The 2000’s was a time that is marked by flamboyant style, iconic music, celebrity couples we look back on and cringe on and most of all, movies. Being born in 2006, I was exposed to many of the classic movies that were made before my life but also ones that were released when I was a toddler. There are countless classic movies made in the 2000’s that I decided to put together a list of the ultimate guide to which ones you should indulge in, based on your preference of genre! So get in loser, we’re going to Netflix.
If you are a hopeless romantic and enjoy a touch of comedy to get you through a few different stories of couples and their doubts, “He’s Just Not That Into You” is a staple movie, released in 2009. The film has countless A-List celebrities; Scarlett Johansson, Bradley Cooper, Ben Affleck and Jennifer Aniston. Hopefully this should influence your decision to indulge in this romantic comedy! The story follows four couples that all have some tie to each other, as they navigate romantic situations. They cinematically answer the questions; if he really likes you, if he’s cheating on you, if she wants to be with you seriously, and if social media is the best way to meet someone. Overall a 10/10 recommendation to watch especially with friends!
While a comedy is always needed every once in a while, so is a tearjerker! So if there is “nobody else for [you],” except Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams, “The Notebook” is for you. With a balance of emotion and romance, the movie follows the story of Noah and Allie as they encounter a right person, wrong time trope as teens but eventually it becomes the right time as they grow older. The end of the movie did break me for a few days and still makes me tear up when I think about it, but it has a wonderful message about living everyday like it is your last. McAdams and Gosling winning “Best Kiss” at the MTV movie awards in 2005 makes up for the emotional weight it carries to viewers.
Drama Biopic movies are not among the most popular of genres during the 2000’s but “The Social Network”, released in 2010 (the cutoff of the decade), has a 96 percent on rotten tomatoes for a reason. The story is a true story about Mark Zuckerberg’s experience and brilliance crafting Facebook as a college student at Harvard in 2002, changing social media forever. Starring Jesse Eisenberg as Zuckerberg, the plot carries a huge weight of lawsuits and betrayal from his friends. Zuckerberg’s friends claimed they had come up with the idea for the platform, once a college dating app, but “If [they] were the inventors of Facebook, [they] would’ve invented Facebook.” Reviewed as “not simply a movie about a Web site… [but] a movie about people and the great lengths to which they go in their quest for power,” “The Social Network” is worth the watch.
Finally, action movies are a genre that swept the box office, with “The Dark Knight” grossing $1.4 billion worldwide. The intense action and psychological depth of the actors’ performances took the world by storm. The plot follows Batman and the Joker, Christian Bale and Heath Ledger, as Batman keeps Gotham safe through the Joker’s chaos. The movie is still considered one of the greats by Christopher Nolan who is the director behind “Oppenheimer”. Ledger’s chilling performance as one of the most unforgettable villains of all time captured audiences leading to his posthumous Oscar win.
These films capture the essence of the era with their unforgettable characters, heartfelt moments, and impactful storylines. Whether you’re in the mood for a lighthearted romantic comedy, an emotional drama, or an action-packed adventure, these movies offer something for everyone. So, I hope you will consider putting a few of these movies on your watchlist and grab a bucket of popcorn to binge over the weekend!
