10 films from the 2000s you need to watch

Published: 
YP Team
Listen to this article

Tonnes of amazing films came out of the 00s, from Marvel’s X-Men, to the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Here are some of the Young Post’s team’s most loved films from the decade

YP Team |
Published: 
Comment

Latest Articles

UN World Food Program director rings the alarm about food shortage in Haiti

Hong Kong Ocean Park to be the new home for Passion, 2-metre-long crocodile

EU not ready to fight climate change dangers, warns environment agency

Local commute goes green: Hong Kong launches first hydrogen-powered bus

Avatar (2009)

The special effects were cutting edge, and I hear that Avatar II has been put on hold while they wait for technology to catch up to it. The first film was so hyped, that it seemed likely to fail. Instead, it gave us all it promised and more. The conflict between science and spirit is just as relevant today as it was then and it will be forever.

Susan Ramsay, Editor

Mean Girls (2004)

Endlessly quote-able, with a solid script, and characters that keep you invested until the end. This came out amid a slew of other coming-of-age movies, but its clever dialogue and fantastic cast set it apart. I wish I could say that teenage girls aren’t really that mean, but … I can’t. You know what else I can’t do? Make “fetch” happen.

Heidi Yeung, Web Editor

10 films that capture the nerves, drama, and challenges of going back to school

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (2001)

The 2000s saw the characters of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series come to life on the big screen. ​I was nine when the Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone was released. I remember sitting in the cinema completely mesmerised and wishing that
I, too, could receive a letter from Hogwarts saying I was a wizard. (Low key still waiting.)

Nicole Moraleda, Sub-editor

Ocean’s Eleven (2001)

In spite of featuring the worst English accent ever committed to celluloid (thanks Don Cheadle), there’ll never be such a dream team of stars ever again. While this year’s Ocean’s Eight reboot featured a who’s who of female actors working today, Ocean’s Eleven remains unsurpassed in its effortless distillation of a Rat Pack movie, with the sharpest of suits, greatest of bants, and a dysfunctional heist.

Edmund Ho, Reporter

Iron Man (2008)

The Marvel film that REALLY started it all, Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr) stars in this origin story of how the genius, billionaire, playboy, and philanthropist – trapped by terrorists – breaks out by building a suit of armour. This was Downey Jr at his best: arrogant, charming, brilliant, and just the right amount of sensitive. It started the huge gravy train that is the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and we’re still loving it. At least I am.

Jamie Lam, Special Projects Editor

7 Studio Ghibli films to catch that aren’t Spirited Away or My Neighbour Totoro

Chicken Run (2000)

What happens when you take a timeless classic like Great Escape, and replace the German prisoner of war camp with a Yorkshire chicken farm? As it turns out, you get one of the best animations of the 00s. Chicken Run is full of charm, wit and general silliness, and will definitely have you rooting for its feathered heroes.

Charlotte Ames-Ettridge, Sub-editor

Finding Nemo (2003)

This heart-warming tale of a widowed clown fish, who swims across the ocean to find his son, will never get old. For one, it brings to life some of the most comically inspired characters in the Pixar universe: short-term memory loss sufferer, Dory; Bruce the wannabe vegetarian shark; and Crush, the surfer dude sea turtle. The humour in Finding Nemo is fresh and ingenious; and reaffirms that Pixar creators are endlessly inventive.

Rhea Mogul, JR manager

Gladiator (2000)

Russell Crowe stars as Maximus; a once-powerful Roman general who is forced to become a gladiator to avenge the death of his wife and son. The movie is jam-packed with epic fighting sequences, from on the battlefield to the gladiator arena. On top of that, Ridley Scott’s great storytelling completes the movie. ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED?

Alejo Rodriguez Lo, Videographer

6 films so bad, they’re good - from The Emoji Movie to The Mummy reboot

The Dark Knight (2008)

This is, in my opinion, the GOAT (greatest of all time) superhero movie. Everyone raves about Heath Ledger’s epic performance as the Joker, but everything else about the film was epic as well. You’d be hard-pressed to find a superhero movie that feels as “real” or as psychologically thrilling as this one.

Ben Young, Reporter

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)

This film made pirate films cool again after decades of them being box-office bombs. It launched the careers of Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley, and made Johnny Depp synonymous with Captain Jack Sparrow. I loved this film so much, I paid to go see it in the cinema THREE TIMES – and only partly because I was, like, totally in love with Captain Sparrow.

Ginny Wong, Sub-editor

Edited by Ginny Wong

Sign up for the YP Teachers Newsletter
Get updates for teachers sent directly to your inbox
By registering, you agree to our T&C and Privacy Policy
Comment