I don’t know about you, but as someone whose main passion in life is going to the movie theater, getting a big bag of buttery popcorn, and soaking up the latest hits, being able to actually go back to theaters this year has been amazing. First, there’s being able to satisfy that movie theater popcorn craving that no store-bought variety can fill (trust me, I’ve tried) but there’s also the fact that there have been SO many great movies coming out this year, especially adventure movies.
And at a time when we’ve had to put some of our IRL adventures on hold, we can use all the movie versions we can get. So if you’re looking for a little excitement in your life, here are 12 adventure movies that came out in 2021 that you need to watch ASAP.
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
When it comes to adventure, you can’t really go wrong with a Marvel movie, and this one’s adding a whole new character to the cinematic universe. The story is great, the fight scenes are epic, and Awkwafina is hilarious as Shang-Chi’s BFF/sidekick.
Free Guy
Come for Ryan Reynolds and stay for the unconventional yet amazing plot. He plays a background character in a video game who, upon realizing he lives in a video game, decides he’s going to become the hero.
Black Widow
Scar Jo finally got a solo movie as Black Widow, and it did not disappoint. Her long-awaited origin story is a really, really interesting one, and Florence Pugh is a total scene-stealer as her younger (and equally bad ass) sister.
Jungle Cruise
TBH, if a movie has Emily Blunt and The Rock in it, it doesn’t even matter what it’s about. But thankfully this one has both of them AND is super fun. It’s actually based on a ride at Disneyland with the same name and is all about the captain of a riverboat (The Rock) taking a scientist (Emily Blunt) and her brother through a dangerous jungle to look for the Tree of Life.
Finding Ohana
Raise your hand if, when you were a kid, you longed for the day that you would find a long lost treasure map. In Finding Ohana, two siblings from Brooklyn stumble upon one during their stay in Hawaii, and as they set out on a quest to find the treasure, they learn about their Hawaiian heritage.
Raya and the Last Dragon
It doesn’t matter how old you are, Disney animated movies are honestly some of the best adventure movies around. Raya is total boss/warrior who’s on a quest to find the legendary last dragon in an attempt to save humanity from evil forces.
Nomadland
It may not be your typical action-packed adventure movie, but Nomadland has its own kind of adventure. Frances McDormand plays a woman who, after losing everything in the recession, decides to pack up and become a nomad, living and traveling across the American West.
No Time to Die
It kind of goes without saying that any James Bond movie is going to be an epic adventure, and it doesn’t hurt that you get to stare at Daniel Craig’s face for almost three hours straight!
Eternals
I’ll say it right now, Eternals may not be the best Marvel movie ever made, but the star-studded cast (I’m talking Angelina Jolie, Gemma Chan, Kit Harrington, and Selma Hayek here, people!) and the stunning visual effects make it a must-watch. It’s about a group of immortals on Earth who come out of hiding to fight against their evil counterparts, the Deviants.
Luca
This movie is SO cute. When a young sea monster in the Italian Riviera discovers that he can take on a human form when he leaves the water, he has an epic summer adventure filled with exploring, pasta eating, friendship. But he’s also trying to evade the wrath of the local bully who’s hellbent on beating Luca and his new friends in the annual children’s triathlon.
The Green Knight
Dev Patel as a medieval knight? Sign me up right this very second! He plays King Arthur’s nephew, who sets out on a quest to battle the fantastical Green Knight and prove himself to his family.
The Suicide Squad
What happens when the government deploys all of the most dangerous villains in the world to take out their enemies? An epic movie, of course!
