With the development and rising popularity of streaming services, more and more movies never make it into the cinemas and premiere online instead. While this is more comfortable for many audiences and also safer during the pandemic, some movies do look better on the big screen. Meanwhile, others aren't great enough to merit showing in theaters, or may just feel better to watch from the comfort of one's own home.

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Whatever the case, this year saw the premiere of plenty of movies that never made it into the theaters. Some were average, while others were quite poorly received. However, there were also some excellent 2021 pieces that were just as great as the movies running in theaters, if not better.

7 The Dig

The Dig 2021

British historical dramas based on real events often have a lot of charm, strong atmosphere, and solid actors. The Dig is a slow-paced but still captivating piece about a man who makes a unique discovery on the eve of the World War II.

The audience knows what is about to happen, so they're invested in the story and its heroes. It helps that the movie stars talented names including Ralph Fiennes, Carey Mulligan, and Lily James. Overall, The Dig is an enjoyable movie even for people who aren't interested in archeology, thanks to its gripping story.

6 Malcolm And Marie

Malcolm And Marie Zendaya and John David Washington

Making a movie with a limited number of characters that mostly takes place in a single setting can be a real challenge. Malcolm and Marie, though, manages it. John David Washington plays a filmmaker who has finally gotten his big success, while Zendaya stars as his much younger girlfriend who's angry at him because he didn't acknowledge her in her thanking speech.

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The movie focuses on the complex relationship between the couple, and in the space of a single night shows that love can be both ugly and beautiful, depending on the circumstances. Both actors give excellent performances, so Malcolm and Marie is a must-watch for all fans of these actors.

5 Zack Snyder's Justice League

Wonder Woman and Aquaman in Zack Snyder's Justice League

The original Justice League (2017) didn't come across well with either the critics or audiences. The heavily anticipated Snyder cut finally came out this year, and it manages to do what its predecessor didn't. It gives a lot of space to all the important characters, which allows to build better, more realistic relationships between them. It also makes Steppenwolf into a better villain, creating more tension.

The movie is four hours long, which makes it a challenge to finish it in one sitting. However, for all superhero fans, it's an enjoyable piece that has fantastic funny, touching, and action-filled scenes.

4 The Mitchells Vs. The Machines

Mitchells vs. the Machines

Netflix offers a lot of great animated movies, and the new piece The Mitchells vs. The Machines manages to combine family drama with a sci-fi comedy about a robot apocalypse — or rather, a would-be apocalypse. Disaster could have happened if not for the titular Mitchell family that's here to save the day, even though they mostly have no idea what they're doing.

The movie is clever, touching, hilarious, fast-paced, and full of little details that make it worth watching more than just once. Plus, it has a cute dog, which is always a plus when it comes to animated movies.

3 The Woman In The Window

Amy Adams is one of the most talented actresses of her generation, so anytime she appears in a starring role, it's worth noticing. This time, Adams gives yet another excellent performance as a woman with agoraphobia who watches her neighbors from the comfort of her home...and sees something she shouldn't have.

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The gradually intensifying atmosphere keeps the audience invested from the start to the finish, and has more than one surprising moment. The movie also has strong cast, starring Julianne Moore and Gary Oldman alongside Adams.

2 Transatlantic 473

Transatlantic 473

Vampires are often protagonists in romantic stories these days, but they started their lives in the horror genre, and this movie comes back to the roots. Transatlantic 473 focuses on a woman and her son who travel in a plane that gets overtaken by a group of terrorists. The only way for the woman to defeat them is let out her inner vampire.

The movie takes time to establish its characters well before it starts with its genuine bloodshed. As a result, the audience is invested. Seeing vampires on a plane is yet another new concept that makes this movie different from other horror pieces working with the same creatures.

1 The Witcher: The Nightmare Of The Wolf

Vesemir with a coin in The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf

The first season of Netflix's show The Witcher took the world by storm in 2019, and fans were eagerly expecting another piece into the complex world of The Witcher. The animated movie focuses on Geralt's teacher, mentor, and adoptive father Vesemir while he was still young. Vesemir is solving a complicated case, and also has to deal with a sorceress who hates all Witchers.

The movie moves forward fast, has solid voice performances, and works with action, romance and humor all at once. Vesemir has yet to appear in the show but with the upcoming second season he's due to play a part in, the audience has a lot of great things to look forward to, especially after watching this movie.

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