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 Ringsin the early years, andIron Man,Dark Knight, andAvatarat 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and inspiring, even if its vision of CBS News as an organization even remotely capable of dissent renders it hopelessly outdated.RentGood Night, and Good Luckfrom Prime Video.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.RentInside Manfrom 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.RentMaster and Commanderfrom 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.StreamThe Scoreon Paramount+.
Scooby-Doo(2002)
Critically savaged on its initial release,Scooby-Doolives 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.StreamScooby-Dooon Tubior 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.StreamNational Treasureon 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.StreamThe Ringon Paramount+.
The Family Stone(2005)
Holiday gatherings always offer great potential for comedy and drama, withThe Family Stonelanding 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.StreamThe Family Stoneon Disney+,Prime Video, andHulu.
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.RentPan's Labyrinthfrom 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.RentCasino Royalefrom 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.StreamTriangleon 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.StreamCharlie's Angelson Netflixor 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.”StreamDreamgirlson Paramount+and Netflix or rent it from Prime Video.
The Mist(2007)
Frank Darabont, known for earlier, generally feel-good Stephen King adaptationsThe Shawshank RedemptionandThe 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.StreamThe Miston Tubior 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.StreamMoulin Rouge!on Netflixor 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.StreamNo Country for Old Menon 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.StreamThe Devil Wears Pradaon Disney+and Huluor 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.StreamAlmost Famouson 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.StreamThe Incredibleson 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.StreamLove & Basketballon Tubior 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.StreamIn the Mood for Loveon HBOMaxand The Criterion Channel or rent it fromPrime Video.
Jennifer’s Body(2009)
Only the real ones knew what to do withJennifer’s Bodyin 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).RentJennifer's Bodyfrom Prime Video.
Mean Girls(2004)
Given the movie’s impressive longevity, it’s tempting to callMean Girlsa 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.StreamMean GirlsonParamount+and Netflix or rent it fromPrime Video.
