The Best Movies of the 2000s

The 2000s were a great time to be watching movies. Blockbusters like Lord of the Rings and The Dark Knight were delivering popcorn flicks that resonated with critics as well as audiences, while reliable virtuosos like Scorsese and Tarantino delivered masterpieces. But there were also divisive wildcards like 300 and The Room that are still talked about over a decade later.

We looked through the most memorable movies of the new millenia, and put together our favorites. Read on for the best movies of the 2000s.

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1. Forgetting Sarah Marshall

After Peter (Jason Segel) gets dumped by his famous TV star girlfriend, Sarah Marshall (Kristen Bell), he takes a much-needed vacation to Hawaii. But this attempt to forget Sarah goes horribly awry when she’s staying at the same hotel with her new boyfriend (Russell Brand) right next door.

Besides being one of the best ‘00s movies, Forgetting Sarah Marshall is one of the best rom coms of all time. It’s heartwarming, hilarious, and also features Mila Kunis and Paul Rudd.

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2. The Departed

Martin Scorsese’s 2006 crime drama The Departed has all the top-notch acting, twisted morality, and gritty crime drama we’ve come to expect from the director. It tells the story of a police mole (Matt Damon) and an undercover cop (Leonardo DiCaprio) who are working with the same old Irish crime boss (Jack Nicholson). They realize both of their institutions have been infiltrated, and try to identify each other while maintaining a low-profile.

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3. Inglourious Basterds

Shosanna Dreyfus (Mélanie Laurent), a theater owner in Nazi-occupied france, seeks to avenge her family’s execution by killing Nazi officers. Simultaneously, Lt. Aldo Raine (Brad Pitt) assembles a group of Jewish soldiers and movie star Bridget Von Hammersmark (Diane Krueger) with the same intention.

Although 2009’s Inglourious Basters is packed with A+ performances, it’s Christoph Waltz’s Oscar-winning role as SS Colonel Hans Landa that steals the show.

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4. 300

Shirtless Spartans, slow-motion, over-the-top violence, and a unique look garnered 300 incredibly mixed reviews. Some critics dismissed it as a ridiculous action movie with too many muscles, and others lauded the film’s stunning visuals and bare-bones story. Regardless, the Zach Snyder epic is still watched and loved by fans today, which makes this 2006 flick one of the best movies of the ‘00s in our books.

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5. The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring

The fate of Middle-earth is placed in the hands of a meek young hobbit, Frodo Baggins (Elijah Wood), when he acquires the all-powerful One Ring. With the help of eight devoted companions, Frodo sets out on a treacherous quest to destroy the ring and it’s evil powers.

As the first entry in The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Fellowship is considered one of the best blockbuster movies of all-time. It’s one of the few movies to boast a 91% on Rotten Tomatoes, and $800+ million dollars at the box office.

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6. Pan’s Labyrinth

Guillermo Del Toro may have just won an Oscar for The Shape of Water, but 2006’s Pan’s Labyrinth is still considered one of his most critically-acclaimed movies ever.

Pan’s Labyrinth follows Ofelia (Ivana Baquero) as she moves in with her mother’s new husband, a military officer, in 1944 Spain. While exploring she meets Pan, a faun who sets her off on an eerie, fascinating adventure to claim immortality.

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7. The Dark Knight

The Dark Knight is arguably the best superhero movie of all time. Christopher Nolan’s gritty, realist take on the classic superhero features psychological mind-benders, nail-biting action, raw visuals, and a posthumous Oscar-winning performance from Heath Ledger.

In 2008 it was ranked by Empire as the 15th greatest film of all time, based on votes from fans, critics, and directors. Needless to say, even if you’ve already seen it, watch it again. And then watch it again.

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8. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

Harry Potter and The Sorcerer’s Stone introduces us to one of the best cinematic universe’s ever, as Harry Potter enrolls in the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

On his eleventh birthday, Harry learns that he’s a wizard with unique magical powers and a mysterious past. He’s thrust into the world of wizards, but quickly gets wrapped up in a plot involving the most evil wizard ever: Voldemort.

Image courtesy of Warner Bros.

9. The Room

The Disaster Artist pointed out what many already knew: The Room is a great movie. Sure, it’s not great in the same way Citizen Kane or Star Wars is great, but it has an X factor that’s garnered it one of the most devoted cult followings ever.

Released in 2003, The Room centers on Johnny (Tommy Wiseau), a successful San Francisco banker who lives with his fiancée, Lisa. But although Johnny loves Lisa very much (and buys her flowers every day) she decides to seduce Johnny’s best friend, Mark.

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10. Lara Croft: Tomb Raider

Angelina Jolie brings video game character Lara Croft to life in the 2001 action flick Lara Croft: Tomb Raider.

Lara is a beautiful, wealthy woman with a penchant for saving ancient artifacts in life-threatening missions. In Tomb Raider, the stakes are raised when she has to save the world from the illuminati.

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