To celebrate the new year, it is time to look back at all the amazing films that helped define 2021. It was a time for superheros, sequels, and new stories to be told. Marvel was really able to dominate this year with a total of four new movies that were released for 2021.  There were many other films that were able to make the list of the top 10 highest grossing movies of 2021.

1.Spider-Man No Way Home 

Spider- Man No Way Home had already broken records for the trailer alone. The film was only released on December 17th and still managed to take the #1 spot on the list with $573 million made in the US Box Office. There will be no spoilers here as the film is still currently being shown in theatres but let the reviews speak for themselves as it has received a 93% on Rotten Tomatoes. Lily Reimbold, a senior at Saugus High shared her thoughts on the movie saying “I really enjoyed Spider-Man No Way Home. I was really happy and excited to see some specific characters. I think it was a great movie overall and I never expected the ending.”

2. Shang Chi And The Legend of The Ten Rings

Shang Chi, another one of Marvel’s movies, had made a total of $225 million in the US Box Office. Shang Chi is not only making achievements through its numbers but also representation in media as Shang Chi is Marvel’s First Asian Superhero. Shang Chi released on September 3rd, 2021 and has been released on Disney Plus for viewers to watch. The film received a 91% on Rotten Tomatoes. 12th Another senior, Reilley Pavard, says “I really enjoyed that the film combined action with more sentimental and soulful moments. The stunts were exciting and the dialogue was also funny”.

3. Venom: Let There Be Carnage

Third on the list with $213 million made in the US Post Box Office, is Venom: Let There Be Change. This is the sequel to the 2018 Venom, starring Tom Hardy. The sequel has improved with it’s Rotten Tomato score with the first at 38%, and the sequel at 58%. Saugus Senior, Haylee Marin says “Venom: Let there Be Carnage was a mixed bag for me. Tom Hardy really shines in the comedic role, but tonally inconsistent script and jarring breakneck pace hurt the film overall. The post credit scene was probably my favorite part of the whole movie”.

4. Black Widow

After seeing Scarlett Johanson star as Black Widow in the previous Avengers movies, it’s refreshing to see her get her own movie and to get some more screen time for her beloved character. Black Widow made $184 million in the US Post Box Office and received a 79% on rotten tomatoes. Shelby Ortega, Senior, has said “I thought Black Widow was awesome despite the trauma, I also loved seeing Scarlett Johansson doing what she does best, being a girlboss as always”.

5.F9

Fast and Furious latest sequel, F9, has earned them #5 on the list with $173 million made in the US Post Box Office. The film received a 59% on rotten tomatoes and the series already has Fast and Furious 10 in the works.

6. Eternals

Eternals is not like any other Marvel superhero movie seen before, with a cast made up of well known celebrities such as Gemma Chan, Angeline Jolie, Kumil Nanjiani, Salma Hayek, and more. The film had made $165 in the US Box Office and received a 49% on rotten tomatoes. Warning – Spoilers Ahead. An anonymous Saugus student has given their feedback on the movie saying “Eternals was garbage because it was just full of cliches and felt like they were trying to sound cool but they all just sounded dumb. And there’s just way too many people to care about, like sorry, Angelina Jolie, I don’t care about you or the other 10 main characters cause there’s just too many, and none of them were funny. [Also] why is Harry Styles in it? [He] cannot act for his life. Was the biggest waste of two hours”.

7. No Time To Die

James Bond has made his return, making $161 million in the US Box Office and 86% on rotten tomatoes. This is the 25th film to be added to the James Bond series and sadly the last, as Daniel Craig confirmed this will be the last time he stars as the beloved 007.

8. A Quiet Place Part II

After a delay from the pandemic, A Quiet Place II had been released and made $160 million in the US Box Office. The wait was well worth it as the film received a 91% on Rotten Tomatoes. Senior Christen Miranda says “The quiet place 2 is pretty good, I like how the two kids mature and learn to gain courage, especially when their dad just died back in the first movie. So now it’s their turn to protect their mom and the new cute baby.”

9. Ghostbuster Afterlife

Some blast from the past as Ghostbusters returns to make $122 million. The movie has received a 62% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Senior Jacob Solorzano gives his thoughts on the movie saying “I don’t really like ghostbusters but I had fun watching this movie. It wasn’t too different from the originals, same villains and everything”.

10. Free Guy

Last on the list is Free Guy, a movie about a NPC or a non-playable character, taking consciousness of his role and trying to take charge in his life. This spot is quite impressive as Free Guy is the first one on this list to not be part of a big franchise or a sequel. It gained $122 million in the Box office and a 80% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Senior Camille Beach says “I thought the movie was okay. I think that the concept of it was really cool, and I like that Ryan Reynolds was in it. Something I didn’t really like though was the acting with a few characters. I feel like it could’ve been better”.