Welcome to the Cinema of the 2000s
So you are one of those keen movie watchers, who like to travel back in time to experience the glamour of earlier cinematic eras. Well, you came to the right place! This list of the best movies of the 2000s is a real gem collection.
If this is your first time exploring the cinema of the 2000s, then it’s a good idea to start with watching the 30 highlighted movies of this collection. However, if you are already a fan of the decade, who saw most of the highlights and want some more, then you should check out the Top 100 list at the end of this article.
The Best Movies of the 2000s is an episode of FrameTrek’s Best Movies of All Time. An article series dedicated to identify the greatest films of each decade, chronologically. It starts with the Silent Era and goes all the way to our ever moving present.
So what was Cinema like in the 2000s?
The first decade of the new millennia brought plenty of significant developments in the movie industries around the world, but most importantly in the technology used.
Animated movies based on computer-generated imagery became increasingly popular, and they often featured incredible technological advances in CGI. Most of these films were creative, technically stunning movies made to be appealing to both children and adults.
The technological advancement of the 2000s opened a whole new world for feature films too. The decade spawned several new blockbusters featuring comic-book characters, fantastical tales and even CGI-animated characters.
New inventions like DVD, larger TV-s and sound systems helped to increase the quality of home movie watching. Also, the spread of digital technology made filmmaking less expensive than before. This resulted a wave of young movie makers entering the business.
However, nothing characterized the cinema of the 2000s more than the ever-increasing budgets, box-office returns, and benchmarks set for movies.
But the 2000s wasn’t only about technology and box office success. The decade is also noted for its unique, enigmatic and thought-provoking cult films that earned their places amongst the great classics of cinema, with their exquisite stories and pop-culture shifting narratives.
Many movies pushed the boundaries even further than expected, in areas such as drug use, sex, violence and gore. This resulted a mixed feedback from both the audience and the critics.
The 2000s also marks the launch of some the most iconic movie franchises of all time:
- Middle Earth Cinematic Universe
- X-Men Cinematic Universe
- Wizarding World
- Marvel Cinematic Universe
- …and the list could go on…
So yeah, there is plenty to talk about, when it comes to the Cinema of the 2000s, but this article concentrates on its Top 30 and Top 100 Films, so let’s cut to the chase, shall we?
After all, a cinematic era is as good as its greatest achievements. Thus, the finest way to explore a decade in film history, is through watching its finest films as a marathon.
Ready? Buckle up then, and let the best movies of the 2000s carry you to the Cinematic era they came from!
Revealing the Top 30 Films of the 2000s
A chronological presentation of the Best Movies from 2000 to 2009
– 3 movies from each year –
Gladiator (2000)
Epic historical drama directed by Ridley Scott and starring Russell Crowe
Ridley Scott and an excellent cast successfully convey the intensity of Roman gladitorial combat as well as the political intrigue brewing beneath.
Rotten Tomatoes Critics Consensus
Why is Gladiator among the best movies of the 2000s?
✓ Included among the 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die
✓ Winner of 5 Oscars, including the ‘Best Picture of the Year’ Academy Award, and also winner 5 BAFTA Awards
✓ Credited with reinventing the swords ‘n’ sandals genre and rekindling interest in entertainment centered around ancient Greek and ancient Roman culture
X-Men (2000)
American superhero film directed by Bryan Singer and starring Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, and Ian McKellen.
Faithful to the comics and filled with action, X-Men brings a crowded slate of classic Marvel characters to the screen with a talented ensemble cast and surprisingly sharp narrative focus.
Rotten Tomatoes Critics Consensus
Why is X-Men among the best movies of the 2000s?
✓ Winner of 6 Saturn Awards, including the ‘Best Science Fiction Film’ Award.
✓ Received positive reviews from critics, citing its performances, story, and thematic depth.
✓ The film’s critical and box office success spawned a reemergence of superhero films, a genre that became highly popular in the following decades.
Memento (2000)
American neo-noir psychological thriller film, written and directed by Christopher Nolan.
Christopher Nolan skillfully guides the audience through Memento’s fractured narrative, seeping his film in existential dread.
Rotten Tomatoes Critics Consensus
Why is Memento among the best movies of the 2000s?
✓ Included among the 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die.
✓ It was acclaimed by critics, who praised its nonlinear narrative structure and motifs of memory, perception, grief, and self-deception.
✓ Considered “culturally, historically or aesthetically significant” by the US Library of Congress and was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry.
A Beautiful Mind (2001)
American biographical drama film starring Russell Crowe.
Story: After John Nash, a brilliant but asocial mathematician, accepts secret work in cryptography, his life takes a turn for the nightmarish.
The well-acted A Beautiful Mind is both a moving love story and a revealing look at mental illness.
Rotten Tomatoes Critics Consensus
Why is A Beautiful Mind among the best movies of the 2000s?
✓ Winner of 4 Oscars, including the “Best Picture of the Year” Academy Award, also winner of 2 BAFTA Awards, and 4 Golden Globes
✓ One of the most popular and well-known movies of the 2000s
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001)
Fantasy adventure film Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone adapts its source material faithfully while condensing the novel’s overstuffed narrative into an involving – and often downright exciting – big-screen magical caper.
Rotten Tomatoes Critics Consensus
Why is Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone among the best movies of the 2000s?
✓ Acclaimed by critics, who praised its sets, design, cinematography, visual effects and the performances of the principal cast
✓ It became the highest grossing film of 2001, and one of the highest grossing films of the 2000s
✓ An instant classic, and the first installment of one of the greatest movie franchises in history
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
Epic fantasy adventure film directed by Peter Jackson, starring Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen and Orlando Bloom
Full of eye-popping special effects, and featuring a pitch-perfect cast, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring brings J.R.R. Tolkien’s classic to vivid life.
Rotten Tomatoes Critics Consensus
Why is The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring among the best movies of the 2000s?
✓ Widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential fantasy films ever made.
✓ Included among the 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die
✓ Winner of 4 Oscars, and nominee for another 9, also winner of 5 BAFTA Awards
Catch Me If You Can (2002)
Biographical crime film directed and produced by Steven Spielberg, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks
With help from a strong performance by Leonardo DiCaprio as real-life wunderkind con artist Frank Abagnale, Steven Spielberg crafts a film that’s stylish, breezily entertaining, and surprisingly sweet.
Rotten Tomatoes Critics Consensus
Why is Catch Me If You Can among the best movies of the 2000s?
✓ Acclaimed by critics, who praised DiCaprio’s performance, Spielberg’s direction and the film’s score.
✓ One of the most popular and well-known movies of the 2000s.
Spider-Man (2002)
American superhero film directed by Sam Raimi and starring Tobey Maguire
Not only does Spider-Man provide a good dose of web-swinging fun, it also has a heart, thanks to the combined charms of director Sam Raimi and star Tobey Maguire.
Rotten Tomatoes Critics Consensus
Why is Spider-Man among the best movies of the 2000s?
✓ The film received positive reviews from audiences and critics, who praised Raimi’s direction and tone, the faithfulness and fidelity to the Spider-Man mythos, the action sequences, visual effects and the performances of the cast.
✓ Credited for redefining the modern superhero genre, as well as the summer blockbuster
The Pianist (2002)
Biographical war drama film produced and directed by Roman Polanski and starring Adrien Brody
Story: A Polish Jewish musician struggles to survive the destruction of the Warsaw ghetto of World War II.
Well-acted and dramatically moving, The Pianist is Polanski’s best work in years.
Rotten Tomatoes Critics Consensus
Why is The Pianist among the best movies of the 2000s?
✓ It was awarded the Palme d’Or at the 2002 Cannes Film Festival. Also winner of 3 Academy Awards, and nominee for another 4, including the Academy Award for Best Picture.
✓ Included among the 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die and also included in BBC’s 100 Greatest Films of the 21st Century
Finding Nemo (2003)
Animated adventure family film produced by Pixar.
Breathtakingly lovely and grounded by the stellar efforts of a well-chosen cast, Finding Nemo adds another beautifully crafted gem to Pixar’s crown.
Rotten Tomatoes Critics Consensus
Why is Finding Nemo among the best movies of the 2000s?
✓ One of the highest grossing movies of the 2000s.
✓ Winner of 1 Oscar, and nominee for another 3.
✓ In 2008, the American Film Institute named it the 10th greatest animated film ever made.
Kill Bill (2003)
Martial arts film written and directed by Quentin Tarantino and starring Uma Thurman
Kill Bill is admittedly little more than a stylish revenge thriller – albeit one that benefits from a wildly inventive surfeit of style.
Rotten Tomatoes Critics Consensus
Why is Kill Bill among the best movies of the 2000s?
✓ Included among the 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die
✓ Critical and box office success, also one of the most popular movies of the 2000s
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)
Fantasy swashbuckler film starring Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley
Story:
Blacksmith Will Turner teams up with eccentric pirate “Captain” Jack Sparrow to save his love, the governor’s daughter, from Jack’s former pirate allies, who are now undead.
IMDB
Why is Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl among the best movies of the 2000s?
✓ Praised for its action sequences, writing, score, visuals and the performances of the cast, especially Johnny Depp’s performance as Captain Jack Sparrow
✓ A huge box office success, and one of the most popular and most influential films of the 2000s
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
Romantic science fiction tragicomedy film starring Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet.
Propelled by Charlie Kaufman’s smart, imaginative script and Michel Gondry’s equally daring directorial touch, Eternal Sunshine is a twisty yet heartfelt look at relationships and heartache.
Rotten Tomatoes Critics Consensus
Why is Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind among the best movies of the 2000s?
✓ Featured in Roger Ebert’s Great Movies list.
✓ Winner of one Oscar, and 2 BAFTA Awards.
✓ Developed a cult following in the years after its release and has come to be regarded by many critics as one of the best films of the 21st century.
Million Dollar Baby (2004)
Sports drama film directed, co-produced, scored by and starring Clint Eastwood
Clint Eastwood’s assured direction – combined with knockout performances from Hilary Swank and Morgan Freeman – help Million Dollar Baby to transcend its clichés, and the result is deeply heartfelt and moving.
Rotten Tomatoes Critics Consensus
Why is Million Dollar Baby among the best movies of the 2000s?
✓ Opened to widespread acclaim from critics, who praised Eastwood’s direction, the performance of the principal cast, and the film’s enormous emotional impact
✓ Included among the 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die
✓ Winner of 4 Oscars, including the “Best Picture of the Year” Academy Award
The Incredibles (2004)
Animated superhero film written and directed by Brad Bird and produced by Pixar.
Bringing loads of wit and tons of fun to the animated superhero genre, The Incredibles easily lives up to its name.
Rotten Tomatoes Critics Consensus
Why is The Incredibles among the best movies of the 2000s?
✓ Received widespread approval from critics and audiences, winning two Academy Awards and the Annie Award for Best Animated Feature.
✓ It was the first entirely animated film to win the prestigious Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation.
✓ It was a box office success, and it became one of the highest grossing movies of the 2000s
Sin City (2005)
Crime anthology thriller written, produced and directed by Robert Rodriguez and Frank Miller, starring Bruce Willis, Jessica Alba and Mickey Rourke.
Visually groundbreaking and terrifically violent, Sin City brings the dark world of Frank Miller’s graphic novel to vivid life.
Rotten Tomatoes Critics Consensus
Why is Sin City among the best movies of the 2000s?
✓ Opened to wide critical and commercial success, gathering particular recognition for the film’s unique color processing.
✓ At the 2005 Cannes Film Festival, the film won the Technical Grand Prize for the film’s “visual shaping”.
Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith (2005)
Epic space-opera film written and directed by George Lucas, starring Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman and Hayden Christensen.
With Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, George Lucas brings his second Star Wars trilogy to a suitably thrilling and often poignant – if still a bit uneven – conclusion.
Rotten Tomatoes Critics Consensus
Why is Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith among the best movies of the 2000s?
✓ Praised by critics for its action sequences, mature themes, musical score, visual effects, makeup and the performances of several cast members.
✓ It broke several box office records, becoming one of the highest grossing movies of the 2000s.
V for Vendetta (2005)
Dystopian political thriller starring Natalie Portman
Visually stunning and thought-provoking, V For Vendetta’s political pronouncements may rile some, but its story and impressive set pieces will nevertheless entertain.
Rotten Tomatoes Critics Consensus
Why is V for Vendetta among the best movies of the 2000s?
✓ The film received overwhelmingly positive reviews from audiences and critics, who praised its plot, tone and the performance of the principal cast.
✓ An influential movie, seen by many political groups as an allegory of oppression by government.
300 (2006)
Fictionalized historical action film directed by Zack Snyder and starring Gerard Butler
Story: King Leonidas of Sparta and a force of 300 men heroically fight the invading Persians at Thermopylae in 480 B.C.
A simple-minded but visually exciting experience, full of blood, violence, and ready-made movie quotes.
Rotten Tomatoes Critics Consensus
Why is 300 among the best movies of the 2000s?
✓ The film received a standing ovation at the public premiere, and critics praised its original visuals and style.
✓ It was an instant box office hit, it became one of the most popular movies of the 2000s, and it developed a significant cult following
The Departed (2006)
Crime drama thriller directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon and Jack Nicholson
Featuring outstanding work from an excellent cast, The Departed is a thoroughly engrossing gangster drama with the gritty authenticity and soupy morality we come to expect from Martin Scorsese.
Rotten Tomatoes Critics Consensus
Why is The Departed among the best movies of the 2000s?
✓ Included among the 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die
✓ It was a critical and commercial success, winning 4 Oscars, including the “Best Picture of the Year” Academy Award
The Prestige (2006)
Science fiction drama thriller directed by Christopher Nolan, starring Christian Bale, Hugh Jackman and Scarlett Johansson.
Story: After a tragic accident, two stage magicians engage in a battle to create the ultimate illusion while sacrificing everything they have to outwit each other.
IMDB
Full of twists and turns, The Prestige is a dazzling period piece that never stops challenging the audience.
Rotten Tomatoes Critics Consensus
Why is The Prestige among the best movies of the 2000s?
✓ Included among the 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die
✓ The film received positive reviews from audiences and critics, who praised its plot twists, Nolan’s direction and the performances of Jackman and Bale.
✓ In 2020, Empire magazine ranked it among “The 100 Greatest Movies Of The 21st Century”.
No Country for Old Men (2007)
Neo-western crime thriller starring Tommy Lee Jones, Javier Bardem, and Josh Brolin
Bolstered by powerful lead performances from Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin, and Tommy Lee Jones, No Country for Old Men finds the Coen brothers spinning cinematic gold out of Cormac McCarthy’s grim, darkly funny novel.
Rotten Tomatoes Critics Consensus
Why is No Country for Old Men among the best movies of the 2000s?
✓ Included among the 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die.
✓ The film won 76 awards on 109 nominations across multiple organizations including four Oscars, with one of them being the “Best Picture of the Year” Academy Award.
✓ The American Film Institute listed it as an AFI Movie of the Year, and the National Board of Review selected the film as the best of 2007.
Ratatouille (2007)
Animated adventure comedy film produced by Pixar
Fast-paced and stunningly animated, Ratatouille adds another delightfully entertaining entry – and a rather unlikely hero – to the Pixar canon.
Rotten Tomatoes Critics Consensus
Why is Ratatouille among the best movies of the 2000s?
✓ It was a commercial and critical success. Critics praised Giacchino’s score, the voice acting and the animation.
✓ It won the Best Animated Feature Award from multiple associations including the Chicago Film Critics, the National Board of Review, the Annie Awards, the Broadcast Film Critics, the BAFTA, the Golden Globes, and even the Academy Awards.
The Bourne Ultimatum (2007)
Action thriller starring Matt Damon
The Bourne Ultimatum is an intelligent, finely tuned non-stop thrill ride. Another strong performance from Matt Damon and sharp camerawork from Paul Greengrass make this the finest installment of the Bourne trilogy.
Rotten Tomatoes Critics Consensus
Why is The Bourne Ultimatum among the best movies of the 2000s?
✓ Included among the 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die.
✓ Winner of 3 Academy Awards and 2 BAFTAs.
✓ The film received acclaim from critics, who praised the performances, action sequences, sound design, story, stunts, camerawork and John Powell’s musical score.
Iron Man (2008)
Superhero film starring Robert Downey Jr. and Gwyneth Paltrow
Powered by Robert Downey Jr.’s vibrant charm, Iron Man turbo-charges the superhero genre with a deft intelligence and infectious sense of fun.
Rotten Tomatoes Critics Consensus
Why is Iron Man among the best movies of the 2000s?
✓ It received praise from critics for its acting (particularly Downey’s), screenplay, direction, visual effects, and action sequences.
✓ It was selected by the American Film Institute as one of the ten best films of the year and by Empire magazine as one of The 500 Greatest Movies of All Time.
The Dark Knight (2008)
Superhero film directed by Christopher Nolan, starring Christian Bale and Heath Ledger
Dark, complex, and unforgettable, The Dark Knight succeeds not just as an entertaining comic book film, but as a richly thrilling crime saga.
Rotten Tomatoes Critics Consensus
Why is The Dark Knight among the best movies of the 2000s?
✓ Included among the 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die
✓ Winner of 2 Oscars, and nominee for another 6
✓ Considered one of the best films of its decade and one of the best superhero films of all time, the film received highly positive reviews, particularly for its action, score, screenplay, performances (particularly Ledger’s), visual effects, and direction, setting numerous records during its theatrical run.
WALL·E (2008)
Animated science fiction film produced by Pixar
Wall-E’s stellar visuals testify once again to Pixar’s ingenuity, while its charming star will captivate younger viewers – and its timely story offers thought-provoking subtext.
Rotten Tomatoes Critics Consensus
Why is WALL·E among the best movies of the 2000s?
✓ Included among the 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die
✓ Winner of 1 Oscar, and nominee for another 5
✓ Critically praised for its animation, story, voice acting, characters, and use of minimal dialogue.
Avatar (2009)
Epic science fiction film directed, written, produced, and co-edited by James Cameron
It might be more impressive on a technical level than as a piece of storytelling, but Avatar reaffirms James Cameron’s singular gift for imaginative, absorbing filmmaking.
Rotten Tomatoes Critics Consensus
Why is Avatar among the best movies of the 2000s?
✓ Included among the 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die
✓ Winner of 3 Oscars, and nominee for another six. Also won two Golden Globes, two BAFTAs and ten Saturn Awards.
✓ It was a huge critical and commercial success. It broke several box office records and became the highest-grossing film worldwide. It was highly praised by critics for its groundbreaking visual effects.
Inglourious Basterds (2009)
Alternate history black comedy war film written and directed by Quentin Tarantino, starring Brad Pitt, Christoph Waltz and Michael Fassbender
A classic Tarantino genre-blending thrill ride, Inglourious Basterds is violent, unrestrained, and thoroughly entertaining.
Rotten Tomatoes Critics Consensus
Why is Inglourious Basterds among the best movies of the 2000s?
✓ Included among the 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die
✓ Winner of 1 Oscar, and nominee for another 7, including the ‘Best Picture of the Year’ Academy Award
✓ The film received positive reviews from audiences and critics, who praised Trantino’s direction, and the performance of the principal cast
Up (2009)
Animated comedy-drama produced by Pixar
An exciting, funny, and poignant adventure, Up offers an impeccably crafted story told with wit and arranged with depth, as well as yet another visual Pixar treat.
Rotten Tomatoes Critics Consensus
Why is Up among the best movies of the 2000s?
✓ Winner of 2 Oscars, and nominee for another 3, including the ‘Best Picture of the Year’ Academy Award. Also winner of two Golden Globes and two BAFTAs.
✓ It was a commercial and critical success. It received universal acclaim, with critics calling it one of the best animated films of all time.
…end of the reel…
Is there a movie on the list you’d replace with another one? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!
