2021 has been a great year for Netflix. With total revenue hitting $7.3 billion in the third quarter of 2021, the streaming giant shows no signs of slowing down. Even though the world opened up a bit more in 2021, it didn't stop people from staying in and tuning in to the streaming service for their entertainment with 209 million subscribers worldwide.
With the steady rise in revenue and viewers, the budget for Netflix's original content has also risen. Content spending in 2021 was up to $17 billion from the $11 billion spent in 2020. Looking back at the top 5 Netflix original movies of 2021 according to Rotten Tomatoes, does the spending on content translate into more popular movies, or does the budget not factor in at all?
Tick, Tick... Boom! (87%)
Based in fact and a semi-autobiographical story about Rent writer/composer Jonathan Larson, tick, tick... Boom! stood out this year as a heartfelt musical drama and marked Lin-Manuel Miranda's debut as a feature director. Based on the stage musical of the same name, the movie follows Jonathan as he approaches his 30th birthday and strives to make a mark in the theatre industry as many of his friends are struck down by HIV/AIDS. The story is set around the creative process and asks how much time there is to make a mark on the world.
The Tomatometer score for tick, tick... Boom! is currently at 87% whereas the audience score is 96%. Critic's consensus on the film was that "tick, tick... BOOM! makes musical magic out of a story focused on the creative process -- an impressive feat for debuting director Lin-Manuel Miranda."
The Harder They Fall (87%)
Who says the Western genre is dead? The Harder They Fall is a slick, action-packed film with an all-star cast that includes Regina King, Idris Elba, Delroy Lindo, Jonathan Majors, and Zazie Beetz. While it may not have featured the most original story out there, the film is anchored by some truly terrific performances (King is especially great), as well as an absolutely killer soundtrack that helps to bolster the action.
The Harder They Fall sits at an impressive 87% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes, along with a 93% audience score. For those who want to get their fix of action but might be tired of science fiction and superheroes, this is a must-see.
Fear Street Part 2: 1978 (88%)
Netflix released a trilogy of movies based on R.L Stine's Fear Street series of books in 2021, all of which did well. However, there was one installment that did slightly better than the others. Fear Street Part 2:1978 follows the campers at Camp Nightwing as they try to escape a serial killer. The story is a continuation of the mythology surrounding the cursed town of Shadyside, introduced in Fear Street Part 1:1994, where an ancient evil has been possessing residents of the town and causing them to go on killing sprees for almost 300 years.
With a Tomatometer score of 88% and an audience score of 81%, Fear Street Part 2:1978 outperformed the other films in the trilogy by a small margin, showing that Friday The 13th style slashers still hold prove popular today. The critic's consensus on the film was that "A smart and subversive twist on slasher horror, Fear Street Part II: 1978 shows that summer camp has never been scarier thanks to stellar performances from Sadie Sink, Emily Rudd, and Ryan Simpkins."
The Power Of The Dog (96%)
Touted as a psychological Western, The Power of The Dog is a newer release that has quickly risen to one of the highest-rated originals of the year. Based on the 1967 novel of the same name, the film follows a fraught relationship between two brothers, George and Phil, as George marries the widowed inn owner Rose. Rose also joins the family with her son, Peter, who is mocked by Phil for being effeminate. Phil is the villainous influence in the film as he constantly berates Rose, driving her to alcoholism and making her and her son perpetually feel unwelcome in their home. The Power of The Dog is also a deep reflection on sexuality, shame, and mortality.
The Tomatometer score for The Power of The Dog is 96% while the audience score is 61%, showing that while critics have lauded the film for its bleak tone and cast performances, audiences are not so sure. The critic's consensus is "Brought to life by a stellar ensemble led by Benedict Cumberbatch, The Power of the Dog reaffirms writer-director Jane Campion as one of her generation's finest filmmakers."
The Mitchells Vs. The Machines (98%)
The Mitchells Vs. The Machines is an animated family-friendly adventure that came out of nowhere in 2021 and has become one of the highest-rated Netflix Originals of the year. Following a family at odds on a road trip as the evil robot uprising begins, The Mitchells Vs. The Machines is a funny, heartwarming, and original take on the evil AI trope that's been done before. Produced by Phil Lord and Chris Miller, The Mitchells Vs. The Machines is beautifully animated and serves to offer lessons about tolerance and technology in a way that is accessible and fun for the whole family.
The Tomatometer rates the movie at 98% with the audience score sitting at 88%. Critic's consensus was that "Eye-catching and energetic, The Mitchells vs. the Machines delivers a funny, feel-good story that the whole family can enjoy."