The 2000s brought groundbreaking storytelling and visual spectacles that would set new standards for filmmaking, making it a fantastic decade for fans and critics alike. Those years were a time when Hollywood giants clashed with rising indie auteurs, and animation delivered unexpected hits, ensuring that there were numerous great movies for every type of cinephile.
From the landmark The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King to the beloved Spirited Away, the decade delivered several blockbusters and critically acclaimed works that would earn their place in cinematic history. The best movies of the 2000s brought every genre to life with style and substance.
10. The Lives of Others (2006)
The Lives of Others was director Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck’s feature film debut, and it chronicles the transformative story of Captain Gerd Wiesler (Ulrich Mühe), a dedicated officer of the Stasi, the notorious East German secret police. When he is assigned to monitor the lives of playwright Georg Dreyman (Sebastian Koch) and his lover, actress Christa-Maria Sieland (Martina Gedeck), Wiesler begins to notice the contrast between his bleak and isolated life and the couple’s intimate and loving relationship. This newfound empathy makes Wiesler question his loyalty to the oppressive regime, ultimately spurring him to take action.
Released 17 years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, the 2006 German drama film is a critical portrayal of that turbulent period in time. Its juxtaposition of the tense atmosphere full of surveillance and mistrust in East Germany and the passion and closeness of the couple underscores how humanity can prevail even in the darkest situations. The Lives of Others is a foreign film cinephiles should see at least once, especially since its core themes and messages are still relevant today.
9. There Will Be Blood (2007)
Set during Southern California’s oil boom in the early 20th century, There Will Be Blood follows the cunning and driven silver miner-turned-oilman Daniel Plainview (Daniel Day-Lewis). When he realizes the potential to convince landowners to sell their properties to him for much cheaper than their actual value, he turns up the charm and manipulates and lies to locals for a hefty profit. A preacher, Eli Sunday (Paul Dano), soon recognizes his scheme and sparks a feud that leads to disastrous consequences for everyone involved.
An acclaimed film by director Paul Thomas Anderson, There Will Be Blood is a brilliant character study and a chilling reflection of obsession. It soars thanks to an award-winning performance from Daniel Day-Lewis, whose intense portrayal of Plainview captures the deep-seated rage and relentless fixation that would lead him down a violent path. The 2007 movie is a mesmerizing period drama with a reputation that has only grown stronger over the years, securing its place as a defining cinematic work.
8. Children of Men (2006)
Children of Men takes place in the year 2027, when the world has been plunged into chaos after nearly two decades of global infertility. Directed by Alfonso Cuarón and based on P. D. James’ 1992 novel, the film primarily focuses on disillusioned civil servant Theo Faron (Clive Owen), who lives in Britain, which is being flocked to by asylum seekers because it’s the last remaining stable government in the world. When he’s tasked with a shocking mission that could change humanity’s fate, Theo has to risk everything to complete it.
Frequently ranked among the best movies dystopian movies ever made, Children of Men presents a novel and chilling scenario that asks what would happen if all hope for a future was lost. In the process of highlighting this fragility, it explores other contemporary societal issues like immigration, xenophobia, and the loss of human rights. Cuarón packs all of this into a fast-paced and gritty film full of tracking shots and impressive set pieces that help create a nail-biting viewing experience.
7. Y tu mamá también (2001)
Set in 1999 amid Mexico’s political and economic changes, Y tu mamá también (which translates to And Your Mother Too) is a singular work by director Alfonso Cuarón. The coming-of-age road movie follows two teenage friends, Julio (Gael García Bernal) and Tenoch (Diego Luna), who embark on a spontaneous road trip with a gorgeous older woman named Luisa (Maribel Verdú). Their carefree adventure is fueled by sexual curiosity that influences their evolving relationships.
Y tu mamá también effortlessly reflects the tensions and messy emotions that only the most fleeting aspects of youth can bring. Cuarón’s direction is intimate and unflinching, capturing the impulsiveness of adolescence and the many painful parts of self-discovery. Set against the backdrop of a country grappling with change, the 2001 film ends up being a seamless blend of the personal and political, with the trio’s journey inevitably touching on the country’s class disparities and political undercurrents that would dictate its future.
6. No Country for Old Men (2007)
When Llewelyn Moss (Josh Brolin), a welder and Vietnam War veteran, stumbles upon a drug deal gone wrong and takes a briefcase filled with more than $2 million in cash, he doesn’t expect the violent retribution that follows. He sets off a deadly chain of events that sees him pursued by the hit man Anton Chigurh (Javier Bardem), all while experienced lawman Sheriff Ed Tom Bell (Tommy Lee Jones) struggles to understand the scope of what’s going on in the desolate landscapes of West Texas in 1980.
No Country for Old Men is among the Coen Brothers’ best movies, with the gripping neo-Western built upon haunting suspense and an impending sense of doom. It also features one of cinema’s most iconic villains in Bardem’s Chigurh. His chilling portrayal of the killer makes every coin toss intensely nerve-wracking. A study in the Journal of Forensic Sciences would even identify his character as the most clinically accurate portrayal of a psychopath in film.
5. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is a sci-fi story with a romantic twist from director Michel Gondry. It revolves around Joel Barish (Jim Carrey) and Clementine Kruczynski (Kate Winslet), two former lovers who, after a painful breakup, decide to undergo a medical procedure to erase each other from their memories. As Joel’s memories of Clementine are systematically erased, he experiences their relationship in reverse, which eventually makes him realize he doesn’t want to lose the memories of their time together.
Written by Charlie Kaufman and infused with his signature style, Eternal Sunshine is a beautifully surreal film that asks if the pain of lost love could ever truly outshine the value of its vibrant beginnings. Its narrative is also delivered with a grounded sci-fi setting that introduces an interesting possibility for memory manipulation. A cult classic that unfolds in a nonlinear fashion, it allows audiences, much like Joel, to slowly piece together the missing parts of the story with a little help from fate and a train ride.
4. In the Mood for Love (2000)
Set in 1960s Hong Kong, In the Mood for Love is a visually stunning masterpiece that follows the lives of Chow Mo-wan (Tony Leung) and Su Li-zhen (Maggie Cheung), two neighbors who discover that their spouses are having an affair with each other. Sharing this unlikely aspect in common, Chow and Su form a deep bond that develops into romantic feelings, but they never act on them. Despite their undeniable connection, they choose to suppress their emotions to avoid repeating the mistakes of their unfaithful partners, settling for unspoken words instead.
Directed by Wong Kar-wai, the 2000 film is remembered for its exquisite cinematography that perfectly complements the characters’ relationship, which is defined by missed opportunities and unfulfilled desires. Tony Leung and Maggie Cheung deliver career-best performances that are a showcase of restraint, with every longing glance and small gesture saying more than words ever could. Two decades later and the dreamlike In the Mood for Love is still among the best romance movies ever made, not to mention an essential work from Asian cinema.
3. Spirited Away (2001)
Spirited Away is director Hayao Miyazaki’s crowning achievement and Studio Ghibli’s most popular film. It depicts the magical story of 10-year-old Chihiro Ogino (Rumi Hiiragi), who stumbles upon an abandoned amusement park with her parents. As night falls, the park reveals itself to be a fantastical realm and her parents are transformed into pigs by the witch Yubaba (Mari Natsuki). Chihiro must find a way to survive and save them, with the first step being to take a job in Yubaba’s bathhouse, where she meets a host of unforgettable characters like Haku (Miyu Irino) and No-Face (Akio Nakamura).
The 2001 film is a timeless classic that would earn an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature and widespread acclaim for the Japanese director and now-famous studio. At first glance, Spirited Away is a jaw-droppingly captivating depiction of another world where both exciting and terrifying magic coexist. At its core, however, it’s Chihiro’s heartwarming coming-of-age tale that has made it such a beloved hit. Watching the initially unsure girl transform into a bold and confident leader makes for a satisfying viewing experience that would define future Ghibli films.
2. The Dark Knight (2008)
Director Christopher Nolan would create what many still consider to be the best portrayal of Batman on the big screen through his legendary trilogy, which peaked with 2008’s The Dark Knight. Set in the crime-ridden city of Gotham, it follows Bruce Wayne/Batman (Christian Bale) as he faces his most formidable adversary yet: the Joker (Heath Ledger). The chaotic and nihilistic criminal mastermind seeks to plunge the city into anarchy, but his reign of terror is complicated by the Caped Crusader, along with District Attorney Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart) and Lieutenant Jim Gordon (Gary Oldman).
The Dark Knight would redefine the superhero genre, with many crediting the film for inspiring grittier and darker cinematic adaptations. Heath Ledger’s portrayal of the Joker is iconic, with his magnetic performance and incredible delivery of lines like “Why so serious?” immediately carving their place in cinematic history. The 2008 film made an indisputable influence on the genre, and its lasting impact on popular culture makes it clear that it’s one of the decade’s best and most important movies.
1. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King is the monumental finale of the acclaimed trilogy directed by Peter Jackson and based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic fantasy novels. It sees the continuation of Frodo Baggins’ (Elijah Wood) adventure as he, along with the ever-loyal Sam (Sean Astin), inch closer to Mount Doom to destroy the One Ring. Meanwhile, Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen), Gandalf (Ian McKellen), and the remaining members of the Fellowship prepare for the ultimate battle against Sauron’s forces. These last legs of their journeys will determine the fate of Middle-earth.
After following along for years, fans got the highly anticipated outstanding ending they wanted with The Return of the King. Jackson stuck the landing with a technically brilliant final movie that earned a historic 11 Academy Awards, including Best Picture. The 2003 movie is not just considered a landmark achievement in the fantasy genre, but in filmmaking as a whole, as it would push the boundaries of what’s possible and inspire countless other directors and artists around the world. The Return of the King is a fitting conclusion to one of the most ambitious and beloved trilogies in film history, one which will likely be appreciated as a rewatchable classic for generations to come.
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