2000 is now over two decades ago, and there are a select few movies from the year that have stuck with audiences much more than others. There was no defining trend that marked the year 2000 in cinema, but most of the movies were actor-driven and many of them were built around a bankable star.
Whether it was Russell Crowe in armor and sandals, Tom Hanks stranded on a desert island, or Julia Roberts as a powerful lawyer, 2000 saw star power in cinema unlike ever before. But ironically enough, one of the most classic and highest-grossing movies of the year is a Chinese film with no American actors to lean on.
Cast Away
Rent On Amazon Prime
As Leonardo DiCaprio was still on the rise and Tom Cruise was dabbling more in art films like Eyes Wide Shut and Magnolia, there was one movie star who was more bankable than anybody in the world in 2000. Cast Away was a huge moneymaker at the box office, and it's mostly thanks to Tom Hanks. It was one of the first major examples of just one character for most of the movie, at least in terms of a Hollywood release.
Cast Away has even become so iconic that Wilson, the volleyball with the handprint on it, has strangely become a lucrative piece of memorabilia. According to the BBC, the prop was sold for $308,000.
Gladiator
Stream On Netflix & Paramount+
Coming from Hollywood's favorite curmudgeon, Ridley Scott, Gladiator was the first of many historical dramas that the filmmaker helmed and for good reason. Nobody makes swords and sandals movies like Scott does, but Gladiator still stands as the best in his filmography.
The war between Maximus and Commodus is timeless in the way it tells the story of good and evil. And even though few classic pictures should have sequels, as they run the risk of having their legacies tarnished, Gladiator truly deserves a sequel, as there's still more of the story to tell.
Scary Movie
Stream On Showtime & Fubo TV
The Scary Movie series is a case of diminishing returns, as each consecutive movie in the franchise got worse reviews and strayed farther from the lightning in a bottle magic of the original. However, the very first movie managed the impossible, which was to parody something that is already a satire.
In most instances, that would never work, as Scream already holds up a mirror to cliched horror tropes and flips them on their head, but the Wayans achieved comedic greatness with their stoner comedy and vulgar and crude set pieces. Between a hilarious reimagining of the Ghostface Killer and making fun of The Sixth Sense, no other parody movie has been as successful since.
Erin Brokovich
Stream On Peacock
Erin Brokovich follows the titular character, who is based on the real-life lawyer of the same name, as she wins the largest settlement ever in a direct-action lawsuit. In a lawsuit that is close to impossible to win, as it's a David and Goliath type situation, Brokovich fights Pacific Gas and Electric Company for being responsible for contaminating groundwater.
The movie sees both Julia Roberts and director Steven Soderbergh at the height of their powers. The filmmaker was on such a role in the year 2000 that he was nominated for Best Director for two different movies at the 73rd Academy Awards, Erin Brokovich and Traffic, and he won for the latter.
High Fidelity
Stream On Max Go
More youthful audiences might know the name High Fidelity best from the short-lived and Hulu TV show, which was a critical failure and not liked by audiences. But that show in no way represents the quality or even the tone of the now-classic 2000 movie.
High Fidelity almost predicted the future. The movie is about a man going through an existential crisis and having no luck with relationships all while running a record store, and the 2000s saw a huge surge in record collecting after the film's release. And as entertaining as the movie is, it's just as fun to spot references to popular indie bands, whether it's The Flaming Lips or Of Montreal.
Almost Famous
Stream On Amazon Prime, Paramount+, & Kanopy
In a lot of ways, Almost Famous is a coming-of-age movie unlike any other. It isn't simply about a teenager growing up with his delinquent school buddies or anything like that, but 15-year-old William spends his time documenting a famous rock band for a Rolling Stone article.
The movie is completely unique in its genre, it's equal parts funny and heartwarming, and it really captures the spirit of a band on tour, both the good and the bad. It's perfect to rewatch now, as it's one of the movies to view to get excited for Licorice Pizza, the new Paul Thomas Anderson movie, which is also a coming-of-age flick set in the '70s.
How The Grinch Stole Christmas
Rent On Vudu
How The Grinch Stole Christmas has become a holiday classic. And while 2018's animated The Grinch is a fun movie, it doesn't touch on the mesmerizing production design of Whoville or the over-the-top theatricality of Jim Carrey.
The movie was ridiculed by critics when it was first released for being too dark and eerie, but it has found its place in the annual rotation of Christmas movies, and it's loved by families. What's more is that dark and eerie tone is something that studios are sometimes too afraid to do these days, at least when it comes to family movies, leading to the 2000 movie becoming one of a kind.
Unbreakable
Rent On Apple TV
Before M. Nigth Shyamalan put out one strange negatively received mystery movie after the next, he was on a remarkable hot streak that few other contemporary filmmakers have ever had. The director's follow-up to the celebrated smash hit The Sixth Sense was another left turn. Unbreakable is essentially a superhero movie, but a completely unique one.
The movie follows a man who realizes he is invincible and another man with easily breakable bones who finds himself becoming a supervillain. It's an interesting analysis of the whole concept of superheroes, and it attempts to answer huge philosophical questions while still being a massively entertaining mystery movie. There have even been two sequels, 2016's Split and 2019's Glass.
Bring It On
Rent On DirecTV
On the face of it, most people would question watching a movie about a group of cheerleaders, and they'd especially question its status as a classic. But fans who have seen it know how much of a slept-on gem Bring It On really is. It might seem like an everyday romantic comedy, but it's a movie that exceeded viewers' expectations, as it's more than just a romcom.
Bring It On has high energy and spoofs the whole idea of cheerleading more than anything, and it has become a cult classic. On top of that, as director Peyton Reed went on to spearhead both Ant-Man movies, as well as the upcoming Quantumania, there are so many clever editing and camera techniques in the cheerleading movie too.
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
Stream On Starz & Roku
Every now and then, there's a foreign movie that's a breakthrough hit, whether it was 2019's Parasite or 2011's Intouchables, and in 2000, it was the martial arts epic, Crouch Tiger, Hidden Dragon. The movie is about a young Chinese warrior who steals a sword and what follows is an action-packed film that's surprisingly romantic too.
It was a phenomenon for Chinese movies, and the first of its kind to become a hit in the US. Even since its release, no other Chinese martial arts movie has come close to its success, and it's a testament to how well crafted the 2000 film is.