Top 21 Best Movies of Each Year (2000 - 2020)
2000: “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”
Although it’s tempting to single out the Best Picture-winning “Gladiator” or the exceptionally-written “Almost Famous,” “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” changed the way moviegoers in Western countries looked at the wuxia genre and, in due course, cinema. We had seen martial arts movies before, but director Ang Lee made us believe that a person could defy gravity. That’s because the actors primarily performed their own stunts with minimal CGI. A key example is the treetop sequence, which only used computers to remove safety wires. The breathtaking visuals are complemented by an epic story that flawlessly blends adventure, romance, and Chinese culture. For those who had only been exposed to English-language films, it opened their eyes to the world of Chinese cinema, and international cinema in general.
2001: “Mulholland Drive”
Between “Shrek” and “Spirited Away,” 2001 was a landmark year for animation. While we considered both of those films, as well as the Best Picture-winning “A Beautiful Mind,” we’re still finding new reasons to admire “Mulholland Drive” twenty years later. To this day, we’re not sure how to describe this thought-provoking film. Is it a neo-noir mystery, a psychological thriller, a surrealist tour de force, or all of the above? We think director David Lynch put it best, describing it as “a love story in the city of dreams.” Indeed, “Mulholland Drive” blurs the lines between reality, dreams, and nightmares—with Hollywood serving as a sometimes alluring and other times haunting backdrop. At the center is a romance that’s tender, tragic, and altogether captivating.
2002: “City of God”
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From “Catch Me If You Can” to “Gangs of New York,” 2002 was an exceptional year for movies about the American Dream starring Leonardo DiCaprio. The best movie, however, came from Brazil. “City of God” commences with one of the most mesmerizing shots in modern cinema as narrator Rocket finds himself caught between a gang and the authorities—an image that perfectly sums up his life. This isn’t just Rocket’s story, as it’s also about Li'l Zé, who we see evolve from a young boy into a drug kingpin. As different as these two are, both have grown up in an environment where violence is routine. “City of God” is as authentic as it is brutal, but the experience couldn’t be more rewarding.
2003: “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King”
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2003 took us on an underwater voyage to find Nemo and a thought-provoking trip to Tokyo. Yet, it was our return to Middle-earth that reminded us just how magical movies can be. For many years, fans said that J. R. R. Tolkien’s epic trilogy could never be done justice on the big screen. Peter Jackson not only proved the naysayers wrong, but he did the unthinkable by shooting all three films simultaneously. Most miraculous of all, the trilogy only gained momentum with each installment, and “Return of the King” was the most satisfying conclusion we could’ve asked for. With rousing action, a perfectly balanced ensemble, and emotional payoffs in spades, it’s no wonder why the film swept the Academy Awards with eleven wins.
2004: “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind”
2004 was another exceptional year, with “Million Dollar Baby” taking home Best Picture and “The Incredibles” earning the freshest critical score on Rotten Tomatoes. Looking back at this year, though, “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” is the film that we can’t get out of our heads. Equal parts romance, comedy, psychological thriller, and science fantasy, the film is a revelation of originality. Such is to be expected from Charlie Kaufman, who deservedly took home the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay. Carried by the exquisite performances of Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet, “Eternal Sunshine” tells a fantastical story. Its portrayal of the bonds and memories that connect us, however, couldn’t feel more honest. This is one journey into the human mind you won’t soon forget.
2005: “Brokeback Mountain”
From Philip Seymour Hoffman’s all-encompassing performance in “Capote” to Viggo Mortensen’s understated yet intense work in David Cronenberg’s “A History of Violence,” 2005 gave us some of the century’s finest performances. And you won’t find a better pair of performances than in “Brokeback Mountain,” a love story that many believe should’ve won Best Picture. Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal are spellbinding as two sheepherders who fall in love at a time when homosexuality was considered taboo. Brokeback Mountain serves as a safe haven where they can express their love, but these two will never have the life they want together. As heartbreaking as Ang Lee’s film is, it remains one of modern cinema’s most beautiful romances and a landmark for LGBTQ+ representation in mainstream media.
2006: “Pan’s Labyrinth”
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Even in a year that brought us contemporary classics like “The Departed,” “Borat,” and “Little Miss Sunshine,” it wasn’t hard for us to single out the best film of 2006. We don’t like to throw the word “masterpiece” around, but it’s the best way to describe “Pan’s Labyrinth.” Although it draws inspiration from “Alice in Wonderland” and various fairy tales, Guillermo del Toro has made a film that stands on its own. Its creatures and settings are among the most unique across the entire fantasy genre. What really sets “Pan’s Labyrinth” apart from all others is its dark tone, mixing grim fantasy with brutal reality. At its core, the film is about how childhood innocence can thrive even in the cruelest of environments.
2007: “There Will Be Blood”
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From western thrillers like “No Country for Old Men” to legal thrillers like “Michael Clayton,” 2007 had us at the edge of our seats. The most thrilling sight of all, however, was Daniel Day-Lewis’ transcendent performance in “There Will Be Blood.” Day-Lewis dominates the screen as Daniel Plainview, an oilman and the embodiment of greed. Watching Plainview ascend up the ladder of capitalism feels more like a descent into madness. Plainview himself is as unstable as an oil rig on the brink of a blowout. It all builds to an explosive ending that lives up to the film’s title in more ways than one. Paul Thomas Anderson is among the most profound filmmakers working, and this just might be his crowning achievement.
2008: “The Dark Knight”
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2008 gave us so many game-changers. “Slumdog Millionaire” demonstrated how far an indie darling can go, “WALL-E” took animation to new heights,” and “Iron Man” kicked off a cinematic universe of unprecedented proportions. Few films released this year can rival the impact of “The Dark Knight,” however. Taking a grounded crime drama approach to the Batman mythos, Christopher Nolan not only made audiences see superhero movies in a new light, but also redefined what a blockbuster can be. Perhaps even more legendary than the film itself is Heath Ledger’s Oscar-winning supporting performance, which brought the Joker out of the comics and into the real world. With immortal dialogue, stellar action, and a gritty tone, “The Dark Knight” is in a league of its own.
2009: “The Hurt Locker”
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In 2009, we saw the Basterds go to war with the Nazis, the Na’vi go to war with humans, and a serious man go to war with the very meaning of life. No film captured the horrors of combat quite like “The Hurt Locker,” though. In most war movies, the audience’s chief concern is whether the heroes live or die. For William James, however, it slowly becomes clear that there’ll be no light at the end of a dark tunnel either way. As the opening text says, “war is a drug,” and it’s sunk its teeth so deep into James that he can’t break free. Jeremy Renner’s hard-hitting performance and Kathryn Bigelow’s bold direction only add to this Best Picture winner’s nail-biting and unnerving nature.
2010: “The Social Network”
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“Inception” blew our minds and “Toy Story 3” melted our hearts. As far as we’re concerned, though, “The Social Network” was not only the best film of 2010, but the best film of the century so far. This isn’t just because the film is masterfully directed by David Fincher, ingeniously written by Aaron Sorkin, and perfectly cast across the board - although that certainly helps! “The Social Network” stands out above all the rest because it best-defines the 21st century. It’s a century where Big Tech and Big Business are one and the same, Facebook is a facet of everyday life, and social networking has fundamentally changed the way we all interact. The film captures a turning point in human history that we’re still feeling today.
2011: “The Tree of Life”
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“Moneyball” had some of the most gripping dialogue of 2011, but this was also a great year for visual storytelling. “Drive” centered on a silent but deadly protagonist and “The Artist” was a modern silent picture. “The Tree of Life,” in particular, is a film so visually striking that you could watch it on mute and still be entranced. As with many Terrence Malick projects, the film is an acquired taste. Where some have called it boring and pretentious, others have hailed it as a deep exploration of humanity, nature, life, and death. The film itself is much like religion: not necessarily for everyone, but for philosophical thinkers with a spiritual side, “The Tree of Life” is sure to be an enlightening experience.
2012: “Django Unchained”
“The Avengers” led the box office in 2012 while “Lincoln” led the Oscar nominations - although “Argo” emerged with the Best Picture victory. All three of those films would’ve been worthy of our list, but we have to give this spot to Mr. Tarantino. While every Tarantino film is a tribute to cinema, “Django Unchained” zeroes in on Spaghetti Westerns and blaxploitation. It’s also a buddy picture with Jamie Foxx and Christoph Waltz becoming one of the most memorable modern duos. In addition to being Tarantino’s highest-grossing film, “Django Unchained” is arguably his funniest and most explosively entertaining. That’s not to say it’s better than “Pulp Fiction,” but of all the films he’s made this century, “Django” arguably comes the closest to topping his magnum opus.
2013: “The Wolf of Wall Street”
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“12 Years a Slave” broke our hearts, “Gravity” made our hearts race, and “Her” brought heart to an operating system. The best film of 2013, however, was about the heartless nature of Wall Street. While powerful, corrupt men are often the focus of Martin Scorsese’s pictures, Jordan Belfort is an entirely different beast. Leonardo DiCaprio plays him with a zealous charisma that’s utterly captivating. Be it money, women, drugs, luxury, or the spotlight, nothing is ever enough for Belfort. He’s the life of the party and “The Wolf of Wall Street” appropriately feels like a wild blowout you never want to end. Once the party is over, however, you’re left to reflect on the harrowing consequences of Belfort’s actions.
2014: “The Grand Budapest Hotel”
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With movies like “Whiplash,” 2014 introduced a wider audience to emerging talents like Damien Chazelle. It also found several established filmmakers outdoing themselves with Richard Linklater’s “Boyhood,” Alejandro González Iñárritu’s “Birdman,” and (most notably) Wes Anderson’s “The Grand Budapest Hotel.” When we think of Anderson’s filmography as a whole, this picture feels like the culmination of everything his career has been building towards. It’s his most elegantly crafted work with a dazzling color scheme, his most well-written script with witty dialogue to spare, and an ensemble boasting too many memorable performances to count. Above all else, the film demonstrates what Anderson has always done best: creating a magical world without ever making the leap into pure fantasy.
2015: “Mad Max: Fury Road”
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In a year that delivered tear-jerkers like “Room,” timely tech commentaries like “Ex Machina,” and Best Picture winners like “Spotlight,” you wouldn’t expect the fourth film in the “Mad Max” franchise to be anything special. In a surprising twist, “Fury Road” didn’t just set a new standard for “Mad Max” movies—it set a gold standard for modern action pictures. And it did so by making the action the primary focus, but not at the expense of compelling characters, rich worldbuilding, or George Miller’s dazzling artistry. As much as we complain about nonstop action in some other blockbusters, “Fury Road” is a textbook example of how to do it right. Of course, it’s hard to imagine another film recapturing the same high-octane thrills or visual flare.
2016: “Moonlight”
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2016 gave us two amazing films about the barriers that separate us. In “Arrival,” it’s a language barrier that almost leads to a violent conflict between humanity and extraterrestrials. In “Moonlight,” a young boy is forced to put up barriers in order to survive his harsh environment. Chiron has gone through life hiding who he truly is. The only ones he can open up to are his surrogate parents and the love of his life. Comforting moments are fleeting, however, and Chiron seems destined to follow the same path as his ill-fated father figure. As devastating as “Moonlight” can be, it makes the final destination all the more uplifting. The film broke down several barriers, including at the Oscars where it won Best Picture.
2017: “Get Out”
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From Guillermo del Toro’s “The Shape of Water” to Christopher Nolan’s “Dunkirk,” 2017 saw two of our most seasoned directors at the top of their game. It was a directorial debut that wowed us the most this year, though. Even more surprising, it was a horror movie from someone primarily known for their comedic background. Although it possesses the dark humor and social commentary we’d expect from writer/director Jordan Peele, “Get Out” is far more atmospheric, unsettling, and hypnotizing than we ever expected. Establishing Peele as a modern master of horror, the film encompasses some of the genre’s most striking imagery this side of Hitchcock. We don’t compare others to Hitchcock lightly, but the Sunken Place sequence deserves comparison to the nightmare from “Vertigo.”
2018: “Hereditary”
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For the second year in a row, the best movie came from the horror genre. Where “Get Out” was embraced by audiences and the Academy alike, though, Toni Collette couldn’t even nab a Best Actress nomination for her phenomenal performance. Regardless, years from now, “Hereditary” will be remembered as one of the most disturbing, tense, and jaw-dropping films of its era. It’ll also be remembered for introducing the world to Ari Aster, who’s one of the few directors working today who knows how to subvert expectations the right way. “Hereditary” is a film that you expect to go in one direction, only for the plot to dive headfirst into something far more shocking. Even after repeated viewings, the film never becomes any less nightmare-inducing.
2019: “Parasite”
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With “The Irishman,” “Joker,” and “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,” 2019 had one of the century’s most impressive Best Picture lineups. “Parasite” was the best of the best and we couldn’t have been happier to see the Academy honor it as such. The first non-English language film to win the Academy’s top prize, we can only hope that “Parasite” will inspire more people to discover the genius of international filmmakers like Bong Joon-ho. Surprisingly funny, socially relevant, and constantly catching the audience off guard, “Parasite” is one of those movies that you won’t be able to stop thinking about after your first viewing. It’ll get under your skin, but unlike an actual parasite, you’ll be glad you came into contact with this cinematic triumph.
2020: “Nomadland”
2020 marked one of the most difficult chapters in human history since the Great Recession. In that sense, “Nomadland” couldn’t have arrived at a more appropriate time. Although “Nomadland” focuses on a challenging period, it’ll leave audiences feeling more hopeful. Based on a non-fiction book, the story follows a woman who travels across the American West after the recession leaves her with nothing. This profoundly emotional film is carried by a phenomenal performance from Frances McDormand and the considerable talents of Chloé Zhao, who serves as the director, writer, co-producer, and editor. Becoming the first film to win both the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival and the People’s Choice Award at TIFF, we foresee even more milestones and accolades on its horizon.
