The 2000s were a great time for movies, and luckily, many of them can be found on Netflix. From romantic comedies to action-packed thrillers, there is something for everyone. If you’re feeling nostalgic and want to revisit some of your favorite films from the early 2000s, or simply looking for a new movie to watch, Netflix has got you covered. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the best 2000-era movies currently available on Netflix.
- The Dark Knight (2008)
- There Will Be Blood (2007)
- Gladiator (2000)
- No Country for Old Men (2007)
- Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)
- Memento (2000)
- Closer (2004)
- Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003)
- Amélie (2001)
- The Aviator (2004)
- Pineapple Express (2008)
- Seven Pounds (2008)
- Catch Me If You Can (2002)
- The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)
- Knight’s Tale (2001)
- Along Came Polly (2004)
- Barbershop 2: Back in Business (2004)
- Wedding Crashers (2005)
- Resident Evil (2002)
The Dark Knight (2008)
Follows the story of Gotham’s most notorious villain, the Joker, who wreaks havoc on the city. Batman, played by Christian Bale, is determined to stop him, but faces a moral dilemma when the Joker threatens to harm innocent people unless Batman reveals his true identity. Heath Ledger delivers a chilling performance as the Joker, making it one of his most memorable roles.
| Director | Christopher Nolan |
| Released Date | July 18, 2008 |
| Genre | Action, Crime, Drama |
| Cast | Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckhart |
| IMDb Rating | 9.0/10 |
There Will Be Blood (2007)
Daniel Plainview, the protagonist of “There Will Be Blood,” is a shrewd and ambitious oilman who relentlessly pursues his goals in the early days of the American oil industry. He’s a complex character, and despite his immense wealth and success, he’s deeply flawed, manipulative, and emotionally distant. The film follows his journey as he becomes increasingly ruthless in his pursuit of oil, alienating everyone around him, including his adopted son.
| Director | Paul Thomas Anderson |
| Released Date | December 26, 2007 |
| Genre | Drama |
| Cast | Daniel Day-Lewis, Paul Dano, Ciarán Hinds |
| IMDb Rating | 8.2/10 |
Gladiator (2000)
Maximus Decimus Meridius, the main character of “Gladiator” is a fearless and loyal Roman general who is betrayed and left for dead by the corrupt emperor, Commodus. Driven by a desire for revenge and a love for his family, Maximus rises up as a gladiator to challenge and ultimately defeat the tyrannical emperor. He’s a skilled warrior and a man of honor, whose bravery and determination inspire those around him.
Despite the obstacles he faces, Maximus remains steadfast in his commitment to justice and freedom, and his ultimate sacrifice serves as a symbol of hope and redemption for the people of Rome.
| Director | Ridley Scott |
| Released Date | May 5, 2000 |
| Genre | Action, Adventure, Drama |
| Cast | Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen |
| IMDb Rating | 8.5/10 |
No Country for Old Men (2007)
The character of Anton Chigurh in “No Country for Old Men” is one of the most enigmatic and terrifying figures in modern cinema. He is a ruthless hitman who operates with a strict code of conduct, often flipping a coin to determine the fate of his victims.
With his distinctive bowl haircut and air gun, Chigurh is an unsettling presence on screen.
| Director | Joel Coen, Ethan Coen |
| Released Date | November 21, 2007 |
| Genre | Crime, Drama, Thriller |
| Cast | Tommy Lee Jones, Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin |
| IMDb Rating | 8.2/10 |
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)
The film “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” features Li Mu Bai, a renowned warrior who dedicates his life to serving his country. As he approaches retirement, he passes his valuable sword, the Green Destiny, on to fellow warrior Yu Shu Lien.
However, when the sword is stolen, the two embark on a journey to retrieve it. During their quest, they encounter Jen Yu, a skilled thief with her own hidden agenda.
| Director | Ang Lee |
|---|---|
| Released Date | December 8, 2000 |
| Genre | Action, Adventure, Drama |
| Cast | Chow Yun-Fat , Michelle Yeoh, Ziyi Zhang |
| IMDb Rating | 7.9/10 |
Memento (2000)
Leonard Shelby is the central character of “Memento,” a man with anterograde amnesia, meaning he cannot form new memories. He is on a mission to avenge his wife’s murder, but his inability to remember new information makes his task almost impossible.
Played by Guy Pearce, Shelby’s fragmented memories and disjointed timeline make him a complex and intriguing character. He is forced to rely on notes and tattoos to piece together clues, leading him on a dangerous journey of self-discovery. As he gets closer to the truth, Shelby’s grip on reality begins to slip, making him a fascinating character study in the psychological thriller genre.
| Director | Christopher Nolan |
| Released Date | March 16, 2001 |
| Genre | Mystery, Thriller |
| Cast | Guy Pearce, Carrie-Anne Moss, Joe Pantoliano |
| IMDb Rating | 8.4/10 |
Closer (2004)
Dan Woolf is a writer who becomes involved in a complex web of relationships with four other characters: Alice, Anna, Larry, and himself. The film follows the intersecting lives of these characters as they navigate love, lust, and betrayal.
Dan is an insecure and selfish man who uses his writing as a shield to hide from the messiness of his personal life. As he becomes entangled with Alice, Anna, and Larry, his own flaws and vulnerabilities are exposed, leading to devastating consequences for all involved.
| Director | Mike Nichols |
| Released Date | December 3, 2004 (US) |
| Genre | Drama, Romance |
| Cast | Jude Law, Natalie Portman, Clive Owen |
| IMDb Rating | 7.2/10 |
Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003)
A thrilling revenge story that follows the Bride as she seeks to kill her former boss and lover, Bill. The film is directed by Quentin Tarantino, known for his unique storytelling style, and features a mix of genres, including martial arts, Western, and exploitation films.
The film’s action sequences are both visually stunning and brutal, as the Bride takes on a series of deadly assassins, including the iconic O-Ren Ishii. The film’s soundtrack, which includes songs from Japanese pop group The 5.6.7.8’s and composer Ennio Morricone, perfectly complements the film’s stylish visuals and over-the-top action.
| Director | Quentin Tarantino |
| Released Date | October 10, 2003 |
| Genre | Action, Crime, Drama |
| Cast | Uma Thurman, David Carradine, Daryl Hannah |
| IMDb Rating | 8.2/10 |
Amélie (2001)
Amélie Poulain, a young Parisian woman, lived a solitary life in her apartment until she discovered a box of childhood treasures in her apartment and decided to track down the owner. Her success in reuniting the box with its owner inspired her to commit other acts of kindness for the people around her. She becomes increasingly involved in the lives of her neighbors, and her meddling leads her to fall in love with a man who collects discarded photo booth pictures.
| Director | Jean-Pierre Jeunet |
| Released Date | November 2, 2001 |
| Genre | Comedy, Romance |
| Cast | Audrey Tautou, Mathieu Kassovitz, Rufus |
| IMDb Rating | 8.3/10 |
The Aviator (2004)
Follows the fascinating life of Howard Hughes, a billionaire aviator, and filmmaker who was known for his eccentricities and obsession with perfection. The movie starts with Hughes directing the movie “Hell’s Angels,” which he went on to spend a fortune on.
Later on, it shows his passion for aviation and his dream to build the largest plane ever made, the “Spruce Goose.” Alongside his career, the movie also depicts his personal life, including his love affair with Hollywood actresses and his struggles with obsessive-compulsive disorder.
| Director | Martin Scorsese |
| Released Date | December 25, 2004 |
| Genre | Biography, Drama |
| Cast | Leonardo DiCaprio, Cate Blanchett, Kate Beckinsale |
| IMDb Rating | 7.5/10 |
Pineapple Express (2008)
Dale Denton, a process server, and his weed dealer Saul Silver, witness a murder and go on the run, pursued by the killers and a crooked cop. As they navigate a series of dangerous and absurd situations, their bond is tested and strengthened.
The film is a raunchy and irreverent stoner comedy that combines over-the-top action with a heartfelt exploration of friendship.
| Director | David Gordon Green |
| Released Date | August 6, 2008 |
| Genre | Action, Comedy, Crime |
| Cast | Seth Rogen, James Franco, Gary Cole |
| IMDb Rating | 6.9/10 |
Seven Pounds (2008)
In “Seven Pounds,” Will Smith plays Ben Thomas, an IRS agent who sets out to change the lives of seven strangers through selfless acts of kindness. However, as he gets to know one of the strangers, Emily Posa, he finds himself struggling with his own internal conflicts and past traumas.
| Director | Gabriele Muccino |
| Released Date | December 19, 2008 |
| Genre | Drama |
| Cast | Will Smith, Rosario Dawson, Woody Harrelson |
| IMDb Rating | 7.6/10 |
Catch Me If You Can (2002)
A biographical crime film based on the life of Frank Abagnale, a young con artist who impersonated various professionals, including a pilot, doctor, and lawyer, and committed check fraud amounting to millions of dollars. The film chronicles Abagnale’s escapades as he tries to outsmart FBI agent Carl Hanratty, who is determined to apprehend him. The film is an exhilarating journey, filled with surprises and deceptions, as Abagnale continually transforms his identity to evade Hanratty.
| Director | Steven Spielberg |
| Released Date | December 25, 2002 |
| Genre | Biography, Crime, Drama |
| Cast | Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hanks, Christopher Walken |
| IMDb Rating | 8.1/10 |
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)
Second installment in an epic fantasy trilogy about the adventures of the hobbits Frodo and Sam to Mount Doom to destroy the Ring of Omnipotence. While Frodo and Sam face their own problems, Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, and Gandalf fight Sauron’s forces to protect them.
| Director | Peter Jackson |
| Released Date | December 18, 2002 |
| Genre | Action, Adventure, Drama |
| Cast | Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen |
| IMDb Rating | 8.8/10 |
Knight’s Tale (2001)
In “Knight’s Tale,” Heath Ledger plays William Thatcher, a peasant who dreams of becoming a knight. After his master dies, William takes on his identity and competes in jousting tournaments to earn his fortune and win the heart of a noblewoman. Along the way, he forms a bond with his fellow squires and learns the true meaning of chivalry.
| Director | Brian Helgeland |
| Released Date | May 11, 2001 |
| Genre | Action, Adventure, Romance |
| Cast | Heath Ledger, Rufus Sewell |
| IMDb Rating | 6.9/10 |
Along Came Polly (2004)
A romantic comedy that follows the story of Reuben Feffer, a risk-averse insurance analyst who is left by his wife on their honeymoon for their scuba diving instructor. Feeling lost and vulnerable, Reuben meets Polly, an outgoing and spontaneous woman who challenges him to embrace life and take risks. As they navigate their relationship, they face obstacles such as Reuben’s germaphobia and Polly’s free-spirited ex-boyfriend.
| Director | John Hamburg |
| Released Date | January 16, 2004 |
| Genre | Comedy, Romance |
| Cast | Ben Stiller, Jennifer Aniston, Debra Messing |
| IMDb Rating | 6.0/10 |
Barbershop 2: Back in Business
“Barbershop 2: Back in Business” sees Calvin Palmer Jr. struggling to keep his barbershop afloat amidst gentrification and competition from a trendy chain. As he faces challenges both personal and professional, Calvin must rely on the support of his family and community to persevere.
| Director | Kevin Rodney Sullivan |
| Released Date | February 6, 2004 |
| Genre | Comedy, Drama |
| Cast | Ice Cube, Cedric the Entertainer, Eve |
| IMDb Rating | 5.7/10 |
Wedding Crashers (2005)
In “Wedding Crashers” John Beckwith and Jeremy Grey are divorce mediators and best friends who have a hobby of crashing weddings to meet women. However, their escapades take a turn when John falls in love with one of the bridesmaids, Claire, and they end up crashing her family’s lavish estate.
The comedy follows the duo’s misadventures as they navigate through various obstacles and personalities while trying to maintain their false identities.
| Director | David Dobkin |
| Released Date | July 15, 2005 |
| Genre | Comedy, Romance |
| Cast | Owen Wilson, Vince Vaughn, Rachel McAdams |
| IMDb Rating | 7.0/10 |
Resident Evil (2002)
In “Resident Evil” Alice wakes up in an underground facility with no memory of who she is and what happened to her. She discovers that the facility is owned by the Umbrella Corporation, which has been conducting illegal genetic experiments with a virus that has turned everyone into flesh-eating zombies.
Alice teams up with a small group of survivors to fight their way out of the facility and escape the infected hordes.
| Director | Paul W.S. Anderson |
| Released Date | March 15, 2002 |
| Genre | Action, Horror, Sci-Fi |
| Cast | Milla Jovovich, Michelle Rodriguez |
| IMDb Rating | 6.6/10 |
Conclusion
In conclusion, if you’re a fan of movies from the early 2000s, then Netflix is the perfect streaming service for you. With a wide selection of movies, from popular romantic comedies to underrated indie flicks, you’re sure to find something that you’ll enjoy. Whether you want to re-watch old favorites or discover new gems from the era, the movies on Netflix will transport you back to the early 2000s in no time. So grab your popcorn, settle in, and enjoy the best of the 2000s era movies on Netflix.
