A Glean movie guide
The 2000s: A Decade of Best Pictures
The Academy's top picks.
From sweeping epics to gritty crime dramas, revisit the films that defined the decade.
Handpicked for this guide
The movie list
- 01
Gladiator
A visceral, sweeping epic that revived the historical sword-and-sandal genre with grit and heart.
After the death of Emperor Marcus Aurelius, his devious son takes power and demotes Maximus, one of Rome's most capable generals who Marcus preferred. Eventually, Maximus is forced to become a gladiator and battle to the death against other men for the amusement of paying audiences.
- 02
A Beautiful Mind
A moving portrait of genius and mental illness anchored by a powerful lead performance.
From the heights of notoriety to the depths of depravity, John Forbes Nash Jr. experiences it all. As a brilliant but socially awkward mathematician, he made a groundbreaking discovery early in his career and stands on the brink of international acclaim. But as the handsome and arrogant Nash accepts secret work in cryptography, he becomes entangled in a mysterious conspiracy. His life takes a nightmarish turn and he soon finds himself on a painful and harrowing journey of self-discovery.
- 03
Chicago
A dazzling, high-energy musical that masterfully blends stage artifice with cinematic grit.
Murderesses Velma Kelly and Roxie Hart find themselves on death row together and fight for the fame that will keep them from the gallows in 1920s Chicago.
- 04
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
The definitive fantasy masterpiece that brought J.R.R. Tolkien’s world to a triumphant conclusion.
As armies mass for a final battle that will decide the fate of the world--and powerful, ancient forces of Light and Dark compete to determine the outcome--one member of the Fellowship of the Ring is revealed as the noble heir to the throne of the Kings of Men. Yet, the sole hope for triumph over evil lies with a brave hobbit, Frodo, who, accompanied by his loyal friend Sam and the hideous, wretched Gollum, ventures deep into the very dark heart of Mordor on his seemingly impossible quest to destroy the Ring of Power.
- 05
Million Dollar Baby
A devastatingly intimate sports drama about mentorship, grit, and the cost of ambition.
Despondent over a painful estrangement from his daughter, trainer Frankie Dunn isn't prepared for boxer Maggie Fitzgerald to enter his life. But Maggie's determined to go pro and to convince Dunn and his cohort to help her.
- 06
Crash
An interlocking narrative exploring the complex social tensions and human connections in Los Angeles.
In post-Sept. 11 Los Angeles, tensions erupt when the lives of a Brentwood housewife, her district attorney husband, a Persian shopkeeper, two cops, a pair of carjackers and a Korean couple converge during a 36-hour period.
- 07
The Departed
Martin Scorsese’s high-stakes cat-and-mouse thriller set in the gritty underworld of Boston.
To take down South Boston's Irish Mafia, the police send in one of their own to infiltrate the underworld, not realizing the syndicate has done likewise. While an undercover cop curries favor with the mob kingpin, a career criminal rises through the police ranks. But both sides soon discover there's a mole among them.
- 08
No Country for Old Men
A tense, atmospheric neo-western that explores the nature of evil and shifting times.
Llewelyn Moss stumbles upon dead bodies, $2 million and a hoard of heroin in a Texas desert, but methodical killer Anton Chigurh comes looking for it, with local sheriff Ed Tom Bell hot on his trail. The roles of prey and predator blur as the violent pursuit of money and justice collide.
- 09
Slumdog Millionaire
A vibrant, heart-pounding journey through Mumbai that celebrates the power of destiny.
A teenager reflects on his life after being accused of cheating on the Indian version of "Who Wants to be a Millionaire?".
- 10
The Hurt Locker
A raw, suspenseful look at the psychological toll of war through the eyes of a bomb disposal unit.
During the Iraq War, a Sergeant recently assigned to an army bomb squad is put at odds with his squad mates due to his maverick way of handling his work.