The Best Movies Of 2003, Ranked

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Updated August 11, 2023 19.4K votes 1.0K voters 47.0K views
Over 1.0K Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of The Best Movies Of 2003, Ranked
Voting Rules
Only movies released in theaters in 2003.

More than 1,000 movie fans have come together to cast their votes for the best movies of 2003. With a stellar lineup of critically acclaimed blockbusters, classic rom-coms, and heartfelt dramas, it's no wonder this year in film has become an all-time favorite for many people.

From the heartwarming animated adventure story of Finding Nemo to the action-packed spectacle that is The Matrix Reloaded, 2003 was a great year for cinema lovers everywhere. Other favorites include Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl and Lost In Translation - both masterpieces in their own right - as well as romantic comedy classics like Love Actually and How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days.

This list is sure to bring back fond memories or introduce you to some new gems from 2003. So what are you waiting for? Browse through these popular picks and vote up your favorites today.

Most divisive: Lost in Translation
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  • The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
    1

    The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

    Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Liv Tyler
    725 votes
    • Directed by: Peter Jackson
    In The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, Frodo Baggins (Elijah Wood) and Samwise Gamgee (Sean Astin) press on towards Mount Doom to destroy the One Ring. Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen), rightful heir to the throne, marshals the forces of good for an epic battle against Sauron's evil army at Minas Tirith. This third installment in the fantasy trilogy, directed by Peter Jackson, won a record-breaking 11 Academy Awards including Best Picture. It's a tale of bravery, friendship, and the enduring struggle between good and evil.

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  • Finding Nemo
    2

    Finding Nemo

    Albert Brooks, Ellen DeGeneres, Alexander Gould
    653 votes
    • Directed by: Andrew Stanton
    Dive into the vibrant, underwater world of Finding Nemo, a Pixar-animated adventure brimming with humor and heart. Marlin (Albert Brooks), an overprotective clownfish, embarks on a daring rescue mission across the ocean when his son, Nemo (Alexander Gould), is captured by a diver and placed in a fish tank in a dentist's office. Alongside Dory (Ellen DeGeneres), a forgetful but friendly blue tang, Marlin faces dangerous waters, meeting eccentric sea creatures along the way. This film, awarded the Best Animated Feature at the 76th Academy Awards, masterfully combines compelling storytelling with stunning visual artistry.

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  • Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
    3

    Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl

    Johnny Depp, Geoffrey Rush, Orlando Bloom
    656 votes
    • Directed by: Gore Verbinski
    In Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) finds himself on an unexpected journey to reclaim his ship, the Black Pearl, from cursed pirates. Alongside him is blacksmith Will Turner (Orlando Bloom), who's desperate to rescue his love, Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley), kidnapped by these supernatural sea-robbers. This adventure-fantasy flick, directed by Gore Verbinski, offers a thrilling blend of humor, swashbuckling action and eerie curses. It earned five Academy Award nominations, cementing its status in the annals of modern cinematic classics.

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  • Kill Bill Volume 1
    4

    Kill Bill Volume 1

    Uma Thurman, Lucy Liu, Vivica A. Fox
    584 votes
    • Directed by: Quentin Tarantino
    In Kill Bill Volume 1, a woman known only as The Bride (Uma Thurman) awakens from a four-year coma. The child she carried in her womb is gone. Now, she must wreak vengeance on the team of assassins who betrayed her - a team she was once part of. Her journey takes her to Japan, where she battles the Tokyo yakuza and its leader, O-Ren Ishii (Lucy Liu). Directed by Quentin Tarantino, this film is a stylized homage to grindhouse cinema, filled with high-octane action and marked by its distinctive narrative structure. Despite its violent content, it won numerous awards for its innovative storytelling and direction.

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  • Elf
    5

    Elf

    Will Ferrell, James Caan, Bob Newhart
    488 votes
    • Directed by: Jon Favreau
    A charming blend of whimsy and comedy, Elf is a festive delight. The film chronicles the journey of Buddy (Will Ferrell), an oversized elf who hails from Santa's workshop in the North Pole. Raised among elves, Buddy discovers he's actually human and embarks on a quest to New York City to find his biological father, Walter Hobbs (James Caan). Encountering a world that lacks Christmas spirit, Buddy is determined to win over his cynical dad while spreading holiday cheer. Directed by Jon Favreau, Elf spins a heartwarming yarn about identity, family, and the magic of Christmas without revealing too much or transforming into a saccharine overdose. This is a movie that has won hearts without claiming any major awards.

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  • X-Men 2
    6

    X-Men 2

    Patrick Stewart, Hugh Jackman, Ian McKellen
    474 votes
    • Directed by: Bryan Singer
    In the superhero sequel, X-Men 2, our band of mutants, led by Professor Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart), are back in action. They face a formidable foe in William Stryker (Brian Cox), a military man with a personal vendetta against their kind. As Stryker launches an attack on Xavier's school, Wolverine (Hugh Jackman), Storm (Halle Berry), and the rest of the team rally to protect their haven and uncover secrets from Logan's mysterious past. This action-packed film blends thrilling combat sequences and compelling character drama while exploring themes of discrimination and acceptance. The movie has been lauded for its impressive special effects and strong performances, particularly from Jackman and Ian McKellen as Magneto.

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