21 Most Watched Films of 2021

A poster titled "21 Most Watched Films in 2021" by Kanopy, featuring six film stills and the tagline "Films that matter.

Being popular has its pros and cons, but when it comes to film it is a measure of how stories connect with an audience. Explore a list of the 21 Most Watched Films of 2021 on Kanopy.

Cartoon character of a smiling man with brown hair, wearing a black suit and purple tie.
Kevin Sayar
Kanopy CEO
A woman in black lingerie stands in a doorway next to the text, "Alice, Winner Grand Jury Award SXSW 2019 Film Festival.
 Alice
(2019) on IMDb

Alice

Alice (Emilie Piponnier) is the perfect wife and mother, living happily with her husband Francois and their son in an apartment in Paris. When her credit cards are declined one day while shopping, Alice discovers that Francois has been living a secret life, spending all of their money at a high-end escort service and leaving them completely bankrupt. Alice becomes desperate and visits the same escort service that Francois was addicted to in the hopes of finding a way to quickly make some cash and save the apartment.

A man in a tuxedo and a woman in a satin blouse posing happily with "ALL OF ME" text below.
 All of Me
(1984) on IMDb

All of Me

A dying millionaire has her soul transferred into a younger, willing woman. However, something goes wrong, and she finds herself in her lawyer’s body – together with the lawyer.

Two women dressed in 19th century attire embrace on a beach under the sky, with the movie title "Ammonite" in cursive text.
 Ammonite
(2020) on IMDb

Ammonite

In 1840s England, acclaimed fossil hunter Mary Anning and a young woman sent to convalesce by the sea develop an intense relationship, altering both of their lives forever.

A man and woman stand smiling by a lakeside with a young girl; text reads "An Impossible Love, A Film by Catherine Corsini.
 An Impossible Love
(2018) on IMDb

An Impossible Love

At the end of the 1950s, Rachel (Virginie Efira), a young office clerk living in a provincial town, meets Philippe (Niels Schneider), a well-educated man from a wealthy family. They share an intense but short-lived romance, from which a daughter is born. Over the next 50 years, their lives will be shaped by the unconditional love between a mother and her daughter, overshadowed by the impossible love of a woman for a man that rejects her, and of a daughter for an absent and abusive father.

Man in a suit drinks from a bottle with blurred crowd in the background and "ANOTHER ROUND" text in the foreground.
 Another Round
(2020) on IMDb

Another Round

Four friends, all teachers at various stages of middle age, are stuck in a rut. Unable to share their passions either at school or at home, they embark on an audacious experiment from an obscure philosopher: to see if a constant level of alcohol in their blood will help them find greater freedom and happiness.

Black and white "Barry Lyndon" poster with rose, featuring partial silhouette of a person holding a cane.
 Barry Lyndon
(1975) on IMDb

Barry Lyndon

Ryan O’Neal and Marisa Berenson star in director Stanley Kubrick’s lavish adaptation of William Makepeace Thackeray’s classic 18th-century novel about the rise and fall of a sensitive and dashing rogue, The Memoirs of Barry Lyndon, Esq. Forced to leave Ireland after killing an English officer in a duel, handsome young Redmond Barry (O’Neal) seeks his fortune as a soldier in Prussia, as a spy then as a gambler living among the elite of Europe. He changes his name and marries an aristocrat (Berenson) for her wealth, but the acceptance he seeks finally eludes him.

CODA" poster with half faces of an older man and younger woman, separated by piano keys.
 Coda
(2019) on IMDb

Coda

A famous pianist (Patrick Stewart) struggling with stage fright late in his career finds inspiration with a free-spirited music critic (Katie Holmes). Coda also stars Giancarlo Esposito.

Two women sit side by side, one looking concerned. Text above them reads "FOUR GOOD DAYS.
 Four Good Days
(2020) on IMDb

Four Good Days

A mother helps her daughter work through four crucial days of recovery from substance abuse.

Cover of "Gettysburg: Director's Cut" with soldiers on horseback and two bearded men in 19th-century military uniforms.
 Gettysburg
(1993) on IMDb

Gettysburg

In the summer of 1863, the Confederacy pushes north into Pennsylvania, as Union divisions converge to face them. The two great armies clash at Gettysburg, site of a theology school. For three days, through such legendary actions as Little Round Top and Pickett’s Charge, the fate of “one nation, indivisible” hangs in the balance.

I, Tonya" movie poster showing a woman in a white and gold outfit standing against a white wall with the title in pink letters.
 I, Tonya
(2017) on IMDb

I, Tonya

Based on the unbelievable but true events, I, Tonya is a dark comedic tale of American figure skater, Tonya Harding, and one of the most sensational scandals in sports history.

Close-up of a man with a beard and hat, with text "Mark Wahlberg Joe Bell" on the left side.
 Joe Bell
(2020) on IMDb

Joe Bell

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

Two men prominently featured on a dark movie poster with the title "Lansky" and actors' names Harvey Keitel and Sam Worthington.
 Lansky
(2021) on IMDb

Lansky

When the aging Meyer Lansky is investigated one last time by the Feds who suspect he has stashed away millions of dollars over half a century, the retired gangster spins a dizzying tale, revealing the untold truth about his life as the notorious boss of Murder Inc. and the National Crime Syndicate.

Movie poster for "Parasite" with characters outside and inside a modern house, the word "Parasite" and "Neon" are visible.
 Parasite
(2019) on IMDb

Parasite

Greed and class discrimination threaten the relationship between the wealthy Park family and the destitute Kim clan in Bong Joon Ho’s darkly hilarious modern fairytale.

A man and woman embrace closely by a window. The text "Queen of Hearts" is written in large, stylish font.
 Queen of Hearts
(2019) on IMDb

Queen of Hearts

Anne is a lawyer with a beautiful home, family, and life. When her troubled step-son comes to live with them, she forms an intimate bond with him. Initially a liberating move, soon turns into a disturbing story with devastating consequences.

Illustration of a man and woman holding tools with large text "SAVE YOURSELVES!" on a background of Earth from space.
 Save Yourselves!
(2020) on IMDb

Save Yourselves!

Jack (John Reynolds) and Su (Sunita Mani) are a hip Brooklyn couple who, like many of their friends, find themselves dependent on technology and unable to put down their phones. Fearing their mindless scrolling may impact their connection with each other, they seize the chance to head to an isolated cabin in the woods, vowing to unplug from the outside world for a week. Sheltered from texts and push notifications, they are blissfully unaware that the planet is under attack. As strange events unfold, the couple must figure out a way back to civilization—or what’s left of it.

Poster with a woman in black leather and text: "Suzi Q. The Queen Has Come to Claim Her Crown." Orange background.
 Suzi Q
(2019) on IMDb

Suzi Q

Singer, songwriter, bass player, bandleader, actress, radio-presenter, poet – there is only one Suzi Q. This film focuses on the pint-sized, leather-clad rocker who has sold more than 50 million records and in 2019 released a new album, celebrating 53 years as a working musician.

Elderly adults relaxing poolside in 1960s swimwear with the text "The Last Resort" in large yellow letters.
 The Last Resort
(2018) on IMDb

The Last Resort

An uncannily revealing portrait of American photographers Andy Sweet and Gary Monroe and the vibrant community of Jewish retirees they obsessively focused their camera’s lens on in the sunburned paradise of 1970s Miami Beach.

Close-up of an elderly man looking through a magnifying glass with text: "The Mole Agent. It's never too late to become a spy.
 The Mole Agent
(2020) on IMDb

The Mole Agent

In this 2021 Oscar-nominated documentary, 83-year-old Chilean Sergio is sent as an undercover spy to a retirement home to investigate suspected neglect. Through the lens of the hidden camera in his decoy glasses, viewers watch as Sergio struggles to balance his assignment while becoming increasingly involved in the lives of several residents.

Close-up of a man’s face with "#UNFIT: The Psychology of Donald Trump" text and words "Science. Truth. Duty to Warn.
 Unfit: The Psychology of Donald Trump
(2020) on IMDb

Unfit: The Psychology of Donald Trump

After years of empirical observation, for the first time ever, prominent mental health professionals present their observations on camera as part of their ethical “Duty to Warn” the public of imminent danger. Medical doctors and mental health professionals go on camera, on the record, for the record – it’s an eye-opening discussion, analysis, and science-based examination of the behavior, psyche, condition, and stability of President Donald Trump. #UNFIT also examines Trump’s effect on our citizenry, culture, and institutions.

Three men dressed as vampires with dramatic expressions beside text: "What We Do in the Shadows.
 What We Do in the Shadows
(2014) on IMDb

What We Do in the Shadows

Housemates Viago, Deacon, and Vladislav (Jemaine Clement, Taika Waititi, & Jonathan Brugh) are three vampires who are trying to get by in modern society; from paying rent and doing housework to trying to get invited into nightclubs. They are just like anyone else – except they’re immortal and must feast on human blood. When their 8000-year-old roommate Petyr, turns 20-something human hipster Nick, into a vampire, the guys must guide him through his newfound eternal life.

A woman and man stand close in the rain with text "Wild Mountain Thyme" overlaid on the left side.
 Wild Mountain Thyme
(2020) on IMDb

Wild Mountain Thyme

Family conflicts arise when the patriarch threatens to give their farm over to an American nephew as opposed to his own son.

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