List of the best films released between the years 2000 and 2009, the era frequently referred to as the '00s or the "aughts." Though the actual decade is typically counted from the first year (2001) through the tenth (2010), for movies, it seems easier to organize it differently. (Most people don't consider movies released in 1990 to be '80s movies, for example.) So, what are the best 2000s movies?
The following list mixes films from every genre, and originating in nations from all around the globe. (European cinema seems overall more predominant, with a number of French, British and Italian films making appearances, but several Asian productions - from China, Japan and Korea - are also represented.) There is also a significant overlap of popular mainstream films (such as Christopher Nolan's "Dark Knight" and Peter Jackson's blockbuster "Lord of the Rings" trilogy) along with more art house or niche titles. Interestingly, a number of films that were not massive box office successes or particularly noteworthy on theatrical release have grown in esteem over the years. David Fincher's "Zodiac" was seen as a bit of a let-down when it came out, and was overshadowed by other notable 2007 releases like "No Country for Old Men" and "There Will Be Bood," but now outperforms most of the director's other work in this decade. Similarly, the low-key comic adaptation "Ghost World" from Terry Zwigoff came and went in 2000 and now makes a high appearance on this list. (This may owe in part to the ongoing popularity of Scarlett Johansson, for whom "Ghost World" provided a breakthrough role.)
Vote for your favorite '00s movies on the list below, and if you want to have more of an impact on the rankings (and maybe sneak some of your own favorite films on there), re-rank the list and make your own version.
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1,145508The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Cate Blanchett, Ian McKellenReleased: 2003
Directed by: Peter Jackson
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King is a 2003 epic fantasy drama film directed by... more
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419141Monsters, 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
1,158571The 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... more4
493201Shrek
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,... more5
728367Gladiator
Russell Crowe, Joaquin PhoenixReleased: 2000
Directed by: Ridley Scott
Gladiator is a 2000 American-British epic historical drama film directed by Ridley Scott,... more6
660324The Departed
Leonardo DiCaprio, Jack NicholsonReleased: 2006
Directed by: Martin Scorsese
The Departed is a 2006 American crime drama film directed by Martin Scorsese, and a remake of... more7
601237Finding Nemo
Ellen DeGeneres, Willem DafoeReleased: 2003
Directed by: Andrew Stanton, Lee Unkrich
Finding Nemo is a 2003 American computer-animated comedy-drama adventure film produced by... more8
618254Fight Club
Brad Pitt, Jared LetoReleased: 1999
Directed by: David Fincher
Fight Club is a 1999 film based on the 1996 novel of the same name by Chuck Palahniuk. The... more9
815463The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
Cate Blanchett, Ian McKellenReleased: 2002
Directed by: Peter Jackson
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers is a 2002 epic fantasy film directed by Peter Jackson... more10
604342Up
Christopher Plummer, Ed AsnerReleased: 2009
Directed by: Pete Docter
Up is a 2009 American 3D computer-animated adventure comedy-drama film produced by Pixar... more11
21891Catch Me If You Can
Tom Hanks, Leonardo DiCaprioReleased: 2002
Directed by: Steven Spielberg
Catch Me If You Can is a 2002 American biographical crime drama film based on the life of... more12
602359Kill Bill Volume 1
Uma Thurman, Lucy LiuReleased: 2003
Directed by: Quentin Tarantino
Kill Bill: Volume 1 is a 2003 American martial arts film written and directed by Quentin... more13
391144The Incredibles
Samuel L. Jackson, Holly HunterReleased: 2004
Directed by: Brad Bird
The Incredibles is a 2004 American computer-animated superhero film directed by Brad Bird. A... more14
410205Cast Away
Tom Hanks, Helen HuntReleased: 2000
Directed by: Robert Zemeckis
Cast Away is a 2000 American adventure drama film directed and produced by Robert Zemeckis and... more15
566352WALL-E
Sigourney Weaver, Laraine NewmanReleased: 2008
Directed by: Andrew Stanton
WALL-E is a 2008 American computer-animated science-fiction comedy film produced by Pixar... more16
556325Iron Man
Robert Downey Jr., Terrence HowardReleased: 2008
Directed by: Jon Favreau
Iron Man is a 2008 American superhero film directed by Jon Favreau, based on the Marvel Comics... more17
1,130833The Dark Knight
Christian Bale, Michael CaineReleased: 2008
Directed by: Christopher Nolan
The Dark Knight is a 2008 superhero film directed by Christopher Nolan, based on the DC Comics... more18
311175Gran Torino
Clint Eastwood, Dreama WalkerReleased: 2008
Directed by: Clint Eastwood
Gran Torino is a 2008 American drama film directed and produced by Clint Eastwood, who also... more19
521322Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
Johnny Depp, Keira KnightleyReleased: 2003
Directed by: Gore Verbinski
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl is a 2003 American fantasy swashbuckler... more20
484274Batman Begins
Christian Bale, Michael CaineReleased: 2005
Directed by: Christopher Nolan
Batman Begins is a 2005 superhero film directed by Christopher Nolan, based on the DC Comics... more21
556417No Country for Old Men
Javier Bardem, Tommy Lee JonesReleased: 2007
Directed by: Ethan Coen, Joel Coen
No Country for Old Men is a 2007 American neo-western neo-noir thriller film directed by Joel... more22
232116Spirited 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... more23
435174Casino Royale
Alessandra Ambrosio, Eva GreenReleased: 2006
Directed by: Martin Campbell
Casino Royale is the twenty-first film in the Eon Productions James Bond film series and the... more24
321212Donnie 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... more25
279170O Brother, Where Art Thou?
George Clooney, John GoodmanReleased: 2000
Directed by: Ethan Coen, Joel Coen
O Brother, Where Art Thou? is a 2000 adventure comedy film written, produced, edited, and... more
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