Top 10 Movies of the 2000s

Based on Ian Fleming’s very first Bond novel, the twenty-first film in this thrilling franchise breathed new life into the British secret agent. Following 007 as he earns his 00 status, we see Bond on a quest to take down infamous arms dealer Le Chiffre. That involves a high-stakes poker match, and defending himself from swarms of henchmen, but it’s nothing this SIS officer can’t handle. With Daniel Craig bringing cold and calculating characteristics to the character, fans and critics couldn’t get enough of the new-and-improved Bond.

It’s the Pixar film that helped pave the way for other computer-animated successes. When superhero dad Mr. Incredible comes out of retirement for a new mission, his wife and kids are pulled into the thick of it too – but fortunately, they also have superpowers. Filled with critically acclaimed visual effects and flawless animation, “The Incredibles” is an adorable film that blends suburban humor with exciting action, allowing it to fly home with the Best Animated Feature Oscar.

Mixing science fiction and romance, this Michel Gondry film is a departure for funnyman Jim Carrey. But alongside Kate Winslet, it’s a refreshing delight that nabbed the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay. After discovering his former love has deleted him from her memory through a new and advanced procedure, Joel Barish sets out to do the same. But he soon has second thoughts. As doctors attempt to chase down all memories of Joel’s love, we enter the frightened labyrinth of his mind.

After being betrayed by a jealous son of a king, renowned Roman army General Maximus Decimus Meridius finds his family murdered and his life torn apart. Eventually ending up as a gladiatorial warrior in Rome with nothing left to lose; he proves that no matter how bad things get you must always fight for your humanity. With its brilliant battle sequences and Russell Crowe’s unyielding performance, this Ridley Scott sword-and-sandals epic won a slew of Oscars, including Best Picture.

Picking up on the themes of their previous films, the Coen brothers faithfully adapt this Cormac McCarthy novel. When a man finds a mother lode of cash after a drug deal goes sour, he becomes the target of a compassionless assassin. We watch as this monosyllabic hit man ploughs through all that get in his way as he hunts the money down. It’s an Academy Award-winning case of cat and mouse, masterfully executed at the hand of the Coen brothers.

An insight into the chaotic world of the Iraq war, “The Hurt Locker” follows maverick bomb disposal expert Sergeant First Class William James. With his no-nonsense approach to his trade, Sergeant James’ methods soon spark dispute between him and his fellow soldiers. Packed with action, drama and insanely tense moments, Kathryn Bigelow’s “The Hurt Locker” delivers a unique and different point of view from the battlefield that took home several Oscars.

Betrayal, secrecy and violence – a classic Scorsese recipe that won four Oscars. With a mole in both the FBI and the mob, we watch as each rat gnaws away at secret intel. The combination of Leonardo DiCaprio’s determined Billy Costigan and Matt Damon’s cocky Colin Sullivan makes for an entertaining battle, as each of them tries to discover the identity of the other. Throw in Jack Nicholson’s portrayal of Frank Costello and you’ve got one helluva movie.

Brought to us by Paul Thomas Anderson, this drama follows prospector Daniel Plainview as he builds his empire during the Southern California Oil Boom. While he’s met with many speed bumps along the way, it’s watching Daniel Day-Lewis portray the character’s descent into greed and madness at the cost of all else that makes it a truly gripping watch. Both the character and Anderson’s film are unyielding and ambitious, and both helped win Day-Lewis his second Oscar for Best Actor.

Completing the trilogy initiated back in 2001, “The Return of the King” splits its epically long runtime between Aragorn and his men battling Sauron’s army, and Frodo’s journey to Mount Doom to destroy the One Ring. Thanks to these two running plots, we get a heady mix of heavy violence and delicate storytelling that’s been called one of cinema’s great achievements. By closing mirroring J.R.R. Tolkien’s book, this movie gives fan-boys something to shout about. The Academy was equally impressed, awarding the picture a record-tying 11 Oscars.

- “Almost Famous” (2000)
- “Kill Bill: Vol. 1” (2003)
- “Avatar” (2009)
- “Pan’s Labyrinth” (2006)
- “Finding Nemo” (2003)

Proving superhero movies don’t need to be filled with spandex and cheesy sendoff lines, Christopher Nolan’s second Batman film redefined the genre, and impressed both comic book fans and the general public alike. Dark, twisted, and deeper than the franchise’s previous entry, the story follows the Caped Crusader as he faces off against the infamous Joker, played by an electric Heath Ledger. Though Ledger passed away before the film’s release, he was awarded a posthumous Oscar for his work, which helped give Batman’s story a gritty and realistic spin.

Do you agree with our list? What’s your favorite movie of the 2000s? For more thrilling top 10s published every day, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.