A list of the best movies of 2001, from comedies like Zoolander to cult classics like Donnie Darko. The '00s were a decade where Hollywood thrived. In were new stars and big blockbusters and 2001 was no exception. Some the best movies of this year are some of the best teen, coming of age, adventure, comedies 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 movies listed on here.
As stated before, some of the best movies of the decade were released in 2001. Who could forget I Am Sam with Sean Penn, Legally Blonde with Reese Witherspoon, and of course, Ocean's Eleven. And let's not forget about Blow with Johnny Depp and Penelope Cruz. The best movies of 2001 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 The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, or established stars like Will Smith starring in Ali and Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz in Vanilla Sky.
Some of the best movies of all time were released in 2001. This is the ultimate list of the best movies of 2001, which shouldn't feature the best movies of 2000. Vote and re-rank this list according to how you think the best movies of that year should be reflected. If you notice that there's a movie from this year that should be on this list but is missing, feel free to add it.
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291136The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
Cate Blanchett, Ian McKellenReleased: 2001
Directed by: Peter Jackson
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring is a 2001 epic fantasy film directed by... more2
275145Monsters, Inc.
Billy Crystal, John GoodmanReleased: 2001
Directed by: David Silverman, Pete Docter, Lee Unkrich
Monsters, Inc. is a 2001 American computer-animated comedy film directed by Pete Docter,... more3
280136Shrek
Cameron Diaz, Eddie MurphyReleased: 2001
Directed by: Andrew Adamson, Vicky Jenson
Shrek is a 2001 American computer-animated fantasy-comedy film produced by PDI/DreamWorks,... more4
230160Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Emma Watson, Daniel RadcliffeReleased: 2001
Directed by: Chris Columbus
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (released in the United States, India and Pakistan as... more5
14581Black Hawk Down
Ewan McGregor, Tom HardyReleased: 2001
Directed by: Ridley Scott
Black Hawk Down is a 2001 American-British war film directed by Ridley Scott. It is an... more6
12575The Others
Nicole Kidman, Christopher EcclestonReleased: 2001
Directed by: Alejandro Amenábar
The Others is a 2001 horror-thriller film written, directed and scored by Alejandro Amenábar.... more7
168121Mulholland Drive
Naomi Watts, Billy Ray CyrusReleased: 2001
Directed by: David Lynch
Mulholland Drive is a 2001 American neo-noir mystery film written and directed by David Lynch... more8
149109A Beautiful Mind
Jennifer Connelly, Russell CroweReleased: 2001
Directed by: Ron Howard
A Beautiful Mind is a 2001 American biographical drama film based on the life of John Nash, a... more9
11067Enemy at the Gates
Rachel Weisz, Jude LawReleased: 2001
Directed by: Jean-Jacques Annaud
Enemy at the Gates is a 2001 film directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud. The film's title is taken... more10
172118Spirited Away
Miyu Irino, Bunta SugawaraReleased: 2001
Directed by: Hayao Miyazaki
Spirited Away is a 2001 Japanese animated fantasy film written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki... more11
175135Donnie Darko
Drew Barrymore, Ashley TisdaleReleased: 2001
Directed by: Richard Kelly
Donnie Darko is a 2001 American supernatural drama film written and directed by Richard Kelly... more12
165128Ocean's Eleven
Brad Pitt, Julia RobertsReleased: 2001
Directed by: Steven Soderbergh
Ocean's Eleven is a 2001 American comedy heist film and the remake of the 1960 Rat Pack film... more13
11071The Royal Tenenbaums
Gwyneth Paltrow, Alec BaldwinReleased: 2001
Directed by: Wes Anderson
The Royal Tenenbaums is a 2001 American comedy-drama film directed by Wes Anderson and... more14
135117Training Day
Eva Mendes, Snoop DoggReleased: 2001
Directed by: Antoine Fuqua
Training Day is a 2001 American thriller film directed by Antoine Fuqua, written by David... more15
133111The Fast and the Furious
Vin Diesel, Michelle RodriguezReleased: 2001
Directed by: Rob Cohen
The Fast and the Furious is a 2001 American street racing action film directed by Rob Cohen... more16
13294Legally Blonde
Reese Witherspoon, Luke WilsonReleased: 2001
Directed by: Robert Luketic
Legally Blonde is a 2001 American comedy film directed by Robert Luketic, based on the novel... more17
6237The Believer
Ryan Gosling, Billy ZaneReleased: 2002
Directed by: Henry Bean
The Believer is a 2002 American drama film co-written and directed by Henry Bean. The film... more18
10887A Knight's Tale
Heath Ledger, Paul BettanyReleased: 2001
Directed by: Brian Helgeland
A Knight's Tale is a 2001 medieval adventure comedy-drama film written, produced, and directed... more19
7250Frailty
Matthew McConaughey, Bill PaxtonReleased: 2001
Directed by: Bill Paxton
Frailty is a 2002 psychological thriller film, directed by and starring Bill Paxton, and... more20
117112Moulin Rouge!
Nicole Kidman, Ozzy OsbourneReleased: 2001
Directed by: Baz Luhrmann
Moulin Rouge! is a 2001 Australian–American pastiche-jukebox musical film directed, produced,... more21
8565Hannibal
Julianne Moore, Gary OldmanReleased: 2001
Directed by: Ridley Scott
Hannibal is a 2001 American thriller film directed by Ridley Scott, adapted from the novel of... more22
10373Jeepers Creepers
Justin Long, Eileen BrennanReleased: 2001
Directed by: Victor Salva
Jeepers Creepers is a 2001 American horror film written and directed by Victor Salva. The film... more23
12247The Curse of the Jade Scorpion
Charlize Theron, Woody AllenReleased: 2001
Directed by: Woody Allen
The Curse of the Jade Scorpion is a 2001 comedy film written by, directed by, and starring... more24
10097Amélie
Audrey Tautou, Spencer TracyReleased: 2001
Directed by: Jean-Pierre Jeunet
Amélie is a 2001 romantic comedy film directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet. Written by Jeunet with... more25
6450Joy Ride
Paul Walker, Leelee SobieskiReleased: 2001
Directed by: John Dahl
Joy Ride, also known as Roadkill, is a 2001 American thriller road film. The film was written... more