Top 10 Standout Entertainment Moments in 2021

We still have fond memories of the memes that came out of this television special. Oprah’s memes, in particular, that haunted Twitter for a good month or so post-interview. 

Earlier in March this year, the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, and her husband, Prince Harry, opened up to Oprah about the realities and expectations of surviving the British monarchy. During the special, Markle also shared her struggles as a black woman dealing with racism in the royal family, shocking Oprah and watchers everywhere.

The #FreeBritney movement saw support from popular culture and Britney Spears fans all across the world. After 14 years of unwarranted conservatorship and emotional duress under her father, Jamie Spears, the star is now free to make her own choices as an adult and owner of her assets and life after a rigorous court battle. 

Though the battle has been won, there is still much to do for reparations to Spear's trauma endured during this time of her life. The singer will be “seeking accountability for all of the violations and breaches of the fiduciary duties (such as) the surveillance allegations and reproductive rights decisions,” says chair of Greenberg Glusker’s trusts and probate litigation group, Benny Roshan.

The reunion we’ve all been waiting for. Aired in May, HBO Max’s televised Friends: The Reunion film saw the show’s main cast – Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry, and David Schwimmer, as well as many special guests, reunite for one last time. 

Together, they reminisced about their time filming the show and the relationships they forged that have lasted till this day. Fans also got to see exclusive behind-the-scenes footage of the cast back in their prime, revisit fan-favorite episodes and moments, and many more. One of the most iconic moments of the year by far.

*Please skip this section if you’ve yet to watch all of 2021’s MCU projects.*

And thus begins Phase Four of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. This year saw the introduction of new characters to Marvel with premiered projects like WandaVision, Loki, The Falcon and The Winter Soldier, What If…?, Black Widow, Shang-Chi and The Legend of The Ten Rings, Eternals, and the recent Hawkeye and Spider-Man: No Way Home; all setting up the events of what’s to come in 2022’s Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and Thor: Love and Thunder. 

Besides the shocking instigation to the multiverse by notable characters, Marvel fans got to fall in love with the next phase of heroes and anti-heroes like Sylvie Laufeydottir, Yelena Belova, Agatha Harkness, Xu Xialing, and more, inciting excitement for future cameos by said characters in future MCU films and shows.

It’s been a long time coming. Six years, in fact. 

In November, Adele returned to music with a new album 30 – with ballads and hits like "Easy On Me," "Woman Like Me," and more to keep us company into the new year. The singer also took to the stage in two separate evenings to perform new and classic Adele songs for star-studded audiences to hear.

To celebrate its 20th anniversary, the cast of Harry Potter has reunited for an exclusive television special on HBO Max. The announcement came as a surprise to all Potterheads, just days before the premiere of the Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore movie.

On the first day of the new year, be prepared to see familiar faces – Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Tom Felton, Helena Bonham Carter, Robbie Coltrane, Ralph Fiennes, Jason Isaacs, Gary Oldman, Imelda Staunton, James Phelps, Oliver Phelps, Mark Williams, Bonnie Wright, Alfred Enoch, Matthew Lewis, Evanna Lynch, and Ian Hart as they reminisce growing up on set, share fun behind-the-scenes stories and footage, and more.

Talk about a power platonic couple. Jessica Chastain and Oscar Isaac’s open display of affection at the Venice International Film Festival had Twitter in a chokehold. The good-looking and well-dressed Scenes From a Marriage co-stars enchanted the red carpet and each other with their chemistry thanks to the familiarity of their years of friendship.

If you've yet to watch the videos, loops, and fancams of the duo circulated around social media, just open Twitter and search their names.  

After years of speculation, the Spider-Man co-stars have finally gone public with their relationship. Showing up to weddings and premieres (not just for Spider-Man) as each other’s dates, it seems like the couple has decided to show the world they’re very serious about each other. And for that, we (and Marvel fans everywhere) are glad.

When we say we did not see this one coming, we mean it. Pete Davidson and Kim Kardashian’s unlikely coupling nearly broke headlines when they were first spotted holding hands at a theme park. 

Though, we can’t really blame the Kardashian for wanting to date Davidson. Have you seen him?

Lastly, 2021 saw the rekindled romance of Bennifer (the official ship name of Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck’s relationship). Following their split in 2004, the couple has since had relationships and children with other partners before finding themselves back in love again this year. Everyone loves a good wholesome Hollywood love story and we can only hope that Bennifer 2.0 will be the everlasting romance both stars deserve.