Best Games and Movies of 2000 - 2009
So it's a new decade, eh?
It's 2010 now, baby, and the past 10 years have given us a wide variety of memorable cinematic and gaming moments: exploding Halo rings, the killing of Bill, a war against the gods and the history of violence. In the theater we saw the best superhero movies of all time. On the couch we played the greatest shooters ever created.
Yeah, there've been plenty of choice movies and games released since the year 2000 launched us into the new millennium. And the IGN team has been working for months (actually weeks... well, really days) to compile this list of the greatest movies and games of the decade. We started with the 10 best films and games of each year, as you'll see, and then took the resulting 10 number ones and ranked them to determine the best game and movie of the past decade.
Enjoy disagreeing with all of our picks!
10. Chicken Run
Studio: DreamWorks Pictures
US Box Office to Date: $107 Million
Who could've predicted that one of the best movies of the decade would be a claymation version of the The Great Escape featuring chickens? Created by Aardman Animations, best known for their award winning Wallace & Gromit series, Chicken Run cracked audiences up as Mel Gibson saved his friends from becoming chicken pies. More
9. Unbreakable
Studio: Touchstone Pictures
US Box Office to Date: $95 Million
Say what you will about M. Night Shyamalan's miserable output these past few years, but back in the year 2000 the young filmmaker -- dubbed the new Spielberg by Newsweek at one point -- had already given us the revelatory The Sixth Sense when he followed up with this real-world spin on the classic good guy/bad guy comic book paradigm. A more challenging film than Sixth Sense, it is nonetheless quite a rewarding one, particularly on repeat viewings. More
8. X-Men
Studio: 20th Century Fox
US Box Office to Date: $157 Million
Everyone always says that it was 1998's Blade that kicked off the modern renaissance of superhero movies, but really it was Bryan Singer's X-Men that combined modern CGI with mature storytelling and quality acting to truly bring the iconic four-color characters to life. The X-Men had arrived, and the mainstream movie-going public no longer feared and hated them. More
7. Battle Royale
Studio: Toei
US Box Office to Date: Unavailable
42 students learn that when teacher said "field trip," he really meant "three-day island murder hunt." Battle Royale is Japan's bloody take on survival of the fittest with ties to Lord of the Flies, providing a divisive commentary of violence's impact on youth -- a topic the decade would debate frequently. More
6. Pitch Black
Studio: USA Films
US Box Office to Date: $39 Million
Our favorite kind of genre movie -- the ones that sneak up on you unawares and rock your world -- was in full evidence when Vin Diesel and David Twohy introduced us to the antihero Richard B. Riddick at the start of the decade with Pitch Black. Smart, exciting, and scary, the film's promise of a saga of equally thrilling Riddick sequels has so far not come to pass -- The Chronicles of notwithstanding. More
5. Traffic
Studio: USA Films
US Box Office to Date: $124 Million
Steven Soderbergh's Oscar-winning film chronicles the war on drugs as it's waged on three different fronts: The U.S.' drug czar vs. his addict daughter, the only non-corrupt cop in Mexico vs. everyone else, and the DEA closing in on a drug kingpin's wife. With the help of a well-researched script, the inspired drama leads to a climax where everyone pays a price. More
4. Requiem for a Dream
Studio: Artisan Entertainment
US Box Office to Date: $3.6 Million
A raw, gritty and uber-stylized depiction of the effects of heroin on four very different lives, Requiem for a Dream features one of the decade's best performance by Ellen Burstyn and is guaranteed to stay with you long after the closing credits. Like, eight or 10 years after. More
3. Gladiator
Studio: DreamWorks Pictures
US Box Office to Date: $188 Million
This Oscar winner marks the first of several team-ups between star Russell Crowe and director Ridley Scott. The production design and effects may have brought ancient Rome to life, but it's the performances and the story of Maximus' quest from fallen general to defiant gladiator that makes the film great. More
2. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
Studio: Columbia Pictures
US Box Office to Date: $128 Million
Remember when martial-arts films were an obscure novelty that could only see on badly dubbed foreign DVDs or late-night TV kung-fu marathons? This film changed all that, showing mainstream audiences just how far Hong Kong cinema has come, pairing the magic of kick-ass fighting with artistic visuals and a sweeping narrative. More
1. Almost Famous
Studio: DreamWorks Pictures
US Box Office to Date: $33 Million
Arguably the last film Cameron Crowe made that wasn't disingenuous, Almost Famous epitomizes every kid's dream of living the rock star lifestyle without having to do all that pesky "learning instruments" thing. Also, you get to see Kate Hudson's boobs in it. More
2001
10. Donnie Darko
Studio: IFC Films
US Box Office to Date: $1.3 Million
Richard Kelly's debut film is the definition of a cult success. Barely released to theaters and hardly seen until hitting home video, the tale of a very confused time-travelling teen and his rabbit-man friend Frank is a head-trip for sure. Atmospheric and dreamlike and often puzzling, the picture is everything an underground classic should be. More
9. Ghost World
Studio: MGM
US Box Office to Date: $6.2 Million
Remember those people in high school who listened to Morrissey before you did and they wanted you to know it? But they also couldn't hold down a job at a movie theater so it didn't really hurt your feelings too bad? Such is the case with the main character in Ghost World. Although at times you want to shake her for her jadedness, you still kind of want her to end up alright. More
8. Monsters, Inc.
Studio: Walt Disney Pictures
US Box Office to Date: $256 Million
For starters, you probably hate Pixar. But that's just jealousy talking because they're better than you. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll think Billy Crystal's not all together washed up. The perfect popcorn film for children and adults alike, don't let your kid see weakness -- they will overthrow you. More
7. The Devil's Backbone
Studio: Sony Pictures Classics
US Box Office to Date: $0.8 Million
A precursor to his later masterpiece Pan's Labyrinth, Guillermo del Toro's Spanish-language horror-fable The Devil's Backbone is a beautiful, terrifying and strangely moving affair. As much a drama as a horror film, it clearly sets the genre-bending foundation from which Guillermo would continue to build throughout the decade. More
6. Ocean's Eleven
Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures
US Box Office to Date: $183 Million
In a decade where remakes and relaunches were a dime a dozen, one of the first and best re-tools of a film was Steven Soderbergh's Ocean's Eleven. Replacing Frank Sinatra's Rat Pack with a Who's Who of the Hollywood elite (headed up by George Clooney, Brad Pitt and Matt Damon), Ocean's Eleven was a fun experience which entertained both film-going audiences and critics alike. More
5. Moulin Rouge!
Studio: 20th Century Fox
US Box Office to Date: $57 Million
Take two attractive stars like Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor, stir in a passionate romance based on Greek literature and classic opera, mix with lively renditions of contemporary songs and drop it all into the dreamy, frenetic setting of turn-of-the century Paris. The result: a post-modern musical of epic proportions. More
4. Black Hawk Down
Studio: Columbia TriStar
US Box Office to Date: $109 Million
Ridley Scott (that's "Sir" to you) still gets it right some of the time, as is evidenced by his inclusion on this list on more than one occasion. Black Hawk Down, from 2001, is a rock 'em, sock 'em depiction of the real-life Battle of Mogadishu that makes for a gripping movie experience -- and a stark reminder of the harsh realities of war. More
3. The Royal Tenenbaums
Studio:
US Box Office to Date: $52 Million
As a whole, 2001 was a great year for film. So it's high praise to say that The Royal Tenenbaums was our favorite comedy of the year. As absurd, off-beat and pretentious as all Wes Anderson films, Tenenbaums places that quirky personality on a dysfunctional family torn apart and brought back together by Gene Hackman's patriarch, Royal Tenenbaum. More
2. Memento
Studio: Newmarket Films
US Box Office to Date: $26 Million
This mind-bending, nonlinear thriller heralded the arrival of future Bat-director Christopher Nolan. The first of several psychological features from the director, Memento became an indie sensation and boasted a strong lead performance by Guy Pearce. Nolan and brother Jonah re-teamed to script The Prestige and The Dark Knight. More
1. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
Studio: New Line Cinema
US Box Office to Date: $315 Million
Loyal fans of the original books were skeptical at first, but even they were eventually won over by Peter Jackson's relatively faithful retelling of J.R.R. Tolkien's beloved fantasy series. The first installment set the stage for what would become a grand three-part epic, pushing the boundaries of what could be done within the film medium. More
2002
10. Signs
Studio: Touchstone Pictures
US Box Office to Date: $228 Million
You've heard the expression three strikes and you're out? Well M. Night Shyamalan kinda got that mixed up: His first three truly commercial features hit it out of the park before the director struck out on each successive picture. But Signs was one of the good -- almost great -- ones, the story of a father, widower, and former priest (Mel Gibson) who must confront the prospect of an alien invasion of Earth. Too bad about that whole clunky "swing away" thing, though. More
9. Minority Report
Studio: 20th Century Fox
US Box Office to Date: $132 Million
Sci-fi novelist Philip K. Dick's source material has been adapted to film more times and with better results than any other science fiction writer out there today. Minority Report is no exception to this rule. Combining the star power of Tom Cruise with the direction of Steven Spielberg, this film wowed audiences with its future tech and quality storytelling. More
8. Gangs of New York
Studio: Miramax
US Box Office to Date: $78 Million
Compared to his director-for-hire work on The Departed, Gangs is Scorsese's most personal film to date -- a flawed but damned impressive story about the birth of an ideal (America ) in the blood-stained alleys of the Five Boroughs. Daniel Day-Lewis' Bill the Butcher is one of the best villains ever made, delivering a perfect performance in a film with a scale only Scorsese's anamorphic canvas could satisfy. More
7. Road to Perdition
Studio: DreamWorks Pictures
US Box Office to Date: $104 Million
Featuring Paul Newman's final on-screen performance, Oscar winner Sam Mendes' sumptuous but somber graphic novel adaptation cast Tom Hanks against type as a 1930s Chicago hit man who must protect his son while on the run from the syndicate. The stellar cast includes Jude Law, Daniel Craig and Stanley Tucci. More
6. The Bourne Identity
Studio: Universal Pictures
US Box Office to Date: $122 Million
The first installment -- and only one directed by Doug Liman -- in the franchise based on Robert Ludlum's books turned Matt Damon into a bankable an action star. It was a throwback to 1970s espionage thrillers, and featured amnesiac assassin Jason Bourne at his most vulnerable, romantic and talkative. More
5. Adaptation
Studio: Sony Pictures Entertainment
US Box Office to Date: $22 Million
Are you a pretentious over-analytical self-professed artiste? If so, Adaptation is the movie for you. One of the only movies where Nicolas Cage doesn't lean on car chases and guns to advance the plot, it delves deep into the mind of writer extraordinaire Charlie Kaufman. And it's the closest thing to Cage's real hair we're probably gonna get. More
4. 28 Days Later
Studio: Fox Searchlight
US Box Office to Date: $45 Million
While there's some debate as to whether the original 28 Days film or its sequel was ultimately superior, there's no denying that Danny Boyle's take on the 21st century zombie defined the genre for much of the decade. Fast-moving undead and a raw, DV-quality atmosphere were a mainstream first, but hardly a last, for the zombie genre in the early part of this decade. More
3. The Ring
Studio: DreamWorks Pictures
US Box Office to Date: $129 Million
The grandfather of the J-horror remake, Gore Verbinski's adaptation of The Ring did something that few remakes can accomplish -- improve upon the original. With its surreal imagery and confident direction (Verbinski would later go on to direct the Pirates of the Caribbean films), The Ring is easily among the top 10 horror films of the decade. More
2. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
Studio: New Line Cinema
US Box Office to Date: $342 Million
The bridge that ties the first two films together, The Two Towers is often overshadowed by the other installments because of its status as a middle child. But let's not forget that it features the Battle of Helms Deep, one of the most ambitious battle scenes of the series, and possibly in all of cinema to date. More
1. Spider-Man
Studio: Sony Pictures Imageworks
US Box Office to Date: $404 Million
You will believe a spider can swing! Sony married the perfect director with one of -- if not the -- greatest superheroes when they hired Sam Raimi to bring the wallcrawler to life. A true fan of the comic, Raimi paid as much attention to Peter Parker as he did to his CGI-enhanced counterpart, and the series is still going strong today as a result. More
2003
10. Elf
Studio: New Line Cinema
US Box Office to Date: $173 Million
Most of today's modern Christmas favorites are lumped into two categories: it's either too vulgar for children or Tim Allen stars in it. So where does a family find solace during the frigid holiday cold? In Will Ferrell and his portrayal of Buddy, the lovable human/elf that makes us all want to morph back into a kid again. He also gets hit by a car a couple times, which he kind of deserves for making Semi-Pro. More
9. Bad Santa
Studio: Dimension Films
US Box Office to Date: $60 Million
In a year with several enjoyable holiday flicks, Bad Santa is the one we remember most fondly. On the surface, this film comes off as a raunchy, vulgar crime comedy starring Billy Bob Thornton. But as you make your way through the movie, you realize its black heart is beating. While it will never take the place of our favorite childhood holiday classics, this twisted Christmas film does manage to find its way onto our TV screens every year. More
8. Oldboy
Studio: Show East
US Box Office to Date: $0.7 Million
Whether it's pulling out teeth with a hammer, eating a live, writhing squid or inadvertently banging a family member, there's plenty of shock value to go around in Oldboy. There's also a lot of hardcore ass-kickery and inspired filmmaking, as well, making Oldboy one of those films that sustains itself beyond its twists and fight choreography. More
7. Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World
Studio: 20th Century Fox
US Box Office to Date: $94 Million
Director Peter Weir's glorious art house epic based on the novels of Patrick O'Brian follows swashbuckling Captain Jack Aubrey (Russell Crowe) of the HMS Surprise. The film, which feels like Star Trek set on the high seas, offers a detailed study of British naval life during the Napoleonic wars. More
6. Lost in Translation
Studio: Focus Features
US Box Office to Date: $45 Million
We're not sure what Bill Murray whispered to ScarJo at the end of the film either, but we know that it's just one of many great moments in the decade's best May-December romance. Sofia Coppola made an indie movie that appealed to mainstream audiences, without compromise. The movie just is, and that's enough. More
5. Finding Nemo
Studio: Walt Disney Pictures
US Box Office to Date: $340 Million
Got a kid? Do you have to watch hours upon hours of Dora the Explorer and Bob the Builder? Well, why don't you pop in something you'll like too, like say, Finding Nemo? A heartwarming tale of a father searching for his son, it will tug at even your cold, frigid heart -- even though you won't admit it. More
4. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
Studio: Walt Disney Pictures
US Box Office to Date: $305 Million
Pirate fights and Keira Knightley for the men; Johnny Depp and Orlando Bloom for the ladies. Pirates of the Caribbean started out as a stupid idea for a movie based on a theme park ride and ended up paying off in the end. Three films deep and a fourth in the works, the formula for curses, octopus faces and treasure is apparently working -- and it's about as long as the wait time to get on the actual rollercoaster. More
3. X-Men 2: X-Men United
Studio: 20th Century Fox
US Box Office to Date: $215 Million
One of the best superhero movies, natch! Bryan Singer proved with this film that Superman II from way back when wasn't the only superhero sequel that could top the original. Fleshing out the mythos of Professor Xavier's band of merry mutants while also losing the slightly chincy factor of the first film, X2 also set the mold for future X-films to come with its introduction of new characters from the team's extensive roster. More
2. Kill Bill Vol. 1
Studio: Miramax
US Box Office to Date: $70 Million
A mix tape comprised of Quentin Tarantino's favorite bloody inspirations from Asian cinema, Kill Bill follows the Bride's search for revenge, giving us one of the decade's strongest heroines and a story that shows off what movies can do. Great fight scenes and Robert Richardson's excellent camerawork makes Bill one of the decade's ballsiest offerings. More
1. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Studio: New Line Cinema
US Box Office to Date: $377 Million
The last chapter in Peter Jackson's saga based on Tolkien's book series never seems to end, but we didn't really want it to anyway. The final battle for Middle-earth pits the forces of good against the ultimate evil, and while we always knew who would come out ahead, it sure was impressive to watch. More
2004
10. The Bourne Supremacy
Studio: Universal Pictures
US Box Office to Date: $176 Million
With this exciting sequel, director Paul Greengrass injected more political subtext (and plenty of shaky cam work) into the saga of Jason Bourne, who comes out of hiding to hunt down those responsible for his girlfriend's murder. His mission also brings him that much closer to uncovering his forgotten past. More
9. Team America: World Police
Studio: Paramount Pictures
US Box Office to Date: $33 Million
Not many films are just as funny in concept as they are in execution, but Team America is definitely one of them. Created by Trey Parker and Matt Stone (of South Park fame), this political parody centers around a Broadway actor trained to stop terrorists and the Film Actors Guild (led by Kim Jong-il) as the newest member of Team America -- the world's police. If that doesn't hook you, how about the fact that the cast is composed entirely of marionettes? More
8. Dawn of the Dead
Studio: Universal Pictures
US Box Office to Date: $59 Million
Clearly taking his cue from 28 Days Later, Zack Snyder's arguably superior version of George Romero's Dawn of the Dead employed the newly crowned fast-moving zombie to tremendous effect. But not only was the film fast, violent and scary as hell, it boasted a strong script with solid performances and actual character. In a horror movie! Think of that! More
7. Shaun of the Dead
Studio: Focus Features
US Box Office to Date: $14 Million
Shaun made Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg brands in both the U.K. and the U.S. by turning the zombie movie into something equal parts horror and comedy -- with a good measure of dramatic stakes thrown in. Shaun is one of the genre's Top Five, and one of the best reasons why it's good to be a fanboy. More
6. Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy
Studio: DreamWorks Pictures
US Box Office to Date: $85 Million
Arguably the first in Will Ferrell's long, long list of almost solely improvised movies, Anchorman came as a breath of fresh air against the old Hollywood standard of rehashing lines from a script. It's basically, "Give me a plot and five of my friends, and we'll do the rest." Since then, Ferrell's been trying to recreate Anchorman's magic to no avail. Keep trying sir, Step Brothers wasn't half bad. More
5. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures
US Box Office to Date: $250 Million
Let's forget for a moment the fact that this is a popular set of children's books that you end up borrowing from your 12-year-old sister after she's done with them. This movie has everything you want: serial killing, magic, and Gary Oldman. Where Chris Columbus previously took the series more towards a children's slant, newly acquisitioned director Alfonso Cuarón made it darker and more character driven. More
4. The Incredibles
Studio: Walt Disney Pictures
US Box Office to Date: $261 Million
Pixar continued its reign as the king of computer animation in 2004 with its stylish take on the superhero genre. While clearly influenced by established comic book archetypes, The Incredibles still feels fresh thanks to the heartwarming love story between Mr. Incredible and Elastigirl, and their family of "supers" coming together to fight the bad guy. More
3. Kill Bill Vol. 2
Studio: Miramax
US Box Office to Date: $66 Million
The Bride's vendetta comes to an end with some of the best dialogue Quentin Tarantino has ever written. The Bride takes on a more tragic edge as she closes in on Bill, and Bill becomes that rare villain we truly hate to love. Vol. 1 gets most of the action out of the way, so Vol. 2 can give us a dramatic conclusion to the whole bloody affair. More
2. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Studio: Focus Features
US Box Office to Date: $34 Million
What if science could erase your broken heart, but then you realize that actually losing that love was better than not having it at all? Sunshine asks that question, and Charlie Kaufman's script uses the eclectic romance between Joel and Clementine to answer it. Michel Gondry's trippy direction provides the most unique take on love's labor lost. More
1. Spider-Man 2
Studio: Sony Pictures Entertainment
US Box Office to Date: $374 Million
Sorry, The Dark Knight fans, but for some of us on the IGN staff this film stands as the greatest superhero movie ever. Following Peter Parker's increasingly troubled dual existence as Spider-Man, the picture shines not just for its Spidey action scenes but also for the little touches: the citizens carrying the unconscious wallcrawler on the train; MJ's ditched wedding run through the park; the "Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head" interlude. Just perfect. More
2005
10. Wedding Crashers
Studio: New Line Cinema
US Box Office to Date: $209 Million
Although it unfortunately brought the term "motor boating" into the lexicon of every frat guy at the parties you're not invited to, Wedding Crashers quickly became a classic buddy comedy based off the chops of Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson. Christopher Walken is it in for God's sake, so for that fact alone it can't suck. More
9. Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith
Studio: 20th Century Fox
US Box Office to Date: $380 Million
Come on, you've heard this old story before. Blah, blah, the first two Star Wars movies suck and this one was better, blah, blah. George Lucas apparently can't direct a trash bag, so in Revenge of the Sith, he let action do the talking instead of Hayden Christensen's cardboard cutout performance. Also, blah blah, you hate Jar Jar Binks, blah blah; we get it. More
8. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures
US Box Office to Date: $290 Million
Following in the wake of a more mature Harry, The Goblet of Fire takes us on a suspenseful ride while also dealing with death and dragons. When your daughter comes to you numb to the fact that her puppy died, you have this movie to thank. And that Robert Pattinson guy is in it, so whatever that means. More
7. Serenity
Studio: Universal Pictures
US Box Office to Date: $26 Million
Joss Whedon's space western may not have lasted as a television series, but the film based on it still holds up as one of the best sci-fi movies of the last decade. Filled with witty dialogue, great performances by the ensemble cast and stunning visuals, Serenity is as down-to-earth as it is fantastic. More
6. Munich
Studio: Universal Pictures
US Box Office to Date: $47 Million
Inspired by Cold War-era thrillers, Steven Spielberg's Munich weaves intrigue and politics into the story of assassins seeking revenge on those responsible for the attack at the 1976 Olympics. Despite a third act misfire, Spielberg succeeds at showing the tragic cost of being in the business of eye-for-an-eye justice. More
5. Sin City
Studio: Dimension Films
US Box Office to Date: $74 Million
When you think of comic book movies you usually think of the capes and cowls that populate the Marvel and DC Comics universes. But, while characters like Spider-Man and Batman get the big budgets, indie titles like Frank Miller's Sin City make the most of what they have and often come out better for it. In this case, Robert Rodriguez and Miller worked together to create one of the most moody and faithful comic book adaptation yet -- at a fraction of the cost of big budget capes. More
4. A History of Violence
Studio: New Line Cinema
US Box Office to Date: $32 Million
Director David Cronenberg's gripping graphic novel adaptation follows a small town family man (Viggo Mortensen) whose violent but heroic act turns him into a media sensation -- and brings his secret past, in the form of his old mob cronies, back to violently haunt him and his unsuspecting family. More
3. The 40-Year-Old Virgin
Studio: Universal Pictures
US Box Office to Date: $109 Million
The movie introduced us to Judd Apatow's improv-based brand of comedy, and made Steve Carell our go-to guy for awkward leading men. The plot is rote by now, but the titular character's struggle to get laid still makes us laugh. It made Apatow one of the defining voices of the decade, making it safe for movies about dick and fart jokes to have a heart. More
2. Mr. and Mrs. Smith
Studio: 20th Century Fox
US Box Office to Date: $186 Million
Truthfully, this one is really just about the hotness of its two leads, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. We'd love to say this was some important piece of writing or key bit of genre entertainment, but we'd be lying. It's a fun action movie with, depending upon which way you swing, something for everybody as far as a leather-clad Jolie or well-suited Pitt go. And frankly, that's enough. More
1. Batman Begins
Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures
US Box Office to Date: $205 Million
Christopher Nolan gave us our first "real" take on comic book movies, doing Batman's revenge-fueled origins justice for the first time on the big screen. Gone are Burton's sideshow aesthetics, in favor of a Gotham more Blade Runner than backlot, and a hero who doesn't take second seat to the villains. Moreover, without Begins, we would never have TDK. More
2006
10. Rocky Balboa
Studio: MGM
US Box Office to Date: $70 Million
We'll admit that we didn't have much in the way of expectations for this one. Coming back to a film series 16 years after it went flat isn't usually the recipe for quality, especially when your lead actor is 60 years-old. But somehow, someway, Sylvester Stallone made us believe again in this spiritual sequel to the first Rocky. More
9. United 93
Studio: Universal Pictures
US Box Office to Date: $31 Million
The hardest movie of 2006 to watch and not feel everything, all at once, United 93 dramatizes the final, fateful moments aboard the titular aircraft on 9/11, and does so without Hollywood-izing the real event. Paul Greengrass' hand-held camera is more effective here than in the Bourne films, delivering an experience that is both memorial and art. More
8. Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan
Studio: 20th Century Fox
US Box Office to Date: $129 Million
Spinning off of the British television series Da Ali G Show, Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan took Sacha Baron Cohen's Kazakh journalist and gave him his own film. While this offensively comedic movie was a hit with critics and audiences alike, the film was censored, banned and sued by just about everybody in it. While pegged as sexist, homophobic and racist, we can't help but love the comedy found in Cohen's vulgar satire. More
7. V for Vendetta
Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures
US Box Office to Date: $71 Million
In our opinion, which certainly isn't shared by all, V for Vendetta was a hugely successful adaptation of Alan Moore's original work. Smart, exciting and sleekly made, the film offered a strange combination of substance and style too rare in genre films these days. It might not have been 100-percent faithful to the source material, but it was, at least until Watchmen, the best effort we'd seen. More
6. Mission: Impossible III
Studio: Paramount Pictures
US Box Office to Date: $134 Million
J.J. Abrams had the unenviable task of making a great threequel in a franchise few held sacred. Relying on his Alias playbook, Abrams delivered a slick and polished affair, putting emphasis on the IMF team as Ethan Hunt took point searching for the Rabbit's Foot. The first five minutes are incredibly tense, and that bridge shootout is the stuff of perfect summer movies. More
5. The Prestige
Studio: Buena Vista Pictures
US Box Office to Date: $53 Million
Stop lying: You didn't see that twist coming. Christopher Nolan is too talented a filmmaker to let that happen in his story of one magician's endeavor to be the best at the art of illusion, and the cost therein. There's a science behind Nolan's smoke and mirrors, one which actors Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale are more than capable of selling. This underrated entertainment is one of our favorites. More
4. The Departed
Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures
US Box Office to Date: $132 Million
This Best Picture-winning, Boston-based remake of Infernal Affairs is the film that finally won Martin Scorsese his Oscar as Best Director. Leonardo DiCaprio and Matt Damon play a cop and a criminal who go undercover in their respective organizations, while Jack Nicholson shines as the crimelord they both answer to. More
3. Children of Men
Studio: Universal Pictures
US Box Office to Date: $36 Million
This thought-provoking adaptation of the P.D. James novel deals with a near future in which the human race has become inexplicably infertile. It's a fascinating premise made all the more poignant by director Alfonso Cuaron's intense, documentary-style approach and the ultimate message of hope in the midst of desperation. More
2. Pan's Labyrinth
Studio: Picturehouse
US Box Office to Date: $38 Million
Guillermo del Toro taught the fanboys of the world a thing or two about the art house circuit with this stunning mix of post-Spanish Civil War dramatics and supernatural weirdness. A truly beautiful yet heart-wrenching film, Pan's Labyrinth mixes so many elements -- the fascist oppression of the time, the innocence and defenselessness of childhood, the other that lurks just beyond our perceptions -- that it stands as a biting reminder of how bland so much of Hollywood's output really is. More
1. James Bond 007: Casino Royale
Studio: Sony Pictures Entertainment
US Box Office to Date: $167 Million
The James Bond franchise was revitalized with this winning adaptation of Ian Fleming's first novel. Featuring blond, rugged Daniel Craig in his debut as 007, the story is as much about Bond the man and his heartbreaking romance with Vesper Lynd as it is his first mission as a 00. More
2007
10. Grindhouse
Studio: The Weinstein Company
US Box Office to Date: $25 Million
Answer: Gun-legged strippers and Kurt Russell vehicular homicide. Question: What do you get when Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino let loose on the exploitation film genre. Some prefer zombified Planet Terror over Stuntman Mike's Death Proof, but you can't truly enjoy this double-bill without considering both halves of this kick-ass effort. More
9. The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures
US Box Office to Date: $3.9 Million
Love it or hate -- and we love it -- the eloquent narration and painterly visuals of The Assassination of Jesse James makes this slowly-paced period piece one of the more artful Westerns we've ever seen. With a real sense of by-the-fire storytelling, this film also represented a stand-out performance by Casey Affleck, who one-upped his brother this decade to become a fine actor in his own right. More
8. Superbad
Studio: Sony Pictures Entertainment
US Box Office to Date: $121 Million
You're probably sick of the two lead actors in this movie now, since one stars in every hipster romantic comedy that Joseph Gordon-Levitt isn't in and the other just runs around making weed and fart jokes. Regardless, Superbad was Michael Cera and Jonah Hill's big break. Remember a time when Cera and Hill weren't spoon fed to us; remember the good old days and Superbad. More
7. Zodiac
Studio: Paramount Pictures
US Box Office to Date: $33 Million
A lot of people expected Zodiac to be more in line with Fincher's Seven, but what they got was a calculated and smartly-scripted procedural about one of the century's most notorious serial killers. Fincher's painstaking attention to detail and commanding visual style -- not to mention some first-rate performances -- make this more than just a serial killer thriller. More
6. There Will Be Blood
Studio: Paramount Vantage
US Box Office to Date: $40 Million
The movie that gave us the line, "I drink your milkshake!" is also tour-de-force of surrealistic filmmaking on par with the likes of Kubrick or Altman. Paul Thomas Anderson's bleak portrait of turn-of-the-century California is further enhanced by the mesmerizing performance of Oscar winner Daniel Day-Lewis as misanthropic oil man Daniel Plainview. More
5. Knocked Up
Studio: Universal Pictures
US Box Office to Date: $149 Million
Few talents made more of a mark on entertainment in the last decade than writer/director Judd Apatow. Knocked Up proved to be yet another example of how his loose, improvisational style of comedy can make a star out of someone as unlikely as Seth Rogen. It also makes for a funny, quotable and ultimately enduring film. More
4. The Bourne Ultimatum
Studio: Universal Pictures
US Box Office to Date: $227 Million
This slam-bang conclusion to the espionage and action franchise is the most relentlessly-paced in the frenetic series, boasting some of the best chase sequences ever filmed. Bourne's prolonged bout in Tangiers is the series' most brutal hand-to-hand fight, while a climactic car chase plays like The French Connection on steroids. More
3. No Country For Old Men
Studio: Miramax
US Box Office to Date: $74 Million
This Best Picture winner is a lean, blood-stained Western that elevates Cormac McCarthy's source material into an exceptional movie thriller. The Coen Brothers didn't so much adapt a screenplay as they transcribed a book about a gun-shy sheriff on the trail of money wanted by a man who kills people with compressed air. No one wins in this film, where fates are (literally) decided with the flip of a coin. More
2. Ratatouille
Studio: Walt Disney Pictures
US Box Office to Date: $206 Million
Who would have thought that the story of a rat in a restaurant would be so damn charming? Leave it to Pixar to take the world's least adorable animal and create a story of incredible artistry and sophistication. Add to that the vocal talents of comedian Patton Oswalt and the vision of filmmaker Brad Bird and you've got one of Pixar's best films of the decade. More
1. 300
Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures
US Box Office to Date: $211 Million
Putting all homoeroticism analysis aside, Zack Snyder's adaptation of the Frank Miller graphic novel is an amazing hybrid of a film -- part live-action, part computer-painting and all breathtaking. If the storyline, or what little there is of it, is mostly perfunctory, there're more than enough beheadings and mutilations to make up for it here. More
2008
10. Forgetting Sarah Marshall
Studio: Universal Pictures
US Box Office to Date: $63 Million
While this number 10 spot could have just as easily gone to Tropic Thunder or Pineapple Express, we chose Forgetting Sarah Marshall as the best comedy of the year. Written by and starring Jason Segel, this hilarious movie boasts a realistically painful break-up story, Kristen Bell in a bikini and a Dracula rock opera with puppets. What's not to like? More
9. Slumdog Millionaire
Studio: Fox Searchlight
US Box Office to Date: $141 Million
Like its central character, this unassuming indie drama from British director Danny Boyle came from seemingly out of nowhere and became a national sensation in 2008. The tale of an orphaned boy from Mumbai who becomes a prominent contestant on the Indian version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire struck a chord with mainstream audiences who had never seen anything like it before. More
8. The Strangers
Studio: Rogue Pictures
US Box Office to Date: $53 Million
A simple idea, executed simply, proves once-and-for-all that huge production values and constant, MTV-style editing aren't necessary to make a terrifying and financially successful horror film. Without pandering to the ADD film crowd, The Strangers evoked real tension through long, quiet sequences and first-rate sound design. We dare you not to scream at least once. More
7. The Wrestler
Studio: Fox Searchlight
US Box Office to Date: $26 Million
The underdog making a heartfelt comeback is a story Hollywood has often told, with varying success. But The Wrestler approaches the subject matter with an unapologetic look at a broken, not sprained, wrestler who means well, but ultimately doesn't want his comeback to have a happy ending. Watching Mickey Rourke struggle with this marks one of the best comeback performances in years. More
6. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Studio: Paramount Pictures
US Box Office to Date: $128 Million
Fincher's look at 80 years in the life of a man who ages backward does share some obvious similarities with Forrest Gump -- also scripted by Eric Roth -- but Fincher's control of sentiment and presentation allowed The Curious Case of Benjamin Button to be both insightful and romantic without ever falling into emotional schlock. That, plus Brad Pitt's remarkable performance and some amazing CG, makes for an overall classic drama. More
5. Let the Right One In
Studio: Magnolia Pictures
US Box Office to Date: $2.1 Million
Less a horror movie than a skewed love story, Swedish director Tomas Alfredson's vampire film reminds us that we need to get out and see more international cinema. Starring two children, one as a centuries-old bloodsucker and the other as her potential new life partner (or is that death partner?), Let the Right One In is scary for sure, but not in the usual way at all. More
4. Cloverfield
Studio: Paramount Pictures
US Box Office to Date: $80 Million
So it's a mix of Ghostbusters meets Godzilla meets 9/11 with a camera shakiness that makes you want to throw up half the time. But other than that, Cloverfield is another example of the impressive innovation that the sci-fi genre is embarking on. A bunch of yuppie New Yorkers die in it too, which is also nice. More
3. Wall-E
Studio: Walt Disney Pictures
US Box Office to Date: $224 Million
Celebrated largely for its opening half-hour, WALL.E proved that adorable robotic pantomime and some well-placed, old-timey music could trump a dialogue-laden script any day of the week. The story of a lonely janitorial robot's first contact with true love, WALL.E also embraced the decade's predominant cinematic message: the environment. Stay Green, America! More
2. Iron Man
Studio: Paramount Pictures
US Box Office to Date: $318 Million
Robert Downey, Jr. and director Jon Favreau turned a mid-level Marvel hero into the decade's most welcomed new Avenger on the block. Fueled by the stuff of pure summer entertainment, Iron Man made Downey a bankable actor, as opposed to just a really talented one, and proved that Marvel has the market cornered on turning their heroes into movie stars. More
1. The Dark Knight
Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures
US Box Office to Date: $533 Million
The most commercially successful comic book film adaptation ever made, The Dark Knight boasts great performances across the board, not the least of which is the late, great Heath Ledger's brilliantly diabolical turn as The Joker. This is an epic crime saga and psychological drama masquerading as a superhero movie. More
2009
10. The Hangover
Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures
US Box Office to Date: $277 Million
This isn't the first bachelor-party-in-Vegas comedy, but it might be the funniest. The chemistry between straight-man Stu (Ed Helms), playboy Phil (Bradley Cooper) and oddball Alan (Zach Galifianakis) works like a well-oiled machine. The off-the-wall humor and irreverent tone were just what audiences craved amidst a summer crowded with big event films and special-effects extravaganzas. More
9. Zombieland
Studio: Columbia Pictures
US Box Office to Date: $76 Million
This zombie road movie is one of the best horror-comedies since Shaun of the Dead. Following zombocalypse survivors Tallahassee and Columbus to an amusement park where the undead don't so much walk as get smashed is more fun than it should be -- it could have been lame, B-grade schitck. Instead, Zombieland keeps the characters in the foreground while not afraid to get meta about the genre it both parodies and revitalizes. More
8. Fantastic Mr. Fox
Studio: Fox Searchlight
US Box Office to Date: $19 Million
Stop-motion animation is just what Wes Anderson needed to avoid feeling one-note, and the story of Mr. Fox and friends trying to outsmart angry farmers comes off as his best film since Rushmore. Anderson makes the 2-D world these puppets live in endearing, while creating a movie that more than does Roald Dahl's source material proud. More
7. Paranormal Activity
Studio: Paramount Pictures
US Box Office to Date: $108 Million
With a budget of $11,000, Paranormal Activity emerged seemingly from nowhere with its Blair Witch-esque approach to horror. Utilizing the "found footage" technique, the film never appeared overly gimmicky in its gripping portrayal of a rapidly escalating haunting. Arriving at the tail end of 2009, we expect to see our fair share of Paranormal rip-off's in the decade to come. More
6. Inglourious Basterds
Studio: The Weinstein Company
US Box Office to Date: $121 Million
Pretentious and bloody as hell? Definitely. But Quentin Tarantino fans wouldn't have it any other way, as the writer-director's long-gestating story about a crew of Nazi killers killing Nazis made its way to the big screen. Tarantino's love for the movies is in every frame, and Christoph Waltz's Col. Landa is Basterds's best contribution to the halls of movie villainy. More
5. Moon
Studio: Sony Pictures Classics
US Box Office to Date: $5 Million
Sam Rockwell lives on the moon with a robot who sounds like Kevin Spacey. What more do you need to know?! How about this: Moon is a throwback to the classic sci-fi of the early 1970s, where ideas, performances and mood were just as important as, if not more important than, space battles and big explosions. More
4. Star Trek
Studio: Paramount Pictures
US Box Office to Date: $258 Million
For the first time in the franchise's history, Trek delivered on the promise of Space being the final frontier. J.J. Abrams' reboot made it cool for anyone to be fans of guys called Kirk and Spock. ILM's spectacle mixed well with Abrams' focus on character and drama, making Star Trek the best type of summer entertainment. More
3. Up
Studio: Walt Disney Pictures
US Box Office to Date: $293 Million
Pixar does it again with an imaginative and fanciful film about an old man, an eager young boy, a talking dog and an exotic giant bird. As improbable as it sounds, it all works together in a story that hits every emotional beat with precision. And it looks beautiful, too. More
2. District 9
Studio: TriStar Pictures
US Box Office to Date: $116 Million
Good sci-fi forces us to question parts of our humanity. Great sci-fi does that and throws in a MechWarrior suit chase/shoot out. District 9 provides an original take on aliens visiting Earth, treating the new arrivals as shanty-town refugees and addressing themes of racism and moral responsibility without letting the pulse rifles and CG distract from a very compelling, very emotional, story. More
1. Avatar
Studio: 20th Century Fox
US Box Office to Date: $368 Million
James Cameron's long-awaited sci-fi epic almost literally brought viewers to another planet thanks to its groundbreaking, photorealistic visual effects and 3-D, yet it told a story -- about a soldier who goes native and defends an indigenous civilization from his own war-mongering people -- as familiar and old as the Wild West. More
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