Can you believe it’s been 20 years since we were freaking out about the Y2K bug? Simpler times, hey. Well, life goes on, and while I was thinking about the year 2000, I thought I’d take a look at all the films that made waves back in the new millennium. Turns out, it was a pretty huge year for movies! I picked out 20 of my (and our) cult favourites for you to revisit this year.
Almost Famous
Aside from the fact that she grew up with famous parents, Almost Famous put Kate Hudson on the map for her portrayal of iconic Manic Pixie Dream Girl Penny Lane.
American Psycho
This film changed the way I look at business cards forever. Based on Bret Easton Ellis’ novel — which was one of the most controversial novels of the ’90s — the film has become a cult classic over the last 20 years.
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The Beach
Adapted from the Alex Garland novel, The Beach was one of the first Leo films where it became apparent that he wasn’t keen to follow up his Titanic success by getting typecast as the pretty boy in romantic films forever. Still, he’s shirtless a lot in this, so everybody wins.
Bedazzled
Liz Hurley playing the literal devil?! Brendan Fraser getting into all kinds of hijinks? The incredible collection of costumes?! What’s not to love in this film?
Bring It On
Okay firstly, it’s extremely rude that Bring It On isn’t streaming or available to rent anywhere online. Secondly, it’s actually okay because I own the DVD, like anyone with TASTE!
Cast Away
TBH, still haven’t gotten over this movie. Might need another 20 years to unpack my feelings.
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Charlie’s Angels
Everything old is new again. The K-Stew version of Charlie’s Angels may have just left theatres, but why not re-visit the (superior) 2000 film?
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Coyote Ugly
Starring Australia’s own Adam Garcia, Coyote Ugly is one of those films that just makes you want to dance, and to listen to “Can’t Fight The Moonlight” on repeat.
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Dude, Where’s My Car?
Fun fact: I saw this movie THREE TIMES at the cinema because I was 14 years old and had nothing better to do with my time or money, apparently.
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Erin Brockovich
Scoring Julia Roberts an Oscar for Best Actress, Erin Brockovich is a biopic that’s entertaining and heartbreaking all at once.
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Final Destination
With teen horror riding high on the back of Scream and I Know What You Did Last Summer, the year 2000 brought us the first of five Final Destination films, trading masked murderers for evil twists of fate. Where the later films get increasingly gory and absurd (the tanning bed scene, anyone?), the original plays on the spookiness of not being in control of your destiny.
Gladiator
The Best Picture winner at the 73rd Academy Awards, Gladiator made Russell Crowe a star, and an Australian, because we claimed the Kiwi from New Zealand as one of our own after this.
High Fidelity
Adapted from the Nick Hornby novel, High Fidelity is perhaps extra nostalgic due to it being set in a huge music store. Remember the days?!
Meet The Parents
A series of unfortunate events from start to finish, Meet The Parents was a huge 2000s hit that earned back its USD $55 million budget in just 11 days. Sequels Meet The Fockers and Little Fockers followed in 2004 and 2010, respectively.
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Miss Congeniality
Sandra Bullock is perfection in this. Honestly, she’s so good at playing any kind of straight-laced, no-nonsense type who suddenly has to be beautiful and feminine. Is it a trope? Yes, complete with the “yes I’m beautiful but I’m also so clumsy!” character ‘flaw’, but who cares?! It’s great, she’s great, the film is great, end of discussion.
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O Brother, Where Art Thou
One of the Coen Brothers most memorable films, this crime-comedy-drama is George Clooney at his whackiest best. It also has a killer soundtrack.
Requiem For A Dream
I’ll be honest, it’s been maybe 15 years since I’ve seen this film, but it’s a classic for when you’re going through your moody, cult hit phase. Mostly I just remember the rancid, infected arm, but that’s just because it pops up in my nightmares.
Road Trip
The year 2000 was really the year of Seann William Scott, wasn’t it? Road Trip is everything 2000s, with bros hitting the road and being gross about women in a way that would stir up a thousand thinkpieces if it were released today. At the time, though, it was a massive hit, and we have it to thank for Eurotrip and Sex Drive.
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Scary Movie
The film that had everyone screaming “whazzuuuuuuup” for years after its release, Scary Movie kicked off an entire generation of parody films, which included Not Another Teen Movie, Epic Movie, Disaster Movie, Dance Flick, Date Movie and Meet The Spartans, as well as well as four sequels to Scary Movie.
Fun fact: Scream, which Scary Movie heavily parodies, was originally titled Scary Movie when Kevin Williamson wrote it.
X-Men
Wow we’ve… really been watching the same comic book films for the last two decades, hey. Maybe Martin Scorsese made some points!