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.
70. George Washington (2000)
I split the career of David Gordon Green into two categories: his low budget indie dramas I love and his studio films I don’t. Once he made the jump to big budget fare, the quality of the storytelling went down big time. It’s hard for me to fathom how the same director who started their career with a perfect film ended up directing The Exorcist: Believer. George Washington is one of the best debuts any director has ever made and in some ways, he’s never lived up to it. The film explores a group of adolescents in a small, economically depressed town in North Carolina who’s lives change forever when they try and cover up a tragedy. The film’s meditative pace and lyrical cinematography, captured by Tim Orr, create a vivid, almost dreamlike atmosphere that contrasts with the starkness of the children’s realities. The narrative structure is loose, focusing more on character development and mood rather than a conventional plot, which allows for a deeper emotional resonance. It’s a memory piece not unlike The Sandlot but instead of a group of happy-go-lucky baseball enthusiasts going on an adventure, it’s a couple of kids immediately grappling with the reality of death.
–Sailor Monsoon
69. Mean Girls (2004)
In 2004, Tina Fey wrote a teen comedy that quickly became a pop culture juggernaut. Naive teenager, Cady Heron, is enrolled in a public high school after having been homeschooled in Africa for years. After befriending two outcasts, the trio forms a plan for Cady to infiltrate a clique of mean girls called the Plastics in order to enact revenge against them. What follows is a hilarious and clever comedy about the damaging effects of social cliques and bullying. Mean Girls became an instant classic. Not only is it one of the most quotable movies of all time, but it spawned cookbooks, parodies, a pop-up restaurant, and a musical. And yes, even a movie musical based on the musical based on the movie – unnecessary, but it is what it is! We have Mean Girls to thank for Amanda Seyfried, Rachel McAdams, and Lizzy Caplan, not to mention it remains Lindsay Lohan’s finest performance. The cultural impact of Mean Girls is impressive and sees no sign of fading, even 20 years later.
–Romona Comet
68. Superbad (2007)
This is the definitive high school comedy of the 21st Century. Beyond giving us the greatest cinematic fake ID and inspiring younger millennials to doodle male genitalia in a new way, it’s also a masterfully scripted tale about how scary it is to be fully vulnerable with someone about how much you care for them. Writing duo Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg pull from their own friendship and high school experience to give us one of the funniest and rawest movies of our time. Who would’ve thought watching this for the first time that Emma Stone would become the best actress in Hollywood?
–Raf Stitt
67. Finding Nemo (2003)
Three little words. They’re so simple but carry oh so much weight. “Just keep swimming.” In that phrase lies the emotional core of a surprisingly emotionally poignant film. Marlin’s perseverance and persistence in finding his son, Nemo, can be summed up in those three. It’s an inspirational tale of love and the ends to which we’ll go for those we care about. There are also surfer dude turtles, sharks in recovery, and a menacing tweenage girl who only exists to terrorize fish. The animation style remains awe-inspiring as underwater ecosystems are brought to life in a dazzling display. Finding Nemo is still a treat and another great notch in the belt for the great Pixar Studios.
–Raf Stitt
66. District 9 (2009)
After hearing forever that District 9 is a bona fide sci-fi classic, I was shocked when I first watched it to see that it opens as practically a British mockumentary take on an alien invasion. That’s the kind of off-kilter approach though that makes this movie so great, taking us on a journey with the bumbling Wikus on a truly satisfying redemptive arc that redefined how action, comedy, and aliens could blend together.
–Jacob Holmes
65. Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
When I think of Will Ferrel, I think of two characters – Buddy from Elf, and Ron Burgandy. And much as I love Elf and Buddy, he never makes me laugh as much as Ron and the rest of his Action News team. A satire of both 1970’s macho culture and whole “action news” style of the time, Anchorman mixes silly melodrama with over-the-top comedy moments like the violent clash between news teams in a back alley. (“I killed a man with a trident!” – ah Brick, still one of my favorite Steve Carell characters.) While Anchorman didn’t light up the box office, it has since become a beloved comedy classic. Every time I think of it, I think I need to watch it again. “Stay classy, planet Earth!”
–Bob Cram
64. The Twilight Samurai (2002)
The Twilight Samurai is such a refreshing entry in the Samurai genre. It’s able to explore elements, themes, and moods of the genre that were previously ignored (or at least not widely examined). I wouldn’t recommend this as someone’s first entry into the world of and mythology of samurai, but it’s a must-watch for anyone who is a fan of stories about feudal Japan. A young Hiroyuki Sanada (you probably recognize him from Shogun, or John Wick: Chapter 4) is brilliant in the starring role as the titular Twilight Samurai. It’s a shame this movie isn’t more readily available, because it’s worthy of getting as many eyes on it as possible.
–Raf Stitt
63. Amores perros (2000)
The first installment of Iñárritu’s Trilogy of Death, followed by 21 Grams and Babel, Amores Perros weaves together three distinct yet interconnected stories, offering a gritty, unflinching look at the complexities of life, love, and survival in Mexico City who are connected by a car crash. Octavio (Gael García Bernal) is a young man who dreams of escaping his troubled life with his sister-in-law, Susana (Vanessa Bauche). To finance their getaway, Octavio becomes involved in the brutal world of dogfighting, using his beloved dog, Cofi, to win money. Valeria (Goya Toledo) is a successful supermodel whose life is shattered by the car accident, leaving her severely injured. Her lover, Daniel (Álvaro Guerrero), who left his family for her, struggles to care for her as their relationship deteriorates under the strain. El Chivo (Emilio Echevarría) is a former guerrilla turned hitman, estranged from his daughter, Maru (Lourdes Echevarría). Haunted by his past and seeking redemption, El Chivo’s life intersects with the other characters in unexpected ways. Iñárritu might be the king of hyperlink cinema. His films weave intricate plots that always tie together in satisfying ways. This is by far his bleakest film (the title translates to Love’s a Bitch and the film definitely lives up to that) but one of his most rewarding.
–Sailor Monsoon
62. Session 9 (2001)
The 1990s were probably not as bad for the horror film genre as I remember, but it wasn’t great. I remember thinking in 1999 when The Blair Witch Project came out that maybe things were turning around. It took another couple of years and Session 9 to confirm that for me. I rented Session 9 on DVD from Netflix when physical media was the ONLY option they had. I don’t think I’d heard anything about it, I just liked the poster and the idea that they’d filmed it on location at Danvers State Mental Hospital. It’s a disturbing psychological descent of a man named Gordon as he and his crew attempt to remove asbestos from the state mental hospital before renovations. It was a subtle and effective film, one that left me feeling uneasy and uncertain at the end – hallmarks of a great psychological horror movie. I still think of it often, and for me, it marks the start of a horror renaissance – as the next year saw the release of movies like Dog Soldiers, 28 Days Later, and The Ring.
–Bob Cram
61. Million Dollar Baby (2004)
Million Dollar Baby is crammed full of clichés and tropes. It’s an underdog story, featuring an elderly man with an estranged daughter. He crosses paths with a woman who has her own family issues and is in desperate need of a father figure. In saying all that, it’s a great example of tropes being done right. They are popular tried and tested story elements for a reason. Eastwood gives the classic grizzly performance we are accustomed to and Hilary Swank deservedly picked up the Best Actress Academy Award for her turn as the extremely likable aspiring boxer. The climax is devastating but helps elevate emotions to a different level. It’s a heartfelt, feel-good tearjerker.
–Lee McCutcheon
80-71 | 60-51
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!