The 2000s were a notable decade in film history. Since the turn of the century, CGI had made significant advancements, but not enough to completely eclipse storytelling, as is so frequently the case now. Additionally, indie films with a low to moderate budget might still have an impact at the box office during that time. The aughts also saw some of the best filmmakers ever working at the pinnacle of their craft, including Scorsese, Nolan, Tarantino, Anderson (Wes and Paul Thomas), the Coens, Fincher, etc.
These and other factors made the 2000s a terrific decade for moviegoers, and the following are some of the best films of the period.
The Best Movies From The 2000s That You Must Know
You Can Count on Me (2000)
Kenneth Lonergan made his directorial debut sixteen years before Manchester by the Sea with a different—yet just as emotionally stirring—story about tangled familial ties. Sammy and Terry, played by Laura Linney and Mark Ruffalo, are estranged siblings who battle to reconcile as adults while dealing with their own tragedies.
You Can Count On Me (2000)
Amélie (2001)
The BBC’s Hannah Strong describes the enduring appeal of this chic movie about a lonely Parisian bistro waitress with a big heart and an even bigger imagination as “[Jean-Pierre] Jeunet’s unconventional romantic comedy…provides glimpses into the curious lives of others while celebrating the unique charm of France’s capital city.” Amélie, in the words of Bryan Fuller, will cause you to cry “based on benevolence as opposed to grief.”
Amélie (2001)
Ghost World (2001)
The iconic graphic novel by Daniel Clowes about two misanthropic high school girls who spend their time criticizing everyone and everything in their average American town was handled perfectly by Crumb filmmaker Terry Zwigoff. Ghost World, starring Thora Birch and Scarlett Johansson, was generally disregarded when it first came out but has since gained recognition as a cult classic, much like its inspiration.
Ghost World (2001)
Mulholland Drive (2001)
After being left with amnesia in a vehicle accident on Mulholland Drive, a stunning woman with black hair strives to piece her life back together with the aid of Betty, a new friend who is blonde. Like all David Lynch movies (with the exception of The Straight Story), this two and a half hour voyage through the strange world is both puzzling and captivating. The more you try to make sense of things, the deeper you’ll fall into the rabbit hole. It would be best to simply follow along.
Mulholland Drive (2001)
The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)
Gene Hackman portrays Royal Tenenbaum, head of the troubled Tenenbaum family, in his final noteworthy performance before retirement. This iconic Wes Anderson film stars Anjelica Huston, Luke Wilson, Gwyneth Paltrow, Ben Stiller, Bill Murray, Owen Wilson, and Danny Glover in what Caroline Westbrook of Empire called “a dazzlingly creative piece of art.”
The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)
28 Days Later (2002)
One of the best zombie movies ever made, this Danny Boyle-directed film’s screenplay was written by Ex Machina’s Alex Garland. A highly contagious illness that causes individuals to become brutally aggressive has decimated Great Britain, and Cillian Murphy plays the lead role of Jim, a bicycle courier who awakens from a coma to discover this. 28 Days Later “begins as a great science fiction film and continues as a fascinating study of human nature,” as Roger Ebert put it in his review.
28 Days Later (2002)
A Beautiful Mind (2001)
A Beautiful Mind, which is based on the life of the brilliant but troubled mathematician John Nash, has Ron Howard at the peak of his game, letting his gifted ensemble tell the narrative of a complex character with little to no direction. Following Gladiator, Russell Crowe received his second consecutive Best Actor nomination, and Jennifer Connelly won Best Supporting Actress for her work as Nash’s loving wife Alicia.
A Beautiful Mind (2001)
Lost in Translation (2003)
An aging movie star and an aimless newlywed are the subjects of the unorthodox love story Lost in Translation about two individuals who unite over their common loneliness. It’s not always about what is said between people; sometimes, it’s just about spending time with someone else, and you will love every minute spent with the characters of this moving Sofia Coppola comedic drama.
Lost In Translation (2003)
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)
The wuxia film by Ang Lee is the “rare action movie with heart,” receiving plaudits for its acting, directing, and storytelling as well as its ground-breaking battle scenes. It’s “a story with martial arts aspects rather than vice versa,” says Scott Tobias of The Guardian.
