My Favourite Films of the 2000’s Ranked

Not many decades created movies as memorable as the 2000’s. A groundbreaking era, the 2000’s forever changed the art of Cinema. Whether its Roman gladiators, caped crusaders or fantastical ring bearers, the decade created many strong characters. Given the sheer number of movies in the decade, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my picks for the best movies of a decade that deserves to be celebrated.

1. The Dark Knight

The Joker is a legendary comic-book villain that my brother always loved dearly. As far as I remember, my brother appreciated the Joker. I remember a brother that acknowledged the character. He grew up to embrace a frightening villain holding a special place in his heart that left smiles on his face. Through his lifelong love for the Joker, my brother inspired me to make my film criticism dreams come true. As someone treasuring bright memories of a brother that loved the Joker, I adored “The Dark Knight”. Ever since its release in 2008, Christopher Nolan’s film has stood the test of time as the greatest movie of the 2000’s decade. With the greatest film of his career, Nolan used innovative cinematic techniques to celebrate a comic-book villain evoking fear. Nolan has an aptitude for staging action in movies, and his strengths are evident in “The Dark Knight”. For instance, the scene in which Batman interrogates the Joker in a tense one-on-one confrontation in the police station is one of the greatest moments of the 2000’s decade. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Heath Ledger, who did an extraordinary job of portraying a legendary comic-book character. Ledger gave an extraordinary performance serving as a reminder of the great actor he once was before he tragically passed away. Ultimately, what makes “The Dark Knight” a comic-book classic is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about terrorism which would resonate with everyone. Unlike most comic-book movies, it tackles universal themes that everyone would relate to. Nearly 20 years following the release of a groundbreaking comic-book film about caped crusaders seeking to save cities from villains that are terrifying, it’s a riveting reminder about a decade that produced engaging movies which are worth celebrating.

2. The Pianist

Individuals with a strong drive to survive disaster have always inspired me. At an early age, my family faced a grim bombing in Saudi Arabia that caused damage. Truth be told, at the time I was only five years old. Through my parent’s drive to survive, I made it out of the bomb blast without a scratch alive. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured the strong will of individuals that survive disasters which are missed as powerfully as “The Pianist”. Released in 2002, Roman Polanski’s movie offered a powerful portrait of a Jewish pianist that miraculously survived ghettos in WWII. Drawing from his personal experience, Polanski used innovative cinematic techniques to capture Jewish survival in WWII. For instance, the scene in which Szpilman breaks down in tears after he is separated from his parents causing despair is one of the finest moments of the 2000’s decade. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance from Adrien Brody, who embodied a real-life pianist that survived genocide catastrophe. Ultimately, what makes “The Pianist” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a strong message about survival which would resonate with everyone. 90 years after a Jewish pianist managed to survive ghettos in WWII, it’s a strong reminder of a great decade that never lost its abilities to captivate making timeless movies audiences value.

3. Pride and Prejudice

Jane Austen is a legendary author whose literature my mother has always loved dearly. I remember bonding with a mother that appreciated the author. She was drawn towards the sense and sensibility of an author that shaped her identity. As someone treasuring fond memories of a mother that took pride in an author without prejudice, I adored “Pride and Prejudice”. Released in 2005, Joe Wright’s movie offered a beautiful adaptation of Jane Austen’s beloved book. Wright has an aptitude for capturing romance through visuals, and “Pride and Prejudice” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. For instance, the scene in which Elizabeth confronts Mr. Darcy in the rain about destroying her sister’s marriage is one of the best moments of the’s decade. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Keira Knightley, who embodies a legendary character. Ultimately, what makes “Pride and Prejudice” a literary classic is its message. The film delivers a strong message about social class which would resonate with everyone. Centuries following the publication of a book about prejudiced women forming romantic relationships with pride, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a great decade that never lost abilities to leave audiences satisfied.

4. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

The Lord of the Rings is a fantastic fantasy franchise my teacher has always loved dearly. At an early age, I formed a strong bond with a teacher that loved a grand series about rings causing damage. Drawn towards rings that were dangerous, he loved a series holding a place in his heart that was precious. As someone treasuring a teacher that loved a franchise about a precious ring, I adored “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring”. Ever since its release in 2001, Peter Jackson’s movie has become as one of the greatest fantasy films ever made. It isn’t easy to adapt a legendary fantasy book on the big-screen, but Jackson succeeded immensely. Jackson has always excelled at creating action in his movies, and his strengths are clearly evident in “The Fellowship of the Ring”. For instance, the iconic “You Shall Not Pass” scene in which Gandalf battles a dragon is one of the best moments of the 2000’s decade. Ultimately, what makes “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring” a fantasy masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a profound message about teamwork which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 70 years following the publication of a world-famous fantasy book capturing rings that are dangerous, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated decade that produced movies which audiences consider to be precious.

5. Gladiator

Gladiators are grand historical figures that my grandfather has always loved dearly. At an early age, I formed strong bonds with a grandfather that had immense knowledge about gladiators with courage. He would speak fondly about Rome as a place he considered his home. As someone treasuring fond memories of a grandfather that loved Roman gladiators, I adored “Gladiator”. Released in 2000, Ridley Scott’s movie offered an insightful glimpse at ancient Roman gladiators in history. Scott has always had an eye for filming spectacle, and “Gladiator” showcased his strengths as a director. For instance, the iconic scene in which Maximus asks the crowd of spectators in the Colosseum whether they are entertained is one of the greatest moments of 2000’s Cinema. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Russell Crowe, who embodies an ancient Roman gladiator that fought centuries ago. Ultimately, what makes “Gladiator” a medieval masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a profound message about vengeance which would resonate with everyone. A grand portrait of gladiators in ancient Roman history, it’s a great reminder of a decade that has created a lasting legacy producing memorable movies audiences love dearly.

6. A Beautiful Mind

When discussing the greatest mathematicians in American history, it’s worth recognizing John Nash. A one-of-a-kind mathematician, Nash gained recognition. Creating theories that were groundbreaking, Nash built a legacy which was lasting. In 2001, Ron Howard honoured the mathematician with a beautiful mind in his Oscar-winning biopic “A Beautiful Mind”. Unlike most movies of the decade, what makes “A Beautiful Mind” stand out is its depiction of mental illness. Howard used cinematic techniques to capture the mind of a mathematician with Schizophrenia. At the centre of it all is an amazing performance by Russell Crowe, who embodies a mathematician. A breathtaking tribute to a mathematician with a beautiful mind, it’s a brilliant reminder of a decade that has made one-of-a-kind movies leaving a legacy behind.

7. Casino Royale

James Bond is a spectacular spy that my father has always loved dearly. Several years ago, I formed a strong bond with a father that loved 007. He would always speak fondly about a spy with no time to die with whom he could identity. In 2006, Martin Campbell introduction the spy with the ability to enthral to a modern generation in his movie “Casino Royale”. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Casino Royale” stand out is its gritty action. Campbell staged breathtaking action sequences using shaky cinematography to capture Bond’s fighting style. At the centre of it all is a phenomenal performance from Daniel Craig, who embodied the legendary spy with no time to die. A brilliant beginning of a franchise about a legendary spy, it’s a strong reminder about an genre that has produced memorable movies that satisfy.

8. The Devil Wears Prada

Bosses are powerful figures shaping employees’ futures. I remember working for a cruel manager that would often treat employees in a poor manner. She was a demanding person that would commonly humiliate employees which showed up late. As someone reminiscing memories of a devilish manager with nostalgia, I loved “The Devil Wears Prada”. Released in 2006, David Frankel’s movie captured a devilish manager running a fashion company. Frankel captured the fashion that defined the era through stunning costume-design. Anchored by an amazing performance by Anne Hathaway, Frankel created a film that remains a classic today. A dazzling depiction of devilish managers in fashion-design, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a decade that has never lost abilities to shine by producing movies audiences consider to be divine.

9. Million Dollar Baby

Few filmmakers in Hollywood are as beloved as Clint Eastwood. During the early 2000’s, Eastwood made several unforgettable movies that are considered classics today. Eastwood’s strengths as a filmmaker are arguably most evident in “Million Dollar Baby”. Released in 2004, Eastwood’s commemorated movie depicted a female boxer seeking prosperity. Unlike most movies made during the decade, what makes “Million Dollar Baby” stand out is its powerful emotion. Eastwood stages breathtaking boxing scenes packing a powerful emotional punch. Assisted by Hilary Swank who is fantastic in the lead role, Eastwood creates a compelling boxing classic. As strong as female boxers Frankie Dunn seeks to train, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated decade that produced memorable movies which never lost abilities to entertain.

10. Slumdog Millionaire

India is a misunderstood country that’s rarely portrayed accurately in movies. Hollywood has often struggling to paint an accurate portrait of a country that’s misunderstood. In an industry where authentic portrayals of India are rare, it’s worth praising “Slumdog Millionaire”. Released in 2008, Danny Boyle’s Oscar-winning movie honoured India. Boyle deftly used non-linear storytelling to paint a portrait of a country that’s compelling. Assisted by Dev Patel who is phenomenal in the lead role, Boyle honoured Indian culture. Although the film has been criticized for its depiction of poverty in India, it’s still one of the finest films of the 2000’s. As powerful as Jamal’s desire to be a millionaire in India, it’s a strong reminder of an era that made great movies which I will forever treasure for shaping my lifelong love of Cinema.