

84 Metascore

Offered a plea deal by the FBI, William O'Neal infiltrates the Illinois chapter of the Black Panther Party to gather intelligence on Chairman Fred Hampton.

Director: Shaka King | Stars: LaKeith Stanfield, Daniel Kaluuya, Jesse Plemons, Dominique Fishback

Votes: 91,537

14. Passing (I) (2021)

PG-13 | 98 min | Drama, Mystery, Thriller

85 Metascore

"Passing" follows the unexpected reunion of two high school friends, whose renewed acquaintance ignites a mutual obsession that threatens both of their carefully constructed realities.

Director: Rebecca Hall | Stars: Tessa Thompson, Ruth Negga, André Holland, Bill Camp

Votes: 16,534

15. Cry Macho (2021)

PG-13 | 104 min | Drama

58 Metascore

A one-time rodeo star and washed-up horse breeder takes a job to bring a man's young son home and away from his alcoholic mom. On their journey, the horseman finds redemption through teaching the boy what it means to be a good man.

Director: Clint Eastwood | Stars: Clint Eastwood, Dwight Yoakam, Daniel V. Graulau, Amber Lynn Ashley

Votes: 33,141

16. Cherry (I) (2021)

R | 142 min | Biography, Crime, Drama

44 Metascore

Cherry drifts from college dropout to army medic in Iraq - anchored only by his true love, Emily. But after returning from the war with PTSD, his life spirals into drugs and crime as he struggles to find his place in the world.

Directors: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo | Stars: Tom Holland, Ciara Bravo, Jack Reynor, Forrest Goodluck

Votes: 37,352

17. The Eyes of Tammy Faye (2021)

PG-13 | 126 min | Biography, Drama, Romance

55 Metascore

An intimate look at the extraordinary rise, fall and redemption of televangelist Tammy Faye Bakker.

Director: Michael Showalter | Stars: Jessica Chastain, Andrew Garfield, Cherry Jones, Vincent D'Onofrio

Votes: 38,973

18. Flag Day (2021)

R | 109 min | Crime, Drama

53 Metascore

A father lives a double life as a counterfeiter, bank robber and con man in order to provide for his daughter.

Director: Sean Penn | Stars: Mitchell McCormick, Tom Anniko, Dylan Penn, Regina King

Votes: 3,589

19. The Starling (2021)

PG-13 | 102 min | Comedy, Drama

31 Metascore

After Lilly suffers a loss, a combative Starling takes nest beside her quiet home. The feisty bird taunts and attacks the grief-stricken Lilly. On her journey to expel the Starling, she rediscovers her will to live and capacity for love.

Director: Theodore Melfi | Stars: Melissa McCarthy, Chris O'Dowd, Kevin Kline, Timothy Olyphant

Votes: 15,300

20. The Last Duel (2021)

R | 152 min | Action, Drama, History

67 Metascore

The Knight Jean de Carrouges must settle the dispute over his wife Marguerite by challenging his former friend to a duel to the death.

Director: Ridley Scott | Stars: Matt Damon, Adam Driver, Jodie Comer, Harriet Walter

Votes: 182,355 | Gross: $10.85M

21. The Card Counter (2021)

R | 111 min | Crime, Drama, Thriller

78 Metascore

William Tell is an ex-military interrogator living under the radar as a low-stakes gambler. When he encounters a young man looking to commit revenge against a mutual enemy, he takes him on the casino circuit to set him on a new path.

Director: Paul Schrader | Stars: Oscar Isaac, Tiffany Haddish, Tye Sheridan, Willem Dafoe

Votes: 43,038

22. Falling (I) (2020)

R | 112 min | Drama

63 Metascore

John Peterson lives with his partner Eric and their adopted daughter in Southern California. When he is visited by his aging father who is searching for a place to retire, their two very different worlds collide.

Director: Viggo Mortensen | Stars: Viggo Mortensen, Lance Henriksen, Laura Linney, Terry Chen

Votes: 6,982

23. Land (I) (2021)

PG-13 | 89 min | Adventure, Drama

61 Metascore

Edee, in the aftermath of an unfathomable event, finds herself unable to stay connected to the world and retreats to the wilds of the Rockies. After a local hunter brings her back from the brink of death, she must find a way to live again.

Director: Robin Wright | Stars: Robin Wright, Demián Bichir, Sarah Dawn Pledge, Kim Dickens

Votes: 15,887

24. Palmer (2021)

R | 110 min | Drama

53 Metascore

An ex-convict strikes up a friendship with a boy from a troubled home.

Director: Fisher Stevens | Stars: Justin Timberlake, Juno Temple, Alisha Wainwright, Ryder Allen

Votes: 43,881

25. Fatherhood (I) (2021)

PG-13 | 109 min | Comedy, Drama

53 Metascore

A father brings up his baby girl as a single dad after the unexpected death of his wife who died a day after their daughter's birth.

Director: Paul Weitz | Stars: Kevin Hart, Alfre Woodard, Lil Rel Howery, DeWanda Wise

Votes: 42,673

26. The Green Knight (2021)

R | 130 min | Adventure, Drama, Fantasy

85 Metascore

A fantasy retelling of the medieval story of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.

Director: David Lowery | Stars: Dev Patel, Alicia Vikander, Joel Edgerton, Sarita Choudhury

Votes: 118,148

27. Pink Skies Ahead (2020)

TV-14 | 94 min | Comedy, Drama

66 Metascore

A young woman struggles with an anxiety disorder after dropping out of school.

Director: Kelly Oxford | Stars: Jessica Barden, Michael McKean, Marcia Gay Harden, Rosa Salazar

Votes: 660

28. Dear Evan Hansen (2021)

PG-13 | 137 min | Drama, Musical

39 Metascore

Film adaptation of the Tony and Grammy Award-winning musical about Evan Hansen, a high-school senior with social anxiety disorder, and his journey of self-discovery and acceptance after a classmate's suicide.

Director: Stephen Chbosky | Stars: Ben Platt, Julianne Moore, Kaitlyn Dever, Amy Adams

Votes: 18,620

29. Malcolm & Marie (2021)

R | 106 min | Drama, Romance

53 Metascore

A director and his girlfriend's relationship is tested after they return home from his movie premiere and face each other's turmoil during one long night.

Director: Sam Levinson | Stars: John David Washington, Zendaya

Votes: 41,103

30. One Night in Miami... (2020)

R | 114 min | Drama

83 Metascore

A fictional account of one incredible night where icons Muhammad Ali, Malcolm X, Sam Cooke, and Jim Brown gathered discussing their roles in the Civil Rights Movement and cultural upheaval of the 60s.

Director: Regina King | Stars: Kingsley Ben-Adir, Eli Goree, Aldis Hodge, Leslie Odom Jr.

Votes: 34,297

31. Pieces of a Woman (2020)

R | 126 min | Drama

66 Metascore

When a young mother's home birth ends in unfathomable tragedy, she begins a year-long odyssey of mourning that fractures relationships with loved ones in this deeply personal story of a woman learning to live alongside her loss.

Director: Kornél Mundruczó | Stars: Vanessa Kirby, Shia LaBeouf, Ellen Burstyn, Iliza Shlesinger

Votes: 56,281

32. Penguin Bloom (2020)

TV-14 | 95 min | Biography, Drama

54 Metascore

A family takes in an injured Magpie that makes a profound difference in their lives.

Director: Glendyn Ivin | Stars: Naomi Watts, Griffin Murray-Johnston, Andrew Lincoln, Essi Murray-Johnston

Votes: 12,324

33. Herself (2020)

R | 97 min | Drama

70 Metascore

A young mother escapes her abusive husband and fights back against a broken housing system. She sets out to build her own home and in the process rebuilds her life and re-discovers herself.

Director: Phyllida Lloyd | Stars: Molly McCann, Clare Dunne, Ruby Rose O'Hara, Ian Lloyd Anderson

Votes: 4,723

34. Our Friend (2019)

R | 124 min | Drama, Romance

57 Metascore

After receiving life-altering news, a couple finds unexpected support from their best friend, who puts his own life on hold and moves into their family home, bringing an impact much greater and more profound than anyone could have imagined.

Director: Gabriela Cowperthwaite | Stars: Jason Segel, Isabella Kai, Violet McGraw, Casey Affleck

Votes: 15,322

35. The Ultimate Playlist of Noise (2021)

TV-MA | 99 min | Comedy, Drama, Music

Marcus, an audio-obsessed high school senior, learns he must undergo brain surgery that will render him deaf, and decides to seize control of his fate by recording the Ultimate Playlist of Noise.

Director: Bennett Lasseter | Stars: Keean Johnson, Madeline Brewer, Rya Kihlstedt, Ian Gomez

Votes: 1,088

36. 12 Mighty Orphans (2021)

PG-13 | 118 min | History, Sport

44 Metascore

Haunted by his mysterious past, a devoted high-school football coach leads a scrawny team of orphans to the state championship during the Great Depression and inspires a broken nation along the way.

Director: Ty Roberts | Stars: Luke Wilson, Vinessa Shaw, Wayne Knight, Martin Sheen

Votes: 8,739



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