The 2000s brought about a new era of movies our way. When we said goodbye to turtlenecks and ‘clothes-too-big-for-your-size’ of the 90s, we moved into a futuristic era with metallic clothes and makeup. If you look back to the decade and want to relive the Y2K memories again, here are the movies that you must watch.

Best 2000s Movies

#1 American Psycho

Christian Bale gave us one of his career-defining movies when he brought the film adaption of Bret Easton Ellis’ novel to life. It has become a cult classic over the years. Mary Harron, the director, helped turned the violent novel into a beautiful yet bloody retreat for the audience. We were introduced to a suave, psychopathic, and bloodthirsty principal character whose narcissistic tendencies will stop at nothing. The principal character Patrick Bateman has defined the image of a psychopath for the modern viewers which helps the movie elevate its cult status a notch further.

#2 Memento

It will be difficult to find people who were not deeply affected after watching this movie. It gave filmmaking new heights, as it followed non-linear storytelling methods to craft a brilliant take of a man on a mission, but with memory issues. The film was based on a short story written by Jonathan Nolan, and his elder brother Christopher Nolan decided to give us a cinema masterpiece with beautiful scrip. The movie comes with a highly acclaimed performance by Guy Pearce and helps you get a look into the mind of Christopher Nolan, who would continue creating many more masterpieces in the decade.

#3 Anchorman

This movie has helped launched memes and created pop culture impressions like no other. Anchorman gave us the Ron Burgundy, a news reader who is both desperate and celebrated. This movie features a career-defining performance from Will Farrell that you will never forget. It is whacky, crazy, and funny and the best part is that Anchorman never disappoints you, even if you are watching it in 2019.

#4 Lord of the Rings series

This was the trilogy that set a new standard for fantasy movies for cinemagoers. Lord of the Rings series was the ultimate fantasy adventure which helped us connect with cleverly crafted storylines, well-developed characters, and cemented lasting impressions on the minds of movie lovers. The ‘Return of the King,’ the final movie in the series, gave the most fitting end to a story so grand, it will eventually turn into a classic.

#5 The Departed

Nobody does magic in organized crime films as Scorsese does. His reputation as a master filmmaker was cemented in the 2000s, thanks to the Departed. The film featured an all-star cast of Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson, and Mark Wahlberg. It gave us a thrilling tale of organized crime like never done before. Even though it is an action-packed genre with rather bland storylines, The Departed doesn’t leave any stones unturned to bring you a true classic.

#6 No Country for Old Men

This film deserves to be on the list simply because it is a powerful story, combined with powerful performances. This Coen Brothers film gives us the best of film adaptations in the thriller genre, which helped it receive the Best Picture award at the Oscars. No County for Old Men has the kind of charisma that you could expect from a decade-defining movie. Even though the 2000s were dedicated to fantasy and sci-fi movies with a bunch of cool special effects, it is movies like this that always took the cake.

#7 Million Dollar Baby

Hillary Swank’s Million Dollar Baby presented to us a female boxer who would knock out everyone to make her way to the top. It shows the struggle of a new boxer in such a beautiful way that the Oscars bowed down to it (it took away a bunch of them). Million Dollar Baby is often called the ‘Rocky’ of the 21st century but with heightened drama. If you haven’t watched it yet, you must watch it today!

#8 The Dark Knight

Even though Batman is the internet’s most favorite superhero, there isn’t much to talk about when it comes to his films. Sure, some have been great, but we have always been looking for a film that truly defines the essence of this mysterious and complex character. Thank god for Christopher Nolan, who brought a spine-chilling, tensed yet the most realistic film adaption of Batman? Played by Christian Bale and immortalized by Heath Ledger with his legendary Joker, this movie is a must watch for those who love cinema.

#9 Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

Movies like this are made only once in a century. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind brings to you the most unusual way a movie could begin with. First, there is the beautiful, demure, and classy Kate Winslet who is still remembered as Rose from Titanic. She threw caution to the wind as she played a blue-haired wild child in the movie. Second, and more shockingly, there is Jim Carrey, whose physical comedy and crazy antics are nowhere to be seen. He presented the most serious and restrained display of loneliness on the screen. This one never ages.

#10 Mean Girls

Anyone who has ever attended high school will relate to this film. Though it looks like a chick flick about high school drama on the surface, it is one of the best movies in its genre. Mean Girls gives you everything from social status to identity issues to gossips and more. The comic take on its own genre, in the beginning, helps you release some stress but the ending gives you some much-needed inspiration.

#11 Inglourious Basterds

While this movie was adept with one-liners, blood, and gore like every other Tarantino movie, there is more to revere in this plot. The film takes you on a journey to the 1940s, when the Second World War is about to end. A team of men has joined forces to kill the SS and bring Hitler to his knees. At the same time, a Jewish girl whose family was slaughtered by the Nazis is planning revenge. The story is complex but keeps you glued to the screen, right until the end. There are no bathroom breaks in the movie. You miss one scene, and you miss it all.

#12 Harry Potter series

A new born who defeated the baldest evil villains of his time is probably a story you thought was too farfetched. However, when it came alive in the Harry Potter series, it created a whole new world of fantasy, magic and wondered for children and adults alike. Harry Potter series was lifted directly from the best-selling books by J. K. Rowling, and it is a must watch for kids who grew up in the 2000s. It has mystery, thrill, magic, adventure, and the battle of Hogwarts which places the good against the bad. You can witness all the 11-year-old kids from the first movie growing up and finding their own space in the world by the 8th movie.

#13 Pirates of the Caribbean series

The movie ‘Curse of the Black Pear’ delivered to us a pirate movie that people actually liked to watch. Also, it brought about the best pirate in the world ever, Captain Jack Sparrow. While you are lost in decoding the mysterious film, there is a lot of action happening around to keep you entertained. This movie franchise has hit a squib recently, but when you watch its first few films, you really want to start rethinking your career options.

#14 Kill Bill series

Nobody thought a yellow tracksuit would spill gazillions of blood on screen, but director Quentin Tarantino did it. The two-part Kill Bill series plays out like episodes of a gory anime where a woman sets out on a journey to find and kill Bill. Her story is touching and devastating, but the treatment of the film is even more destructive. Tarantino plays out his favorite tropes in the movie with action scenes that will make you miss a heartbeat. This story of revenge has helped us get one of the strongest female action leads of all times.

#15 Spider-Man series

Toby McGuire was the very definition of Spiderman in the 2000s. Before the superhero got a reboot as ‘the Amazing Spider-Man,’ McGuire was out there, playing the vulnerable school boy who was just getting to terms with his superpowers. Through the trilogy, we follow Spiderman and Peter Parker, as two completely different personalities trying to fight the same battles. If you grew up watching the 2000s movies, Spiderman has never been better for you.

#16 The Prestige

Arguably one of the best movies of the decade, The Prestige helped us dive deep into the world of magic. There is a lot to be seen in this movie that brings one-upsmanship into its best. What’s more? Its Christopher Nolan movie featuring features Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale. Plus, there is Scarlett Johansson.

What other movies could you watch apart from these fabulous picks? There is Shrek, Superbad, V for Vendetta, The Hangover, District 9, Monster’s Ball, Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, Aviator, Avatar and many more. Let us know which movie you loved the most in the comments below.