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.
90. Ocean’s Eleven (2001)
As fun as the three sequels are, you really cannot do any better than the original, and no I’m not talking about the Frank Sinatra-led Ocean’s Eleven from 1960. To quote Stefon, this movie has everything! A star-studded cast, a clever, witty script, a touch of romance, and the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas! Steven Soderbergh took the rather bland film of 1960 and created an intelligent and funny-as-hell heist film that checks all the boxes of what you want in a blockbuster. On first watch, you have no idea how Danny Ocean and his ten misfits are going to pull it off, but you sure as hell have a lot of fun trying to figure it out. I give credit to the chemistry between the cast members. Every single actor is perfect for their role and this movie does not work if there’s no one to root for, or against. The rest of the movies in the series are worthy of your time, but none of them come close to topping Ocean’s Eleven. It’s by far the most rewatchable, the most entertaining, and most thrilling and I would definitely say it’s one of the best heist films of all time.
–Romona Comet
89. Sin City (2005)
If you’d asked me about a Sin City movie in the 1990s, when the original Frank Miller comic books came out, I would have said it was impossible. An ultraviolent neo-noir story told in stark black and white, graphic in all senses of the word, I could only imagine it being sanitized, dumbed down, and castrated. And who the hell could possibly play Marv, the granite-faced, lantern-jawed standout protagonist in the first Sin City series (“The Hard Goodbye”)?
A decade later I’m sitting in a theater watching Marv brought to life by Mickey Rourke – MICKEY F’ING ROURKE. Who would have thought that this would be his comeback role? And damn if he didn’t perfectly embody the “Conan in a trenchcoat” character of Marv. The film itself was amazing, as perfect an adaptation of the comic source material as you could ask for. Its high-contrast black-and-white cinematography and sharp, comic-style editing made the impossible look easy. Later Miller adaptations would fall short in one way or another, but Sin City remains a gem of an adaptation and a killer film experience.
–Bob Cram
88. The 40-Year-Old Virgin (2005)
40-year-old Andy Stitzer is a shy but friendly guy who works at a big-box store and lives alone. When his co-workers find out he’s never had sex, they decide to help Andy lose his virginity. Shenanigans ensue. For me, what makes this movie so damn good is that for once, the lewd humor is genuinely funny, rather than played for simple shock value. Among all of the bawdiness is a blossoming relationship that keeps the movie grounded in reality, while still providing plenty of laughter. On the surface, The 40-Year-Old Virgin could be dismissed as just another raunchy sex comedy, but Judd Apatow and Steve Carell have created something much more memorable by infusing plenty of tenderness into the script, not to mention the commentary on what healthy sexual relationships should look like.
–Romona Comet
87. The Good, the Bad, the Weird (2008)
Set in 1930s Manchuria, The Good, the Bad, the Weird is a wacky Korean take on the spaghetti western formula. It follows three main characters, each with vastly different personalities, as they get caught up in the hunt for a map that leads to a mysterious treasure.
The Good is a bounty hunter, out to track down the Bad, an evil hitman. Lee Byung-hun makes a rare appearance as an antagonist playing ‘The Bad’ of the trio, and he comes across like an evil character from a 90s Japanese video game (which is a compliment by the way). The Weird is a wildcard that manages to get himself caught up in the mayhem. Played by Song Kang-ho, he is the highlight and provides lots of laugh-out-loud moments. The cinematography is top-notch, and the future retro aesthetic works perfectly. Add to this some great action and spectacular set pieces, leaving you with fantastic entertainment from start to finish.
–Lee McCutcheon
86. Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)
Based on Roald Dahl’s wildly popular children’s book, Wes Anderson’s sole attempt at directing an animated film still feels completely Wes Anderson. That can be a good or bad thing, depending on how you feel about the eccentric director. For me, this is the best film in his entire catalog. The story follows Mr. Fox, a family man who goes back to his ways of stealing, unable to resist his animal instincts. It’s told in a whimsical yet relatable way and it’s a film that old and young can both enjoy equally, even though the story will have different meanings to each age group. The stop motion animation looks great and the A-list cast (George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Jason Schwartzman, Bill Murray, Willem Dafoe, and Owen Wilson) make it a memorable experience all around.
–Lee McCutcheon
85. Best in Show (2000)
In this Christopher Guest mockumentary, five dogs and their owners travel to Philadelphia for the prestigious Mayflower Kennel Club Dog Show. Heavily improvised, Best in Show drew plenty of much-deserved praise for its incredible cast and unique premise. Every single cast member brings their own brand of offbeat humor to the film, though I have to give some singular praise to the late Fred Willard for his hilarious turn as commentator Buck Laughlin. At 90 minutes, Best in Show is a masterclass in improv comedy. And hello… dogs. So many dogs! How could anyone not love this movie?
–Romona Comet
84. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)
The 2000s will always — at least in my opinion — be the best decade for Disney live-action films. Long before the Mouse House purchased Marvel and Lucasfilm, the famed studio had to actually come up with ideas for blockbuster films, which led to the creation of fan favorites like National Treasure, The Chronicles of Narnia, and Pirates of the Caribbean.
An adaptation of the classic Disneyland ride, the Pirates of the Caribbean film series arguably remains one of Disney’s most popular and commercially successful franchises. The key to that success? Johnny Depp’s Captain Jack Sparrow. While Jack Sparrow was originally written for Hugh Jackman, it’s hard to imagine anyone but Depp in the role now. He redefined the image of a pirate forever with Jack Sparrow and gave us one of the greatest movie characters of the 2000s. The Curse of the Black Pearl is proof that you can adapt almost anything to film if you have the right talent attached.
–Marmaduke Karlston
83. Iron Man (2008)
Once upon a time, there was a fledgling movie studio that sprang out of a comic company, seeking to break through the cinematic noise without even the rights to their most iconic characters. Wow. 2008 seems like ages ago, doesn’t it? At this point, it seems like Marvel Studios, like Thanos, was inevitable, but Marvel placed a big bet on Iron Man, and boy did it ever pay off. Seeing this billionaire playboy genius philanthropist build his first ever Iron Man suit in a cave with a box of scraps and coming out a humbler man really sets the tone. And then becoming the obsessed scientist, endlessly tinkering in his garage until he has his first suit ready to fly – it’s all just exhilarating stuff we had never seen before. Unlike later movies, the suit is bulky and mechanical – and just freaking awesome. The whole scene taking out the terrorists in that little town remains one of the most iconic scenes in the MCU canon. And Stane is a great villain too, even if his transition to Iron Monger is a little bit clunky. This film is the only reason we have the other 15 or so films on this list and deserves its rightful place among them as one of the greatest of all time.
–Jacob Holmes
82. Moon (2009)
On the surface, you’d probably think Duncan Jones’ (AKA son of David Bowie, AKA Zowie Bowie) Moon is just a low-budget 2001 knockoff made decades later. But in all honesty, it’s really more an homage to sci-fi films of that era and less of a rehash. I love this movie. I saw it in the theater and was just drawn to and intrigued by it. It’s so minimal. The score is pretty great too. It’s why we put it in the Canon FFS.
–K. Alvarez
81. The Descent (2005)
This is a film that I will always appreciate and recommend first-time viewers to go in as blind as possible. Without getting too specific, The Descent is an adventure horror revolving around a group of women who are coming together to go on a cave diving expedition for the first time since Sarah suffered a tragedy a year earlier. That’s where I am going to stop. Director Neil Marshall does a great job of giving all six women depth and their own personality that makes you really care for each one. Being set in a cave system, there is a claustrophobic feel, unlike no other and a frenetic pace that leaves you breathless.
–Vincent Kane
100-91 | 80-71
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!