Summary

Manymoviescan be draw as quintessential to the 2000s , which can be view to understand the popping finish of the era intimately . While the movie diligence has change drastically since then , the stem of many innovative trends can be seen , primarily in develop the modern-day smash hit . However , that rising in megahit lead to a decrease in other types of movies . 3D animation movies from Pixar and Dreamworks were arguably in a golden years during the 2000s , and musical comedy likeMamma Mia!orChicagowere far more profitable .

While the MCU ruled the film industry in the 2010s , other film franchises dominated the 2000s . Harry Potter , The Lord of the Rings , andPirates of the Caribbeanwere some of the reigning title at the box role . The Return of the Kingwon 11 Oscars , and other classic likeSlumdog MillionaireandThe Hurt Lockerwere serious honour winners in their various years . There ’s more than just vital and commercial success for a picture to be quintessentially 2000s , though . Like the manyTV shows all important to the 2000s , classic 2000s films captured the decade ’s humor , music , fashion , and resource .

10The Dark Knight

Directed by Christopher Nolan (2008)

Cast

The superhero genre dominated the 2010s box office , and whileIron Mandirectly act upon the time to come of the Marvel Cinematic Universe , The Dark Knightset a gold criterion for comic script flick . Not only was Christopher Nolan ’s Batman a commercial succeeder , it was an award - winning film wide considered one ofthe best movies of all clip . Heath Ledger ’s portraiture of the Joker is see as one of the most iconic moving-picture show villains ever , instantly becoming a ethnical phenomenon and one of the most quote characters of the tenner .

9Anchorman: The Legend Of Ron Burgundy

Directed by Adam McKay (2004)

The collaborations between Adam McKay and Will Ferrell epitomize the comedy genre of the 2000s , andAnchormanis the bestWill Ferrell flick . Their firebrand of absurd bodily fluid made for some of the most laugh - out - gimcrack celluloid ever made , typically following oddball dumb reference . Anchorman , Step Brothers , andTalladega Nightsare some of the most quoted moving picture of the decade and laid the introduction for others that would follow them .

8Shrek

Directed by Andrew Adamson, Vicky Jenson (2001)

Many three-D animated film likeFinding NemoandThe Incrediblescould be consider the most influential of the decade , butShrekchanged invigorate movies forever . Shrekleaned into New tonic culture , using medicine and celebrity referencesto gain a world-wide appeal . The 2001 classic and its sequels were encumbrance of merriment for Thomas Kyd and did n’t exclude adults , develop one of the most spectacular renovate franchises of the 100 . Shrekhas had a monolithic influence over internet meme cultivation , which began in the 2000s and has remained predominant .

7Mamma Mia!

Directed by Phyllida Lloyd (2008)

Romantic comedies and musicals were two genres that succeeded greatly in the 2000s . Mamma Mia!captured the good of both genres , with its timeless ABBA soundtrack perfectly congratulate its romantic drollery plot . The blithe and feel - good nature reflects the ten ’s style for escapism and elated entertainment . Mamma Mia!is one of the most fun film of the decade , with its dazzle music and gumption of itchy feet in Greece invoke to the spirit of meg of viewer .

6Mean Girls

Directed by Mark Waters (2004)

While Adam McKay and Will Ferrell ’s comedies were essential to adult acculturation , clowning picture likeMean GirlsandSuperbadwere a phenomenon in 2000s teen culture . Despite its satirical nature , Tina Fey’sportrayal of social hierarchy and high-pitched school dynamics resonate with vernal interview . Lindsay Lohan was a massive star then , andMean Girlsonly elevate her popularity . The card and comedic fashion of the motion-picture show reflected back on 2000s society , asMean Girlsinvented many iconic verbalism .

5Harry Potter And The Sorcerer’s Stone

Directed by Chris Columbus (2001)

TheHarry Potterfilms and novels were an indispensable part of the 2000s culture that became mandatory for untested adults . Of course , the motion-picture show appealed to watcher of all age , telling one of the most adored innovative stories . The Sorcerer ’s Stoneintroduced movie audiences to the wizarding world of Hogwarts , Diagon Alley , and more . The child actors perfectly body forth their record vis-a-vis , and iconic actors like Alan Rickman and Richard Harris step in to bring in the adult graphic symbol to life . While previous decades hadThe SandlotandThe Goonies , theHarry Potterfilms are the classical amount - of - age film of the 2000s .

4Brokeback Mountain

Directed by Ang Lee (2005)

While LGBTQ+ pic are more common in 2023 , the amusement industry was n’t as various in the 2000s . Brokeback Mountainwas groundbreaking for its portraying of a same - sex activity relationship . In a period where discussions of representation were find more visibility , the commercial-grade and decisive success of Ang Lee ’s classicwas monumental . Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal give phenomenal functioning in the movie .

3The Lord Of The Rings - The Return Of The King

Directed by Peter Jackson (2003)

The winner of 11 Academy Awards and a box office of over $ 1 billion , The Return of the Kingis a quintessential 2000s classic . Peter Jackson’sLord of the Ringstrilogy is one of the most beloved and enchanting display of cinematic magicever and was widely influential on the blockbusters of the X . Movies likeThe Chronicles of NarniaandThe Golden Compassfollowed in its succeeder . Jackson ’s innovative economic consumption of motion capture technology for Gollum was also enormously meaning for CGI - heavy films that followed it , likeAvatar .

2The Devil Wears Prada

Directed by David Frankel (2006)

Starring Meryl Streep , Anne Hathaway , and Emily Blunt , The Devil Wears Pradais one of the most iconic pic of the 2000s . Beyond the film world , David Frankel ’s film reflects on the maturate influence of the style industry on 2000s pop culture . Not to mention , the mellow - press world and evil political boss depicted inThe Devil Wears Pradaresonated with viewers in their work finish . The film was an contiguous classic filled with memorable quote , becoming an integral part of 2000s civilization .

1Avatar

Directed by James Cameron (2009)

James Cameron ’s epic revolutionize 3D movie viewing and the smash hit experience withAvatar . Cameron broke his own criminal record for the highest - grossing picture show ever , which he had previously set withTitanic , asAvatarmade $ 2.7 billion worldwide in its original release . Groundbreaking3D engineering madeAvatara crown spectacle of the 2000sthat became required theater of operations viewing . The film was a huge deal , as technology allowed viewer to plunge themselves in a fictional world like never before .

Sidious, Tyranus, Maul, and Vader.

Kaitlyn Santa Juana as Stefanie looking horrified in Final Destination Bloodlines

How Rachel Zegler’s

movies_necessary_tounderstand_the2000s

Headshot Of Christian Bale In The <code>The Pale Blue Eye</code> LA Premiere

Headshot Of Heath Ledger In The 2006 Oscars Nominees Luncheon

Headshot of Aaron Eckhart

Headshot Of Gary Oldman In The 77th Cannes Film Festival

The cast of Anchorman getting ready to fight

Headshot Of Will Ferrell In The premiere of Illumination&rsquo;s &lsquo;Despicable Me 4&rsquo;

Headshot Of Christina Applegate in The 26th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards

Headshot Of Paul Rudd In The  &lsquo;Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire&rsquo; Premiere

Headshot Of Steve Carell In The premiere of Illumination&rsquo;s &lsquo;Despicable Me 4&rsquo;

Shrek bursts from his outhouse in Shrek

Headshot Of Mike Myers

Headshot Of Eddie Murphy In The Los Angeles premiere of Amazon Prime Video&rsquo;s &lsquo;Candy Cane Lane&rsquo;

Headshot Of Cameron Diaz

Headshot Of John Lithgow

Lily James, Amanda Seyfried, and Meryl Streep in promotional artwork for Mamma Mia 2

The Plastics and Cady from Mean Girls posing in a school hallway

Headshot Of Amy Poehler In The 2024 CinemaCon Big Screen Achievement Awards

Cast Placeholder Image

Headshot Of Tina Fey

Headshot Of Rachel McAdams In The Premiere of ‘Are You There God? It&rsquo;s Me, Margaret’

Headshot of Daniel Radcliffe In The London screening of &lsquo;The Lost City&rsquo;

Headshot Of Rupert Grint

Headshot Of Emma Watson In The Kering Foundation Caring For Women Dinner

Ennis and Jack looking off in the distance in Brokeback Mountain

Headshot Of Jake Gyllenhaal

Headshot Of Michelle Williams

Headshot Of Elijah Wood

Headshot Of Ian McKellen In The USA Rights Only

headshot Of Liv Tyler

Headshot Of Viggo Mortensen

Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway in a car in The Devil Wears Prada

Headshot Of Anne Hathaway In The 2024 Film Independent Spirit Awards

Headshot Of Stanley Tucci

77th Cannes Film Festival - Opening Ceremony Official Gala DinnerHeadshot Of Meryl Streep In The

Headshot of Adrian Grenier

Headshot Of Sam Worthington In the Los Angeles premiere of &lsquo;Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 1&rsquo;

Headshot of Stephen Lang In the New York premiere of &lsquo;A Gentleman In Moscow&rsquo;

Headshot Of Michelle Rodriguez

Headshot Of Sigourney Weaver In The James Cameron And Jon Landau Handprints And Footprints Ceremony.