The 2000s were a transformative decade for cinema, marked by technological advancements, diverse storytelling, and a blend of genres that pushed the boundaries of filmmaking. From groundbreaking visual effects to compelling narratives and unforgettable characters, the films of this era left an indelible mark on the industry and audiences alike. It didn’t feel like it at the time but it was most certainly a mixture of the best elements of the previous two decades. Some of the best films of any genre were produced during this period and it was the last time movies felt like they were made by artists, not products cranked out by a money-hungry machine. This list celebrates the greatest movies of the 2000s, highlighting those that defined the decade and continue to influence the art of cinema today. Whether it’s epic blockbusters, poignant dramas, or innovative indies, these films represent the best of what the aughts had to offer.
These are the 100 Greatest Movies of the 2000s.
40. Casino Royale (2006)
After Pierce Brosnan’s Bond movies got a tad too silly, Eon Productions decided to look towards the Bourne franchise when rebooting 007 with Daniel Craig. Gone are the fancy gadgets and raunchy Bond girl names, replaced with a gritty, more realistic world and a James Bond who has only just become a 00 agent. Craig’s run as Bond is far from perfect (Quantum of Solace, anyone?), but Casino Royale was one hell of an opener. Based on Ian Fleming’s 1953 novel, the 2006 movie finds Bond on a mission to bankrupt terrorism financier Le Chiffre (an always excellent Mads Mikkelsen) in a high-stakes poker game. With supporting performances from Jeffrey Wright as Felix Leiter, Eva Green as Vesper Lynd, and a returning Judi Dench as M, Casino Royale isn’t just a well-acted, emotionally-charged adaptation, it set the tone for the next four Craig/Bond installments.
–Marmaduke Karlston
39. The Incredibles (2004)
In 25 years, Brad Bird has only ever directed four animated films, believe it or not. But all four of those films appear on this list. What a legend. And amazing that this masterpiece is only his second-best film despite being Top 15 of all time! Many people have called The Incredibles the best Fantastic Four movie ever made because of how Bird really captured the family dynamic of the Parr family. But that still fails to capture the magic that Bird created here. A fat, old out-of-shape superhero dad could have easily gone the wrong way. In fact, the teaser trailer was just Mr. Incredible struggling to buckle his old superhero belt because he gained weight. But Bird mines something much deeper here about the gifts we have and how we use them. And the family dynamic is so fun, the powers are brilliantly animated, Helen/Elastigirl kicks so much ass both as a hero and as a mom, and she flies a plane! It’s hard to really pinpoint a single thing that makes this movie so great, but it’s undeniable when watching it.
Plus, this has probably the darkest line in a Pixar movie ever: “You didn’t save my life, you ruined my death!”
–Jacob Holmes
38. Battle Royale (2000)
Before Battle Royale meant last-man-standing video games, Kinji Fukasaku directed this ultraviolent take on Lord of the Flies. In a near future Japan where juvenile delinquency has run out of control, the government sends groups of high-school-age teens to a remote island to engage in combat, where only one will survive. The film had a difficult time with censors and wasn’t even released in the US for a long time – it was a tough sell to show a film featuring teens killing each other and adults in the wake of Columbine. Battle Royale was a take on the pressure cooker of adolescence, turned up to 11 and with guns added. It’s a good film, and well worth a watch – especially is it inspired and influenced a ton of films that came after, including The Hunger Games.
As a weird little aside, the first time I watched Battle Royale I kept having trouble whenever former teacher Kitano was on the screen. Up until that point, I’d only ever seen the actor, Beat Takeshi, as one of the hosts of Most Extreme Elimination Challenge (a complete redub of Takeshi’s Castle). This unfortunately led to me mentally adding “Right you are, Ken.” whenever he spoke. I eventually got over it.
–Bob Cram
37. Before Sunset (2004)
Like Before Sunrise, Before Sunset revolves around Jesse and Celine’s discussions about life, sex, and love. Deeply profound and sometimes silly, it’s very clear that the chemistry between the two has not dulled one bit since that fateful night in Vienna nine years before. They have more to discuss now, of course. Where their career paths have taken them, the relationships they’ve experienced, and how their one night together has affected them, for better and for worse.
Before Sunset is such a romantic, engaging movie about second chances. It somehow manages to maintain the charm and magic from Before Sunrise, making it a worthy sequel that comes extremely close to maybe even being better than the first film.
–Romona Comet
36. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2003)
The movie that kicked off an epic trilogy, resulting in a 3 billion dollar box office, 30 Academy Award nominations, 17 wins, and a legacy that still resonates with fans today. I admit I did not read the books before the movies were released, nor was I a huge fantasy genre fan. But I went to see The Fellowship of the Ring because my dad and husband were both excited about it. And now the movie and its successors are some of my favorites. The Fellowship of the Ring follows a hobbit named Frodo, who comes into possession of a powerful and dangerous ring designed to enslave his home of Middle-earth. The ring must be destroyed in the fires of Mount Doom, and so a fellowship is formed to help aid him in his quest. For a film full of hobbits, elves, wizards, and dwarves, The Fellowship of the Ring is surprisingly grounded and poignant. I was utterly enthralled by its production and how easy it was to sink into the world of J.R.R. Tolkien, quickly becoming attached to the characters and their journeys. I think it’s safe to say Fellowship may be the weakest of the entire trilogy, but it’s still heads and shoulders above so many other films. Its legacy has been cemented, and it will be difficult for other films in the genre ever to top what The Fellowship of the Ring has done for cinema.
– Romona Comet
35. Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter… and Spring (2003)
Despite having one of the most consistent filmographies of any director up until his death, Kim Ki-Duk is never in the conversation of the greatest directors of his generation and I’m baffled as to why. He stayed relatively under the radar his entire career even after this came out and if any movie could catapult a director into the stratosphere, it’s this. Known for its meditative narrative and stunning visuals, Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter… and Spring captures the passage of time and the cyclical nature of life through the changing seasons. The story is set in a small floating monastery on a lake, surrounded by a beautiful forest. The setting itself is a character, with the monastery and the lake reflecting the changes and continuity in life. The narrative is divided into five segments, each representing a different season and stage in the life of the protagonist. The film opens with “Spring,” depicting a young boy being raised by an elderly monk.
As the boy grows up, each subsequent season—Summer, Fall, Winter, and finally, another Spring—marks significant transitions and developments in his life. The film emphasizes the cyclical nature of life, with each season symbolizing a different phase: childhood, adolescence, adulthood, old age, and rebirth. The narrative is deeply infused with Buddhist teachings, particularly the concepts of karma, impermanence, and the search for enlightenment. The protagonist’s journey is a spiritual one, marked by sin, repentance, and ultimately, enlightenment. Few films offer as much philosophical depth and aesthetic elegance as this does. SSFEaS is a profound cinematic exploration of life’s cycles, infused with Buddhist philosophy presented through breathtaking visuals that invites viewers to reflect on their own lives and the universal truths that connect all human experiences.
–Sailor Monsoon
34. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind can be categorized as many things. It’s a love story, character drama, and dark comedy. It also has a vein of sci-fi running through it that’s critical to the entire story. That sci-fi element concerns a machine that allows the user to clinically erase memories. Through a non-linear narrative, we follow Joel and Clementine as they begin a relationship after a chance meeting during a bus journey, with both being unaware that they had previously dated for 2 years. A large chunk of the story takes place in Joel’s head during the memory-erasing procedure. The structure is fantastic as we witness memories literally disintegrating around Joel and after a change of heart, he tries desperately to keep hold of the ones that matter. It’s a really interesting premise and a Charlie Kaufman film through and through. In the end, we are left with the question, is it better to live and learn from our mistakes and hardships, even if we had the choice to make ourselves forget it all?
–Lee McCutcheon
33. Kung Fu Hustle (2004)
Kung Fu Hustle is a move that has it all. Epic martial arts action, fantastically surreal visuals, and some proper laugh-out-loud moments. Stephen Chow really upped the ante from his previous outing of Shaolin Soccer. It feels like a loving homage to classic Kung Fu movies and zany cartoons. The most pleasing aspect is how it crescendos from its slapstick beginnings to a rousingly epic ending. It’s not a subtle movie, but it’s one where you can sit back, relax, and let the fun wash over you.
–Lee McCutcheon
32. Persepolis (2007)
Based on the popular graphic novel of the same name, Persepolis is a coming-of-age story set against the backdrop of the Iranian revolution in the late ’70s. The main character Marji goes through a vast array of life experiences, including many battles with Islamic traditions as she longs to wear Western-style clothes and makeup. She is a really likable young girl and her endearing rebellious nature makes the whole film work. The black and white animation style is simple yet gorgeous, with the story moving in parts, funny in parts, and mesmerizing throughout.
–Lee McCutcheon
31. The Prestige (2006)
Remember when this and The Illusionist came out relatively close together? Sure, both seemed similar at the time, but really they are quite different films. Both have magic and are very well-acted and directed, but that is where the similarities end if you ask me. It’s hard to talk about this film without giving things away, but let’s say this it is awesome. And it very well may be Christopher Nolan’s greatest film.
–K. Alvarez
50-41 | 30-21
What do you think of the selection so far? What are some of your favorite movies from the 2000s? Maybe they will show up further on the list!