Top 10 Movies Turning 10 in 2016

In a year when Caribbean pirates and Da Vinci codes dominated the box office, these critical successes made us proud moviegoers. Welcome to WatchMojo.com, and today we’re counting down our picks for the Top 10 Movies from 2006.
 
For this list, we’ve rounded up the best films from all genres that came out in the year 2006. We’re basing our choices on a mix of their popularity, quality and influence, as well as their critical and audience reception. 
 

By 2006, Clint Eastwood already had two Best Director Oscars under his belt. The Hollywood legend showed no sign of slowing down with “Letters from Iwo Jima.” By following the Battle of Iwo Jima from the perspective of the Japanese, this World War II film was a breath of fresh air among a slew of war flicks told from a western point of view. Released as a companion piece to the equally epic “Flags of Our Fathers,” a film depicting the American perspective of the same battle, “Iwo Jima” was a rare Japanese-American production that was shot almost entirely in Japanese. With its excellent acting, direction and cinematography, it’s no surprise that it ended up receiving the Golden Globe for Best Foreign Language Film.
 

Foreign films don’t often get enough love in North America, even after they win Academy Awards. However, this tense, brooding thriller from Germany took America by storm with its political intrigue and relevant theme about the surveillance of private citizens. Although it is set in and around the fall of the Berlin Wall and follows a State police investigator tasked to spy on supposed communists, the film sparked interest about government surveillance in the 21st century. Gaining traction after its Oscar win and becoming a box-office success, “The Lives of Others” is a shining example of the kind of foreign cinema we want more of. 

To say that this film is politically incorrect is an understatement. “Borat” exploded onto screens in 2006, and created an entirely new collection of catchphrases that make you want to punch your friends in the face every time they use one of them. However, behind the poop jokes, racist jokes, and all-out vulgarity, comedian Sacha Baron Cohen had tons to say about the state of America. For those who already knew his brand of humor from “Da Ali G Show,” or for those attentive enough to realize who exactly “Borat” is pointing the finger at, this hilarious comedy proves itself to be much more politically charged and socially aware under the surface. You know, under the naked wrestling men and whatnot.
  

After a few great dramatic performances, Ryan Gosling entered the realm of acting royalty in 2006, and earned his first Oscar nomination for “Half Nelson.” The main focus of practically every review was Gosling’s intense and convincing performance as a middle-school history teacher who spends his quality time with cocaine, and then gets caught by one of his students. The surprising brilliance of the debut feature film of director Ryan Fleck took the indie film industry by storm, and it quickly became one of the most talked about and best reviewed films of the year.   
  

While the world was eagerly waiting “The Dark Knight,” Christopher Nolan proved once again that he could also work outside the superhero genre. Telling a story of trickery and obsession in which two feuding 19th century magicians try to outdo each other, this mystery thriller showcases the breathtaking chemistry between the rivals as played by Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale. “The Prestige” is a complex narrative about deception with a shocking climax that caught the world off guard. As a result, the film was not a unanimous or an immediate sweeping success with critics, but it has since gone on to become a cult classic - and is now considered one of the finest films of the decade. 
  

After a couple of mega-budget American comic-book films, 2006 marked director Guillermo del Toro’s return to his Mexican cinema roots. Since he was already established as a premiere fantasy filmmaker, it was no surprise that this Spanish-language fairy tale would be a big hit. Clearly not aimed at children, this dark story follows a young girl in a 1940s post-Spanish Civil War landscape as she navigates a fantasy world of magical creatures to escape the brutal realities of a nationalist regime in the early days of Francoist Spain. A spiritual companion to his equally inspiring Spanish civil war ghost story, “The Devil’s Backbone,” “Pan’s Labyrinth” was hailed around the world for its unique story, makeup effects, and stunning cinematography. 
  

That year’s major underdog, “Little Miss Sunshine,” was a relatively unknown, smaller-budget indie film that came out of nowhere, and took 2006 by storm. Despite its A-list cast, this film had first time feature writers and directors who took a chance on a much darker family road trip. With its uncomfortable talks about suicide, depression, death, homosexuality, and drug use, it is safe to say this black comedy about a family struggling to drive their youngest to a beauty pageant is not a feel-good family film – although it does have its moments in that respect. The script and acting, however, earned it two Oscar wins: one for Best Original Screenplay and one for Best Supporting Actor.
  

By the time “Die Another Day” had come and gone, the whole world was tired of Pierce Brosnan and of cheesy James Bond films. Little did audiences know that they were ready for a new Bond in 2006. Although fans initially raged against the casting choice of Daniel Craig, everyone ate their words that fateful November. Not only was “Casino Royale” hailed as one of the best 007 films to date, with its non-cliché set pieces and intense poker matches, but also as one of the finest action films to grace our screens in many years. The retelling of Bond’s infamous first adventure had everyone drooling for more grittiness and more of this human, down-to-earth Bond. 
  

Science fiction films are usually oversaturated with special effects, aliens and spaceships. With a film like “Children of Men,” we see a more humane story of a possible near future, and the destructive directions we are taking as a species. The world Clive Owen is navigating is devoid of children, as all the women are infertile and everyone is aware of the world’s impending doom. When a woman is discovered to be miraculously pregnant, she becomes the ultimate symbol of hope and must be protected at all costs. Before taking over the world with his space-thriller “Gravity,” Alfonso Cuarón made us look inward with one of the bleakest and most enthralling depictions of our future with this sci-fi thriller. 

Before we reveal our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions:
“Babel” (2006)
“V for Vendetta” (2006)
“United 93” (2006)
“Inside Man” (2006)
“The Queen” (2006)
 

Although “Cape Fear”, a previous foray into remake-land, was a success, the great Martin Scorsese was not well known for rehashing old material. So few would have thought that his remake of the great Hong Kong crime thriller “Infernal Affairs” would go on to be one of his most celebrated movies ever. Not only did “The Departed” win Oscars for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Film Editing, but also its twisting narrative full of double-crosses was brought to life by some of this generation’s brightest stars - who gave unforgettable performances. With the year’s most invigorating drama, Scorsese grabbed the world by the throat in the tradition of his brutal early films. 
  
Do you agree with our list?  What was your favorite movie of 2006?  For more entertaining top 10s published daily, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.