This year we are going to look at the 10 highest-grossing original films released in the UK during 2021 (as of 17/12/21 according to Box Office Mojo). Meaning that the movies listed here are not part of an ongoing franchise (this includes sequels, remakes, prequels, and spinoffs) or based on pre-existing material (books, comics, plays, videogames, etc.). Along with this, we will also look at each film’s Rotten Tomatoes score to see how they fared with audiences and critics.

10. Nobody (£1,256,781)

With some brutal fight sequences and a great performance from Bob Odenkirk, Ilya Naishuller (Hardcore Henry) continued to demonstrate his talent for directing action. Audiences and critics also loved the film. It received a critical score of 84% and an audience score of 94%.

9. Malignant (£1,485,484)

A new horror film from James Wan (Saw, Insidious & The Conjuring) sounded like an amazing prospect. But despite Malignant initially performing well it soon became an audience punching bag (52% RT score). However, critics seemed to view the film more favourably (76%).

8. The Courier (£2,087,220)

This contemporary cold war thriller starring Benedict Cumberbatch with echoes of Hitchcock and Le Carre surprised both critics (85%) and audiences (95%). It did not make Bond-level money but it showed that spy movies can still draw people in.

7. Respect (£2,215,353)

Despite the modest taking and the middle-of-the-road critical consensus (67%) audiences really enjoyed this biopic of Aretha Franklin’s career (95%).

6. Last Night in Soho (£2,306,076)

A stylish horror thriller, Last Night in Soho was, while not director Edgar Wright’s highest-grossing film, the highest-grossing original horror film of 2021. And it still managed to score highly with critics (75%) and audiences (89%).

5. Spencer (£2,790,786)

Spencer follows Princess Diana during a Christmas break in Norfolk where we see her battling with her mental health problems and the power exerted over her by the royal family. Although the film divided audiences (52%) it delighted critics (83%), with Kristen Stewart’s performance receiving particular praise.

4. The French Dispatch (£4,071,484)

Wes Anderson’s latest tale concerns several reporters and the stories they encounter while writing for the titular magazine. Even though it is Anderson’s lowest-rated film since The Darjeeling Limited it still received good reviews from viewers (75% from critics and 76% from audiences).

3. Encanto (£4,201,894)

The first animated movie on this list is a beautiful look into various aspects of Colombian culture. Encanto, is about Mirabel, who has to deal with being the only member of her family without a special ability. Disney continues to showcase its artistic power with Encanto being readily embraced by all (90% from critics, 93% from audiences).

2. Ron’s Gone Wrong (£4,570,319)

2021 was a good year for original animations. Following Barney and his defective B-bot Ron as they learn about friendship and the dangers of the tech industry this film was the first feature from Locksmith Animation (co-produced alongside 20th Century Animation and TSG Entertainment). And with great reviews from cinemagoers (94%) and reviewers (80%) it’s certainly a good film to start their careers with.

1. Free Guy (£17,383,060)

The highest-grossing original film in the UK this year and the 7th highest-grossing film in the UK in 2021 (at time of writing) Free Guy focuses on the journey of a videogame NPC who slowly breaks out of his predetermined path. An entertaining film that people really took to (80% for critics, 94% for audiences) Free Guy proves that not only is Hollywood improving when it comes to making movies about games but also that original ideas still have pull in cinemas.  

This concludes our look at the top 10 original movies at the UK box office in 2021. Overall the number of original movies in the top 10 high-grossers this year was disappointing compared to 2020. But the diverse range of genres on display at least shows cinemagoers are interested in watching a range of different stories when it comes to original productions. Here’s hoping 2022 will be better for original ideas at the movies.

Also Read: Top 5 Movies That Don’t Need a Sequel, Reboot or Remake

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10. Chinese Doctors ($197,143,218/£142,009,160)

Despite only seeing a major release in China, Australia, and New Zealand this tale of a group of doctors working together in Wuhan to combat Covid-19 has become an unlikely hit at the box office.

9. The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It ($201,965,074/£145,472,413)

The latest instalment in the popular Conjuring franchise, based on the real-life trial of Arne Cheyenne Johnson, was the first main series entry not directed by James Wan. Instead, it was directed by The Curse of La Llorona’s Michael Chaves. And although not as highly regarded as the other main Conjuring movies it definitely encouraged horror fans to return to the cinema.

8. Cruella ($222,184,131/£160,035,897)

Released simultaneously on Disney+ and in theatres this origin story for everyone’s favourite dog skinning maniac managed to outperform Disney’s previous live-action reinterpretation of an animated classic, Mulan (2020). But it remains one of Disney’s lowest-performing live-action adaptations of an animated movie.

7. Free Guy ($242,943,984/£175,030,208)

Free Guy follows a videogame NPC (Non-Playable Character) called Guy as he slowly becomes self-aware and breaks out of his predetermined path. Currently, Free Guy is one of the highest-grossing original IPs of the year.

6. A Quiet Place Part II ($297,372,261/£214,243,332)

While not quite as successful as the original, A Quiet Place 2, which takes the Abbot’s into the wider world outside their home, still performed admirably after a long release delay. And is currently the year’s highest-grossing horror film.

5. Black Widow ($372,376,568/£268,328,969)

Marvel’s highest-grossing film this year follows Black Widow as she goes off-grid and confronts her dark past. But its release has been mired in controversy. The film’s star Scarlett Johansson announced she would be suing Disney (Marvel’s owners) over Black Widow’s simultaneous streaming release. This is because it allegedly breached Johansson’s contract, which said the film would be released theatrically with her salary being tied to its box office earnings.

4. Godzilla vs. Kong ($467,863,133/£337,135,156)

The fourth entry in Legendary Pictures’ MonsterVerse managed a higher income than its prior entry, Godzilla: King of the Monsters. And it also marked the second time the classic movie monsters have fought. The first being in 1963’s King Kong Vs Godzilla.

3. Detective Chinatown 3 ($686,257,563/£494,506,906)

Chinese cinema continues its presence in the top 10 with the Detective Chinatown series’ highest-grossing entry so far. This time detectives Tang and Qin are involved in a battle with the strongest detectives across all of Asia to solve a case in Tokyo.

2. F9: The Fast Saga ($710,873,160/£512,244,536)

F9 follows Dom and his crew as they battle against a new threat. Dom’s estranged brother. F9 is the highest-grossing Hollywood movie so far this year and the highest-grossing Hollywood film since the Pandemic started.

1. Hi, Mom ($822,009,764/£592,327,906)

So far the highest-grossing movie of 2021 is not a huge blockbuster, instead, it’s a small movie about a young woman travelling through time, who befriends her own mother and tries to give her a better life. It’s exceptional taking also makes Hi, Mom the highest-grossing film ever made by a solo female director.

This concludes our look at the highest-grossing films at the 2021 box office so far. And while the receipts for the high scorers are not as high as those of 2019 they are still higher than those of 2020 and the films are an interesting mix. With 3 foreign language films (all produced in China), 3 films not based on pre-existing material, 2 horror films and only 3 Disney/Disney affiliated movies being included. It shows that cinemagoers are looking for different film experiences to sit alongside big blockbuster releases. Let’s hope for even more diversity when the year-end list comes.

Also Read: Did High-End TV Replace The Mid-Bidget Indie Film?

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Ready Player One

Free Guy follows Guy (Ryan Reynolds), an NPC (Non-Playable Character) in the Grand Theft Auto-esque Free City. His daily life includes getting robbed at the banks he works at several times a day and hanging out with his friend Buddy (Lil Rel Howery). Convinced that there is more to life, Guy steals a pair of sunglasses, allowing him to see the game like he is a player. If any of that has confused you because you aren’t into video games, fear not, it is all explained, and much easier to pick up in concept.

The opening scenes of Guy’s routine set the stage well, with him being unconcerned about the explosions, and murder happening all around him. Pedestrians getting straight back to their jobs after robberies and friends are murdered in front of them sets the tone perfectly. The weirdness is something that only really happens in video games, and players will enjoy spotting the easter eggs. While some of the designs are clearly from iconic games, there are fewer of the background distractions than in Ready Player One or Space Jam: A New Legacy.

Guy’s new life leads him to cross paths with Millie (Jodie Comer), a player who has her own personal mission inside the game. Guy is instantly smitten and learns to play the game to impress her. Reynolds is effortlessly charming as always, playing the kind of character you would expect from him (although more family-friendly). Comer is excellent, as she is in everything, playing an almost dual role, with her character in the game and in the real world.

While the premise hints at They Live and The Truman Show, the film never really capitalises on these influences. After an altercation with some developers (Joe Keery and Utkarsh Ambudkar) who think Guy is cheating, the film’s POV switches to focus on Millie. Millie is looking for something hidden in the game (to say more would be more spoilers). This plotline takes up most of the film. Guy learns to play the game surprisingly quickly, as “the good guy”, helping NPC’s and being nice. Even the fact he is not a real person is processed fairly easily. With the film instead of focusing on Millie’s attempts to bring down the developer of Free City, Antwan (Taikia Waititi).

Insert Coin Here

The film does an excellent job of switching between the real world and the game, despite them both being live-action, it’s never confusing which one it’s following. The problem is that the in-game world becomes inconsequential for most of the game’s plot. For a movie about a video game, it’s surprising how little of it takes place in the video game. The chemistry between Millie and Keys (Joe Keery) is excellent and is really the heart of the movie.

Antwan is a surprising role for Waititi, as he employs his usual snark and sarcasm to play the villain this time, in a role that makes you hate him almost more than imaginary Hitler. Unfortunately, the nature of the story means that he doesn’t actually get to share any screen time with Reynolds. It seems like a missed opportunity for these two to meet, as we already know they’re funny together, but also because it makes every other character the straight man. This sometimes makes it feel like Reynolds and Waititi are in a different film to everyone else

This is just a symptom of the problem though. The fact is that Free Guy has all the basic ingredients to be great, but it doesn’t utilise them as much as it could. A lot of interesting ideas and funny jokes are introduced, but little is done with them. What we’re left with is still great, but feels like its playing everything too safely

Rating: (3.5 / 5)

Free Guy is very entertaining. The easter eggs and cameos offer great fan service, but it can’t help feel by the numbers. Rather like Free City, it’s good, but what’s just underneath could have been a whole lot better.

Also Read: Great Video Games That Should Be Adapted Into A Movie

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