The 140 Essential 2000s Movies

Napoleon Dynamite celebrates its 20th anniversary!

New millennium, new technology. Film cameras were the standard way to shoot a movie for over a century, and now they to had to make space for upstart digital. Without digital cameras, zombies would’ve stayed dead; 28 Days Later was only possible with how quick and easy it is to set up with them. Sofia Coppola (Lost in Translation) and Neill Blomkamp (District 9) certainly benefited from the new technology.

Movies were also used to absorb our collective trauma. We escaped into magic and wonder in the months after 9/11 with Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings, while we celebrated the end of the Great Recession by getting the hell off this planet with Avatar. And speaking of those series, we didn’t want their installments taking up all the spots on this list, so one movie representing the whole franchise was chosen for those worthy.

And your vast comic-book trivia knowledge became a social asset, not a bullseye for beatings. Iron Man, The Dark Knight, and Spider-Man 2 opened up new ways of connected storytelling (and money making). And it wasn’t just superheroes making the leap to the mainstream. Fanboy culture, the internet, and sites like the one you’re reading now helped bring “genre” movies to the cultural forefront: zombies (28 Days Later, Shaun of the Dead), sci-fi (Avatar, Serenity), horror (The Descent, Saw), and fantasy (Pan’s Labyrinth).

Meanwhile, under-served voices started to make some noise in the mainstream with films led by females (Mean Girls, Whale Rider, Bend It Like Beckham, Twilight), made African-American filmmakers (Love & Basketball, Barbershop), and featuring Asian-American stars (Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, Better Luck Tomorrow). And that’s not including the increasingly easy access to international material like City of God and Let the Right One In.

And we still haven’t touched upon Pixar’s golden age (WALL-E, Finding Nemo), Hollywood finding the formula for comedies perfectly balanced between smart and dumb (The Hangover, The 40-Year Old Virgin), or that the Fast & Furious series got its humble beginnings here. A lot happened in this decade: Discover it all with the 140 Essential Movies of the 2000s! —Alex Vo

#140

National Treasure (2004)
Tomatometer icon 46%

#140
Adjusted Score: 51707%
Critics Consensus: National Treasure is no treasure, but it's a fun ride for those who can forgive its highly improbable plot.
Synopsis: Historian and code-breaker Ben Gates (Nicolas Cage) has been searching his whole life for a rumored treasure dating back to... [More]
Starring: Nicolas Cage, Diane Kruger, Justin Bartha, Sean Bean
Directed By: Jon Turteltaub

#139

Saw (2004)
Tomatometer icon 50%

#139
Adjusted Score: 56358%
Critics Consensus: Saw ensnares audiences with a deceptively clever plot and a myriad of memorable, nasty set pieces, but its lofty ambitions are undercut by a nihilistic streak that feels more mean than profound.
Synopsis: Photographer Adam Stanheight (Leigh Whannell) and oncologist Lawrence Gordon (Cary Elwes) regain consciousness while chained to pipes at either end... [More]
Starring: Cary Elwes, Danny Glover, Monica Potter, Michael Emerson
Directed By: James Wan

#138

Save the Last Dance (2001)
Tomatometer icon 54%

#138
Adjusted Score: 57170%
Critics Consensus: This teen romance flick feels like a predictable rehashing of other movies.
Synopsis: Sara (Julia Stiles) is moved from a small Midwestern town to the south side of Chicago when her mother dies... [More]
Starring: Julia Stiles, Sean Patrick Thomas, Kerry Washington, Fredro Starr
Directed By: Thomas Carter

#137

Twilight (2008)
Tomatometer icon 48%

#137
Adjusted Score: 57010%
Critics Consensus: Having lost much of its bite transitioning to the big screen, Twilight will please its devoted fans, but do little for the uninitiated.
Synopsis: High-school student Bella Swan, always a bit of a misfit, doesn't expect life to change much when she moves from... [More]
Starring: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Billy Burke, Peter Facinelli
Directed By: Catherine Hardwicke

#136

The Notebook (2004)
Tomatometer icon 54%

#136
Adjusted Score: 59936%
Critics Consensus: It's hard not to admire its unabashed sentimentality, but The Notebook is too clumsily manipulative to rise above its melodramatic clichés.
Synopsis: In 1940s South Carolina, mill worker Noah Calhoun (Ryan Gosling) and rich girl Allie (Rachel McAdams) are desperately in love.... [More]
Starring: Ryan Gosling, Rachel McAdams, James Garner, Gena Rowlands
Directed By: Nick Cassavetes

#135
#135
Adjusted Score: 60589%
Critics Consensus: Sleek and shiny on the surface, The Fast and the Furious recalls those cheesy teenage exploitation flicks of the 1950s.
Synopsis: Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel) enjoys the adrenaline of street car racing and his fans treat him like a rock star.... [More]
Starring: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster
Directed By: Rob Cohen

#134

Mamma Mia! (2008)
Tomatometer icon 55%

#134
Adjusted Score: 62394%
Critics Consensus: This jukebox musical is full of fluffy fun but rough singing voices and a campy tone might not make you feel like "You Can Dance" the whole 90 minutes.
Synopsis: Donna (Meryl Streep), an independent hotelier in the Greek islands, is preparing for her daughter's wedding with the help of... [More]
Starring: Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, Stellan Skarsgård
Directed By: Phyllida Lloyd

#133

Taken (2008)
Tomatometer icon 60%

#133
Adjusted Score: 66906%
Critics Consensus: Taken is undeniably fun with slick action, but is largely a brainless exercise.
Synopsis: A former spy puts his extensive training to the test when he must rescue his kidnapped daughter from sex-slave traffickers.... [More]
Starring: Liam Neeson, Maggie Grace, Famke Janssen, Leland Orser
Directed By: Pierre Morel

#132

Transformers (2007)
Tomatometer icon 57%

#132
Adjusted Score: 66216%
Critics Consensus: While believable characters are hard to come by in Transformers, the effects are staggering and the action is exhilarating.
Synopsis: Two intergalactic races of robots crash land on Earth, with the future of humankind hanging in balance as they battle... [More]
Starring: Shia LaBeouf, Tyrese Gibson, Josh Duhamel, Anthony Anderson
Directed By: Michael Bay

#131

Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005)
Tomatometer icon 60%

#131
Adjusted Score: 67949%
Critics Consensus: Although this action-romance suffers from weak writing and one too many explosions, the chemistry generated by onscreen couple Pitt and Jolie is palpable enough to make this a thoroughly enjoyable summer action flick.
Synopsis: John (Brad Pitt) and Jane Smith (Angelina Jolie), a couple in a stagnating marriage, live a deceptively mundane existence. However,... [More]
Starring: Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Vince Vaughn, Adam Brody
Directed By: Doug Liman

#130

300 (2006)
Tomatometer icon 61%

#130
Adjusted Score: 70896%
Critics Consensus: A simple-minded but visually exciting experience, full of blood, violence, and ready-made movie quotes.
Synopsis: In 480 B.C. a state of war exists between Persia, led by King Xerxes (Rodrigo Santoro), and Greece. At the... [More]
Starring: Gerard Butler, Lena Headey, David Wenham, Dominic West
Directed By: Zack Snyder

#129

Zoolander (2001)
Tomatometer icon 64%

#129
Adjusted Score: 68755%
Critics Consensus: A wacky satire on the fashion industry, Zoolander is one of those deliberately dumb comedies that can deliver genuine laughs.
Synopsis: Propelled to the top of the fashion world by a photogenic gaze he calls "Blue Steel," dimwitted male model Derek... [More]
Starring: Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson, Will Ferrell, Christine Taylor
Directed By: Ben Stiller

#128

Spy Kids (2001)
Tomatometer icon 92%

#128
Adjusted Score: 96463%
Critics Consensus: A kinetic and fun movie that's sure to thrill children of all ages.
Synopsis: Two young kids become spies in attempt to save their parents, who are ex-spies, from an evil mastermind. Armed with... [More]
Starring: Antonio Banderas, Carla Gugino, Alexa PenaVega, Daryl Sabara
Directed By: Robert Rodriguez

#127

Love Actually (2003)
Tomatometer icon 64%

#127
Adjusted Score: 72128%
Critics Consensus: A sugary tale overstuffed with too many stories. Still, the cast charms.
Synopsis: Nine intertwined stories examine the complexities of the one emotion that connects all individuals, love. Among the characters explored are... [More]
Starring: Hugh Grant, Laura Linney, Colin Firth, Alan Rickman
Directed By: Richard Curtis

#126

Dancer in the Dark (2000)
Tomatometer icon 70%

#126
Adjusted Score: 74614%
Critics Consensus: Dancer in Dark can be grim, dull, and difficult to watch, but even so, it has a powerful and moving performance from Bjork and is something quite new and visionary.
Synopsis: Selma is a Czech immigrant, a single mother working in a factory in rural America. Her salvation is passion for... [More]
Starring: Björk, Catherine Deneuve, David Morse, Cara Seymour
Directed By: Lars von Trier

#125

American Psycho (2000)
Tomatometer icon 68%

#125
Adjusted Score: 74133%
Critics Consensus: If it falls short of the deadly satire of Bret Easton Ellis's novel, American Psycho still finds its own blend of horror and humor, thanks in part to a fittingly creepy performance by Christian Bale.
Synopsis: In New York City in 1987, a handsome, young urban professional, Patrick Bateman (Christian Bale), lives a second life as... [More]
Starring: Christian Bale, Willem Dafoe, Jared Leto, Reese Witherspoon
Directed By: Mary Harron

#124

Legally Blonde (2001)
Tomatometer icon 72%

#124
Adjusted Score: 77297%
Critics Consensus: Though the material is predictable and formulaic, Reese Witherspoon's funny, nuanced performance makes this movie better than it would have been otherwise.
Synopsis: Elle Woods (Reese Witherspoon) has it all. She wants nothing more than to be Mrs. Warner Huntington III. But there... [More]
Starring: Reese Witherspoon, Luke Wilson, Selma Blair, Matthew Davis
Directed By: Robert Luketic

#123

Unbreakable (2000)
Tomatometer icon 70%

#123
Adjusted Score: 77008%
Critics Consensus: With a weaker ending, Unbreakable is not as a good as The Sixth Sense. However, it is a quietly suspenseful film that intrigues and engages, taking the audience through unpredictable twists and turns along the way.
Synopsis: David Dunn (Bruce Willis) is the sole survivor of a devastating train wreck. Elijah Price (Samuel L. Jackson) is a... [More]
Starring: Bruce Willis, Samuel L. Jackson, Robin Wright, Charlayne Woodard
Directed By: M. Night Shyamalan

#122
#122
Adjusted Score: 77886%
Critics Consensus: Though it occasionally stumbles into sitcom territory, Something's Gotta Give is mostly a smart, funny romantic comedy, with sharp performances from Jack Nicholson, Diane Keaton, and Keanu Reeves.
Synopsis: When aging womanizer Harry Sanborn (Jack Nicholson) and his young girlfriend, Marin (Amanda Peet), arrive at her family's beach house... [More]
Starring: Jack Nicholson, Diane Keaton, Keanu Reeves, Frances McDormand
Directed By: Nancy Meyers

#121

Idiocracy (2006)
Tomatometer icon 71%

#121
Adjusted Score: 72355%
Critics Consensus: Frustratingly uneven yet enjoyable overall, Idiocracy skewers society's devolution with an amiably goofy yet deceptively barbed wit.
Synopsis: In 2005, average in every way private Joe Bowers (Luke Wilson) is selected to take part in a secret military... [More]
Starring: Luke Wilson, Maya Rudolph, Dax Shepard, Terry Crews
Directed By: Mike Judge

#120

The Ring (2002)
Tomatometer icon 71%

#120
Adjusted Score: 78182%
Critics Consensus: With little gore and a lot of creepy visuals, The Ring gets under your skin, thanks to director Gore Verbinski's haunting sense of atmosphere and an impassioned performance from Naomi Watts.
Synopsis: It sounds like just another urban legend -- a videotape filled with nightmarish images leads to a phone call foretelling... [More]
Starring: Naomi Watts, Martin Henderson, David Dorfman, Brian Cox
Directed By: Gore Verbinski

#119

Training Day (2001)
Tomatometer icon 74%

#119
Adjusted Score: 80131%
Critics Consensus: The ending may be less than satisfying, but Denzel Washington reminds us why he's such a great actor in this taut and brutal police drama.
Synopsis: Police drama about a veteran officer who escorts a rookie on his first day with the LAPD's tough inner-city narcotics... [More]
Starring: Denzel Washington, Ethan Hawke, Scott Glenn, Tom Berenger
Directed By: Antoine Fuqua

#118

Remember the Titans (2000)
Tomatometer icon 71%

#118
Adjusted Score: 76443%
Critics Consensus: An inspirational crowd-pleaser with a healthy dose of social commentary, Remember the Titans may be predictable, but it's also well-crafted and features terrific performances.
Synopsis: In Virginia, high school football is a way of life, an institution revered, each game celebrated more lavishly than Christmas,... [More]
Starring: Denzel Washington, Will Patton, Donald Faison, Wood Harris
Directed By: Boaz Yakin

#117
#117
Adjusted Score: 78678%
Critics Consensus: The likable leads and subversion of racial stereotypes elevate Harold and Kumar above the typical stoner comedy.
Synopsis: Nerdy accountant Harold (John Cho) and his irrepressible friend, Kumar (Kal Penn), get stoned watching television and find themselves utterly... [More]
Starring: John Cho, Kal Penn, Paula Garcés, Neil Patrick Harris
Directed By: Danny Leiner

#116
#116
Adjusted Score: 80089%
Critics Consensus: Though it sometimes feels like a television sitcom, My Big Fat Greek Wedding is good-hearted, lovable, and delightfully eccentric, with a sharp script and lead performance from Nia Vardalos.
Synopsis: Everyone in the Portokalos family worries about Toula (Nia Vardalos). Still unmarried at 30 years old, she works at Dancing... [More]
Starring: Nia Vardalos, John Corbett, Michael Constantine, Lainie Kazan
Directed By: Joel Zwick

#115
#115
Adjusted Score: 87404%
Critics Consensus: With surprisingly touching earnestness, The Sisterhood of The Traveling Pants follows four best friends as they try on adulthood — and though it isn't an easy fit, their journey becomes bearable thanks to the threads they share.
Synopsis: Bridget (Blake Lively), Carmen (America Ferrera), Lena (Alexis Bledel) and Tibby (Amber Tamblyn) are best friends living in Maryland. After... [More]
Starring: Amber Tamblyn, Alexis Bledel, America Ferrera, Blake Lively
Directed By: Ken Kwapis

#114

V for Vendetta (2006)
Tomatometer icon 73%

#114
Adjusted Score: 83819%
Critics Consensus: Visually stunning and thought-provoking, V For Vendetta's political pronouncements may rile some, but its story and impressive set pieces will nevertheless entertain.
Synopsis: Following world war, London is a police state occupied by a fascist government, and a vigilante known only as V... [More]
Starring: Natalie Portman, Hugo Weaving, Stephen Rea, John Hurt
Directed By: James McTeigue

#113

Happy Feet (2006)
Tomatometer icon 76%

#113
Adjusted Score: 82803%
Critics Consensus: Visually dazzling, with a thoughtful storyline and catchy musical numbers, Happy Feet marks a successful animated debut from the makers of Babe.
Synopsis: Mumble (Elijah Wood), a young emperor penguin, lives in Antarctica. Like others of his kind, he needs to be able... [More]
Starring: Elijah Wood, Robin Williams, Brittany Murphy, Hugh Jackman
Directed By: George Miller

#112

Black Hawk Down (2001)
Tomatometer icon 76%

#112
Adjusted Score: 82257%
Critics Consensus: Though it's light on character development and cultural empathy, Black Hawk Down is a visceral, pulse-pounding portrait of war, elevated by Ridley Scott's superb technical skill.
Synopsis: In 1993, the U.S. sends special forces into Somalia to destabilize the government and bring food and humanitarian aid to... [More]
Starring: Josh Hartnett, Ewan McGregor, Tom Sizemore, Eric Bana
Directed By: Ridley Scott

#111

Wedding Crashers (2005)
Tomatometer icon 75%

#111
Adjusted Score: 81846%
Critics Consensus: Wedding Crashers is both raunchy and sweet, and features top-notch comic performances from Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson.
Synopsis: Jeremy (Vince Vaughn) and John (Owen Wilson) are divorce mediators who spend their free time crashing wedding receptions. For the... [More]
Starring: Owen Wilson, Vince Vaughn, Christopher Walken, Rachel McAdams
Directed By: David Dobkin

#110
#110
Adjusted Score: 82911%
Critics Consensus: A rare film that surpasses the quality of its source novel, this Devil is a witty expose of New York's fashion scene, with Meryl Streep in top form and Anne Hathaway more than holding her own.
Synopsis: Andy (Anne Hathaway) is a recent college graduate with big dreams. Upon landing a job at prestigious Runway magazine, she... [More]
Starring: Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Adrian Grenier, Stanley Tucci
Directed By: David Frankel

#109
#109
Adjusted Score: 83507%
Critics Consensus: Team America will either offend you or leave you in stitches. It'll probably do both.
Synopsis: When North Korean ruler Kim Jong-il (Trey Parker) orchestrates a global terrorist plot, it's up to the heavily armed marionettes... [More]
Starring: Trey Parker, Matt Stone, Kristen Miller, Masasa Moyo
Directed By: Trey Parker, Matt Stone

#108

The Prestige (2006)
Tomatometer icon 77%

#108
Adjusted Score: 85511%
Critics Consensus: Full of twists and turns, The Prestige is a dazzling period piece that never stops challenging the audience.
Synopsis: An illusion gone horribly wrong pits two 19th-century magicians, Alfred Borden (Christian Bale) and Rupert Angier (Hugh Jackman), against each... [More]
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Scarlett Johansson
Directed By: Christopher Nolan

#107
#107
Adjusted Score: 84189%
Critics Consensus: A promising work by Lin, the energetic Better Luck Tomorrow is disturbing and thought-provoking.
Synopsis: An accomplished high school student, Ben (Parry Shen) seems to excel at almost everything except winning over his dream girl,... [More]
Starring: Parry Shen, Jason Tobin, Sung Kang, Roger Fan
Directed By: Justin Lin

#106

Gladiator (2000)
Tomatometer icon 80%

#106
Adjusted Score: 90965%
Critics Consensus: While not everyone will be entertained by Gladiator's glum revenge story, Russell Crowe thunderously wins the crowd with a star-making turn that provides Ridley Scott's opulent resurrection of Rome its bruised heart.
Synopsis: Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix) takes power and strips rank from Maximus (Russell Crowe), one of the favored generals of his predecessor... [More]
Starring: Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, Oliver Reed
Directed By: Ridley Scott

#105

Bad Santa (2003)
Tomatometer icon 78%

#105
Adjusted Score: 85768%
Critics Consensus: A gloriously rude and gleefully offensive black comedy, Bad Santa isn't for everyone, but grinches will find it uproariously funny.
Synopsis: In this dark comedy, the crotchety Willie T. Stokes (Billy Bob Thornton) and his partner (Tony Cox) reunite once a... [More]
Starring: Billy Bob Thornton, Tony Cox, Brett Kelly, Lauren Graham
Directed By: Terry Zwigoff

#104

Oldboy (2003)
Tomatometer icon 82%

#104
Adjusted Score: 87326%
Critics Consensus: Violent and definitely not for the squeamish, Park Chan-Wook's visceral Oldboy is a strange, powerful tale of revenge.
Synopsis: Dae-Su is an obnoxious drunk bailed from the police station yet again by a friend. However, he's abducted from the... [More]
Starring: Choi Min-sik, Yoo Ji-tae, Kang Hye-jung, Ji Dae-han
Directed By: Park Chan-wook

#103

Cloverfield (2008)
Tomatometer icon 79%

#103
Adjusted Score: 87606%
Critics Consensus: A sort of Blair Witch Project crossed with Godzilla, Cloverfield is economically paced, stylistically clever, and filled with scares.
Synopsis: As a group of New Yorkers (Michael Stahl-David, Mike Vogel, Odette Yustman) enjoy a going-away party, little do they know... [More]
Starring: Michael Stahl-David, Mike Vogel, Odette Annable, Lizzy Caplan
Directed By: Matt Reeves

#102

Step Brothers (2008)
Tomatometer icon 54%

#102
Adjusted Score: 62112%
Critics Consensus: Step Brothers indulges in a cheerfully relentless immaturity that will quickly turn off viewers unamused by Ferrell and Reilly -- and delight those who find their antics hilarious.
Synopsis: Brennan Huff (Will Ferrell) and Dale Doback (John C. Reilly) have one thing in common: they are both lazy, unemployed... [More]
Starring: Will Ferrell, John C. Reilly, Richard Jenkins, Mary Steenburgen
Directed By: Adam McKay

#101

Waking Life (2001)
Tomatometer icon 81%

#101
Adjusted Score: 86047%
Critics Consensus: Waking Life's inventive animated aesthetic adds a distinctive visual component to a film that could easily have rested on its smart screenplay and talented ensemble cast.
Synopsis: Transcending the boundaries of technology and imagination, "Waking Life" is a revolutionary breakthrough in film animation. In "Waking Life," Wiley... [More]
Starring: Wiley Wiggins, Trevor Jack Brooks, Lorelei Linklater, Glover Gill
Directed By: Richard Linklater

#100

Love & Basketball (2000)
Tomatometer icon 85%

#100
Adjusted Score: 89292%
Critics Consensus: Confident directing and acting deliver an insightful look at young athletes.
Synopsis: Monica (Sanaa Lathan) and Quincy (Omar Epps) are two childhood friends who both aspire to be professional basketball players. Quincy,... [More]
Starring: Sanaa Lathan, Omar Epps, Alfre Woodard, Dennis Haysbert
Directed By: Gina Prince-Bythewood

#99
#99
Adjusted Score: 86768%
Critics Consensus: May leave you exhausted like the theme park ride that inspired it; however, you'll have a good time when it's over.
Synopsis: Capt. Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) arrives at Port Royal in the Caribbean without a ship or crew. His timing is... [More]
Starring: Johnny Depp, Geoffrey Rush, Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightley
Directed By: Gore Verbinski

#98
#98
Adjusted Score: 85756%
Critics Consensus: Zellweger's Bridget Jones is a sympathetic, likable, funny character, giving this romantic comedy a lot of charm.
Synopsis: At the start of the New Year, 32-year-old Bridget (Renée Zellweger) decides it's time to take control of her life... [More]
Starring: Renée Zellweger, Colin Firth, Hugh Grant, Gemma Jones
Directed By: Sharon Maguire

#97

Barbershop (2002)
Tomatometer icon 82%

#97
Adjusted Score: 85894%
Critics Consensus: Besides bringing on the laughs, Barbershop displays a big heart and demonstrates the value of community.
Synopsis: A smart comedy about a day in the life of a barbershop on the south side of Chicago. Calvin (Ice... [More]
Starring: Ice Cube, Anthony Anderson, Cedric the Entertainer, Sean Patrick Thomas
Directed By: Tim Story

#96

The Hangover (2009)
Tomatometer icon 79%

#96
Adjusted Score: 88743%
Critics Consensus: With a clever script and hilarious interplay among the cast, The Hangover nails just the right tone of raunchy humor, and the non-stop laughs overshadow any flaw.
Synopsis: Two days before his wedding, Doug (Justin Bartha) and three friends (Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis) drive to Las... [More]
Starring: Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis, Justin Bartha
Directed By: Todd Phillips

#95

Sin City (2005)
Tomatometer icon 76%

#95
Adjusted Score: 85815%
Critics Consensus: Visually groundbreaking and terrifically violent, Sin City brings the dark world of Frank Miller's graphic novel to vivid life.
Synopsis: In this quartet of neo-noir tales, a mysterious salesman (Josh Hartnett) narrates a tragic story of co-dependency, while a musclebound... [More]
Starring: Jessica Alba, Devon Aoki, Alexis Bledel, Powers Boothe
Directed By: Robert Rodriguez, Frank Miller

#94

Ocean's Eleven (2001)
Tomatometer icon 83%

#94
Adjusted Score: 89840%
Critics Consensus: As fast-paced, witty, and entertaining as it is star-studded and coolly stylish, Ocean's Eleven offers a well-seasoned serving of popcorn entertainment.
Synopsis: Dapper Danny Ocean (George Clooney) is a man of action. Less than 24 hours into his parole from a New... [More]
Starring: George Clooney, Matt Damon, Andy Garcia, Brad Pitt
Directed By: Steven Soderbergh

#93

Battle Royale (2000)
Tomatometer icon 90%

#93
Adjusted Score: 91301%
Critics Consensus: Battle Royale is a controversial and violent parable of adolescence, heightening teenage melodrama with life-or-death stakes.
Synopsis: 42 9th graders are sent to a deserted island. They are given a map, food, and various weapons. An explosive... [More]
Starring: Tatsuya Fujiwara, Aki Maeda, Taro Yamamoto, Masanobu Andô
Directed By: Kinji Fukasaku

#92

Elf (2003)
Tomatometer icon 86%

#92
Adjusted Score: 93121%
Critics Consensus: A movie full of Yuletide cheer, Elf is a spirited, good-natured family comedy, and it benefits greatly from Will Ferrell's funny and charming performance as one of Santa's biggest helpers.
Synopsis: Buddy (Will Ferrell) was accidentally transported to the North Pole as a toddler and raised to adulthood among Santa's elves.... [More]
Starring: Will Ferrell, James Caan, Bob Newhart, Ed Asner
Directed By: Jon Favreau

#91
#91
Adjusted Score: 72701%
Critics Consensus: Filled with inspired silliness and quotable lines, Anchorman isn't the most consistent comedy in the world, but Will Ferrell's buffoonish central performance helps keep this portrait of a clueless newsman from going off the rails.
Synopsis: Hotshot television anchorman Ron Burgundy (Will Ferrell) welcomes upstart reporter Veronica Corningstone (Christina Applegate) into the male-dominated world of 1970s... [More]
Starring: Will Ferrell, Christina Applegate, Paul Rudd, Steve Carell
Directed By: Adam McKay

#90

Fahrenheit 9/11 (2004)
Tomatometer icon 82%

#90
Adjusted Score: 89997%
Critics Consensus: Extremely one-sided in its indictment of the Bush administration, but worth watching for the humor and the debates it'll stir.
Synopsis: Michael Moore's political documentary uses humor and connect-the-dots investigative journalism to question the Bush administration's motives for wars in Iraq... [More]
Starring: Michael Moore, Ben Affleck, Stevie Wonder, George W. Bush
Directed By: Michael Moore

#89

Mulholland Dr. (2001)
Tomatometer icon 84%

#89
Adjusted Score: 93885%
Critics Consensus: David Lynch's dreamlike and mysterious Mulholland Drive is a twisty neo-noir with an unconventional structure that features a mesmerizing performance from Naomi Watts as a woman on the dark fringes of Hollywood.
Synopsis: A dark-haired woman (Laura Elena Harring) is left amnesiac after a car crash. She wanders the streets of Los Angeles... [More]
Starring: Justin Theroux, Naomi Watts, Laura Harring, Ann Miller
Directed By: David Lynch

#88

Billy Elliot (2000)
Tomatometer icon 85%

#88
Adjusted Score: 89476%
Critics Consensus: Billy Elliot is a charming movie that can evoke both laughter and tears.
Synopsis: The life of 11-year-old Billy Elliot, a coal miner's son in Northern England, is forever changed one day when he... [More]
Starring: Julie Walters, Jamie Bell, Jamie Draven, Gary Lewis
Directed By: Stephen Daldry

#87

Serenity (2005)
Tomatometer icon 82%

#87
Adjusted Score: 88974%
Critics Consensus: Snappy dialogue and goofy characters make this Wild Wild West soap opera in space fun and adventurous.
Synopsis: In this continuation of the television series "Firefly," a group of rebels travels the outskirts of space aboard their ship,... [More]
Starring: Nathan Fillion, Gina Torres, Alan Tudyk, Morena Baccarin
Directed By: Joss Whedon

#86

Paranormal Activity (2007)
Tomatometer icon 83%

#86
Adjusted Score: 91316%
Critics Consensus: Using its low-budget effects and mockumentary method to great result, Paranormal Activity turns a simple haunted house story into 90 minutes of relentless suspense.
Synopsis: Soon after moving into a suburban tract home, Katie (Katie Featherston) and Micah (Micah Sloat) become increasingly disturbed by what... [More]
Starring: Katie Featherston, Micah Sloat, Amber Armstrong, Mark Fredrichs
Directed By: Oren Peli

#85
#85
Adjusted Score: 90146%
Critics Consensus: Inspiring, compassionate, and with a sly undercurrent of social commentary, Bend It Like Beckham is a lively feel-good movie that genuinely charms.
Synopsis: Jess Bhamra (Parminder Nagra), the daughter of a strict Indian couple (Anupam Kher, Shaheen Khan) in London, is not permitted... [More]
Starring: Parminder Nagra, Keira Knightley, Anupam Kher, Archie Panjabi
Directed By: Gurinder Chadha

#84

Erin Brockovich (2000)
Tomatometer icon 85%

#84
Adjusted Score: 90995%
Critics Consensus: Taking full advantage of Julia Roberts's considerable talent and appeal, Erin Brockovich overcomes a few character and plot issues to deliver a smart, thoughtful, and funny legal drama.
Synopsis: Erin Brockovich (Julia Roberts) is a woman in a tight spot. Following a car accident in which Erin is not... [More]
Starring: Julia Roberts, Albert Finney, Aaron Eckhart, Marg Helgenberger
Directed By: Steven Soderbergh

#83

Walk the Line (2005)
Tomatometer icon 83%

#83
Adjusted Score: 90822%
Critics Consensus: Superior acting and authentic crooning capture the emotional subtleties of the legend of Johnny Cash with a freshness that is a pleasure to watch.
Synopsis: The rise of country music legend Johnny Cash (Joaquin Phoenix) begins with his days as a boy growing up on... [More]
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Reese Witherspoon, Ginnifer Goodwin, Robert Patrick
Directed By: James Mangold

#82

Shrek (2001)
Tomatometer icon 88%

#82
Adjusted Score: 95883%
Critics Consensus: While simultaneously embracing and subverting fairy tales, the irreverent Shrek also manages to tweak Disney's nose, provide a moral message to children, and offer viewers a funny, fast-paced ride.
Synopsis: Once upon a time, in a far away swamp, there lived an ogre named Shrek whose precious solitude is suddenly... [More]
Starring: Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, John Lithgow
Directed By: Andrew Adamson, Vicky Jenson

#81

In Bruges (2008)
Tomatometer icon 84%

#81
Adjusted Score: 92471%
Critics Consensus: Featuring witty dialogue and deft performances, In Bruges is an effective mix of dark comedy and crime thriller elements.
Synopsis: After a particularly difficult job, hit men Ray (Colin Farrell) and Ken (Brendan Gleeson) head to Belgium to hide out... [More]
Starring: Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, Ralph Fiennes, Ciarán Hinds
Directed By: Martin McDonagh

#80

Donnie Darko (2001)
Tomatometer icon 87%

#80
Adjusted Score: 90921%
Critics Consensus: Richard Kelly's debut feature Donnie Darko is a daring, original vision, packed with jarring ideas and intelligence and featuring a remarkable performance from Jake Gyllenhaal as the troubled title character.
Synopsis: In a funny, moving and distinctly mind-bending journey through suburban America, one extraordinary but disenchanted teenager is about to take... [More]
Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Jena Malone, Drew Barrymore, James Duval
Directed By: Richard Kelly

#79

The Descent (2005)
Tomatometer icon 87%

#79
Adjusted Score: 93931%
Critics Consensus: Deft direction and strong performances from its all-female cast guide The Descent, a riveting, claustrophobic horror film.
Synopsis: A year after a severe emotional trauma, Sarah (Shauna Macdonald) goes to North Carolina to spend some time exploring caves... [More]
Starring: Shauna Macdonald, Natalie Mendoza, Alex Reid, Saskia Mulder
Directed By: Neil Marshall

#78

Coraline (2009)
Tomatometer icon 91%

#78
Adjusted Score: 102361%
Critics Consensus: With its vivid stop-motion animation combined with Neil Gaiman's imaginative story, Coraline is a film that's both visually stunning and wondrously entertaining.
Synopsis: While exploring her new home, a girl named Coraline (Dakota Fanning) discovers a secret door, behind which lies an alternate... [More]
Starring: Dakota Fanning, Teri Hatcher, Jennifer Saunders, Dawn French
Directed By: Henry Selick

#77

Requiem for a Dream (2000)
Tomatometer icon 78%

#77
Adjusted Score: 83351%
Critics Consensus: Though the movie may be too intense for some to stomach, the wonderful performances and the bleak imagery are hard to forget.
Synopsis: Imaginatively evoking the inner landscape of human beings longing to connect, to love and feel loved, the film is a... [More]
Starring: Ellen Burstyn, Jared Leto, Jennifer Connelly, Marlon Wayans
Directed By: Darren Aronofsky

#76
#76
Adjusted Score: 91804%
Critics Consensus: Steve Carell's first star turn scores big with a tender treatment of its titular underdog, using raunchy but realistically funny comedy to connect with adult audiences.
Synopsis: Three dysfunctional co-workers embark on a mission to help their newfound friend lose his sexual innocence.... [More]
Starring: Steve Carell, Catherine Keener, Paul Rudd, Romany Malco
Directed By: Judd Apatow

#75

Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003)
Tomatometer icon 85%

#75
Adjusted Score: 93448%
Critics Consensus: Kill Bill is admittedly little more than a stylish revenge thriller -- albeit one that benefits from a wildly inventive surfeit of style.
Synopsis: A former assassin, known simply as The Bride (Uma Thurman), wakes from a coma four years after her jealous ex-lover... [More]
Starring: Uma Thurman, Lucy Liu, Vivica A. Fox, Michael Madsen
Directed By: Quentin Tarantino

#74
#74
Adjusted Score: 95339%
Critics Consensus: A clever, offbeat romantic comedy, 500 Days of Summer is refreshingly honest and utterly charming.
Synopsis: Tom (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), greeting-card writer and hopeless romantic, is caught completely off-guard when his girlfriend, Summer (Zooey Deschanel), suddenly dumps... [More]
Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Zooey Deschanel, Geoffrey Arend, Chloë Grace Moretz
Directed By: Marc Webb

#73

The Pianist (2002)
Tomatometer icon 95%

#73
Adjusted Score: 101360%
Critics Consensus: Well-acted and dramatically moving, The Pianist is Polanski's best work in years.
Synopsis: In this adaptation of the autobiography "The Pianist: The Extraordinary True Story of One Man's Survival in Warsaw, 1939-1945," Wladyslaw... [More]
Starring: Adrien Brody, Thomas Kretschmann, Frank Finlay, Maureen Lipman
Directed By: Roman Polanski

#72

Shaolin Soccer (2001)
Tomatometer icon 89%

#72
Adjusted Score: 91878%
Critics Consensus: The plot is utterly ridiculous, and the soccer in the movie is unlike any ever played anywhere on Earth, but watching Shaolin Soccer, you will probably find it impossible to care.
Synopsis: All his life, an ordinary young man (Stephen Chow) has been treated like dirt. Still, he's never given up believing... [More]
Starring: Stephen Chow, Wei Zhao, Yin Tse, Cecilia Cheung
Directed By: Stephen Chow, Lee Lik-Chi

#71

X2 (2003)
Tomatometer icon 85%

#71
Adjusted Score: 93969%
Critics Consensus: Tightly scripted, solidly acted, and impressively ambitious, X2: X-Men United is bigger and better than its predecessor -- and a benchmark for comic sequels in general.
Synopsis: Stryker (Brian Cox), a villianous former Army commander, holds the key to Wolverine's (Hugh Jackman) past and the future of... [More]
Starring: Patrick Stewart, Hugh Jackman, Ian McKellen, Halle Berry
Directed By: Bryan Singer

#70

Collateral (2004)
Tomatometer icon 86%

#70
Adjusted Score: 94108%
Critics Consensus: Driven by director Michael Mann's trademark visuals and a lean, villainous performance from Tom Cruise, Collateral is a stylish and compelling noir thriller.
Synopsis: A cab driver realizes his current fare is a hit man that has been having him drive around from mark... [More]
Starring: Tom Cruise, Jamie Foxx, Jada Pinkett Smith, Mark Ruffalo
Directed By: Michael Mann

#69

Ghost World (2001)
Tomatometer icon 93%

#69
Adjusted Score: 98881%
Critics Consensus: With acerbic wit, Terry Zwigoff fashions Daniel Clowes' graphic novel into an intelligent, comedic trip through deadpan teen angst.
Synopsis: The story of neo-cool Enid (Thora Birch) and Rebecca (Scarlett Johansson) who, faced with graduation from high school, take a... [More]
Starring: Thora Birch, Scarlett Johansson, Steve Buscemi, Brad Renfro
Directed By: Terry Zwigoff

#68

Avatar (2009)
Tomatometer icon 81%

#68
Adjusted Score: 94968%
Critics Consensus: It might be more impressive on a technical level than as a piece of storytelling, but Avatar reaffirms James Cameron's singular gift for imaginative, absorbing filmmaking.
Synopsis: James Cameron's Academy Award®-winning 2009 epic adventure "Avatar", returns to theaters September 23 in stunning 4K High Dynamic Range. On... [More]
Starring: Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang
Directed By: James Cameron

#67

Inside Man (2006)
Tomatometer icon 86%

#67
Adjusted Score: 94603%
Critics Consensus: Spike Lee's energetic and clever bank-heist thriller is a smart genre film that is not only rewarding on its own terms, but manages to subvert its pulpy trappings with wit and skill.
Synopsis: A tough detective (Denzel Washington) matches wits with a cunning bank robber (Clive Owen), as a tense hostage crisis is... [More]
Starring: Denzel Washington, Clive Owen, Jodie Foster, Willem Dafoe
Directed By: Spike Lee

#66

Star Trek (2009)
Tomatometer icon 94%

#66
Adjusted Score: 108823%
Critics Consensus: Star Trek reignites a classic franchise with action, humor, a strong story, and brilliant visuals, and will please traditional Trekkies and new fans alike.
Synopsis: Aboard the USS Enterprise, the most-sophisticated starship ever built, a novice crew embarks on its maiden voyage. Their path takes... [More]
Starring: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Leonard Nimoy, Eric Bana
Directed By: J.J. Abrams

#65
#65
Adjusted Score: 89050%
Critics Consensus: The Royal Tenenbaums is a delightful adult comedy with many quirks and a sense of poignancy. Many critics especially praised Hackman's performance.
Synopsis: Royal Tenenbaum and his wife Etheline had three children and then they separated. All three children are extraordinary --- all... [More]
Starring: Gene Hackman, Anjelica Huston, Ben Stiller, Gwyneth Paltrow
Directed By: Wes Anderson

#64

Broken Flowers (2005)
Tomatometer icon 87%

#64
Adjusted Score: 94016%
Critics Consensus: Bill Murray's subtle and understated style complements director Jim Jarmusch's minimalist storytelling in this quirky, but deadpan comedy.
Synopsis: When his latest girlfriend (Julie Delpy) leaves him, retired computer magnate Don Johnston (Bill Murray) has no greater ambition than... [More]
Starring: Bill Murray, Jeffrey Wright, Sharon Stone, Frances Conroy
Directed By: Jim Jarmusch

#63

28 Days Later (2002)
Tomatometer icon 87%

#63
Adjusted Score: 95161%
Critics Consensus: Kinetically directed by Danny Boyle, 28 Days Later is both a terrifying zombie movie and a sharp political allegory.
Synopsis: A group of misguided animal rights activists free a caged chimp infected with the "Rage" virus from a medical research... [More]
Starring: Cillian Murphy, Noah Huntley, Naomie Harris, Brendan Gleeson
Directed By: Danny Boyle

#62

Superbad (2007)
Tomatometer icon 88%

#62
Adjusted Score: 96316%
Critics Consensus: Deftly balancing vulgarity and sincerity while placing its protagonists in excessive situations, Superbad is an authentic take on friendship and the overarching awkwardness of the high school experience.
Synopsis: High school seniors Seth and Evan have high hopes for a graduation party. The co-dependent teens plan to score booze... [More]
Starring: Jonah Hill, Michael Cera, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Bill Hader
Directed By: Greg Mottola

#61
#61
Adjusted Score: 99744%
Critics Consensus: An exquisitely shot showcase for Maggie Cheung and Tony Leung that marks a somber evolution of Wong Kar-wai's chic style, In the Mood for Love is a tantric tease that's liable to break your heart.
Synopsis: In 1962, journalist Chow Mo-wan (Tony Leung Chiu Wai) and his wife move into a Hong Kong apartment, but Chow's... [More]
Starring: Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Maggie Cheung, Kelly Lai Chen, Rebecca Pan
Directed By: Kar-Wai Wong

#60

Almost Famous (2000)
Tomatometer icon 91%

#60
Adjusted Score: 100493%
Critics Consensus: Almost Famous, with its great ensemble performances and story, is a well-crafted, warm-hearted movie that successfully draws you into its era.
Synopsis: Set in 1973, it chronicles the funny and often poignant coming of age of 15-year-old William, an unabashed music fan... [More]
Starring: Billy Crudup, Frances McDormand, Kate Hudson, Jason Lee
Directed By: Cameron Crowe

#59

Tropic Thunder (2008)
Tomatometer icon 82%

#59
Adjusted Score: 92271%
Critics Consensus: With biting satire, plenty of subversive humor, and an unforgettable turn by Robert Downey, Jr., Tropic Thunder is a triumphant late summer comedy.
Synopsis: Tugg Speedman (Ben Stiller), pampered action superstar, sets out for Southeast Asia to take part in the biggest, most-expensive war... [More]
Starring: Ben Stiller, Jack Black, Robert Downey Jr., Nick Nolte
Directed By: Ben Stiller

#58

Finding Nemo (2003)
Tomatometer icon 99%

#58
Adjusted Score: 108690%
Critics Consensus: Breathtakingly lovely and grounded by the stellar efforts of a well-chosen cast, Finding Nemo adds another beautifully crafted gem to Pixar's crown.
Synopsis: Marlin (Albert Brooks), a clown fish, is overly cautious with his son, Nemo (Alexander Gould), who has a foreshortened fin.... [More]
Starring: Albert Brooks, Ellen DeGeneres, Alexander Gould, Willem Dafoe
Directed By: Andrew Stanton

#57

Whale Rider (2002)
Tomatometer icon 91%

#57
Adjusted Score: 96146%
Critics Consensus: An empowering and uplifting movie, with a wonderful performance by Castle-Hughes.
Synopsis: Only males are allowed to ascend to chiefdom in a Maori tribe in New Zealand. This ancient custom is upset... [More]
Starring: Keisha Castle-Hughes, Rawiri Paratene, Vicky Haughton, Cliff Curtis
Directed By: Niki Caro

#56

Talk to Her (2002)
Tomatometer icon 91%

#56
Adjusted Score: 95324%
Critics Consensus: Another masterful, compassionate work from Pedro Almodovar.
Synopsis: Male nurse Benigno (Javier Cámara) becomes infatuated with a complete stranger when he watches dancer Alicia (Leonor Watling) practicing from... [More]
Starring: Javier Cámara, Darío Grandinetti, Rosario Flores, Leonor Watling
Directed By: Pedro Almodóvar

#55

Amores perros (2000)
Tomatometer icon 93%

#55
Adjusted Score: 97568%
Critics Consensus: The brutality of Amores Perros may be difficult to watch at times, but this intense, gritty film packs a hard wallop.
Synopsis: "Amores Perros" is a bold, intensely emotional, and ambitious story of lives that collide in a Mexico City car crash.... [More]
Starring: Emilio Echevarría, Gael García Bernal, Goya Toledo, Álvaro Guerrero
Directed By: Alejandro González Iñárritu

#54

Y tu mamá también (2001)
Tomatometer icon 90%

#54
Adjusted Score: 97007%
Critics Consensus: Led by a triumvirate of terrific performances, Alfonso Cuarón's free-spirited road trip through Mexico is a sexy and wistful hymn to the fleetingness of youth.
Synopsis: The lives of Julio and Tenoch, like those of 17-year old boys everywhere, are ruled by raging hormones, intense friendships,... [More]
Starring: Maribel Verdú, Gael García Bernal, Diego Luna, Diana Bracho
Directed By: Alfonso Cuarón

#53

The School of Rock (2003)
Tomatometer icon 92%

#53
Adjusted Score: 99007%
Critics Consensus: Black's exuberant, gleeful performance turns School of Rock into a hilarious, rocking good time.
Synopsis: Overly enthusiastic guitarist Dewey Finn (Jack Black) gets thrown out of his bar band and finds himself in desperate need... [More]
Starring: Jack Black, Joan Cusack, Mike White, Sarah Silverman
Directed By: Richard Linklater

#52

Adaptation (2002)
Tomatometer icon 90%

#52
Adjusted Score: 97143%
Critics Consensus: Dizzyingly original, the loopy, multi-layered Adaptation is both funny and thought-provoking.
Synopsis: Nicolas Cage is Charlie Kaufman, a confused L.A. screenwriter overwhelmed by feelings of inadequacy, sexual frustration, self-loathing, and by the... [More]
Starring: Nicolas Cage, Meryl Streep, Chris Cooper, Tilda Swinton
Directed By: Spike Jonze

#51

The Lives of Others (2006)
Tomatometer icon 92%

#51
Adjusted Score: 98479%
Critics Consensus: Unlike more traditional spy films, The Lives of Others doesn't sacrifice character for cloak and dagger chases, and the performances (notably that by the late Ulrich Muhe) stay with you.
Synopsis: In 1983 East Berlin, dedicated Stasi officer Gerd Wiesler (Ulrich Mühe), doubting that a famous playwright (Sebastian Koch) is loyal... [More]
Starring: Martina Gedeck, Ulrich Mühe, Sebastian Koch, Ulrich Tukur
Directed By: Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck

#50

Million Dollar Baby (2004)
Tomatometer icon 90%

#50
Adjusted Score: 99175%
Critics Consensus: Clint Eastwood's assured direction - combined with knockout performances from Hilary Swank and Morgan Freeman - help Million Dollar Baby to transcend its clichés, and the result is deeply heartfelt and moving.
Synopsis: Frankie Dunn (Clint Eastwood) is a veteran Los Angeles boxing trainer who keeps almost everyone at arm's length, except his... [More]
Starring: Clint Eastwood, Hilary Swank, Morgan Freeman, Anthony Mackie
Directed By: Clint Eastwood

#49

Hot Fuzz (2007)
Tomatometer icon 91%

#49
Adjusted Score: 99136%
Critics Consensus: The brilliant minds behind Shaun of the Dead successfully take a shot at the buddy cop genre with Hot Fuzz. The result is a bitingly satiric and hugely entertaining parody.
Synopsis: As a former London constable, Nicholas Angel (Simon Pegg) finds if difficult to adapt to his new assignment in the... [More]
Starring: Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Jim Broadbent, Paddy Considine
Directed By: Edgar Wright

#48

The Host (2006)
Tomatometer icon 93%

#48
Adjusted Score: 99064%
Critics Consensus: As populace pleasing as it is intellectually satisfying, The Host combines scares, laughs, and satire into a riveting, monster movie.
Synopsis: Careless American military personnel dump chemicals into South Korea's Han River. Several years later, a creature emerges from the tainted... [More]
Starring: Song Kang-ho, Byun Hee-bong, Park Hae-il, Bae Doo-na
Directed By: Bong Joon Ho

#47

Moulin Rouge (2001)
Tomatometer icon 75%

#47
Adjusted Score: 84843%
Critics Consensus: A love-it-or-hate-it experience, Moulin Rouge is all style, all giddy, over-the-top spectacle. But it's also daring in its vision and wildly original.
Synopsis: A celebration of love and creative inspiration takes place in the infamous, gaudy and glamorous Parisian nightclub, at the cusp... [More]
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Ewan McGregor, John Leguizamo, Jim Broadbent
Directed By: Baz Luhrmann

#46

Man on Wire (2008)
Tomatometer icon 100%

#46
Adjusted Score: 106137%
Critics Consensus: James Marsh's doc about artist Phililppe Petit's artful caper brings you every ounce of suspense that can be wrung from a man on a (suspended) wire.
Synopsis: Using actual footage from the event seamlessly mingled with new re-enactments, filmmaker James Marsh masterfully recreates high-wire daredevil Philippe Petit's... [More]
Starring: Annie Allix, Jean François Heckel
Directed By: James Marsh

#45

Zodiac (2007)
Tomatometer icon 90%

#45
Adjusted Score: 100791%
Critics Consensus: A quiet, dialogue-driven thriller that delivers with scene after scene of gut-wrenching anxiety. David Fincher also spends more time illustrating nuances of his characters and recreating the mood of the '70s than he does on gory details of murder.
Synopsis: In the late 1960s and 1970s, fear grips the city of San Francisco as a serial killer called Zodiac stalks... [More]
Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Mark Ruffalo, Robert Downey Jr., Anthony Edwards
Directed By: David Fincher

#44

Napoleon Dynamite (2004)
Tomatometer icon 72%

#44
Adjusted Score: 77593%
Critics Consensus: A charming, quirky, and often funny comedy.
Synopsis: In small-town Preston, Idaho, awkward teen Napoleon Dynamite (Jon Heder) has trouble fitting in. After his grandmother is injured in... [More]
Starring: Jon Heder, Jon Gries, Aaron Ruell, Efren Ramirez
Directed By: Jared Hess

#43
#43
Adjusted Score: 100019%
Critics Consensus: Little Miss Sunshine succeeds thanks to a strong ensemble cast that includes Greg Kinnear, Steve Carell, Toni Collette, Alan Arkin, and Abigail Breslin, as well as a delightfully funny script.
Synopsis: The Hoover family -- a man (Greg Kinnear), his wife (Toni Collette), an uncle (Steve Carell), a brother (Paul Dano)... [More]
Starring: Greg Kinnear, Steve Carell, Toni Collette, Alan Arkin
Directed By: Jonathan Dayton, Valerie Faris

#42
#42
Adjusted Score: 102969%
Critics Consensus: A classic Tarantino genre-blending thrill ride, Inglourious Basterds is violent, unrestrained, and thoroughly entertaining.
Synopsis: It is the first year of Germany's occupation of France. Allied officer Lt. Aldo Raine (Brad Pitt) assembles a team... [More]
Starring: Brad Pitt, Mélanie Laurent, Christoph Waltz, Eli Roth
Directed By: Quentin Tarantino

#41

Memento (2000)
Tomatometer icon 94%

#41
Adjusted Score: 101560%
Critics Consensus: Christopher Nolan skillfully guides the audience through Memento's fractured narrative, seeping his film in existential dread.
Synopsis: Leonard (Guy Pearce) is tracking down the man who raped and murdered his wife. The difficulty, however, of locating his... [More]
Starring: Guy Pearce, Carrie-Anne Moss, Joe Pantoliano, Mark Boone Junior
Directed By: Christopher Nolan

#40
#40
Adjusted Score: 99111%
Critics Consensus: Part satire, part shockumentary, Borat gets high-fives almost all-around for being offensive in the funniest possible way. Jagshemash!
Synopsis: Outrageous situations occur when Borat, a popular reporter (Sacha Baron Cohen) from Kazakhstan, comes to the United States to film... [More]
Starring: Sacha Baron Cohen, Pamela Anderson, Ken Davitian, Luenell
Directed By: Larry Charles

#39

Best in Show (2000)
Tomatometer icon 93%

#39
Adjusted Score: 97338%
Critics Consensus: A fine example of writer-director-star Christopher Guest's gift for improv comedy, Best in Show boasts an appealingly quirky premise and a brilliantly talented cast.
Synopsis: The tension is palpable, the excitement is mounting and the heady scent of competition is in the air as hundreds... [More]
Starring: Michael Hitchcock, Parker Posey, Eugene Levy, Catherine O'Hara
Directed By: Christopher Guest

#38

There Will Be Blood (2007)
Tomatometer icon 91%

#38
Adjusted Score: 101023%
Critics Consensus: Widely touted as a masterpiece, this sparse and sprawling epic about the underhanded "heroes" of capitalism boasts incredible performances by leads Daniel Day-Lewis and Paul Dano, and is director Paul Thomas Anderson's best work to date.
Synopsis: Silver miner Daniel Plainview (Daniel Day-Lewis) leads a hardscrabble life with his son, H.W. (Dillon Freasier). When he hears about... [More]
Starring: Daniel Day-Lewis, Paul Dano, Kevin J. O'Connor, Ciarán Hinds
Directed By: Paul Thomas Anderson

#37

Amélie (2001)
Tomatometer icon 90%

#37
Adjusted Score: 98634%
Critics Consensus: The feel-good Amelie is a lively, fanciful charmer, showcasing Audrey Tautou as its delightful heroine.
Synopsis: "Amélie" is a fanciful comedy about a young woman who discretely orchestrates the lives of the people around her, creating... [More]
Starring: Audrey Tautou, Mathieu Kassovitz, Rufus, Yolande Moreau
Directed By: Jean-Pierre Jeunet

#36

District 9 (2009)
Tomatometer icon 90%

#36
Adjusted Score: 102890%
Critics Consensus: Technically brilliant and emotionally wrenching, District 9 has action, imagination, and all the elements of a thoroughly entertaining science-fiction classic.
Synopsis: Thirty years ago, aliens arrive on Earth -- not to conquer or give aid, but -- to find refuge from... [More]
Starring: Sharlto Copley, Jason Cope, David James, Vanessa Haywood
Directed By: Neill Blomkamp

#35

The Hurt Locker (2008)
Tomatometer icon 96%

#35
Adjusted Score: 107883%
Critics Consensus: A well-acted, intensely shot, action filled war epic, Kathryn Bigelow's The Hurt Locker is thus far the best of the recent dramatizations of the Iraq War.
Synopsis: Staff Sgt. William James (Jeremy Renner), Sgt. J.T. Sanborn (Anthony Mackie) and Specialist Owen Eldridge (Brian Geraghty) are members of... [More]
Starring: Jeremy Renner, Anthony Mackie, Brian Geraghty, Guy Pearce
Directed By: Kathryn Bigelow

#34

Minority Report (2002)
Tomatometer icon 89%

#34
Adjusted Score: 98179%
Critics Consensus: Thought-provoking and visceral, Steven Spielberg successfully combines high concept ideas and high octane action in this fast and febrile sci-fi thriller.
Synopsis: Based on a story by famed science fiction writer Philip K. Dick, "Minority Report" is an action-detective thriller set in... [More]
Starring: Tom Cruise, Colin Farrell, Samantha Morton, Max von Sydow
Directed By: Steven Spielberg

#33
#33
Adjusted Score: 101526%
Critics Consensus: Featuring gut-wrenching performances from Anamaria Marinca and Laura Vasiliu, 4 Months is a gripping portrayal of life in Communist Romania.
Synopsis: The courage and friendship of two Romanian college students is tested when Gabita (Laura Vasiliu) discovers that she is pregnant... [More]
Starring: Anamaria Marinca, Laura Vasiliu, Vlad Ivanov, Alexandru Potocean
Directed By: Cristian Mungiu

#32

The Departed (2006)
Tomatometer icon 91%

#32
Adjusted Score: 103158%
Critics Consensus: Featuring outstanding work from an excellent cast, The Departed is a thoroughly engrossing gangster drama with the gritty authenticity and soupy morality we come to expect from Martin Scorsese.
Synopsis: South Boston cop Billy Costigan (Leonardo DiCaprio) goes under cover to infiltrate the organization of gangland chief Frank Costello (Jack... [More]
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson, Mark Wahlberg
Directed By: Martin Scorsese

#31

Spider-Man 2 (2004)
Tomatometer icon 93%

#31
Adjusted Score: 102479%
Critics Consensus: Boasting an entertaining villain and deeper emotional focus, this is a nimble sequel that improves upon the original.
Synopsis: When a failed nuclear fusion experiment results in an explosion that kills his wife, Dr. Otto Octavius (Alfred Molina) is... [More]
Starring: Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, James Franco, Alfred Molina
Directed By: Sam Raimi

#30

Juno (2007)
Tomatometer icon 93%

#30
Adjusted Score: 101673%
Critics Consensus: One of the brightest, funniest comedies of the year, Juno's smart script and direction are matched by assured performances in a coming-of-age story with a 21st century twist.
Synopsis: When precocious teen Juno MacGuff becomes pregnant, she chooses a failed rock star and his wife to adopt her unborn... [More]
Starring: Elliot Page, Michael Cera, Jennifer Garner, Jason Bateman
Directed By: Jason Reitman

#29
#29
Adjusted Score: 102878%
Critics Consensus: The Bourne Ultimatum is an intelligent, finely tuned non-stop thrill ride. Another strong performance from Matt Damon and sharp camerawork from Paul Greengrass make this the finest installment of the Bourne trilogy.
Synopsis: Jason Bourne (Matt Damon) continues his international quest to uncover his true identity. From Russia to Europe to northern Africa... [More]
Starring: Matt Damon, Julia Stiles, Joan Allen, David Strathairn
Directed By: Paul Greengrass

#28

Persepolis (2007)
Tomatometer icon 96%

#28
Adjusted Score: 102291%
Critics Consensus: Persepolis is an emotionally powerful, dramatically enthralling autobiographical gem, and the film's simple black-and-white images are effective and bold.
Synopsis: Based on Satrapi's graphic novel about her life in pre and post-revolutionary Iran and then in Europe. The film traces... [More]
Starring: Chiara Mastroianni, Catherine Deneuve, Danielle Darrieux, Simon Abkarian
Directed By: Marjane Satrapi, Vincent Paronnaud

#27

A Prophet (2009)
Tomatometer icon 96%

#27
Adjusted Score: 102327%
Critics Consensus: Featuring an impressive star turn by newcomer Tahar Rahim, A Prophet is a French gangster film filled with arresting, immediate details.
Synopsis: This acclaimed crime drama follows Malik El Djebena (Tahar Rahim), a delinquent young Muslim man, who is struggling to get... [More]
Starring: Tahar Rahim, Niels Arestrup, Adel Bencherif, Reda Kateb
Directed By: Jacques Audiard

#26

Once (2007)
Tomatometer icon 97%

#26
Adjusted Score: 103156%
Critics Consensus: A charming, captivating tale of love and music, Once sets the standard for the modern musical. And with Dublin as its backdrop, Once is fun and fresh.
Synopsis: A vacuum repairman (Glen Hansard) moonlights as a street musician and hopes for his big break. One day a Czech... [More]
Starring: Glen Hansard, Markéta Irglová, Hugh Walsh, Gerry Hendrick
Directed By: John Carney

#25
#25
Adjusted Score: 104869%
Critics Consensus: The movie that catapulted Ang Lee into the ranks of upper echelon Hollywood filmmakers, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon features a deft mix of amazing martial arts battles, beautiful scenery, and tasteful drama.
Synopsis: In 19th century Qing Dynasty China, a warrior (Chow Yun-Fat) gives his sword, Green Destiny, to his lover (Michelle Yeoh)... [More]
Starring: Chow Yun-Fat, Michelle Yeoh, Zhang Ziyi, Chang Chen
Directed By: Ang Lee

#24

Sideways (2004)
Tomatometer icon 97%

#24
Adjusted Score: 104803%
Critics Consensus: Charming, thoughtful, and often funny, Sideways is a decidedly mature road trip comedy full of excellent performances.
Synopsis: Struggling writer and wine enthusiast Miles (Paul Giamatti) takes his engaged friend, Jack (Thomas Haden Church), on a trip to... [More]
Starring: Paul Giamatti, Thomas Haden Church, Virginia Madsen, Sandra Oh
Directed By: Alexander Payne

#23
#23
Adjusted Score: 87424%
Critics Consensus: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone adapts its source material faithfully while condensing the novel's overstuffed narrative into an involving -- and often downright exciting -- big-screen magical caper.
Synopsis: Adaptation of the first of J.K. Rowling's popular children's novels about Harry Potter, a boy who learns on his eleventh... [More]
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, John Cleese
Directed By: Chris Columbus

#22

Casino Royale (2006)
Tomatometer icon 94%

#22
Adjusted Score: 105281%
Critics Consensus: Casino Royale disposes of the silliness and gadgetry that plagued recent James Bond outings, and Daniel Craig delivers what fans and critics have been waiting for: a caustic, haunted, intense reinvention of 007.
Synopsis: After receiving a license to kill, British Secret Service agent James Bond (Daniel Craig) heads to Madagascar, where he uncovers... [More]
Starring: Daniel Craig, Eva Green, Mads Mikkelsen, Judi Dench
Directed By: Martin Campbell

#21

Slumdog Millionaire (2008)
Tomatometer icon 91%

#21
Adjusted Score: 102838%
Critics Consensus: Visually dazzling and emotionally resonant, Slumdog Millionaire is a film that's both entertaining and powerful.
Synopsis: As 18-year-old Jamal Malik (Dev Patel) answers questions on the Indian version of "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire," flashbacks... [More]
Starring: Dev Patel, Freida Pinto, Madhur Mittal, Anil Kapoor
Directed By: Danny Boyle

#20

Chicken Run (2000)
Tomatometer icon 97%

#20
Adjusted Score: 104008%
Critics Consensus: Chicken Run has all the charm of Nick Park's Wallace & Gromit, and something for everybody. The voice acting is fabulous, the slapstick is brilliant, and the action sequences are spectacular.
Synopsis: This engaging stop-motion, claymation adventure tells the story of an American rooster who falls in love with a gorgeous hen... [More]
Starring: Mel Gibson, Julia Sawalha, Miranda Richardson, Jane Horrocks
Directed By: Peter Lord, Nick Park

#19

The Incredibles (2004)
Tomatometer icon 97%

#19
Adjusted Score: 105565%
Critics Consensus: Bringing loads of wit and tons of fun to the animated superhero genre, The Incredibles easily lives up to its name.
Synopsis: In this lauded Pixar animated film, married superheroes Mr. Incredible (Craig T. Nelson) and Elastigirl (Holly Hunter) are forced to... [More]
Starring: Craig T. Nelson, Holly Hunter, Samuel L. Jackson, Jason Lee
Directed By: Brad Bird

#18

City of God (2002)
Tomatometer icon 91%

#18
Adjusted Score: 96460%
Critics Consensus: City of God offers a shocking and disturbing -- but always compelling -- look at life in the slums of Rio de Janiero.
Synopsis: In the poverty-stricken favelas of Rio de Janeiro in the 1970s, two young men choose different paths. Rocket (Phellipe Haagensen)... [More]
Starring: Alexandre Rodrigues, Leandro Firmino, Phellipe Haagensen, Douglas Silva
Directed By: Fernando Meirelles

#17
#17
Adjusted Score: 105663%
Critics Consensus: Let the Right One In reinvigorates the seemingly tired vampire genre by effectively mixing scares with intelligent storytelling.
Synopsis: When Oskar (Kåre Hedebrant), a sensitive, bullied 12-year-old boy living with his mother in suburban Sweden, meets his new neighbor,... [More]
Starring: Kåre Hedebrant, Lina Leandersson, Per Ragnar, Henrik Dahl
Directed By: Tomas Alfredson

#16

Before Sunset (2004)
Tomatometer icon 94%

#16
Adjusted Score: 99859%
Critics Consensus: Filled with engaging dialogue, Before Sunset is a witty, poignant romance, with natural chemistry between Hawke and Delpy.
Synopsis: A sequel to Before Sunrise, this film starts nine years later as Jesse (Ethan Hawke) travels across Europe giving readings... [More]
Starring: Ethan Hawke, Julie Delpy, Vernon Dobtcheff, Louise Lemoine Torres
Directed By: Richard Linklater

#15

WALL-E (2008)
Tomatometer icon 95%

#15
Adjusted Score: 105626%
Critics Consensus: Wall-E's stellar visuals testify once again to Pixar's ingenuity, while its charming star will captivate younger viewers -- and its timely story offers thought-provoking subtext.
Synopsis: WALL-E, short for Waste Allocation Load Lifter Earth-class, is the last robot left on Earth. He spends his days tidying... [More]
Starring: Ben Burtt, Elissa Knight, Jeff Garlin, Fred Willard
Directed By: Andrew Stanton

#14

Brokeback Mountain (2005)
Tomatometer icon 88%

#14
Adjusted Score: 97688%
Critics Consensus: A beautiful, epic Western, Brokeback Mountain's love story is imbued with heartbreaking universality thanks to moving performances by Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal.
Synopsis: In 1963, rodeo cowboy Jack Twist and ranch hand Ennis Del Mar are hired by rancher Joe Aguirre as sheep... [More]
Starring: Heath Ledger, Jake Gyllenhaal, Linda Cardellini, Anna Faris
Directed By: Ang Lee

#13

Mean Girls (2004)
Tomatometer icon 84%

#13
Adjusted Score: 91346%
Critics Consensus: Elevated by a brilliant screenplay and outstanding ensemble cast, Mean Girls finds fresh, female-fronted humor in the high school experience.
Synopsis: Teenage Cady Heron (Lindsay Lohan) was educated in Africa by her scientist parents. When her family moves to the suburbs... [More]
Starring: Lindsay Lohan, Rachel McAdams, Tina Fey, Tim Meadows
Directed By: Mark Waters

#12

The Wrestler (2008)
Tomatometer icon 99%

#12
Adjusted Score: 108279%
Critics Consensus: Mickey Rourke gives a performance for the ages in The Wrestler, a richly affecting, heart-wrenching yet ultimately rewarding drama.
Synopsis: Aging wrestler Randy "The Ram" Robinson (Mickey Rourke) is long past his prime but still ready and rarin' to go... [More]
Starring: Mickey Rourke, Marisa Tomei, Evan Rachel Wood, Mark Margolis
Directed By: Darren Aronofsky

#11

Up (2009)
Tomatometer icon 98%

#11
Adjusted Score: 110171%
Critics Consensus: An exciting, funny, and poignant adventure, Up offers an impeccably crafted story told with wit and arranged with depth, as well as yet another visual Pixar treat.
Synopsis: Carl Fredricksen (Ed Asner), a 78-year-old balloon salesman, is about to fulfill a lifelong dream. Tying thousands of balloons to... [More]
Starring: Ed Asner, Christopher Plummer, Jordan Nagai, Bob Peterson
Directed By: Pete Docter, Bob Peterson

#10

Iron Man (2008)
Tomatometer icon 94%

#10
Adjusted Score: 105523%
Critics Consensus: Powered by Robert Downey Jr.'s vibrant charm, Iron Man turbo-charges the superhero genre with a deft intelligence and infectious sense of fun.
Synopsis: A billionaire industrialist and genius inventor, Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.), is conducting weapons tests overseas, but terrorists kidnap him... [More]
Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Terrence Howard, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jeff Bridges
Directed By: Jon Favreau

#9

Shaun of the Dead (2004)
Tomatometer icon 92%

#9
Adjusted Score: 99384%
Critics Consensus: Shaun of the Dead cleverly balances scares and witty satire, making for a bloody good zombie movie with loads of wit.
Synopsis: Shaun is a 30-something loser with a dull, easy existence. When he's not working at the electronics store, he lives... [More]
Starring: Simon Pegg, Kate Ashfield, Lucy Davis, Nick Frost
Directed By: Edgar Wright

#8
#8
Adjusted Score: 104917%
Critics Consensus: Bolstered by powerful lead performances from Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin, and Tommy Lee Jones, No Country for Old Men finds the Coen brothers spinning cinematic gold out of Cormac McCarthy's grim, darkly funny novel.
Synopsis: While out hunting, Llewelyn Moss (Josh Brolin) finds the grisly aftermath of a drug deal. Though he knows better, he... [More]
Starring: Tommy Lee Jones, Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin, Woody Harrelson
Directed By: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen

#7

Children of Men (2006)
Tomatometer icon 92%

#7
Adjusted Score: 102588%
Critics Consensus: Children of Men works on every level: as a violent chase thriller, a fantastical cautionary tale, and a sophisticated human drama about societies struggling to live.
Synopsis: When infertility threatens mankind with extinction and the last child born has perished, a disillusioned bureaucrat (Clive Owen) becomes the... [More]
Starring: Clive Owen, Julianne Moore, Michael Caine, Chiwetel Ejiofor
Directed By: Alfonso Cuarón

#6
#6
Adjusted Score: 100717%
Critics Consensus: Propelled by Charlie Kaufman's smart, imaginative script and Michel Gondry's equally daring directorial touch, Eternal Sunshine is a twisty yet heartfelt look at relationships and heartache.
Synopsis: After a painful breakup, Clementine (Kate Winslet) undergoes a procedure to erase memories of her former boyfriend Joel (Jim Carrey)... [More]
Starring: Jim Carrey, Kate Winslet, Kirsten Dunst, Mark Ruffalo
Directed By: Michel Gondry

#5

Pan's Labyrinth (2006)
Tomatometer icon 95%

#5
Adjusted Score: 105127%
Critics Consensus: Pan's Labyrinth is Alice in Wonderland for grown-ups, with the horrors of both reality and fantasy blended together into an extraordinary, spellbinding fable.
Synopsis: In 1944 Spain young Ofelia (Ivana Baquero) and her ailing mother (Ariadna Gil) arrive at the post of her mother's... [More]
Starring: Sergi López, Maribel Verdú, Ivana Baquero, Álex Angulo
Directed By: Guillermo del Toro

#4

Spirited Away (2001)
Tomatometer icon 96%

#4
Adjusted Score: 104258%
Critics Consensus: Spirited Away is a dazzling, enchanting, and gorgeously drawn fairy tale that will leave viewers a little more curious and fascinated by the world around them.
Synopsis: 10-year-old Chihiro (Daveigh Chase) moves with her parents to a new home in the Japanese countryside. After taking a wrong... [More]
Starring: Daveigh Chase, Suzanne Pleshette, Jason Marsden, Susan Egan
Directed By: Hayao Miyazaki

#3

Lost in Translation (2003)
Tomatometer icon 95%

#3
Adjusted Score: 103408%
Critics Consensus: Effectively balancing humor and subtle pathos, Sofia Coppola crafts a moving, melancholy story that serves as a showcase for both Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson.
Synopsis: A lonely, aging movie star named Bob Harris (Bill Murray) and a conflicted newlywed, Charlotte (Scarlett Johansson), meet in Tokyo.... [More]
Starring: Bill Murray, Scarlett Johansson, Giovanni Ribisi, Anna Faris
Directed By: Sofia Coppola

#2
#2
Adjusted Score: 100842%
Critics Consensus: Full of eye-popping special effects, and featuring a pitch-perfect cast, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring brings J.R.R. Tolkien's classic to vivid life.
Synopsis: The future of civilization rests in the fate of the One Ring, which has been lost for centuries. Powerful forces... [More]
Starring: Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Liv Tyler, Viggo Mortensen
Directed By: Peter Jackson

#1

The Dark Knight (2008)
Tomatometer icon 94%

#1
Adjusted Score: 108407%
Critics Consensus: Dark, complex, and unforgettable, The Dark Knight succeeds not just as an entertaining comic book film, but as a richly thrilling crime saga.
Synopsis: With the help of allies Lt. Jim Gordon (Gary Oldman) and DA Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart), Batman (Christian Bale) has... [More]
Starring: Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckhart, Michael Caine
Directed By: Christopher Nolan

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