Chloé Zhao’s best director Oscar, an unforgettable turn by Joanna Scanlan and Céline Sciamma’s flawless fairytale stood out, but the year belonged to Bond…
Conductors came and went, while the return of live performances – from the Albert Hall to urban sheds and rustic glades – felt like a gift as never before
Whether you’re driving a supercar through Mexico or simply unpacking a cardboard box in an utterly engrossing way, the year offered plenty of gaming joy. Our critics pick the top titles
Rossini to romcoms and Feldman to football: the best classical music and opera of 2021
In a second year of huge disruption to classical music performances, we asked our critics to tell us about their highlights, and what aspects of 2021 they’re showing the red card to
The 10 best global albums of 2021
Introspective cello in Mexico, rich South African jazz and a Malian master’s marriage of kora with symphonic orchestration were among the year’s highlights
The 50 best TV shows of 2021, No 2: The White Lotus
An immaculate social satire featuring scabrous character studies, a murder-mystery and a shocking revenge scene
An enthralling live set from Pat Metheny, Ches Smith’s fascinating blend of avant garde and Vodou and octogenarian Charles Lloyd’s fresh takes on Leonard Cohen and the Beach Boys stood out in a strong year
It was a year of revivals in every sense, as venues threw open their doors again. From fresh takes on classics to blazing new talents and shows that captured the current moment, our critics pick their favourites of the year
