Plugged In Movie Awards 2021: And the Pluggy Goes To …

Oscars, schmoscars. You can watch that Hollywood lovefest this coming Monday. But today, it’s all about the Plugged In Movie Awards, a.k.a. the Pluggies.

We hope you had a chance to listen into our rollicking discussion on 2021’s robust batch of worthy nominees as we discussed, debated and occasionally put up our dukes for our very favorite films of the year. And if you’d still like to listen, there’s still time: Just look away from the list of winners below and head to the link here.

But for those who want to get down to the tacky brass and see what actually won, read on. You’ll find our selections for the best movies in four categories, along with the pics that you, um, picked. (And, of course, be sure to read our full reviews before watching. Even award-winning movies aren’t perfect.)

Best Movies for Kids

The Nominees: Back to the Outback; Encanto; Luca; The Mitchells vs. The Machines; Sing 2

The Pluggy goes to … Encanto

Some of the movie’s magical elements might give some parents pause. But the core messages in Encanto—about the messy, sometimes prickly beauty of family—are magical in an altogether different way. Bolstered by Lin-Manuel Miranda’s music and colorful, creative animated canvas, Encanto gives us a wonderful story wonderfully told.

Your Vote: Encanto

Everywhere you looked in the kids’ category, you saw strong contenders that made you laugh, sing and think. But you agreed with us that Encanto was a cut above.

Best Movie for Teens

The Nominees: American Underdog; Belle; Dear Evan Hansen; Finch; Spider-Man: No Way Home

The Pluggy goes to … Spider-Man: No Way Home

Superhero movies almost always get some love in this category, but they don’t always win. For all the eye-popping CGI and themes of heroism and sacrifice that they often bring to the party, it’s sometimes not enough to push super-flicks over the top. But this year—in a field full of strong movies toting strong messages—Spider-Man’s narrative web of duty, responsibility and sacrifice was enough to spin a win. While most superheroes spend their movies beating up bad guys, Spider-Man tries to save a few this time around. And that has some powerful spiritual echoes, too.

Your Vote: Spider-Man: No Way Home

The more people who see a movie, the more people who’ll have a chance to like it. To date, North American moviegoers have showered No Way Home with $800 million—making it the third-biggest domestic film of all time. As your vote illustrates, all these people are going for a reason.

Best Movie for Adults

The Nominees: Belfast; Dream Horse; King Richard; Mass; The Starling

The Pluggy goes to … Mass

Despite the presences of a couple of Oscar faves (Belfast and King Richard, both of which have been nominated for Best Picture), a little-seen indie flick takes Plugged In’s own top prize. It was a hard-earned win, too. Focused on the parents of the victim of a high school shooter dialoguing with the parents of the killer, Mass isn’t the easiest movie of the year to watch. But it is among the most rewarding.

Your Vote: King Richard

Venus and Serena Williams didn’t become tennis stars through just crazy talent and dumb luck. Their dad, Richard, mapped out their careers from before they were even born. Played by Will Smith, Richard Williams is a complex character—controlling and exasperating and sometimes a little too focused on himself. And yet, we see in him a loving father who instills in his girls a lot of great lessons on how to live—not just how to play tennis.

Best Christian Movie

The Nominees: Blue Miracle; The Jesus Music; The Most Reluctant Convert: The Untold Story of C.S. Lewis; Show Me the Father; A Week Away

The Pluggy goes to … The Most Reluctant Convert: The Untold Story of C.S. Lewis

From his apologetics work to his delightful children’s books, C.S. Lewis just might’ve been one of the 20^th Century’s most famous Christians. And while many of us know that Lewis was actually an atheist at one time, we might not know how he moved from non-belief and into the arms of our heavenly Father. This film—based on a one-man play written and starring Max McLean—brings us not just a better understanding of this intellectual and theological titan; it might make us think about our own beliefs in a new and deeper way.

Your Vote: The Most Reluctant Convert: The Untold Story of C.S. Lewis

While The Jesus Music received a lot of love as well, C.S. Lewis takes the crown here—even though Lewis himself would insist the only crowns worth keeping are those in heaven.