The Best Movies of 2005

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Updated June 23, 2023 19.7K votes 1.1K voters 35.2K views
Over 1.1K Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of The Best Movies of 2005
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Only movies released in theaters in 2005.

A list of the best movies of 2005, from action movies like Mr. and Mrs. Smith to dramas like Jarhead. The '00s were a decade where Hollywood thrived with new stars and big blockbusters and 2005 was no exception. Some of the top movies of this year are some of the best teen, coming of age, adventure, comedy movies, and dramas in history. The films on here are very memorable and had audiences on the edges of their seats, and still pack a punch so many years after they were first released. You shouldn't be too surprised by the most popular movies listed on here.

As stated before, some of the best movies of the decade were released in 2005. Who could forget Batman Begins with Christian Bale, Steve Carell in The 40-Year-Old Virgin -- and let's not forget about Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal in Brokeback Mountain.

The best movies of 2005 featured some of the biggest stars in the movie business. Whether it was the aforementioned stars continuing their success or the breakout performances featured in Lords of Dogtown, or established stars like George Clooney starring in Good Night and Good Luck and Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson in Wedding Crashers.

Some of the best movies of all time were released in 2005. This is the ultimate list of the best movies of 2005 and you might be interested in the best movies of 2004 too. Vote and re-rank this list according to how you think the best movies of that year should be reflected.

Most divisive: Wedding Crashers
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  • Batman Begins
    1

    Batman Begins

    Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Liam Neeson
    771 votes
    • Directed by: Christopher Nolan
    In Batman Begins, we follow the journey of Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale), a billionaire playboy tormented by his past. After years of training with his mentor, Henri Ducard (Liam Neeson), in the League of Shadows, he returns to Gotham City, determined to eradicate crime and corruption. The emergence of the sinister Scarecrow (Cillian Murphy) challenges him to embrace his newfound persona - Batman. Directed by Christopher Nolan, this film offers a gritty reboot of the iconic superhero franchise, delving deep into Batman's origins and his struggle against Gotham's underbelly. It triumphed at the 2006 Academy Awards for Best Cinematography.

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  • Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
    2

    Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

    Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson
    658 votes
    • Directed by: Mike Newell
    In Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) enters his fourth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry under the headship of Albus Dumbledore (Michael Gambon). This year, Hogwarts hosts the Triwizard Tournament, a magical contest between three wizarding schools. Unexpectedly, Harry's name is drawn from the Goblet of Fire as an additional participant, plunging him into a deadly game. He battles dragons, dives underwater to rescue friends, and navigates a perilous maze. Meanwhile, the return of Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) marks a dark turn for the wizarding world. The film won a BAFTA award for Best Production Design in 2006.

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  • Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
    3

    Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith

    Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, Hayden Christensen
    621 votes
    • Directed by: George Lucas
    In Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, an epic space opera, a dark transformation unfolds. Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen) is caught in a web of treachery and manipulation, pulling him away from his mentor Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor). The Galactic Republic crumbles under Chancellor Palpatine's (Ian McDiarmid) sinister designs. A tragic tale of friendship and loyalty, it marks the birth of Darth Vader and the rise of the Empire. This third installment in George Lucas's prequel trilogy won the People's Choice Award for Favorite Movie Drama in 2006.
  • Walk the Line
    4

    Walk the Line

    Joaquin Phoenix, Reese Witherspoon, Ginnifer Goodwin
    460 votes
    • Directed by: James Mangold
    The biographical drama Walk the Line chronicles the rise of legendary singer Johnny Cash (Joaquin Phoenix) from his early Arkansas origins to his remarkable success in the music industry. June Carter (Reese Witherspoon), a fellow musician, plays an instrumental role in Cash's life, both professionally and personally. The movie is woven with iconic songs from Cash's repertoire, highlighting key moments in his career. Walk the Line won numerous awards, including an Academy Award for Witherspoon's performance. It showcases the trials, tribulations, and triumphs that marked Cash's journey, offering an intimate look into his volatile relationship with fame and personal demons.

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  • The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
    5

    The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

    Tilda Swinton, Georgie Henley, Skandar Keynes
    529 votes
    • Directed by: Andrew Adamson
    In the enchanting fantasy film, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, four Pevensie siblings - Peter (William Moseley), Susan (Anna Popplewell), Edmund (Skandar Keynes), and Lucy (Georgie Henley) - stumble upon a magical wardrobe. This seemingly ordinary piece of furniture serves as their gateway to the mystical land of Narnia. Here, they join forces with the majestic lion Aslan (voiced by Liam Neeson) in a heroic quest to dethrone the wicked White Witch (Tilda Swinton). Directed by Andrew Adamson, this movie won an Oscar for Best Makeup. It's a captivating journey filled with magic, courage, betrayal, and redemption.

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  • The 40-Year-Old Virgin
    6

    The 40-Year-Old Virgin

    Steve Carell, Catherine Keener, Paul Rudd
    539 votes
    • Directed by: Judd Apatow
    The 40-Year-Old Virgin is a comedic exploration of late-blooming adulthood, starring Steve Carell as Andy Stitzer, a man who has managed to avoid life's intimate interactions. The movie, directed by Judd Apatow, follows the journey of Andy as his friends David (Paul Rudd), Jay (Romany Malco), and Cal (Seth Rogen) discover his secret and embark on a mission to end his virgin status. Through their misadventures and Andy's burgeoning relationship with Trish (Catherine Keener), the film delves into themes of friendship, love, and the pressures of societal norms. This light-hearted comedy won an MTV Movie Award for Best Comedic Performance by Carell.

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