Something about a movie night at home during the summer just hits different. Whether you’re watching it in your backyard on a projector or cozying up in the family room after a day of fun in the sun — there’s nothing better than stretching out in the comfort of your home with unlimited access to snacks. Since everything about Y2K and the 2000s is back again, why not add some summer movies from the 2000s to your bucket list this season? We’ve included blockbusters, fan favorites, Oscar winners, and a few guilty pleasures.
Scary Movie (2000)
In 1997, the horror movie Scream swept the nation, becoming a major cultural touchstone. From its iconic villain mask to its memorable quotes, Scream was a massive hit, kicking off a film franchise that continues to this day. In the summer of 2000, the Wayans Brothers (Marlon and Shawn Wayans) launched their first parody of Scream and other horror movies and helped kick off the careers of Anna Faris and recent Oscars host Regina Hall. Scary Movie racked up $278 million at the box office, which is unheard of these days for an original comedy.
Road Trip (2000)
Road trip movies are always a fun summer watch, but when the quest happens because a guy mistakenly sent his girlfriend a sex tape of him and another woman? Only the highest of hi-jinks can ensue. Director Todd Phillips — who went on to helm another big summer hit in 2009 called The Hangover — hilariously tells the story of a group of friends who go on an epic road trip hoping to save their buddy’s bacon. Breckin Meyer, Seann William Scott (Stiffler of American Pie fame), and MTV star comedian Tom Green lead the cast through a series of memorable, laugh-out-loud scenes.
Bring It On (2000)
Boxing has Rocky. Baseball has The Natural. Hockey has Miracle. And cheerleading has Bring It On. You don’t have to be a cheerleader to get wrapped up in the personal and competitive drama of Bring It On, which follows two rival cheer squads competing against each other for local and national acclaim. We’ll never tire of watching Kirsten Dunst and Gabrielle Union shine as they lead their respective squads against each other.
Spiderman (2002)
Long before the Marvel Cinematic Universe took over the movie world, Tobey Maguire starred in the first live-action film portrayal of Peter Parker, the high schooler who gets bit by a spider and is given superhuman powers. The 2002 blockbuster Spiderman tells the origin story of Peter as we watch him grow into the web-slinging, crime-fighting superhero we know and love. A massive box office hit, Spiderman is a romping action and superhero thriller, but it also features one of the most iconic kisses that we’ve seen on screen this century.
The Notebook (2004)
What else is there to say about The Notebook, one of the most beloved, quoted, meme’d, and memorized romance films of all time? Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams make magic as Noah and Allie, meeting and falling in love and seeing that love tested by time, family, and more over many years in the 1940s. Released in the summer of 2004, The Notebook has become a true classic, good for a re-watch every so often. Just don’t forget the tissues.
Million Dollar Baby (2004)
The underdog, the dogged coach, the dramatic backstory. A good sports movie has it all, and Million Dollar Baby is one of the best of recent times. The film follows the story of Maggie, a down-on-her-luck waitress who dreams of one day being a champion boxer. So she goes to a gym one day and convinces the cantankerous, aging boxing trainer Frankie (played by Clint Eastwood, who also wrote and directed the movie). What follows is an emotional rollercoaster ride with edge-of-your-seat excitement and certainly some tears.
Chicago (2002)
Who doesn’t love a good musical? On a warm summer night, cozy up and lose yourself in the story of Roxie Hart (Renee Zellweger) and Velma Kelly (Catherine Zeta-Jones), two murderesses awaiting trial in the 1920s Jazz Age in the city that gives the film its name. Based on the 1975 stage play, Chicago features big, exciting musical numbers with amazing choreography and amazing performances from its deep cast. The movie won the Oscar for Best Picture, and the Academy also recognized Zeta-Jones for her memorable supporting performance.
13 Going on 30 (2004)
Whether you’re 13, 30, or somewhere in between, the story of Jenna Rink will resonate with you. When her 13th birthday doesn’t go right, young Jenna wishes she could skip all this teenage stuff and be 30, where she knows she’ll be cool. Then, she suddenly asks what she gets for. The first leading film role for Jennifer Garner, 13 Going on 30, is a feel-good story of empowerment, embracing who you are, and learning to make the best of your situation. It’s a summer classic and worth revisiting as the years go on.
The Dark Knight (2008)
The second entrant in filmmaker Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy starring Christian Bale as the Caped Crusader, The Dark Knight is considered by some the greatest superhero movie of all time. A major reason for that is the memorable performance of Heath Ledger as the Joker, a performance that earned Ledger an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor after his tragic death in January of 2008. Aaron Eckhart and Maggie Gyllenhaal also star in this thrilling Batman tale that features high tension, big car chases, and surprising reveals and twists.
Moulin Rouge (2001)
Stylish, sexy, and filled with musical adrenaline, Moulin Rouge is one of the 2000s’ most exciting jukebox musicals. The film follows a young poet, Christian, who falls for Satine, the star performer at the famed Moulin Rouge in Paris. The movie is set in the early 1900s, juxtaposed with modern musical numbers ranging from Madonna’s “Material Girl” to “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana. And while the film is widely-known and was very successful in its own right, perhaps its greatest export was the cover of “Lady Marmalade,” performed by 2000s stalwarts Christina Aguilera, Lil’ Kim, Mya, and Pink. You couldn’t go anywhere for long during the summer of 2001 without hearing their memorable cover (or someone singing the famous French line from the chorus, “Voulez-vous coucher avec moi ce soir?”)
Blue Crush (2002)
Nothing says “summer vibes” that this quintessential surfer-girl film. Starring Kate Bosworth as Anne Marie, it follows three girlfriends who have a dream about living in Hawaii and chasing adventure on the waves. Sure, the plot is pretty forgettable, but the glowy skin, beachy hair, and toned legs will inspire you for summer.
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (2005)
This film — an adaptation of the novel of the same name — chronicles four BFFs (played by the ultimate girl hang of America Ferrera, Alexis Bledel, Amber Tamblyn, and Blake Lively) who mysteriously fit into the same pair of pants though they’re all different body types. As they spend their first summer separately, the single pair of jeans continue to bond the four teens together.
Crossroads (2002)
Don’t be dissuaded by the 15% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Newlywed Britney Spears’ first acting role stirs up the nostalgia of her heyday (though did she ever get a break from the headlines?). It’s about three childhood friends who had since fallen out of touch and rediscovered their bond during a cross-country road trip. The all-star cast includes Kim Cattrall, Zoe Saldana, Dan Aykroyd, Justin Long, and Taryn Manning.
