Top entertainment-related searches of 2021 include 'Squid Game,' Alec Baldwin
While 2021 brought its list of challenges with the COVID-19 pandemic extending into the second year, many sought comfort in good ol’ fashioned forms of entertainment like television, movies and music.
Google, which releases an annual report on the top trending searches of the year, compiled some of 2021’s most-searched TV shows, films, actors, songs and more — globally.
Most searched TV shows of 2021
It should probably come as no surprise that Netflix’s hit series "Squid Games" topped the list for television. The drama series about contestants playing extremely high-stakes games gained international popularity, surpassing "Bridgerton" as Netflix’s biggest show ever.
Google said search interest in "red light green light," a childhood game that had a dark twist in the series, and "honeycomb cookies," another treat made popular by the show, reached a record high worldwide.
FILE - Masked actors pose during an event organized by the Enigma Room escape game in Milan on Nov. 14, 2021, where participants play some of the games of the world-famous South Korean TV survival drama television series "Squid Game." (Photo by PIERO
The others rounding out Google’s top five most-searched TV shows globally were "Bridgerton," "WandaVision," "Cobra Kai," and "Loki."
Most searched movies of 2021
The most-Googled films worldwide included many from Marvel Studios. "Eternals" (1) "Black Widow" and "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings" (4) all made the top five.
Sci-fi epic "Dune" made the third spot, starring Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Oscar Isaac, Rebecca Ferguson, Josh Brolin, and Jason Momoa. Netflix’s "Red Notice" rounded out the top five, which stars Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Gal Gadot and Ryan Reynolds.
Most searched actors of 2021
Alec Baldwin's fatal prop gun shooting on Oct. 21 seemingly made him the most searched actor in the world. The prominent Hollywood actor fired a prop gun that killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and wounded director Joel Souza on the "Rust" movie set in New Mexico.
Other actors who made the global list included Pete Davidson, Aryan Khan, Gina Carano and Armie Hammer.
Most searched songs of 2021
The top five most-searched songs in the world throughout 2021 spanned genres.
Rounding out No. 1 was "drivers license" by pop star Olivia Rodrigo, followed by "MONTERO (Call Me by Your Name)" by rapper-singer-songwriter and boundary-smashing star Lil Nas X, and "INDUSTRY BABY" also by Lil Nas X feat. Jack Harlow.
"Fancy Like" by country singer Walker Hayes was No. 4, followed by "MAPA" by Filipino boy band SB19.
Other notable entertainment searches in 2021
Google said the top trending break-up search worldwide of 2021 was Daft Punk. The Grammy-winning electronic music pioneers called it quits in February after 28 years.
"Nothing gold can stay — including certified gold (and triple-platinum) albums," the search engine said.
During the Oscars season, "Minari" was the top trending Oscar-nominated film Americans searched how to watch in 2021.
In March, the world was captivated by the revealing Meghan and Harry interview with Oprah, "making it the most searched interview in Google Trends history."
The most-googled reunion worldwide in 2021 was HBO Max’s "Friends" reunion in May.
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This story was reported from Cincinnati.