The 2000s were a great decade for film. It was honestly hard to pick just 10!
From peak Pixar, superheroes, villains, chick flicks, and Zac Efron, this decade had very memorable films that still hold up two decades later. Whether it be the fashion, the dialogue, or the feeling, these films defined such an iconic decade.
1. Mean Girls (2004)
This was the first film that came to mind when I started brainstorming this. It is understandable why. Mean Girls is iconic. It has such memorable dialogue that it is referenced in pop culture daily.
It isn’t just the lines. It’s the fashion, the four-way telephone calls, and the actors that make it so 2000s. Lindsay Lohan stars as home-schooled Cady Heron, who has now taken a drastic turn from the African wilderness to…Northshore High School. Turns out, teenage girls are really complicated. Mean Girls is a classic. It is so funny, but it also has a lot of heart, and of course, a whole lot of style. It was, and still is, compulsory to wear pink on Wednesdays.
IMDb: 7.1, Rotten Tomatoes: 84%
You can watch Mean Girls for free on Prime Video.
2. Shrek (2001)
Shrek was revolutionary. A fairytale film that both adults and kids can find absolutely hilarious, and for different reasons. Incredible. 25 years later, everyone knows who Shrek is. It is undeniably a pure delight. You can’t talk about the best 2000s movies without bringing up everyone’s favorite ogre. The characters are so memorable. Shrek and Donkey’s dynamic is perfect, and Eddie Murphy is a star.
Lord Farquaad is.. well he needs no introduction, really. A flawless soundtrack. Shrek deserves his own star on the Walk of Fame. His face is everywhere. Plus, there’s an epic sequel. Shrek is in a league of its own. It undeniably had a huge impact in the 2000s.
IMDb: 7.9, Rotten Tomatoes: 88%
You can watch Shrek and its sequels for free on Prime Video.
3. Twilight (2008)
Love it or hate it, there is no denying that Twilight was a 2000s hit. The love triangle between Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson) and Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner) made fans go crazy. Twilight really kick-started a trend of teen movies, with The Hunger Games, The Maze Runner, and Divergent following. The impact that Twilight had in the 2000s, particularly with teenage girls, is undeniable. Even now, people still have Twilight fever, but differently. Instead of drooling over the boys, there is now a more satirical approach to the films.
Needless to say, Twilight made a huge cultural impact in the 2000s. Were you Team Jacob or Team Edward?
IMDb: 5.4, Rotten Tomatoes: 48%
You can currently watch Twilight and the rest of the franchise on ITVX.
4. The Notebook (2004)
The Notebook has been described as a romance film. Starring Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams, The Notebook tugs at your heartstrings and makes many people cry. It should be noted (pun intended) how beautiful the acting is between Allie and Noah. Their chemistry is what makes the film such a captivating watch, and why it also breaks you. Even if you have never seen The Notebook, you know about it. It’s stood the test of time and has set the standards for romance films ever since.
IMDb: 7.8, Rotten Tomatoes: 54%
You can watch this film for free on Prime Video.
5. Up (2009)
Everyone who has seen the opening to Up knows how impactful it is. Carl and Ellie’s love story is arguably the most talked-about part of the film, as it should be, but there is so much more. The building relationship between Carl and Russel is so heart-warming.
Like Shrek, Up appeals to both children and adults. Kids love the adventure and the animals, whereas adults can appreciate how much adventure matters in their adult life. You only live once, so why not make the most of it whilst you still can? The colors are beautiful, and the score is full of imagination and wonder. At the center of this movie, there is a grieving man learning to love life again. And that is pretty special.
IMDb: 8.3, Rotten Tomatoes: 98%
You can watch this film on Disney+
6. Mamma Mia! (2008)
I couldn’t make a list of movies that defined the 2000s without mentioning the feel-good movie musical Mamma Mia! This film has it all. A stacked cast of big names, including Meryl Streep, Stellan Skarsgard, Julie Walters, and Amanda Seyfried. A whacky story, three dads, 18 ABBA songs, and set in Greece? What more could you possibly ask for? Mamma Mia! is a great family film. You are so easily swept away in this world, which is what makes it so 2000s.
It was incredibly successful at the box office, grossing $27,751,240 in its opening weekend. Since its release, there has been a sequel: Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, starring Cher in 2018, and it has been confirmed that there will be a third film made.
IMDb: 6.5, Rotten Tomatoes: 55%
You can watch this film on Netflix and Prime Video
7. Wild Child (2008)
The 2000s were full of fantastic chick flicks, but I think that Wild Child has it all. A killer montage scene, a mean girl, a romance, a core group of friends, and a life lesson. It also has a really fun story. Spoilt American girl Poppy Moore (Emma Roberts) gets sent off to a British boarding school. With lacrosse, mud, and snooty Head Girl Harriet wanting to get rid of her, it isn’t what Poppy had in mind. But when she meets heartthrob Freddie Kingsley, it all changes. If you want to know what the 2000s fashion was like, you only have to watch Wild Child. It’s also very funny, and like the other films, it is sure to make you smile.
IMDb: 6.1, Rotten Tomatoes: 40% (but in my opinion, it deserves better than that!)
You can watch this movie for free on YouTube!
8. Avatar (2009)
The highest-grossing film of all time, Avatar, is a magnum opus when it comes to CGI. James Cameron’s Epic will surely be discussed in the next century. Avatar’s visual effects are astonishing, the colors are magnificent, and it is a magical film to watch. It is a feat of a movie and deserves a spot on this list because of the impact it had in the 2000s and in recent years, with two sequels, making the first film as popular as ever. If you haven’t seen Avatar, what are you doing?
IMDb: 7.9, Rotten Tomatoes: 81%
You can watch this film on Prime Video.
9. The Dark Knight (2008)
This film is legendary. If there is one superhero film you should watch, it’s this one. It is also widely regarded as the greatest sequel ever made. The standout role is, of course, Heath Ledger, who is phenomenal as the Joker. Known to many as lover boy Patrick Verona from 10 Things I Hate About You, released in 1999, Ledger is unrecognizable.
The Dark Knight is one of the highest-rated films ever. With an IMDB score of 9.1, it has a stacked cast including Christian Bale, Morgan Freeman, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Gary Oldman & a small cameo from Cillian Murphy. Christopher Nolan is one of the greatest directors of all time; this movie is a testament to that. It isn’t just one of the most well-received films of the 2000s; it is one of the most well-received films of all time. It put superhero movies on a whole other level.
IMDb: 9.1, Rotten Tomatoes: 94%
You can watch this film for free on Prime Video.
10. The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
Many movie franchises began in the 2000s, such as Harry Potter, Twilight, Fast & Furious, and the Marvel Cinematic Universe, to name a few. But one trilogy, in my opinion, tops them all. The Lord of the Rings trilogy begins with the founding of the Fellowship, with hobbit Frodo Baggins and his friends setting off on a journey of a lifetime. With Peter Jackson at the helm, this magical tale was a box office smash hit. The Fellowship of the Ring shows us that the fantasy genre isn’t just for kids. It’s universal.
This film has it all. Companionship, adventure, fun, with a sprinkle of danger. It paved the way for other books to fantasy film franchises, such as The Chronicles of Narnia, Percy Jackson, and How to Train Your Dragon. This movie belongs on our list for the impact it had on people. Lots of people across the world have found comfort in this film. At its core, it is about friendship. And that’s important.
IMDb: 8.9, Rotten Tomatoes: 91%
You can watch this film on Prime Video.
Can you think of any other films that could go on this list?
