We may earn a commission from links on this page.
The 2000s, in some ways, culturally feel neither here nor there: They don’t have the neon vibe we associate with the 1980s, and lack the grunge appeal of the ‘90s. There’s plenty to appreciate, however, in movies over the decade that was bookended by blockbusters: Lord of the Rings in the early years, and Iron Man, Dark Knight, and Avatar at the end. None of those feel particularly cookie-cutter in the way that their successors would often be, and, in the middle years, there were many successful movies of the kind they don’t really make anymore: mid-budget movies with personal, rather than galactic, stakes, that still managed to do brisk business at the box office. It was a decade on the cusp of our mega-blockbuster era, and that tension between the indie-loving ‘90s and the present kept things interesting.
Good Night, and Good Luck (2005)
George Clooney directed and stars here alongside David Strathairn as veteran journalist Edward R. Murrow, flawed but fearless in his investigation of powerful anti-communist Joseph McCarthy during the 1950s. Powerful and inspiring, even if its vision of CBS News as an organization even remotely capable of dissent renders it hopelessly outdated. Rent Good Night, and Good Luck from Prime Video.
Inside Man (2006)
This crowd-pleasing thriller might not be Spike Lee’s best, but it’s still a very satisfying cat-and-mouse game between Clive Owen’s criminal mastermind and Denzel Washington’s LAPD detective, with Jodie Foster’s Manhattan power broker in the middle. It remains Lee’s highest-grossing film, with a stellar supporting cast that includes Willem Dafoe, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Christopher Plummer. Rent Inside Man from Prime Video.
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003)
A wonderfully retro period naval drama of the kind they don’t make anymore (and didn’t back in 2003), the awkwardly titled film stars Russell Crowe and Paul Bettany as Captain Jack Aubrey and science-minded surgeon Stephen Maturin, mismatched besties during the Napoleonic wars. Fans of the beloved Patrick O’Brian novel series on which it’s based took issue with the liberties taken with the source material, but the film stands very well on its own. Rent Master and Commander from Prime Video.
The Score (2001)
There’s nothing particularly original in the plot of this heist film: Master safe-cracker Nick Wells just wants to get out of the game and settle into retirement with his girlfriend when he’s pressured into taking on one last job by his mentor, to be joined by a young hotshot; the kind of score that will set everyone involved up for life. So it all comes down to execution and acting: Director Frank Oz keeps things brisk and even occasionally surprising, and it’s hard to beat a cast led by Robert De Niro, Edward Norton, Angela Bassett and Marlon Brando, in his final film role. Stream The Score on Paramount+.
Scooby-Doo (2002)
Critically savaged on its initial release, Scooby-Doo lives on as a cult classic, a bit of genial goofiness buoyed by some truly inspired casting: Matthew Lillard is as great a Shaggy as one could hope for, while Freddie Prinze Jr., Sarah Michelle Gellar, and Linda Cardellini fill out the Scooby gang admirably. James Gunn wrote the screenplay, his first for a major motion picture. Stream Scooby-Doo on Tubi or rent it from Prime Video.
National Treasure (2004)
Historian Benjamin Franklin Gates (Nicholas Cage) sets out to find a missing Freemason treasure, its location pointed to via a map on the back of the Declaration of Independence—a treasure he must now steal to keep it from the greedy clutches of Sean Bean’s crime boss Ian Howe. Cage is at his silly best here. Stream National Treasure on Disney+.
The Ring (2002)
This remake of the Japanese original changes the setting and adds a bit of scope without losing any chilling atmosphere. Naomi Watts is a single mom desperate to save her son from the curse of a very spooky VHS tape. Stream The Ring on Paramount+.
The Family Stone (2005)
Holiday gatherings always offer great potential for comedy and drama, with The Family Stone landing a bit of each. The setup involves Dermot Mulroney bringing home his new girlfriend, played by a fearlessly brittle Sarah Jessica Parker, for Christmas. That doesn’t go great, with the visitor constantly feeling out of place and embarrassed amid the insular, tight-knit, standoffish clan, even as strong-willed matriarch Sybil Stone (Diane Keaton) is also looking for an opportunity, amidst the holiday chaos, to reveal a terminal medical diagnosis. Stream The Family Stone on Disney+, Prime Video, and Hulu.
Pan’s Labyrinth (2000)
The true breakout movie for director Guillermo del Toro stunned with a beautiful vision of a dark fairy tale world set just to the side of a story about an army captain hunting down fascist resisters in Franco’s Spain of the 1940s. Rent Pan’s Labyrinth from Prime Video.
Casino Royale (2006)
Following the lighter, looser Pierce Brosnan era, Daniel Craig brought a bit of rough-and-tumble to the world of James Bond, kicking off a 15-year run. Judi Dench takes over as M in this first straight-up adaptation of Ian Fleming’s first-ever Bond novel. Rent Casino Royale from Prime Video.
Triangle (2009)
A bit of a cult classic, this sci-fi/horror film finds Melissa George as Jess, leaving behind her son to go on a boat trip that goes awry. When she and her friends find themselves seeking help aboard a seemingly abandoned cruise ship, they find that events keep repeating themselves in a series of increasingly horrific loops. Stream Triangle on Peacock, Prime Video, The Criterion Channel, and Tubi.
Charlie’s Angels (2000)
A sly, frequently goofy action comedy that sees Cameron Diaz, Drew Barrymore, and Lucy Liu as the latest generation of Angels working for the mysterious millionaire Charlie Townsend (John Forsythe, reprising his role from the 1970s TV series). The chemistry is great, the action is fast and fun, and Crispin Glover’s Thin Man makes for one helluva creepy villain. Tom Green has a supporting role and Blink-182 pops up on the soundtrack, among the many things that lend the movie extra 2000s cred. Stream Charlie’s Angels on Netflix or rent it from Prime Video.
Dreamgirls (2006)
The cast here is incredible: Jennifer Hudson, Jamie Foxx, and Beyoncé, just for starters. Even more incredible are the absolutely electric musical numbers, including, and especially, “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going.” Stream Dreamgirls on Paramount+ and Netflix or rent it from Prime Video.
The Mist (2007)
Frank Darabont, known for earlier, generally feel-good Stephen King adaptations The Shawshank Redemption and The Green Mile, goes quite a bit darker with this take that sees a bunch of locals at each other’s throats in a grocery store at the end of the world. The fear, ignorance, and religious extremism on display here are all potent reminders that hell isn’t outside—it’s within. Stream The Mist on Tubi or rent it from Prime Video.
Moulin Rouge! (2001)
Romance and tragedy done in extravagant Baz Luhrmann style against a jukebox of pop songs. The movie is almost overwhelming in its incomparable boldness, always seeming like it’s about to run off the track—yet, somehow, we’re still in tears by the end. Stream Moulin Rouge! on Netflix or rent it from Prime Video.
No Country for Old Men (2007)
The Coen Brothers’ magnum opus won four Oscars, including one for Best Picture and for Javier Bardem’s performance as merciless killer Anton Chigurh. The noir western finds Josh Brolin’s Llewelyn Moss stumbling upon, and making off with, the cash left behind when a drug deal goes wrong. He’s pursued by not only Chigurh, but Tommy Lee Jones’ Sheriff Bell. Stream No Country for Old Men on Paramount+ or rent it from Prime Video.
The Devil Wears Prada (2006)
Meryl Street is one of cinema’s all-time great villains as boss from hell Miranda Priestly, facing down (and tearing down) Anne Hathaway’s put-upon personal assistant, Andy Sachs. Stream The Devil Wears Prada on Disney+ and Hulu or rent it from Prime Video.
Almost Famous (2000)
Cameron Crowe’s ‘70s-era comedy/drama about a young music journalist going on the road with a major band is a funny, touching crowd pleaser that’s not afraid to veer off in some unexpected and idiosyncratic directions. Hold me closer, tiny dancer. Stream Almost Famous on Paramount+ or rent it from Prime Video.
The Incredibles (2004)
This Pixar triumph hit before the superhero movie wave really crested, and is all the better for it. If only they were all this good. Stream The Incredibles on Disney+ or rent it from Prime Video.
Love & Basketball (2000)
Sanaa Lathan and Omar Epps play next-door neighbors who, over the course of several years, struggle with their growing attraction to each other, even while their basketball ambitions pull them apart. Off-the-charts chemistry here. Stream Love & Basketball on Tubi or rent it from Prime Video.
In the Mood for Love (2000)
Wong Kar-wai’s lush, extravagant story of sex and yearning finds Chow (Tony Leung) and Su (Maggie Cheung) developing feelings for each other after their spouses have affairs. The ’60s-set movie is much more than just style, but that style is impeccable. Stream In the Mood for Love on HBO Max and The Criterion Channel or rent it from Prime Video.
Jennifer’s Body (2009)
Only the real ones knew what to do with Jennifer’s Body in 2009, and the film took a long time to become the cult classic it was probably always destined to be. Here, popular teenager Jennifer (Megan Fox) is turned into a succubus by abusive men, gleefully killing boys around school to the general horror of her friend, Needy (Amanda Seyfried). Rent Jennifer’s Body from Prime Video.
Mean Girls (2004)
Given the movie’s impressive longevity, it’s tempting to call Mean Girls a cult classic—except that it made boatloads of money back in the day, as well. When Cady Heron (Lindsay Lohan) gets accepted into the cool clique at her public school, she quickly realizes that it’s not all it’s cracked up to be. Stream Mean Girls on Paramount+ and Netflix or rent it from Prime Video.
Barbershop (2002)
Everything from sex, to relationships, to O.J. and civil rights is on the agenda in this comedy/drama, and the cast of lively and entertaining characters make it a fun place to spend time. Stream Barbershop on HBO Max or rent it from Prime Video.
Requiem for a Dream (2000)
A symphonic ode to the misery of addiction, Darren Aronofsky’s second feature plays like an X-rated version of the anti-drug films you watched in high school. Over the course of two punishing, stylishly filmed, and artfully edited hours, we watch as four characters’ lives fall apart as they try to use drugs—from heroin to diet pills—to fill the empty places inside. It doesn’t work out. A hypnotic, traumatizing, feel-bad classic. Stream Requiem for a Dream on Peacock and Tubi or rent it from Prime Video.
The Departed (2006)
Martin Scorsese’s remake of the 2002 Hong Kong film Infernal Affairs finds Leonardo DiCaprio going undercover in a crime organization, while Matt Damon infiltrates the police. It’s all very twisty-turny, and provides a last, great performance from Jack Nicholson (barring a surprise un-retirement). Rent The Departed from Prime Video.
Infernal Affairs (2002)
Or you could watch the Hong Kong original from directors Andrew Lau and Alan Mak—a smart, emotional crime thriller in its own right. Stream Infernal Affairs on HBO Max and The Criterion Channel or rent it from Prime Video.
The Princess and the Frog (2009)
Proving there’s still a place for traditional animation at Disney, the gorgeously animated film set in New Orleans of the 1920s introduced Tiana (Anika Noni Rose) to the pantheon of Disney princesses. Stream The Princess and the Frog on Disney+ or rent it from Prime Video.
Y Tu Mamá También (2001)
Two teenage boys set out on an impromptu road trip with the slightly older (and married) woman on whom they both have a crush. Alfonso Cuarón’s film is a sweet, funny, and sad coming-of-age movie. Stream Y Tu Mamá También on Netflix or rent it from Prime Video.
House of Sand and Fog (2003)
A battle of wills between two indefatigable adversaries that ends well for neither of them—nor for their families. Recovering drug addict Kathy Nicolo (Jennifer Connelly) is mistakenly evicted from her home, which is then bought for a pittance by a former Iranian Army colonel (Ben Kingsley) whose fortunes have fallen since coming to America. Shohreh Aghdashloo, who was nominated for an Oscar, steals every scene in her supporting role. Rent House of Sand and Fog from Prime Video.
What do you think so far?
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)
There are a couple of love stories in the margins of Ang Lee’s martial arts masterpiece (and international blockbuster), but the most poignant is in the central story of retiring swordsman Li Mu Bai (Chow Yun-fat) and his confidante and associate, Yu Shu Lien (Michelle Yeoh). Despite a mutual attraction, honor and loyalty keep the two apart until a lovely, tear-soaked final act. Rent Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon from Prime Video.
Before Sunset (2004)
Sequels very often fall short of the original, so it’s a tribute to all involved here that Before Sunset is able to top 1995’s swoonily romantic two-hander Before Sunrise. Brisk, smart, and with an all-time great cinematic ending. Rent Before Sunset from Prime Video.
Shrek (2001)
The filmmakers behind Shrek turned the Disney formula on its ear by blending some slightly crass but very funny humor with a genuinely heartfelt story about self-acceptance. In the process, they won the inaugural Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, and the movie picked up an Adapted Screenplay nomination—the first ever for an animated film. Not bad for a gassy ogre. Plus: The movie opens with a montage set to Smash Mouth, and it doesn’t get more 2000s than that. Stream Shrek on Peacock or rent it from Prime Video.
Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle (2004)
In plenty of other stoner-type comedies, Indian- and Korean-Americans are most likely to show up as secondary characters and broad stereotypes—here they’re in the lead. It doesn’t hurt that the movie is pretty damn funny. Rent Harold & Kumar from Prime Video.
Chicken Run (2000)
The sharp Aardman Brothers comedy has some incredibly fun stop-motion animation and an awful lot of chickens. Cute without ever being cloying, it remains the top-grossing stop-motion animated movie of all time. Stream Chicken Run on Netflix from Prime Video.
Up (2009)
Ed Asner plays cantankerous widower Carl Fredricksen, who finds an unlikely ally in a 13-year-old wilderness explorer in his plan to relocate his entire house to Paradise Falls in South America to honor his late wife. Stream Up on Disney+ or rent it from Prime Video.
Oldboy (2003)
Park Chan-wook’s revenge classic is not for the faint of heart on any level—it’s a disturbing action spectacle leading to an all-time shocker of a last-act reveal. Rent Oldboy from Prime Video.
Spy Kids (2001)
A smart, family-friendly action classic in which a couple of kids learn the spy ropes when they’re forced to save their parents—themselves former spies. The best of a franchise that’s still going. Stream Spy Kids on HBO Max or rent it from Prime Video.
Beauty Shop (2005)
This Barbershop spin-off follows widowed hairstylist Gina Norris starting over in Atlanta with her daughter, and opening her own shop when a job doesn’t pan out. Queen Latifah is as delightful as ever, and is joined by a great cast including Alfre Woodard, Della Reese, Alicia Silverstone, Andie MacDowell, Kevin Bacon, and Djimon Hounsou. Rent Beauty Shop from Prime Video.
Training Day (2001)
Director Antoine Fuqua and company crafted a tense, brutal crime drama that won Denzel Washington his single Best Actor Oscar. Is it his best performance? Probably not, but he’s memorably over-the-top as thoroughly corrupt cop Alonzo Harris. Stream Training Day on Netflix or rent it from Prime Video.
Mulholland Drive (2001)
This love/hate letter to Hollywood has come to be (justly) regarded as one of director David Lynch’s best, and most oddly crowd-pleasing, works: an L.A. noir about murder and obsession and a blue box that’s very significant of, well, something or other. Rent Mulholland Drive from Apple TV+.
Lost in Translation (2003)
A declining American movie star in the midst of a midlife crisis and a young grad student facing a similarly uncertain future meet while staying at an upscale hotel in Tokyo. The movie that cemented director Sofia Coppola’s spot in the filmmaker pantheon. Rent Lost in Translation from Prime Video.
Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2001)
A movie musical about a gender-queer punk rocker with a title referring to the results of a botched gender-affirmation procedure, the movie has a huge heart and a score that genuinely rocks. Rent Hedwig and the Angry Inch from Prime Video.
Whale Rider (2002)
Pai is a 12-year-old Māori girl and the direct descendant of their tribe’s traditional notable ancestor, the Whale Rider—except that, traditionally, women can’t lead. Star Keisha Castle-Hughes became the youngest nominee for a Best Actress Oscar for her open, genuine performance. Stream Whale Rider on Tubi or rent it from Prime Video.
The Dark Knight (2008)
While it often feels as though modern superhero films need to be some version of dark and “mature” if we’re to take them seriously, Christopher Nolan’s sequel squares that circle rather elegantly, telling a story that feels both grounded in its action (looking to films like Michael Mann’s Heat for inspiration) and over the top in its comic book flourishes—including its villains. Heath Ledger, of course, earned a posthumous Best Actor Oscar for his performance as the Joker. Stream The Dark Knight on HBO Max and Tubi or rent it from Prime Video.
Josie and the Pussycats (2001)
Josie gained an audience over time because of its goofy charm, but also because it came to feel increasingly more relevant in its satirizing of the crass commercialization of mass entertainment. Rent Josie and the Pussycats from Prime Video.
Bring It On (2000)
An endlessly repeatable teen comedy, Bring It On is also a secret sports movie and a stealth musical (if you consider elaborate dance sequences set to music in the same light as characters bursting into song), two genres with comforting formulas that stand up to repeated viewings. As much fun as it is to witness the literal gymnastics on display, it’s also a kick to watch young Kirsten Dunst and Gabrielle Union snipe at one another. Rent Bring It On from Prime Video.
District 9 (2009)
With parallels to South African apartheid, writer/director Neill Blomkamp crafted the kind of smart, pointed sci-fi film that studios think audiences don’t care for—except that District 9 was a blockbuster, earning many times its budget at the box office. Rent District 9 from Prime Video.
Spirited Away (2001)
After her parents are turned into pigs by the witch Yubaba, 10-year-old Chihiro takes a job working in her bathhouse with the hope of finding a way to free them. This might be my favorite Hayao Miyazaki movie, but I say that a lot. Stream Spirited Away on HBO Max or rent it from Prime Video.
Scary Movie (2000)
The lunacy of Scary Movie (directed by Keenan Ivory Wayans) feels inspired—with jokes coming at you so fast that there’s no time to notice any that don’t land. Think Spaceballs, but even goofier and with a laser focus on then-recent horror movies (Scream, especially). It’s still pretty funny, even with all of its period references, with Regina Hall and Anna Faris proving to be comedy MVPs. Rent Scary Movie from Prime Video.
