A JOINT BLOG FROM ANDREW DIAZ AND LIAM SMITH

For the first time in Student Union Sports history, a duo has come together to construct a list of the top 50 films of the 2000s. Site Owner Liam Smith and I, the Head of Pop Culture Content (a self-imposed promotion), are joining forces to delve into a topic that we’re both passionate about—movies. And not just any movies. We’re talking about perhaps the best decade in film history: the 2000s.

Over the past two years, we’ve spent hours texting about our various movie takes. Finally, we are collaborating to rank the 50 best films of the decade. This was far from an easy task, as we often butted heads on which films deserve a spot on the list or where certain films should be placed. Questions like “Is Snatch a top 30 film of the decade?” or “Where do you stand on Adaptation?” sparked intense conversations between the two of us during the selection process.

I could go on and on about the process, but without further ado, here is the Student Union Sports list of the top 50 films of the 2000s.

To see the full list on Letterboxd, you can click here.

50. Monsters, Inc. (2001) dir. Pete Docter

When we looked back on this decade and reminisced about growing up with these films, we felt a resounding sense of nostalgia attached to many of them. One, of course, was the 2001 animated film from Pete Docter, Monsters, Inc. I remember my parents constantly putting it on when I was a kid, and I’d be captivated by the antics of Sully and Mike Wazowski, or as I called him, “Mike Osky.” As I grew up, I revisited Monsters, Inc. and realized it’s not just a great kids’ movie; it’s simply a great movie.

49. Sideways (2004) dir. Alexander Payne

Alexander Payne’s comedic writing and directing prowess are quite amazing. In a style reminiscent of Christopher Guest, Payne can make you laugh while also creating moments of discomfort in his films. Consider Sideways, for example. The scene where Miles, played by Paul Giamatti, steals money from his mom makes my stomach churn every time I see it. However, this discomfort adds to the character and the sense of failure that Miles possesses, and it works.

48. Avatar (2009) dir. James Cameron

The cultural phenomenon that was Avatar is astonishing to look back on. This film stopped people in their tracks and dominated the box office week after week. I can personally recall my parents taking me to the Enfield Cinema on opening night to see it. We waited in line for about forty minutes to get tickets, grabbed our popcorn, and sat dead center at the top of the theater. As a kid, it was just cool to see the “blue creatures” fighting, but upon revisiting it last year, I noted that the CGI and effects were so advanced and set the tone for the following decade.

47. Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005) dir. George Lucas

While the prequels as a whole aren’t looked upon too fondly by the Star Wars fan base, Episode III – Revenge of the Sith was a banger. It’s everything you would want as a fan. The stakes are high as we witness Anakin turning to the dark side, Padme’s death, and the segue into the original Star Wars films. Personally, I feel that Revenge of the Sith redeems the reputation of the prequels and balances out the shortcomings of The Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones. That, in itself, is a pretty significant feat.

46. The Wrestler (2008) dir. Darren Aronofsky

The only Darren Aronofsky film to make our list from the 2000s isn’t Requiem For A Dream or The Fountain. It’s The Wrestler. In the process of picking the list, we noted how Mickey Rourke’s performance as Randy “The Ram” Robinson was so great that it carried this film. That’s not saying the film would’ve been bad with another actor, but Rourke elevated it. It’s one of the best films about someone being past their prime, and it’s probably the best of that nano-genre of the 2000s.

45. Donnie Darko (2001) dir. Richard Kelly

The great nerd core rapper MC Lars once sang in his song Hipster Girl; “Donnie Darko makes no sense“. Is he necessarily wrong? Probably not. Does that really take away from the viewing process of the cult classic? I’d say it doesn’t. You could easily nit pick that schizophrenia and vortex’s don’t correlate, but that doesn’t make Jake Gyllenhaal any less charming or make me less scared of Frank The Rabbit. I do find that Richard Kelly morphs the thriller and mystery genres together so well in this that even at it’s most ridiculous, you’re engaged.

44. Casino Royale (2006) dir. Martin Campbell

Casino Royale brought in the new era of James Bond films with Daniel Craig as the franchises center piece and I loved every second of it. The greatest decision made by the producers of this phase of James Bond films was making him imperfect. Craig was still suave like Connery and Brosnan, but he was far from perfect and we see that starting with Casino Royale and all the way to No Time To Die. Casting wise, Mads Mikkelsen just makes sense as a Bond villain. His European bluster and gruff handsomeness made him the perfect person to go toe-to-toe with Bond.

43. Adaptation. (2002) dir. Spike Jonze

“I will give you $100 if you can concisely explain the plot of ‘Adaptation’ to someone without sounding like a moron. I remember the first time I watched it, and my mom asked, ‘What’s this about?’ I went into a stammering tirade about Charlie Kaufman writing the movie, but it’s about him writing another movie that’s an adaptation of a book. I can guarantee it sounded less coherent than that. Nevertheless, I have great admiration for this film. One of my favorite writer-director duos is Charlie Kaufman and Spike Jonze, and they do weird better than anyone. Bringing Nicolas Cage, Meryl Streep, and Chris Cooper together for an Oscar-winning film is just delightful.”

42. Napoleon Dynamite (2004) dir. Jared Hess

Napoleon Dynamite has cemented itself has one of the most quotable comedies of all time. Whether you’ve hit your friends with “How much do you want to bet I can throw this football over them mountains?” or “Break the wrist and walk away” everyone knows what you’re referencing. The dry humor and spot on delivery from all involved, especially Jon Heder makes this cult classic so memorable. I will say it’s discouraging to see that Jared Hess, who directed this, is directing Minecraft: The Movie in 2025. Boy have times changed.

41. O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000) dir. Joel Coen

Comedic chemistry personified in the 2000s is Tim Blake Nelson, George Clooney and John Turturro in O Brother, Where Art Thou? Them having great chemistry paired with a sharp adaptation of Homers Odyssey from the Coen Brothers takes your typical adventure film and spins it on its head in a funny way. We also get one of the more iconic singing scenes in any movie when Clooney sings I Am a Man of Constant Sorrow.

40. The Departed (2006) dir. Martin Scorsese

Its Martin Scorsese directing a cast headlined by Jack Nicholson, Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Mark Wahlberg and Alec Baldwin. What more could a person ask for. The Departed is the first of six Best Picture winning films to make the top 50 and is probably a fan favorite amongst many. The reason we don’t have it higher is that in the third act, The Departed loses its way. It becomes a shootout film more focused on flaunting heavy artillery than pushing the plot and that only prolongs the film. Nevertheless, we can’t deny that The Departed is extremely entertaining.

39. The Hurt Locker (2008) dir. Kathryn Bigelow

Back-to-back Best Picture winners? You better believe it. What Kathryn Bigelow does with The Hurt Locker is genius. She creates a war film that morphs into a tense thriller, and I love that. In most war films, we see the similar themes of war being hell and soldiers coming together in tough moments. While we do get that, you also get the thriller aspects of these soldiers who are working the most dangerous jobs imaginable as bomb disposal workers. She sets the tone of the film right away when we see Guy Pearce get killed in action from a bomb.

38. American Gangster (2007) dir. Ridley Scott

“That’s a clown suit. That’s a costume, with a big sign on it that says “Arrest me”. You understand?” I watched American Gangster for the first time on a flight home from Denmark and I loved every second of watching it on that flight. Seeing Denzel in a very polished, yet bad ass role is fun. It was like a mixture of himself as Malcolm X and Alonzo Harris which was unique to see because he kills every role he’s in. While I do think American Gangster is far too long, the entertainment value and storyline are very strong. The four main characters of this film, Denzel Washington, Russel Crowe, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Josh Brolin all have films they star in that are higher on this list. That just speaks to how packed this cast was and how they all played an important role.

37. Brokeback Mountain (2005) dir. Ang Lee

One of the most divisive films of the 2000s is Ang Lee’s Brokeback Mountain. While it is perceived to be a “gay cowboy movie“, it’s much more than that. It’s a look at the human condition from two unlikely lovers in a time and place where there was a stigma around homosexuality. Ang Lee does a great job telling this story in a brutal way that drives home the point around this taboo. Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger had tremendous chemistry with one another which made you believe this relationship.

36. Ocean’s Eleven (2001) dir. Steven Soderbergh

The 1990s had Heat as their heist film king. The 2000s got the Steven Soderbergh Ocean’s Eleven remake as theirs. A packed cast consisting of George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Andy Garcia, Matt Damon, Julia Roberts and Casey Affleck ropes you in, but now you factor in that this is an exciting heist thriller and you have the best heist film of the 21st century. Some could argue for Inside Man or Ocean’s Twelve, but we all know it’s Ocean’s Eleven.

35. Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead (2007) dir. Sidney Lumet

Sidney Lumet’s final film, in our opinion, is in the realm of his films like Serpico and Dog Day Afternoon. Not as good as 12 Angry Men or Network, but it’s an upper echelon film in his filmography. There’s many words you could use to describe Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead, but the best would probably be sickening. There are many moments when you will feel sick because of the actions from the main characters. When Philip Seymour Hoffmans character kills Michael Shannon or when Ethan Hawkes character is sleeping with Hoffmans wife, you feel ill. But I do like that feeling when I watch a movie. That feeling paired with the nonlinear storytelling was a true chefs kiss and great send off for Lumet.

34. Snatch (2000) dir. Guy Ritchie

Guy Ritchie’s sophomore film Snatch is a rush of blood to the head. A 103 minute jolt of energy and antics that make you want to hangout with the crew of Brad Pitt as Mickey O’Neil and Jason Statham as Turkish. This slapstick comedic crime film that has the feel of a more raucous Magnolia because of the many different storylines and works on so many levels. The one negative about Snatch is that it Ritchie saw the acclaim of it and that led to him making films with a similar vibe, but far too much ridiculousness that doesn’t work.

33. Garden State (2004) dir. Zach Braff

“If you can’t laugh at yourself, life’s gonna seem a whole lot longer than you like.” When I watched Garden State for the first time, I felt like I was watching a funnier Noah Baumbach film. Braff tackles the adult version of coming-of-age very nicely because he spearheads the touchy topics that many people never want to talk about like the death of a loved one and failure. The dry delivery and crass humor made us laugh from start to finish and kind of fall in love with this film. I find that the trio of Zach Braff, Natalie Portman and Peter Sarsgaard are fantastic in the way they play off one another and provides an uncomfortable bijou that most films don’t have.

32. The Prestige (2006) dir. Christopher Nolan

There’s a lot of people who would argue that The Prestige is Christopher Nolans best film. Personally, I wouldn’t say that, but I completely understand where they’re coming from. It’s the perfect film about obsession and shows the lengths that people would goto when in a heated rivalry. This was the second of four Christian Bale and Christopher Nolan collaborations, and while it’s not as iconic as the Dark Knight trilogy, it’s the film that showcases Bale as an actor the best. With great cinematography and a twist that will blow you away, The Prestige solidifies itself as one of the best films of the decade.

31. Up (2009) dir. Pete Docter

Some individuals at the site (CC: Luke Owens), don’t like Up. Those people are stupid. Up is one of the most touching films of the 21st century because it shows the way people can change. We see the curmudgeonly Mr. Fredricksen have his life changed by the kindness of Russell and Doug and I love seeing that. While Up is a heartwarming film, it doubles as an awesome adventure film. You’ll never hear me slander the good name of Pete Docters Up. Never, never, never.

30. Tropic Thunder (2008) dir. Ben Stiller

When people say “You couldn’t make __ this today“, they are usually wrong. 99% of the comedies made in the 2000s could be made with minor modifications, but the one comedy you couldn’t remake is Tropic Thunder. The satirical nature of Tropic Thunder makes it what it is. It’s a commentary on the vapid nature of celebrities and movie stars and goes to the extremes to show what they’d most likely act like when put in a dangerous situation. We also see a LEGENDARY cameo from Tom Cruise as Les Grossman. Truly unforgettable.

29. Million Dollar Baby (2004) dir. Clint Eastwood

The next Best Picture winner making the list is Clint Eastwoods Million Dollar Baby. I can admit it. The first time I ever watched Million Dollar Baby I cried. I cried multiple times. When you first see Maggie get injured from the cheap shot and then when you see Eastwoods character Frankie standing over her getting ready to put her out of her misery, you’ll cry. Somewhat like Up, we see the way people can change. Initially, Eastwood wants nothing to do with her because he doesn’t coach women, but he comes around to loving her like a daughter and coaching her like she’s just another guy at the gym, cementing his respect for her.

28. Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009) dir. Wes Anderson

Like the great director Guillermo del Toro said “Animation is cinema“. Fantastic Mr. Fox is the prime example of animation being great works of cinema. One of the common themes that Anderson tackles is dysfunctional family dynamics, and he approaches it head on again in Fantastic Mr. Fox by also adding commentary on capitalism and social class struggles. He does it all through foxes, badgers and rats. On the surface it’s a cuddly, stop motion film, but beneath that it’s so much more.

27. Juno (2007) dir. Jason Reitman

I find that some of the best comedies are ones that cover confining topics. Jason Reitman does that with Juno by approaching the idea of an unplanned pregnancy with a teen and makes an uncomfortable topic funny. Every actor plays an important role in this quirky coming-of-age comedy — whether it’s Elliot Page or Michael Cera at the center of it or Rainn Wilson and Olivia Thirlby playing small roles, they’re all very funny and pivotal to the plot of Juno.

26. Little Miss Sunshine (2006) dir. Jonathan Dayton, Valerie Faris

Many films will preach the message of being comfortable in your own skin, but none do it better than Little Miss Sunshine. The reason we say that is because a lot of the films that preach that message don’t dwell on negatives too much and won’t dote on the dysfunctional family aspects. Little Miss Sunshine does that because writer Michael Arndt writes ones of the most dysfunctional families ever. Steve Carell plays a suicidal uncle, Paul Dano is an angsty teen who refuses to speak, Greg Kinnear is a failed self help speaker, Alan Arkin is a crude grandfather, Abigail Breslin is a wannabe pageant star who’s unhappy with her body, and this whole family is held together by Toni Collette who plays a mother at her wits end. It’s perfect.

25. In Bruges (2008) dir. Martin McDonagh

Martin McDonagh’s career mystifies me. He only has four feature films, but they’re all fantastic. It starts with one of my favorites of the decade with In Bruges where we first see the budding chemistry of Brendan Gleeson and Colin Farrell together — two actors who I find have the best chemistry in Hollywood. The crude humor of this script from McDonagh has me in tears from start to finish, but also makes you sit on the edge of your seat in suspense due to the hitman aspects of the film. “You’re an inanimate fuckin’ object!“

24. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) dir. Peter Jackson

Spoiler alert, all three of The Lord of the Rings films will make this list. The first one is The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. It works as the perfect setup film for the remainder of the trilogy. Jackson establishes the characters of Frodo Baggins, Aragorn and Gandalf in a way where it makes sense for the people like myself who didn’t read the original J.R.R. Tolkien books. It’s definitely not on the same level as The Two Towers or The Return of the King, but it’s a great film.

23. Pan’s Labyrinth (2006) dir. Guillermo del Toro

When it comes to making films, Guillermo del Toro marches to the beat of his own drum. It’s as if he himself lives in a fantasy land and what he writes about and directs is things he’s seen vividly because it’s constantly concise. Arguably his best film, Pan’s Labyrinth is an example of this coming to fruition. He takes a dark topic, the aftermath of the Spanish Civil War, and puts Ofelia played by Ivana Baquero at the center of it. She’s upset with how she’s living under the thumb of a strict Captain. In this process, del Toro exemplifies the positive aspects of disobedience and how it can change a persons life forever.

22. The Royal Tenenbaums (2001) dir. Wes Anderson

“I’m sorry for your loss. Your mother was a terribly attractive woman.” I mentioned it with Fantastic Mr. Fox, but Anderson excels when he’s directing the topic of dysfunctional family dynamics. We see in The Royal Tenenbaums a family who’s life is upended when their estranged father looks to reenter their lives. From that point on, we see the inevitable happen. Tempers flare, suppressed anger comes to a head and in a more positive vein, relationships become mended. I do think we get one of the great scenes of the 21st century when Luke Wilsons character attempts to kill himself as Needle In the Hay by Elliott Smith plays. Anderson is known for his Kinks needle drops, but this one remains as his career best.

21. Almost Famous (2000) dir. Cameron Crowe

There’s two people in this world. Those who adore the charm of Almost Famous and those who just haven’t seen Almost Famous. For those people who haven’t seen it, I implore you to watch it. I revel in the 1970s music scene aesthetic and seeing “how the sausage is made” in a band and when it comes to writing a piece about a band when the lines blur between professionalism and friendship. Cameron Crowe injects a killer soundtrack of Elton John, Simon and Garfunkel and Led Zeppelin while also letting the audience know that it’s cool to not be cool. “I’m always home. I’m uncool.“

20. Memento (2000) dir. Christopher Nolan

Christopher Nolan writing and directing Memento was the start of something great. His second feature film bending the viewers mind and being told in a nonlinear format flaunted the maturity that he had at a young age. While I do think a second viewing is essential in grasping the plot fully, which isn’t usually a great quality in a film, you actually look forward to going back to rewatch Memento. That’s not the case in another Nolan film, Inception. Having only a few ancillary characters with Guy Pearce, Carrie-Anne Moss and Joe Pantoliano was a good touch to simplify an already complex plot.

19. 28 Days Later (2002) dir. Danny Boyle

The highest ranked true horror film on our list is Danny Boyles 28 Days Later. A lot of films wouldn’t flourish with a budget of $8 million dollars, but that adds to the grittiness of this science fiction horror film. The low quality actually enhances the ambiance of the film. What’s also done so well in 28 Days Later is that Alex Garland was able to create originality in a genre that’s been done prior. The zombie/pandemic idea isn’t new, but the adventure storyline felt refreshing while staying terrifying.

18. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002) dir. Peter Jackson

Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers stands as a monumental cinematic achievement of the decade. It film seamlessly weaves multiple storylines, each filled with suspense, emotion and grandeur together. The performances of the cast are great, but Andy Serkis as Gollum stands out especially. Probably one of the best voice actors of the 21st century was on full display. The film expertly balances action with moments of quiet introspection, delving deeper into the complex themes of friendship, loyalty, and the enduring fight against darkness. Wrap that all in with a Howard Shore score and we have one of the most integral films of the decade.

17. Ratatouille (2007) dir. Brad Bird

The highest ranked animated film on our list is Brad Birds Ratatouille. I will say that every time I watch it, whether when I was a kid to now when I’m 22, I do feel a nostalgic magic that makes me re-fall in love with it. From the sequences of Remy helping Linguini cook to Remy sampling an eclectic mix of foods, Bird does a great job bringing you into that moment — you’ll want to eat a ripe strawberry with a piece of sharp cheddar. Expounding off of that, even in animated form, you crave the dishes that are constructed. I’ve never personally eaten ratatouille and I hate eggplant, but I want need to try this dish constructed by Remy and Linguini.

16. Catch Me If You Can (2002) dir. Steven Spielberg

“Two little mice fell in a bucket of cream. The first mouse quickly gave up and drowned. The second mouse, wouldn’t quit. He struggled so hard that eventually he churned that cream into butter and crawled out. Gentlemen, as of this moment, I am that second mouse.” When I watch Catch Me If You Can, I can’t help but smile. It’s Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks going toe-to-toe as actors and having fun. You can genuinely tell through Hanks’ horrible accent that he loves being in this role and duking it out with a young gun like DiCaprio. The scamming of Frank Abagnale Jr. is fun to follow along with and at no point does the pacing sputter. It’s smooth all the way through the 141 minute runtime.

15. American Psycho (2000) dir. Mary Harron

Let’s get the jeers out of the way now. I know that the past few years hasn’t been great for the American Psycho brand because dickhead “sigmas” on the internet have co-opted the idea of Patrick Bateman and made it their whole personality, but American Psycho is truly genius. The book and film are meant to serve as satirical jabs towards individuals who live the life that Patrick Bateman lives. It unmasks the facade of anemic finance bros who believe they are at the center of the world. Patrick Bateman isn’t meant to be idolized. It’s the same as DiCaprio playing Jordan Belfort in The Wolf of Wall Street. If you finish your viewing of the film and you idolize the character, you got the wrong message.

14. Oldboy (2003) dir. Park Chan-wook

I was able to see Oldboy for the first time this year when it hit theaters for its 20th anniversary and I was STUNNED. Park Chan-wook’s direction was stunning. Choi Min-sik and Yoo Ji-tae gave remarkable performances. And the not one, but two twists we see leave you absolutely flabbergasted. I won’t spoil either twist because I want you to experience it first hand for yourself. Nothing will prepare you for it. Where I think Oldboy makes the audience buy in is due to the tedious nature of Oh Dae-su’s journey. It’s a lot of repetition, but that’s needed for the point to be driven home as this man is trying to regain his memory.

13. Training Day (2001) dir. Antoine Fuqua

Before we even delve into Training Day, I wanted to just note that Alonzo Harris might be the coolest character in movie history. The head games he plays on Jake Hoyt are diabolical and enhance the monster persona of the character. He just possesses an unmatched swagger that you know you shouldn’t fawn over, but Denzel is so great so you do buy into the Alonzo Harris character. “You motherfuckers will be playing basketball in Pelican Bay when I get finished with you. Twenty three hour lockdown. I’m the man up in this piece. You’ll never see the light of… who the fuck do you think you’re fucking with? I’m the police, I run shit around here.”

In this decade, we saw a lot of different takes on crime dramas. Whether it’s American Gangster, The Departed or Snatch, a lot of great angles were taken at the genre. I’m just not sure any of them hold a candle to Training Day. I mentioned how Alonzo Harris was a great character, but let’s not forget that Ethan Hawke as Jake Hoyt was also outstanding. He created the yin and yang dynamic that this film thrived off of. The chemistry of Hawke and Washington was awesome then and is still awesome over twenty years later.

12. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) dir. Michel Gondry

Surprise, surprise, another Charlie Kaufman script is making the list. Where I’m blown away in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is from the storytelling perspective. The thought-provoking themes that stem from Kaufman’s uniquely layered script will gut you and make you think about the “one that got away” in your life, which is never fun. Aside from the great direction from Gondry and the brilliant Kaufman script, Jim Carrey is amazing here. He spent the 90s as the it-man in comedic films, but stars in this romantic drama that is filled with emotional calamity.

11. Inglourious Basterds (2009) dir. Quentin Tarantino

“Nazi ain’t got no humanity. They’re the foot soldiers of a Jew-hatin’, mass murderin’ maniac and they need to be dee-stroyed.” The 2010s were a more fruitful decades for Tarantino, but he did role into that decade with his dramatic war thriller, Inglourious Basterds. Tarantino sets the tone of the film right away by delivering us one of the most gut wrenching and heart pumping opening scenes in movie history. The casting of Christoph Waltz as Hans Landa, one of my favorite movie villains, was spot on and opposite of him, Brad Pitt, Michael Fassbender and Eli Roth were fantastic as this crew of vigilante Nazi hunters. I think many would argue this is Tarantino’s best. Would I agree? Probably not, but it’s in my top three.

10. Apocalypto (2006) dir. Mel Gibson

Mel Gibson you ANIMAL! Directing Apocalypto surely wasn’t an easy feat, but he made the decision to use exclusively native actors for this project and it gave it the authentic feel you desired. I think it’s one of the greatest action films of the 21st century and proves to be a masterful story about revenge and resilience from Jaguar Paw. I will say, there are many moments that are tough to watch, but it’s integral to the plot and historical accuracy of this time period. For instance, when we see the village get pillaged by the other tribe, you see pure brutality of trying to survive and rise to power.

9. Superbad (2007) dir. Greg Mottola

“No you’re not. No one’s McLovin. McLovin’s never existed because that’s a made up dumb FUCKING FAIRY TALE NAME, YOU FUCK!” The best comedy of not only the 2000s, but the 21st century is Superbad. It’s inspired a whole gaggle of coming-of-age films that try to be raunchy, but misses. The script from Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg along with Greg Mottola’s directing perfectly captures the 2000s high school experience where you have two objectives — get laid and be cool. Obviously the McLovin ID bit and period scene at the party are memorable, but I find that one of the funniest moments in cinema history is the dynamic of Seth Rogen and Bill Hader as these two cops who care about nothing. That’s aged the best from the film, but then again, this whole film has aged like a fine wine.

8. Gladiator (2000) dir. Ridley Scott

The next Best Picture winner to join the rankings is Ridley Scott’s Gladiator. I think that Gladiator is the example of a perfect storm film. You get Russell Crowe at his peak in a sympathetic, yet badass role. He’s going toe-to-toe with Joaquin Phoenix, who was a young gun at the time, but plays the role of Emperor Commodus like a seasoned performer. Compound those two performances with a riveting script from David Franzoni, Walter F. Parkes and Laurie MacDonald and a Hans Zimmer score and you have a fantastic film that’ll be remembered for decades that follow.

The most iconic moment from the film has to be Maximus’ reveal. The speech he gives after dealing with the loss of his son and wife and fighting for his life was so powerful. He looked Commodus in the eyes, the man who was at the center of his tragedy and announced himself and his plan for revenge. “My name is Maximus Decimus Meridius, commander of the Armies of the North, General of the Felix Legions and loyal servant to the TRUE emperor, Marcus Aurelius. Father to a murdered son, husband to a murdered wife. And I will have my vengeance, in this life or the next.”

7. The Dark Knight (2008) dir. Christopher Nolan

At the 81st Academy Awards, not only did The Dark Knight not win Best Picture, but it wasn’t even nominated. Nothing against those films, but none of the five nominated, including Slumdog Millionaire which won, made our rankings. I find that The Dark Knight transcends the average superhero flick and crafts its own identity and genre as a blend of a superhero film and crime thriller. Batman has to act as more of a vigilante detective in many parts than as a superhero. That I feel resinates more with the audiences, because a lot like Daniel Craig as James Bond, Bale as Batman wasn’t perfect. His imperfections made him a character audiences loved. And we can’t forget about Heath Ledger delivering a legendary performance as the Joker. No one has come close to holding a candle to his performance in this role. Yeah, I’m looking at you Joaquin Phoenix.

6. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2006) dir. Peter Jackson

I do think it’d be a little strange if the film that won eleven Academy Awards wasn’t in the top ten. While I’m admittedly not the hugest fan of The Lord of the Rings, I recognize the greatness and raucous appeal of The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. Peter Jackson and company became trailblazers for their special effects and that in turn, became breathtaking shots in the film. But the film doesn’t solely rely on its visual spectacle. It focuses on the emotional journeys of its ancillary characters. It beautifully concludes the character arcs of Frodo, Sam, Aragorn and many others, portraying their growth, struggles and sacrifices throughout the trilogy.

5. Zodiac (2007) dir. David Fincher

I’d like it on record that if this list was being done solely by myself, Zodiac would be at one. I’m not saying the four films above it aren’t better, I’m just a self admitted homer for David Fincher. The 2000s wasn’t an overall great decade for Fincher, but he dropped a masterpiece in 2007 that captured the mania of the Zodiac Killer in the 1960s and 1970s. It has a precise pacing that serves as a slow burn constantly keeping the viewer on the edge of their seat through a strung out investigation from both the police and a cartoonist from the Bay Area. What I particularly love about Zodiac is that this is the last film where Robert Downey Jr. wasn’t a superhero. He’s a fantastic actor, but playing Ironman made it where he wasn’t taken seriously as an actor.

4. No Country For Old Men (2007) dir. Joel Coen, Ethan Coen

The final Best Picture winning film to make the list is the Coen Brother’s No Country For Old Men. Doubling as a western and a thriller that makes me want to vomit in parts, like when Llewelyn is in the hotel and Anton Chigurh is on the other side of the door after tracking him, many would regard this as the best film of the decade. I’d obviously hear that argument, but we don’t fully agree. I do however think the character of Anton Chigurh is one of the greatest we’ve ever seen. Javier Bardems stoicism and monotone dialogue will make your blood run cold from the couch. I can’t even fathom coming face-to-face with him in a coin toss scenario. “What’s the most you ever lost on a coin toss?”

3. City of God (2002) dir. Fernando Meirelles

Over two decades later, City of God remains one of the standout films of the 2000s due to its powerful storytelling and authentic portrayal of societal issues in the slums of Rio de Janeiro. The narrative based on real events and inspired by true stories from the Cidade de Deus neighborhood is remarkably potent as it weaves together multiple characters’ lives, showcasing their struggles, ambitions and connections in a nonlinear but engaging manner. An underrated great aspect of City of God is, much like Apocalypto, Meirelles used primarily native actors with little experience. And here’s the thing, you’d never believe that if I didn’t tell you that. Alexandre Rodrigues, Leandro Firmino and Phellipe Haagensen deliver knockout performances that’ll resinate for years to come.

2. Children of Men (2006) dir. Alfonso Cuarón

The tracking shot of the epic chase scene that leaves Julian Taylor dead is enough to get Children of Men in the top ten, but when you factor in that there are multiple jaw dropping sequences similar to that, it shoots up the list. We love, love, love the originality of Children of Men as this doesn’t feel like a concept that’s unfathomable in the future. The idea of people not being able to procreate would be a terrifying reality, and Alfonson Cuarón directs it masterfully. Julianne Moore, Clive Owen and Chiwetel Ejiofor are all great and I find that the gutting moments in this film hurt to the core. For instance, when Michael Caines character gets killed, you feel legit sadness. At the end of the day though, my biggest takeaway is that I hope 2027 isn’t like this.

1. There Will Be Blood (2007) dir. Paul Thomas Anderson

Clocking in at the number one slot in the 2000s is Paul Thomas Andersons western drama, There Will Be Blood. When it came to deciding what film should be in the number one slot, we didn’t even debate this. I brought up that I thought it should be first and Liam immediately said he thought the same thing. The sweeping shots of the oil fields in early 1900s western America transports you from your couch to the time period that Anderson is directing. His melodic passing with those shots and a storyline circling the topics of loneliness, aggression and greed make for a great film.

While all of those elements make There Will Be Blood great, one performance makes it unforgettable. Daniel Day-Lewis as Daniel Plainview is probably the best performance of the 21st century. His passion towards money trumped everything and you felt that. That came through in his rage and every look he delivered. Truly one of the most ruthless characters in cinema history. “Here, if you have a milkshake, and I have a milkshake, and I have a straw. There it is, that’s a straw, you see? Watch it. Now, my straw reaches across the room and starts to drink your milkshake. I… drink… your… milkshake!“