Nostalgia for the 2000s is on the rise, and as we look back on 25 years ago, it’s worth highlighting some of the incredible 2000s films that defined the era for teenagers during that decade. As a Millennial, born close to the line of Gen Z, I have fond memories of my childhood during the 1990s. But things started to get really interesting when I became a teenager in the 2000s.
During that time, there was a lot of fondness for things from the 1980s, and it appears that this trend has repeated itself, with the things of the 2000s now coming back into vogue. And with fondness, I absolutely love the attention that is being directed towards some of the movies that defined my young adulthood. And I’m certain I am not the only one looking back.
12. Superbad
Superbad was one of those corny coming-of-age movies that was made to be goofy. Starring Michael Cera, Jonah Hill, and Christopher Mintz-Plasse, this movie was endlessly quotable, and sparked a lot of excitement and repetition in an era before most digital memes.
The premise of the movie was less important than the fun being had by the characters. With a group of friends desperately wanting to be popular, and the disastrous events that come out of their lies, it was just funny and stupid. But the stupid funny style was integral to its overall success.
11. Bring It On
Before Peyton Reed stepped up to direct the Ant-Man movies, he established himself as a successful comedy director with hit films like Bring it On. Starring Kirsten Dunst and Eliza Dushku, the film sees two cheerleader teams go head-to-head. The movie is defined by the presence of pretty girls and outrageous comedy.
The film featured all the tropes of the era, with annoying siblings, embarrassing parents, and intense high school rivalries that felt like the only thing in the world. While there are elements of the film that don’t hold up today, it marked a shift from the even more raunchy and intense coming-of-age college movies of the years before.
10. Mean Girls
Mean Girls remains a part of pop culture, with quotes still being passed around from this film, and a musical made based on the story. Recently, the musical even got a film adaptation, taking the story full circle, but nothing compares to the originality and intensity of the original.
Rachel McAdams stars as Regina George, while Lindsay Lohan, an icon of that era, played the part of Cady Heron. The film took classic tropes from high school dramedies and pushed them beyond their limits. And the result was a decadent, intense, and outrageous film that endeared itself with every teen growing up in that era.
9. Twilight
Ok, so Twilight is probably a controversial pick, but the truth is, everyone was talking about this movie and these books when they came out. It was impossible to get away from debates about who was Team Edward and who was Team Jacob, and whether you liked it or not, you needed to be up-to-date on what was happening in the series.
It may also have been the worst performances of Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart’s young careers, but it undoubtedly launched them towards the success they enjoy today across a wide variety of genres. And honestly, even if it didn’t have a lot of depth, the movies were fun, and it was an interesting new take on a vampire fairy tale.
8. Scary Movie
The 2000s were also the era of the parody. While parodies continue to be a popular form of content today, with some creators stepping into that space, the 2000s was a time when parodies took center stage. In fact, that led to a series of parody films, including one that parodied Twilight, disaster movies, and, of course, the most popular parody franchise, the Scary Movies.
Scary Movie had a way of zoning in on the biggest tropes and gimmicks of slasher movies, which had dominated the horror space for the previous 30 years, and made it funny and light. Over time, tropes emerge, and while some are representative or integral to a genre, some are worth pointing at and laughing about. And Scary Movie did that.
7. Sky High
Movies like Blade, X-Men, Hulk, and Spider-Man paved the way for the superhero genre to become mainstream, but in 2005, Sky High did something different. The story is original, and not based on preexisting IPs from Marvel or DC, but the story still managed to connect with a large audience.
Sky High opened up a world where superheroes were everywhere, and kids were able to attend superhero schools. The idea of widespread superpowered people had been floating around, but this movie made it into something catered to a younger generation of viewers. With the added excitement of superpowers, this coming-of-age teenage comedy drama is delightful and compelling throughout.
6. Napoleon Dynamite
Returning to goofy comedy for a moment, the 2000s were defined by nonsensical, absurd, quirky comedy. This was perhaps best seen in a film like Napoleon Dynamite, a movie that was made on a shoestring budget by a brand-new filmmaker, and because it captured the humor of the era so well, it was acquired on the film circuit and given a wider release.
All of a sudden, this bizarre movie from nowhere became a hit with a cult following. It’s quirky, daft, and downright hilarious. The movie is once again a highly quotable film that continued to gain popularity as friends shared it with one another, and eventually, it became an iconic part of the decade.
5. Freaky Friday
Lindsay Lohan returns alongside Jamie Lee Curtis in a movie about switching bodies. However, rather than friends or coworkers who switch with each other, it’s a mother and daughter. This film presented an interesting dilemma, and a perspective on the challenges faced by both generations.
It also helped that it was laugh out loud hilarious from start to finish. Lohan was an icon in this decade, and her charm and wit perfectly complimented the intensity and quirkiness of Curtis. Together, they created something magical, which is now set to be revisited in a reboot titled Freakier Friday.
4. Camp Rock
Disney was also one of the biggest defining production studios of the decade, with their popular Disney Channel catering to growing teens and providing plenty of charming movies that welcomed in the next generation of superstars. With one such title being Camp Rock.
Camp Rock not only starred Demi Lovato, who would go on to be a huge pop star, but it also gave a prominent role to The Jonas Brothers, who have an integral role in the film as pop icons. The movie was musical, energetic, and fun, and while the sequels dipped in quality, it was a defining moment for some future icons.
3. Jennifer’s Body
Shifting in a very different direction for a moment, Jennifer’s Body was a much darker, more seductive, and intense film than many others on the list. However, it once again marked a defining moment in the 2000s. Megan Fox was a rising star, as was Amanda Seyfried, and seeing the pari together in this tense horror was a spectacle to say the least.
The film also featured other future stars such as Chris Pratt, Adam Brody, and Johnny Simmons. The movie highlights a division of focus, with the horror genre being shifted into something much sexier, and leaning heavily into elements of fantasy, as movies generally began to blend genres and focus on numerous elements rather than just one overarching plot or genre.
2. Big Fat Liar
Big Fat Liar stars Frankie Muniz and Amanda Bynes, two of the biggest stars of the 2000s who made a name for themselves on shows like Malcolm in the Middle and The Amanda Show. It also pits these young stars against Paul Giamatti, a man whose name was already well known in Hollywood.
Again, this movie saw teenagers going head-to-head with adults. While adults supposedly hold all the power, the movie seeks to show that kids can fight back, and sometimes their voices should be heard. It was empowering and entertaining, and yet another defining film from the 2000s.
1. Juno
Finally coming full circle with yet another Michael Cera movie, Juno was among the best and funniest films of the decade. Michael Cera stars opposite Elliot Page, who appeared as a young pregnant teenager. While the subject matter is heavy, the comedy elevates the story and the actors were perfectly cast in their roles.
This type of irreverence, and approaching topics that are considered taboo, was indicative of the genre, and it further revealed the type of indulgent humor in the face of any struggle that made the 2000s stand out. While the decade was not perfect, there was a lot to enjoy, and it remains a part of the history of film that defined future filmmakers and entertainers.
