My Favorite Watches of 2021
Updated: Mar 10, 2022
Every year when I write this list, I always say to myself "I barely watched anything all year." Then I list the great shows or movies that I watched and I realize that I watched more than I initially thought. This year I watched more TV shows than movies compared to last year so this list is perfect for some binging sessions!
* Spoilers Ahead *
Queen's Gambit (Netflix)
I was a tad late into Queen's Gambit and I ended up watching it at the very beginning of 2021. I understood what all the hype was all about and I ended up finishing it in two days. The story-telling was very engaging, visually stunning, and you grew attached to Beth and her journey. Always love a good feminist story.
Bridgerton (Netflix)
Kind of a guilty pleasure but I will admit that I had fun while watching Bridgerton. It's such a pretty period piece and I'm a sucker for a romance, although Bridgerton is the opposite of feminist media (oops). Very steamy though so do not watch with your family or with children! *Spoiler* I don't really think Daphne should have chosen the Duke as they initially had very different family plans but it's not a mainstream romance unless she goes for her opposite that she cannot help but be attracted to.
Schitts Creek (Netflix)
Schitts Creek is soooo good! My cousin and I started watching it together via Netflix party because we heard about it winning a bunch of awards. It kept us occupied because it is SIX SEASONS long! But we enjoyed every moment. It's such a feel good show with great writing, great acting, comedy, and character growth. We liked the show so much that my cousin and I secretly got each other Schitts Creek merch for Christmas even though we only asked for candles. It was meant to be! Definitely recommend watching Schitts Creek.
Outerbanks (Netflix)
After watching Schitts Creek my cousin and I started watching Outer Banks as my cousin heard really great things about it from her friends as it kind of gives The Goonies vibes. The beginning was a little slow but by half way through the first season, it picked up REALLY fast and we were in for a ride. Season two had us at like the edge of our seat the whole time and we are so excited for season three!
Selena: The Series (Netflix)
I love Selena the artist! I was excited for this mini series when it was announced and I thought Netflix did a great job at telling Selena's inspiring story. I was really invested even though I (unfortunately) already knew what was going to happen. Would still recommend especially if you love Selena and her music.
Inside (Netflix)
I was SO hyped for Inside since I love Bo Burnham comedy specials and his last special, at the time, was five years ago. Inside was everything I expected from Bo Burnham— catchy songs, comedic satire, absurdist humor, commentary about mental health, and more. I was obsessed and the soundtrack was suck in my head all summer. When the soundtrack released on Spotify, it dominated my play time and made it to my Spotify wrapped for the year. Bo is seriously such a talented song writer. Some people found it too real/depressing for a comedy special but obviously I still really enjoyed it and embraced it.
All Too Well (Taylor's + 10 minute version) (YouTube)
My first time adding a music video to this list but it was so good that I had to! We were given a lovely surprised when Taylor re-released Red with a 10 minute version of her mega popular song, "All Too Well." I was thinking to myself before listening to the new version, "the song is already great, isn't 10 minutes kind of excessive?" I then proceeded to get my mind blown as the 10 minute version just enriches the story and the world that Taylor was building. THEN she releases a beautiful music video with relatable hard hitting moments, amazing acting, and great directing! I have so much respect for Taylor Swift and her vision and artistry. I wish she would make 10 minute versions of all of her songs.
Head in the Clouds by 88rising (Twitch)
Another music related thing! But I wanted to include this because I watched the livestream for this event instead of attending (even though I kind of regretted not attending but hey I would rather be safe than sorry). I included this livestream because I found it so therapeutic to watch all of these talented Asian artists perform on a huge stage and enjoying themselves. After such a long year and all of the drama regarding Asian hate in the past two years, I loved being able to celebrate Asian talent and watch stereotypes and the bamboo ceiling break. I felt more healed after that weekend and energized to keep on moving forward. My favorite performances were Niki, DPR Live + Ian, eaJ, and of course keshi!
Encanto (Disney+)
I believe Encanto was my last watch of the year. I loved the theme of family and humanizing your family members as they have their own set of struggles and trauma. I really felt the song "Surface Pressure" in my soul and I heard that it was breaking records as well. But yes, a visually beautiful and emotionally touching movie.
Ted Lasso (AppleTV+)
I started watching Ted Lasso because everybody at work was talking about it so I wanted to know what all of the fuss was about. One of the perks of being a WB employee is pretty much having access to all WB content so I was able to watch it without an AppleTV subscription, yay! Ted Lasso is SO GOOD and quickly became one of my favorite shows. I didn't expect to get so invested and attached to show about "football" but it is just that good. The writing is so witty, comedic timing on-point, dynamic characters, major character development, and uplifting themes. Season two unexpectedly made me cry, my god that is the power of amazing writing! This show just came at the perfect time and I am soooo excited for season 3.
Squid Game (Netflix)
Of course I had to put Squid Game on this list, the number one and record breaking Netflix show of the year. It was addictive, fascinating, and really gave you a lot to think about. I listened to a podcast where they reviewed Squid Game and explained all of the intricacies of the writing and the cultural nuances, which made me respect the show even more. Hopefully we'll be getting a season two since we left off on a cliffhanger! Even though I thought Squid Game was a great show, I don't really understand why it broke so many records and why there was so much hype about it since I feel battle royale type content has been out for a while now. But maybe it's the timing of the release since class tensions was a huge theme and that is something that is definitely relevant to our society today.
Big Little Lies (HBO Max)
I started watching Big Little Lies after my family trip to Monterey/Big Sur and I found out that this show was set in that exact area! Plus look at that cast?! So many well known actors in one show. I also have a soft spot for stuff with Nicole Kidman because she stars in my one of my favorite movies (Moulin Rouge, she also still looks so dang good in this show?!)! It's a pretty dark show but if you know me, I like the stuff that makes me FEEL THINGS so I enjoyed this show. The acting was amazing obviously, some parts made me furious (in a good way), and the addition of Meryl Streep in season 2 was prefect. Not sure if they would make a season 3 but I would be down to watch it.
Mare of Eastown (HBO Max)
An amazing murder mystery show! I binged it in like three days after my teammates were raving about it and it's been a while since I've watched a detective show. I love it when I don't guess who the murderer is and I get caught by surprise. But yes, a pretty heavy show with some dark themes if you're into that stuff. It reminds me of Sharp Objects (which was my most recommended watch of 2018) so you know it's a good show!
Euphoria (HBO Max)
All of the hype is true! Euphoria is an amazing show with so much suspense, very explicit though so you have been warned. Amazing performance per usual by Zendaya and the rest of the cast. I've been told that it is pretty realistic depiction of what high school is like when you're in the drugs scene, but I wouldn't know since my high school experience was the complete opposite of Euphoria. But I think it's good that it gives insight on what it is like to have an addiction and I think it gave me more perspective on an aspect of life that I have had no exposure to. Rue infuriated me a lot but I think it's a sign of great acting. Currently watching season 2 and it was recently announced that Euphoria got renewed for a season 3!
Donut King (Hulu)
A really amazing documentary about the Cambodian donut shop industry and the donut king himself, Ted Ngoy. I loved how Ted started making donuts because it reminded him of his favorite Cambodian dessert so it naturally happened for him. Then through this passion and smart business moves, he gave back to his community and started a donut empire in Los Angeles. This documentary personally really hit home for me because my family were donut shop owners so that was how they made a living when they came into the US. I thought it did a great job going over the Cambodian genocide and what happened to the country as well. I got a little emotional while watching and I felt so much pride that our family was able to achieve the American dream after going through so much hardship. It inspires me to want to continue working hard to achieve my dreams. A really engaging and well produced documentary. Plus the art for the documentary is really great with lots of character. Please support your local Cambodian donut shop! Trust me, you're going to want a fresh donut after watching this.
Wandavision (Disney+)
2021 started off super strong because I LOVED Wandavision. Honestly, I haven't felt this emotionally attached to a Marvel thing in a long time but they did an amazing job to make you feel for Wanda. Media that goes over the theme of grief usually hits me really hard as well. Vision's line of "What is grief if not love persevering?" is genius. Really reminds me of one of my favorite lines from Fleabag (my favorite watch of 2019) so I'm wondering if the writers of Wandavision got a little bit of inspiration from the oh so fabulous Phoebe Waller Bridge? I seriously cried during the last episode and I was so sad when the mini-series ended. But it was great. There are many gems in this mini-series and I hope Wanda will get her own movie one day.
Warrior (HBO Max)
Warrior was recommended to me by one of my good friends and it is definitely one of my top favorite watches in 2021. It's about San Francisco Chinatown during the late 1800s with rival Chinese gangs and awesome kungfu fighting. It is such a well made show with amazing fight scenes, great acting, and really powerful writing. Fun fact, Warrior was originally written by Bruce Lee but he couldn't get it made because studios didn't want to make it at the time! So his daughter took his script and got it produced decades later. The show depicted a lot about the racism that Chinese people dealt with in the late 1800s and I watched this during all of the "Stop Asian Hate" stuff was going on early in the year so the timing was appropriate. It shows how things in terms of racism may have gotten better, but it is not good enough. Very explicit show but I highly recommend it. I finished the two seasons in like a week! Very excited for season 3, thank you HBO for renewing it!
The Ghost Bride (Netflix)
I started watching The Ghost Bride after I read the book by Yangsze Choo (now one of my favorite authors after reading "The Night Tiger") so I wanted to see how well it translated into a Chinese drama. I really enjoyed the drama, the acting was good, and I thought the production value was high for a Chinese drama! Really cool if you're into Chinese superstitions, fantasy, and supernatural stuff. Of course a bunch of things changed from the book but I think the core of the book was still here and I had fun watching it. I generally like to read books and then see the movie adaptation of it because I think it's fun to compare. I just wished that it wasn't so short because I was invested even though I generally knew what was going to happen. They also left it on a major cliffhanger so does that mean there's going to be a season two?! Chinese dramas typically doesn't have multiple seasons but I would definitely be open for it... But this drama lead me to my absolute favorite watch of 2021 as I wanted more historical Chinese drama content...
The Princess Weiyoung (Netflix)
Another Asian drama is my favorite watch of the year. They just know how to hook you and get you obsessed. It's kind of like Chinese Game of Thrones. The drama is 54 episodes but I finished it in two weeks! I watched it non-stop and it took SO MUCH will power to not watch it all night, even on work-nights. It has everything that I love in a drama— suspense, love triangles, forbidden romance, betrayals, dramatic irony, good looking actors, and plot twists!! So many plot twists! The drama was also very pretty and easy to follow. Weiyoung was also just effortlessly cool and I think a great role model for young Asian girls as she was also very smart and loyal. I was obsessed probably at the same level I was obsessed with Crash Landing On You last year. I even got my manager hooked on this show and she finished it in like two weeks too hehe. I was actually very sad when I finished it because I was so invested in Weiyoung and Jun's story, I just didn't want it to end ever. The ending was SO bittersweet which I loved and hated at the same time HAHA... But dang I really liked this drama as you could tell. Please watch it so I can talk about it with more people.
And that is my list for 2021! I am very excited to see what 2022 has in store for us~
Until next time my friend,
Amanda ^_^
Comments