When a person sits down for a “director’s cut,” they expect certain things, like a definitive vision, but can often end up longing for the theatrical version halfway through. I’ve never been a huge fan of them, and it turns out I’m not alone. Fans are calling out great movies with terrible director’s cuts, and the takes are pretty spicy.

Over on Reddit, film lovers have been debating which movies' Director’s or Extended Cuts are way worse than the original theatrical cut, and the responses are both fascinating and brutally honest. Director’s cuts may promise “more movie” but, as many pointed out, more footage often means less pacing, less mystery, and a lot more filler. The viral r/movies thread revealed a clear theme: editing is an art form, and not every filmmaker should tinker with their masterpiece.

More Doesn’t Always Equal Better

Right at the top of the thread sits Donnie Darko, a cult classic that even its biggest fans think should’ve been left alone. The original poster wrote, “The original cut was soooo good. Everything was just right, but in the director’s cut, they overexplain everything and kill the pacing.” Another user agreed, saying the mystical ambiguity that made Darko unforgettable gets lost under all the exposition. User NewSunSeverian summed it up perfectly:

Not everyone agrees, though. Interestingly, when CinemaBlend reviewed Donnie Darko: The Director’s Cut, it received a strong 4.5 out of 5 in its original review. Meanwhile, another divisive example, Zack Snyder’s Justice League, may have redeemed 2017’s Justice League for some fans. CB gave it a solid write-up, but even that extended cut took its fair share of criticism. The original post read:

I’m not entirely on board with that take. Personally, I really enjoyed Zack Snyder’s Justice League, though maybe that’s because I disliked Joss Whedon's theatrical version so much. Either way, I’ve revisited it several times with my HBO Max subscription and still think it holds up.

Another comic book movie that caught flak was Frank Miller’s Sin City and its “Recut, Extended, Unrated” edition. Fans agreed that some of the changes “completely ruin the flow.” User One-Earth9294 put it bluntly:

More than one user felt this way about the Sin City Recut. User NobodieInteresting wrote:

Comic book flicks don't seem to fare so well with Director's Cuts. However, there is another genre that might have it even harder when it comes to bad extended versions.

Comedy Suffers The Most In Director’s Cuts

If there’s one genre that can’t survive indulgence, it’s comedy. As Redditors pointed out, comedic timing lives and dies in the edit. Dumb & Dumber came up repeatedly as the prime example of how a few extra seconds can kill a joke. “All the ‘jokes’ drag on for so long that they just become tedious and uncomfortable,” one user wrote, while another lamented that it’s now the only version available on Blu-ray.

The same sentiment applied to Tropic Thunder, where added scenes “repeat information the next scene already tells you” and stretch punchlines until they lose their sting. As one commenter put it, “Brevity is the soul of wit. Director’s cuts tend to take the brevity out.”

All in all, the real takeaway wasn’t just which movies were ruined, it was why. In nearly every example, fans agreed: editing is storytelling. When filmmakers revisit their work years later, they sometimes forget that what they cut wasn’t a mistake, but instinct.

There are, of course, rare exceptions, Kingdom of Heaven and the unrated M3GAN come to mind as director’s cuts you definitely should check out, but those are outliers. Director’s cuts may sound romantic yet, as these fans made clear, that “truer” vision often proves just how much a great editor matters.

For more cinematic releases on the horizon, check out our 2025 movie schedule to see what’s still headed to theaters this year. Who knows, one of them might get its own director’s cut someday.

Lots of the biggest actors in Hollywood started their careers with very modest parts. Sometimes, like Renée Zellweger in Dazed and Confused, they don't even have lines. Others have a little more to do, but in all of the examples on this list, they are all in smaller roles and rarely more than cameos. Let's get on to the list!

Renée Zellweger - Dazed And Confused

Dazed and Confused has one of the most stacked casts of young actors in any movie ever. Some are stars of the movie, like Matthew McCaughney and Parker Posey. Renée Zellweger is on the other end of the spectrum. She's only seen briefly in a couple of scenes, including one with Posey, but she doesn't have any lines.

Amy Adams - Drop Dead Gorgeous

Amy Adams has become one of the most formidable actors in Hollywood today, but like many, she started with smaller roles in big movies. Her first role, in fact, was a minor role in 1999's Drop Dead Gorgeous. She would get her big break a few years later in Catch Me If You Can and has gone on to be nominated for six Oscars, but is weirdly still an actor who has not won an Academy Award.

Keira Knightley - Star Wars: Episode I: The Phantom Menace

Keira Knightley had a few small television roles before she landed a small part as the Queen's decoy in Star Wars: Episode I: The Phantom Menace. She does a great impression of Natalie Portman, of course, as that was her job!

James Gandolfini - The Last Boy Scout

James Gandolfini ground it out for years, working small parts in great movies like True Romance and Crimson Tide, and Get Shorty, before landing the role of a lifetime in The Sopranos. His first role, for which he wasn't even credited, is as an extra playing a henchman to Damon Wayans' character in 1991's The Last Boy Scout.

Alfred Molina - Raiders Of The Lost Ark

While Alfred Molina had appeared in some small roles on television, his first acting credit came as Satipo in Raiders of the Lost Ark. He plays Indy's assistant who first betrays Indy, then is struck down trying to escape with the treasure at the beginning of the movie. It's a bigger role than an extra or a cameo, but not much more. He's gone on to much bigger things since, of course.

Scarlett Johansson - North

Scarlett Johansson's biggest break came in 2003's Lost In Translation, but the actress had been working in Hollywood for almost a decade at that point, first appearing in North when she was just nine years old.

Daniel Day-Lewis - Sunday Bloody Sunday

In another true "blink and you'll miss it" or, frankly, a "you'd never know if you didn't know" moment, the legendary Daniel Day-Lewis pops up as a trouble-making teen scratching cars in 1971's Sunday Bloody Sunday.

Elizabeth Banks - Shaft

Elizabeth Banks has built her career into a true Hollywood powerhouse as an actor, director, and producer. In the early days, though, she was like most actors, trying to land whatever parts she could in whatever movie she could. She appears in a handful of movies basically as a credited extra, including 2000's Shaft starring Samuel L. Jackson. She was billed under the name Elizabeth Maresal Mitchell.

Matt Damon - Mystic Pizza

One thing Matt Damon wins on this list is "best character name" for his debut in a motion picture. He has a small role with the name "Steamer Windsor." There's a lot to unpack there; if only he had more screen time, we might have been able to.

Jon Hamm

Years before he would take the world by storm as Don Draper, Jon Hamm was like so many other young actors, taking any role he could, including "Young Pilot #2" in 2000's Space Cowboys, directed by Clint Eastwood.

Tom Cruise - Endless Love

While Endless Love might not seem like the biggest movie on this list, it was a minor hit back in 1981, starring Brooke Shields. It's hardly remembered today, but it did give an obscure actor named Tom Cruise his first role in a movie, and that has to count for something. Though Cruise has a small role here, later that same year, he would star in Taps, and two years later, his career would blow up with The Outsiders, Risky Business, and All The Right Moves, all in 1983. He's basically been the biggest star on earth in the decades since.

Melissa McCarthy - Go

Melissa McCarthy can do it all in comedy. She's been fantastic doing impressions on SNL and has played both memorable supporting roles in classics like Bridesmaids and This is 40, and starring roles in Central Intelligence and Ghostbusters. But it was a small role as a roommate in Go that gave her her start.

Nicolas Cage - Fast Times At Ridgemont High

The '80s classic Fast Times at Ridgemont High helped launch a lot of careers, like Sean Penn, Judge Reinhold, and Phoebe Cates. It also gave Nicolas Cage his first role, though he didn't get a line in the movie. Famously, he was billed under his given name, Nic Coppola. Soon, he would change it to get some distance from his famous family, and the rest is history.

Elijah Wood - Back To The Future Part II

Elijah Wood has had a long career, and it stretches all the way back to 1989 and Back to the Future Part II, where he plays one of the kids who makes fun of Marty for using his hands to play a video in the future.

Kristen Stewart - The Flintstones In Viva Rock Vegas

This one is so fast (and you never actually see her face), that there is no way you'd know that Kristen Stewart's first movie role was as an uncredited extra playing a ring toss game in The Flintstones In Viva Rock Vegas without a list like this one.

Jack Black - Bob Roberts

In Jack Black's first role, the musician and comedian plays an absolutely terrifying fan of the politician and musician Bob Roberts in the Tim Robbins movie, also called Bob Roberts. Black plays a supporter of the politician, and the moment he appears on screen, he makes you nervous. It's kinda brilliant, if short-lived.

Patrick Dempsey

Patrick Dempsey started his career with a tiny, uncredited role in the very last shot of a movie very few people remember, The Stuff from 1985.

Julia Roberts - Satisfaction

Of all the parts on this list, Julia Roberts' first role, in Satisfaction, the 1988 film that also stars Justine Bateman and Liam Neeson, is larger than most. She plays the bass player in the fictional band, and like many real-life bass players, she is mostly in the background. Later that year, she had a much more substantial role in Mystic Pizza, and from there, she pretty much conquered Hollywood.

Mark Wahlberg - Renaissance Man

Mark Wahlberg famously had some troubled teenage years while his brother Donnie stormed the music charts with New Kids On The Block. Still, eventually he would get his act together and find some success in show business, first as a musician himself, then later as one of the most sought-after actors in Hollywood. He was already famous when he landed his film debut in Renaissance Man, but it wasn't the starring role he'd soon be known for.

Tom Hardy - Black Hawk Down

The cast of Black Hawk Down is absolutely stacked. It's so stacked that Tom Hardy, who doesn't have a huge role, is really easy to overlook. The Havoc star landed his first role in a movie alongside actors like Ewan McGregor, Eric Bana, Tom Sizemore, and Jason Isaacs, plus guys like Orlando Bloom and Ty Burrell in early roles.

Brad Pitt - No Way Out

It's hard to believe that Brad Pitt wasn't an immediate star in Hollywood, but he had to put in the work, just like most. Early in his career, he had a number of uncredited roles as an extra, and his most notable was 1987's No Way Ou,t where he plays a guy at a party who is really just standing behind Kevin Costner.

Anthony Edwards - Fast Times At Ridgemont High

One of the many actors who found early work in their career in Fast Times At Ridgemont High was Anthony Edwards, who has a bit part as one of Sean Penn's stoner friends. It's true he has more lines than Nicolas Cage in the movie, but his role is still pretty minor, yet memorable.

Geena Davis - Tootsie

Geena Davis really burst onto the scene in smaller, but substantial roles in Tootsie and Fletch. Sure, there weren't the smallest roles on this list, but they weren't the leading roles she would later become famous for in movies like Beetlejuice, The Accidental Tourist (for which she won an Oscar), A League of Their and Thelma and Louise.

Eric Stoltz - Fast Times At Ridgemont High

The list of actors who got their start in Fast Times At Ridgemont High is long and distinguished. One name that you have to include as having had the most impressive career is Eric Stoltz. Three years later, Stoltz would star in Mask, and he pretty much wrote his own ticket after that performance. He plays one of the stoners in Fast Times with Sean Penn and Anthony Edwards, who don't like to wear shirts in public.

Jason Segel - Can't Hardly Wait

Random teenage stoners are pretty common characters for big stars to have played early in their career. Jason Segel is a perfect example. Segel plays a random dude at the big party who appears to have overindulged with his buddy in the classic teenage comedy, Can't Hardly Wait. The watermelon he's eating does look delicious, though.

Angelina Jolie - Lookin' To Get Out

The title of this list is about big movies, and you might hear the name Lookin' To Get Out and think, "What movie?" That's fair, as it's basically forgotten today, but it was a very hyped movie with a substantial budget for 1982. It was a Jon Voight project from top to bottom, and as such, he got to cast his then-seven-year-old daughter Angelina Jolie in a small part towards the end of the movie.

Jeff Goldblum - Death Wish

When you are credited as "Freak #1" in a movie, it's a safe bet that you're not going to be featured much. Still, when Jeff Goldblum landed that role in Death Wish, he went all out, including not showering for a while to immerse himself in the minor role. To his credit, he does look almost unrecognizable in the role.

Channing Tatum - Coach Carter

Even guys as good-looking and talented as Channing Tatum need to start somewhere. For Tatum, it was as a member of the basketball team in Coach Carter, the 2005 sports drama starring Samuel L. Jackson as the titular high school basketball coach.

Timothée Chalamet - Interstellar

Like countless other New York actors, Timothée Chalamet's first credited role came on Law & Order, which he landed when he was still in high school. In 2014, he was cast in Interstellar as Matthew McConaughey's character's son. It's a small role, but it obviously has led to big things.

Seth Rogen - Donnie Darko

Seth Rogen is most famous for his many comedic roles, but his first film role, a smaller role as a high school bully in Donnie Darko, is exactly his funniest role, that's for sure. The role came after he found his early success on Freaks and Geeks, but well before he broke out as a writer, director, as well as an actor later in his career.

Vince Vaughn - Rudy

Vince Vaughn has starred in a ton of classic comedies in his career, like Swingers, Old School, Dodgeball, and Wedding Crashers. He's also made his mark in dramas like Brawl in Cell Block 99, Freaky, Hacksaw Ridge, and his first movie, the classic sports drama, Rudy, where he plays one of the teammates on that Notre Dame football team.

Alexander Skarsgård

This one is a little bit of an edge case, because while Alexander Skarsgård's first American movie was as one of the really, really good looking male models in Zoolander, he had appeared in some Swedish movies before it. Still, we think this is close enough!

Despite being one of the more notable box office flops of the early 2000s, thanks in part to its post-9/11 release date, Donnie Darko has become one a bona fide cult classic, and is a time (travel) capsule for its sprawling and wildly talented ensemble cast. Two of the twisty sci-fi thriller’s beloved cast members, Beth Grant and Jolene Purdy, reunited for the new 2025 TV series The Bondsman for Prime Video, and talking to them about working together again was a downright adorable experience.

As a massive Donnie Darko fan who thinks it’s easily one of the best movies from the 2000s, I was over the moon to see both Grant and Purdy as part of The Bondsman’s cast alongside the always excellent Kevin Bacon (whose character gets killed off in the very first scene before being resurrected). And I would doubly over that same moon to interview the two actresses at the same time.

The very second Beth Grant and Jolene Purdy were in my line of sight, I immediately voiced my Donnie Darko fandom, and they both absolutely lit up. After I noted that it was a little mindblowing to be talking to them, the following exchange happened:

• BETH GRANT: It's mind blowing for us, too. I tell you, when she walked in, I knew she was doing the role, but when she walked into the table read, I burst into tears and ran. I just jumped up from the table and ran to her because I just couldn't... I'm so proud of her! That was her first movie.
• JOLENE PURDY: It was my first audition. It was terrifying, and coming to see you 25 years later on this project was the warmest welcome. I've ever had going into a table read, which can be nerve-wracking in itself. But to see your face was just home, you know?
• BETH GRANT: I'm so proud of you. I mean, forgive me, but I am so proud of her. Just the career that she's built for herself is amazing.
• JOLENE PURDY: It's all the actors I meet along the way that I get to learn things from.

The genuine love and affection beaming off of both women was as palpable as The Bondsman's pentiful gore, and it was instantly clear that they share an impressively strong bond themselves. To the point where they both looked sincerely touched by the other's compliments.

For real, I could have crawled into the fetal position and napped snugly beneath the warmth of their personalities, but that wouldn't have done very much on the interview side of things.

How The Bondsman Was A Full-Circle Experience For Both Actresses

As Donnie Darko fans will no doubt remember, Beth Grant took on the role of the antagonistic dance team momager Kitty Farmer, who delivered one of the movie's most iconic lines with "Sometimes I doubt your commitment to Sparkle Motion." Meanwhile, Jolene Purdy portrayed the bullied teen Cherita Chen, who held complicated feelings for Jake Gyllenhaal's titular quasi-hero.

Knowing that Richard Kelly's debut feature was also the first acting gig that Purdy landed, I asked her if working with Beth again for The Bondsman felt like a full-circle moment for her, and it led to another fun exchange:

• JOLENE PURDY: Yes, absolutely. Yeah, I think Cherita was a little more timid than Midge is. Cherita's grown up into Midge. She's experienced some things.
• BETH GRANT: I think this woman has come full [circle] and had quite an arc. Midge works for the devil, and puts me in my place.
• JOLENE PURDY: A little bit, just a little bit.
• BETH GRANT: And I'm also playing a character named Kitty, ironically, which is a good sign, I think.

Beth Grant alluded to a Bondsman detail that made me cackle out loud when I realized it. Though her surname may not be the same, the actress' character in the new streaming show shares the same first name as her Donnie Darko matriarch. Though I'd dare say Kitty Farmer would have full optimism about the Halloran family's commitment to Sparkle Motion. They're quite the musical family, even if it's more about singing and playing instruments than choreographed dancing.

Showrunner Erik Oleson Talked Working With The Donnie Darko Co-Stars

I also talked to The Bondsman showrunner Erik Oleson about not only working with a stellar lead like Kevin Bacon, but also about ushering this Donnie Darko reunion to fans. I was delighted to hear he was just as excited, and he even noted he's from Virginia, which is where Richard Kelly is from, and where he set the movie in question. Here's what Oleson told me:

I love that Beth Grant is the kind of actress who not only earns praise-filled comments from former colleagues, but can also still manage to become someone's new BFF. I guess what I'm saying is that I'm jealous of Oleson's girlfriend.

He continued, focusing on Jolene Purdy a bit before plainly stating how much of a dream gig The Bondsman has been.

Thankfully, fans can rewatch Donnie Darko (with a Hulu subscription) and then binge through The Bondsman (with an Amazon Prime subscription) all in one day without having to cancel too many other plans, such as attending the Sparkle Motion recital. Join me in hoping The Bondsman gets renewed for Season 2 to see more from Grant and Purdy.

We know them, we love them, and most of the time, we love to hate them. Regardless of how any of us feel about the iconic, troublesome teens that round out the fabric of Hollywood’s youth-centric media, they’ve left their signature messy marks. This list covers the big hitters, the unmistakable part-of-pop-culture adolescents who derailed monumentally (dependent on their character and world, not all misguided minors are created equal). Each calling card of these chaotic characters has a few things in common–they’re lost and faced with conflict–but how they solve their issues leads to many more issues than solutions. Buckle up and grab your favorite nostalgic mix tape/playlist; we’re in for a bumpy ride.

Jim Stark and Buzz Gunderson - Rebel Without a Cause

This is by far one of the most influential movies that jumpstarted the teen genre and it’s big thanks to Jim Stark (James Dean) and Buzz Gunderson (Corey Allen). When gang leader Buzz and new-in-town Jim agree to a “chickie race,” that’s when things go up in smoke. Jim is left to face the fallout.

Marissa Cooper - The O.C.

You could probably make a case for most of The O.C. kids, but Marissa Cooper (Mischa Barton) undoubtedly tops them all. Coop’s undoing was a monolith and started on the wings of her parents' divorce. It led to underage drinking, tumultuous relationships, petty theft, and eventually to her passing away after a car crash at the end of Season 3.

Danny Zuko - Grease

Like many other ensembles, you could make a pick mostly anyone from the Grease cast, but Danny Zuko's (John Travolta) issues bled into everyone else’s. Not to mention, he strung Sandy Olsson (Olivia Newton-John) along until the very end of the movie.

Serena van der Woodsen - Gossip Girl

Gossip Girl is another show where you could argue a good case for any of the characters being the biggest saboteur. But like Marissa Cooper, Serena van der Woodsen (Blake Lively) just can’t shake off trouble in most things she does. The thought of old her and Georgina Sparks together really sounds like they’d top the list together.

Veronica Sawyer - Heathers

Heathers and Veronica Sawyer (Winona Ryder) were ahead of the curve. When awkward loner Veronica gets invited to join the school’s most popular group, she quickly realizes it’s not the place for her. After befriending new kid Jason Dean (Christian Slater), they accidentally kill one of the Heathers. This sets off an entire killing spree that wreaks havoc on Westerburg High School.

Dawson Leery - Dawson’s Creek

Even though he may have been seen more as a golden boy during his reign, Dawson (James Van Der Beek) caused some major damage in his day. We literally have a separate list showcasing all the times Leery was the worst character for his loved ones to be around. If he'd only been supportive of Joey Potter (Katie Holmes) going to Paris, who knows what could've been?

Cady Heron - Mean Girls

Tina Fey’s wildly quotable Mean Girls needs no introduction or explanation. With Cady (Lindsay Lohan) coming to terms with attending a public high school in the US after growing up in Africa, she is a poster child for this list. As she explores her new reality, she gets lost for a moment amid girl world drama, which leads to multiple friend, family, and relationship troubles.

Rue Bennet - Euphoria

The Max ‘teen’ jewel-encrusted drama juggernaut holds another ensemble of lost and morose students. However, Rue Bennet (Zendaya) and her substance abuse issues are the focal point. It's upended friendships, caused familial stresses, multiple times over, causing Rue to lie, steal and hurt everyone in the East Highlanders.

Chris Hargensen - Carrie

Stephen King’s Carrie is another classic high school staple that helped push the envelope on what fictional teen worlds could hold. Popular girl and bully, Chris Hargensen (Nancy Allen) makes Carrie’s (Sissy Spacek) life a living nightmare. Hargensen continues down a downward spiral that leads to the bone-chilling but iconic prank that happens at the dance (which has some truly grim consequences).

Tim Riggins - Friday Night Lights

If you know anything about this NBC network TV classic, you either love or hate Tim Riggins (Taylor Kitsch). While he was a regular womanizer, heavy partier, not to mention that he sabotaged himself and the team with some regularity, he straightened up.

Dallas ‘Dally’ Winston - The Outsiders

Francis Ford Coppola’s adaptation of The Outsiders is a quintessential coming-of-age story. Even though the whole gang is rough and tumble, along with any of the ‘Socs,’ Dally (Matt Dillon) is the most troubled. With an already tumultuous background, Johnny’s death sends him on to make poor decisions for himself and his friends.

Cory Matthews - Boy Meets World

Surprising, I know. The more classic choice from Boy Meets World may be Shawn Hunter, but Cory Matthews (Ben Savage) sparked plenty of trouble in his time (like fellow do-gooder, Dawson Leery). Throughout the 7 seasons, he caused more rifts between his family, friends and Topanga than anyone else.

Billy Loomis & Stu Macher - Scream

Naturally, any teen in any scary movie generally has some baggage that leads to strife in one way or another. Youths like Billy (Skeet Ulrich) and Stu (Matthew Lillard) are different, though, they are intentionally motivated to terrify and harm their fellow classmates and the people of Woodsboro. Unfortunately for them, their plans backfire on them gravely.

Lucas Scott - One Tree Hill

Like the aforementioned teen network drama shows of the mid and late ‘00s, any character is up for debate. Lucas Scott (Chad Michael Murray), the main protagonist, puts on a good show of commotion for everyone in his life. Being a serial heartbreaker while being unloyal and manipulative to others lands him this particular title.

Jennifer Check - Jennifer’s Body

Jennifer’s Body, again, isn’t filled with average adolescents, and especially not Jennifer (Megan Fox). While she and longtime friend Needy (Amanda Seyfried) head out for a semi-average night of Jennifer-approved fun, all goes awry. We find out that Jennifer has turned into a demon feasting on the male teens of Devil’s Kettle, WY. After the friends face off, Needy gets pinned for the murders and gets taken to an insane asylum.

Rachel Berry - Glee

The destined-for-greatness Rachel Berry (Lea Michele) typically stopped at nothing to get what she wanted, regardless of the consequences. While the fictional NYADA darling had moments of hope and promise, her ego and ambition always seemed to cause more harm than good. (Any Ryan Murphy-created teen could do, though.)

Seth - Superbad

The 2007 classic was the first Seth Rogen-Evan Goldberg project, and it immediately put them on the map. The semi-biographical Superbad revolves around characters with the same names and pretty typical senior tropes. Of the fictional duo Seth (Jonah Hill) and Evan (Michael Cera), and their pal, Fogell (Christopher Mintz-Plasse), the first of the trio creates the most trouble for their celebratory evening. While the trio make up, along with the girls (Emma Stone, Martha MacIsaac), before graduation.

Rory Gilmore - Gilmore Girls

“Why did you drop out of Yale?” Even though Rory Gilmore (Alexis Bledel) is one of the more unusual fictional high schoolers on the list, her dropping out was monumental for the world of Gilmore Girls. Even Lauren Graham didn’t like the storyline because of the turmoil it created between Lorelai and Rory. Not to mention, her sleeping with Dean, missing Lorelai's graduation and later on, being more lost than ever in her 30s.

Donnie - Donnie Darko

Donnie (Jake Gyllenhaal) isn’t your typical troublesome, drama-filled teen, even though his choices in one reality lead to serious consequences. His present ED signifiers (Emotional Disturbance) present Donnie as something else, but we eventually come to realize he's an anti-hero of sorts. As he comes to realize that there are multiple timelines at play, he chooses to fix it to save Gretchen Ross' (Jena Malone) life. And with his developed powers, he returns to the day when it all went awry, which leads to his destiny--death.

Archie Andrews - Riverdale

Archie of The CW’s Riverdale was one of the many, much darker TV reboots out there. And though all the drama has always hinged on the red-headed football hero regardless of genre, the TV show really packs Archie with a punch. To be fair, he also found himself in the wrong place at the wrong time quite frequently–it’s how he reacted to them that gives him the top spot for the searching students of Riverdale High.

Kathryn Merteuil & Sebastian Valmont - Cruel Intentions

Another young and terrifying twosome is Kathryn Merteuil (Sarah Michelle Gellar) and Sebastian Valmont (Ryan Philippe). The oddball step-siblings wager a bet that involves innocent and new Annette Hargrove (Reese Witherspoon). Through the scheme, the group of students is faced with continuing drama until a very sad end.

Valerie Malone - Beverly Hills, 90210

Though there was plenty of actual drama on the set of Beverly Hills, 90210, Valerie Malone (Tiffani Thiessen) wasted no time sowing seeds of chaos. Arriving in Season 5 with a lot of baggage in the form of family trauma, Malone was immediately set up to be in trouble. She dated many of the guys and regularly feuded with the girls.

Max Fischer - Rushmore

As one of the many stylized Wes Anderson films, Rushmore was one of his earliest. Max Fischer (Jason Schwartzman) is a love-drunk student determined to date his teacher and will stop at nothing to achieve it. After an array of mishaps and his fellow acquaintance, Blume (Bill Murray), hitting it off with her, Max loses it. He leaked the affair publicly and temporarily burned bridges with both of them.

Willow Rosenberg - Buffy The Vampire Slayer

Willow’s (Alyson Hannigan) rise to raising hell for Buffy and co. may be a slow burn, but once she hits it, things get wild. While her use of telepathy, manipulation and struggling to keep her magic in check kick off the season, Tara’s death sets Willow into overdrive in trying to destroy the world.

PJ & Josie - Bottoms

Gen Z coming-of-age comedies come in all shapes and sizes, including Emma Seligman’s Bottoms. The satirical take on the high school experience is wild, especially with PJ (Rachel Sennott) and Josie (Ayo Edebiri). The BFF’s hatch a fight club for girls so they can talk to cheerleaders they have crushes on. Needless to say, a lot of drama goes down, including a car blowing up.

Mona Vanderwaal - Pretty Little Liars

Honestly, most characters from the 2010 series have a fair shot here. But Mona (Janel Parrish) is the reason for all of the mystery and torment. She is who sparks the series because of her grudge against the main friend group. Eventually, she becomes one of them, and even more trouble ensues.

Laura Palmer - Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me

In my opinion, there’s no list about misguided high schoolers complete without Laura Palmer (Sheryl Lee). The character was cemented into pop culture in David Lynch’s cult show, Twin Peaks, but the less popular prequel movie shows her tragic undoing. Her last days are filled with traumas relating to her drug addiction, web of lies and darker spirits. Warning, this movie isn't for the faint of heart.

DeGrassi: The Next Generation

DeGrassi: The Next Generation is maybe the only title on the list in which each character is as chaotic and troubled as the last. The iconic Canadian teen soap has multiple iterations, but the 2002-2015 series takes the cake. Between the students, they have every classic dramatic HS storyline in the book, and alumni Drake’s “I’m Upset” reunion-filled music video summarizes some key points.

Nancy Downs - The Craft

The quartet of girls in The Craft start as lost as the next, but Nancy’s (Fairuza Balk) power-hungry ways destroy what they have together. After quiet Sarah Bailey (Robin Tunney) moves to town and gets wronged, Downs and her pals take her in. All four hatch a scheme to cast a spell on the wrongdoer, and when it succeeds, that’s when Nancy starts sabotaging everything.

John B - Outer Banks

Netflix’s Outer Banks is one wild ride with wayward John B (Chase Stokes) at the helm. Sure, other characters may be outwardly more troubled (JJ, Sarah or Rafe), but everyone’s lives intensified because of John B’s initial treasure hunt.

Christine ‘Lady Bird’ McPherson - Lady Bird

As one of the more subtle teenage pot stirrers, Ladybird (Saoirse Ronan) still makes her presence and opinions unmistakably clear. Her main sources of conflict reside within her relationship with her hardworking mom (Laurie Metcalf) and nerdy best friend (Beanie Feldstein). While Lady Bird temporarily burns bridges with both in pursuit of greater life expectations and new friends, she mends things with both.

Effy Stonem - Skins UK

A cult classic that ran from 2007-2013 and largely featured the rebellious but lost Effy Stonem (Kaya Scodelario). From the jump, we see 14-year-old her sneaking home in the early morning after being out all night at a rave. Needless to say, Effy’s journey was a bumpy one filled with substance abuse, mental health crises, and a web of lies.

Have you ever heard someone describe your favorite movie in a way that completely changed your perception of its story forever… or at least made you chuckle a little? Cinephiles have been coming up with examples to describe a film plot badly (or just in simpler, funnier terms) for years.

I scoured the internet for some of the wittiest examples I could find and also managed to come up with a few decent ones of my own that I now present to you. You may never think of these classics the same way again.

A Father Asks His Long Lost Son To Take Over The Family Business (The Empire Strikes Back)

This one is inspired by an X post (from when it was still called Twitter) by Mitch Poppe, who makes, arguably, the best Star Wars movie sound more like a sweet Earthly drama (or even an organized crime thriller). Of course, it is not until the stunning climax of 1980's The Empire Strikes Back that we discover Darth Vader (voiced by James Earl Jones) is the father of Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), who is then tempted by the Sith Lord to come to the Dark Side and rule with him.

The Story Of One Man's Catastrophic Inner Conflict (Fight Club)

SPOILER WARNING: In one of the best movie plot twists ever, 1999's Fight Club reveals that the chaotic Tyler Durden (Brad Pitt) is a dissociative identity of Edward Norton's "Narrator." Unfortunately, he comes to that realization only after his other half has converted their unconventional male support group into a terrorist organization that he immediately intends to stop.

An Accident-Prone Dinosaur Theme Park, Shockingly, Still Exists (Jurassic World)

I also turned to my co-workers for help to come up with some of these simplified movie plot descriptions and one suggested this bit that, admittedly, points out just how ludicrous the plot of 2015's Jurassic World really is. It was already established in Steven Spielberg's 1993 original Jurassic Park movie that a theme park with real, living prehistoric creatures has the potential to result in disaster, much like the very plot of this sequel.

Three Escaped Convicts Start A Boy Band (O Brother, Where Art Thou?)

There is a reason why O Brother, Where Art Thou? is considered to be one of the best music movies ever made and the X account Explain A Movie Plot Badly recognizes this in its simplified explanation. Joel and Ethan Coen's 2000 comedy is a retelling of The Odyssey, redefined as the story of Depression Era inmates (played by George Clooney, John Turturro, and Tim Blake Nelson) who ditch the chain gang and find success as singing folk songs as The Soggy Bottom Boys.

Deja Vu Cures A Weatherman's Cynicism (Groundhog Day)

When you really think about it, all of the best time loop movies are tales of redemption and self-rediscovery. In other words, my colleague's clever description of 1993's Groundhog Day could be applied to almost any one of them, save the mention of Phil Connors' (Bill Murray) profession as a TV weather reporter.

A Teen Plays Matchmaker For His Own Parents (Back To The Future)

Back to the Future, stars Michael J. Fox as Marty McFly, who accidentally takes Doc Brown's (Christopher Lloyd) time machine 30 years in the past and nearly prevents his own existence by getting in the way of his mother (Lea Thompson) and father (Crispin Glover) falling in love in high school. If you did not realize that I was talking about the 1985 time travel movie classic, you might assume I was describing the story of a child trying to get their divorced parents back together.

A Young Man Goes Through A Lot Of Trouble To Return Some Jewelry (The Lord Of The Rings Trilogy)

I almost hate to admit this, but I have never been very interested in epic fantasy stories like the Lord of the Rings movies. However, Eser Ünsalan's X post helped me realize just how relatable Peter Jackson's adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's trilogy is if you break down Frodo's (Elijah Wood) journey into its simplest terms.

A Man Constantly Loses His Prized Possessions To This French Jerk (Raiders Of The Lost Ark)

Many would agree that the best Indiana Jones villain is Dr. René Belloq, who claims at the beginning of 1981's Raiders of the Lost Ark that there is nothing Harrison Ford's heroic archaeologist can possess that he cannot take away. Actor Paul Freeman has said that he believes his sniveling, French explorer is not so different from Indy, save for his reluctance to do the work himself and alliance with fascist organizations, of course.

A Fight Breaks Out Between Two Angry Orphans (Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice)

Despite their differing methods of justice, overall sense of optimism, and respective species, Batman and Superman relate to each other in many ways, most notably that they both know what it is like to lose their parents. Explain a Movie Plot Badly reflected on that in the X post that inspired this joke, which references 2016's Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, even though Ben Affleck's Bruce Wayne did not know Clark Kent's (Henry Cavill) own tragic backstory until a little too late into their quarrel.

A Man Wins Back His Wife By Throwing Out Uninvited Christmas Party Guests (Die Hard)

Many have debated whether or not Die Hard – in which Det. John McClane (Bruce Willis) wages a war against ruthless thieves taking his wife (played by Bonnie Bedelia) and her colleagues hostage in an L.A. high-rise – it deserves a spot among the best Christmas movies ever made. Well, if you strip away its more violent content, the 1988 action movie classic's plot is clearly not much different from your typical holiday rom-com.

A Man Goes Through A Lot To Have The Perfect Suit (The Silence Of The Lambs)

One would have to have a pretty bleak sense of humor to paint Jame "Buffalo Bill" Gumb (Ted Levine) from 1991's The Silence of the Lambs in a sympathetic light and it appears that the people at Explain A Movie Plot Badly do. Their X post, referring to a serial killer fixing to make a suit of human skin in Jonathan Demme's unsettling Best Picture Oscar winner, inspired this also quite unsettling joke.

A Teen Becomes Upset When His Computer Dies (Terminator 2: Judgment Day)

In addition to its astonishing action sequences, what really makes 1991's Terminator 2: Judgment Day a classic sci-fi movie is the endearing relationship between the T-800 (Arnold Schwarzenegger) and young John Connor (Edward Furlong). Of course, no matter how misty-eyed you may get from their final goodbye at the end, you cannot ignore the fact that this kid's father figure was still a machine.

Two Men Turn To The Bible To Solve Their Problems (Se7en)

Let me just make this clear: Se7en is not a religious movie. However, faith does play a pivotal role in how veteran detective Somerset (Morgan Freeman) and rookie Mills (Brad Pitt) investigate a multiple murder case in David Fincher's 1995 thriller. They recognize that the sadistic killer's pattern is related to the biblical seven deadly sins.

Water Helps A Family Survive (Signs)

One of the most divisive M. Night Shyamalan movie plot twists comes from Signs, in which it is revealed that the extra-terrestrial intruders die when water touches them. It is easy to understand why this is underwhelming, but we also should not ignore the fact that Graham Hess (Mel Gibson) and his family might not have made it through the alien invasion if not for the invaders' strange weakness.

A Man Sleeps Through A 10-Hour Flight (Inception)

Due to its visually stunning appeal, it is easy to forget that much of what we see in Inception is not even real and the main characters are all asleep as it happens. In fact, much of the film takes place in the mind of a sedated Robert Fischer (Cillian Murphy), whose subconscious is invaded by Dom Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his crew while on a long plane trip to the United States.

A Guy Jumps Through Many Hoops To Complete His Rock Collection (Avengers: Infinity War)

I do not in any way mean to undermine the efforts that the Avengers, the Guardians of the Galaxy, and other concerned parties go through to prevent a cataclysmic event that, tragically, does end up happening anyway. However, darthyogi on Reddit makes a really good point in the way they describe Thanos' (Josh Brolin) ultimate goal in 2018's Avengers: Infinity War. I mean, a fitting alternate title for the acclaimed Marvel movie could have been Avengers: Geology War.

Six Men Dress The Same For Their First Day At Work (Reservoir Dogs)

It is really nothing unusual for a group of coworkers to have matching uniforms. Of course, Explain A Movie Plot Badly's tweet that inspired this reimagining of Reservoir Dogs' storyline leaves out that this "first day at work" is also their last, since the jewelry store heist they volunteer for goes terribly, and fatally, wrong.

Boy Meets Girl, Boy Loses Girl, Boy Forgets Girl, Boy Meets Girl (Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind)

Arguably Jim Carrey's best movie, 2004's Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is such a conceptually, visually, and even structurally unique experience, as acknowledged in this bit from the mind of my coworker. It is such a clever twist to learn that the beginning, when Joel (Carrey) meets Clementine (Kate Winslet) on a train, is actually the end of the sci-fi rom-com, taking place after they each unwittingly erased the memory of their relationship.

A Millionaire Is Forever Haunted By The Loss Of His Favorite Toy (Citizen Kane)

The end of 1941's Citizen Kane reveals that the titular, late publishing tycoon (played by co-writer and director Orson Welles) was remembering the sled he used to play with as a child when he spoke his final word: "Rosebud." For decades, this seminal film's conclusion has been heralded as one of all-time finest, but I cannot help but wonder how divisive this twist would be if the film had come out in modern times, especially if you think of it in the same terms as this joke.

A Clown Provokes An Angry Cosplayer (The Dark Knight)

Without the proper context, this sounds like a headline for a newspaper article reporting a fight that broke out on Hollywood Boulevard. Actually, even with the proper context, it does not just sound like the plot of 2008's The Dark Knight but of a few of the best live-action Batman movies.

A Divorced Dad Kills An Intruder And Takes His Job (The Santa Clause)

Even before finding Explain A Movie Plot Badly's X post that inspired this simplified film story, I had been made aware of just how dark the concept of 1994's The Santa Clause truly is in retrospect. However, that does not stop me from recognizing Scott Calvin (Tim Allen) as one of the coolest cinematic movie Santas for the way comes to wholeheartedly accept the job (after some convincing) when he accidentally causes his successor's fatal accident from the top of his roof.

A Princess Convinces A Millionaire And A Cat Lady To Give Up Their Dreams (Wonder Woman 1984)

Perhaps my favorite tweet from Explain A Movie Plot Badly offers the funniest way to describe 2020's Wonder Woman 1984 that I think anybody could imagine. The DC movie sequel features two villains for Gal Gadot's Amazonian warrior to take on: the wealthy Max Lord (Pedro Pascal), who gets ahold of a mystical rock that grants wishes, and geologist Barbara Minerva (Kristen Wiig), whose wish turns her into "Cheetah."

A Young Man Has A Bunny To Thank For Saving His Life (Donnie Darko)

The plot of the mind-bending high school movie Donnie Darko (a personal favorite of a friend of mine who helped come up with this bit) is set in motion when the titular teen (Jake Gyllenhaal) narrowly escapes a tragic death when he follows the voice of a possibly hallucinatory man named Frank (James Duval). I am not sure where writer and director Richard Kelly got the idea to dress Frank in the most disturbing rabbit costume imaginable, but I also believe it is essential to the 2001 thriller's legacy as an enduring cult favorite.

A Woman's Motel Room Shower Is To Die For (Psycho)

I cannot imagine there exists a motel with a bathroom shower this impressive. But, do you know what is impressive? The shocking, iconic scene from Alfred Hitchcock's 1960 masterpiece in which Marion Crane (Scream Queen Janet Leigh) is murdered by who we assume is the mother of Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins) while taking a shower at the Bates Motel.

A Divorced Father Fights To See His Daughter (Taken)

One of the most matter-of-fact X posts by Explain A Film Plot Badly takes aim at Taken, in which retired CIA agent Brian Mills (Liam Neeson) takes action to locate his kidnapped daughter, Kim (Maggie Grace), in France. Without knowing what the 2008 action flick is actually about, one might hear this description and assume it is a wholesome family film.

A Group Of Men Learn To Never Trust Dogs (The Thing)

The best kind of dog movies are the ones where the dog saves the day, but that is certainly not the case in John Carpenter's The Thing. The 1982 horror movie classic opens with the central characters taking in a Canadian timber wolf-Alaskan Malamute hybrid that turns out to be a malevolent, shapeshifting alien in disguise.

Amateur Gambler Loses Everything, But Still Keeps His Job (Casino Royale)

A coworker of mine who has a special affinity for the James Bond movies had the perfect way to summarize the events of Daniel Craig's debut as 007 in Casino Royale.

A Woman Falls In Love With The First Guy She Sees After Waking Up (Sleeping Beauty)

Many of Disney's animated princess movies take on a more creepy, problematic guise in retrospect. Take, for example, this summarization of Sleeping Beauty, inspired by a tweet from Marisa Nocito.

First Responder Uses Government Resources To Exclusively Rescue Personal Family Members After An Earthquake (San Andreas)

The coworker of mine who came up with the idea for this bit inspired by 2015's San Andreas actually had some harsher words to describe Dwayne Johnson's central hero, who probably would have lost his job for acting in his own self-interests in the wake of a natural disaster.

A Powerful Corporation Benefits From Child Endangerment (Monsters Inc.)

I just might have ruined one of my own favorite Pixar movies for myself by the way I reinterpret 2001's Monsters Inc. and the titular company's bid to collect children's screams in this joke.

A Man Walks Up And Down A Flight Of Stairs (The Woman In Black)

The 2011 adaptation of Susan Hill's The Woman in Black certainly boasts some effective frights. However, there is a shocking amount of scenes in which Arthur Kipps (Daniel Radcliffe) is seen walking up a flight of stairs to find something scary before walking back downstairs to avoid the creepy entity, only to find something else freaky, and the situation repeats.

A Team Of Athletes Try New Eating Habits (Alive)

One of the darkest posts on X by Explain A Movie Plot Badly references the 1993 thriller, Alive, which is based on the harrowing true story of a Uruguayan rugby team forced to do the unthinkable when their plane crashes in the middle of the Andes Mountains.

Genres are helpful—until a movie comes along that throws the rulebook into the fire. Some films are so inventive and wildly ambitious that slapping a single label on them feels like an insult. These movies blend tones, mix storytelling traditions, and challenge expectations at every turn. Whether mashup horror and comedy, sci-fi and romance, or animation and noir, these 32 films break free from traditional classification, proving that the best stories often refuse to fit into a box.

Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022)

The plot of Everything Everywhere All at Once sounds absurd when you hear it out loud. It’s sci-fi, but it’s also a family drama. It’s one of the best action movies in recent memory. It also happens to be an absurdist comedy with a scene that breaks my heart every time I see it–I still can’t look at rocks or googly eyes the same. It’s a meditation on existential dread wrapped in kung-fu spectacle. The Daniels crafted something that shouldn’t work but does—an emotional, high-energy, genre-blending rollercoaster where nihilism and love collide in the best way possible.

Donnie Darko (2001)

A suburban teen, time travel, existential horror, and a man in a creepy rabbit suit—Donnie Darko refuses to be pinned down. Is it a psychological thriller? A coming-of-age story? A horror film with sci-fi elements? Richard Kelly’s cult classic is all of these things, a moody, enigmatic puzzle box that continues to haunt viewers decades later, an easily one of Jake Gyllenhal’s best movie performances.

The Princess Bride (1987)

What other film can balance fairy tale fantasy, satirical comedy, swashbuckling action, and heart-melting romance without breaking a sweat? The Princess Bride is a book-to-screen adaptation that is as good, if not better than the novel it's based on. It’s a love letter to classic storytelling while also poking fun at its conventions. It’s pure magic—a film that can make you laugh, cheer, and cry, often within the same scene.

Pan’s Labyrinth (2006)

Guillermo del Toro’s Pan’s Labyrinth, one of his best movies, refuses to let fantasy be an escape. Instead, it interweaves a fairy tale with the brutal realities of war-torn Spain. Part fantasy film, dripping in historical drama and a dash of horror. Del Toro blends all three into something chillingly beautiful, proving that sometimes the scariest monsters are human.

Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)

A hard-boiled noir detective film… with animated cartoon characters running wild? Who Framed Roger Rabbit defies expectations by fusing classic film noir aesthetics with Looney Tunes madness. It’s part mystery, part slapstick comedy, part technical marvel, entirely unclassifiable, and, in retrospect, not very appropriate for children.

Swiss Army Man (2016)

Since finishing up his tenure as Harry Potter, Daniel Radcliff has made some weird movies, and none are as odd as Swiss Army Man. Think Cast Away with a farting corpse–as a stranded man befriends a farting, talking corpse with Swiss Army knife-like powers—if that sounds like nonsense, that’s because it is pure absurdist genius. It’s an iconic buddy comedy, an existential drama, and a surprisingly heartfelt film about loneliness, self-worth, and the strangeness of human connection.

The Fifth Element (1997)

Luc Besson’s The Fifth Element is one of the best science fiction movies of the 90s, sure, but it’s also a campy, over-the-top, French space opera that veers into comedy, action, and cartoon levels of insanity. It’s a spectacle of pure creative energy, filled with outlandish characters and visual madness that make it impossible to categorize.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)

The Rocky Horror Picture Show is an unholy blend of campy B-movie horror and glam rock musicals. It embraces its genre-defying weirdness with open arms. It’s more than a film—it's an experience with some of the catchiest songs committed to screen.

Being John Malkovich (1999)

A movie about a portal into John Malkovich’s mind that turns into a psychological drama about identity, obsession, and control? Spike Jonze, in his directorial debut, and Charlie Kaufman turn an absurd premise into something deeply unsettling yet darkly funny, making Being John Malkovich one of the strangest films ever made and one of the best flicks of the 1990s.

The Shape of Water (2017)

If you mix a Cold War espionage thriller with a creature feature and, of course, a fairy tale romance, you’ll get an idea of what The Shape of Water is. Guillermo del Toro masterfully stitches these elements together into a haunting, poetic, and profoundly weird film. A love story between a woman and an amphibious creature shouldn't work, but in del Toro’s capable hands, the movie becomes unforgettable and deserves all its Oscar wins.

Hook (1991)

Though much maligned since its release, Hook is easily one of Robin Williams's best performances. It tells a compelling father-son story mixed with whimsy and is a family-friendly swashbuckler. However, at its heart, it’s a deeply melancholic story about rediscovering lost youth.

Spirited Away (2001)

Hayao Miyazaki’s Spirited Away is an intoxicating blend of myth, folklore, and childhood wonder, defying any easy categorization. The film operates on dream logic, shifting between the whimsical and the nightmarish, crafting a world that feels both hauntingly strange and intimately familiar. It’s one of the very best adventure family movies out there.

Fargo (1996)

The Coen Brothers have a habit of making films that exist in the gray area between genres, and Fargo might be their greatest balancing act. It’s a crime thriller, a dark comedy with some of their funniest quotes, and a bleak meditation on human nature. The film is full of violence and tension, yet it never loses its absurd sense of humor—often in the same breath.

The Cabin in the Woods (2012)

At first glance, The Cabin in the Woods is one of the best horror movies of the 2010s, but the deeper you go, the more it mutates into something else entirely. It works as a love letter to and a brutal deconstruction of the horror genre, blending meta-comedy with genuine scares. It starts like a standard slasher film, but by the end, it’s an apocalyptic fever dream that leaves you questioning everything you know about horror storytelling.

Gremlins (1984)

Is Gremlins a horror movie? A dark comedy? Is it a Christmas film or just Christmas-themed? The answer is all of the above. Joe Dante’s chaotic creature feature shifts wildly between tones, sometimes feeling like a heartwarming holiday classic and other times diving headfirst into gruesome horror. It manages to be both gleefully silly and genuinely unsettling—making it impossible to fit neatly into one category.

The Pagemaster (1994)

The Pagemaster refuses to commit to a single identity. Though it loomed large in my childhood, its unwillingness to commit to a single genre could be why it has such an abysmal Rotten Tomatoes score. While it’s positioned as a children’s film about the power of books, it blends so many visual and storytelling styles that it becomes something else entirely. This surreal, hybrid experience feels both nostalgic and oddly experimental.

Big Trouble in Little China (1986)

John Carpenter’s Big Trouble in Little China is an action movie that plays like a comedy, a kung-fu film that satirizes kung-fu films, and a supernatural adventure that revels in its own ridiculousness. It gleefully subverts action hero tropes, making its protagonist more of a bumbling sidekick–with some of the greatest Kurt Russel quotes–than a traditional lead. Its genre-bending nature has made it an enduring cult classic.

Her (2013)

Her straddles multiple genres while remaining profoundly intimate and personal. Yet again, Spike Jonze takes a premise that could have been used for satire—a man falling in love with his AI assistant—and turns it into a heartbreakingly sincere exploration of modern relationships. It’s futuristic but deeply human, making it impossible to categorize.

Last Action Hero (1993)

On the surface, it’s an action movie but also a deconstruction of action movies. Last Action Hero arguably came out at the wrong time, as it revels in Hollywood excess while poking fun at its clichés, blending over-the-top action with meta-commentary way ahead of its time. It’s self-aware, chaotic, and often refusing to be boxed into a single category.

Burn After Reading (2008)

Burn After Reading is classic Coen Brothers chaos—a film where every character thinks they’re in control, yet none of them have any idea what’s actually happening. It plays with the tropes of espionage thrillers, only to reveal that the stakes are laughably low, making it a darkly hilarious puzzle box of a movie. Also, it has one of the best Francis McDormand performances ever.

Men in Black (1997)

It’s a sci-fi film, but it’s also a buddy-cop comedy. It’s a blockbuster, but it has the sharp humor of a satire. Men in Black blends alien conspiracies, action-packed spectacle, laugh-out-loud comedy, and one of the scariest aliens committed to celluloid into something effortlessly entertaining. It thrives in its refusal to take itself too seriously, making it one of its era's most unique sci-fi films.

Edward Scissorhands (1990)

Edward Scissorhands is unapologetically Tim Burton at his best. An oddity that defies easy classification. It’s equal parts whimsical and tragic, blending a monster movie's aesthetics with the romance's tenderness. The film’s visual style is pure fantasy, yet its emotional core is deeply human, making it one of Burton’s most enduring works.

A Ghost Story (2017)

A Ghost Story is a slow, meditative exploration of time, grief, and existential loneliness. It also tells the story of a spiritual being who walks the earth in a bed sheet. This story challenges everything you expect from a ghost story, stripping away jump scares and supernatural lore in favor of long, lingering shots and quiet, contemplative storytelling. It’s haunting, but not in the traditional sense—more of a melancholy whisper than a scream in the dark.

La La Land (2016)

A musical, but one that subverts the tropes of the genre. La La Land embraces old Hollywood spectacle while refusing to follow the standard “happily ever after” formula. It’s nostalgic yet modern, blending reality and fantasy in a way that feels both dreamlike and achingly real.

The Lobster (2015)

The Lobster is so uniquely bizarre that it exists in a separate genre–the genre of Yorgos Lanthimos. Lanthimos takes an inherently ridiculous premise—that single people must find a partner or be turned into animals—and turns it into something deeply unsettling, bleakly funny, and weirdly moving.

The Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)

The Fantastic Mr. Fox is a movie far better than its bombing at the box office would lead one to believe. It is a wonderful stop-motion movie, but it's also unmistakably Wes Anderson, as the filmmaker blends the time-consuming animation with his signature aesthetic. It feels like a classic children’s storybook brought to life, yet it carries an undercurrent of existential angst that makes it resonate just as strongly with adults.

Pulp Fiction (1994)

No movie influenced 90s cinema quite like Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction. This unpredictable film intertwines multiple narratives, with Samuel L. Jackson as the standout performer. The movie redefined nonlinear storytelling by skillfully blending brutal violence, humor, and unexpected poignancy.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)

Another Charlie Kaufman brainchild, Eternal Sunshine, takes a high-concept premise—erasing painful memories of lost love and toxic relationships—and turns it into an achingly beautiful meditation on heartbreak, fate, and human connection. It’s as cerebral as it is emotional, making it one of the most uniquely structured love stories ever told.

Prey (2022)

Prey is not just another Predator movie; it’s a historical survival thriller and an Indigenous-led action film that reinvents the franchise. By removing the excessive machismo of earlier movies and setting the story in 1719 around a young Comanche warrior, Prey transforms into a compelling tale of resilience and culture. Amber Midthunder emerges as a standout new face in the lineage of final girls in horror.

Aliens (1986)

James Cameron cranked Ridley Scott’s slow-burn terror into an all-out war film, proving that a sequel doesn’t have to repeat its predecessor. Aliens retains the dread of its predecessor while injecting explosive, military-driven spectacle, making it a rare hybrid that succeeds as both a nerve-wracking horror movie and a high-octane action thriller.

Coraline (2009)

It looks like a children’s fantasy film, but Coraline, while being one of Laika’s best movies, is pure nightmare fuel. A dark fairy tale with horror undertones, the film walks the tightrope between whimsy and dread. Its stop-motion animation is gorgeous yet eerie, and the story—about a young girl lured into a seemingly perfect world with sinister secrets—feels like something pulled from the pages of an old gothic ghost story.

Scott Pilgrim vs. The World (2010)

A coming-of-age story drenched in comic book and video-game aesthetics? Scott Pilgrim vs. The World should have been a hit, with its pure kinetic energy, blending pop culture, music, and self-aware humor into a hyper-stylized spectacle. Edgar Wright expanded his abilities as a filmmaker, creating a film that’s part arcade game, part indie rom-com, and wholly unique in its execution.

Sometimes, there are some movies out there that just bomb. Like, either fall flat entirely or end up being disappointments. But there were actually a ton of those types of movies in the 2000s from so many different studios and different genres, and many of them happen to be great – or, at the very least, entertaining. Here are some box-office bombs (all according to Box Office Mojo) that are actually worth the time.

Treasure Planet (2002)

I literally can't think of a better example than Treasure Planet. It is an adaptation of the novel Treasure Island, one of Disney's 2000s films that just utterly flopped. The film has stunning animation, a really cool soundtrack, and memorable characters. But while it cost $140 million to make, it only earned $109.6 million. Thankfully, the film itself has gained a lot more praise over the last few decades.

Punch-Drunk Love (2002)

When you think of Adam Sandler's best rom-com movies, I'm sure there are plenty that come to mind. Still, one of his best dramas is Punch-Drunk Love, a film directed by Paul Thomas Anderson that tells the story of a man with social anxiety who falls for his sister's co-worker. The movie, while very heartfelt and a great testament to Sandler's acting skills, only earned $24.7 million on a $25 million budget.

Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story (2007)

Directed by Jake Kasdan, Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story stars John C Reilly as the titular subject. It tells a fictional story of a rock and roll star and is hilarious and so much fun. But the film only ended up earning $20.6 million on a $35 million budget, which is honestly shocking considering how many stars are in it.

Sinbad: Legend Of The Seven Seas (2003)

Prior to the later years of DreamWorks, when we were just consumed with all the Shrek films and so much more, the animation company was still releasing some 2D hits – one of them being Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas. It's all about a pirate who travels the sea with his crew to recover a stolen magical book that would save Sinbad from a death sentence. As someone who does love this film, I was shocked to see it only made $80 million on a $60 million budget, which is a disappointment.

Death To Smoochy (2002)

Directed by Danny DeVito and starring Robin Williams, Death to Smoochy is a black comedy film about a former children's television host who makes it his mission to sabotage the man who replaced him. Despite having a great star at the helm and a good cast, the film only made $8.3 million on a $50 million budget, but the movie is funny and has a great story.

Osmosis Jones (2001)

I don't know how it happened, but Osmosis Jones has become ingrained into my brain as an older Gen Z'r who grew up viewing this film in her science classes. The movie is all about a white blood cell that teams up with a cold pill and how it works to save the humans it inhabits. Yes, this is a movie, and it's hilarious. It stars Chris Rock, but somehow, the movie made only $14 million on a $70 million budget.

The Assassination Of Jesse James By The Coward Robert Ford (2007)

I know that title is a handful, but hands down, I think The Assassination of Jesse James by The Coward Robert Ford is one of Brad Pitt's best films, and no one talks about it. The movie, based on the novel of the same name, follows the lives and relationships of Jesse James and Robert Ford and what led to James's murder. While the movie cost $30 million to make, it ended up only making $15.3, but it is worth every second.

The Emperor's New Groove (2000)

I was shocked when I found out The Emperor's New Groove was actually a box office disappointment, despite growing up loving this movie. The movie is about an Emperor who is selfish and accidentally turns into a llama thanks to his ex-advisor. He now has to find a way to become human again. The movie is so much fun, but it had a $100 million budget and only earned back $169.7 million, which makes it a disappointment.

Solaris (2002)

There was so much going for Solaris – directed by Steven Soderbergh, produced by James Cameron, a star-studded cast, and telling a fun sci-fi story in a space station that orbits a planet and the struggle of survival. But the movie only made $30 million on a $47 million budget.

Sunshine (2007)

Director Danny Boyle is responsible for many notable films, from Slumdog Millionaire to 28 Days Later; however, Sunshine is one of the few that was a total bomb. The sci-fi thriller follows the story of several astronauts who are sent to reignite the sun as it threatens Earth's lives. Sure, there are some scientific inaccuracies, but the movie is stunning and has excellent acting. Unfortunately, it only made $34.8 million on a $40 million budget.

The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004)

As someone who has binged all of Wes Anderson's movies, I was surprised to see that The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou bombed. The movie had so many stars, plenty of color (as most Anderson films have), and a fun story, but it only earned $34.8 million on a $50 million budget.

Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow (2004)

Chances are, you haven't heard of this film, as I didn't before I checked it out. Kerry Conran directed the movie, which has a stellar cast, a fun story, and really cool visual effects. But the movie was a bomb, only making $57.9 million on a $70 million budget.

Children Of Men (2006)

Children of Men is another great thriller on this list, and Alfonso Cuaron brought it to the big screen. Set in the year 2027, the film follows the brink of human collapse as refugees seek help in the United Kingdom. While it's an interesting idea with a lot of promise, the movie didn't even make back its budget, with only $70.5 million against $76 million. There are so many great behind-the-scenes facts about Children of Men, too, ones you should check out.

Almost Famous (2000)

Directed by Cameron Crowe, Almost Famous is a comedy-drama that is so much fun. It tells the story of a teenage journalist who follows a rock band in the 1970s to write his first cover story for Rolling Stone magazine. The movie itself received several Academy Award nominations but only earned $47.4 million on a $60 million budget.

Idiocracy (2006)

Mike Judge brought Idiocracy to the screen in 2006. The movie tells the story of a librarian and a prostitute who are put in an experiment to wake up several hundreds of years in the future in a world that isn't intelligent. The movie received good reviews but failed to even make back its $2.4 million budget, earning an abysmal $495,303.

Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)

There are some fantastic stop-motion films out there, and Fantastic Mr. Fox certainly tops that list. But did you know that Wes Anderson's Fantastic Mr. Fox was actually a box office disappointment? Despite receiving critical acclaim, the movie only made $46.2 million on a $40 million budget.

Peter Pan (2003)

Was I a part of the generation that absolutely went feral over Jeremy Sumpter as Peter Pan in Peter Pan? You betcha, but what I didn't know was that this adaptation of the classic fairytale, despite having a big fanbase now, was actually a bomb. The film cost $130 million, while it only earned back $122 million. That's honestly stunning to me because you have seen this movie. Excellent, all of it.

A Christmas Carol (2009)

You know, it's funny. I distinctly remember going to the theater to see this movie with my dad because I was such a fan of Jim Carrey's best movies. I remember seriously loving this interpretation of A Christmas Carol. But despite the interesting animation and great motion-capture performance from Carrey, this movie didn't make a profit against its budget.

Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001)

Disney really lost a lot of money in the 2000s with some of its releases because Atlantis: The Lost Empire bombed so hard. While the movie itself is beautifully animated and has a voice cast that features the likes of Michael J. Fox, James Garner, and more, it did not do well and only surpassed its budget but didn't make a profit.

Slither (2006)

While James Gunn has made himself known nowadays for his other sci-fi movies, there was a time when some of his older films did bomb. Slither, a sci-fi horror film, tells the story of a town that becomes the host for an alien parasite. The movie, while it had a small budget, didn't even make it back, earning only $12.8 million.

Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron (2002)

Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron is an excellent example of a movie that has earned a lot more fame over time rather than when it was initially released. It follows a horse that tries to escape capture during the American Indian Wars and receives help from other horses. It's not like most other animated films out there, and while people love the movie now, the film only earned $122.6 million against a $80 million budget, making it a disappointment.

The Ruins (2008)

If you're looking for a horror film, then The Ruins might be the one for you. Based on the novel of the same name, The Ruins is about a pair of couples who happen to go on vacation to Mexico and visit an old Mayan ruin, only for it to be inhabited by vines that eat people. An original horror idea, the movie is a ton of fun, but when it came out, it only earned $22.9 million on a $25 million budget.

Donnie Darko (2001)

Donnie Darko has become a cult classic over the years. It tells the story of a teenager who suffers from sleepwalking. This actually prevents him from getting in an accident, and because of this, he ends up having visions of someone saying the world is going to end soon. Yeah, this movie is weird, but it's a heck of a good time. When it first came out, it only earned $4.5 million on a $7.5 million budget.

Speed Racer (2008)

In a world where the Fast and Furious movies have dominated the big screen in any form when it comes to car chases, Speed Racer was a welcome change from that. Directed by The Wachowskis, the film is based on the manga of the same name and follows a teenage racer. The movie is a ton of fun and has some great action sequences, but it only earned $93.9 million on a $120 million budget.

The Road To El Dorado (2000)

Everyone always forgets about The Road to El Dorado, at least in my experience. The movie, hailing from DreamWorks Animation, tells the story of two con artists who won a map that supposedly leads them to the city of El Dorado, but of course, when they arrive, the people who live there think they are gods. While the movie is hilarious in many ways, it didn't earn that much money, earning only $76.4 million against a $95 million budget.

Grindhouse (2007)

What do you get when you combine two crazy directors, Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino, and make a horror comedy/slasher film? You get Grindhouse, a movie that has two films in one. While Grindhouse won't be on any list for the best horror movies ever, it's a heck of a lot of fun for a scary film. But, despite its impressive cast, the movie only made about $25.4 million and didn't surpass its budget.

Ali (2001)

When you think of the best Will Smith movies, hands down, Ali is one that comes to mind. He portrayed the famous boxer Muhammed Ali, earning him an Academy Award nomination. However, despite being a career win for Smith, the film only earned $87.7 million and didn't surpass its initial budget.

Pay It Forward (2000)

If you're looking for a romantic drama that no one seems to talk about, then you have to check out Pay It Forward. The film is about a child who decides to launch a movement called "pay it forward" and how it changes the community and the people he loves. The movie teaches some good lessons and is sweet in many ways, but it only earned $55.7 million against a $40 million budget.

Poseidon (2006)

Adapting the 1969 novel The Poseidon Adventure, the film tells the story of the survivors of a capsized ship and how they must survive. The film has a big cast, led by Kurt Russell, but it didn't earn that much money. On a budget of $160 million, the movie only earned back about $181.7 million, which is a disappointment, which is a shame because it really is a lot of fun.

Mulholland Drive (2001)

While David Lynch is known for making some pretty successful films, Mulholland Drive is one of the few that wasn't. Starring Justin Theroux and Naomi Watts, the film mainly follows a new actress and her time in L.A., as well as the people she meets and the mysteries that happen. Despite having great reviews, the film only earned $20.1 million worldwide.

Evan Almighty (2007)

A spinoff of Bruce Almighty, this film starring Steve Carell is one that I have always personally enjoyed. This time, it follows Evan as he is chosen by God to essentially become the new Noah and create a boat for a giant flood. While the film did not receive the best reviews, it's a film I always think is fun for families to enjoy and has plenty of funny moments – and the movie only earned $174.4 million, not surpassing its initial budget of $175 million.

The Alamo (2004)

The Alamo is what you would expect it to be—a movie about the famous battle at the Alamo. Is it going to be one of the best war movies out there? No, but it is still exciting to watch, especially with its big cast. However, the movie only earned $25.8 million when it had a budget of $107 million.

Honestly, there are other tremendous or exciting movies out there that bombed but deserve so much more praise now. Maybe now you’ll have a movie marathon with all these great picks.

Sure, Hollywood has always been criticized for having a nepotism problem, but it does admittedly give us a thrill when we see some real-life brothers and sisters appearing together on the big screen, whether they're keeping with the theme and playing siblings or simply popping in for a quick cameo. From the Fannings to the Wilsons to the Murphys, here are 32 times celebrity siblings acted alongside each other in the same movie. 

John, Joan, Ann and Bill Cusack (Grosse Pointe Blank)

The Cusack clan is crammed with actors, from '80s icon John Cusack to his Oscar-nominated sister Joan. And while those two have frequently featured together onscreen in films like Sixteen Candles, Broadcast News and High Fidelity, you can actually catch four out of the five Cusack siblings in the 1997 black comedy Grosse Point Blank.

Luke, Owen and Andrew Wilson (The Royal Tenenbaums)

After Luke and Owen Wilson made their big screen acting debuts together in 1996's Bottle Rocket alongside older brother Andrew, all three Wilson brothers reunited again in Wes Anderon's 2001 family dramedy The Royal Tenenbaums. 

Macaulay and Kieran Culkin (Home Alone)

Long before the former was a Party Monster and the latter was Succession's Roman Roy, Macaulay and Kieran Culkin were two young tikes starring as McCallister cousins in the classic 1990 Christmas comedy Home Alone. Several decades later, the famous bros—along with their acting siblings including Rory, Christian and Shane—reunited for voiceover work in the Prime Video animated series The Second Best Hospital in the Galaxy.

Elle and Dakota Fanning (I Am Sam)

Both Fanning girls began their acting careers when they were small, with four-years-junior Elle making her movie debut as a younger version of big sis Dakota's character in 2001's I Am Sam. As adults, the sisters play on-screen siblings in Mélanie Laurent's film adaptation of the bestselling Kristin Hannah wartime novel, The Nightingale. 

Ben And Casey Affleck (Good Will Hunting)

Three years younger than Ben, Casey Affleck memorably had a supporting role in Gus van Sant's 1997 drama Good Will Hunting, which starred and was written by his brother and their childhood friend Matt Damon. Casey would later have the leading role in Ben Affleck's directorial debut, 2007's Gone Baby Gone. 

Daniel, William and Stephen Baldwin (Born on the Fourth of July)

Despite working in Hollywood for decades, the four Baldwin brothers have only appeared on-screen together once: in the 2020 documentary, My Promise to PJ, which Daniel directed. However, you can catch three of the four lads—Daniel, William and Stephen—in the 1989 Oliver Stone film Born on the Fourth of July.

Marlon and Shawn Wayans (White Chicks)

The Wayans family tree is an extensive one, including show-business siblings Nadia, Shawn, Keenen Ivory, Dwayne, Kim, Damon and Marlon. The latter two brothers famously collaborated on the '90s WB sitcom The Wayans Bros as well as comedy films including Don't Be a Menace, the Scary Movie series, White Chicks, Little Man and Dance Flick. 

Maggie and Jake Gyllenhaal (Donnie Darko)

Filmmaking runs in the Gyllenhaal family: Maggie and Jake's parents are writer-directors Stephen Gyllenhaal and Naomi Achs. And while the siblings have received critical acclaim for their own individual films—she for titles like Secretary and Crazy Heart; he for Brokeback Mountain, Zodiac and Nightcrawler—their collective effort, the 2001 psychological thriller Donnie Darko, might just be their most beloved. 

Maude and Iris Apatow (Knocked Up)

The daughters of director Judd Apatow and comedic favorite Leslie Mann, Maude and Iris began their Hollywood careers as child actresses in their dad's films, including 2007's Knocked Up, '09's Funny People and 2012's This Is 40. Both continued acting as adults: Maude is best known for her role as Lexi Howard in HBO's Euphoria, while Iris has popped up in Netflix projects like Love and The Bubble.

Charlie Sheen and Emilio Estévez (Young Guns)

Following in dad's footsteps, all four of Martin Sheen's kids—sons Emilio, Ramón and Carlos (a.k.a. Charlie), and daughter Renée—became actors. Emilio and Charlie, in particular, each saw great Hollywood success and worked on numerous movies together, including Wisdom (1986), Young Guns (1988), Men at Work (1990) and Rated X (2000).

Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen (It Takes Two)

It's rare to see the Olsens apart onscreen: as child stars, the twin sisters became a pop culture phenomenon starring opposite each other in movies like It Takes Two, Billboard Dad, Passport to Paris, Holiday in the Sun and New York Minute. The sisters even worked together when they were only a few months old, sharing acting duties as Michelle Tanner on the television sitcom Full House.

James, Dave and Tom Franco (The Disaster Artist)

All three Franco brothers had a role to play in The Disaster Artist, the 2017 bio-comedy about the making of the cult classic The Room: James directed the flick and portrayed its leading man, Tommy Wiseau; Dave played Wiseau's costar, Greg Sestero; and older brother Tom popped up as one of the crew members of the movie-within-a-movie. 

Dylan and Cole Sprouse (Big Daddy)

Before they were better known as Zack and Cody in The Disney Channel's The Suite Life TV franchise, twin brothers Dylan and Cole Sprouse shared their first major theatrical film role in the 1999 comedy Big Daddy, in which they co-starred opposite Adam Sandler as five-year-old Julian McGrath. 

Jeff and Beau Bridges (The Fabulous Baker Boys)

Real-life brothers Jeff Bridges and Beau Bridges star as the eponymous Baker Boys, a pair of piano-playing siblings, in this 1989 musical dramedy written and directed by Steve Kloves. In one scene, a fraternal squabble between the bros was reportedly so realistic that Beau went to the hospital believing Jeff really broke his hand. 

Luke and Chris Hemsworth (Thor: Ragnarok)

Though there's not one single movie starring all three Hemsworth brothers—Chris, Liam and Luke—there are several that feature at least two of the Aussie-born siblings. In 2017's Thor: Ragnarok, Luke showed up as a dramatized version of Chris's God of Thunder; and seven years later, he joined Liam in the cast of the 2024 action thriller Land of Bad. Now we just have to get Chris and Liam onscreen together!

Hilary and Haylie Duff (Material Girls)

In the 2006 teen comedy Material Girls, famous sisters Hilary and Haylie Duff star as—you guessed it—famous sisters named Tanzie and Ava, two wealthy, spoiled Hollywood socialites whose multimillion-dollar cosmetics fortune is destroyed after a major media scandal. 

Sunny and Sadie Sandler (You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah)

The whole Sandler crew stars in the fresh and funny Netflix dramedy You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah—one of the best coming-of-age movies in recent memory—including Adam's IRL daughters Sunny and Sadie, with the former as Stacy Friedman, a middle school student looking forward to her bat mitzvah, and Sadie playing her older sister Ronnie.

Sean and Chris Penn (At Close Range)

To portray the Whitewoods, a family gang of rural backwoods criminals, in 1986's At Close Range, director James Foley turned to a pair of actual brothers: Sean and Chris Penn. The actors would later both cameo in the 2003 mockumentary film Pauly Shore Is Dead, with Sean appearing as himself and Chris playing "Half of Gay Couple in Jail."

Tia, Tamera and Tahj Mowry (Seventeen Again)

After first gaining recognition as the leads of the TGIF sitcom Sister, Sister, twins Tia and Tamera Mowry expanded into films with the 2000 fantasy comedy Seventeen Again, which also starred another member of the Mowry family: their young brother Tahj, who you know from Smart Guy. 

Brian And Domhnall Gleeson (Mother!)

Fittingly, Brian and Domhnall Gleason's character names in Mother!—the 2017 psychological horror flick from Darren Aronofsky—are "younger bro" and "oldest son," respectively. The Irish lads are real-life siblings, along with novelist-screenwriter Rory and fellow actor Fergus, and they call Oscar nominee Brendan Gleeson (The Banshees of Inisherin) dad. 

Groucho, Harpo, Chico and Zeppo Marx (Duck Soup)

The legendary comedy quartet The Marx Brothers started as a family vaudeville act, populated by elder brothers Groucho, Harpo and Chico and later including younger siblings Gummo and Zeppo. The siblings starred in 14 motion pictures together from 1905 to 1949, including classics like Duck Soup, A Night at the Opera and Horse Feathers. 

Eddie And Charlie Murphy (Harlem Nights)

 For his first and, thus far, only directorial effort, Eddie Murphy put together a stacked cast for his 1989 crime comedy Harlem Nights, including legendary performers Richard Pryor and Redd Foxx, as well as his own older brother, actor-comedian Charlie Murphy. 

Nat And Alex Wolff (Stella’s Last Weekend)

The filmmaker behind the 2018 comedy Stella's Last Weekend was certainly familiar to brother-stars Nat and Alex Wolff—it was directed by their own mother, Polly Draper. Of course, it was far from the first time the siblings worked together: they previously starred together in the Nickelodeon series The Naked Brothers Band, which was created—you guessed it—by their mother. 

Rory And Kieran Culkin (Igby Goes Down)

Having a bunch of actors in the family is very convenient for the Culkin crew—anytime a filmmaker needed someone to play the younger version of older bros Macaulay or Kieran Culkin, all they had to do was call Rory. The actor played younger Macaulay in 1994's Richie Rich and played the younger version of Kieran Culkin's character in 2002's Igby Goes Down.

Abigail and Spencer Breslin (Raising Helen)

Both starting out in Hollywood as wee child stars, Abigal Breslin and her older brother Spencer played on-screen siblings in the 2004 dramedy Raising Helen, starring Kate Hudson as their aunt and guardian. That same year, they would both pop up in The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement, in which Spencer portrayed a prince and Abigail a little girl at an orphanage. 

Melvil and Yarol Poupaud (Broken English)

As New York singleton Nora Wilder, Parker Posey spends much of Zoe Cassavetes's 2007 rom-com Broken English being charmed by a fetching Frenchman named Julian, played by Melvil Poupaud. But he's not the only Poupaud that Nora encounters in the film: Melvil's real-life rocker brother Yarol also cameos as Guillaume, a man Nora meets at an art gallery. 

Ron And Clint Howard (Grand Theft Auto)

Ron and Clint Howard's decades-long screen collaborations kicked off when Clint was just two, appearing on The Andy Griffith Show alongside his older brother in the 1960s. In the years since, Clint has appeared in seventeen films directed by his actor-filmmaker bro, joining Ron in the cast of his first full-length feature, Grand Theft Auto. 

Chris And Scott Evans (Before We Go)

Scott Evans has appeared in two films alongside his big brother Chris, both of which dropped in 2014: the rom-com Playing It Cool and Chris's directorial debut Before We Go. Alas, we didn't get a brotherly reunion for 2023's Barbie, though it would have been very fun to see Chris Evans as a Ken!

Kevin, Nick and Joe Jonas (Camp Rock)

Obviously, the world knows the Jonas Brothers as a pop-rock band, but Kevin, Joe and Nick have also dabbled in acting over the years, appearing together in the 2008 Disney Channel Original Movie Camp Rock as well as its 2010 sequel, Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam. 

Dennis and Randy Quaid (The Long Riders)

The Long Riders, a 1980s biographical Western directed by Walter Hill, stars four sets of actor brothers as the real-life siblings that made up the film's robber gangs. That included both Dennis and Randy Quaid, who played Minnesota outlaws Ed and Clell Miller, respectively. 

Nicholas and Christopher Guest (The Long Riders)

The Long Riders features a cast full of real-life siblings, including the Quaids, the Keaches, the Carradines. Brothers Christopher and Nicholas Guest also starred in the Western film as Robert Ford—the killer of Jesse James—and his outlaw bro Charles. 

Julia and Eric Roberts (Blood Red)

Despite many respective decades in show business, siblings Eric and Julia Roberts have only appeared in one feature film together. The duo, who are the children of actor-playwrights Betty Lou Bredemus and Walter Grady Roberts, played brother and sister in the 1989 Western Blood Red.

Sometimes a movie leaves us with a finale so head scratching, we need to run out and talk about it. That concern is always going to be valid, and that’s why we felt it was time to decipher 32 of the most confusing movie endings, so that you don’t have to. Brace yourselves, as some of these finales are all-time stumpers. 

Inception

Is Dom (Leonardo DiCaprio) still in the dream world, or is he back home with his kids? It’s been over a decade since Inception planted that question in our minds, and as far as Christopher Nolan’s thoughts on Dom’s ending are concerned, it doesn’t matter because the character doesn’t care. Though if you ask us, Leo’s still dreaming in the end.

Looper

Because of how Looper’s time travel works in Rian Johnson’s story, one could say that it’s safe to assume that young Cid (Pierce Gagnon) doesn’t become the criminal overlord known as The Rainmaker. However, our own interpretation of the ending is that the death of both Joes (Joseph Gordon-Levitt/Bruce Willis)  probably had no effect on Cid’s future, and the kid’s still destined for darkness. 

Shutter Island

This one’s a pretty cut-and-dry affair, as the finale of director Martin Scorsese’s adaptation of Shutter Island is actually clearer than the book when it comes to the final fate of Andrew Laeddis (Leonardo DiCaprio). In author Dennis Lehane’s novel, we’re not sure if Andrew or his Teddy Daniels persona is in control; but in Shutter Island’s movie ending, it’s plainly clear that Andrew wants that lobotomy, and pretends he still thinks he’s his US Marshall alter ego. 

mother!

The ending to mother! is a literally Biblical finale, with Jennifer Lawrence’s titular matron unleashing apocalyptic ruin against her lover, Him (Javier Bardem). As we saw Darren Aronofsky’s film start with a woman burning in some hellfire of her own, we’re led to believe that the cycle of creation and destruction is about to start again, thanks to Him waking up his new companion the same way he roused mother. 

Birdman, or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)

Alejandro González Iñárritu’s film Birdman, Or The Unexpected Virtue Of Ignorance is a rare case where a seemingly impenetrable ending fits along with the story that came before it. While we debate whether Riggan (Michael Keaton) jumped to his death or soared with the birds, the blurred lines of reality never let up even in the finale, causing us to question everything we’ve seen come to pass. 

The Shining

Stephen King’s notorious dislike of The Shining, at least as a movie, certainly has its points. While Stanley Kubrick’s iconic adaptation is definitely a different beast from its literary source, as the film seemingly depicts the soul of Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson) now caught in the purgatory of The Overlook. For years the mystery of that ominous photo kept people guessing, but thanks to Mike Flanagan’s Doctor Sleep, that seems to be the best answer available. 

Fight Club

Just as Fight Club’s Operation Mayhem is about to punch a hole in the status quo, we learn that Tyler Durden (Brad Pitt) is a manifestation of the Narrator (Edward Norton) and his contempt for the world. Sometimes dissociating into that personality it’s our Narrator that was the mastermind this whole time. Holding hands with Darla (Helena Bonham Carter) while the world seemingly ends, there’s two comic sequels that tell the story of what happened after one of the best ‘90s movies of all time.

American Psycho

Did Patrick Bateman (Christian Bale) really kill all of those people? Apparently not. While he confesses to killing rival Paul Allen (Jared Leto), and even engages in a gun-toting showdown with the NYPD, the next day sees Patrick’s crimes being laughed off by anyone he mentions them to. Mary Harron’s film is just as open-ended as Bret Easton Ellis’ novel, but at the end of the day, Patrick does do a lot of drugs, and nobody can keep anybody’s names straight. 

Memento

2000’s Memento saw would-be detective Leonard Shelby (Guy Pearce) seeking out his wife’s killer. Unfortunately,  Leonard’s anterograde amnesia prevents him from remembering that he actually killed his wife’s assailant a year prior to the movie. Even after learning the truth, a moment of vengeance ensures that he’ll keep hunting his wife’s killer for the foreseeable future.

No Country For Old Men

The audience for 2007’s No Country for Old Men thought that there was a chance Llewelyn Moss (Josh Brolin) could have escaped the wrath of hitman Anton Chegur (Javier Bardem). As it turns out, that was never the case, as Moss and his wife were already dead. The true point of the story is to observe Sheriff Ed Tom Bell (Tommy Lee Jones) and his acceptance that the past is in the past, and there’s nothing you can do about it. 

A Serious Man

In a quest for cosmic and karmic answers, Professor Larry Gopnik (Michael Stuhlbarg) sees two potential misfortunes befall him at the end of The Coen Brothers’ A Serious Man. Larry’s recent lab tests may indicate some serious health problems, and his son Danny (Aaron Wolff) is seconds away from being lost in a tornado. All because Larry took a bribe to change a student’s grade. 

Blade Runner

The question of whether Deckard (Harrison Ford) is a replicant depends on how you view Blade Runner, right down to the cut you choose to view. While Harrison Ford believes Deckard is a replicant, both Ridley Scott and the events of Blade Runner 2049 seem to fall into the camp of uncertainty at best, and flat-out rejection in its most extreme. So yeah, Deckard’s humanity is up for grabs, with a firm lean towards confirming he’s flesh and blood.

Arrival

The ending of Arrival also happens to be the beginning, as the visions of Louise Banks (Amy Adams) losing her young daughter are not flashbacks, but flash-forwards. Since the Heptapod language allows the human consciousness to basically remember the future, Louise’s fate is all the more bittersweet, as she proceeds to live through the tragedy she could have prevented.

2001: A Space Odyssey

Dr. David Bowman (Keir Dullea) finds himself experiencing one of the trippiest endings of cinematic history in Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey. The simplest way to explain what happened is that thanks to the third, most powerful Monolith, Dr. Bowman found himself unbound from time and space. Reborn as “The Star Child,” he is now ready to transition into even crazier forms throughout the rest of Arthur C. Clarke’s source novels; as he’s basically become immortal. 

Donnie Darko

Time travel helps Donnie Darko become a confusing loop of causality, in which Donnie (Jake Gyllenhaal) realizes that in order to save his community from a chain of death and tragedy, he has to die. Using the strange powers he’s been developing throughout the film, he causes the jet engine that lands on his house earlier in the movie to ultimately kill his past self, rendering the events of Richard Kelly’s story null and void.

The Thing

John Carpenter’s The Thing is a horror classic for several reasons, one of which is the legendary special effects magic that remains chilling to this day. For our purposes, the other reason open for discussion is the movie’s ending, which questions whether Macready (Kurt Russell) or Childs (Keith David) could be The Thing. If you really want to fit the paranoid theme of the movie, the best assumption is that neither is The Thing, and their distrust eventually kills them both in the end.

Tenet

Sometimes it feels like Christopher Nolan is going for the Hall of Fame when it comes to confusing endings. Tenet’s wild time inversion ride is one of the best examples, as the ending is as twisty as its concept of time. For The Protagonist (John David Washington), and the rest of us in the audience, Tenet is the beginning. However, for Neil (Robert Pattinson), this journey has been an inverted arc that leads to his death saving his new old friend in the movie’s killer opening sequence. 

Annihilation

In a world of doppelgangers and uncertainty, Alex Garland’s film version of Annihilation is a double helix of a twist ending. Not only do we learn that Kane (Oscar Isaac) is actually an alien replica of his human self from the mysterious area known as “The Shimmer,” but we see that the original Lena (Natalie Portman) has been possessed by some of that Shimmer herself. 

Total Recall

Admit it: Total Recall is so pumped full of adrenaline that it’s kind of easy to overlook whether or not Arnold Schwarzenegger’s protagonist had been dreaming the whole time. Paul Verhoeven’s action-packed retelling of Philip K. Dick’s “We’ll Remember It For You Wholesale” may seem to hedge its bets by the end, but we’re willing to say that Total Recall’s ending was all a dream.

Minority Report

Legendary sci-fi author Phillip K. Dick had a knack for writing stories that lead to some of the most open-ended finales of all time. Steven Spielberg’s Minority Report is a long-standing beacon of ambiguity, as Tom Cruise’s John Anderton may or may not have dreamed his own happy ending after a certain point. 

12 Monkeys

Poor James Cole (Bruce Willis). Plagued by nightmares from his childhood, the man trusted to prevent 12 Monkeys’ viral apocalypse from occurring just happens to be the man he saw gunned down in an airport when he was young. While the apocalypse seems to be on its way to being averted, this unfortunate time traveler’s fate would appear to have always been sealed.

Jacob’s Ladder

Vietnam Vet Jacob Singer (Tim Robbins) winds his way through a maze of mystery and hallucination in Jacob’s Ladder, which ultimately leads to one hell of a twist ending. By the time we see his dead son Gabe (Macaulay Culkin) welcoming him to the afterlife, we learn that Jacob actually never made it home from Vietnam. The entire movie, save for the sequences set during the war, was a hallucination on Jacob’s deathbed.

The Dark Knight Rises

Based on the overwhelming evidence left in the finale of The Dark Knight Rises, the question of whether Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) is alive and well in Italy at the end seems pretty open and shut. After learning that the Caped Crusader fixed the autopilot function on The Bat, it would appear that Bruce found a way to retire from his life of crime-fighting, while leaving his arsenal to the next person he trusted with the mantle: Officer Robin John Blake (Joseph Gordon-Levitt).

Joker

What do Joker’s Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix) and American Psycho’s Christian Bale have in common? Well, apparently, they both suffer from a state of psychosis so great they’ve imagined killing people in their waking lives. What makes Todd Phillips’ Academy Award-winning thriller all the more confusing is that thanks to Arthur’s reputation as an unreliable narrator, there may be several layers of fantasy at work throughout this chilling narrative. 

Us

Throughout Jordan Peele’s Us, we’re supposed to believe that Adelaide (Lupita Nyong’o) is being chased by her Untethered doppelganger Red (also Nyong’o). In actuality, what seems to have happened is that on that fateful night in 1986, Red swapped places with Adelaide. Over 30 years later, when Adelaide attempts to reclaim her life through an Untethered revolution, Red kills her - maintaining her stolen life on the surface.

Brazil

Brazil’s ending is one of the most confusing in history thanks to the fact that there are three different conclusions. Thanks to good old-fashioned studio meddling, Sam Lowry (Jonathan Pryce) either suffers a mental break, escapes with his true love (Kim Greist), or winds up in a sort of middle ground; depending on which cut you watch. But the definitive ending is the first and bleakest scenario, which explains what inspired the meddling in the theatrical and TV cuts. 

Predestination

Predestination’s ending is a confusing affair because of all the twists one has to keep in mind when defining the identity of our protagonist. The trick is to know two things: John (Sarah Snook), Jane (also Sarah Snook), and their baby are all the same person, and thanks to time travel shenanigans they eventually become the terrorist they’re hunting (Ethan Hawke). With that knowledge, it doesn’t seem like the terrorist attack in question can be changed, especially since it all hinges on several variants of the same person involved in all the crucial aspects. 

Life Of Pi

Apologies to all of you animal lovers out there, as the tiger known as Richard Parker wasn’t in the lifeboat with young Pi (Suraj Sharma). All of the animals in the tragic story on the boat are metaphors for the very real tragedy of Pi losing his mother (Tabu) and killing her murderer (Gérard Depardieu) before being lost at sea. It turns out the tiger was the metaphor for Pi’s inner strength to survive. 

A.I.: Artificial Intelligence

Stanley Kubrick’s trust in Steven Spielberg to make A.I.: Artificial Intelligence into a reality has led to many people wondering where the movie should have ended. It only confused things more when there wasn’t a readily apparent explanation that the “aliens” that young David (Haley Joel Osment) encounters in the far-flung future are actually evolved Mechas trying to learn about the age of humanity. 

Contact

Dr. Ellie Arroway (Jodie Foster) assumes that her journey toward the end of Contact actually sends her to the outer reaches of space. In truth, while her consciousness may have encountered alien life, there’s no physical evidence to corroborate her story. For once, the scientist is on the side of faith. 

Black Swan

In the third act of Darren Aronofsky’s Black Swan, ballerina Nina Sayers (Natalie Portman) mistakenly thinks she killed her presumed rival Lily (Mila Kunis) with a large shard of class. In actuality, it was herself that she stabbed, right before a supposedly star-making performance in Swan Lake. It's presumed that Nina bleeds out as the film fades to white. 

Dune: Part Two

To be completely honest, there’s one simple yet baffling reason the ending to Dune: Part Two is on this list. Honestly, if you can walk away from Paul Atredies’ (Timotheé Challamet) journey and think he’s still a hero, you’re wrong. Try as he might, the dude’s turned into the prophecy, and he’s about to commit space genocide. Sorry, he’s about to “show his enemies to Paradise.”

We hope that your head isn’t spinning too hard after this collection of the most confusing endings of cinematic history. At least you can count on the finale of this very rundown to be a clear and concise version of events. Or can you? 

Is there ever a bad time to watch a time travel movie? Some of the best sci-fi movies in history have tackled this frequently explored topic, and new wrinkles in the fabric of the concept have made the subject more exciting over time. So why don’t we take a look at the different rules these flights of fancy have introduced? Should you be stuck in a time loop, we apologize if this list is starting to get old.

Back To The Future

Everyone loves to talk about how Back to the Future’s time travel works, but there’s one aspect we take for granted throughout the whole trilogy. Doc Brown (Christopher Lloyd) may have given Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) the keys to travel through the past, present, and future; but you seriously need to consider the exact spot you’re traveling to. Otherwise, you might find yourself altering history in some intriguing ways. R.I.P. Twin Pines Mall. 

Time After Time

A novel adventure starring the father of time travel H.G. Wells (Malcolm McDowell), Time After Time actually introduced an interesting mechanic to temporal transport. Let’s just say that if you don’t use the Time Machine properly, you could find yourself stuck in your final destination. Or worse, falling through the time-space continuum, without a way back home.

The Terminator

The Terminator's time travel will forever be a head-scratcher, as the existence of John Connor is the ultimate ontological paradox. How else can you explain Kyle Reese (Michael Biehn) being sent back to the 1980s to save the world…and make sure the person who sent him is born in the first place?

Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home

The oldest method of time travel in the Star Trek movies, 1986’s The Voyage Home saw Captain Kirk (William Shatner) and his crew trying to save the whales through a time heist. This wouldn’t have been possible if it wasn’t for the Enterprise crew using a Klingon Bird of Prey, a slingshot orbit around the sun, and a lot of engineering power to do it.

Primer

2004’s Primer is still hotly discussed among time travel aficionados, and it’s not hard to see why. The shenanigans in this test case involve multiple versions of a singular traveler (Shane Carruth) existing in a single timeline, which creates one of the most chaotic timelines ever depicted.

The Adam Project

Story-wise, The Adam Project is pretty cozy when it comes to how it handles time travel. But when it comes to traveling in style, the older Adam Reed (Ryan Reynolds) has a Time Jet that’s specifically coded to his DNA! Not many temporal travelers HAVE that, and it prevents so many mistakes other adventures of this sort use for story purposes.

Avengers: Endgame

How Avengers: Endgame’s time travel works is rather unorthodox, to be honest. Instead of overwriting the past into a more pleasing result, the MCU’s finest are only allowed to use it in the name of stealing/returning the Infinity Stones. Timelines can still create tangent histories, and 2014 Gamora takes over for her slain variant in the films, but you can’t stop “The Snap.”

Lost In Space

If all time travelers had the device Older Will Robinson (Jared Harris) built in 1998’s Lost in Space, they’d have it made. While only one person can travel at a time, exact coordinates in time and space are required; so you can go to a very specific spatial location on the timeline. 

The Butterfly Effect

The Butterfly Effect's time travel works on rules similar to that of Quantum Leap. Evan (Ashton Kutcher) can indeed change history, but it’s only within his own life’s timeline. Unfortunately, thanks to the multiple trips leading to continued alterations to the fabric of events, it all adds up in terms of severe physical wear and tear. 

Hot Tub Time Machine

Hot Tub Time Machine is a very special case when it comes to time travel. To be fair, the comedy ensemble franchise gets points for having its protagonists travel only within their own bodies. As for how one can actually travel with said titular device, apparently you need an energy drink, the right hot tub with the right temperature, and some convenient writing. 

Looper

Real-time bodily damage. That’s probably one of the most unique additions to Looper’s usage of time travel, as we see people incur damage in the past, only for it to show up on their future selves. Poor Seth (Paul Dano) demonstrated that lesson the hard way in Rian Johnson’s sci-fi masterpiece. 

Star Trek: Generations

What if you could wish really hard to create an alternate timeline? Or what if you could send yourself back to your best memory, and never leave? That’s what The Nexus from Star Trek: Generations could do, and both Captains Kirk (William Shatner) and Picard (Patrick Stewart) got a taste of that sweet life, before ultimately using their new power to stop the villainous Dr. Soren (Malcolm McDowell). 

Bill And Ted’s Excellent Adventure

If you ever want to bring a figure from history home for dinner in the present, do it in the universe of Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure. There are little to no consequences, especially when it comes to our heroes (Alex Winter and Keanu Reeves) whisking away two medieval princesses to become betrothed in the 1980s. Seriously, how did that not start a war?

The Time Traveler's Wife

“Chrono Impairment” is a seriously rare affliction, but it’s enough of a headache that it prevents Rachel McAdams and Eric Bana’s clock-crossed lovers from ever enjoying a normal life. Such is the nature of The Time Traveler's Wife, which invented that affliction to send Bana’s character Henry on unpredictable trips at unforeseeable intervals throughout his life. 

Indiana Jones And Dial Of Destiny

For Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny's time travel to actually happen, the world of Harrison Ford’s iconic archeologist needed specific hardware. Aided by some very precise calculations to try and take the Nazis to where they were trying to go, it wasn't as simple as jumping into a car and gunning it to 88 miles per hour. 

Star Trek: First Contact

For a franchise that uses temporal transit as much as the Star Trek series does, there sure are a lot of different ways to go back in time. And if you’re not satisfied with The Voyage Home’s method of a slingshot orbit around the Sun, then you can always do what Star Trek: First Contact did. While I wouldn’t personally recommend waiting for a Borg invasion to cause a temporal wake you can just hitch a ride on; you do you. 

Tenet

Ok, so technically Tenet’s shenanigans involving time is “time inversion,” rather than time travel. Which only makes the journey, and the resulting reality The Protagonist (John David Washington) lives in all the more complicated. It also makes for some classic Christopher Nolan mind melts.

Timeline

Would this really be a sci-fi party if author Michael Crichton didn’t show up? Timeline’s time travel is a lot of fun, if you consider using a “human fax machine” to send yourself to medieval times “fun.” In which case, try not to abuse it too much, as every trip has the chance to leave you with transcription errors in your reassembled DNA. Again, we’re working with a fax machine here.  

Somewhere In Time

It’s the moment you’ve been waiting for Christopher Reeve fans! Somewhere in Time just had to be on this list, as it's pretty unique in how it sends a person back through the ages. In the case of Reeve’s playwright Richard, all he needs is a really powerful hypnotic focus to zoom back to 1912. 

Star Trek (2009)

It’s kind of fitting that the 2009 Star Trek reboot would use time travel, given that the series has continually danced with that concept on TV and in movies. For this J.J. Abrams-directed venture, the destructive and inexact force of a black hole is what’s used to accidentally alter time so vastly that William Shatner turns into Chris Pine.

Déjà Vu

Tony Scott’s 2006 action-thriller Déjà Vu is a big movie with a relatively limited scope. With intelligence gathering, and ultimately one human transport, that can only go as far back as four and a half days, Denzel Washington’s work was kind of cut out for him on this caper.

The Tomorrow War

The Chris Pratt-starring time travel ensemble adventure The Tomorrow War has some pretty huge stipulations when it comes to recruiting an army for the future. The largest among them was, of course, you had to be dead according to the records of the future hellscape that pitted humanity against some very nasty creatures.

X-Men: Days Of Future Past

Going from here to there in the then and now in X-Men: Days of Future Past requires a serious amount of power. With Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) going back to his past body, the key to how it all happens lies in the phasing abilities of Kitty Pryde (Elliot Page). So this story uses a very physical, and incredibly vulnerable, method to execute its vision.

12 Monkeys

Out of all the time travel universes we’ve seen on screen, perhaps the one I feel the most sorry for is the one shown in 12 Monkeys. The basic rule of this Bruce Willis epic’s temporal transit is “hope for the best,” thanks to the method of being shot through time and intending to land in the right place going wrong more often than you think.

Midnight In Paris

Reminiscent of many other vehicular-based time travel films like Back to the Future, any character that travels through time in Midnight In Paris just needs to catch the right ride, at just about Midnight. The experience is bespoke to whoever is traveling, as the period of time that suits them best also dictates the method of transportation provided.

The Final Countdown

Dropping an aircraft carrier from the 1980s into the moments before Pearl Harbor, The Final Countdown delivers a moral dilemma plenty of time travelers have tangled with. But the real difference with this underrated sci-fi movie is the fact that the time-traveling storm that is responsible for the trip is inescapable. You’re going home, whether you want to or not.

About Time

Sharing a similarity with the romantic classic Somewhere In Time, Richard Curtis’ About Time allows any potential traveler to jump into the past with merely intense concentration. However, certain caveats are in play, like the recommendation of not traveling past certain life milestones, or the fact that only the men of the Lake family can actually use this gift.

Donnie Darko

Donnie (Jake Gyllenhaal) can’t exactly travel through time in Donnie Darko, but he does have a special temporal ability that’s kind of funny and kind of sad. With the ability to open a wormhole between the present and the past, Mr. Darko can send objects through time; the skill that gives Richard Kelly’s movie its bittersweet ending. 

Kate & Leopold

Kate & Leopold’s usage of a localized time portal is a method as old as time. However, the big difference with this Meg Ryan/Hugh Jackman rom-com is that the journey Leopold (Jackman) takes to the “future” of 2001 robs us all of elevators. Also, there’s a ticking clock on this specific portal’s usage, which only complicates things further.

Groundhog Day

Perhaps the movie that nailed the time loop into the consciousness of the world, Groundhog Day brought us a charming Bill Murray rom-com mixed with a time travel story. Its misanthropic lead needed to change, even as the world around him stayed the same. The rest was sci-fi history in the making. 

Happy Death Day

What happens if you make a Groundhog Day-style time loop into a deadly game? You get a movie like Happy Death Day, in which our initially unlikable lead Tree (Jessica Rothe) is being stalked through a single-day time loop. The big kicker in this variant is that, unlike your standard time loop, Tree has a finite number of cycles before she possibly dies for good.

Detention

Where does one start with director Joseph Kahn’s Detention? Well, how about the fact that the teenagers in play (including a pre-Hunger Games Josh Hutcherson) use a stuffed bear as a time travel capsule? Or the fact that a mother/daughter pair can body swap on a permanent basis, and with no consequences? 

And with that, our supreme sampling of time travel trips has come to a close. Which more than likely has left you with a want to watch some of these movies again, or for the first time. That's totally natural, because this is a subgenre that always leaves us with one question: is there ever a bad time to watch a time travel movie?

The Road House remake has been making many headlines in recent weeks due to a lot going on behind the scenes, making it one of the more talked about films on the  2024 release schedule. Things have gotten so crazy that the movie itself has been largely overshadowed. But as we approach the film’s World Premiere (prior to it becoming available with an Amazon Prime subscription), Jake Gyllenhaal is thinking a lot about the original film's star, hoping he would have liked the movie they made.

Patrick Swayze starred in the original Road House back in 1989, the movie would go on to become a cult classic. He would then co-star with Jake Gyllenhaal in another cult classic, Donnie Darko, in 2001. Darko was one of Jake Gyllenhaal’s early starring roles, and in a post on Instagram, he says Swayze was very supportive of him when he was starting, which he has always appreciated. Gyllenhaal wrote…. 

The Road House remake details reveal some key changes to the story, Gyllenhaal's character is a former MMA fighter before he becomes a bouncer. The location of the bar he works in has been moved from Missouri to Florida. The core story about a bouncer who runs afoul of the local criminal enterprise does seem to be intact.

Road House will see its world premiere at the SXSW Festival this week, the only theatrical exhibition the film will see. A great deal has been made of the release plans of the movie. Director Doug Liman will not be in attendance at the premiere, as he has published an open letter explaining that he is protesting Amazon’s decision not to give the new Road House a theatrical release, a move that has led to its own controversy as some have suggested Liman is being disrespectful by airing these issues publicly. Amazon is also being sued over the film by the writer of the original. 

One certainly hopes the new Road House will live up to the original. One can imagine that if Patrick Swayze were still with us he would have had a small role, or at least a cameo, in the remake. If the fans who loved the original appreciate the remake, there’s a good chance Swayze himself would. We’ll find out how those fans feel when the Road House release date arrives on March 21.  

Anyone else already missing spooky season? Luckily for us, there are some exciting upcoming horror movies coming out in the meantime, starting with Lisa Frankenstein. The latest of the 2024 movies is not only a horror movie, but a twisted spin on the romantic comedy genre too. It stars Kathryn Newton, Cole Sprouse and Carla Gugino, and comes from writer Diablo Cody and director Zelda Williams. If Lisa Frankenstein was your jam, it’s time to keep the blood splatters going with these recommendations of more teen horror movies like it to check out next. 

While Lisa Frankenstein was met with mixed thoughts from critics, I certainly dug the movie! Check out my thoughts with CinemaBlend’s own Lisa Frankenstein review. As a longtime fan of the teen horror genre, here’s the movies I want to point you to next if you’re looking for more movies like Lisa Frankenstein. 

Jennifer’s Body (2009)

Lisa Frankenstein would be a perfect double feature with 2009’s Jennifer’s Body, especially since it was Diablo Cody’s first and last time doing a teen horror movie before Lisa Frankenstein! It follows Megan Fox’s Jennifer, a high school heartthrob who becomes possessed by a demon and starts a murderous rampage on the boys in her high school. While speaking to us about Lisa Frankenstein, Cody even shared that while the release of Jennifer’s Body initially “shattered” her confidence when it came out to poor reviews and box office numbers, following the movie becoming a cult following, she really wanted to capture some of the tone of the 2009 movie in Lisa Frankenstein. 

Stream Jennifer’s Body on Max.Rent/Buy Jennifer’s Body on Amazon. 

Freaky (2020)

Another teen horror movie with a solid connection to Lisa Frankenstein is 2020’s Freaky. The movie also stars Kathryn Newton, but in this comical premise, her teen character accidentally switches bodies with a serial killer known as the Blissfield Butcher, played by Vince Vaughn. Yes, think Freaky Friday, but with some seriously bold horror movie kills! 

Stream Freaky on Peacock.
Rent/Buy Freaky on Amazon. 

Totally Killer (2023) 

Another great pick to go with for your trek down teen horror movies like Lisa Frankenstein is a rather new addition to the genre, Totally Killer. The movie that came out just a few months ago stars Kiernan Shipka as a 17-year-old named Jamie who finds herself accidentally traveling back in time where she confronts her mother as a teen in the year 1987. Jamie and her future mother team up to take down a psychopath murderer. After the ‘80s vibes of Lisa Frankenstein, this is a great pick! You might even like it if you’re not usually into horror like one of our writers did. 

Stream Totally Killer on Amazon Prime. 

Ginger Snaps (2000)

Over 20 years ago, a new spin on werewolves was told through Ginger Snaps. The early ‘00s movie is about two teen sisters in the fallout of one of them turning into a werewolf after being bitten by an animal after starting her period for the first time. The movie is thought of as a feminist horror classic, and without the likes of a genre film like this, Lisa Frankenstein may not have even been born. 

Stream Ginger Snaps on Peacock. Rent/Buy Ginger Snaps on Amazon. 

Twilight (2008) 

If you’re down the rabbit hole of teen horror movies like Lisa Frankenstein, it’s also as good a time as any to revisit Catherine Hardwicke’s Twilight. Much like Lisa Frankenstein, this cultural phenomenon of a movie puts a unique and modern twist on a classic creature that is known to star in horror movies, and adds an element of romance for a little spice. Twilight is also, of course, a classic that encompasses the yearning of being a teenager with Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson’s twisted romance. 

Stream Twilight on Hulu. Rent/Buy Twilight on Amazon. 

Edward Scissorhands (1990) 

Lisa Frankenstein is a gothic romance of sorts, and it certainly feels inspired by Tim Burton films, especially 1990’s Edward Scissorhands. The movie starring Winona Ryder and Johnny Depp is about a young man with scissors for hands who falls in love with a teen girl as he deals with the realities of being an outcast in the world. 

Stream Edward Scissorhands on Max.
Rent/Buy Edward Scissorhands on Amazon. 

Warm Bodies (2013) 

Another creepy horror-filled romance in the vein of Lisa Frankenstein is 2013’s Warm Bodies. The movie stars Nicholas Hoult as “R,” a zombie who falls in love with a human named Julie in the midst of a zombie apocalypse. It’s a cute and rather funny movie that was based on the novel of the same name, which itself was a spin on Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. 

Stream Warm Bodies on Hulu. Stream Warm Bodies on Peacock. Rent/Buy Warm Bodies on Amazon. 

Donnie Darko (2001)

If you’re looking for a more prestigious pick of the genre, definitely check out the cult classic known as Donnie Darko. Much like Lisa Frankenstein, the 2001 movie takes place in the '80s and follows a teenager going through some dark stuff. The movie starring Jake Gyllenhaal starts when the titular character comes across a demonic human-sized rabbit one night while he’s sleepwalking who warns him that the world will end in 28 days. 

Stream Donnie Darko on Peacock. Rent/Buy Donnie Darko on Amazon. 

Carrie (1976)

Or, you could watch one of the best horror movies of all time, Carrie. It’s perhaps the ultimate and best teen horror movie ever, so of course it needs to be on the list. The 1976 film starring Sissy Spacek is based on the Stephen King novel of the same name, and it’s about a telekinetic teenager who unleashes her powers on her prom night after bullies pull a bloody prank on her. 

Stream Carrie on Max. Rent/Buy Carrie on Amazon. 

There’s so many solid movies like Lisa Frankenstein to quench one’s thirst for teen horror movies! You can check out the movie itself only in theaters now. 

There’s no single CinemaBlend opinion on anything. Through countless arguments over the years, I’ve learned we’re not even on the same page about how to define the word best, from our choices for the top 100 '90s movies to our picks for the best horror movies of all time. What makes a movie the best is impossible to nail down from one person to the next, though it's perhaps easier to consider when thinking about a decade of movies that came and went and can't be added to anymore. But for the most part, it's all about what you like.

It’s because of those clashing perspectives that this Best Movies Of The 2000s list is unlike any list that a single person from our team could have crafted, taking into account both Oscar-worthiness and popcorn-friendliness. The list accounts for movies that have aired 5,000 times on cable, and movies that have been shared lovingly from generation to generation. It’s a retro-hodgepodge of what we loved then and then, from Adam Sandler's raunch to Daniel Day Lewis' aplomb.

This list is CinemaBlend’s collective celebration of the 2000s, in all its neon-hued glory, and we hope everyone will find plenty to love, though a few disagreements and good-natured debate never hurt anyone. Let the arguments begin…

100. Avatar (2009)

While it's the last on this list, there's no denying Avatar's impact on the film industry back in 2009. The movie is a sci-fi masterpiece that features incredible visuals, mainly following the tale of Jake Sully, a human who finds love and acceptance within the world of the Na'vi, the native people of Pandora.

The film takes the audience on a wild ride for two and a half hours. While the story of saving a planet from foreign invaders could be more groundbreaking, the unique visual effects that fans get to see are. And now, with a successful sequel out more than ten years later, it's the perfect chance to revisit the original.

99. Erin Brockovich (2000)

Julia Roberts had established herself as one of the most beloved actors in the world in the 1990s, and as calendars flipped over to the year 2000, she didn’t waste any time starring in yet another critically acclaimed box office hit. Hitting theaters in March 2000, Erin Brockovich tells the story of the titular lawyer who started a landmark case against the Pacific Gas and Electric Company for groundwater contamination, and it’s a stellar work that further cemented the clear talents of director Steven Soderbergh. It’s thrilling and dramatic, but also funny and fun – in large part due to Roberts’ charm and charisma.

98. The Hangover (2009)

The Hangover is part travelogue and part comedic shitshow. It races its characters through what feels like an entire TV season’s worth of odd locations and ridiculous scenarios, somehow finding time for hospital visits, naked gangsters, weddings, Blackjack heaters, stolen tigers, missing babies and stun gun demonstrations. It sounds like way too much plot for an hour and forty minute movie, but the key to a good comedy isn’t the situations the characters find themselves in, it’s the rapport and natural chemistry between the actors/characters going through those situations. And Bradley Cooper, Zach Galifianakis and Ed Helms are fantastic together. Their clashing vibes, energy levels and comedic sensibilities somehow blend into a perfect cocktail, and with Oscar-nominated director Todd Phillips stirring the drink, The Hangover is able to turn its B-movie premise into one of the funniest comedies of the 2000s.

97. Cloverfield (2008)

The first decade of the Aughts saw one word playing into many of its most cherished cinematic successes: reinvention. For director Matt Reeves’ Cloverfield, two different types of genre favorites were mashed together to create a wildly new, very mysterious product: monster movies like Godzilla and found footage pictures such as The Blair Witch Project. 

Amping up the scale of what a handheld camera could cover, Cloverfield’s ingenious marketing campaign kept audiences guessing about what its true intentions were. In the wake of a mysterious/title-free teaser, it was anyone’s guess what writer Drew Goddard’s movie was about. To live up to the hype after stoking such anticipation for an unknown quantity only cemented Cloverfield as a certified success. In a market where it felt like the trailers gave everything away, a major studio movie broke with the norm, all in the name of a monstrous triumph. 

96. National Treasure (2004)

The race to steal the Declaration of Independence was on in 2004 as Nicolas Cage and his team of treasure hunters went on a high stakes mission to find the greatest treasure. This story sweeps across American history, and is held together by Cage’s protagonist and his drive to find this great prize, and protect the Declaration of Independence by stealing it, of course.

This Disney staple is a family classic, and an action adventure bound to entertain just about anyone. It was such a success that a sequel soon followed, and maybe, someday, National Treasure 3 will happen. However, let us not forget the majesty that is the original National Treasure. 

95. The Notebook (2004)

There’s a reason that when one thinks of the genre “romance” The Notebook instantly comes to mind. The 2004 Nicholas Sparks adaptation is nothing short of a timeless classic that gracefully dances between being a forbidden and second-chance love story. It’s the movie that made Ryan Gosling a Hollywood hunk matched by a passionate yet grounding performance by Rachel McAdams. Together they are a firecracker of chemistry who left a generation longing to kiss in the rain. Cliché and mushy as The Notebook can be, when the music swells on the final scene, it never ceases to remind us why it’s one of the most endearing and cathartic love affairs we’ve ever seen. 

94. Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)

Though it's been nearly two decades since its release, Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy still stands as one of Will Ferrell and Adam McKay’s greatest collaborations. The 70s-set movie marked McKay’s directorial debut and, with it, he masterfully injects humor and social commentary into a satirical workplace comedy set within the world of broadcast news. His screenplay is funny and occasionally, downright hilarious, but the cast truly makes the movie shine. Christina Applegate, Paul Rudd, Steve Carrell and more are just flawless. And of course, it’s Ferrell’s portrayal of the titular character that really puts it over the top.

93. Million Dollar Baby (2004)

Anyone angling for a great sports drama that not only delivers sheer emotion but also captures the spirit of the pastime it’s tackling should check out Million Dollar Baby. Director Clint Eastwood’s Best Picture-winning film tells the story of an aspiring boxer (played by Hilary Swank), who teams up with a veteran trainer (Eastwood) in the hopes of achieving in-ring glory. The result is an emotionally affecting – and sometimes brutal – story about resilience and parental bonds. This boxing flick won Swank, Eastwood and co-star Morgan Freeman all Oscars and, when you see the movie, you’ll understand why.

92. Saw (2004)

2004's Saw revitalized the horror genre years ago, thanks to James Wan and Leigh Whannell, with its shocking twists and equally astonishing violence. But while the movie did include some truly grotesque “games” for Jigsaw’s victims, this was more than the mere “torture porn” that plagued the aughts. There was intention behind Jigsaw’s pain — making people think about the lives they’d led before forcing them to, “Live or die, make your choice.” 

The audience was along for the ride, trying to figure out why Adam (Whannell) and Dr. Gordon (Cary Elwes) were chained up in a bathroom and how they could escape before it was too late. Thanks to some brilliant misdirection, the ensuing plot twist was truly gasp-inducing. These days you might not be able to get away with that ending, but don’t say you saw it coming back in 2004.

91. Super Troopers (2001)

Super Troopers From a plotting and acting perspective, Super Troopers isn’t exactly The Departed. Its basic premise, and even many of its specific scenes, are just nimbly bimbly excuses for the cast to make raunchy jokes about the natural absurdities of being a cop. That works, though, because the movie understands what we want as an audience: non-stop jokes and shenanigans about liters of cola, littering and smokin’ the reefer. From cat game to syrup fights to biker confusion, Super Troopers has its own vibe and unique sense of humor. It’s just out there, doing its own thing, and that’s why, more than two decades later, fans are still pulling over to watch it… even if they’re already pulled over and they can’t pull over any further.

90. War of the Worlds (2005)

Steven Spielberg wouldn’t be the first to adapt H.G. Wells’ The War of the Worlds novel for the screen, nor would he be the last. But his modern-day take on the 19th Century sci-fi novel certainly made an impression. From the main characters — led by Tom Cruise as Ray Ferrier, father to Rachel (Dakota Fanning) and Robbie (Justin Chatwin) — to the various settings, to the unnerving sight (and sound) of the tripods emerging from below the ground to decimate or capture any humans in their path, War of the Worlds made its mark as an epic sci-fi action movie about survival and the choices a struggling parent has to make to protect his children from a worst-case-scenario. In true Spielberg fashion, the movie is thrilling and occasionally chilling, but also offers that added layer of a family element to keep us invested from beginning to end. 

89. Sin City (2005)

Most comic book adaptations aim to reimagine the characters and events of the source material in a way that more closely resembles reality. However, when director Robert Rodriguez teamed up with famed author and illustrator Frank Miller (acting as co-director) to bring his graphic novel series, Sin City, to the big screen, they did more than just adapt it. They brought it to life.

This anthology-style collection of three interconnected stories — all of which take place in the same hopelessly down-trodden, crime-ridden metropolis — is a masterclass in noirish storytelling (the razor sharp dialogue is straight out of a Raymond Chandler classic), astonishingly unique visual design (every beautifully grayscale frame resembles a comic book panel), and flawless acting from the entire Sin City cast, including Bruce Willis, Rosario Dawson, Mickey Rourke, and so many more amazing A-listers. When it comes to non-superhero-related comic book movies, this might be the best of them all.

88. Bridget Jones's Diary (2001)

Anticipation for the feature adaptation of Helen Fielding’s Bridget Jones’s Diary — itself a reinterpretation of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice — was high, to say the least, for those of us who adored the book, when it finally made its way into theaters in 2001. Renee Zellweger’s mix of charm, determination for romance and occasional awkwardness alone are reason enough to love the adaptation. Then factor in the excellent chemistry she shares with both love interests — Hugh Grant as Daniel Cleaver and Colin Firth as Mark Darcy — not to mention the fantastic supporting cast, well-timed bits of hilarity and genuinely heartfelt moments of romance and what’s not to love about Bridget Jones’s Diary? 

87. Taken (2008)

Taken isn’t the most emotionally complicated or the most realistic movie, but it has a really good sense of its own strengths and leverages that particular set of skills perfectly. Liam Neeson might not be the prototypical action star, but he’s an Oscar-nominated actor uniquely good at portraying single-mindedness and determination. Taken is able to harness the badass fatherly intensity of a desperate man searching for his daughter and pair it with ruthless action sequences that rely more on craftiness than brute strength. The result is one of the best and most rewatchable action movies of the 2000s, a tight 90 minutes that’s so much fun it produced two sequels, a TV series and an unexpected late career resurgence for Neeson.  

86. The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)

Before Will Smith earned his third Oscar nomination for King Richard, and after his nomination for Ali, he received his second Academy Award nod for The Pursuit of Happyness. Based on the real story of Chris Gardner, the movie follows Gardner's struggle to find a job to provide for his son during a year when they are homeless. 

The movie is inspiring for anyone, featuring an uplifting and memorable story. That, paired with an incredible performance from Will Smith and his son, Jaden Smith – who made his acting debut in the film – makes this the perfect movie to watch on any given day. 

85. The Bourne Identity (2002)

Before Daniel Craig came along and ushered in a new era for the James Bond movie franchise a few years later, Doug Liman’s The Bourne Identity welcomed audiences to the 21st century with this fresh, unique, and action-packed spy thriller. Matt Damon, who had already shown a great deal of depth in movies like Good Will Hunting and The Talented Mr. Ripley a few years earlier, became a bonafide action star with his portrayal of Jason Bourne, a trained killer with no recollection of his dark past.

There are few early 2000s action sequences as memorable as the movie’s iconic car chase through the streets of Paris. Audiences, used to seeing spies and assassins whipping around in souped-up sports cars were in for the ride of their lives with Bourne behind the wheel of a weathered Mini Cooper.

84. Love Actually (2003)

Love Actually has become annual holiday viewing for many since its premiere in 2004. Renowned rom-com filmmaker Richard Curtis struck gold with an A-list cast, as ten loosely connected plotlines each portray a different kind of love. Everybody’s sure to have their favorite stories within the movie, but they all strike an emotional chord, albeit in different ways. 

As these characters navigate the holidays, Love Actually tackles themes of grief, infidelity, unrequited love, workplace romance and more, while never losing its charm and eliciting tons of laughs. Throw in infinitely quotable dialogue (“Let’s get the shit kicked out of us by love!”), an infuriatingly hilarious cameo by Rowan Atkinson, and one absolutely iconic dance from Hugh Grant, and you’ve got yourself a classic.

83. (500) Days of Summer (2009)

In a decade greatly defined by bubblegum romantic comedies where audiences can take comfort in the same three act structure often ending in wedding bells, (500) Days Of Summer flipped the genre on its head. Romance and love can be a tricky, complicated thing that not only may be finite, but clouded by one’s fantasies, projections of potential and manic pixie dream girls. Marc Webb’s indie rom-com announces up front that it is “not a love story” and cleverly plays with structure as Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s Tom falls for Zooey Deschanel’s Summer. Between its stunningly memorable soundtrack, creative use of mixed media against its gorgeous L.A. backdrop, (500) Days Of Summer is a dark horse of a romantic comedy that tackles the expectations vs. reality of love with a sharp wit. 

82. Knocked Up (2007)

Most romantic comedies try a lot harder at one of those two things. They’re either romantic movies with a few solid laughs sprinkled in or they’re clearly comedies that shoehorn a romance in there as an afterthought. Knocked Up works so well because it tries really hard at both. It succeeds a little more as a comedy, given it has Seth Rogen, Jonah Hill, Jason Segel, Martin Starr, Craig Robinson, Leslie Mann and Paul Rudd, but it also takes a lot of time and care with its love story and has many thoughtful things to say about relationships and parenting. It never takes the easy way out or betrays itself for a cheap, inauthentic laugh, which lets the natural chemistry between Rogen and co-lead Katherine Heigl grow into a budding relationship you actually root for. 

81. Dawn Of The Dead (2004)

As proven decades ago by George A. Romero, slow zombies are quite scary – but in 2004, director Zack Snyder and screenwriter James Gunn teamed up to show us just how freaky fast zombies can be. Dawn Of The Dead is a movie that stays true to its source material, gathering a bunch of strangers in a shopping mall as the dead come back to life, but it has its own energy and no shortage of standout moments. The beginning is a terror, the ending is deeply unsettling (including the material in the end credits), but the baby is where this one hits its peak.

80. Remember the Titans (2000)

Remember the Titans will make you laugh, cry, cheer and feel a whole range of emotions as you go on a journey with newly integrated T.C. Williams football team to win the state championship. This incredible movie about bringing a football team together is led by Denzel Washington, and it’s not only regarded as one of his best movies, but it’s also widely known as one of the greatest sports films. 

Washington and Will Patton lead the stacked cast of Remember the Titans, which includes Wood Harris and Ryan Hurst as the team’s leaders. Along with them, the movie also features Donald Faison, Craig Kirkwood and Ethan Suplee as well as a very young Ryan Gosling and 10-year-old Hayden Panettiere, among many others. Overall, it’s an inspiring and moving movie about acceptance and determination. Let’s just say Remember the Titans always has us saying “We want some more!” 

79. Juno (2007)

While Elliot Page was an actor at a young age, Juno was the movie that made him into a household name. And for good measure, as Jason Reitman’s quirky 2007 flick delivers in both comedy and heartfelt, human moments. Page earned an Academy Award nomination at the time for his performance, which surely feels justified. 

2007's Juno centers around its title character, a teenage girl who accidentally gets pregnant. She decides to carry the baby to term, arranging an adoption with a married couple (played by Jennifer Garner and Jason Bateman). After being filled with plenty of funny moments (and a killer soundtrack) the ending provides an emotional catharsis that puts Juno above many movies around its time.

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

It’s no wonder that Disney has been trying for 20 years to recapture the lightning in a bottle that was Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. Inspired by a theme park attraction, but blazing its own trail, Pirates created one of modern cinema’s most iconic characters in Captain Jack Sparrow. But the rest of the cast, including Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightley, and a scene-stealing Geoffrey Rush, is no less compelling. From sword fights to ship battles, Black Pearl’s action is near perfect, with the Johnny Depp vs. Orlando Bloom duel a textbook example of how to tell a story with an action scene. It set a bar so high that even its own sequels were never going to clear it.

77. Ray (2004)

Cinema lovers have been graced with plenty of great biopics over the decades, and Ray certainly stands as one of the best. Directed by Taylor Hackford, the movie chronicles the life and career of the great Ray Charles. James L. White’s screenplay effectively tells Charles’ story, chronicling his professional and personal highs and lows in the process. And of course, the production is (appropriately) infused with incredible music. There are plenty of great performances on display, but it’s Jamie Foxx’s uncanny – and Oscar-winning – turn as the titular musician that really makes this period drama worth a watch or two.

76. Unbreakable (2000)

M. Night Shyamalan had an unenviable task in 2000 – following up his overnight sensation, The Sixth Sense. Was that movie a flash in the pan? Or would Shyamalan live up to the billing he was receiving in the press as, “The next Spielberg?” Remarkably, Shyamalan came up with a deeper, more meaningful film that also started the bandwagon for superhero-movie fascination, only with a meditative origin story for a strong man (Bruce Willis) who doesn’t recognize his invulnerability. Pulp Fiction co-star Samuel L. Jackson tapped into his fiendish side to play Willis’s nemesis, a man plagued with brittle bones who assumed that his opposite had to exist in the world. But it was Night’s ability to generate an intense mood that boosted Unbreakable. We rode a wave of increasingly suspenseful tension until the moment Willis donned his raincoat and embraced his destiny. Unbreakable started a trilogy, but also guaranteed that Shyamalan was here to stay as one of our most original and effective storytellers. 

75. Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008)

Forgetting Sarah Marshall occasionally gets overlooked as being just another rom-com from the aughts – specifically the rom-com featuring the oddball pairing of Mila Kunis and Jason Segel, but I can’t imagine that anyone who’s lumping this movie into just another group of rom-coms has seen it recently because it is profoundly and consistently weird. 

Segel’s TV composer main character dreams of creating a Dracula musical featuring puppets called A Taste For Love. He also wants to get over his titular ex-girlfriend - hilariously played by Kristen Bell, who somehow ends up in the hotel room next to him having loud sex with her new rock star boyfriend. That messy journey of acceptance and moving on, amidst all its weirdness or maybe because of all its weirdness, never feels like a cliche. It’s consistently funny and has so many thoughtful things to say about relationships, break-ups and finding yourself. Don’t write it off.

74. School of Rock (2003)

Jack Black was many things in 2003, though many wouldn’t have considered his comedic stylings family-friendly until School Of Rock. Black’s musical abilities from his band Tenacious D paired with the wholesome story of teaching some kids how to rock, was fun for everyone and really skyrocketed him further into the mainstream and into more roles for younger audiences like Kung Fu Panda and Nacho Libre. Sure, he’d still do raunchier stuff like Tropic Thunder, but this movie was imperative to show the range he had as an actor. 

Let’s also not forget this movie boasted other celebrities who are notable talents in 2023, like Miranda Cosgrove and The White Lotus showrunner Mike White. Oh, and the music is still as great as it was then, even decades later. There’s a strong message here about the importance of teaching children about music and helping them follow their passion, and it’s that message that will keep this movie relevant for decades to come. 

73. Up (2009)

Pixar Animation Studios, a subsidiary of Walt Disney Studios, has always been known for its films that have reached a broad audience, starting with their debut full-feature film, Toy Story. However, in 2009, the studio released Up, the first Pixar film to receive a nomination for Best Picture at the Academy Awards. Up is mainly about Carl, an older man living a lonely life, and to fulfill his promise to his late wife, he travels across the world in a floating house to South America – with the help of a local wilderness explorer who tags along for the ride. 

A lot can be said about Up, from its stunning animation to the beautiful soundtrack, but nothing beats the story. It's a tale of a found family and of finding love and compassion in places you would never expect. And you must always remember – the wilderness must be explored!

72. District 9 (2009)

Coming in at 72 on the list might just be an indicator of how underrated District 9 is, considering it’s one of the best science fiction movies of the 2000s. Neill Blomkamp’s feature walks the line between messaging about the various mistreatment marginalized groups are subjected to, to how humanity would respond if aliens were really discovered to be on Earth. Given recent reports at government hearings, it isn’t all that unbelievable that it wouldn’t take long for humanity to get back to normal after finding a bunch of alien refugees on Earth. 

Perhaps the best compliment to pay District 9 is that it’s a phenomenal standalone sci-fi movie with no sequels or prequels. This could be why it’s typically lower on the sci-fi lists as there may be a community of people that simply forgot about it as the years went on. Now is the time to revive the credit it deserves and maybe bump it up a few notches on future top lists. 

71. Shrek (2001)

Think of every DreamWorks Animation movie you can think of – I bet Shrek is one of the first that pops into your head. 

Shrek was a momentous occasion for DreamWorks Animation when it was released. It was a huge box office success, received rave reviews, and was even the first Academy Award for Best Animated Feature winner. The movie mainly follows Shrek, an ogre whose swamp is suddenly overrun with fairytale creatures, and to get them out, he must save Princess Fiona from a tower guarded by a dragon on a mountain of lava and bring her to Lord Farquad. 

The DreamWorks Animation film created an empire of Shrek success. With numerous sequels and spinoff movies, Shrek is one of the most successful animated franchises ever. The first film featured some great CGI animation for 2001 but also had the hilarity of adult jokes that parents would get while their kids enjoyed the fantasy, animation, and love story. Besides, who wouldn't love listening to Eddie Murphy crack jokes as Donkey for an hour and a half? 

70. Mulholland Drive (2001)

There are two sides to David Lynch: the fairly normal filmmaker who wants to tell a linear story in a somewhat straightforward manner (examples include The Elephant Man and The Straight Story), and the absolute bonkers off-the-wall batshit fever dream of an avante-garde video artist (examples include Eraserhead and Inland Empire). What makes Mulholland Drive such a beautiful film, is that it’s the perfect balance of these two sides of the iconic writer/director. In fact, without spoiling anything, the film even has a pivotal moment where it completely changes tonally, effectively showing these two distinct sides of Lynch. Perhaps more importantly, this tonal switch is expertly pulled off by the film’s star Naomi Watts, who, between this and 2001’s 21 Grams, was at a point in her career where she was showing off her chops with an authenticity that was hard not to notice. Mulholland Drive will show you the full range of skill you need to see from both Watts, and the legendary auteur that is David Lynch. 

69. Watchmen (2009)

“Unadaptable” is a word that’s been used when approaching the most ambitious literary adaptations. Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons’ landmark graphic novel Watchmen was one such project, earning that brand after decades of potential adaptations failed to tackle the ambitious superhero narrative properly. 

Even in light of multiple cuts, and the ending being substantially altered from what was depicted in the 1985 source material, Watchmen is a miracle to behold. Somehow, the complicated narrative told through various mediums in that graphic novel was streamlined into a product that didn’t water down the full story. 

Only Zack Snyder’s third directorial effort, Watchmen is a powerful statement of the man’s developing skills in that point of his career. Arriving in the wake of Iron Man and The Dark Knight, it proved comic adaptations could be more than market-driving crowd pleasers. In the case of Watchmen, such movies could also be masterpieces.

68. Sideways (2004)

How the hell did Sideways, a dialogue-driven dramedy about a schoolteacher who loves wine, become such a mainstream pop-culture phenomenon? Try going wine-tasting without hearing a joke about drinking from the spit bucket, or somebody saying, “I am not drinking any fucking merlot!”

Sideways’ writer and director, Alexander Payne, has always told stories that are rather grounded in reality. Aside from Downsizing where he literally shrank Matt Damon, these are movies about common issues that most folks can relate to. The Descendants is about grief, About Schmidt is about aging, and Sideways is about letting go. With the script came Payne’s first Academy Award, a life-changing role for Paul Giamatti, and one of the best films of that decade. The bleak nature of the ending with just a dash of hope is a testament to real-life, and relatable for the average person. That is how a movie about a failed middle-aged writer with a drinking problem managed to cement its place in film history. 

67. Lost In Translation (2003)

Bob Harris (Bill Murray) is an American actor past his prime. Charlotte (Scarlett Johansson) is a young, married, recent college graduate. Both are in Tokyo — Bob to shoot promos for a Japanese whiskey and Charlotte to follow her photographer husband (Giovanni Ribisi) on his latest assignment — and overcome with feelings of loneliness and disillusionment until a chance meeting at their hotel bar gives the unlikely duo a sense of fulfillment when they both need it most.

Lost in Translation is one of the first films produced by Focus Features and is still considered to be one of the production company’s best releases two decades later for the refreshingly unique — albeit, unlikely — love story that still manages to warm hearts from its unforgettable opening shot to its cryptic, much-debated final moment. The charming, invigoratingly honest dramedy also managed to be a major turning point for Murray (who earned his sole Academy Award nomination), Johansson (a breakthrough performance), and second-time writer and director Sophia Coppola, who earned a well-deserved Oscar for Best Original Screenplay.

66. The 40 Year Old Virgin (2005)

In the mid-2000s, big screen comedy underwent a titanic shift. Through the late ‘90s and the turn of the century, the genre was dominated by the so-called Frat Pack (Will Ferrell, Ben Stiller, Vince Vaughn, Jack Black, Owen Wilson and Luke Wilson)… but then along came The 40-Year-Old Virgin, the directorial debut from Judd Apatow. The film is hilarious and sweet, with a collection of wonderful characters exploring the high highs and low lows of sexuality and romance in the 21st century – and while not everything about it has aged perfectly, it does a tremendous job at leaning into the talents of its stars. And it’s a game-changer.

While it’s Steve Carell’s movie, a huge part of its legacy is featuring the breakout performance by Seth Rogen. In the wake of The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Rogen and Apatow became the biggest names in funny, with not just their own comedic voices becoming popular, but also their improvisation-heavy styles.

65. Hot Fuzz (2007)

Hot Fuzz is the kind of action movie where every second feels crafted by a team of action movie fans, as opposed to a cast and crew just going through the motions. Co-written by the A+ pair Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg, starring Pegg opposite frequent co-star Nick Front, Hot Fuzz is mostly set far from metropolitan skylines and endless high-rises, and its quaint Wicker Man-esque village makes for a wildly unique setting for any story filled with this many Point Break references.

As the second film in the Three Flavours Cornetto trilogy, Hot Fuzz built on Shaun of the Dead's already stellar cast with a host of UK legends such as Jim Broadbent, Timothy Dalton, Bill Nighy, Edward Woodward, Billie Whitelaw, Olivia Colman, Bill Bailey, and the list goes on and on. (When you have Cate Blanchett making uncredited appearances, you're doing something right.) Unlike the other two Cornetto films, though, Hot Fuzz probably deserves another straightforward sequel set in this universe, with a new killer crime for Nicholas Angel and Danny Butterman to get crackin’ on.

64. Walk The Line (2005)

Music biopics might feel like they’re a dime a dozen, but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t gems to behold in the genre, and one of those is absolutely James Mangold’s Academy Award-winning drama, Walk the Line. In it, Joaquin Phoenix portrays country music legend Johnny Cash through his tumultuous rise to fame, which includes his relationship with eventual wife, June Carter (Reese Witherspoon).

Sure, on one hand, we’ve seen music’s superstars descend into alcoholism and drug addiction on the big screen time and time again, but it’s how all the pieces of Cash and Carter’s story are put together that make the film a must watch. As such, the performances of the leads are everything here, and seeing June attempt to staunch her feelings for her married co-performer, while also trying to knock some sense into him as she watches his addictions grow and Johnny become more erratic, are some of the best parts of the movie. Witherspoon didn’t win a Best Actress Oscar for nothing, and Phoenix is at his peak here, as well.

63. Lilo & Stitch (2002)

With Walt Disney Animation fresh out of its renaissance after the ‘90s, the 2000s were a particularly experimental period for the studio which, looking back, found inspiration from numerous science fiction classics. The best 2D animated movie from the House of Mouse of the decade is a lively spin on E.T., but this mysterious alien is an intergalactic fugitive with a bad temper who falls to the Hawaiian Islands, becomes best friends with a young orphaned girl who teaches him the gospel of Elvis Presley. 

Not only is Lilo & Stitch an incredibly quotable, fun, family adventure, it’s one of Disney’s most authentic and original films that speaks to finding one’s ohana in unexpected places amidst great loss. Few Walt Disney Animation movies have felt as simultaneously intimate and commercial as Lilo & Stitch. Experiment 626 remains a gem that made Disney’s growing pains of the 2000s worth the while. 

62. Monsters, INC (2001)

Before Up, The Incredibles and even Finding Nemo, there was Monsters, Inc. Pixar’s decision to make its fourth feature a story about a company that generates scream-based power in a world inhabited by ferocious creatures may have seemed odd at the time. However, it ultimately turned out to be an inspired (and very) lucrative decision. Set in the world of Monstropolis, the film centers on two pals – both employees of the titular corporation – who must return a human child to her world in order to keep her out of harm’s way. And the result is a hilarious and heartwarming romp about loyalty and tolerance.

Pete Docter – who’d go on to direct Up, Inside Out and more – really proved himself as a filmmaker with this directorial debut. The flick is beautifully animated and populated with plenty of lovable characters. Speaking of which, John Goodman’s James P. “Sully” Sullivan and Billy Crystal’s Mike Wasowski still stand as two of Pixar’s most popular creations. The interactions between the two sometimes mirror the interplay of some of cinema’s best comedic duos. Monsters, Inc. would spawn a sequel and TV spinoff, but it’s the 2001 movie that’s truly an eclectic piece of storytelling.

61. The Hurt Locker (2008)

Best Picture award, but the voters got it right when it came to the prize handed out at the end of the 21st century’s first decade. Director Kathryn Bigelow’s The Hurt Locker is a heart-stopper that tears down the wall between film and audience: when Jeremy Renner’s Staff Sergeant William James is suited up and defusing bombs, you hold your breath in fear, terrified to feel the heat of the fiery explosion that will result with one false move by the protagonist.

Screenwriter Mark Boal’s work puts us directly in James’ mind – a soldier who is incapable of leaving the battlefield behind – and Jeremy Renner’s turn is a career best. In retrospect, it’s wholly understandable why Renner’s performance changed the trajectory of his career and turned him into the Marvel-bona fide star that he is today.

60. Moulin Rouge (2001)

On paper, Moulin Rouge is a movie that just should not exist. The premise alone, a modern jukebox musical set in 1890s Paris, creates a level of cognitive dissonance on its own that suspension of disbelief should be impossible. It’s the sort of thing that only a director like Baz Luhrmann would even try, but somehow, he not only makes it happen, he makes it work.

Everything about Moulin Rouge goes hard. The performances, the songs, the sets. It creates its unreality so perfectly that it’s near-impossible to avoid being swept up by it and brought along for the ride. And the absinthe-infused magic is so far removed from reality that even 20 years later Moulin Rouge feels just as fresh. Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor are perfect as the star-crossed lovers. We know how the story will end before it begins, but it doesn’t make any of it less heartbreaking. Luhrmann’s films can sometimes focus on style over substance, but there’s no lack of substance here. 

59. Elf (2003)

Elf is probably the most recent Christmas movie that became an instant classic. Jon Favreau crafted a delightful and bonkers story for the 2003 movie, with Will Ferrell offering one of his most iconic performances of all time. And it’s a movie that’s re-watched annually by countless families every Holiday Season… or other times in the year when you need a good laugh.

Elf’s concept is both ridiculous and simple; Buddy is a human raised by elves who eventually goes to New York City to find his birth father (played by Godfather icon James Caan). The juxtaposition between Buddy’s eternal optimism and the hard streets of the Big Apple is fodder for countless funny bits throughout its runtime. There’s also a touching story about family and the holiday spirit that makes Elf a true beloved Christmas movie. Plus, it’s got a pre-Game of Thrones appearance by Peter Dinklage. And of course, Santa (I know him!).

58. Good Night, and Good Luck (2005)

In the 1950s, few people were as outspoken about the threat of Communism than Wisconsin senator Joseph McCarthy, whose blacklisting of anyone he deemed suspicious was so notoriously frequent that “McCarthyism” — a term associated with fear mongering — was coined after him. One of the few people brave enough to take a stand against him was CBS reporter Edward R. Murrow, whose defiance of the politician and the Red Scare nearly cost him his career, but also made him into one of the most influential icons of his craft.

This monumental moment in journalism history is dramatized with nearly the same level of passion for truth and justice in Good Night, and Good Luck. — named after the famous concluding catchphrase of Murrow, portrayed here in an Academy Award-nominated performance by David Strathairn. George Clooney, who also plays Murrow’s producer, Fred Friendly, earned his first Oscar nominations as a director and co-writer for this riveting history lesson, made even better with Robert Elswit’s gorgeous cinematography and exquisite acting from the star-studded ensemble, which also includes Jeff Daniels, Patricia Arquette, Robert Downey Jr., and Frank Langella.

57. The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)

Wes Anderson’s style is so distinct that it has become something of a joke in pop culture, frequently being parodied on shows like Saturday Night Live. When folks reference Wes Anderson, and the trademarks of a Wes Anderson film, they’re primarily lifting it from The Royal Tenenbaums. The point is, Tenenbaums is by far the most Wes Anderson-y film to ever Wes Anderson; absolutely jam-packed with quirkitude, a variety of eccentric characters and deadpan dialogue delivery. This is the quintessential hipster flick that helped to define a generation of indie millennial film buffs.

Aside from The Royal Tenenbaums’ effect on pop culture, it truly exists as a wonderful, honest, hilarious, and heartbreaking film. Over twenty years ago when the film was released, there wasn’t a lot like it in mainstream American cinema, with the somewhat privileged (yet painfully relatable) themes it explores being limited to conversations had by those gathering to watch Jean-Luc Godard in their NYU dorm rooms. With his first Oscar nomination, The Royal Tenenbaums introduced much of the world to Wes Anderson, and many still consider it to be his finest work to date. 

56. Spider-Man 2 (2004)

Oftentimes sequels don’t measure up to their predecessor, but Spider-Man 2 is one of the exceptions. Director Sam Raimi and screenwriter Alvin Sargent kept the best elements from the first Spider-Man movie and improved upon them, with the follow-up doing an excellent job exploring how Tobey Maguire’s Peter Parker handles the burden of heroism and trying to balance his web-sliding activities with his civilian life. However, Spider-Man 2’s MVP is Alfred Molina, whose more sympathetic take on Doctor Octopus quickly cemented him as one of the best superhero movie villains of all time. It’s no wonder we still have yet to see another actor play the tentacled antagonist in a live-action movie. As a bonus, I love how the movie recreated the panel from 1967’s The Amazing Spider-Man #50 of Peter Parker leaving his costume behind in the garbage. A touch like that is a great Easter egg for Marvel fans, but is also just a gorgeous shot for the casuals watching the tale unfold.

55. Ratatouille (2007)

Pixar Animation’s eighth feature film, Ratatouille, is as surprising as its premise. It came at a time when the studio was high on a winning streak, redefining how we looked at toys, bugs, monsters, cars, superheroes and fish. Sure, making an audience empathetic to rats feels like a stretch, but the 2007 movie had a fresh and quirky way in that kept Pixar at an all-time high. What if one rat was secretly a gourmet cook in Paris, France? The results are so charming. 

Fronted by a charismatic voice performance from Patton Oswalt as Remy, packed with decadent and often mouth-watering animation greatly displayed inside a top-tier French kitchen and beautifully underlined by an all-time great score from Michael Giacchino, Pixar told a hilarious underdog story with the creativity and wonder the studio remains beloved for. It’s one of those movies that has one doing a double take at every human and animal you encounter next time you walk outside in playful curiosity about the world thinking “Anyone Can Cook.” 

54. Superbad (2007)

Seth Rogen has touted himself as a “permanent teenager,” and never has that title been truer than in the 2007 teen buddy comedy Superbad. The movie — which he penned with Evan Goldberg and stars a number of the regular Judd Apatow players — carries the funky vibe of the 1970s throughout, but its story is timeless. The only thing more relatable than high-school seniors Seth and Evan (played perfectly by Jonah Hill and Michael Cera) trying to get to a party to impress some girls was their underlying anxiety over not knowing what would happen to their friendship after graduation.

The laughs come a mile a minute — some may say it’s the funniest movie of all time — with an impressive cast that also includes Bill Hader, Joe Lo Truglio, Emma Stone and, of course, Seth Rogen. But in the end it’s the friendship at the heart of the story that makes this one worth watching again and again. Superbad is also responsible for giving us “McLovin,” for which we should be forever grateful.

53. Catch Me If You Can (2002)

One of the most intriguing stories related to the crime of check fraud is that of Frank Abagnale Jr., who impersonated various professions, passed off millions of dollars worth of phony checks, and outran the FBI between the ages of 16 and 21. At least, that is what the fraud prevention consultant claimed in his memoir, Catch Me If You Can. The book inspired an excellent movie of the same name.

This 1960s-set crime drama stars future Academy Award winner Leonardo DiCaprio as the young, elusive con artist, who enters an intense, enduring game of cat-and-mouse with two-time Academy Award winner Tom Hanks as a veteran FBI agent who will stop at nothing to bring him to justice, even if he becomes friends with him in the process. Following Minority Report, director Steven Spielberg completed his one-two punch of masterfully entertaining films in 2002 with this dazzling, devilishly charming, and even heartwarming tale. 

52. Cast Away (2000)

Everybody scream “Wilson!” with me! Now, let’s all break into violent sobs as we remember Tom Hanks losing his best friend… a volleyball with a face painted on it. Cast Away is a miracle. It’s essentially a one-man show that you can’t pull your eyes off of, because you root so hard for Hanks and want to see how he’s going to get off the deserted island on which he is stranded. Director Robert Zemeckis places us in Hanks’ sandals, so we feel frustration as he fails to get a makeshift raft over the incoming tide, and elation when he figures out how to start a fire. Hanks already was viewed as one of our greatest actors before he single handedly carried this survival story, but the gripping performance earned him his fifth Oscar nomination. (He lost to Russell Crowe in Gladiator.) Listen to this remarkable stat: Zemeckis filmed Cast Away’s first half with a chunky Hanks, then had to pause production while his leading man lost enough weight and grew enough hair to play his marooned self in the movie’s second half. During that pause, Zemeckis filmed an entire feature: 2000’s marital thriller What Lies Beneath, with Michelle Pfeiffer and Harrison Ford.

51. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)

One thing to know about Ang Lee is that he keeps audiences guessing when it comes to his projects. And given his body of work leading up to the 2000s, not too many people might’ve expected him to helm a wuxia martial arts epic with Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Yet movie lovers should be so glad he did. His seventh directorial effort is a masterpiece featuring beautifully choreographed fight sequences, impeccable production design, imposing performances and more.

Based on Wang Dulu’s 1942 novel of the same name, the highly ambitious production centers on a seasoned warrior and his equally skilled ally (and love interest), who aim to hunt down the former’s fabled sword so it can be delivered for safekeeping. Their quest ultimately leads them down a path neither could’ve ever imagined. Ang Lee assembled a highly formidable ensemble of actors led by Chow Yun-fat, Michelle Yeoh and Zhang Ziyi, who all give career-best performances. The martial arts genre features a wide array of movies, but few can meet the standard set by Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.

50. Legally Blonde (2001)

“What? Like it’s hard” to be one of the top 50 movies of the 2000s? It’s not for Legally Blonde, that’s for sure. Casually going to law school at Harvard to win back your ex-boyfriend is a far-fetched idea, but Reese Witherspoon’s Elle Woods doesn't just pull it off, she succeeds in grand fashion, obviously.  

Elle Woods is such an icon, she’s funny, gorgeous, and hyper-intelligent, and seeing her harness all of that to succeed at Harvard was empowering. Reese Witherspoon and the cast of Legally Blonde are also on their A-games in this movie, creating a hilariously smart and unique story. From Jennifer Coolidge’s “bend and snap” moment with our leading lady to the adorable rom-com subplot between Elle and Luke Wilson’s Emmett, the film is packed with memorable stories from fabulous characters.

Since then, Withersoon’s lawyer’s story has expanded into a sequel and a Broadway musical, because a world with more Elle Woods in it is “So Much Better.” 

49. Tropic Thunder (2008)

Tropic Thunder is a relentless and vicious commentary on the motion picture industry and all the absurdities associated with it. For two unyielding hours, Ben Stiller’s satirical action comedy mercilessly skewers the executives, the actors, the directors, the writers, the agents and even an explosives coordinator, painting them as deeply flawed and emotionally unstable people who will do anything to stay relevant and protect their own fragile egos. From blackface to stolen valor to exploiting the mentally handicapped, there’s no line they won’t cross in pursuit of their next award, their next paycheck or their next high.

Tropic Thunder shouldn’t work. From one angle, it’s a big budget, big studio action comedy filled with explosions, fart jokes and Tom Cruise dancing to Flo Rida. From another angle, it’s a deeply clever satire that repeatedly and without apology seeks out complicated and problematic subject matter. It’s a movie within a movie disguised as another movie, but instead of a disorganized mess, it somehow all comes together thanks to a fantastic script, an Oscar-nominated Robert Downey Jr. performance and the greatest little kid reaction shot in the history of movies.

48. Gladiator (2000)

Russell Crowe went on an absolute tear in the 2000s with a number of memorable movies, so it’s no surprise that the one he won the Best Actor Oscar for is on this list. Gladiator is an absolute triumph from start to finish, with knockout performances led by the direction of Ridley Scott. Maximus is an immediately likable character brought down to the lowest point of his life. He keeps fighting and survives solely because of the revenge he hopes to deliver to Commodus. 

And while Joaquin Phoenix did not win an Oscar for his nominated performance as Commodus, Maximus’ journey isn’t quite as sweet without him being every bit as unlikable as he should be. When the big scene finally comes for Maximus and Commodus to square off, how can you not be on the edge of your seat? Without a doubt one of the best gladiator movies of all time.

47. Slumdog Millionaire (2008)

While not strictly a love story, Danny Boyle’s Oscar-winning Slumdog Millionaire definitely owes a lot to the genre, as Jamal’s (Dev Patel) lifelong love for childhood friend Latika (Freida Pinto) drives much of what he does. The drama follows Jamal as he relays the events of his young life that have led him to correctly answering questions on the Indian version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, after he’s arrested and tortured for cheating.

As Jamal takes us through the harrowing events of his childhood that led him not only to fall for Latika, but to compete on the show in an effort to find her again, we’re taken through an action-packed tale of survival under extreme circumstances, what a young man will go through to save the love of his life, and how we all probably know a lot more than we think we do. Definitely hard to watch at times, but inspirational nonetheless.

46. Little Miss Sunshine (2006)

On one hand, Jonathan Daylon and Valerie Faris’ Little Miss Sunshine is one of the funniest movies of the 2000s, but on the other hand it’s one of the most tragic stories to come out of the decade. The “road trip from Hell” setup had been done countless times prior to the film’s 2006 release, but rarely had the subgenre been as effective, emotional, or laugh out loud funny.

Michael Arndt’s hilarious, heartbreaking, and nuanced screenplay, which earned him an Oscar, doesn’t play it safe by avoiding life’s tragedies (both major and minor), but instead faces them head-on, creating a cathartic experience for his characters and audience alike. Transformative performances by the late Alan Arkin (he also won an Academy Award), Abigail Breslin, Toni Collette and the rest of the Little Miss Sunshine cast make you feel their characters are family, which is the heart and soul of this outstanding film.

45. Pride & Prejudice (2005)

Keira Knightley’s Pride & Prejudice is hardly the first take on the novel of the same name, but the 2005 film arguably set the standard for modern Jane Austen movie adaptations. The love story between Elizabeth Bennet (Knightley) and Mr. Darcy (Matthew Macfadyen) is beautifully told, and made all the more memorable for the cinematography, soundtrack, and chemistry between the stars. In fact, the cast was stacked with stars who either already had or would become big names, including Donald Sutherland, Judi Dench, Rosamund Pike, Jena Malone, Carey Mulligan, and Kelly Reilly in addition to Knightley and Macfadyen. 

The world of the Bennet family in this Pride & Prejudice feels lived in and domestic in a way that adds a touch of modern realism to a Regency-era period drama and contrasts the more austere beauty of Mr. Darcy’s Pemberley estate. The film isn’t as faithful to the book as the beloved 1995 BBC miniseries, but it hits the important beats of the original Jane Austen story in just over two hours while also being completely accessible to viewers who haven’t read the book, with moments like the iconic hand flex of Mr. Darcy that fans far and wide know well. 

44. Adaptation (2002)

Adaptation is a book adaptation about the adaptation process. Understood? Wonderful. 

Nicolas Cage plays dual roles as the most neurotic possible version of screenwriter Charlie Kauffman, as well as his fictitious twin Donald Kauffman. Originally hired to write the film adaptation for Susan Orlean’s bestseller The Orchid Thief, Charlie Kauffman experiences a debilitating case of writer’s block, stemming from a slew of mental health issues including social anxiety, body dysmorphia and depression. This sends him on something of a tortured artist’s odyssey that leads him to write himself, and the experience, into his script. Thus, we get Adaptation, a hybrid of both the story of The Orchid Thief, and Kauffman’s experience adapting it.

These days, such a meta concept is somewhat commonplace, but over 20 years ago, this was the most bonkers script since Kauffman’s Being John Malkovich. Malkovich was even worked into Adaptation’s storyline, with John Cusack, Catherine Keener and the titular John Malkovich playing themselves. The point is, this film is WEIRD in the best of ways, yet still managed to grab Oscar nominations for Nicolas Cage and Meryl Streep, as well as a win for Chris Cooper. Adaptation is perhaps the greatest cinematic insight into the creative writing process, and the effect it has on one’s psyche, ever made.

43. Love & Basketball (2000)

The best romantic comedies might get a lot of attention from fans of lovey dovey stories, but romantic dramas deserve our eyeballs as well, and Love & Basketball is one that really should be praised. This romance (which is also a fantastic sports drama) tells the story of Monica (Sanaa Lathan) and Quincy (Omar Epps), two talented, basketball-obsessed kids who bond over their love of the sport, but have several trials as they attempt to take their relationship from friends to lovers in their high school and college years and, later, in their twenties.

Gina Prince-Bythewood’s feature-length directorial debut does an amazing job of showing how hard it can be for two people who are so dedicated to their craft to make time for one another, especially as the pressure to succeed in their sport pulls them in different directions. But, it goes much further than that, with each of their complicated family dynamics and emotional wounds taking this love story to the next level.

42. Minority Report (2002)

If you had the chance to predict and prevent a tragic crime, the choice sounds obvious, right? That is until you are faced with the possibility that the prediction is wrong and your arrestee was destined to be innocent. That provocative idea was the basis for a 1956 short story by prolific science-fiction writer Philip K. Dick, which was later adapted into one of director Steven Spielberg’s most exciting films of the decade, if not his full career.

Tom Cruise stars as John Anderton — the chief for a special police unit that uses a trio of clairvoyant siblings to detect future murders — who begins to question their seemingly “perfect” system when he makes the horrifying discovery that the potential perpetrator of his next case is himself, forcing him to go on the run. The truth behind this prediction revealed in the brilliant twist ending of Minority Report is one of the many fascinating and thought-provoking aspects of this astonishingly inventive sci-fi masterpiece that is not quite dystopian, but far from utopian either.

41. Brokeback Mountain (2005)

Over the past few years, there have been great strides for representation and diverse stories in Hollywood. But back in the early 2000s, this wasn’t exactly the case. Which is why Ang Lee’s Brokeback Mountain was such a groundbreaking movie upon its release. Hollywood simply wasn’t telling queer love stories through major blockbusters, let alone honoring them with major Awards Nominations.

While there’s been some backlash about straight actors playing LGBTQ+ roles, Brokeback likely only got produced because of its bankable (and yes straight) lead actors. For their part, both Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger offer moving and complicated performances that still stand up today. Michelle Williams and Anne Hathaway also really deliver, which is par for the course for those talented actresses. This quartet of performers tell their characters’ stories through decades of time, and to devastating results. And the acclaimed film is still so beloved that it’s being adapted for the stage on the West End, starring Mike Faist and Lucas Hedges. 

40. American Psycho (2000)

Author Bret Easton Ellis’ novel American Psycho is a shocking literary experience. There are scenes in it that will make even the most seasoned horror fan blanche – and reading it, you can understand why it was deemed unadaptable for a time after its publication. When it did finally get brought to the big screen, co-adapted by screenwriter Guinevere Turner and director Mary Harron, the material was understandably pulled back a bit, but the movie still remains a scary and biting satire that takes aim at the hardcore capitalism in the 1980s.

Years before he became a big screen legend playing Batman, Christian Bale became a horror icon with his performance as Patrick Bateman – a white, rich sociopath who enjoys torturing and slaughtering women… but who nonetheless blends in with all the rest of New York’s white, rich sociopaths. It’s a rich cinematic experience that manages to be both satisfyingly scary and surprisingly funny.

39. 28 Days Later (2002)

Certain movies can be credited as causing shifts so powerful, an entire genre felt its influence. Director Danny Boyle and writer Alex Garland’s 28 Days Later is one such film, as this lo-fi British horror-thriller would go on to see interest in movies like Dawn of the Dead (2004) and Shaun of the Dead being boosted. 

Revitalizing the zombie genre, while not calling its own creatures by the Z-word, the normal rules didn’t apply in this horror masterpiece. In the world of the previously coma-ridden Jim (Cillian Murphy), the vicious “infected” could come from anywhere, with blazing speed. Survival, in some situations, could be measured in a heartbeat, with a drop of blood or saliva making the difference. 

Stocked with a who’s who of actors like Brendan Gleeson, Christopher Eccleston, and Naomie Harris, 28 Days Later did for zombies what Scream did for slasher films. Challenging the status quo with relentless energy, the film is all at once terrifying, heartbreaking, and hopeful. Danny Boyle and Alex Garland resurrected the undead genre with stunning results.

38. Amelie (2001)

One of the most delightful stories committed to film. French ingénue Audrey Tautou was perfectly cast as the title character Amelie, who is believed to have a delicate heart condition and so is overprotected by her doting parents. As a result of her gently-imposed isolation, Amelie develops an overactive imagination, which leads her on a series of whimsical adventures. Amelie director Jean-Pierre Jeunet embraces magical realism as a style, with Tautou basically gliding through this giddy fantasy as she works to make the lives of everyone around her happy, and possibly find love on her own in the process. Amelie seems to transmit joy, and if you aren’t uplifted by Tautou’s effervescent performance, you might want to check to ensure you still have a pulse. Now, go borrow someone else’s lawn gnome, photograph it in front of a celebrated vacation spot, and spread the joy of Amelie with anyone who hasn’t yet seen this delightful gem. 

37. Donnie Darko (2001)

There may not be a more aggressively strange and maddeningly perplexing movie on this list than Donnie Darko. Yet, its mysterious and nearly off-putting nature may be the reason why — despite nearly becoming a cable TV movie (if not for Christopher Nolan’s praise) and ultimately bombing at the box office — it remains an enduring cult hit.

At its core, writer and director Richard Kelly’s feature-length debut is the story of an emotionally troubled young man (Jake Gyllenhaal) whose struggle to navigate adolescence in the late 1980s is worsened by visions of an apocalyptic soothsayer in a horrifying rabbit suit, but it is much more than that. It is a sharp coming-of-age satire on par with some of John Hughes’ films, a classic time travel movie, and a pervasively grim fantasy tale that serves as a perfect Halloween tradition, among other things. Above all, however, Donnie Darko is unique enough to defy categorization, resulting in a one-of-a-kind experience. 

36. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)

If we’re only including one adaptation of the Harry Potter series on this list, it has to be Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. The source material has our lead trio entering into their teen years with more studies than ever and higher stakes all around. New characters are introduced, major reveals transpire and there’s also that twisty bit of time travel. Oh, and let’s not forget the bone-chilling Dementors, whose powers include dredging up a person’s darkest memories and fears. 

Those things on their own give Prisoner of Azkaban an edge over some of the other books, but Alfonso Cuarón’s adaptation does more than just bring one of the best installments of the series to life. New layers of the magical world emerge on the screen thanks to the cinematography, not to mention Cuarón’s vision and patient approach to the pacing, which gives us the chance to really soak in the surroundings in any given scene. Whether it’s showing the change of seasons at Hogwarts or the stunning sight of Harry soaring over the lake on the back of a Hippogriff, it’s more than enough to set the film above its predecessors and raise the bar firmly for the adaptations that would follow. 

35. The Devil Wears Prada (2006)

The Devil Wears Prada is already a classic. While the film quality itself is high, the movie has also become part of the fabric of pop culture, thanks to its quotable lines and the unbelievable performance of one Meryl Streep. Anne Hathaway is regularly transformed into a meme thanks to the scene where Annie shows up to work post-makeover in Chanel Boots.

Aside from the pop culture of it all, The Devil Wears Prada is a delightful movie romp. The fashions are aspirational, and the cast is truly on top of their game. Special points to Emily Blunt, who became a household name following her performance as Emily. And considering how light and frothy even the movie’s drama is, the rewatchability of this book to movie adaptation cannot be understated. If you haven’t watched Devil Wears Prada recently, by all means move at a glacial pace. You know how that thrills me.

34. The Lord Of The Rings Movies (2001-2003)

There are very few fantasy movie franchises out there that have been great all the way through. They have their dips and slides, but if there’s one major fantasy franchise to rule them all, it has to be The Lord of the Rings movies. 

The film franchise mainly follows Frodo Baggins as he travels with the Fellowship on a quest to destroy the One Ring in order to take down the person who made it, Sauron. But don't take that premise at face value – there is so much more to this story than meets the eye. 

The Lord of the Rings movies are perfect in every shape and form. From the battle sequences to the visual effects to the acting, there is much to love and adore about these films. The Lord of the Rings delivers in ways fans can't even imagine. There's a reason why the franchise is so popular years later – and how spinoffs, such as The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, have been released in recent years. The love keeps pouring in. 

33. Casino Royale (2006)

When James Bond was given his iconic Walther PPK in Dr. No, Sean Connery’s initial incarnation is told the weapon has “a delivery like a brick through a plate glass window.” The same could be said for 2006’s Casino Royale, as the introduction to Daniel Craig’s James Bond movies wasn’t shy about changing things up, and surprising even the most experienced 007 fans with how it would depict Commander Bond’s exploits.

Director Martin Campbell’s franchise reboot was as lean and mean as they come. Casino Royale showed 007 getting his ass handed to him, and his heart broken. Such vulnerability didn’t weaken the character, but rather it humanized him and added a suspense that the Bond movies had lost for some time.

Daniel Craig stepped into the role of the modern James Bond as if it were a tuxedo perfectly tailored for his presence. Wryly funny, yet cold and calculating when he had to pull the trigger, Craig made the role his own from frame one. To see such an iconic series redefined so perfectly, after 20 movies and over four decades of history before it, is something that still astonishes as much now as it did upon initial viewing.

32. Batman Begins (2005)

One of the most notorious bombs in Hollywood history is 1997’s Batman & Robin — a movie that, despite having some fans, is so cartoonishly absurd and dismissive of the source material’s essential themes and tone that it would be the last we would see of one of DC Comics’ most important characters on the big screen for years. The Caped Crusader’s resurgence in cinema — and in modern pop culture — can be traced back to when director Christopher Nolan went back to basics and all the way back to the beginning of his war on crime in Batman Begins.

Christian Bale immediately asserted himself as one of the best actors to play Batman with his grounded and stoic performance as a Bruce Wayne desperate to rescue his beloved Gotham City — one of the most stunningly realistic and effectively grimy depictions of the burdened metropolis — from the cesspool of crime and corruption it has become. While it is not widely considered to be the absolute best of the live-action Batman movies so far (more on that one later), most would agree that Batman Begins is one of the best superhero movies in general for its refreshingly earnest and complex approach to comic book lore, exhilarating action sequences and technical mastery, and reinventing the Dark Knight for a new generation without losing sight of what made him an icon in the first place.

31. Children of Men (2006)

In a dystopian future, environmental malpractice has led to constant war, famine, and total human infertility. So imagine the surprise felt by former political activist Theo Faron (Clive Owen) when he learns that a young female refugee (Clare-Hope Ashitey) is pregnant, and is poised to deliver the first natural childbirth in eighteen years. 

Mexican director Alfonso Cuaron was coming off of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (considered by many to be the best film in that saga) when he unleashed his talents on Children of Men. His breathtaking approach to editing and cinematography propels the action forward at a feverish pitch, with Cuaron often choosing to stage his movements in long, eye-popping, unbroken shots that lure the audience to the edge of their seats. Cuaron says this is a movie about hope, but you have to endure a lot of credible despair to finally unearth it. It’s worth the effort.

30. Ocean's Eleven (2001)

As times change, what’s considered popular is as fluid as water itself. Sometimes a movie can be ahead of the curve in that respect, dictating a whole era of cool in its very existence. Director Steven Soderbergh’s Ocean’s Eleven did just that, as both an uber slick heist movie, and as a modernized remake of a pre-existing film. 

The 1960’s Rat Pack extravaganza about war veterans looking for one big score was turned into a gathering of thieves, assembled by one man (George Clooney) looking for something more than cash. While the stakes were changed, and the number spelled out in the title, this film nailed the breezy energy that made the original so lovely.

Be it an all-star cast including Bernie Mac, Carl Reiner, Andy Garcia, and Julia Roberts, the insanely slick soundtrack, or even just the way George Clooney could rock a suit without a tie, Ocean’s Eleven doesn’t telegraph its style. It presents it with great confidence, and allows you to decide if it’s worth your while. It’s a love letter to the past, while playing to the viewer of today; with a result as cool as that drink you just ordered at the bar.

29. Chicago (2002)

If you look at just about any list of the best musicals of the 21st century, it’s basically a guarantee that Chicago will be there. The adaptation of Bob Fosse’s long-running musical is one of few musical films to win Best Picture at the Academy Awards. Catherine Zeta-Jones took home a trophy as well for her stellar performance as the “All That Jazz” singer who killed her husband and sister, Velma Kelly. This film has intrigue, sex, murder, genius performances and a whole lot of jazz, and it's truly a masterful musical adaptation.

Rob Marshall ultimately made a musical that stays true to its stage roots, but also heightens the entire story through movie magic. Take “Cell Block Tango” for example, the majority of the song is performed on a stage, and the women singing about murdering their husbands are in black costumes similar to the wardrobe from Broadway. However, it’s bigger as a whole, and it flashes between the actual prison, and this staged dream-like sequence. By doing this for every number, the film both elevated and paid homage to its predecessor, which is just one of the many reasons it’s so incredible.

28. Iron Man (2008)

From being the first self-financed Marvel Studios production, executives initially being opposed to casting Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark, and most of the dialogue being improvised since the script wasn’t finished when production began, there was a lot that could have gone wrong with Iron Man. And yet, the end result stands as a triumph in large part due to Downey’s performance as the genius/billionaire/playboy/philanthropist.

But of course, one can’t discuss Iron Man without addressing how it changed the film franchise game. Once Nick Fury emerged from the shadows and mentioned the Avengers Initiative in the post-credits scene, that was the first big tipoff that this movie was the first chapter in a shared universe, just like in the original Marvel comics. More than a decade later, the MCU still stands as a Hollywood powerhouse, and many franchises, both superhero and from other genres, have followed in its footsteps. 

27. Shaun Of The Dead (2004)

The slacker bastard child of George Romero's Dead films and Danny Boyle's 28 Days Later, Shaun of the Dead is a rarity in cinema, and not just for having the gall to sacrifice the soundtrack to 1989's Batman. It's a largely perfect amalgam of authenticity and parodical storytelling, anchored to the comedic whims and wiles of  director Edgar Wright, his co-writer Simon Pegg,  and Pegg’s co-star Nick Frost. As it goes with that trio’s other film on this list (see #65), Shaun’s biggest strength is its characters who feel real enough to legitimize the zombie apocalypse chaos, while also making viewers care about them even when the gory threats aren’t around the corner.

Shaun of the Dead may go down as the funniest horror movie to have ever existed, while also delivering some genuinely disturbing moments throughout that keep the adventure from falling too far into the funnies. Simon Pegg even transcends the dual genre description by spinning palpable emotion out of his struggle to prioritize the safety of his relationship, his BFF, and his mom. And if that wasn’t enough, it allowed moviegoers to spend some time in the Winchester, and that’s a slice of fried gold that makes everyone’s life better.

26. Moon (2009)

Whenever we sit down for a sci-fi film, especially one that takes place on a remote station somewhere away from our planet, we all know that we’re in for a twisty tale, and Moon certainly fulfills that promise. Duncan Jones’ 2009 directorial debut (he also came up with the story) focuses on Sam Bell (Sam Rockwell), the lone human working a mostly automated mining facility on the far side of the moon, who begins to have troubling hallucinations as he nears the end of his work contract.

What follows is surprising, as not only does the story take several intriguingly unexpected turns, but it also examines what it’s like to be isolated from others (including loved ones), holding on to a sense of community, and one’s willingness to sacrifice for the greater good. Throw in a creepy AI, which can’t quite be determined as a helper or a hindrance for a time, and you get science fiction gold.

25. The Incredibles (2004)

Released during the early years of the superhero movie’s surging popularity, The Incredibles still holds up tremendously after all this time, despite so many other offerings from Marvel, DC and other studios being delivered nearly two decades after its release. To be sure, Pixar’s sixth full-length feature does a spectacular job at both honoring classic superhero stories and tropes, as well as poking fun at them, including the hilarious ‘no capes’ gag. But The Incredibles’ greatest feat isn’t how it handles these larger-than-life elements, but rather how it makes these characters feel relatable and complex in the midst of the action.

From Bob and Helen Parr being concerned about their children’s welfare, whether they’re living everyday life in suburbia or fighting bad guys in costume, to understanding that Syndrome’s sinister motivations stem from the hurt he endured as an adolescent, The Incredibles never pushes aside its humanity in favor of spectacle; instead, they compliment each other quite nicely. Throw in outstanding vocal performances from actors like Craig T. Nelson and Holly Hunter, and Brad Bird excelling as both the director and screenwriter, this movie stands out not just as a superhero movie, but as one of the greatest entries in Pixar’s library.

24. Requiem for a Dream (2000)

Join Us In Creating Excellence. More powerful than any anti-drug ad, Requiem for a Dream hit theaters in 2000 and has stood the test of time as possibly the most affecting portrayal of addiction to date. Based on the Hubert Selby Jr. book of the same name, Darren Aronofsky’s film explores more than just the heroin addictions of Jared Leto, Jennifer Connelly and Marlon Wayans’ characters. Ellen Burstyn’s obsession with being on television and fitting into her red dress is haunting, and there’s no questioning why the role earned her an Academy Award nomination.

The work behind the camera was equal to the all-around horrifying performances, as Darren Aronofsky and cinematographer Matthew Libatique added to the story in how every shot was framed, the choreography of the characters’ movements, and the use of sound effects and split screens. The score was worthy of praise all on its own, with "Lux Aeterna" — the song that played over the climax of the film — leaving such an impression that it has gone on to be re-orchestrated for several other movie and video game trailers. 

Combine all of this and add a little of Christopher McDonald’s Tappy Tibbons J.U.I.C.E., and you’ve got a real feel-bad movie that may never fully leave you.

23. Oldboy (2003)

Because many have such good storylines, South Korean films have become some of the biggest international movies.. A few examples could be Parasite and The Wailing. One movie in particular stands above many of them, and that's Oldboy. 

Directed by Park Chan-wook, the film is loosely based on the Japanese manga of the same name and focuses on Dae-su, a man imprisoned in a cell that looks like a hotel room, for fifteen years, without knowing who the person was behind his capture. But when he gets his chance at freedom, he makes it his mission to find out who committed the crime all those years ago – only to find out there is much more to his imprisonment than he thought. 

Oldboy is incredible. The action scenes are probably some of the best recorded on a movie screen and have been imitated many times – just the corridor fight scene itself is enough to satisfy any action-movie fan. The story is intriguing all the way until the end, which will blow the minds of first-time viewers. Truly, Oldboy is a staple of the South Korean film industry – and a fantastic movie of the 2000s. 

22. Collateral (2004)

Michael Mann had already cemented his legacy as one of the greatest directors in the world of crime thrillers, but he further made a case for himself with his 2004 thriller, Collateral. Clocking in at exactly two hours, this cool, violent, and ruthless neo-noir classic not only sees one of the best Jamie Foxx performances with his portrayal of cab driver Max (a role that should have earned him an Oscar), it also introduces one of Tom Cruise’s most unhinged characters: Vincent, a mysterious and deadly assassin.

Cruise, who was coming off movies like Minority Report and The Last Samurai, is incredibly refreshing as the film’s antagonist, and it shows a side of the star that audiences don’t get to see as much. Seeing the actor’s undeniable charm and big-screen energy used to breathe life into someone who is pure evil is quite the experience, and really messes with the viewers’ mindset. In addition to actors like Mark Ruffalo, Javier Bardem, and Jada Pinkett Smith, the movie also treats the city of Los Angeles less like a backdrop and more as another character, one that feels more alive as the story goes on, much like Mann’s 1995 heist film, Heat.

21. Pan's Labyrinth (2006)

Since the early days of moviemaking, Walt Disney’s viewpoint of the fairytale has had a stake in popular culture. It’s G-rated, soft and sweet, and there’s always a happy ending. Guillermo del Toro’s Pan’s Labyrinth brings to life a fairytale that redefined what a fantasy movie can look like with its distinct and unforgettable vision. Set in 1944 Spain as the country picks up the pieces of the Spanish Civil War, the R-rated fantasy film follows a young girl named Ofelia as she faces the violent reality of the Francoist period and stumbles upon a dark wonderland in the shadows (or at least the shadows of her imagination). 

As del Toro was coming off two more commercial movies in Blade II and Hellboy, Pan’s Labyrinth is a breathtaking highlight in an all-time great filmmaker’s career. Across two hours, the Spanish-language movie brings to life an extraordinary vision that beautifully balances being twisted and innocent all at once with memorable horror, gore, mythical creations and a ton of gorgeous practical creature effects. How does he balance a magical quest with political drama? Some especially memorable words in Pan’s Labyrinth answers that question: If “door is locked,” one must “create your own.” In a landscape where fairytales can be predictable, del Toro opened a wonderfully defiant world of his own with Pan’s Labyrinth.

20. Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003) And Vol. 2 (2004)

After turning the heist movie on its head with 1992’s Reservoir Dogs, and changing the way audiences perceive movies in general (and winning a screenwriting Oscar) with 1994’s Pulp Fiction, Quentin Tarantino very quickly made himself into one of the most unique and esteemed icons of the medium. However, after releasing his 1997 Elmore Leonard adaptation, Jackie Brown, we would not see him direct anything for another six years. Little did we know that he was planning to come back with something big — so big, that just one movie was not enough to tell the story. Based on a character Tarantino created with star Uma Thurman on the Pulp Fiction set, Kill Bill follows a deadly assassin initially known only as The Bride — one of the greatest female action heroes — who wakes up from a four-year coma with a furious urge to punish those who tried to put her to sleep permanently, with her former boss (David Carradine) being the primary target. 

For years, it was debated whether or not the stylistically disparate halves of the story — with Vol. 1 being an ode to ‘70s kung fu movies and Vol. 2 counting as Tarantino’s first western, essentially — should count as one film. Well, even if the director had never officially clarified that he does see Kill Bill as one movie, we still would have designated one spot for both volumes of this exquisitely crafted, gorgeously choreographed, visually and emotionally breathtaking epic on this list, because that is the only way to experience "the whole bloody affair.” 

• A Kill Bill Quote To Remember: “That's right. I killed your master. And now I'm gonna kill you too, with your own sword, no less, which in the very immediate future, will become... my sword.” (The Bride)

19. Training Day (2001)

In 100 years, when film historians look back to determine why Denzel Washington was considered one of the best actors of his generation, director Antoine Fuqua's Training Day should be at the top of any screening list. Detective Alonzo Harris is a special kind of monster, and Washington’s work offers incredible escalation and power. At first, he just seems like a hardened detective who has made some scary discoveries about how best to patrol the city of Los Angeles, but he becomes a whole different kind of beast by the end – one that King Kong ain’t got nothin’ on.

But while Training Day features an all-time great performance from one of the all-time great actors, not to be ignored is just how terrific the movie as a whole is. Ethan Hawke is also at the top of his game as up-and-coming officer Jake Hoyt, who faces death and peril as he slowly understands the real game that Alonzo is playing, and David Ayer’s screenplay is special – packing the believable character arcs and growing stakes into a limited 24-hour time frame. Even on the tenth viewing it is successful at raising your pulse and getting you to invest in the protagonist’s peril, and that’s the mark of a truly great thriller.

• A Training Day Quote To Remember: “You gotta control your smiles and cries, because that's all you have and nobody can take that away from you.” (Jake Hoyt)

18. The Wrestler (2008)

Still considered one of the best movies of 2008 more than a decade later, Darren Aronofsky’s The Wrestler is a grueling battle royale of emotions that doesn’t pull any punches with its story about a broken-down professional wrestler looking for one last shot at redemption. Channeling both the triumph and tragedy, and the agony and ecstasy of putting one’s life on the line day-in and day-out for decades, Mickey Rourke gave audiences the performance of a lifetime with his portrayal of washed-up wrestler, Randy “The Ram” Robinson, a one-time larger-than-life titan caught somewhere between his past and uncertain future.

There are a lot of parallels between the character and Rouke’s own journey in this semi-autobiographical drama, which adds a tremendous amount of depth to not only his performance, but also the movie in general. Though wrestling is often considered a fake sport, Rourke’s performance and Aronofsky’s commitment to portraying the industry in an honest and genuine light is incredibly real. The physical, mental, and emotional pain can be felt in each of Randy’s movements, heard in his voice, and seen in his eyes as the former champ wrestles in high school gyms and attempts to make ends meet by taking on shifts at a local grocery store deli. Then there are the religious allegories that are explored through Randy’s character, as well as Marisa Tomei’s Cassidy, which make it all even more potent.

• A The Wrestler Quote To Remember: “I'll tell you somethin', I hate the fuckin' 90's.” (Randy Robinson)

17. Finding Nemo (2003)

Pixar has created some of the greatest animated films of all time, and Finding Nemo may be the studio’s true crowning achievement. It is as beautifully animated as it is emotionally powerful. The undersea world of Nemo is gorgeous simply to look at, and that’s just as true today as it was when the film was released. 

2003's Finding Nemo’s voice casting is second to none. Nobody does neurotic like Albert Brooks. Nobody can play clueless like Ellen DeGeneres. Nobody plays a tough guy of questionable sanity like Willem Dafoe. These are the actors you would cast if you were telling this story in live-action, and they bring it all to the voice performances in a way that truly brings these characters to life.

And Finding Nemo is able to balance its emotional extremes perfectly. We’re used to Pixar movies making us cry but years before Up, Finding Nemo opened with an incredibly heartbreaking moment. But after that, it’s able to be hilarious, scary, and even exciting. Finally, it concludes with the sort of resolution that stands the test of time, as young children will see the film and relate with Nemo, then grow up, and begin to understand Marlin in a new way.  Nemo does it all, not bad for a clownfish with a bad fin. 

• A Finding Nemo Quote To Remember: “Of course I like you. It’s because I like you, I don’t want to be with you. It’s a complicated emotion.” (Marlin)

16. Inglourious Basterds (2009)

“I think this just might be my masterpiece.” That’s the final line in writer/director Quentin Tarantino’s Inglourious Basterds, and coming as it does at the end of 153 minutes of perfection, it’s hard not to read it as a message directly from the filmmaker to the audience. In 2009, Tarantino was coming off of a low point in his career with the disappointing theatrical release of Grindhouse, but his follow-up is a phenomenal World War II epic that only he could make: Nazi-killing action packaged in a love letter to cinema.

Two stories – the revenge of Mélanie Laurent's Shosanna Dreyfus and the mission of the titular troop – play out in parallel with equal captivating energy right up until they collide in the (literally) explosive finale. While there isn’t a star in the expansive ensemble who doesn’t deliver a memorable performance (from Brad Pitt to Michael Fassbender to even Mike Myers), there isn’t a person who can watch the film and not walk away mesmerized by the work done by Christoph Waltz in his star-making turn as Hans Landa. It’s not an easy thing to blend a vibe of dastardly evil with sharp charisma, but Waltz is a force in the role, and it remains the best thing he has done in his career.

• An Inglourious Basterds Quote To Remember: “Well, you don't got to be Stonewall Jackson to know you don't want to fight in a basement.” (Lt. Aldo Raine)

15. Spirited Away (2001)

Studio Ghibli is one of the world's most-known anime film studios. Co-founded by legendary anime director Hayao Miyazaki, the studio has created some of the best anime films of all time, one of which is Spirited Away – which Hayao Miyazaki directed. 

Spirited Away is about a journey into the spirit world following the young Chihiro. Taking place in Japan, we follow the little girl, who happens to be moving to a new neighborhood with her family. When her parents decide to take a shortcut to their new home and explore what looks to be an abandoned amusement park, Chihiro is forced to go along. However, there's magic everywhere, and her mom and dad turn into pigs against their will for eating a gluttonous feast. For her to get them back, she must work for the spirits in the bathhouse, so they can return to the human world. 

The premise itself sounds like a lot at first, but it's become Studio Ghibli’s – and Hayao Miyazaki's – highest-grossing film. It’s also the only anime film to win the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature and the only hand-drawn film (so far) to accomplish the task. The movie features themes about love and learning to grow up and be brave. It's the perfect gateway movie into the anime film – indeed, one of the best movies of the 2000s. 

• A Spirited Away Quote To Remember: “I don't need any help; this place is full of soot.” (Kamaji)

14. The Prestige (2006)

The Prestige is a battle of wills between two talented and irreparably flawed magicians, who can’t stay out of each other’s lives. Their differing roles in a shared tragedy push them apart and then repeatedly back together, as their initial determination to succeed steadily gives way to an obsession for vengeance. That obsession drives them to sacrifice and abandon everything healthy about their lives until they’re each left with only a singular drive to sabotage the other.

Based on that description, The Prestige sounds like a really dark movie. In many ways, it is, but in director Christopher Nolan’s hands, it’s also often really fun. It has a sense of wonder and mystery about it, as it not only dives into the idiosyncrasies of magic but also the exciting possibilities of science in the 1890s and early 1900s. It was a time and place in which anything felt possible, and you really feel that hopeful uncertainty thanks to a timeline that jumps to and fro and fantastic performances from Christian Bale, Hugh Jackman, Michael Caine, Scarlett Johansson, Rebecca Hall and a perfectly cast David Bowie as Nikola Tesla. Like a great magic trick, the first time you watch The Prestige, you’re fascinated by the spectacle and simply along for the ride. Then every time you rewatch it afterwards, you’re blown away by all the subtle skill required to pull it off.

• A The Prestige Quote To Remember: “Nobody cares about the man in the box.” (Robert Angier)

13. There Will Be Blood (2007)

Looking back, 2007 was one of the best movie years in recent memory, considering classics like No Country For Old Men, Zodiac, and Superbad all premiered on the big screen. But one of the biggest, baddest, and most arresting of those releases was Paul Thomas Anderson’s There Will Be Blood. An epic period drama about oilman Daniel Plainview (Daniel Day-Lewis) doing everything in his power and stepping on anyone in his way in his quest for wealth in the early 20th-century oil boom, the movie is a deep and vast exploration of a man’s psyche and desire to become the biggest player in the game.

While Day-Lewis’s performance is tremendous and more than deserving of the Oscar he received, it’s made even better thanks to his character’s conflict with Eli Sunday (Paul Dano), a religious zealot who is just as tenacious and hungry for power as his counterpart. Several of the movie’s most iconic scenes (like the oil-town baptism and shocking ending sequence) are the result of the actor’s tremendous chemistry and ability to play off each other’s words. The pair, who get along like oil and holy water, create a dynamic that’s not quite a battle between good and evil, but instead something much deeper than that, which adds another level to this incredible cinematic achievement.

• A There Will Be Blood Quote To Remember: “You're an orphan from a basket in the middle of the desert, and I took you for no other reason than I needed a sweet face to buy land.” (Daniel)

12. In Bruges (2008)

Prior to 2008, Martin McDonagh was established as a talented and popular playwright, but he had ambitions to make his way into movies. In 2004, he directed the incredible short film Six Shooter (which won an Academy Award), and then he moved to features. He made his debut with In Bruges, and anyone who saw it instantly recognized McDonagh’s potential to become one of the best filmmakers working today (potential he has made good on with the genius of Seven Psychopaths, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, and The Banshees of Inisherin).

In Bruges takes a high concept premise – two hitman hide out in Belgium waiting for instructions after a job goes bad – and weaves a remarkable meditation on life and death. It’s a dark comedy (and a hilarious one at that), but it has a beautiful blend of tones that radiate from the genius work of stars Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson and Ralph Fiennes. Farrell and Gleeson have a unique chemistry that works on both comedic and dramatic levels (it’s far from a mystery why McDonagh reunited them for The Banshees of Inisherin) and the bizarrely rage and logic-filled energy that Fiennes brings in the third act is icing on the cake.

• An In Bruges Quote To Remember: “I kinda like hearing people having sex. Means at least somebody around here's happy.” (Ray)

11. Almost Famous (2000)

If a 15-year-old going on tour with a raucous rock band wasn’t enough of a hook, Almost Famous also happens to have one of the most memorable posters/ DVD box covers of all time. It focuses on the enigmatic Penny Lane, the heroine of Cameron Crowe’s film, whom everyone loves to love and admire and most don’t bother to understand. With distinct shades and tendrils of blonde hair, she draws you into her world of Humble Pie and heartbreak, and in between commentary on what made the ’70s the ’70s and a slick soundtrack including Led Zeppelin, The Who and of course Elton John, she helps turn the film into one of the best of the 2000s.

It’s a career-defining performance for Kate Hudson, and she’s not the only one who delivers. Jason Lee grows a mustache and long hair to fall into his hilarious lead singer role while Billy Crudup is similarly unrecognizable as the talented and moody Russell Hammond. Patrick Fugit plays William Miller, younger than most but wiser than some, and he finds a terrific foil in Philip Seymour Hoffman, who plays famed music writer Lester Bangs. Throw in great work from Frances McDormand, Zooey Deschanel and even Jimmy Fallon and it’s a masterclass of terrific performances. If it’s been a while since you’ve revisited the movie, maybe throw on some purple-tinted sunglasses and kick back to the tune of Simon & Garfunkel’s “America.” Settle in, you’re almost home.

• An Almost Famous Quote To Remember: “If you never take it seriously, you never get hurt. If you never get hurt, you always have fun. And if you ever get lonely, you just go to the record store and visit your friends.” (Penny Lane)

10. No Country For Old Men (2007)

No matter what kind of film genre is up for discussion, the power and breadth of the Coen Brothers' filmography is worthy of inclusion, and they don't make 'em much better than 2007's No Country for Old Men. An adaptation of Carmac McCarthy’s 2005 novel that’s every bit as faithful as it is chilling, the film meticulously dips its toes most heavily into the cinematic waters of crime thrillers and westerns. That said, Javier Bardem’s unflinching hitman, Anton Chigurh, would be at home in any horror narrative, with his Two-Face-esque coin flips and an unstoppable drive that rivals Jason Voorhees or Michael Meyers. At least if a big ol’ stack of cash was also their end goal.

Despite being one of Joel and Ethan Coen’s driest films regarding their signature screwball humor, the movie is an exercise in tension that thrives on its lack of levity, though it’s hard not to smile whenever Woody Harrelson is on the screen in any capacity. With a stellar cast including Tommy Lee Jones, Josh Brolin, Kelly Macdonald, Garret Dillahunt and more, No Country for Old Men is, to date, the only Coen brothers masterpiece to win them the Oscars for Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Picture, with Bardem taking the gold for Best Supporting Actor. It’s not the awards that best signify its impact, however, but the bolt pistol gripped in Chigurh’s ever-steady hand.

• A No Country For Old Men Quote To Remember: “Well all the time ya spend trying to get back what's been took from ya, more is going out the door. After a while you just have to try to get a tourniquet on it.” (Ellis)

9. Memento (2000)

Talk about a movie that you definitely need to watch without your phone in your hand. Christopher Nolan’s Memento is a mind-bending combination of different angles that demands and deserves your entire attention. The story is told backward, broken up by clips of a black and white, forward-moving montage of a mysterious one-sided phone call in a hotel, led by Guy Pearce, whose character Leonard, also happens to have anterograde (or short-term) amnesia, stopping our protagonist from creating new memories as he looks for his wife’s killer, who also gave him this debilitating injury.

As mentioned, Nolan basically begins at the end and works his way back, for the most part. The juxtaposition of the timelines bring the audience into the obvious confusion that Leonard lives with every day. "Even if you get revenge, you're not going to remember it," he's told by his new friend Teddy (played by Joe Pantoliano) but his reply shows just how far his love and determination will go, stating "My wife deserves revenge whether or not I remember it."  Toss in Natalie (Carrie-Anne Moss) to add some confusing sympathy (or treachery) and you will probably want a second viewing just to wrap your mind around what you might have initially dismissed as unimportant plot points from this Nolan classic. You’ll notice that Nolan has popped up numerous times on this list (and rightfully so) and he has also once again recently hit it out of the park with 2023’s Oppenheimer.  

• A Memento Quote To Remember: “So you lie to yourself to be happy. There’s nothing wrong with that. We all do it.” (Teddy G.)

8. Wall-E (2008)

Do you know who is a genius? Sound designer Ben Burtt. You might not know his name, but you certainly know the movies he contributed to over the years, including Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, Raiders of the Lost Ark, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, and 2009’s Star Trek. Burtt designed the “vocals” for R2-D2, Darth Vader’s heavy breathing, and the “voice” of E.T. But, his work truly soared when he lent dialogue to the adorable Waste Allocation Load Lifter assigned to an abandoned Earth. MIraculously, the first half of Pixar’s ingenious WALL-E works as a silent film, following our main character as it goes about its daily routine with a pet cockroach in tow. WALL-E’s life is upended when another robot named EVE arrives, searching for any sign of life. 

From there, the fate of humanity starts to be revealed, and it’s rather grim. Director Andrew Stanton’s animation for the film ranks as some of Pixar’s most magnificent, embracing the scorched orange of a deserted Earth and then painting with vivid colors for WALL-E’s eventual outer-space adventure. The environmental messages of the film are important without ever being preachy. And, the eventual romance felt and shared by WALL-E and EVE will lift every single heart, with the lovers sharing hardly any words. 

• A Wall-E Quote To Remember: “I see the ship's log is showing that today is the 700th anniversary of our five year cruise. Well, I'm sure our forefathers would be proud to know that 700 years later we'd be... doing the exact same thing they were doing.” (Captain B. McCrea)

7. The Departed (2006)

There are crime films and then there are Martin Scorsese crime films, and when it comes to The Departed, the director doesn’t let us down. A remake of the Hong Kong film Infernal Affairs, the 2006 movie gives us a range of characters to root for, root against or simply watch just to see what they’ll do or say next. That includes Leonardo DiCaprio’s undercover cop character Billy Costigan, Matt Damon’s sneaky, spying Colin Sullivan, Jack Nicholson’s mob boss character Frank Costello, and Vera Farmiga’s well-meaning therapist Dr. Madolyn Madden. To say that things get complicated might be understating it, but it’s the complexity of the characters and their roles in this story that makes The Departed such a fantastic and gripping movie from beginning to end. 

In a way, it’s all business for everyone involved, but it’s also personal for each character on some level or another. It’s impossible not to feel anxious for DiCaprio’s character as he attempts to navigate the criminal world without being caught for who he really is, just as it’s impossible not to grow increasingly frustrated by Matt Damon’s character for posing as an upstanding law enforcer who’s actually up to no good. It’s thrilling, stressful, riveting and ultimately satisfying, and that’s not even factoring in Mark Wahlberg’s character every time he has something to say (that’s just a bonus). 

• A The Departed Quote To Remember: “You know what I like about restaurants? . . . You can learn a lot, watching things eat.” (Frank Costello)

6. Best In Show (2000)

Nobody does mockumentaries like Christopher Guest, and 2000’s Best in Show is an absolute masterclass. The mundane musings of everyday conversation combine with outlandish characters and awkward situations to deliver one of the best movies of the decade. The dog show is the event that brings these unique and individually brilliant characters under one roof, but it’s no Maguffin. As bonkers as each dog-lover’s trip is to get to the show, everything is turned up to 11, if you will, when they all come together, and the event itself is perfectly colored by Fred Willard’s commentary.

There’s a reason this phenomenal cast has stuck together to appear in other projects. The chemistry between Eugene Levy’s Gerry and Catherine O’Hara’s Cookie (with her “hundreds” of boyfriends) left people begging for more, which they got in A Mighty Wind. Jennifer Coolidge was excellent in her attempts to substantiate her marriage to her ancient sugar daddy husband by saying they bonded over a love of soup and the ability to “not talk or talk forever.” The genius casting of John Michael Higgins and Michael McKean gave audiences the married couple they never knew they needed. 

Best in Show exploits the banal in some situations while heightening reality in others, to where Harlan Pepper naming nuts and the couple describing how they met at Starbucks (but two different Starbucks) land laughs just as hard as Gerry’s literal two left feet or Cookie walking with her knee out of socket.

• A Best In Show Quote To Remember: “Why don’t they put the bloodhound — put on one of those Sherlock Holmes hats and put a little pipe in his mouth? Are they ever allowed to do anything like that? Dress up the dog in a funny way? It would really get the crowd going. You know what I mean? The Sherlock Holmes hat with a pipe. I don’t know if you could make it look like smoke is coming out of the pipe.” (Buck Laughlin)

5. Zodiac (2007)

David Fincher’s greatest accomplishment, and that’s saying a lot. The director has spent countless hours analyzing the compulsion that drives people to seek the truth – be it lawyers parsing through statements to figure out who invented Facebook (The Social Network), or detectives tracking a serial killer who is inspired by the Seven Deadly Sins (Seven). But Zodiac is Fincher’s magnum opus, an engrossing true-crime thriller based on the books of Robert Graysmith tracking the diligent work of three men consumed by the search for the identity of the Zodiac Killer. 

Jake Gyllanhaal serves as the ideal audience surrogate, a puzzle designer for the San Francisco Chronicle who gets swept up in the mystery of the serial killer, who antagonized the police and the media as he committed vicious murders around San Francisco in the 1970s, Fincher painstakingly recreates the time period with breathtaking visuals and top-notch costuming and set design. His emphasis on the bustle of a newsroom is particularly spot on. The film also lingers in the haze of fear, anxiety, and suspense that comes from a killer on the loose. But it’s the supporting roles of Robert Downey Jr. and Mark Ruffalo, as well as an inability to truly deliver a concrete ending, that makes Zodiac such a rewatchable movie, and a captivating masterpiece.

• A Zodiac Quote To Remember: “I am not the Zodiac. And if I was, I certainly wouldn't tell you.” (Arthur Leigh Allen)

4. Mean Girls (2004)

From wearing pink on Wednesdays to shouting “You go Glen Coco” it’s undeniable that Mean Girls has seriously influenced pop culture over the last (almost) two decades. So, “get in loser,” it’s time to appreciate this beloved coming-of-age comedy from Tina Fey.

This movie is a classic teenage tale about a girl who moves from Africa to the United States where she experiences the rude awakening that is high school by way of The Plastics. While it’s your typical coming-of-age story, it’s infused with the signature sense of humor from Fey – who was in the midst of her legendary run at Saturday Night Live – and it shows the high school experience in a totally unique way with a cast of characters played by actors who have since become icons. 

Not only did the film solidify Lindsay Lohan as an early 2000s star, it also simultaneously jumpstarted the careers of many in the Mean Girls cast, including little known actresses like Rachel McAdams and Amanda Seyfried. On top of that, its legacy has lived on, as it was adapted into a Broadway musical, and is eventually coming back to the screen with an adaptation of said stage production. To say this film is a quintessential 2000s classic almost feels like an understatement because of the lasting impact it has managed to have on people of all ages since its release in 2004. 

• A Mean Girls Quote To Remember: "She doesn't even go here!" (Damian)

3. Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind (2004)

You could argue that Jim Carrey makes much better dramatic movies than he does comedic features. And that opinion is coming from someone who adores Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, as well as Dumb & Dumber. But when you factor in the dramatic detours he embarked on for The Truman Show, Man on the Moon, and this incredible romance, you begin to wonder how many Oscars Carrey might have if he got the industry to treat him seriously, instead of talking out of his ass (literally). 

Carrey and Kate Winslet are magnificent as Joel and Clementine, two soul mates who undergo a radical procedure to have their memories of each other erased after a bitter argument. Only screenwriter Charlie Kaufman (Being John Malkovich, Adaptation) could keep such a twisty premise from flying off the rails. And while the side-mission actions of the memory technicians can get a little silly, we remain wholly invested in Joel and Clementine’s complicated journey because of the heartbroken and beautiful chemistry shared between Carrey and Winslet. It’s a real challenge presented to these stars, as we’re not supposed to know whether Joel and Clementine are better off together or apart. But the satisfying resolution says as much about fate as it does about the existence of true love, so long as we remember how and when to look for it.

• An Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind Quote To Remember: “Constantly talking isn’t necessarily communicating.” (Joel Barish)

2. The Dark Knight (2008)

It’s been said before, but it’ll be said again – The Dark Knight is one of the greatest superhero films (and one of the greatest movies) ever made. Christopher Nolan’s ambition as a filmmaker has been well-noted, but even he outdid himself with his 2008 follow-up to 2005’s Batman Begins. The second chapter in the journey of Christian Bale’s Bruce Wayne sees the iconic DC Comics hero going up against the dangerous and unpredictable Joker. All the while, the Caped Crusader and his allies must also contend with mob bosses and Harvey Dent, Gotham City’s honorable district attorney who becomes the deformed Two-Face.

Where does one even start when it comes to singing this movie’s praises? There’s the impeccable screenplay, massive set pieces, engrossing score and much more. Yet I suppose what stands out the most are the performances, especially that of the late Heath Ledger. The actor, who posthumously won an Oscar for his work, fully committed to his role as the Clown Prince of Crime and is absolutely mesmerizing. His villainous turn is just one of the many reasons why Nolan’s film is a thrilling and compelling piece of work that’s still incredibly entertaining now, over a decade later.

• A The Dark Knight Quote To Remember: “Do I really look like a guy with a plan? You know what I am? I'm a dog chasing cars. I wouldn't know what to do with one if I caught it! You know, I just...do things.” (The Joker)

1. City Of God (2002)

Making its Brazil and festival run in 2002 and eventually hitting theaters in the U.S. and elsewhere  in the year that followed, Fernando Meirelles’ City of God, based on Paulo Lins’ semi-autobiographical novel of the same name, served as an inflection point in the world of cinema and served as a preview of what the the next few years would look like. Told through the eyes of young photographer Rocket (Alexandre Rodrigues), the movie explores the life of street kids in the Cidade de Deus (City of God) favela in Rio de Janeiro, an expansive slum filled with endless supplies of drugs, ruthless gangsters, and corrupt cops who allow the madness to continue. One of the most violent movies of the 2000s, City of God is a lesson in brutality, especially whenever depicting the exploits of Li’l Dice (Douglas Silva), a ruthless and sociopathic young criminal who stops at nothing in his quest for complete control. Oddly enough, the older version of the character known as Li’l Ze (Leandro Firmino) never comes off as cold blooded as his younger self, which further illustrates the movie’s point about youth and violence. 

At the same time, City of God is also one of the most beautiful movies of the 2000s, and not just on an aesthetic level (though César Charlone’s cinematography is out of this world). The endearing spirit of those who wish to escape a life of crime, ranging from Rocket to the ill-fated drug dealer Benny (Phellipe Haagensen), adds a level of heart and soul one may not expect from a two-hour crime drama about young criminals with short fuses and, in many cases, tragically  shorter lifespans. 

• A City Of God Quote To Remember: “You need more than guts to be a good gangster; you need ideas.” (Rocket)

How we put this list together

Using a combination of internal recommendations and other best of lists, we compiled a spreadsheet of all the movies from the 2000s that we considered to be culturally relevant and/or critically well-reviewed. We pushed together some multi-part movies like Kill Bill and Lord Of The Rings and then had our staff of almost 30 go through and assign a score for each movie they’ve seen based on their own personal opinions. We disqualified any movies that didn’t get a minimum number of ratings and dropped the lowest score for each, as if we were judging a figure skating competition. We then ordered the top 100 based on average score and had someone who gave that movie a particularly high score write up a paragraph explaining what’s so great about it. This rigorous scientific process resulted in Idiocracy being slotted at 101, an omission I’m still furious about.

Every weekend, Hollywood’s biggest releases compete with one another to be the biggest hit at the box office, but when you look at things from a more long term perspective, you realize that a movie’s success is not always measured by the dollar amount. You might be surprised to learn that some films — despite how much they are cherished by audiences and hailed by critics to this day — were not what you would call a financial success when they first came out. Take, for example, these box office flops that you may consider to be a hit in your own heart.

Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory (1971)

Just about the most beloved adaptation of a Roald Dahl novel is this wondrously delicious favorite starring the late, great Gene Wilder as an eccentric chocolatier who invites five children to tour his legendary factory. However, according to The Numbers, the success of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory was not so sweet early on as the $3 million production only made a little more than $1 million in profits at the box office.

Annihilation (2018) 

Alex Garland made a strong directorial debut with 2014’s Ex Machina -- which made more $25 million on a $15 million budget — but his follow-up did not quite inspire the same returns. While certainly a critical success, his Natalie Portman-led adaptation of the surreal sci-fi novel, Annihilation, was a few million shy of making back its $40 million budget, raking in just $32.7 million domestically, according to Box Office Mojo.

Ali (2001)

Director Michael Mann’s dramatization of Muhammad Ali’s life was a major milestone for the lead actor's career (and is still considered one of Will Smith's best movies) from a performance standpoint — his portrayal of the boxing champ earned him his first Oscar nomination — but not from a commercial standpoint. Ali made $58.2 million domestically, just barely matching even half of its $107 million budget.

The Big Lebowski (1998)

By crafting a traditional film noir story but with an aimless, aging pothead protagonist (Jeff Bridges), the Coen Brothers created one of the most worshipped films of their career and most popular comedies of all time. However, The Big Lebowski’s road to success was long one, having cost 15 million bones to make, but only turning in a not-so-far-out profit of more than $3 million dollars.

Blade Runner (1982)

Ridley Scott’s adaptation of Phillip K. Dick’s dystopian mystery novel, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, is just about as influential to sci-fi cinema as Star Wars, but was certainly not the runaway success that said 1977 epic was. Even with a star like Harrison Ford in the lead as a cop hunting artificially created humans, Blade Runner only surpassed its $28 million budget by nearly $5 million domestically.

Blade Runner 2049 (2017)

Denis Villeneuve’s long-awaited follow-up to Blade Runner — in which Harrison Ford reprised his role as Rick Deckard alongside Ryan Gosling as K — is regarded by many as an improvement on its predecessor in some ways, but would suffer a worse fate at the domestic box office. Blade Runner 2049 is estimated to have cost $150 million, but only brought in a little over $92 million.

Blow Out (1981)

Both director Brian De Palma and star John Travolta can cite Blow Out as one of the biggest bombs of their careers, having made $12 million on an $18 million budget (which was low even for the standards at the time). However, this suspense thriller about a movie sound recordist who uncovers life-threatening evidence to a murder has since been regarded by many — including Quentin Tarantino, as recalled by Studio Binder — as a vastly underrated classic.

Bottle Rocket (1996)

Wes Anderson’s directorial debut, Bottle Rocket — a funny tale of three amateur thieves that he also wrote with star Owen Wilson — marks an interesting time in the prolific filmmaker’s career. In addition to being a far cry from the quirky, retro aesthetic that has defined his career since, it remains his biggest commercial failure, making only $560,069 on an estimated $7 million budget.

Children Of Men (2006)

While some argue it is Alfonso Cuaron’s magnum opus, Children of Men is one of the filmmaker’s least commercially successful films. Now, that may not sound like too much of a loss to the director of one of the best Harry Potter movies and Gravity, until you learn that the bleak dystopian drama’s budget was $76 million and it only raked in $35.5 million domestically

Doctor Sleep (2019)

While Stanley Kubrick’s 1980 adaptation of Stephen King’s The Shining — one of the best horror movies ever — was not a runaway success, it at least went on to make more than $45 million on a $19 million budget. However, Mike Flanagan’s stunning sequel, Doctor Sleep — following an adult Danny Torrance (Ewan McGregor) — was not so fortunate, being made for $45 million, but only earning about $31.5 million.

Donnie Darko (2001)

Writer and director Richard Kelly’s mind-bending, $6 million debut, Donnie Darko — starring Jake Gyllenhaal as the troubled titular teen — had some help achieving theatrical distribution from none other than Christopher Nolan. However — while it is widely beloved now for its inventive concepts and bizarre imagery — it proved to be a major financial disappointment, only making $517,375 domestically.

Dredd (2012)

There was a time when even the best R-rated comic book movies were still considered a big risk, and the disappointing financial returns of the Karl Urban-led cult favorite, Dredd — which made only $13.4 million on a $50 million budget — are a prime example of why. The original Sylvester Stallone-led adaptation of the dystopian comic, Judge Dredd, was not much of a success either, being made for $90 million but not even making back half domestically. 

Fight Club (1999)

Director David Fincher’s Fight Club is one of the most essential examples of a film that really took its time to earn a reputation as one of the most idolized films ever made. Even with career-defining performances by Brad Pitt and Edward Norton, the provocative, darkly comic satire took in just a little over $37 million, despite a budget of $63 million.

Grindhouse (2007)

Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez teaming up on a project that recreates a lost era of B-movie double features sounded like surefire hit, especially with only $67 million put up for it. Unfortunately, the 191-minute Grindhouse underperformed in its debut weekend, leading to separate distribution for Rodriguez’s Planet Terror and Tarantino’s Death Proof, and a domestic total of only more than $25 million by the end of its run.

The Hudsucker Proxy (1994)

The biggest flop of Joel and Ethan Coen’s career — as reported by The Atlantic — was the 1950s-set industry satire, The Hudsucker Proxy. Even with the star power of Tim Robbins, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Paul Newman, the dark comedy, which cost $25 million dollars to make, only made $2.8 million dollars domestically.

Idiocracy (2006)

Is it a sign that we are headed toward a future devoid of intelligence, like this smart satire predicts, that such a film only made a little more than $444,000 on a $2.4 million budget? In reality, writer and director Mike Judge’s cult favorite, Idiocracy, was — as a retrospective by Uproxx recalls — the victim of extremely small distribution (only 130 theaters) and the lack of a fair marketing campaign to promote it.

The Iron Giant (1999)

Before he earned millions, and Oscars with classic Pixar movies The Incredibles and Ratatouille, Brad Bird made his feature-length directorial debut with an ode to ’50s B-movies called The Iron Giant. The underrated animated movie cost Warner Bros. $70 million dollars, but, sadly, it only raked in $23 million domestically.

Kingdom Of Heaven (2005)

Director Ridley Scott has helmed a few very successful historical epics in his day — such as Best Picture Oscar winner Gladiator — but Kingdom of Heaven, unfortunately, is one of his least profitable, taking in only $47.4 million on a $130 million budget. However, most fans agree that theatergoers saw the lesser version of the Orlando Bloom-led dramatization of the Crusades, as most prefer the director’s cut. 

The King Of Comedy (1982)

Even a master of cinema like Martin Scorsese has had a few flops in his day, with one of the least profitable actually being one of his collaborations with Robert De Niro: The King of Comedy. According to Esquire, the story of an aspiring comedian driven to crime to achieve his dreams had a budget of $19 million, but only made back just a little more than $2 million.

Mulholland Drive (2001)

David Lynch is one of cinema’s most inventive filmmakers, with most of his devoted followers citing the surreal Neo-noir thriller, Mulholland Drive, as his best film yet. Unfortunately, it is also one of his biggest box office bombs, barely making back half of its $15 million budget.

Office Space (1999)

Director Mike Judge’s Office Space is one of the sharpest, most quotable, and most beloved cult favorite comedies to come out of the ‘90s. However, people were not really showing the love in its initial theatrical run, during which — according to CNN — it made back its $10 million budget, but only profited less than a million.

Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping (2016)

The Lonely Island’s Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping is hailed to this day as one of the funniest movies of 2016, which is why it is still surprising that the $20 million movie only brought $9.6 million. Andy Samberg has said he was not bothered by the mockumentary-style music industry satire bombing, but he, Jorma Taccone, and Akiva Schaffer did tell Collider that its very “[Justin] Bieber-driven” marketing was disappointing to them.

Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World (2010)

While Edgar Wright’s visually stunning, cleverly funny adaptation of Bryan Lee O’Malley’s series of popular graphic novels might be his defining achievement, it is also one of his biggest commercials failures, making only $33.2 million on a budget of $60 million. However, the filmmaker has told IndieWire that he does not measure the movie's success on its box office results, and an upcoming Netflix original Scott Pilgrim vs. the World anime series shows the love for it is still strong.

The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

Writer and director Frank Darabont’s The Shawshank Redemption is one of the most beloved Stephen King adaptations, but not one of the most financially successful. Even with Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman giving powerful lead performances (the latter got an Oscar nomination), the $25 million prison drama made a profit just shy of $4 million.

Steve Jobs (2015)

Most critics and audiences favor the Aaron Sorkin-penned, Danny Boyle-helmed, and Michael Fassbender-led drama based on the life of Apple’s founder over the one with Ashton Kutcher from 2013, Jobs. However, making $16 million on a $12 million budget, that one was the greater financial success, as the $30 million dollar Steve Jobs only brought in $17.8 million, with Boyle blaming its “too wide, too soon” release when speaking to BBC.

The Thing (1982) 

Today, John Carpenter’s The Thing is considered a masterpiece of sci-fi and horror for its clever themes of paranoia and brilliant special effects, but it was neither a hit with critics nor audiences when it first came out, costing $15 million to make — according to Far Out Magazine — and bringing in just $13.8 million. Some of the cast and crew believe that the Kurt Russell-led film’s failure had something to do with the success of a more lighthearted alien movie that came out around the same time: E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.

Wet Hot American Summer (2001)

The cult favorite comedy, Wet Hot American Summer, boasts a packed, star-studded ensemble that some films would only dream of having…but only retroactively. The cast — including the likes of Paul Rudd and Elizabeth Banks — still had a few years before hitting the A-list and its lack of star power (at the time) might have contributed to its extremely low box office returns, bringing in only $295,206 on a budget of just $1.8 million, according to EW.

By surviving diminishing box office returns on the road to becoming beloved classics, these movies prove that slow and steady does win the race.

To be perfectly honest, the idea of time travel terrifies me because of the catastrophic circumstances I could cause by even the slightest alteration to the timeline. In fact, if I was ever given the chance to travel to the past, it would only be to prevent myself from watching the best time travel movies and be able to experience them for the first time with a fresh memory over and over again.

I do not see myself receiving that kind of opportunity any time soon but that is fine by me. Reliving the classic sci-fi movies below is still fun no matter how many times I have seen them.

The Back To The Future Movies (1985-1990)

Director: Robert Zemeckis

Starring: Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd

What they are about: An average teen goes on a series of extraordinary adventures in a sports car repurposed into a time machine by his scientist friend.

Why they are some of the best time travel movies: Arguably, the all-time best movies about time travel (or, at least, the most enduringly popular) are the Back to the Future movies – an exciting, funny, and inventive trilogy from Robert Zemeckis, and executive produced by Steven Spielberg.

How to watch the Back to the Future movies

Caddo Lake (2024)

Director: Celine Held, Logan George

Starring: Dylan O’Brien, Eliza Scanlen

What it’s about: A grieving young man and an anxious teen make a startling discovery about a lake in their Louisiana hometown.

Why it is one of the best time travel movies: Without giving away any more about this Max subscription-exclusive than I already am by including it on this list, Caddo Lake (despite missing out on one cool creative opportunity) is a cleverly crafted and deeply moving thriller from producer M. Night Shyamalan.

How to watch Caddo Lake

• Stream Caddo Lake on Max

The Terminator And Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1984, 1991)

Director: James Cameron

Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Michael Biehn, Edward Furlong

What they are about: A cyborg that resembles a human is sent back to the ‘80s to kill the mother of humanity’s savior, John Connor. In the sequel, another version of him is programmed to protect John as a teen in the late ‘90s.

Why they are some of the best time travel movies: When it comes to the best Terminator movies, most fans would agree that James Cameron’s scary original and its first sequel (one of the best action movies of all time) are the cream of the crop.

How to watch The Terminator and Terminator 2: Judgment Day

The Philadelphia Experiment (1984)

Director: Stewart Raffill

Starring: Michael Paré, Nancy Allen, Eric Christmas

What it’s about: Two World War II-era sailors from the United States Navy are accidentally sent decades into the future.

Why it is one of the best time travel movies: A time travel movie from the ‘80s you might have forgotten about is The Philadelphia Experiment, which is absolutely worth revisiting for its intriguing concept and suspenseful plot.

How to watch The Philadelphia Experiment

• Stream The Philadelphia Experiment on Plex
• Buy The Philadelphia Experiment on Amazon
• Buy The Philadelphia Experiment on DVD on Amazon

12 Monkeys (1996)

Director: Terry Gilliam

Starring: Bruce Willis, Madeleine Stowe, Brad Pitt

What it’s about: A convict from 2035 is sent to the 1990s to prevent the spread of a deadly, catastrophic virus.

Why it is one of the best time travel movies: One of Bruce Willis’ best movies involving time travel is the bleak mind-bender 12 Monkeys, which also features an Oscar-nominated performance by Brad Pitt.

How to watch 12 Monkeys

• Rent or buy 12 Monkeys on Amazon
• Buy 12 Monkeys on Blu-ray on Amazon

Safety Not Guaranteed (2012)

Director: Colin Trevorrow

Starring: Aubrey Plaza, Mark Duplass, Jake Johnson, Karan Soni

What it’s about: Three journalists try to learn the truth behind a man who put out a classified newspaper ad seeking a time travel companion.

Why it is one of the best time travel movies: While not your typical time travel movie, Safety Not Guaranteed (one of the best Aubrey Plaza movies) is a clever dramedy that has the power to thrill like any traditional sci-fi movie.

How to watch Safety Not Guaranteed

• Rent or buy Safety Not Guaranteed on Amazon
• Buy Safety Not Guaranteed on Blu-ray on Amazon

Time Bandits (1981)

Director: Terry Gilliam

Starring: Sean Connery, John Cleese, Shelley Duvall

What it’s about: A young boy becomes embroiled in a quest to steal artifacts from various points in history.

Why it is one of the best time travel movies: Years before making 12 Monkeys, Terry Gilliam helmed the far lighter Time Bandits – a quirky, surreal adventure that is also one of Shelley Duvall’s best movies.

How to watch Time Bandits

• Stream Time Bandits on Max
• Rent or buy Time Bandits on Amazon
• Buy Time Bandits on Blu-ray on Amazon

Synchronic (2020)

Director: Justin Benson, Aaron Moorehead

Starring: Anthony Mackie, Jamie Dornan

What it’s about: An EMT discovers the key to finding his best friend’s missing teenage daughter lies in a new club drug that takes the user on a truly mind-bending (and extremely dangerous) trip.

Why it is one of the best time travel movies: After making one of the best time loop movies with 2017’s The Endless, Justin Benson and Aaron Moorehead released their own version of a more straightforward time travel story with the conceptually unique and fascinating Synchronic.

How to watch Synchronic

• Stream Synchronic on Amazon Prime
• Stream Synchronic on Peacock
• Stream Synchronic on Tubi
• Buy Synchronic on Blu-ray on Amazon

X-Men: Days Of Future Past (2014)

Director: Bryan Singer

Starring: Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, James McAvoy

What it’s about: Wolverine is sent back to the early 1970s to prevent a dystopian future overrun by mutant-hunting robots.

Why it is one of the best time travel movies: While the X-Men movies have often been criticized for fiddling with the franchises’ continuity, X-Men: Days of Future Past – known for a breathtaking jailbreak sequence featuring Evan Peters’ Quicksilver – gets a pass, because changing the timeline is the point of it.

How to watch X-Men: Days of Future Past

• Stream X-Men: Days of Future Past on Disney+
• Rent or buy X-Men: Days of Future Past on Amazon
• Buy X-Men: Days of Future Past on Blu-ray on Amazon

Looper (2012)

Director: Rian Johnson

Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Bruce Willis, Emily Blunt

What it’s about: A mafia assassin hired to take out and dispose of targets sent from the future discovers that his career will soon be over when his next assignment is his older self.

Why it is one of the best time travel movies: Before he turned the whodunit genre and the Star Wars franchise on their heads, Rian Johnson dazzled audiences with Looper – an instant classic film noir movie that brilliantly fuses sci-fi elements into the mix.

How to watch Looper

• Rent or buy Looper on Amazon
• Buy Looper on Blu-ray on Amazon

Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure (1989)

Director: Stephen Herek

Starring: Keanu Reeves, Alex Winter

What it’s about: Two dim-witted California slackers are given a time-traveling phone booth so they can put together an A-worthy history project and their rock band can eventually inspire world peace.

Why it is one of the best time travel movies: Any other time travel movie shows why such an ability should not be given to just anyone but Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure – which spawned two non-non-non-heinous sequels – throws caution to the wind, resulting in a joyful and truly excellent crossbreed of science fiction and comedy.

How to watch Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure

• Stream Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure on Max
• Rent or buy Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure on Amazon
• Buy Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure on Blu-ray on Amazon

Donnie Darko (2001)

Director: Richard Kelly

Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Jena Malone

What it’s about: The lives of a troubled teen and those around him begin to unravel after he sees visions of a man in a creepy rabbit suit professing an imminent armageddon.

Why it is one of the best time travel movies: While its time travel element becomes most prevalent during Donnie Darko’s ending, the unique, bizarre, and complex elements of this cult favorite earn it a spot among the best high school movies of its time.

How to watch Donnie Darko

• Stream Donnie Darko on Amazon Prime
• Stream Donnie Darko on Hulu
• Stream Donnie Darko on Tubi
• Stream Donnie Darko on Peacock
• Buy Donnie Darko on Blu-ray on Amazon

About Time (2013)

Director: Richard Curtis

Starring: Domnhall Gleeson, Rachel McAdams

What it’s about: When Tim discovers the ability to go back in time runs in his family, he decides to use it to finally improve his luck with the ladies but not without making a few mistakes.

Why it is one of the best time travel movies: About Time is an irresistible, fantastic twist on the romantic-comedy movie genre and also marks Rachel McAdams’ second time playing a time traveler’s love interest (more on that later).

How to watch About Time

• Stream About Time on Netflix
• Rent or buy About Time on Amazon
• Buy About Time on Blu-ray on Amazon

Primer (2004)

Director: Shane Carruth

Starring: Shane Carruth, David Sullivan

What it’s about: A pair of engineers create a revolutionary device that proves to be more of a burden than a blessing

Why it is one of the best time travel movies: Former software engineer Shane Carruth broke into filmmaking with Primer – a time travel film that treats the laws of theoretical physics as a priority and is now cited as one of the brainiest sci-fi films of all time.

How to watch Primer

• Rent or buy Primer on Amazon
• Buy Primer on Blu-ray on Amazon

Hot Tub Time Machine (2010)

Director: Steve Pink

Starring: John Cusack, Rob Corddry, Craig Robinson, Clark Duke

What it’s about: Three aging pals, joined by the nephew of one, get to relive the prime of their youth thanks to the titular device, which they find at a popular ski resort.

Why it is one of the best time travel movies: Hot Tub Time Machine is a blisteringly hilarious throwback to '80s time travel movies by literally being a time travel movie set primarily in the '80s.

How to watch Hot Tub Time Machine

• Stream Hot Tub Time Machine (Unrated Edition) on Max
• Stream Hot Tub Time Machine on MGM+
• Rent or buy Hot Tub Time Machine on Amazon
• Buy Hot Tub Time Machine on Blu-ray on Amazon

The Time Traveler's Wife (2009)

Director: Robert Schwentke

Starring: Eric Bana, Rachel McAdams

What it’s about: A man’s involuntary ability to travel through time causes a strain on his marriage to the woman he loves.

Why it is one of the best time travel movies: Based on the book by Audrey Niffenegger, The Time Traveler's Wife is a cleverly imaginative, aspiringly romantic, and heartbreaking drama that convinces you that time travel is not all it is cracked up to be.

How to watch The Time Traveler’s Wife

• Stream The Time Traveler’s Wife on Max
• Rent or buy The Time Traveler’s Wife on Amazon
• Buy The Time Traveler’s Wife on Blu-ray on Amazon

The Butterfly Effect (2004)

Director: Eric Bress, J. Mackye Gruber

Starring: Ashton Kutcher, Amy Smart

What it’s about: A young man attempts to improve his and his friends' lives with his newfound ability to travel to the past but with increasingly horrific results each time.

Why it is one of the best time travel movies: Inspired by chaos theory, The Butterfly Effect posits the idea that changing just one element of your past will affect everything about your future, so you better choose wisely.

How to watch The Butterfly Effect

• Rent or buy The Butterfly Effect on Amazon
• Buy The Butterfly Effect on Blu-ray on Amazon

Avengers: Endgame (2019)

Director: Joe Russo, Anthony Russo

Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Josh Brolin

What it’s about: Years after Thanos eradicated half of the universe’s population, the surviving vigilantes figure out how to reverse his “snap.”

Why it is one of the best time travel movies: In addition to being one of the all-time best superhero movies and a grand celebration of the Marvel movies that came before it, Avengers: Endgame boasts a unique theory about time travel that allows it to stand out in the genre.

How to watch Avengers: Endgame

• Stream Avengers: Endgame on Disney+
• Rent or buy Avengers: Endgame on Amazon
• Buy Avengers: Endgame on Blu-ray on Amazon

So, did I cover all of your favorite time travel movies, or should I go back and try again?

Every once in a while, celebrity siblings - such as Ben and Casey Affleck or Dakota and Elle Fanning - end up sharing the screen together. Well, apparently it happens a little more often than just every once in a while, given the amount of examples we compiled below.

Jake And Maggie Gyllenhaal (A Dangerous Woman, Homegrown, Donnie Darko)

Oscar nominee Jake Gyllenhaal and his twice-nominated older sister, Maggie, are in three movies together: 1993’s A Dangerous Woman, 1998’s Homegrown (both were directed by their father, Stephen), and the eventual sci-fi cult classic, Donnie Darko, in 2001.

Jeff And Beau Bridges (The Fabulous Baker Boys)

Oscar winner Jeff Bridges and his older brother, Beau, also played siblings in The Fabulous Baker Boys - a 1989 comedy in which the titular musicians become rivals after teaming up with a beautiful aspiring singer (Michelle Pfieffer).

Kate And Rooney Mara (Urban Legends: Bloody Mary)

Kate Mara of the House of Cards cast led the 2005 straight-to-video slasher, Urban Legends: Bloody Mary, in which her younger sister, Nightmare Alley’s Rooney Mara, made her acting debut.

Sean And Chris Penn (At Close Range)

Future two-time Oscar-winner Sean Penn and his late younger brother, Chris (best known from the Reservoir Dogs cast) played siblings in the 1986 crime thriller, At Close Range, starring Christopher Walken as their criminal father.

Andrew, Owen, And Luke Wilson (Bottle Rocket, The Royal Tenenbaums) 

Owen Wilson and his younger sibling, Luke have also acted alongside their eldest brother, Andrew, in 1996’s Bottle Rocket and The Royal Tenenbaums from 2001 - both of which Owen also co-wrote with director Wes Anderson.

Chris And Luke Hemsworth (Thor: Ragnarok)

Chris Hemsworth has yet to star in anything with his little bro, Liam, but the Australian Marvel movie star’s older bother, Westworld star Luke, did show up in Thor: Ragnarok as a dramatized version of the God of Thunder, whom he is set to reprise (along with Matt Damon as “Actor Loki”) in Thor: Love and Thunder.

Dylan And Cole Sprouse (Various)

Twin brothers Dylan and Cole Sprouse (the latter of which went on to join the Riverdale cast) have shared the same role in several TV shows (most notably Grace Under Fire) and movies (such as Big Daddy with Adam Sandler) and have played siblings just as often, most famously as the title characters of The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, its spin-off The Suite Life on Deck, and 2011’s The Suite Life Movie.

Tia, Tamera, And Tahj Mowry  (Sister, Sister, Smart Guy, Seventeen Again)

Twin sisters Tia and Tamera Mowry have shared the screen with their little brother, Tahj, several times - most notably as guest stars on each other’s respective sitcoms, Sister, Sister and Smart Guy, and in the 2000 Showtime original movie, Seventeen Again.

James And Dave Franco (The Disaster Artist)

After years finding success in the business in separate projects, James Franco and his younger brother, Dave, played Tommy Wiseau and Greg Sestero of the infamous cult favorite, The Room, in the 2017 biopic, The Disaster Artist.

Hilary And Haylie Duff (Various)

Haylie Duff would appear on three episodes of her younger sister, Hilary’s, Disney Channel show, Lizzie McGuire, and provided the singing voice of Isabella Parigi in the theatrical spin-off before they both played a singing group on an episode of American Dreams, sisters in the 2006 rags-to-riches story Material Girls, and both leant their voices to the infamous animated movie Foodfight!, which was released in 2012.

Aly And AJ Michalka (Various)

Singer-songwriter duo Aly and AJ Michalka first shared the screen in the 2006 Disney Channel original movie Cow Belles as sisters, again in the MTV original Super Sweet 16: The Movie the next year as rivals, followed by three episodes of Aly’s CW series Hellcats in 2011 as half-sisters. Most recently, they appeared in the 2015 drama, Weepah Way For Now, as what appear to be fictionalized versions of themselves.

Dakota And Elle Fanning (I Am Sam, Taken)

Elle Fanning has portrayed a younger version of her older sister, Dakota, on two separate occasions: first in the 2001 drama I Am Sam and secondly in the Steven Spielberg-produced, Syfy original miniseries, Taken, in 2002.

Spencer And Abigail Breslin (Various)

Academy Award nominee Abigail and her older brother, Spencer, played siblings in both Raising Helen and The Princess Diaries 2: A Royal Engagement in 2004, played elves in The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause in 2006, and later played cousins in the 2014 crime drama, Perfect Sisters.

Jason And Justine Bateman (Arrested Development)

Justine Bateman played her real-life brother, Jason's, sibling in the 1986 TV movie Can You Feel Me Dancing? and a sex worker whom Jason’s Michael Bluth mistakes for his long-lost sibling on Arrested Development.

John, Joan, Ann, And Bill Cusack (Grosse Pointe Blank)

While beloved star John Cusack and his Academy-nominated sister, Joan, have appeared in more films together than most celebrity siblings can claim (including Say Anything… and High Fidelity), the only screen credit that they also share with both their sister, Ann, and brother, Bill, is 1997’s Grosse Pointe Blank, which John also co-wrote and produced.

Bill And Brian Doyle Murray (Various) 

Bill Murray and his older brother, Brian, are both Saturday Night Live veterans (although at different times) and have several classic movies in common - including Caddyshack, Scrooged, Ghostbusters II, Groundhog Day, and The Razor's Edge.

Ben And Casey Affleck (Good Will Hunting, Chasing Amy)

Years before casting him in his amazing directorial debut, Gone Baby Gone, Ben Affleck shared the screen with his younger brother and fellow Oscar winner, Casey, in Good Will Hunting (which Ben co-wrote with Matt Damon) and Kevin Smith’s Chasing Amy in 1997.

Macaulay And Kieran Culkin (Home Alone, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York)

Kieran Culkin (now more famous than ever since starring on HBO’s Succession) made his acting debut alongside his older brother (child megastar Macaulay Culkin) in 1990’s Home Alone cast as his cousin, Fuller - a role he would also reprise in the 1992 sequel.

Rory And Kieran Culkin (Igby Goes Down)

In addition to playing Macaulay’s younger self in Richie Rich, the youngest Culkin brother, Rory, also played a younger version of Kieran as the title role in 2002's Igby Goes Down.

The Wayans Siblings (Various) 

Where do we start with the Wayans Siblings? Well, for instance, several of them (such as Damon and Kim Wayans) were a part of the In Living Color cast with star and creator Keenen Ivory Wayans, who later directed his younger brothers, Marlon and Shawn, in movies like White Chicks, the first two Scary Movie installments, and Little Man.

Zooey And Emily Deschanel (Bones)

In Season 5 of Bones, star Emily Deschanel’s sister (Zooey of the Elf cast fame and later the lead of the New Girl cast) guest starred as Temperance Brennan’s second cousin, Margaret Whitesell.

Fred And Ben Savage (Little Monsters, The Wonder Years, Boy Meets World)

After playing siblings in the family-friendly horror film, Little Monsters, in 1989, Ben Savage made a guest appearance on his older brother, Fred’s, hit dramedy, The Wonder Years, in 1990 and later returned the favor by inviting him to the Boy Meets World cast for an episode in 1998.

Charlie Sheen And Emilio Estevez (Various)

After making several movies together - including Young Guns, Men At Work, and Rated X (the latter two of which Emilio Estevez directed), Charlie Sheen (née Carlos Estevez) reunited with his brother on an episode of his hit sitcom, Two and a Half Men, in 2008.

Vanessa and Laura Marano (Saving Zoë)

Both of these talented ladies had guest appearances on Dexter at different times in the series’ run, but Vanessa Marano and her younger sister, Laura, did appear together in the 2019 mystery, Saving Zoë, as siblings torn apart by one’s unsolved murder.

Nat And Alex Wolff (The Naked Brothers Band, Mr. Troop Mom, Stella’s Last Weekend)

Hereditary’s Alex Wolff and his older brother, Peacock’s Joe vs. Carole cast member Nat Wolff, both debuted as fictionalized versions of themselves in Nickelodeon’s faux rockumentary, The Naked Brothers Band, its series continuation, and the 2009 TV movie Mr. Troop Mom before reuniting in 2018’s Stella’s Last Weekend, which was written and directed by their mother, Polly Draper.

Vera And Taissa Farmiga (Higher Ground, At Middleton, The Nun)

Scream Queens Vera and Taissa Farmiga, who are often mistaken for mother and daughter, played mother and daughter in 2013’s At Middleton after Taissa previously played her older sister’s younger self in Vera’s 2011 directorial debut, Higher Ground. However, interestingly, their characters in the 2018 Conjuring spin-off, The Nun, have no apparent familial ties.

Maude And Iris Apatow (Knocked Up, This Is 40, Funny People)

Euphoria’s Maude Apatow and her younger sister, Iris, have played siblings in 2007’s Knocked Up, its “sort-of sequel” This is 40 from 2012, and 2009’s Funny People - all three of which also starred their real mother, Leslie Mann, as their mother, and were written and directed by their father, Judd Apatow.

Dan And Sarah Levy (Schitt’s Creek)

While Annie Murphy plays co-creator Dan Levy’s on-screen sister in the Schitt’s Creek cast, Café Tropical owner, Twyla Sands, is played by his real-life sister, Sarah.

Mary-Kate, Ashley, And Elizabeth Olsen (How The West Was Fun)

After Full House made the Olsen Twins, Mary-Kate and Ashley, household names and  before the Marvel movies made their younger sister, Elizabeth, an A-lister, all three of them appeared together in the ABC original TV movie How the West Was Fun in 1994.

Bill And Alexander Skarsgård (White Water Fury)

Years before his terrifying performance as Pennywise in It, Bill Skarsgård made his acting debut alongside his older brother, True Blood cast member Alexander, in the 2000 Swedish thriller, White Water Fury.

Blake And Robyn Lively (Simon Says)

Robyn Lively, star of 1989’s Teen Witch, shared the screen with her then up-and-coming half-sister, former Gossip Girl cast member Blake Lively, in a 2006 slasher flick called Simon Says, which also stars fellow ‘80s icon Crispin Glover.

Brian And Domhnall Gleeson (Mother!, Frank Of Ireland)

Despite plenty of years of experience between the them, it was not until 2017 when Star Wars star Domnhall Gleeson and his younger brother, Brian, shared the screen in Mother! before reuniting as co-creators and co-stars of the Amazon Prime original comedy Frank of Ireland - also starring their father, Brendan Gleeson.

Eddie And Charlie Murphy (Harlem Nights, Norbit)

Comedy icon Eddie Murphy worked behind the scenes a lot with his older brother, Charlie, who passed away in 2017, but the two would also share a few acting credits, - namely Eddie’s 1989 directorial debut Harlem Nights (also Charlie’s first movie), and in 2006’s Norbit, in which Charlie voiced a dog named Floyd.

Phylicia Rashad And Debbie Allen (The Cosby Show, Grey’s Anatomy, The Old Settler)

Phylicia Rashad and her younger sister, Emmy-winning dance legend Debbie Allen, have made guest appearances on each other’s shows - The Cosby Show, on which Rashad played Claire Huxtable, and Grey’s Anatomy, on which Allen plays Dr. Catherine Fox (née Avery) - and both starred in a 2001 TV movie called The Old Settler, which Allen also directed.

Ron And Clint Howard (Various) 

You can find Clint Howard in just about every movie directed by his brother, Ron Howard - including his feature-length directorial debut from 1977, Grand Theft Auto, which was also the brothers’ third time acting alongside each other after the 1963 film The Courtship of Eddie’s Father and a handful of episodes of The Andy Griffith Show.

Angelina Jolie And James Haven (Gia, Hell’s Kitchen, Original Sin)

Audiences probably remember Angelina Jolie’s brother, James Haven, better for other reasons than all the times he shared the screen with his younger sister - namely Gia and Hell’s Kitchen from 1998, and 2001’s Original Sin.

Jared And Shannon Leto (Various)

In addition to being bandmates with his young brother, Oscar winner Jared Leto, in 30 Seconds to Mars, Shannon Leto also shared the screen with him on a couple of episodes of My So-Called Life (on which Jared played the iconic Jordan Catalano) and through brief appearances in the movies Prefontaine from 1997, 1998’s Highway, and Sol Goode in 2003.

Chris And Scott Evans (Before We Go, Playing It Cool)

Former Captain America actor Chris Evans has a brother named Scott who has also appeared in two romantic-comedies from 2014 with his older sibling, called Before We Go (which Chris also directed) and Playing It Cool.

Sarah And Laura Silverman (The Sarah Silverman Program, Bob’s Burgers, Masters Of Sex)

Comedian and actress Sarah Silverman and her sister, Laura, played heavily fictionalized versions of themselves as series regulars on The Sarah Silverman Program, made guest appearances on Showtime’s Masters of Sex together, and have recurred on Bob’s Burgers as Jimmy Pesto’s twin sons, Andy and Ollie.

Kevin, Nick, And Joe Jonas (Camp Rock Movies, Jonas)

Back when they were the biggest thing to come out of Disney Channel, Kevin, Nick, and Joe Jonas played three brothers in a band not named the Jonas Brothers in the Camp Rock movies, and later played themselves to more comedic effect in their own sitcom, aptly titled Jonas.

Looks like talent really does run in the family.

An essential part of planning the perfect Halloween party is the perfect playlist of songs to put you in the right spooky mood, such as Michael Jackson’s “Thriller,” Ray Parker Jr.’s Oscar-nominated Ghostbusters theme song, pretty much anything from Black Sabbath, and “Day-O” by Harry Belafonte. That upbeat, 1956 Calypso hit may seem like an obscure choice, but I cannot help but think of Beetlejuice anytime I hear it, so it easily earns a spot on the list. There are plenty of other songs I might not have considered to play during “Rocktober” if not for their memorable inclusions in some of the best horror movies ever made, like this classic rock staple’s famous appearance in a classic slasher masterpiece.

“Don’t Fear The Reaper” - Blue Öyster Cult (Halloween)

Blue Öyster Cult’s signature 1976 hit “Don’t Fear the Reaper” was already pretty spooky on its own as a ballad about an ill-fated Romeo and Juliet-style romance. However, its airplay in 1978’s Halloween as Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) and Annie Brackett (Nancy Kyes) are unknowingly followed by Haddonfield’s own infamous “reaper,” Michael Myers, gave it an even more menacing vibe. The song would also make a reprisal in 2007’s Halloween - Rob Zombie’s remake of John Carpenter original slasher.

“Hip To Be Square” - Huey Lewis And The News (American Psycho)

There was absolutely nothing even ironically spooky about “Hip to Be Square” when Huey Lewis and the News released it in 1986. That all changed 14 years later when Patrick Bateman (Christian Bale) put it on and presented a sophisticated, in-depth analysis of the pop-rock single’s themes to a drunk Paul Allen (Jared Leto) as he prepared to bash his brains out with an axe. Lewis himself would later poke fun at this seminal moment from American Psycho in a hilarious video for Funny or Die that also stars “Weird Al” Yankovic.

“Looking For The Magic” - Dwight Twilley Band (You’re Next)

The ominous opening piano chords leading into the groovy celebration of unbridled optimism that is Dwight Tilley’s “Looking for the Magic” almost make it a perfect companion to the jet black comedy throughout Adam Wingard and writer Simon Barrett’s You’re Next. Otherwise, the 1977 tune is effectively juxtaposed into two scenes from the brutal and brilliant 2011 home invasion thriller - first in the cold open featuring horror icon Larry Fessenden as Erik Hanson and second when Kelly (Margaret Laney) runs toward Harson’s house (where the song has apparently been playing on repeat this whole time) only to fall prey to one of the masked assassins targeting her family.

“Day-O” - Harry Belafonte (Beetlejuice)

A more definitive, much lighter, and thoroughly inventive examples of some of the best horror-comedy movies is the aforementioned Beetlejuice. Exhibit A: when the recently deceased Adam (Alec Baldwin) and Barbara Maitland (Geena Davis) attempt to scare the Deetzes (Jeffrey Jones and Catherine O’Hara) out of their house by possessing them and their party guests with a dance to Harry Belafonte’s “Day-O,” concluded with the startling arrival of beastly hands made of reanimated shrimp. The Jamaican-American artist told Pitchfork in 2018 that he has since enjoyed the effect Tim Burton’s 1988 cult hit has had on his career.

“Surfin’ Dead” - The Cramps (The Return Of The Living Dead)

Another classic horror comedy heavily is the George A. Romero-inspired The Return of the Living Dead, which is famous for introducing the idea of zombies with a specific craving for brains in 1986. The film has a truly spectacular soundtrack as well, with none more appropriate to its theme than “Surfin’ Dead” - The Cramps’ otherworldly hybrid of The Beach Boys and the Ramones that plays when the cast desperately tries to barricade themselves from the corpses ruthlessly hunting them from outside the local mortuary.

“Goodbye Horses” - Q Lazzarus (The Silence Of The Lambs)

There is a subtle uneasiness within the synth-based melody of “Goodbye Horses,” sung by by Q Lazzarus, that makes its inclusion in one of the most discomforting moments from the 1992 Best Picture Oscar winner The Silence of Lambs a stroke of genius. On the other hand, the 1988 one-hit-wonder’s original writer, William Garvey, says the song is about “the ability to lift one’s perception above [their] physical limitations,” lending a thought-provoking commentary on sexual identity to the scene of Jame “Buffalo Bill” Gumb (Ted Levine) dancing in front of a mirror, despite the homicidal character’s unforgivably heinous actions.

“I Got 5 On It” - Luniz (Us)

There is a more explicit eeriness to the main melody of “I Got 5 On It” - the true meaning of which is debated in 2019’s Us when we first meet our family of protagonists while on their way to an ill-fated vacation. The 1995 single by rap duo Luniz makes a stunning reprisal in writer and director Jordan Peele’s sophomore effort as an orchestral remix during our heroine Adelaide Wilson’s (Lupita Nyong’o) final confrontation with her “tethered” counterpart, interwoven with flashbacks of their shared ballet career. 

“I Still Believe” - Tim Capello (The Lost Boys)

The cold open of Us also pays homage to director Joel Schumacher’s 1987 horror-comedy classic The Lost Boys, which also boasts a few famous scenes filmed on location at Santa Monica Pier. Said California hot spot is where Michael (Jason Patric) and his younger brother, Sam (Corey Haim), attend a concert performed by the buff, oily Tim Capello, who plays a mean saxophone on his original song, “I Still Believe.” It kind of feels out of place in dark, coming-of-age vampire story like this, but that is exactly why it remains a frequent topic of conversation among the film’s biggest fans.

“The Time Warp” - Cast (The Rocky Horror Picture Show)

The saxophone section is also pretty mean in “The Time Warp,” which is easily the most recognizable song from The Rocky Horror Picture Show - the mother of all cult films that was adapted from a hit stage musical and originally released in 1975. The smashing number - complete with its own elaborate choreography explained by Charles Gray’s “The Criminologist” in cutaways - is how lovebirds Janet (Susan Sarandon) and Brad (Barry Bostwick) are welcomed into Dr. Frank-N-Furter’s (Tim Curry) estate by its strange (but quite talented) denizens.  

“Bela Lugosi’s Dead” - Bauhaus (The Hunger)

Academy Award winner Susan Sarandon would later star in a more earnest (but equally provocative) horror film called The Hunger, which opens with Bauhaus performing “Bela Lugosi’s Dead” at a night club where vampires (played by Catherine Deneuve and David Bowie) are searching for their next meal. The gothic rock band’s haunting debut single, which pays homage to a horror icon best known for playing Dracula, perfectly sets the tone for the erotic, bloody tale of immortality that ensues in Top Gun director Tony Scott’s 1983 thriller.

“Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)” - Marilyn Manson (Trick ‘R Treat)

The otherwise whimsically funny and underrated horror anthology movie Trick ‘r Treat is not without its macabre eroticism - most notably when Laurie (Anna Paquin), dressed as Red Riding Hood for Halloween, and her friends undergo full transformations into werewolves before giving the predatory Steven Wilkins (Dylan Baker) his ultimate comeuppance under a full moon. The devilishly ironic twist in Michael Dougherty’s 2007 debut is complimented by Marilyn Manson’s “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” - a refreshingly unhinged, industrial rendition of the Eurythmics’ electropop favorite. 

“Blue Moon” - Sam Cooke (An American Werewolf In London)

An even more gruesome, but captivating, example of a man becoming beast occurs in John Landis’ An American Werewolf in London when David’s (David Naughton) misanthropic condition makes its furry debut with the help of some Oscar-winning makeup effects by Rick Baker. The soundtrack for John Landis’ 1981 horror-comedy classic is littered with on-the-nose references to the lunar event that causes the centerpiece transformation (from “Moondance” to “Bad Moon Rising”) but Sam Cooke’s rendition of “Blue Moon” serves as a masterful juxtaposition to the horror we see before us.

“Mad World” - Gary Jules (Donnie Darko)

While I do love a good juxtaposition (as many of my choices above make clear), I do recognize that nothing really ever beats a song that perfectly matches the emotional tone and central message of a pivotal cinematic moment. One of the most signature examples of this happens near the ending of Donnie Darko, after Jake Gyllenhaal’s troubled title “hero” goes back in time to prevent his survival of a freak accident, followed by a montage of the supporting characters seemingly experiencing deja vu of the alternate timeline created at the beginning of the film as “Mad World” plays over the soundtrack. Gary Jules’ stripped-down, piano-heavy cover of Tears for Fears’ meditation on existential dread is a gloomy, yet cathartic, release from the bizarre mind trip of Richard Kelly’s 2001 indie thriller.

It is funny to think of how only one of the songs from this list comes from a musical, until you realize that they are just not very many horror movies that are musicals. Well, with how many great musical moments we counted above (and how many more we also could have included), it seems like that should change some day.

Maggie Gyllenhaal is one of the actresses who immediately makes a movie more interesting as soon as she appears on the screen. There’s a look in her eyes and a way that she carries herself that makes it so clear that she is confident in her abilities and dedicated to her craft. Over the years, she has added emotional weight to movies like The Dark Knight, brought her signature charm to the likes of Stranger Than Fiction, and even found ways to the make characters like the one in The Kindergarten Teacher seem sympathetic. Each and every one of these roles is a testament to Gyllenhaal’s innate ability to bring characters to life.

But, when discussing the best Maggie Gyllenhaal movies, you run into a problem. No, not one where you have too few titles to talk about, but the one where you have so many great performances that it’s hard to narrow it down to just 10. But we’re up to the task and have put together a rather comprehensive list of movies and how you can watch them streaming and elsewhere.

The Dark Knight (2008)

Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight is often considered the best live-action Batman movie, and there’s a seemingly endless list of reasons to back up this claim (you could also make an argument for it being the best comic book movie of all time). The second installment in Nolan’s grounded and ultra-popular DC Comics trilogy sees Batman (Christian Bale) facing off with his most notorious adversary, the Joker (Heath Ledger), as the Crown Prince of Crime uses the city of Gotham and its inhabitants as some sick social experiment while also testing the might and will of the Caped Crusader, exposing the hero’s dark nature in the process.

One of these tests involves Rachel Dawes (Maggie Gyllenhaal), Bruce Wayne’s childhood friend and the woman who he was willing to leave the cowl and cape behind for. Gyllenhaal’s commanding performance helps add to the dilemma Bruce faces throughout the movie as he tries to win her heart while also protecting the citizens of Gotham. You almost forget that Gyllenhaal stepped in for Katie Holmes, who departed the franchise following Batman Begins.

Stream The Dark Knight on HBO Max.
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• Check out these Dark Knight Behind-The-Scenes Facts.

Crazy Heart (2009)

In Scott Cooper’s 2009 gut-wrenching romantic drama, Crazy Heart, Maggie Gyllenhaal plays Jean Craddock, a reporter and single mother to a four-year-old son who first meets country singer Bad Blake (Jeff Bridges) when she agrees to write a story on him while he’s in Santa Fe, New Mexico, on tour. What starts out as a friendly interviewer-interviewee relationship quickly turns into a sprawling love affair with the highest of highs and lowest of lows, the latter of which are mostly due to the washed-up singer’s alcohol and commitment issues. 

One of the questions that Crazy Heart sets out to answer is how much is someone (Maggie Gyllenhaal’s character) willing to endure in order to give a person a second chance at a career, with love, and in life. Gyllenhaal’s portrayal of a headstrong woman willing to fight for what she loves earned the actress an Academy Award nomination.

Stream Crazy Heart on Hulu.
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Buy Crazy Heart on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

Donnie Darko (2001)

Despite not making any waves at the box office upon its release in late 2001, Richard Kelly’s psychological drama, Donnie Darko, has become a cult classic in the 20 years since its debut. This mind-bending thriller follows a teenage boy named Donnie Darko (Jake Gyllenhaal) after he meets a strange figure in a rabbit costume known as Frank, who leads the trouble youth through a series of tasks before the end of the world (28 days later). One of the enduring qualities of the movie is the way in which it leaves the viewer to decide if what Donnie is experiencing is reality or a delusion brought on by mental illness.

And, it’s not just Donnie Darko who goes through a series of strange and troubling events over the course of the movie, as nearly all of the characters, including his sister Elizabeth (Maggie Gyllenhaal), must overcome one obstacle or another. By the time the Donnie Darko ending comes around, each and everyone in Donnie’s life is impacted by his decisions one way or another.

Stream Donnie Darko on Tubi.
Rent/Buy Donnie Darko on Amazon.
Buy Donnie Darko on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

Stranger Than Fiction (2006)

Marc Foster’s 2006 dramedy Stranger Than Fiction centers on Harold Crick (Will Ferrell), a lonely IRS agent who despite being great at his job has trouble finding happiness and meaningful relationships in his personal life. However, Harold’s life is forever changed when he discovers that his day-to-day activities are being written and narrated by Karen Eiffel (Emma Thompson), a novelist suffering from severe writer’s block who is trying to find a way in which to kill the man she thinks is a fictional character. 

This eye-opening (and maddening) discovery by Harold Crick brings about a change in his outlook on life. During this time, Harold also strikes up a relationship with baker Ana Pascal (Maggie Gyllenhaal), a woman he was auditing for the IRS before getting to know her on a more personal level. But with his impending doom around the corner somewhere, Harold comes to terms with his own mortality just as Karen Eiffel begins to have second thoughts about the ending of her book.

Buy Stranger Than Fiction on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

Mona Lisa Smile (2003)

Mike Newell’s 2003 drama Mona Lisa Smile follows a group of colleges students whose lives are forever changed when Katherine Ann Watson (Julia Roberts), a young professor, begins offering an unorthodox art history course at an all-women’s private university in the early 1950s. Through the course of the semester, students like Betty Warren (Kirsten Dunst) and Giselle Levy (Maggie Gyllenahaal), who are on the opposite side of just about every argument and philosophy in life, go through enormous changes that help them better see the other side’s views and accept each other on a deeper level.

Now, this isn’t to say everything is peachy with the characters explored throughout Mona Lisa Smile, because there are tough moments that everyone — teacher and students alike — face on their own personal journeys. But, through these struggles and life lessons, they are given a new perspective on life, love, and just about everything else.

Stream Mona Lisa Smile on Starz.
Rent/Buy Mona Lisa Smile on Amazon.
Buy Mona Lisa Smile on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

Adaptation (2002)

The 2002 dark comedy, Adaptation, which was written by Charlie Kaufman and directed by Spike Jonze (the two previously worked together on Being John Malkovich), centers on a fictionalized version of the screenwriter (Nicolas Cage) and his twin brother Donald (also played by Nicolas Cage) as the former attempts to adapt The Orchard Thief into a screenplay while the latter finds success coming up with a formulaic action thriller. Loosely based on Kaufman’s real experience attempting to adapt the cumbersome novel years earlier, the Academy Award-winning film is a fantastical and bizarre exploration of writer’s block, anxiety, and getting fulfillment out of life.

On top of the extraordinary dual-performance by Nicolas Cage, Adaptation features a remarkable cast that includes Maggie Gyllenhaal as Donald Kaufman’s love interest Caroline Cunningham, Chris Cooper in an Oscar-winning performance as John Laroche, Brian Cox as acting coach Robert McKee, and Meryl Streep as a fictionalized version of The Orchard Thief’s author, Susan Orlean.

Stream Adaptation on Tubi.
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Buy Adaptation on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

Secretary (2002)

Steven Shainberg’s 2002 erotic drama Secretary sees Maggie Gyllenhaal take on the role of Lee Holloway, a submissive young woman who works under the demanding and domineering attorney, E. Edward Grey (James Spader). What starts out as the standard employer-employee relationship slowly takes a turn toward the more sexual side as the two engage in a BSDM relationship, which turns into a twisted love affair. Not even Lee’s engagement to her fiancé Peter (Jeremy Davies) can keep her mind off the experiences she shared with Grey, causing a deep internal battle.

Maggie Gyllenhaal received a great deal of praise for her tortured performance upon the release of Secretary and was even nominated for a Golden Globe Award for her portrayal of Lee Holloway. She also took home several year-end awards from the likes of the Chicago Film Critics Association and the National Board of Review.

Stream Secretary on Showtime.
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Buy Secretary on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

The Kindergarten Teacher (2018)

One of the best movies on Netflix, Sara Colangelo’s 2018 drama The Kindergarten Teacher (a remake of a 2014 Israeli film of the same name) centers on Lisa Spinelli (Maggie Gyllenhaal), a teacher in a bit of rut both personally and professionally whose life is given new meaning when she discovers one of her young students, Jimmy Roy (Parker Sevak), is a brilliant poet despite not being able to write them down. What starts out as a teacher helping her student reach his full potential quickly turns into an obsession, one that forces Lisa to make one unethical decision after another.

One of the more complicated of Maggie Gyllenhaal’s performances, her portrayal of a teacher who gets carried away by her obsessive nature is truly something to behold here.

Stream The Kindergarten Teacher on Netflix.

Frank (2014)

Lenny Abrahamson’s 2014 comedy Frank follows the rock-and-roll outfit known as The Soronprfbs as they start planning out their debut album. Led by the mysterious Frank (Michael Fassbender), an odd frontman who insists on wearing a giant fake head, the band deals with the normal issues up-and-comers face in their pursuit of fame and fortune, including loads and loads of personal drama.

Michael Fassbender’s take on the enigmatic Frank is made all the better thanks to the supporting cast of characters that includes The Soronprfbs’ new keyboardist Jon Burroughs (Domhnall Gleeson), and Clara Wagner (Maggie Gyllenhaal), the singer’s most trusted confidant.

Stream Frank on Magnolia Selects (Amazon Add On).
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• Check out this list of the best movies on Amazon Prime.

Paris, Je T’aime (2006)

The 2006 anthology film, Paris, Je T’aime, features a collection of 18 short films, each featuring a different cast and and director, each bringing their own spin on the iconic French city. Maggie Gyllenhaal stars in “Quartier des Enfants Rouges,” a short segment in which she portrays an American actress who develops a crush on a local drug dealer who provides her with strong hash and so much more in the “City of Lights.”

Although Maggie Gyllenhaal's appearance in Paris, Je T'aime is brief, it's more than worthy of a spot on the list of her best movies.

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Hopefully this list helps you decide on which movie to watch when you’re looking to explore Maggie Gyllenhaal’s vast library of great film performances. But, in the event you are looking for something new to check out, take a look at CinemaBlend’s schedule of 2021 new movie releases.

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When I think of child actors, I have some of the fondest memories of them appearing in my favorite films and TV shows, from classics like Home Alone to Netflix series like Stranger Things. Some of those child actors turned into full-fledged movie stars, like Selena Gomez, Macauley Culkin, Daniel Radcliffe, and more, but one of the many I always think of first is Drew Barrymore.

An actress whose career has spanned decades, she has appeared in some of the most iconic films, like Scream, E.T., and so many others. If you’re looking for the best Drew Barrymore movies that are streaming right now, look no further than here.

E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)

In this classic Steven Spielberg film, E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial tells the story of Elliot, a young boy who befriends a stranded alien on Earth, and now makes it his mission to get E.T. back home to where he belongs.

Drew Barrymore’s first-ever role was in E.T., and there’s a reason why her career blew up afterwards. Not only was she adorable in the film, but her character is memorable and important to the plot, creating a wonderful sequence of moments that anyone can recall - including that famous scream at E.T.

Stream E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial on Peacock.

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Ever After: A Cinderella Story (1998)

In this version of the classic fairy tale, Ever After: A Cinderella Story has no magic, or fairy godmothers, or anything in between. Instead, it features a young woman in the Renaissance era, wanting to find a new life for herself, and needing to somehow save her own future from her evil family.

I personally love this version of Cinderella. While I do love the live-action Disney version, this one feels entirely more real, like something that very well could have happened in the past. Drew Barrymore was the perfect person to cast in this role, as she brings a certain charm to the character that I don’t think a lot of other adaptations have. And, the dresses and scenery are to die for, as well.

Stream Ever After: A Cinderella Story on Disney+.

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The Wedding Singer (1998)

In The Wedding Singer, Robbie Hart is a suburban wedding singer who gets dumped at the altar by his fiancee. He meets Julia, who he thinks is engaged to the wrong guy, and falls in love with her. Now, it’s up to him to make Julia realize how horrible her fiance truly is, and to convince her to be with him.

There’s a reason why Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore were in a couple other films together after this one. Their chemistry is some of the best romantic chemistry I’ve seen in a comedy, by far. They’re also so incredibly funny together, with some fun moments that will make you snicker and laugh so much that you’ll find yourself wanting to watch the film again for its jokes. Plus, the love-story is genuine - and the end scenes are worth the wait.

Stream The Wedding Singer on HBO Max.

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Charlie’s Angels (2000)

Charlie’s Angels is the captivating crime-fighting trio, who are the masters of disguise, martial arts, and the spy work. When a devious mastermind ends up getting them tangled into a plot that will hurt others, they, along with their sidekick, work together to take down the bad guys.

Let’s talk about Charlie’s Angels for a second - iconic. That is the best word to describe this cast. While we can appreciate the newer version, I will always love this cast. I mean, not only is Drew Barrymore a kick-ass spy, but her other co-stars, Cameron Diaz and Lucy Liu, are goddess spies as well. Bill Murray also adds an exciting comedic kick to the film, making it such an entertaining viewing experience. Can they be my crime-fighting angels again? Definitely one of the best movies on Netflix.

Stream Charlie’s Angels on Netflix.

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Boys On The Side (1995)

In this comedy drama, Boys on the Side follows three friends, played by Whoopi Goldberg, Drew Barrymore, and Mary-Louise Parker, who are on an adventurous cross-country road trip together.

I know that from the premise the movie sounds sort of plain, but I do think Boys on the Side has a certain charisma that a lot of other road-trip films don’t have. The three lead actresses have great chemistry and make you feel like you’re in the car on the road trip with them. There’s also a great story with a lot of heart that will most likely make you cry near the end, but I won’t say anything else. Just give this one a shot.

Stream Boys on the Side on Starz.

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50 First Dates (2004)

In this romantic-comedy, 50 First Dates follows Henry, a womanizing marine veterinarian who ends up falling for an art teacher named Lucy, but when he discovers that she has amnesia and forgot him a day later, he resolves to win her over on a new date, again and again.

I told you - Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore just can’t be beat. Their chemistry is just perfect and I will always be down to sit on a couch and watch them be in a film together. While I don’t think it was as good as their previous film together, I do believe that with the two of them on screen, they make anything work, and they do that very well with this film.

Stream 50 First Dates on Peacock.

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Donnie Darko (2001)

Set in 1988, the psychological thriller Donnie Darko follows Donnie, a troubled teenager who narrowly escapes a strange accident, and ends up having visions of Frank (a figure in a rabbit costume), who keeps telling him that the world is going to end in less than a month, and gets Donnie to commit crimes.

I do think that Donnie Darko is a bit of a brain-buster the first time you watch it, but that’s why it’s so good. It really makes you think and wonder what’s real and what’s not. While Drew Barrymore’s role was small in the film, it’s not hard to get wrapped up in her performance. Plus, the Donnie Darko cast is stacked with stars like Jake Gyllenhaal, Patrick Swayze, and more. Honestly, one of the best movies on Amazon Prime.

Stream Donnie Darko on Amazon.

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Never Been Kissed (1999)

Never Been Kissed is a popular romantic-comedy about Josie Geller, a 25-year-old, insecure copy editor for the Chicago Sun-Times, who has never been in a real relationship. However, when one of her undercover assignments leads to a possible romance, it sends her life for a spin.

This is definitely one of my favorite Drew Barrymore-led films. There’s something so sweet about the way she acts as Josie. She’s so innocent to the world but learns lessons throughout the film about love and what that means, even at the age of 25. She also just has great chemistry with the rest of the cast, especially David Arquette and Michael Vartan.

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Going The Distance (2010)

Another romantic-comedy, Going the Distance tells the story of a young couple who fall in love during one summer in New York City, trying to keep a long-distance relationship alive as she heads home to San Francisco.

Let me just say that the way they portray a long-distance relationship in Going the Distance feels very accurate, especially to someone who’s been in one, so you’ll most certainly feel that the story is relatable in many ways. But, both Drew Barrymore and Justin Long work very well as a couple, while also keeping up the comedy constantly. There are also so many stars, like Charlie Day from It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Jason Sudeikis from the Ted Lasso cast, and many others. Give it a shot if you haven’t seen it yet.

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Big Miracle (2012)

Big Miracle is a drama that is based on the 1989 book, Freeing the Whales. This film talks about the real-life story of Operation Breakthrough, a 1988 international effort to rescue grey whales trapped in the ice near Point Barrow, Alaska.

I do love seeing Drew Barrymore in comedies, but I have to admit that watching her in dramas like this is always a fun time because she’s excellent in them as well. Her, alongside other stars like John Krasinski, Kristin Bell, and more, bring a new story from page to screen that’s not only satisfying, but a great family drama that takes you deep into the sea.

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Miss You Already (2015)

Ya’ll wanna cry and laugh? Because that’s what Miss You Already does perfectly. In this comedy-drama, we follow two best friends, who have known each other all their lives, and what happens when their friendship is put to the test when one of them begins a family, and the other falls ill.

Okay, why aren’t Drew Barrymore and Toni Collete in more films together? They are absolutely phenomenal and I truly do believe their friendship, from the beginning of their story to the very end. Trust me - this movie does not shy away from wanting to make you cry, and these two give great performances that went way under the radar. You can give it the praise it deserves now.

Stream Miss You Already on Hulu.

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Scream (1996)

The beginning of an iconic horror series. Scream tells the story of Sidney Prescott, a teenager who lost her mother a year before a killer begins to target the girl and her friends by using horror films, taking them through a deadly game.

I think all of us know that Drew Barrymore wasn’t in the film for that long - she was literally just the opening sequence. But, that sequence is probably one of the most well-known opening sequences in film history, in my opinion. Anytime I think of Scream, I always think of either Matthew Lillard, or Drew Barrymore - and for me, nine times out of ten, it’s the latter. Even for the small amount of time she was in the film, she made an impact, and it will forever be a huge part of movie history, along with the work of the rest of the Scream cast.

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Drew Barrymore truly does have some awesome films to watch, from fantasy movies to dramas that will squeeze your heart. Whatever the case, you'll most certainly be entertained with whatever you pick.

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Academy Award-winning filmmaker Quentin Tarantino has turned his own film Once Upon a Time in Hollywood into a novel, following the somewhat forgotten tradition in show business of adapting cinema into literature as a marketing tool, as opposed to the more common reversed method. While the idea of expanding on the story of the exhilarating 2019 period piece in a book was already intriguing enough, it also does call to mind just how many other movies there are that have not been made into movie novelizations but perhaps should. That being said, the following are a few favorites that sound like perfect candidates to be given such treatment and we thought a couple of other classic Quentin Tarantino movies would be a perfect way to start.

Inglourious Basterds (2009)

This 2009 tale of soldiers and refugees targeting the Third Reich during World War II is already one of the most exciting and inventive twists on the historical fiction genre in recent memory. Plus, as one of the most sophisticated and engagingly complex narratives that Quentin Tarantino has ever crafted, Inglourious Basterds begs to be fleshed out in novel form (even at a runtime that nears three hours) especially for the chance to venture further beyond its revolutionary conclusion. Plus, since Samuel L. Jackson narrates the film, we already have the perfect choice to read the audiobook.

Pulp Fiction (1994)

Speaking of Samuel L. Jackson, his character, Jules, is just one of the many characters from Pulp Fiction whom I would love to learn more about in a novelization, which could be another anthology or a linear retelling of its increasingly intense interwoven stories. Plus, we already know that John Travolta’s Vincent Vega is the brother of Victor “Mr. Blonde” Vega (Michael Madsen) from Reservoir Dogs, among other connections to the rest of the Tarantinoverse. It would be fun to see those clues more widely realized in what could easily be another prime piece of pulp.

The Big Lebowski (1998)

Pulp detective novels (and their stoner friend, producer Jeff Dowd) are actually what inspired Joel and Ethan Coen to make The Big Lebowski - one of the best movies on Netflix at the moment - in the first place. Therefore, I think rephrasing the bizarre adventures of The Dude (Jeff Bridges) - involving ransom, mistaken identities, and tainted rugs - in a straight-forward noir-style narrative similar to Raymond Chandler’s The Big Sleep (another direct influence of the film) is too perfect and hilarious to pass up. If you think the much-celebrated dark comedy should be left alone instead, well, you know, that's just like, uh, your opinion, man.

Uncut Gems (2019)

I am of the opinion that one of the most exhilarating crime thrillers in the last several years is Uncut Gems, which many have argued almost lives and dies by Adam Sandler’s performance and his reputation as a likable comedic personality. As much as I agree that the former Saturday Night Live cast member is electrifying and brilliantly sympathetic as the otherwise despicable Howard Ratner in the film, I also believe that Josh and Benny Safdie’s story of a crooked New York City jeweler with a life-threatening gambling addiction is brilliant on its own. Transferring this cinematic equivalent of relentless tension to prose could be the ultimate test to prove if this theory is correct.

John Wick (2014)

Speaking of relentless tension, a film that masters the same emotions in a more fun and tastefully absurd way is John Wick, the first of three (soon to be four) instant classics that revitalized Keanu Reeves’ action career. I could not agree more that the fight choreography and stunt work is phenomenal - it helps that the directors, Chad Stahelski and David Leitch, are experienced stunt performers - but also find myself more intrigued by the world in which these conflicts take place and the underground network of assassins it hides in plain sight. I love how each of the John Wick movies have slowly brought more of this mythology to light, but would bet that one novel offering a more complete explanation of what goes on at the Continental and beyond amid the otherwise simple revenge story of the first installment would make an excellent read.

Donnie Darko (2001)

There is nothing simple at all about the story of Donnie Darko, the debut of writer and director Richard Kelly that stars Jake Gyllenhaal as a high school student haunted by visions of an apocalyptic soothsayer in a creepy rabbit suit in the late 1980s. Quite frankly, though, I love all the reasons that this cult classic remains such a transfixing mystery and would not change a thing, but would also love to know more about the supporting characters, such as the challenging Karen Pomeroy’s (Drew Barrymore) inspirations or how Kitty Farmer (Beth Grant) came to be so blindly and problematically overbearing. Plus, I think the amount of people who favor the Director’s Cut is enough reason to prove that fans are clamoring for Kelly to provide a little more insight into the unique world he created.

House of 1000 Corpses (2003)

Speaking of a unique world, say what you want about Rob Zombie movies, but the rock star-turned-filmmaker’s debut (a twisted tribute to the grindhouse movie era) is surprisingly layered with a mysterious and truly terrifying history at its coattails. Not to mention, at its core, the story of House of 1000 Corpses - about four young travelers stumbling upon a nightmare while in search of America’s most notorious urban legends - has much of the same raw, grounded brutality of a Stephen King classic. Also, Zombie himself has claimed to ScreenRant that he actually sees the film as a “calamitous mess,” so a novel adaptation would be a perfect opportunity to correct every “flaw, upon flaw, upon flaw… upon flaw” as he sees it.

Army Of The Dead (2021)

Say what you want about Zack Snyder movies, but I would actually call the director’s Netflix original hybrid of George A. Romero, The Dirty Dozen, and Ocean’s Eleven some of his finest work, if not his best ever (and I really do mean that). However, I can also empathize with critics’ frustration over the details that Army of the Dead introduces but to little avail, such as time loops, how zombies could reproduce, and what the deal is with those zombie robots. We could just wait to see how Snyder intends to answer these questions in possible sequels and the upcoming animated spin-off series, but if some would prefer to have those blanks filled now, I would say that a direct novelization is the way to go.

Fantastic Beasts Movies (2016-Present)

Speaking of filling in the blanks, a franchise that especially could use a novel adaptation to help better explain its plot is the Harry Potter prequel movies kicked off by Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them in 2016. Itself an adaptation of a Hogwarts textbook J.K. Rowling wrote for charity, the story (in just two of its proposed five installments) has evolved from whimsical creature features to fantasy crime thrillers with a dizzying amount of subplots that only a powerful spell could help the average muggle keep track of. I am actually surprised that these stories have started as screenplays and not books, which I think would be an even more sufficient way to present their increasingly complex story arc.

In the old days, novelizations were mainly used as a marketing tool, but as you can see, they can be quite useful for enhancing the movie going experience. Would you agree that a book adaptation of any of the movies above would be a good idea and, if so, is there one you would be most excited to add to your reading list?

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The world will finally get to see Zack Snyder’s Justice League later this week after a years-long campaign of fan demand made the seemingly fabled alternate version to Justice League an absolute reality. While it’s a pretty huge benchmark in modern cinema history, it’s far from the only “definitive cut” that fans have debated about on the internet. Everything from the existence of the materials to complete said cuts, to whether or not the alternate version was worth the time, have come into discussion. And because of subjects like that, the following director’s cuts have been in the public eye for some time, whether you can watch them or not.

Suicide Squad: The Ayer Cut

We kind of have to get this in first, because just like Justice League, David Ayer’s Suicide Squad was a DC Extended Universe film that was “ripped to pieces,” according to Ayer’s own words. Even the trailers for the film showed variations of tone and moments that were supposed to be in the film, but found themselves getting the chop. Fans pushed for Zack Snyder’s Justice League and now they seem primed to continue the fight for “The Ayer Cut” of Suicide Squad; with the director himself claiming that this is the cut fans should be allowed to experience.

Batman v. Superman: The Ultimate Edition

If it wasn’t for the public reaction to the theatrical cut of Zack Snyder’s Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice, we may not have had to wait so long for Zack Snyder’s Justice League. A film that was dunked on so hard in theaters, the release of an R-rated Ultimate Edition had some people even more wary of the film that had already been savaged several times over in popular culture. But the extra 30 minutes added to the film’s Ultimate cut allowed the picture to breathe better, and fans have time and again voiced a prevailing sentiment that the Ultimate Edition is the superior version. Then again, if you’re not a Zack Snyder fan to begin with, it seems a bit unlikely that evenJena Malone briefly showing up would change your tune.

Blade Runner: The Final Cut

All told, there are seven different cuts of Ridley Scott’s sci-fi masterpiece Blade Runner, and each one tells a story of how it works and how it doesn’t. But Blade Runner: The Final Cut is, as far as Scott is concerned, the one that properly fits his vision. The greatest contribution to the discussion surrounding this film is, naturally, the question of whether or not Harrison Ford’s Rick Deckard is a Replicant or not. And no matter what you think, Harrison Ford and Ridley Scott won’t be ending the discussion any time soon, as not even they can agree on a final verdict.

Star Wars: Original Trilogy Special Editions

The “special edition” revisions of George Lucas’ original Star Wars trilogy are probably one of the most hotly contested trios known to fans far and wide. That fire is only stoked further by the fact that you can’t officially get the “de-specialized” editions of those films, unless you spring for unofficial releases or pay an arm and a leg for their last issuance from the DVD era. Updated visual effects, as well as some questionable additions, make these Lucas-approved versions the black Bantha in the Star Wars family, leaving fans to hold out for hope that the theatrical versions of those films will see the light of day.

Donnie Darko: The Director’s Cut

Sometimes the added details of a director’s cut aren’t as universally acclaimed as some would hope. Richard Kelly’s indie hit Donnie Darko is one of those alternate versions that some see as a bit too showy for its own good. The largest difference between Donnie Darko: The Director’s Cut and its predecessor is the fact that the actual text to “The Philosophy of Time Travel” is revealed and explored explicitly throughout the movie’s course of events. Some feel that this new layer of knowledge ruins the open-ended beauty that reigned in this spooky, but bittersweet thriller. Meanwhile, if you were looking for the specifics of how the time travel works, and felt that the original cut was a bit light on details, the director’s cut felt like a deeper dive into a world you already loved.

Southland Tales: The Cannes Cut

While we’re on the subject of Richard Kelly’s alternate cuts, his cult favorite Southland Tales found fans longing to see the original version that competed at the Cannes Film Festival. Due to the deafening rejection of the film’s slightly longer version that debuted, Kelly cut the movie down, rearranged some pieces and added a bunch of exposition to fill the audience in on the cinematic universe he was (and still is) planning to unfurl. While the Cannes Cut is now available to fans, it’s not so much a definitive cut as a version that helps explain things a bit better. That said, even Richard Kelly himself is hoping to finally finish his vision with additional filming and some animated sequences.

Event Horizon: Paul W.S. Anderson’s Original Cut

When director Paul W.S. Anderson delivered his first cut of Event Horizon to Paramount, it was for a test screening of a film executives had never laid eyes on until that infamous moment. Containing gore and frights so extreme, some of the test audience allegedly passed out. Anderson was forced to cut the film by about 30 minutes, with the trimmings stored in a Transylvanian salt mine. While a VHS of the test screening version has been rumored to be floating around out there, Paul W.S. Anderson even admits that without some additional filming and de-aging, we’ll probably never see the full vision of the original film.

Alien: The Director’s Cut

Our last alternate cuts of distinction all come from the same universe, as the Alien saga has some rather interesting alternate editions in its history as well. Quite possibly the least controversial, and most widely accepted of the three, is 2003’s Alien: Director’s Cut. Director Ridley Scott actually made his 1979 film a minute shorter, with some tight editing, but also the inclusion of some moments that hadn’t made the final cut. The most notable addition is when Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) find Dallas (Tom Skeritt) in a Xenomorph cocoon, where he begs her to kill him in the name of mercy. It’s a chilling moment that makes a legendary film all the more memorable.

Aliens: The Special Edition

You could kind of say James Cameron was the Zack Snyder of Hollywood back in the ‘80s and ‘90s, especially when discussing the director’s work on the Special Edition of Aliens. With 20 minutes of footage being restored into the film, there’s a mixed attitude as to whether or not these additions really improve the film or not. On one hand, learning about Ripley’s daughter and seeing Sigourney Weaver’s protagonist have an emotional reaction is something people can get behind. However, there’s also a contingent of fans that feel the added scenes showing the lives of the colonists on Hadley’s Hope, specifically the family of Newt (Carrie Henn) ruin the air of mystery that was once present in the theatrical version.

Alien 3: Assembly Cut

If you thought we were going to discuss Alien franchise alternate cuts and not bring up the Assembly Cut version of Alien 3, then you’re sorely mistaken. One of the most stressful productions when it comes to the battle of studio and filmmaker, David Fincher’s personal hell making his feature film debut left him refusing to even take part in an official Director’s Cut for the Alien Anthology Blu-ray set. The Assembly Cut adds a lot of additional context that sets up the various prisoners of Fiorina 161, changes the animal variant that the Xenomorph mutates from in the first act and even reverts Ripley’s death into a Chestburster-free affair. It’s not the magic bullet that fixes everything back to David Fincher’s original vision, but Alien 3’s assembly cut is a definite improvement that shows what could have been.

Whatever the public reaction to Zack Snyder’s Justice League may be, it cannot be denied that the man’s vision will finally be presented once and for all. Now, everyone will be able to debate which version is truly better, where the actual failings of the 2017 film may be and ultimately whether or not the Snyderverse should be restored. Yet another exciting addition to the halls of these long debated alternatives is about to take shape, starting on March 18th with the release of Zack Snyder’s Justice League; which will be available on HBO Max, as well as various methods of purchase and rental. Be sure to check out the six-month prepaid subscription discount, should you not already have access to the platform.

At face value, a second film in the Donnie Darko universe does exist, courtesy of the obscure follow-up S. Darko. However, there are two caveats that prevent it from truly being called a Donnie Darko sequel: the film itself is subtitled as “a Donnie Darko tale,” and writer/director Richard Kelly had nothing to do with it. To get a proper Donnie Darko 2, we’re going to have to wait and see if someone bites at getting that idea off the ground and into production. Which is where the good news starts to kick in, as Avatar mastermind/universe builder James Cameron encouraged Kelly to actually start building his own continuation to that 2001 cult hit.

Richard Kelly has been in the news quite a bit recently, considering his last film released was 2009’s The Box. Though, for no fault of his own, that is partially because of several projects that were once in development falling through due to various circumstances. And as he told The Playlist, part of the business he’s been attending to could very much yield a Donnie Darko 2. This is partly due to James Cameron asking what happened to Jake Gyllenhaal’s Donnie after the film’s chain of fateful events, which kicked off the following story:

With a new Blu-ray of Southland Tales in stores now and the 20th anniversary of Donnie Darko approaching, it seems the best time for the enigmatic, but very busy creator to come out of hibernation. And Richard Kelly has been talking up a rather promising universe that he’s been building, one that would rival even the interconnected madness known as comic book franchising. All of which would hinge on the question that started it all: whatever happened to Donnie Darko’s eponymous anti-hero?

Last seen preventing a tumultuous tangent timeline from taking hold in 1988, through the act of self-sacrifice on the other end of a jumbo jet engine, Jake Gyllenhaal’s character died to save his little corner of the world. Through Donnie Darko’s final moments, we see his community mourn his loss, with some hints pointing towards those alternate events having made some sort of impression on the town of Middlesex, Virginia. As Richard Kelly loves to play with alternate identities and twin realities, we could see another version of Gyllenhaal’s moody teenager manifest himself in this reality. Or, in an even wilder twist, Donnie Darko 2 might cross into the realm outside of time and space, thanks to the knowledge imparted to him by Roberta Sparrow.

Shrouded in secrecy, Donnie Darko 2 exists in some form, kept under lock and key by Richard Kelly and awaiting a studio or production company to help it cross over into our world. Until that day comes, if it indeed happens, we’ll all just have to work on our own versions of what could happen. Call it kind of funny, or call it kind of sad, but the result is that thanks to James Cameron’s mini-inquisition, we may get to see the very, very mad world of Donnie Darko yet again.

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When talking about films with a cult following, 2001’s Donnie Darko is bound to find its way into the conversation. Originally premiering at the 2001 Sundance Film Festival, it almost went straight to home video before securing a last minute theatrical release. The film had a solid return at the box office for an independent film, taking home $7.5 million on a $4.5 million budget and spawned a sequel. It also helped launch the career of Jake Gyllenhaal, who was only 19 when Donnie Darko was filmed. In addition to the impressive cast, another Hollywood juggernaut helped the movie secure its place in cinema history. It turns out that Christopher Nolan (a fan of time manipulation himself), had a hand in securing a theatrical release in addition to giving one piece of advice that made Donnie Darko easier to understand.

Writer and director Richard Kelly recently revealed that Christopher Nolan and his wife played a pivotal role in making one change to Donnie Darko that had major implications for understanding the film. That idea?

In his interview with The Ringer, Richard Kelly identified Christopher Nolan and his wife as the brains behind the parenthesis in the iconic title cards for the film. That may seem minor from the outset, but fans of Donnie Darko may remember the film transitions over the course of 28 days, with a small parenthetical below the date letting viewers know exactly how much time is left before the world ends. It looks like this:

The defining parentheticals help viewers understand the complex time travel in the film, and the choices Donnie makes as he navigates the tangential reality he finds himself in. Although the ending reveals exactly what was going on throughout the film, it can easily leave viewers scratching their heads upon first viewing. Without going too far into dissecting the time travel of Donnie Darko, it’s clear that the small addition of time remaining for Donnie is a huge help in digesting the film.

It wasn't just the title card change that Christopher Nolan had his hand in. After failing to secure a theatrical distributor after the Sundance premiere, Richard Kelly invited Newmarket executives, Christopher Nolan and his wife to a screening. In his interview he mentions just how pivotal those invites were to finally getting Donnie Darko into theaters:

The suggestion by the pair worked and the rest is history, as they say. Unfortunately, Donnie Darko saw minimal marketing as it went to theaters just after 9/11. The trailer, which featured the jet engine crashing through a suburban home, was hardly advertised due to the similar subject matter.

Despite the lack of advertising, Donnie Darko saw success at the box office and on home video and retains its cult-following status to this day. Fans of Richard Kelly can revisit his iconic film for free on PlutoTV right now. As for upcoming film fare, be sure to check out CinemaBlend’s 2021 release schedule for the latest on this year’s movie slate.

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Greetings once again, fellow time travelers! No matter what corner of the continuum you come from, it’s nice to rejoin you all to talk about going from here to there in the then and now. Last week, we had one hell of a ride chronicling that very special corner of the MCU adjacent adventures of X-Men: Days of Future Past, and boy is my mind still recovering. My healing abilities aren’t as powerful as Wolverine’s, so it might be time to take things a little easy this week. Which is a good thing, as Donnie Darko’s tragic time travel tale is just waiting, like a spectre in a stupid rabbit suit staring back in the mirror.

Before we take off for this 1988 parable of time travel and small town politics, I’d like to lay down the usual business. While our commitment to Sparkle Motion might be questionable at best, we here at CinemaBlend love to make our way through the rules and pitfalls that come with time travel. So if you’re curious what other adventures we’ve tackled in the field, head over to our time travel archives and bend your mind with some of our finest flings. With that out of the way, let’s head back to a time when Michael Dukakis was a household name, motivational speakers were on the rise, and Seth Rogen was a creepy ne’er-do-well; all thanks to writer/director Richard Kelly’s Donnie Darko.

The Time Travel in Donnie Darko

Growing up is never easy, but living in Middlesex, Virginia in 1988 sure doesn’t make things any better. Donnie Darko (Jake Gyllenhaal) is about to learn that the hard way, as he’s accidentally stumbled into a chain of events that will define his community. And it all centers around him, and a batch of unique powers he’s about to acquire.

Who's Time Traveling

It’s not who, but rather what is traveling through time, in the events of Donnie Darko, as a jet engine that dislodges from a plane during the last act travels through a portal that Donnie manipulates.

From When To When

That jet engine is sent back in time 28 days, 06 hours, 42 minutes, and 12 seconds, from October 30th, 1988 to October 2nd, 1988.

The Purpose Of Its Trip

There is a lot of additional context and mythology built into Donnie Darko’s time travel methodology when digging into the content of the 2004 Director’s Cut. We don’t know it until the end, and by extension, the release of the Director’s Cut, but we’ve witnessed Donnie crossover into an unstable “tangent universe” that needs to be changed. Otherwise, a black hole will form that can wipe out the entire known universe, ending the world… in 28 days, 6 hours, 42 minutes, and 12 seconds.

How Time Travel Happens In Donnie Darko

Donnie Darko has two different levels of explanation when it comes to how time travel works in its world. The simpler version, presented in the theatrical cut, is that there’s an anomaly that allows the jet engine to drop from its place in time on October 30th, through a wormhole leading back to October 2nd. But there’s still a hint as to what Richard Kelly meant to do in his fully realized version of the film, as a scene between Donnie and his science teacher, Professor Kenneth Monnitoff (Noah Wyle), hints at the origins of said anomaly as follows:

In Donnie Darko’s theatrical cut, it all feels like it was destined to happen, almost as if it was a singular time loop that saw Donnie peer into the future, before choosing to sacrifice himself for the sake of Gretchen Ross (Jena Malone.) His girlfriend in the tangent universe, Gretchen unfortunately dies in an accident where she’s run over by a car, driven by Frank (James Duval), the man in the bunny suit who’s been nudging Donnie along the path of discovering the time manipulation at work. However, the Director’s Cut mythology lays this out a little clearer.

Through The Philosophy of Time Travel, the book written by enigmatic recluse/”Grandma Death” Roberta Sparrow (Patience Cleveland), a complex mythology is unraveled that details how Donnie was destined to die. Again, the version of Donnie Darko we see is technically from an alternate “primary” universe. In this version of the world, Donnie is imbued with powers that help him do what must be done in order to save the universe.

Can History Be Changed As A Result Of Time Travel In Donnie Darko?

History can definitely be changed in Donnie Darko, and that’s the entire point of the powers that have been given to Donnie. As he exists in this tangent universe, Mr. Darko is given special powers, which include abilities that let him see the future, as well as grant him telekinetic powers. All of which allow him to realize that he has to die, in order to ensure the primary universe doesn’t come to harm.

We watch the tangent version of events unfold in real time, from the night that Donnie is supposed to die (October 2nd) through to the day the world is supposed to end (October 30th.) So what we’re seeing is another classic example of overwriting the alternate chain of events, which in turn makes Donnie Darko feel like one big time loop between those two dates. The connecting force being the Einstein-Rosen Bridge wormhole that allows the jet engine to crash into Donnie’s bedroom; which presumably drops into his bedroom thanks to his telekinetic powers dislodging the engine in the first place.

What Are The Consequences Of Time Travel In Donnie Darko?

From what we see at the end of Donnie Darko, the main consequence of this time travel exercise is that Donnie’s death is predetermined. Were he to survive the event, Darko would not only cause a bunch of mischief at the urging of Frank, he’d eventually lose Gretchen to the fatal accident that sees her run over by a random Trans Am. By changing his fate, Donnie puts the world back on its proper course. Though the tangent universe version of events isn’t merely known to Donnie, who laughs as he’s about to meet his doom.

A montage showing various figures he’d interacted with throughout his tangent adventure, such as Professor Monnitoff, religious zealot/teacher Kitty Farmer (Beth Grant,) and motivational speaker/secret pedophile Jim Cunningham (Patrick Swayze), indicates that the moment Donnie dies, it’s felt by prominent figures in that other timeline. Even Frank is seen, without the injuries sustained by Donnie’s murder in the tangent universe, touching the part of his face that would have been shot.

While Donnie Darko saves his universe from a timeline of chaos and unraveled secrets, those events are still felt in some way. In the best example, we see Gretchen wave at Donnie’s mother, Rose (Mary McDonnell), the morning after the jet engine crashes. The two share an unspoken sense of familiarity, despite never having met, and it ends the film on a bittersweet, yet abrupt, note.

It’s A Very Very Mad World

Donnie Darko’s time travel isn’t very complicated, even when you take into account the Director’s Cut mythology that’s layered on top of it. Donnie sacrifices himself to save the world, and for the most part, no one remembers the reasons why. It’s not the happiest story we’ve covered in our time travel exercises, but it’s still a vital one that carries quite a bit of pop culture relevance. Though I can promise you, our next adventure will be a lot more of a blockbuster.

Before we reveal the next lesson in our series of temporal studies, I’d like to remind you all that you should feel free to email us with any other time travel adventures you’d like to see highlighted. We’re always on the lookout for a new and exciting story that lets us examine just how it happens, and why it’s so spectacular to behold. Which is something that our next examination into here and there in the then and now will cover quite greatly.

From the world of late author Michael Crichton, a master of technothriller suspense and excitement, comes a time travel tale that skirts the boundaries of what exactly constitutes as “time travel.” Brush up on your french, and make sure to keep your markers where you can find them, as Timeline makes its way into the CinemaBlend labs for our next dissection! And if you want to see the movie for yourself, it’s currently available on HBO Max for your streaming pleasure. If you’re not a subscriber already, you can sign up for a 7-day free trial today, and see what the fuss is all about. Until our paths cross again, we’ll see you next time, in the same place!

Gradually, Jake Gyllenhaal has become a dependable go-to actor for movies featuring entertaining and bold characters. Like many, I’ve enjoyed Gyllenhaal films for a while, but as the years have passed, he has really widened his capacity for delivering great performances. Gyllenhaal puts so much passion, quirk, and dedication into honing his craft and embodying his characters, you can’t help but admire and respect his work. Jake Gyllenhaal movies don’t follow a pattern--they vary in their themes, storylines, genres, styles, and so on--and that is because he’s an actor who doesn’t shy away from taking on any role and opportunity that presents itself, be it a super-villain or a journalist trying to catch one.

The Donnie Darko actor has been in over four dozen films, and he still manages to surprise and amaze his fans and critics. Many of those Jake Gyllenhaal films available to stream on various streaming platforms, including some of his best works (so far), as well as a few that are just fun films to watch. Here's a rundown of flicks that every Gyllenhaal fan should watch.

Nightcrawler - Netflix

In Nightcrawler, Jake Gyllenhaal plays Lou, a stringer who records violent and disturbing footage to sell to local television news stations. This disturbing drama also includes cast members Rene Russo, Riz Ahmed, and Bill Paxton.

Why Jake Gyllenhaal Fans Will Like It: I will go to my grave chanting Jake Gyllenhaal not only deserved an Academy Award nomination, but also a win for his role in Nightcrawler. That idea is up for debate, sure, but this is essentially Gyllenhaal’s best performance to date. Lou is such a creep, but he's also right up there with the all-time best movie villains. He is a scary, ruthless, and psychotic character, but you can’t look away, even while feeling increasingly uneasy while watching his twisted actions. What makes Lou so terrifying is that anyone who lets their ambition overpower their sense of morality could easily turn into him.

Stream it on Netflix here.

Donnie Darko - Tubi

With a soundtrack that leans heavily into the 1980s setting, Donnie Darko follows Donnie (Jake Gyllenhaal) after he receives a message from a mysterious rabbit figure that warns of an impending doomsday set to occur in less than a month. Donnie's behavior becomes increasingly strange and dark as he attempts to make sense of the impending end of the world.

Why Jake Gyllenhaal Fans Will Like It: Donnie Darko wasn’t Gyllenhaal’s first movie, and it was a dud at the box office, but it definitely helped his career take off after reaching a post-theatrical cult status. Donnie Darko is one of those wonderful films with so much to unpack, analyze, figure out, and discuss, showcasing a lot of narrative depth and no easy answers. Written and directed by Richard Kelly, Donnie Darko’s distinct style and the story is made even better thanks to the intense and relatable performance by Gyllenhaal.

Stream it on Tubi here.

Prisoners - Hulu

In Denis Villeneuve's heavy drama Prisoners, Hugh Jackman plays a father who goes on a mission to find his missing daughter, while Jake Gyllenhaal plays the detective originally assigned to solve the case. Viola Davis, Melissa Leo, Paul Dano, and Maria Bello also appear in Prisoners.

Why Jake Gyllenhaal Fans Will Like It: Prisoners is a really compelling crime drama that’s dark, heart-wrenching, and agonizing all the way through. It’s a very gritty film that pulls emotional punches at the right moments. Prisoners work so well because of the top-notch performances by Gyllenhaal and Jackman.

Stream it on Hulu here.

Spider-Man: Far From Home - Starz

Spider-Man: Far From Home is the blockbuster sequel to the 2017 flick Spider-Man: Homecoming. In this movie, Peter Parker (Tom Holland) goes to Europe for a class trip, but instead of merely enjoying a vacation with friends while trying to forget the events of the last two Avengers movies, Peter meets a new superhero from Earth-833 and gets invested in a dangerous new adventure.

Why Jake Gyllenhaal Fans Will Like It: Gyllenhaal is one of those actors who I prefer to see playing villainous characters or morally dubious antiheroes. Slight spoiler if you haven’t seen Spider-Man: Far From Home, but Gyllenhaal's Mysterio is pretty much a jerk, and not in the cool jerk way, but in the unnecessarily mean way. Yeah, he has maybe some justifications for going evil, but I’m still very bitter about what he did at the end of Spider-Man: Far From Home. Totally unnecessary and uncool, man, but still completely convincing and indicative of the actor's talent.

Stream it on Starz here.

Zodiac - Amazon Prime

The David Fincher-directed Zodiac focuses on the manhunt for the never-captured Zodiac killer. It features an ensemble cast that includes Gyllenhaal, Mark Ruffalo, Robert Downey Jr., Anthony Edwards, and Brian Cox.

Why Jake Gyllenhaal Fans Will Like It: David Fincher is great at creating crime dramas that leave audiences unsettled even after the credits roll. Zodiac is another unnerving Fincher tales that digs into this really interesting mystery that takes a reality-based approach to showing its characters during their journeys of self-discovery, and it’s not always good what they learn about themselves. Gyllenhaal plays Robert Graysmith, a man so obsessed with finding the Zodiac killer that it ruins his marriage, and audiences will likely have little trouble believing in Graysmith's fixation.

Stream it on Amazon Prime here.

Enemy - Showtime

Enemy, the second film in this list helmed by Denis Villeneuve, is about two men who are identical in appearance but showcase very different personalities. After one of the men sees his double appearing in a film, he becomes obsessed with finding him.

Why Jake Gyllenhaal Fans Will Like It: Enemy is a film that is not straightforward, and it's one that viewers may need to watch, rewatch, and watch again to understand everything that's going on, as well as the messages it’s trying to present. Enemy is similar to films like Mother! in that you may not get it first, but once you understand the concept, it's far easier to at least appreciate the uniqueness, even if the disturbing elements are still very prevalent. Enemy is also a great film to discuss with others to hear all the different interpretations of the plot and the film’s message, as well as Gyllenhaal's nuanced performances.

Stream it on Showtime here.

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time - Disney+

Based on the best-selling video game franchise, Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time is an action-adventure movie starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Gemma Arterton, and Ben Kingsley. In Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, Gyllenhaal plays a street urchin turned prince named Dastan who gets wrongfully accused of murdering the king, and must then go on an adventure to prove his innocence.

Why Jake Gyllenhaal Fans Will Like It: Gyllenhaal rarely takes on movies where he’s the lead action hero, so fans of the actor get to see him in a very different role from his norm. This is a big-budget action movie, so it’s heavy on the action sequences. If you’re a Gyllenhaal fan and an action adventure movie one, then Prince of Persia merges your favorite things, though one's mileage may vary on the final product as a whole.

Stream it on Disney+ here

End of Watch - Netflix

Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Pena star in End of Watch, David Ayer’s police drama about the day-to-day personal and work life of two South Los Angeles police officers.

Why Jake Gyllenhaal Fans Will Like It: End of Watch is a movie about true friendship and shows police officers in a more positive light than many grittier films in the crime drama genre. Gyllenhaal and Pena give endearing performances that make you appreciate their friendship and root for them. You enjoy watching them together with the same joy you would get watching your own friends interact, even if not everyone will appreciate all the body-cam POV shots.

Stream it on Netflix here.

Nocturnal Animals - HBO Max

Tom Ford directed Nocturnal Animals, an unpredictable drama focusing on art gallery owner Susan (Amy Adams), who receives a manuscript of a novel from her ex-husband Edward (Jake Gyllenhaal). As she reads the novel, she starts to regret her decisions while viewers watch Edward’s novel playing out the story of a man whose wife and daughter are murdered by a gang, which inspires him to go on a quest to avenge their deaths.

Why Jake Gyllenhaal Fans Will Like It: Nocturnal Animals includes standout performances from the entire cast, and Gyllenhaal is essentially playing two characters throughout: the real Edward who we see in flashbacks, and the novel version. The narrative is rich and allows each actor to really explore their characters' emotional dilemmas. Nocturnal Animals is a film that leaves an impression and keeps you contemplating what it all means long after the ending, which is fitting for a movie tied to the art world.

Stream it on HBO Max here.

October Sky-Starz

October Sky is a biopic about Homer H. Hickam, Jr. (Jake Gyllenhaal), a coal miner’s son who takes up rocketry. Chris Cooper and Laura Dern also star.

Why Jake Gyllenhaal Fans Will Like It: October Sky is one of Gyllenhaal’s first leading roles. It tells the story of a young boy who doesn’t compromise on his dreams, and it's filled with hope and wonder. Gyllenhaal guides audiences along Homer’s journey as he dares to take on a difficult challenge without giving up, no matter the cost. October Sky is a great film to watch during trying times, because it offers inspiration and a feeling that anything is possible if you work for it and believe in yourself.

Stream it on Starz here

Stronger - IMDBTV

Stronger is a biographical drama about Jeff Bauman (Jake Gyllenhaal), a man who lost his legs in the Boston Marathon bombings. The film follows Jeff as he adjusts to life without legs and deals with the trauma of the event, with a cast that also includes Tatiana Maslany and Miranda Richardson.

Why Jake Gyllenhaal Fans Will Like It: Stronger features great performances by the entire cast – I barely recognized Miranda Richardson here, as she was so good with her fake Boston accent. It’s also an interesting biopic in that it shows the hero fall down and down until he realizes that he has to get up and fight, and handles human behavior more realistically than many biographical films. Gyllenhaal takes viewers on a complete journey with him, where you feel a range of emotions, from anger to empathy and joy to frustration, before returning back to hope.

Stream it on IMDBTV here.

Brothers - Cinemax

Written by Game of Thrones co-creator David Benioff, Brothers follows soldier Sam Cahill (Tobey Maguire) as he returns home from the War in Afghanistan, where he was taken prisoner. After Sam is eventually presumed dead, his brother Tommy (Jake Gyllenhaal) steps in and helps Sam’s wife Grace (Natalie Portman) raise the kids and things of that nature. Of course, when Sam returns home unexpectedly, everyone is in for a whirlwind of emotions.

Why Jake Gyllenhaal Fans Will Like It: Tobey Maguire gives one of his best performances in Brothers, nailing all the emotionally raw and primitive moments, big and small. And while Gyllenhaal does have more of a quiet role, it’s just as captivating to watch him evolve from the screwup brother to a responsible and loving surrogate father. He also shows guilt watching Sam deal with his PTSD, as well as for his time with Grace while Sam was away. Brothers is intense but that’s what makes the performances, directing, and writing work so well in tandem.

Stream it on Cinemax here.

Jake Gyllenhaal currently has a few films and television shows in varying degrees of the production process. As we wait for more Gyllenhaal content, the films listed above are great for revisiting some of his knockout performances.

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Few modern comedic performers have willingly diversified themselves as consistently or as dependably as Seth Rogen does. The A-list comedy actor/producer is known to broadly experiment with various genres, styles, and tones, producing a number of outlandish comedies that don't always prove successful but showcase an incredibly passionate and commendably opportunistic on-screen personality. That tradition continues with his latest film, An American Pickle, which recently premiered on HBO Max. Though it should be noted that quite a few Seth Rogen movies are available to stream on several services at this time. If you're a Seth Rogen fan, hit up these movies!

An American Pickle (HBO Max)

An immigrant pickle factory worker (Seth Rogen) is accidentally brined for 100 years, waking up in modern-day Brooklyn and interacting with his great-grandson (Rogen).

Why It's A Good Option for Seth Rogen Fans: Much like its well-preserved generation-jumping main character, An American Pickle arrived on the scene a few years after it was originally intended, receiving a late-summer HBO Max debut opposed to its originally-planned theatrical rollout. While it's more off-kilter than what some folks might expect from Rogen's sophomoric brand, Brandon Trost's movie proves to be a richly funny, delightfully high-concept, and touchingly heartfelt exploration on heritage, generational divides, and cultural identity, specifically Jewish identity. The humor is gleefully absurd, but the focus is intimately focused on the two mismatched ancestor-and-lineage protagonists, both played by Rogen. As Herschel, Rogen gives one of his most soulful, wonderfully sweet-as-a-pickle performances.

Stream It On HBO Max here.

50/50 (Showtime)

A young man (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) is diagnosed with a cancerous spinal tumor with a 50-percent survival rate and fights the deathly disease accompanied by his crude-yet-supportive friend (Seth Rogen).

Why It's A Good Option for Seth Rogen Fans: While tragedy is often at the root of comedy, finding humor in something as serious as cancer is far from easy. Though it doesn't result in an easily marketable movie, 50/50 is, nevertheless, a surprisingly hilarious, emotionally poignant look at what one must endure when battling such a terrible disease — particularly at a young age — and how humor helps people navigate through it. This autobiographical slice-of-life dramedy is immensely benefitted by drawing from screenwriter Will Reiser's real-life account, allowing the story to be told in a grounded, emotionally resonant way, with Joseph Gordon-Levitt and producer Seth Rogen's believable buddy chemistry making 50/50 a total success.

Stream It On Showtime here.

Funny People (Starz)

A washed-up comedy star (Adam Sandler) returns to stand-up, aided by a comic wannabe (Seth Rogen), following a terminal diagnosis.

Why It's A Good Option for Seth Rogen Fans: Not unlike 50/50, Funny People explores the root of tragedy in comedy and the sorrow that's sometimes hidden underneath the laughter. While that gives Judd Apatow's third movie a moody undercurrent, the title isn't ironic. As observant and emotional as his other movies, Apatow produces a mature, reflective work with equal bouts of heart and humor, communicating the humanity that comes through in the best comedians' stage work. Adam Sandler's (possibly) meta performance got a heap of the film's praise, but Seth Rogen's commendably vulnerable performance is at the heart of this wistful, emotionally soul-searching dramedy.

Stream It On Starz here.

Donnie Darko (IMDb TV/Tubi)

A troubled teenager (Jake Gyllenhaal) is plagued by visions of a man in a bunny suit who promises anarchy and doom.

Why It's A Good Option for Seth Rogen Fans: Weirdly enough, Seth Rogen made his cinematic debut in Richard Kelly's disturbingly excellent feature directorial debut, Donnie Darko. As a class bully who picks on our moody title character, this early Rogen performance is a notably darker, meaner role than what we've come to expect from his affable brand. Nevertheless, considering how good the movie is, it's well worth your time, and it's intriguing to see where Rogen started on the silver screen.

Stream It On IMDbTV here and Tubi here.

Steve Jobs (Netflix)

A biopic covering fourteen years of Steve Jobs' (Michael Fassbender) life and career over the course of three pivotal days.

Why It's A Good Option for Seth Rogen Fans: Many comedic actors have been given their time to shine as dramatic actors. For Seth Rogen, that time came when he played Steve Wozniak opposite Michael Fassbender's titular Apple founder in Steve Jobs. Communicating the vast frustrations of a brilliant browbeat partner who does a lot of the work but receives little of the glory, Rogen gave an effectively and commendably nuanced performance worth celebrating. Alas, ironically, this portrayal was overlooked on the awards circuits over Fassbender's mesmerizing portrayal.

Stream It On Netflix here.

Pineapple Express (Amazon Prime/Showtime)

A process server (Seth Rogen) and his weed dealer (James Franco) flee from hitmen and a corrupt cop after witnessing a murder.

Why It's A Good Option for Seth Rogen Fans: This goofy, high-energy stoner action-comedy doesn't feature a screenplay that's as sharp, personal, or emotional as the one Seth Rogen co-wrote for Superbad, but Pineapple Express earned its wide audience appeal thanks to the easy chemistry shared between Rogen and James Franco, with the latter giving one of his strongest performances. With its amusing antics, decent action beats, and (naturally) weed-filled silliness, Pineapple Express became a defining movie for Rogen as an A-list comedy star/writer/producer.

Stream It On Amazon Prime here and Showtime here.

Kung Fu Panda 1 & 2 (HBO Max)

A bumbling kung fu-loving panda (Jack Black) finds his fate rocked when he's considered the all-mighty Dragon Warrior.

Why It's A Good Option for Seth Rogen Fans: Though bold to say, I consider the Kung Fu Panda trilogy is one of the best animated film series in modern animation. Infused with great heart, winning characters, wacky humor, and surprisingly impressive martial arts sequences, they're extremely entertaining, endearing family movies, and they're among the finest DreamWorks Animation movies yet. While Jack Black's giddy voice-work is the star, this butt-kicking franchise features a delightfully strong ensemble, including Angelina Jolie, Dustin Hoffman, Jackie Chan, and Seth Rogen. As Mantis, Rogen isn't given as many lines as his co-stars, but his signature voice is always recognizable — if strange to hear inside an insect.

Stream Kung Fu Panda 1 & 2 On HBO Max here and here.

The Disaster Artist (Netflix)

Aspiring actors Greg Sestero (Dave Franco) and the elusive Tommy Wiseau (James Franco) form an unlikely friendship, teaming up to make 2003's cult film, The Room.

Why It's A Good Option for Seth Rogen Fans: Making a movie about what's considered one of the worst movies of all-time is a risky proposition. Thankfully, James Franco's The Disaster Artist is an entertaining and poignant biopic exploring the collaborative process and how even the most terrible movies can become great art — in their own respective way. Much like Wiseau did on The Room, Franco directs and stars here. While it doesn't reach the same heights as Tim Burton's Ed Wood, which it's clearly evoking, Franco's commitment makes for a sweet portrait of friendship and dedication in Hollywood's always-uncertain seas. Likewise, Rogen produces and stars as Sandy Schklair, The Room's experienced-and-thus-belabored script supervisor.

Stream It On Netflix here.

Paul (HBO Max)

Two sci-fi loving geeks (Simon Pegg, Nick Frost) make an out-of-this-world discovery when they meet Paul (Seth Rogen), an alien outside Area 51.

Why It's A Good Option for Seth Rogen Fans: While it doesn't compete with their collaborations in the Cornetto trilogy, Paul is, nevertheless, a funny and charming sci-fi road trip buddy romp for Nick Frost and Simon Pegg (who also co-wrote the screenplay), aided by Seth Rogen's bubbling persona in a little grey alien's body. While broader and even more irreverent than Pegg and Frost's work with director Edgar Wright, the winning mix of genre spoofing, high-stakes action, and gleefully silly/winking jokes makes for an appealing package in this studio comedy, proving to be a consistently likable Americanized effort for this British comedy duo. Likewise, Rogen's animated alien performance fits well with his goofy, boisterous personality.

Stream It On HBO Max here.

Observe And Report (Netflix)

A mentally-unstable security guard (Seth Rogen) pursues a flasher tormenting female visitors.

Why It's A Good Option for Seth Rogen Fans: Jody Hill's incredibly dark comedy certainly isn't one for everyone. But as an unflinching depiction of its chemically unbalanced would-be cop, Observe and Report proves to be one of the boldest, balliest studio comedies in recent memory. It's also one of Rogen's strongest, most underrated performances yet, showcasing the vile menace behind this ruthlessly determined, entirely negligent character.

Stream It On Netflix here.

Zack And Miri Make A Porno (Netflix)

Lifelong platonic friends (Seth Rogen, Elizabeth Banks) decide to solve their money problems by making a porno movie.

Why It's A Good Option for Seth Rogen Fans: Despite its bold title and its cheeky marketing, Zack and Miri Make A Porno isn't as graphic as its eye-catching title makes it seem. Nevertheless, Kevin Smith's surprisingly conventional but amusing buddy movie/rom-com is as lewd and crude as it's sweet and sincere. Seth Rogen and Elizabeth Banks share appealing casual chemistry together, and it's an altogether decent studio comedy that comes together well enough.

Stream It On Netflix here.

The Spiderwick Chronicles (Netflix)

Based on the books by Holly Black and Tony DiTerlizzi, The Spiderwick Chronicles follows a group of children who discover a field guide to fairies.

Why It's A Good Option for Seth Rogen Fans: On the onset, The Spiderwick Chronicles looks like yet another young adult wannabe fantasy film franchise that didn't find Harry Potter-level success. While it's true that the movie didn't become as profitable as the producers hoped, it's surprisingly better than your average failed franchise starter — particularly thanks to the performances, notably from Freddie Highmore, as well as Seth Rogen, who voices Hogsqueal, a bird-eating hobgoblin.

Stream It On Netflix here.

The Interview (Netflix/Hulu)

Two journalists (Seth Rogen, James Franco) set up an interview with Kim Jong-un (Randall Park), only to be recruited by the C.I.A. to assassinate him.

Why It's A Good Option for Seth Rogen Fans: It's the comedy that nearly started World War III. While the controversy surrounding it overtook the narrative, it's a commendable high-concept satire in its own right, featuring another winning pair of performances from Seth Rogen and James Franco.

Stream It On Netflix here and Hulu here.

If you have a cable subscription, you can stream The Night Before on FX and This is the End on TNT. What's your favorite Seth Rogen movie/performance? Let us know in the comments!

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While there is still much we do not really know, or can really comprehend so far, about Tenet, one thing that is clear is how the plot seems to involve the reversal of time. Fittingly, yet unfortunately so, time really does seems to be going in reverse for Christopher Nolan’s latest mind bender.

Once again, the highly anticipated sci-fi spectacle has been delayed in response to COVID-19, but this time, Tenet’s release date is as much a mystery as most of its ambitious writer and director’s filmography and will remain so until further notice. However, that does not give heartbroken fans any reason to put all that time to waste. In fact, there are plenty of films of a similar theme, from Christopher Nolan and other filmmakers, that are available to watch on your favorite streaming services or through digital rental while you wait.

Of course, with a concept so unique and, as cast member Robert Pattinson put it, “unreal,” as Tenet promises, how could a movie that can appropriately fill its indefinite void already exist? I have 12 in mind you can stream or rent right now without any altering a second in the flow of time.

Inception (Amazon Rental)

Dominic Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio) leads a team of highly skilled thieves who specialize in extracting ideas from within their targets' dreams, but face the greatest challenge of their career when a former victim hires them to perform the opposite: the seemingly impossible task of implanting an idea into the mind their employer's business rival.

Why it is good to watch while Tenet is delayed: The plot of Tenet, and several other entries on this list alone, shed light on Christopher Nolan's fascination with the manipulation of time, but the Oscar-winning Inception sees him introduce the concept of the manipulation of the human mind in a more literal, unique, and visually striking way that is almost unprecedented to film.

Rent Inception on Amazon here.

Arrival (Amazon Rental)

A linguistics expert (Amy Adams) and a physicist (Jeremy Renner) are enlisted by an Army colonel (Forest Whitaker) to figure out how to communicate with a newly discovered race of extra-terrestrials in order to understand the reason for their earthly visit.

Why it is good to watch while Tenet is delayed: That in itself is a tricky thing to answer because Arrival, a most sophisticated alien "invasion" film from director Denis Villeneuve, is the kind of film that benefits from knowing as little as possible, but how Amy Adams' heroine comes to learn the Heptapods' intentions also allows her to see the world, and her own life, in a way that defies human limitation.

Rent Arrival on Amazon here.

Looper (Amazon Rental)

A young mafia hitman (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) whose targets are sent back from the future finds himself out of a job and in a great deal of trouble when he fails to take out his latest victim: his older self (Bruce Willis).

Why it is good to watch while Tenet is delayed: Like Christopher Nolan, Rian Johnson is a filmmaker who revels in complex storytelling and, like much of Nolan's work, Johnson's 2012 masterpiece Looper cleverly introduces new concepts that alter your perspective of time, while keeping you entranced by its brilliant, noir-inspired execution.

Rent Looper on Amazon here.

Frequency (MAX GO)

A hard-nosed New York cop (Jim Caviezel) is able to speak to his late father (Dennis Quaid) over HAM radio by some unexplainable phenomena that connects them across 30 years, a swelling reunion event which proves to have grave consequences.

Why it is good to watch while Tenet is delayed: Christopher Nolan has assured audiences that Tenet is not a time travel film and neither is 1999's Frequency, but it does involve a pair of do-gooders who take advantage of their ability to manipulate time in order to prevent tragedy, but unlike Tenet, it also happens to be a heartwarming father and son tale.

Stream Frequency on MAX GO here.

Rent Frequency on Amazon here.

Interstellar (Amazon)

To save a dying Earth, a former NASA pilot (Matthew McConaughey) is forced to leave his daughter behind by leading a team of explorers on an outer space expedition in search of a new planet for the human race to call home.

Why it is good to watch while Tenet is delayed: Amid its breathtaking, Kubrick-esque visuals and pre-apocalyptic themes, Interstellar is sort of like Christopher Nolan's astronautical take on Frequency, with the heart of story focusing on McConaughey and daughter (Jessica Chastain), separated by many years thanks to a wormhole, which is where the Tenet comparisons come in.

Rent Interstellar on Amazon here.

The Endless (Netflix)

After receiving a mysterious video tape, two adult brothers (Aaron Moorhead and Justin Benson) return to the cult they escaped years earlier, which soon evolves into an escape from a worse fate than they could have ever expected.

Why it is good to watch while Tenet is delayed: Here we transition from a pair of parent-child stories to the sibling relationship at the core of The Endless, which is another film I am not at liberty to go into specifics as to how it relates to Tenet, but do feel comfortable describing it as a unique, Lovecraftian nightmare that reminds you how short life can be, convincing you to be thankful for that.

Stream The Endlesss On Neftlix here.

Rent The Endless On Amazon here.

Insomnia (HBO Max)

A Los Angeles detective (Al Pacino) engages in a harrowing cat and mouse game with a clever murderer (Robin Williams) in the Alaskan town of Nightmute at a time when the sun never sets.

Why it is good to watch while Tenet is delayed: This is actually one of Christopher Nolan's more grounded thrillers that does not delve into high-concept science fiction however, in this American update of the Swedish 1997 thriller Insomnia, Al Pacino's Will Dormer suffers from a skewed perception of time and reality, like John David Washington's character must feel in Tenet, due to a string of sleepless nights during Alaska's Midnight Sun.

Stream Insomnia on HBO Max here.

Rent Insomnia on Amazon here.

Donnie Darko (IMDb TV, Tubi)

In the late 1980s, a troubled teen (Jake Gyllenhaal), his family, and others from his seemingly idyllic town begin to suffer from increasingly strange and traumatic circumstances, which he may be the key to stopping.

Why it is good to watch while Tenet is delayed: Christopher Nolan was actually an early supporter of this twisted, sci-fi take on the high school genre from writer and director Richard Kelly and probably admires it most for when the title character of Donnie Darko responds to the apocalyptic warnings of a creepy-ass rabbit with time travel as a potential solution.

Stream Donnie Darko on IMDb TV here or on Tubi here.

Rent Donnie Darko on Amazon here.

Deja Vu (MAX GO)

After joining a top secret program that uses an experimental method of surveillance to provide in-depth observation of past events, a New Orleans ATF agent (Denzel Washington) decides to take this technology to the next step in hopes of preventing a devastating terrorist attack.

Why it is good to watch while Tenet is delayed: When comparing Deja Vu to what we know so far about Tenet, it seem to me that when fans of this twisty sci-fi thriller from director Tony Scott finally Christopher Nolan's latest, they may experience some slight deja vu themselves, and not just because it stars Denzel's son.

Stream Deja Vu on MAX GO here.

Rent Deja Vu on Amazon here.

Memento (Tubi, IMDb TV)

A grieving insurance investigator (Guy Pierce) tries to find his wife's killer, despite a debilitating disorder that prevents him from retaining any memory of what took place just before.

Why it is good to watch while Tenet is delayed: Deja vu is certainly not something that the protagonist of Christopher Nolan's American debut has the luxury of in Memento, a brilliant film noir that cleverly puts the audience in Pierce's mindset by presenting the events in reverse, a method that, as previously established, is what Tenet is all about.

Stream Memento on Tubi here or on IMDb TV here.

Rent Memento on Amazon here.

Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind (Starz)

A man suffering from a crushing break-up (Jim Carrey) discovers that his ex-lover (Academy Award-nominee Kate Winslet) has undergone a procedure to erase her memory of him and decides to the same with his memory of her.

Why it is good to watch while Tenet is delayed: This is yet another film that uses reverse sequential order to tell its main story, but Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is, instead, about a man trying to forget his girlfriend, in this dreamy, hypnotic, and heartbreaking masterpiece that is, ironically, hard to forget.

Stream Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind on Starz here.

Rent Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind on Amazon here.

Mr. Nobody (Amazon)

The last mortal in a futuristic world of immortals (Jared Leto) recounts his life story to a journalist, who is unable to decipher which of the three, concurrent tales reflects his subject's true arc.

Why it is good to watch while Tenet is delayed: Jaco Van Dormael’s Mr. Nobody is an under-appreciated, multi-layered analysis of the lasting power of consequence that not only plays around with the manipulation of time, but also deals with where we come from when we are born, where we go when we die, and the concept is existing in multiple realities at one time, amounting to one of the most dazzling cinematic trips in recent memory.

Rent Mr. Nobody on Amazon here.

What do you think? Do these films quench your thirst for Tenet or do they only make your hungrier for more Nolanesque time manipulation? Let us know in the comments and be sure to check back for additional updates on the long-awaited, fantastic espionage thriller, as well as even more recommendations of what you should look for to rent or stream, here on CinemaBlend.

Christopher Nolan is known for reviving the Dark Knight’s cinematic presence with 2005’s Batman Begins. A little known fact has surfaced that he also saved Donnie Darko from a fate of obscurity.

In an interview with The Guardian, Richard Kelly, the writer and director of Donnie Darko, revealed that Christopher Nolan was instrumental in assuring that the 2001 cult classic, which melds John Hughes-style high school satire with dark, peculiar oddities reminiscent of David Lynch, secured a theatrical release. Otherwise, it would have been a (likely) forgotten TV movie.

Why was Donnie Darko burdened with such a troubled beginning and how did Christopher Nolan manage to help Richard Kelly get his film off of the ground? As if the world of Donnie Darko could not get deeper, let’s take a look at the movie from behind the scenes.

Donnie Darko’s Dark Beginnings

Richard Kelly was very early into his 20s when he wrote Donnie Darko in October of 1998, which explains its Halloween setting. Yet, the film’s cloudy philosophical messages and uncomfortable themes is what Hollywood seemingly found scary about it.

Donnie Darko stars a young Jake Gyllenhaal in the title role, a troubled, psychologically disturbed high school student in 1988 who begins to experience life-altering, bizarre occurrences that may or not be just his imagination.

Other than seeing visions of a man in a freakish-looking rabbit costume named Frank who claims the world is coming to an end, Donnie deals with his conservative parents’ conflicting ideologies, teachers threatened by his superior understanding of their own lessons, and a motivational speaker who may not be who he seems. That’s a lot for a teenager to carry on his shoulders.

Although its ambitious material nabbed a few well-known celebrities among its talented cast, including Patrick Swayze, Noah Wyle, and Drew Barrymore, Donnie Darko premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2001 to unimpressive results. Following “boos” at its initial screening, known distributors passed on the film feeling that a dark, violent story about a troubled high school student in a post-Columbine society was a recipe for disaster, as Richard Kelly recalled to The Guardian here:

Richard Kelly feared that Donnie Darko, his baby, was destined to be thrown out as a cable movie reject. That was until he got a second chance when Aaron Ryder hosted a screening of the film and invited the up-and-coming director of the last film he produced, Memento, Christoper Nolan, to attend.

Christopher Nolan Raves About Donnie Darko

Christoper Nolan, the man behind acclaimed classics like Inception and The Dark Knight trilogy, had made his U.S. film debut in 2000 with Memento. Like Donnie Darko, the brain-teasing crime thriller had an infamous history at Sundance with no distributor wanting to buy the film -- despite winning the festival’s Screenwriting Award that year.

However, Memento did secure distribution from Newmarket, which proved successful for the production company and put Christopher Nolan on the map as a filmmaker to watch. With Nolan having earned Newmarket’s respect, producer Aaron Ryder decided inviting the filmmaker to his screening of Donnie Darko might be the jumpstart the film needed to earn a life on the big screen.

Christopher Nolan responded very enthusiastically to Donnie Darko. The filmmaker knew just who to relay his rave review to, as Richard Kelly has also mentioned:

Newmarket agreed to distribute Donnie Darko theatrically on their own, raising $25 million to put the movie through. It was released on October 26, 2001, to widespread critical success. Yet the movie still dealt with disappointing box office results.

Shown on just 58 screens, Donnie Darko opened at just $110,494, which led to a grand total of $517,375 by the end of its theatrical run in April 2002. Many credit the film’s depiction of a commercial plane crashing into Donnie’s house near the beginning and its release just a month after 9/11 as the ultimate cause of its initial failure.

Fortunately, as one of the philosophical themes within Donnie Darko posits, “destruction is a form of creation.” Out of its supposed destruction in terms of the box office success, DVD sales created new life for Richard Kelly’s masterpiece.

Donnie Darko Becomes A Cult Hit

In a twist of ironic fate, Donnie Darko, a movie that almost went straight-to-video, became a hit on video. The thriller raked in nearly $10 million and piqued the interest of audiences who were fascinated by its inventive imagery, dark subject matter, and intelligent take on existential angst. It's still available in various home entertainment formats, and even a Director's Cut.

Donnie Darko is still a widely beloved and deeply analyzed cult hit, having been re-released to theaters twice since its debut, which finally allowed it to surpass its budget. It even spawned a 2009 straight-to-DVD sequel, S. Darko, which focuses on Donnie’s younger sister Samantha (Daveigh Chase), but neither fans nor Richard Kelly, who had no involvement with the follow-up, really prefer to acknowledge its existence.

Richard Kelly was praised as the David Lynch of his time at the time for his work on Donnie Darko. In fact, Donnie Darko, 18 years after its initial release, is still considered his masterpiece, especially since his career has not seen much success outside of it.

Richard Kelly’s follow-up to Donnie Darko came five years later with Southland Tales, an off-putting social satire that, like Donnie Darko, deals with apocalyptic prophecies and focuses on a bizarre cast of characters in perplexing situations. The film failed to match the critical reception, or even box office returns, as Donnie Darko, but has found some new life on video since.

Richard Kelly’s biggest box office success to date with more than $15 million, is 2009’s The Box. Inspired by a short story by Richard Matheson, the thriller stars Cameron Diaz and James Marsden as a desperate couple who will be granted $1 million dollars by the push of a button on a strange-looking box. The catch is that pushing the button will also kill a random stranger.

The Box failed to impress critics and did nothing to help revive Richard Kelly’s reputation in Hollywood. He has not returned to filmmaking since, but is still widely looked up to as the creator of Donnie Darko.

Donnie Darko is a film of great mystery, but now its greatest mystery is what would this acclaimed hit have become if not for the help of Christopher Nolan  -- of all people! From Donnie Darko to Batman, I believe it is safe to call Nolan a savior of some of cinema’s most memorable achievements.

Jake Gyllenhaal is one of Hollywood's top talents, and after a brief marathon of his movies it isn't hard to see why. He's played many different types of characters throughout his career, and in all honesty he's good in just about every single one of them. At least, he is in these ten movies, which are among the best that the actor has offered audiences over the years.

Good guy or villain, bad ass or teenage outcast, Jake Gyllenhaal is always great when it comes to entertaining. These roles rank among the best he’s ever done in his career, and are worth a watch for anyone who hasn’t seen one or two of them yet. These are the best movies when it comes to Gyllenhaal, and should be prioritized for any reader looking to get to know his work better.  

10. Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)

We’d be remiss to close out this feature without making mention of Jake Gyllenhaal’s debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. His role as Mysterio was perfect, especially for casual viewers who didn’t know his character was a villain all along. He remains my favorite villain of the Tom Holland era of the Spider-Man franchise, and his revealing Spider-Man’s identity was a catalyst to some big things in the following movie. 

9. Prisoners (2013)

Jake Gyllenhaal and Hugh Jackman star opposite each other in Prisoners, and it makes for a captivating albeit disturbing thrill ride. A detective investigating the disappearance of two girls leads to a father taking matters into his own hands. With the acclaim director Denis Villeneuve is getting for his work in Dune as of late, this is one of his movies worth revisiting for reasons beyond the subject of this feature.

8. Jarhead (2005)

Jarhead puts Jake Gyllenhaal in the shoes of former real life marine Anthony Swofford. For those who haven't seen it, this isn't the typical war movie, as it details one soldier's journey during Operation Desert Storm. This Jake Gyllenhaal movie captures a side of modern warfare from a unique perspective not often shown, and is only elevated in the respect that Gyllenhaal’s Oscar-worthy performance is heightened by director Sam Mendes and a great supporting cast.

7. Southpaw (2015)

In a ranked list detailing the best boxing films of all time, Southpaw probably wouldn't be super high. That said, this Jake Gyllenhaal movie has earned its spot here for a performance that generated Oscar buzz, and for how absolutely jacked he got for this movie. He's never in bad shape, of course, but this performance had to have sold a few people on him playing Batman someday. After seeing what Gyllenhaal would look like as The Caped Crusader, I’d be on board with it.

6. Roadhouse (2024)

Jake Gyllenhaal’s evolution into a jacked action hero really took off in Roadhouse, so much so that it didn’t take Amazon long at all to greenlight it for a sequel. It’s high praise for a movie that’s a remake of a classic Patrick Swayze movie, and it flourished with the decision to move the movie’s plot to Florida. Those looking for more balls to the wall action needn’t look any further, this is the definitive movie to check out from the actor.

5. Nightcrawler (2014)

Here's a Jake Gyllenhaal movie where the actor turns on the crazy, although his character in Nightcrawler is far more insane and sadistic than funny. Gyllenhaal plays Louis Bloom, a man determined to make a living as a tragedy cameraman in Los Angeles. The film and Gyllenhaal’s performance are bonkers from start to finish, but it doesn't really hit until that scene where he's laughing watching television and looking around and reacting to no one in particular. It also gets bonus points for being the best Gyllenhaal movie to watch around Halloween in my opinion. 

4. Zodiac (2007)

This Jake Gyllenhaal movie isn't more optimistic than many of the others on the list, but at least his character is more of the hero in this harrowing story that makes for one of the most sinister serial killer movies in America's history. Of the selections on this list, Zodiac is the one that best highlights Jake Gyllenhaal's ability to portray an obsessed character, which is often an element in his roles. See this one immediately.

3. Brokeback Mountain (2005)

No one should need a list to know Brokeback Mountain is one of Jake Gyllenhaal's best. Those who have gone this long without seeing it are making a mistake, and missing out one of the best performances of Heath Ledger's career to boot. For Gyllenhaal it's really on another level than any other role he's taken since, and absolutely one every movie lover should experience at least once. It’s wild that an A-List director passed on this one so many actors like Brad Pitt didn’t want to make this movie!

2. Donnie Darko (2001)

No disrespect to everything he's done after, but Jake Gyllenhaal's Donnie Darko remains one of his best movies with a mindbending ending. It features a much different performance than the characters Gyllenhaal would become later in life. It may not be the most groundbreaking performance the actor has ever given Hollywood, but it is the one that really set him on a path to be one of Hollywood's premiere names. In addition to that, it’s one of the more prestigious teen horror films out there, and even includes a surprising appearance from a young Seth Rogen. 

1. End Of Watch (2012)

The top Jake Gyllenhaal movie on this list, End Of Watch  earns its spot for the gritty story of two LAPD officers just trying to survive the crime-ridden streets. There's action, there's tension, and there are tear-jerking and terrifying moments. This movie is Jake Gyllenhaal at his best, and he looks completely in his element from start to finish. I’ll concede this is a mildly polarizing pick compared to what others may have as the top spot on their lists, but worthy of the top slot all the same.

We love Jake Gyllenhall at CinemaBlend, so of course we’ll be sticking around to see what he has coming up next. 

Welcome to another special bonus edition of The Cord Cutter Podcast! Today, we'll be discussing some of the notable new additions to Netflix in October, as well as going over some of the things that will be leaving the service this month. Netflix has quickly become the streaming service that people turn to when there's nothing they want to want on broadcast TV or cable, and they need something to watch. There are an insane number of options on Netflix, from classic movies and television shows to recent big screen hits and past seasons of current TV favorites and the growing wealth of Netflix originals in film, television shows and comedy specials. And, Netflix subscribers can't get enough.

As such, it's important to keep up with what's new and interesting on Netflix on a regular basis, since each month sees many new shows and movies hit the service, and several older offerings get ripped away from adoring fans. To that end, we'll be doing monthly bonus episodes to help you keep track of what you can (and can't) watch on Netflix when regular television stations let you down. By the way, make sure you bookmark our fall TV premiere guide and Netflix premiere guide so you can keep up with everything coming out in the next few months. Ready to dive in? Great! Read on to get the lowdown on this week's podcast and then listen for yourself above!

4:32 -Best Movie/Series To Watch In October (Stranger Things S2)

7:40 -Weirdest Title Added To Netflix In October (Penelope and Chris Brown: Welcome To My Life)

11:45 - What To Watch When Your Significant Other Isn't Home To Binge Stranger Things (Donnie Darko and I Love You Man)

16:10 - Best Scary Thing To Watch (Mindhunter S1)

19:06 - Best Film To Watch If You Get Too Spooked (Taledega Knights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby)

21:08 - Guilty Pleasure Film That Everyone Should Watch If They Haven't (Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood)

23:35 - New Season Of A Show Being Added You Gotta Check Out (Voltron: Legendary Defender S4)

25:14 - Something You're Upset To See Leave Netflix In October (Friday Night Lights, Love Actually, lots of TV shows)

28:30 - Something You've Never Heard Of And Now Want To See (Eagle vs Shark and Zumbo's Just Desserts S1)

31:28 - Worst Thing Coming To Netflix In October (Must Love Dogs and Haters Back Off S2)

35:15 - Best Show/Film To Watch For Childhood Nostalgia (Cult of Chucky)

41:52 - New Addition You Wouldn't Watch In A Million Years (Cult of Chucky wins again!)

43:12 - Other Noteworthy Additions (Boogie Nights, Miss Congeniality, Raw, Smurfs: The Lost Village, The Hateful Eight)

Now, get in on the fun and have a listen to The Cord Cutter Podcast #15! Join us next time when we talk about all the Stephen King based projects available to watch on streaming platforms, and place a special spotlight on the new Netflix film Gerald's Game! And, be sure to subscribe to The Cord Cutter podcast on iTunes, right here!

The month of September is leaving us, and with it, many old favorites and hidden gems on the Netflix streaming library are departing, too. And yet, the stuff that's coming in the door to replace the outgoing crew is just as spectacular, if not more so. In particular, we have some returning favorites, a couple of proper Halloween season thrills and some long overdue house guests that we've been waiting to put in our queue. So fire up your streaming device of choice and make some room for the following titles.

Before Midnight

A little warning before we move forward with this one: Before Midnight is the third in Richard Linklater's trilogy of films surrounding Ethan Hawke's Jesse and Julie Delpy's Celine. So if you haven't seen Before Sunrise or Before Sunset, then you'll probably be a little lost. Still, Richard Linklater's tale of a couple examining their relationship years down the line doesn't seem all that inaccessible for folks new to the fray. And as always, Hawke and Delpy's double team of sweetness and combativeness is something that has always been hard to replicate outside of this special series of films. If you happen to enjoy Before Midnight, then you'll know what the next two films you have to watch happen to be.

Blood Diamond

While Leonardo DiCaprio had been working towards winning an Oscar for a little over 20 years before he eventually won for The Revenant, some of the films along the way deserve just as much, if not a bit more, recognition than the one that landed him the win. Blood Diamond continued the streak, as it teamed DiCaprio with Djimon Hounsou in a particularly exciting action-drama set in the world of conflict diamonds. While Leo naturally shines in this film, it's Hounsou who really helps give the film a soul as a man who is separated from his family and must engage in the trade that drove them apart in order to have any hope of returning to them.

Eyes Wide Shut

While Eyes Wide Shut is more of a relationship drama when all is said and done, it's Stanley Kubrick's approach to the whole affair that makes his final film an unsung masterpiece of un-officially classified horror. The imagery behind a lot of the moments shown in this sex-charged thriller is downright creepy, and yet rather than repulse its audience, it only draws them in further. Though there's also an added dimension of bittersweet reality, as while Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman's marriage on screen looks like it might have a chance, they would eventually divorce two years after the film was released. Whether that adds or detracts to the experience is up to you, as you'll more than likely discuss this film with whomever you watch it with over a night of coffee and intense questioning. Just don't forget to enjoy the movie.

Tommy Boy

One has to wonder that if Chris Farley were still living today, would he and David Spade had the same sort of track record as Adam Sandler? With Tommy Boy starting the pair off on the road to the sort of success Bing Crosby and Bob Hope once enjoyed, it's easy to imagine a slew of road trip films that would have played similar to this one, and its follow up Black Sheep. Yet it's Tommy Boy that's the true gem of the format, as the duo were firing on all cylinders while attempting to sell auto parts across the open roads of the United States.

Raw

The words "French indie horror" sound like something that might scare you, simply because it's shorthand for that friend of yours who can't shut up about the genre. Yet that's exactly the bucket Raw would fall into, as it lives up to all three qualifiers in spades. Julia Ducournau's writing/directing hand leads this tale of a vegetarian going to veterinary college, and the life experiences she has after being forced to eat meat. On the surface, that sounds pretty boring, but when those experiences happen to occur on the slippery slope to full blown cannibalism, that tends to amp up the urgency, and the blood, you'll be seeing throughout the film. Obviously if you're uber-squeamish, you should give this one a hard pass; but if you're a gore hound, you'll probably find pieces of Raw that are a little too creepy even for you. Bon appetite!

Donnie Darko

When you make a debut that's so iconic it takes on a life of its own, almost everything that follows gets unfairly put down. Richard Kelly is someone who has suffered that very fate, as Donnie Darko was such a revelation received as gospel upon its debut that his follow-up films, Southland Tales and The Box, feel like they never had a chance. The merit of those films can be debated another time, but Darko's influence on how those films were received is undeniable, as this was one of the premiere indie darlings at the turn of the millennium. Before Stranger Things or even IT tried to bring back that 80s feeling to a more contemporary horror/thriller, Donnie Darko pioneered that execution, and it's not hard to see why it worked.

Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby

A long time ago, it was rumored that Will Ferrell was going to make a complete trilogy of films with a protagonist whose name would be initialled "RB". Those rumors turned out to be complete bunk, and it's a damned shame considering Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby carried that unofficial torch brightly after Anchorman lit it two years prior. A NASCAR-fueled comedy that pokes fun at, yet lovingly nudges, the sport it's focused on. This is one of the films in Ferrell's canon that tends to get stuck between the darlings and disasters that make up his filmography, and unfairly so, as it's as fast as it is funny.

Meet The Robinsons

The more that Disney tries to make Frozen its new flagship, the more some of their less trumpeted successes start to come out of the woodwork. Case in point: Meet The Robinsons is about to head over to Netflix, and while it's not as widely remembered as the more recent Scandinavian-themed fairy tale, it could be considered a superior Disney film. Between the memorable jokes, fun inclusion of musical moments and time travel, as well as a dinosaur being controlled by a bowler hat, Meet The Robinsons makes its fun nature well known to all. But mix in the classic Disney values of family first, and some really beautiful sentiment about just what family means, and you have a movie worthy of a long amusement park wait.

The Hateful Eight

Quentin Tarantino's The Hateful Eight blew folks out of the water when it premiered in theaters towards the end of 2015. And yet, it's taken the film this long to hit Netflix, which is especially upsetting when you figure out most of his films are still currently being streamed. So if you've put off watching this bloody and balls out stage play of a film, your excuse count just went extremely low. And what's better, you'll be able to rewind at your leisure, which will definitely come in handy at a particularly extreme part towards the middle of the film. We won't say which part, and to you folks at home revisiting this fantastic film, please don't spoil it. Just sit your wayward friends down, start the movie and watch their faces when that scene happens.

Netflix has always been pretty good at keeping things fresh and exciting with its streaming line-up. What's the secret? Apparently, a good dose of purging and acquiring titles for the streaming catalog. Which leads us to the usual announcement of next month's acquisitions in Netflix-land, and October's incoming titles are so good they make September look like August. Of course, we have to warn that these titles are subject to change, so keep an eye out in your queue for specific titles and their availability. Now, without further delay, let's see what Netflix is sending our way just in time for Oktoberfest!

Week of 10/1/17

88 Minutes -- 10/1/17

A Cinderella Story: Once Upon a Song -- 10/1/17

Before Midnight -- 10/1/17

Blood Diamond -- 10/1/17

Boogie Nights -- 10/1/17

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory -- 10/1/17

Cleverman: Season 2 -- 10/1/17

Death Sentence -- 10/1/17

Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood -- 10/1/17

Eagle vs. Shark -- 10/1/17

Eyes Wide Shut -- 10/1/17

Generation Iron 2 -- 10/1/17

Ghost Patrol -- 10/1/17

I Love You, Man -- 10/1/17

Ice Guardians -- 10/1/17

Lockup: Disturbing the Peace: Collection 1 -- 10/1/17

Made of Honor -- 10/1/17

Miss Congeniality -- 10/1/17

Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous -- 10/1/17

Must Love Dogs -- 10/1/17

Never Let Me Go -- 10/1/17

No Reservations -- 10/1/17

Penelope -- 10/1/17

PJ Masks: Season 1 -- 10/1/17

Set Up -- 10/1/17

The Reaping -- 10/1/17

Tokyo Idols -- 10/1/17

Tommy Boy -- 10/1/17

Vanished -- 10/1/17

Veronica -- 10/1/17

Mr. Dynamite: The Rise of James Brown -- 10/2/17

Sleeping with Other People -- 10/2/17

13 Demons -- 10/3/17

Rodney Carrington: Here Comes The Truth -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL -- 10/3/17

Cult of Chucky -- 10/3/17

The Survivalist -- 10/3/17

Raw -- 10/4/17

Bonus Family (Bonusfamiljen): Season 1 -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL -- 10/5/17

Schitt's Creek: Season 3 -- 10/5/17

The Fosters: Season 5 -- 10/5/17

ID-0: Season 1 -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL -- 10/6/17

Skylanders Academy: Season 2 -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL -- 10/6/17

Suburra: Season 1 -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL -- 10/6/17

The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL -- 10/6/17

Word Party: Season 3 -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL -- 10/6/17

Chris Brown: Welcome To My Life -- 10/7/17

Middle Man -- 10/7/17

Week of 10/8/17

Christina P: Mother Inferior -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL -- 10/10/17

The Skyjacker's Tale-- 10/10/17

Donnie Darko -- 10/10/17

Fe de etarras -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL FILM -- 10/12/17

El Especial de Alex Fernández, el Especial -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL -- 10/13/17

Kingdom of Us -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL -- 10/13/17

MINDHUNTER: Season 1 -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL-- 10/13/17

Super Monsters: Season 1 -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL -- 10/13/17

Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby-- 10/13/17

The Babysitter -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL FILM -- 10/13/17

The Meyerowitz Stories (New and Selected) -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL FILM -- 10/13/17

Voltron: Legendary Defender: Season 4 -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL -- 10/13/17

Week of 10/15/17

Belief: The Possession of Janet Moses -- 10/15/17

LEGO: City: Season 1 -- 10/15/17

Money -- 10/15/17

OtherLife -- 10/15/17

She Makes Comics -- 10/15/17

West Coast Customs: Season 6 -- 10/15/17

Patton Oswalt: Annihilation -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL -- 10/17/17

Slasher: Guilty Party -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL -- 10/17/17

Wedding Unplanned -- 10/19/17

1922 -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL FILM -- 10/20/17

Haters Back Off: Season 2 -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL -- 10/20/17

One of Us -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL -- 10/20/17