25 Movies That Are Still Good 25 Years Later

25 Movies That Are Still Good 25 Years Later

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the best movies from the turn of the century that are still worth watching today. We will be including movies that first premiered in 1999 or were wide-released in 2001. As long as they attracted attention of some kind in 2000, they’ll count.

#25: “Meet the Parents” (2000)

Few actors can turn an awkward situation into comedy gold like Ben Stiller, and his abilities reach a fever pitch in this lovable cringe fest. Greg is a nurse looking to propose to his girlfriend Pam, but he must first endure that universal, yet no less frightening, experience of meeting his future in-laws. Running afoul of Pam’s overbearing father, played by an amusingly deadpan Robert De Niro, Greg’s unintentional antics lead to a nightmarish weekend of hilarious proportions. Although its exchanges are uncomfortable, “Meet the Parents” is an exceptionally well written movie because of that, and the terrific chemistry between its two leads sell every awkward beat. These characters may be a little salty, but the movie’s message about family and acceptance is certifiably sweet.

#24: “Billy Elliot” (2000)

Another heartwarming story of family, “Billy Elliot” earns its wholesome distinction for entirely different reasons. Following a working class boy who discovers his passion for ballet during a time of social upheaval, it’s a film that offers universal lessons regardless of the time and place it’s set in. Billy’s ability to channel his unexpressed feelings into his art speaks to anyone who longs to do the same, regardless of what others may think. But the movie doesn’t hand us that lesson on a silver platter, as its honest portrayal of unrest and inequality ensures us that we must earn our accomplishments every step of the way. With excellent dance sequences and hard won inner battles, “Billy Elliot” comes together like the most beautiful cinematic bow.

#23: “Snatch” (2000)

Of the many imitators who hoped to replicate the quirky dialogue and crime thrills of “Pulp Fiction,” Guy Ritchie did it better than anyone with “Snatch.” With a cast that includes Brad Pitt, Jason Statham, and Benicio del Toro, this black comedy set in London’s criminal underworld brings together the stories of a boxer, a mob boss, and a coveted diamond. Tarantino’s influence can be felt in the larger-than-life characters and over-the-top violence, but Ritchie’s direction and supremely quotable screenplay help make “Snatch” its own thing. Amplified by its self-aware tone and buffoonish performances, it’s a rollercoaster that runs on its own track, but it’s one we should be willing to ride at least once. Even if we have to use subtitles to understand everything.

#22: “Shadow of the Vampire” (2000)

Believe it or not, 2024’s “Nosferatu” was NOT Willem Dafoe’s first encounter with the monstrous Count Orlok. That actually came with this satirical horror flick, which recounts the making of the original “Nosferatu” and stars Dafoe as Max Schreck, the actor who first assumed the role of Orlok. “Shadow of the Vampire” throws us for a loop by envisioning Schreck as an actual vampire who hunts the crew and his fellow castmates. In an Oscar-nominated performance, Dafoe uses popular conceptions about the legendary actor to his advantage, using his introverted disposition as a mask for his dark tendencies. While it makes for an amusing send-up of the filmmaking process, it’s also a surprisingly scary film that honors the legacy of horror in its earliest days.

#21: “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas” (2000)

The story itself was already a classic, and inspired an iconic TV special back in 1966. But the perennial delight of revisiting this take on “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” can be summed up in two magical words: Jim Carrey! Dressed from head to toe in Oscar-winning makeup, Carrey’s grumpy antics and hilarious improvisations make for what may be the most memorable version of the green meanie. But with an expanded story, this “Grinch” brings its message about community and friendship into greater focus by giving the character a backstory that we can’t help but sympathize with. There’s room for everyone in our hearts, especially during the holidays, and thanks to Carrey’s commitment, it’s easy for us to carve out a place for the Grinch.

#20: “Unbreakable” (2000)

M. Night Shyamalan’s movies have invited plenty of skepticism, some of them with good reason. But the writer-director did well to anticipate moviegoers’ increasing fascination with superheroes in his underrated sophomore outing. Starring Bruce Willis as an everyman reluctant to embrace his superhuman abilities, “Unbreakable” delivers on the hallmarks of comic book-inspired stories through Shyamalan’s unique visual style. But it's the relationship between David Dunn and Samuel L. Jackson’s Elijah Price that elevates the film into a more suspenseful and meditative superhero outing with real-world implications. This grounded approach brings with it a greater focus on character than the genre often gets on the big screen. The terrific performances and disturbing twists do much to distinguish “Unbreakable” in a time dominated by more conventional fare.

#19: “You Can Count on Me” (2000)

Having won an Oscar for “Manchester by the Sea,” Kenneth Lonergan solidified his gift for writing naturalistic family drama. That uncompromising realism propelled him to notoriety when his debut feature, “You Can Count on Me,” took home the top prize at the Sundance Film Festival. Starring Laura Linney and Mark Ruffalo as a pair of estranged siblings reconnecting after years apart, the movie is at its best when the characters are forced to reveal their innermost selves. This relationship is contentious to say the least, but “You Can Count on Me” is better off for not giving them an easy path to redemption. It’s a movie that feels all too real at times, but it speaks perfectly to the often agonizing experience that is life.

#18: “Amores perros” (2000)

Overlapping narratives is a recurring theme on this list, and this interconnected drama from Mexican auteur Alejandro González Iñárritu is one of the finest the country has to offer. “Amores perros” chronicles the lives of three people on the outskirts of society, and their stories are connected by a fateful car accident in Mexico City. Each story captures the characters’ desire for connection and understanding, and while their goals are simple, the lengths they’ll go to achieve them are chaotic and at times disturbing. Iñárritu’s direction is intense yet tightly focused, giving us cause to look away but understanding that we must keep watching one story in order to understand the others. It’s far from a happy experience, but a powerful one nonetheless.

#17: “Remember the Titans” (2000)

2000 gave us another heartfelt football film in “The Replacements,” but when it comes to inspirational gridiron flicks, “Remember the Titans” is the cream of the crop. Launching an underrated streak of biographical sports dramas for Disney, this one finds Denzel Washington as the head coach of a newly integrated football team. The Titans find themselves forced to confront the prejudice of their community in order to put together a winning season, but they have a valuable voice of reason in Coach Boone. Washington’s charisma and knack for delivering powerful monologues provide “Remember the Titans” with the right ingredients for a cinematic touchdown. But the movie truly excels in portraying difficult subject matter without talking down to those hoping to learn from it.

#16: “Chicken Run” (2000)

A not-so-subtle reimagining of “The Great Escape,” only the geniuses at Aardman Animation could center a story of heroic derring-do around a flock of animals known for their cowardice. “Chicken Run” absolutely soars thanks to the absurdity of its concept, which comes complete with entertaining characters and an intelligent script for good measure. Aardman’s signature blend of claymation and slapstick humor gives the film a timeless quality, providing enough physical texture to balance out the film’s surprising thoughtful themes. The strategy and execution of the chickens’ farm escape remains incredibly exciting, staying true to the spirit of the movie it riffs on. But it's the sincere approach to ideas like feminism, exploitation, and revolution that make “Chicken Run” a cut above the average family film.

#15: “High Fidelity” (2000)

Why does love hurt so much? And why does it seem like we can only make the wrong moves in our relationships? These are the questions this offbeat rom-com attempts to answer. With John Cusack in the lead role, “High Fidelity” zeroes in on Rob Gordon as he attempts to understand why he’s doomed to be single. With a killer soundtrack and ingenious fourth wall breaks in tow, Rob takes us through his most memorable breakups, including the one that’s currently playing out. Unlike many romantic comedies, “High Fidelity” openly acknowledges its protagonist’s flaws, with his asides to the camera highlighting his struggle to change. Nevertheless, Cusack’s self-deprecating wit gives Rob the tools to grow, effectively heightening the movie’s refreshingly honest take on the genre.

#14: “The Virgin Suicides” (1999)

Premiering at the Cannes Film Festival in 1999 before going wide a year later, this drama announced Sofia Coppola as a filmmaking talent to rival her legendary father. Following a group of sheltered sisters who become subjects of fascination to the neighborhood boys, “The Virgin Suicides” is distinguished by its unorthodox structure. The movie purposefully keeps us at a distance from the Lisbon family, almost as if we can only see what happens in their home from the sidewalk outside. This ambiguity gives the film a relatable feel, paralleling our lack of understanding with the sisters’ inability to discover their true selves. Although it culminates in a tragic outcome, “The Virgin Suicides” remains palatable due to its mature approach to subjects like conservatism and self-harm.

#13: “Best in Show” (2000)

The true brilliance of this mockumentary is just how well it understands the ridiculousness of the culture it’s parodying. In other words, if “Best in Show” were a genuine account of real people in the dog show scene, it would still be just as strange and hilarious. That only makes its eccentric ensemble of aspiring champions and their canines that much more endearing. Choosing this cast was clearly a delicate art unto itself, as the likes of Catherine O’Hara, Eugene Levy, and Jennifer Coolidge all understand their improvisational assignments. They could read as potentially annoying, but writer-director Christopher Guest ensures that there’s something to love about each of them. It’s a balance of silly and sweet that any comedy hopeful should look to for inspiration.

#12: “X-Men” (2000)

The X-Men will always be around to save the day. Yet, the call they answered back in 2000 was so much bigger than they, or any of us, could have anticipated. After a series of commercial failures left superhero movies dead in the water, the genre found a remedy and then some at Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters. With its perfectly assembled cast, thought-provoking themes, and, perhaps most importantly, faithfulness to the comics, “X-Men” embodies everything great about superhero fiction. As the first installment of the long-running franchise, its most commendable quality is arguably its humility. It understands the richness of its characters and ideas without forcing everything on us at once, leaving us satisfied yet all the more excited to move onto the sequels.

#11: “The Emperor’s New Groove” (2000)

One of the great what-ifs in Disney’s storied history, there’s no telling if the epic musical drama “The Emperor’s New Groove” was originally conceived as would have been great. We only know that what it became is a tough act for any animated movie to follow. Starring a slew of hilarious characters, this wacky tale of a self-absorbed emperor who is turned into a llama by his power-hungry advisor is about as close to a Looney Tunes short as Disney gets. Expert comedic chemistry amongst the cast gives the film loads of personality, as does an infinitely quotable screenplay that never fails to make us roll on the floor laughing. It’s absurdist comedy for absurdist comedy’s sake, and we can’t get enough of it.

#10: “Cast Away” (2000)

Anyone who believes that spending two hours with only one character should put “Cast Away” at the top of their watchlist. Robert Zemeckis’s adventure drama makes expert use of its solitary setting and its sole inhabitant. In one of his most transformative and gut-wrenching performances, Tom Hanks gives life to FedEx worker Chuck Noland, who spends four years calling his tropical surroundings home after a fatal plane crash. With only a volleyball named Wilson to keep him company, Chuck’s determination to survive is as moving a testament to the human spirit as cinema has to offer. Although Zemeckis’s films are known for their use of groundbreaking visual effects, it’s the simplicity and tangibility of “Cast Away” that make it one of his finest offerings.

#9: “Requiem for a Dream” (2000)

Few movies take as direct an approach to dire subject matter the way this one does, but that’s exactly why “Requiem for a Dream” deserves to be experienced. Following four people in the throes of substance use disorder, its morose tone and riveting performances make it one of cinema’s most consistently heartbreaking movies. With each character helplessly searching for their next high in an eternal struggle, the film both starts and ends from a place of desperation and despair. The haunting imagery is both thought-provoking and utterly terrifying, taking things about as far as they can go without descending into traditional horror. “Requiem for a Dream” initiates the conversation around the issue with open honesty, and the results are both deeply troubling and deeply effective.

#8: “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” (2000)

We’re more than excited about Christopher Nolan’s upcoming adaptation of “The Odyssey.” But we haven’t forgotten about the fantastic, if not quite as fantastical, take on Homer’s epic that the Coen brothers have already blessed us with. Exchanging ancient Greece for Depression-era Mississippi, George Clooney assumes the Odysseus role as Everett, a convict who ropes his two buddies into ditching their chain gang to search for treasure. It’s an old-fashioned adventure made all the more enthralling by its incredible soundtrack, which is widely considered one of the greatest of all time. The eclectic mix of folk, bluegrass, and gospel is, in many ways, a character unto itself, giving the outlandish escapades a homespun charm that enhances the film’s perfect recreation of a time gone by.

#7: “Traffic” (2000)

Steven Soderbergh is one of the only filmmakers to receive two Oscar nominations for Best Director in the same year. While his work on “Erin Brockovich” is equally commendable, the movie he ultimately won the award for, “Traffic,” takes rawness and urgency to the next level. Centering multiple stories around the illegal drug trade, each thread is united by the film’s uncompromising depiction of a world corrupted by substance use and its long-term effects. With an all-star cast providing humanity to even its most unlikeable characters, “Traffic” bravely explores morally gray concepts like justice, self-interest, and accountability. It’s by no means easy viewing, but it understands the dimensions of its subject enough to know that posing difficult questions is more meaningful than providing easy answers.

#6: “American Psycho” (2000)

This adaptation attracted about as much controversy as the Bret Easton Ellis novel that inspired it. But with its unique blend of psychological horror and biting satire, “American Psycho” has only grown more and more relevant with each passing year. Christian Bale is at his absolute best as the vain and sociopathic Patrick Bateman, finding nuance in the vain exterior that just barely conceals the investment banker’s murderous proclivities. “American Psycho” is at once deeply disturbing and uncomfortably hilarious, casting aspersions on capitalism and toxic masculinity in one fell swoop. With a troubled protagonist that we both fear and can’t help but laugh at, the brilliant tonal balance is matched only by its iconic lead performance and its oddly quotable dialogue.

#5: “In the Mood for Love” (2000)

Hailed for his vivid color palettes and introspective storytelling, Hong Kong director Wong Kar-wai made the most romantic movie of the year with “In the Mood for Love.” Following two people who begin seeing one another after their spouses start an affair, it’s a movie all about the missed opportunities that come with unfortunate circumstances. The chemistry between Maggie Cheung and Tony Leung Chiu-wai is off the charts, with quiet moments and longful expressions conveying more than physical contact ever could. As Chow and Su reckon with their desires and their need to protect what they already have, it becomes clear that this won’t be a fairytale ending. And yet, it remains one of cinema’s greatest depictions of romance at its most intimate and complicated.

#4: “Almost Famous” (2000)

Loosely based on his own experiences, Cameron Crowe wrote and directed this coming-of-age tale about a teenage journalist covering the life and times of the rock band Stillwater. Although “Almost Famous” wasn’t a financial success, it was one of the most acclaimed films of 2000. With its nuanced yet entertaining assortment of easy-going rockers, not to mention its authentically calibrated soundtrack of ‘70s classics, the film perfectly captures the mentality of the period it celebrates. But Crowe’s deft handling of sobering themes like the price of fame and its superficial pleasures is what truly sets it apart from others like it. There aren’t many movies that use rock ‘n roll to teach us a valuable lesson, and that’s exactly what this one does.

#3: “Gladiator” (2000)

About halfway through this phenomenal historical epic, imprisoned gladiator Maximus asks his spectators a very important question, and one that echoes the experience of watching his story. Entertained, we most certainly are, as “Gladiator” has held up as a cornerstone of its genre strong enough to rival any of its forebears from decades prior. It accomplishes all of this with heart-racing action, impeccable production values, and stunning performances from Russell Crowe as Maximus and Joaquin Phoenix as the wicked Commodus. Director Ridley Scott’s perfectionist tendencies more than paid off, as “Gladiator” would go on to win Best Picture at the Academy Awards and inspire a veritable army of imitators. Not bad for a movie that started shooting without a completed script.

#2: “Memento” (2000)

Although he’s now one of Hollywood’s most respected filmmakers, Christopher Nolan first made a splash with this unassuming yet innovative thriller. Starring Guy Pearce as an amnesiac searching for his wife’s killer, it’s one of cinema’s truest testaments to word-of-mouth interest and the power of going into a film completely blind. With a narrative involving two plot lines that play out in different orders, “Memento” is undeniably complex, inviting both frustration and intrigue. But it's also a wholly unique depiction of grief that drops us fully into its protagonist’s dizzying state of mind. Topped off by an ending so good we wish we could wipe it from our memories, it’s a puzzle we’ll never completely solve, but Nolan more than trusts us to keep trying.

#1: “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” (2000)

Both the action genre and international cinema have hit a stride in the 21st century, and it’s arguably thanks to the unprecedented success of this wuxia masterpiece. “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” stars screen legends Michell Yeoh and Chow Yun-fat as two warriors searching for a mythical sword in 19th century China. Setting the example for every martial arts movie to follow, the delicate wire work gives the characters a gravity-defying appearance, lending the fight scenes a balletic and ultimately incomparable feel. Any one of them are movies unto themselves, but they're made stronger by terrific performances and Ang Lee’s calculated direction. The quest for the Green Destiny has true consequences, and we can’t help but hold our breath every time we see it play out.




What’s your favorite movie from the year 2000? What movies will we still be talking about in the year 3000? Let us know down in the comments!