Few decades have experienced so much cinematic wonder and captivating tales quite as memorably as the 2000s have. This was the decade to truly experience a wide range of creativity and new, exciting stuff. It was when the building blocks of the modern superhero genre were forming, mega-blockbusters were taking off, and audiences were experiencing a plethora of new and innovative works of art. In short, the 2000s really were a blast, weren’t they?
The following ten are iconic 2000s movies that are best to look back on and reminisce about this glorious time. They may not all be the most perfect or Best Picture-worthy, but they powerfully represent the joy of going to the movies back then. They’re fun and memorable, and some have even defined the childhoods of many cinema buffs today. Sit back and enjoy a trip back to a charming cinematic time.
10
‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon’ (2000)
Ang Lee‘s masterpiece Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon kicked off the 2000s on a soaring high note, where it still stands today as a wonderful achievement that catapulted foreign-language and martial arts films more into the mainstream. It stars Chow Yun-Fat and Academy Award-winner Michelle Yeoh in a story about two warriors who must recover a sacred sword from a thieving politician’s daughter in 19th-century China.
This delightful mix of action, drama, and romance took the world by storm, blowing audiences away with its Oscar-caliber cinematography and gorgeous fight choreography. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is a gripping and simply eye-catching experience, making an unforgettable classic that started the decade off strong and exciting.
9
‘Shrek’ (2001)
DreamWorks’ Shrek is one of the most beloved animated films of the 21st century. It’s an unforgettable comedy that defined many young childhoods in the 2000s with its brilliant jokes and legendary voice performances. Mike Myers and Eddie Murphy lead this now classic story about a lonely ogre and talking donkey as they set out on a quest to deliver a beautiful princess to an evil ruler.
Shrek has become timeless thanks to its quotable lines and lovable characters. Its story is fascinating as it hilariously subverts and pokes fun at fairy tales and their clichés. It’s smart and creative, and never fails to entertain audiences for decades, as it’s so entertaining and endlessly funny. Shrek has an enduring legacy and will remain one of the most iconic films to ever come out of the 2000s.
8
‘Spider-Man’ (2002)
Superhero movies at the turn of the 21st century were slowly on the rise again after a dark period in the mid and late 1990s. Popular franchises like the X-Men were taking off, and Disney’s MCU was jump-starting thanks to 2008’s Iron Man. But truly, the superhero genre in the 2000s was defined by Sam Raimi‘s Spider-Man trilogy. In 2002, this iconic series started with the first installment, a beloved blockbuster that saw everyone’s friendly neighborhood Spider-Man (Tobey Maguire) in a thrilling first outing as he battles the sinister Green Goblin (Willem Dafoe).
This wildly entertaining superhero classic has become a massive influence on the genre ever since it became a smash hit in 2002. It established the exciting feel when watching a superhero film, and this effect hasn’t dwindled in the years since. It’s always enjoyable, endlessly memorable, and isa thrilling banger from start to finish. It’s overall as fun to watch now as it was back then, making it one of the most beloved films of the decade and certainly a must-watch.
7
‘The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King’ (2003)
J.R.R. Tolkien’sThe Lord of the Rings books were in talks of being turned into full-length feature films for decades, but with thoughts of technological limitations…
This epic conclusion…
This film is often regarded as…
This film is an undeniable masterpiece…
6 ‘Mean Girls’ (2004)
The year was stacked with beloved modern classics…
This may not be…
5 ‘Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith’ (2005)
This grand finale brings…
This is a non-stop action thrill ride…
4 ‘Pan’s Labyrinth’ (2006)
This incredible cinematic achievement…
This memorable dark fantasy epic…
