Photo Credit by Pixabay.

Many excellent films from the 00s were not given the recognition they merited when they were first released. Given that Marvel’s initial phase began during this decade and that popular franchises like Harry Potter, The Lord of the Rings, and Star Wars were doing well at the box office, numerous smaller films were overlooked or have since faded into obscurity.
Nevertheless, we compiled a list of the 2000s’ overlooked but still worthwhile films since those underappreciated films ought to be seen today. Some of the titles on this list may have been popular at the time but were eventually forgotten by contemporary audiences, misinterpreted by audiences, poorly promoted, or never found a following. In any case, now is the ideal moment to watch these underappreciated films, which range from nasty horror films to unexpected murder mysteries to endearing romantic comedies.

“12 Rounds” (2009)

After a lengthy career as a professional wrestler, John Cena was a rising cinematic star before he became the star of Trainwreck and numerous more funny films. Despite receiving a bad review, this early effort contains a clever idea: a police officer whose fiancée has been abducted needs to play “12 Rounds” to rescue her.

The 2007 film “American Gangster”

The film directed by Ridley Scott tells the story of gangster Frank Lucas, who is portrayed brilliantly by Denzel Washington. It’s an epic, so we see the entire story of Lucas’ ascent to and decline from power; the historical drama is lengthy and somewhat erratic, but the storytelling is amazing.

“Beerfest” (2006)

In response to their early success, the Broken Lizard comedy company, who created the immensely popular Super Troopers, created Beerfest. Although it received a poor review and was seen as a poor sequel to the first movie, its quirky humor has since been reclaimed by fans.

The 2003 film “Better Luck Tomorrow”

This is regarded as Han’s origin story if you enjoy the Fast & Furious films. The same actor from the franchise, Sung Kang, plays the character in Better Luck Tomorrow when he is a teenager. Even without the more extensive ties to the original series, it remains an extremely engaging crime drama that centers on a group of Asian American kids.

In 2002, “Big Fat Liar”

One of those children’s films that fits into the “if you know, you know” category is this one. It’s great art if you viewed it as a kid, but you might not understand it. However, Big Fat Liar has been resurrected as a cult masterpiece, particularly Paul Giamatti’s portrayal of a hilariously bad Hollywood producer who pilfers a child’s (Frankie Muniz) idea.

The 2003 book “Confessions of a Dangerous Mind”

Sam Rockwell, who was not well-known at the time, plays a fictionalized version of game show host and creator Chuck Barris in George Clooney’s directing debut, which has always been regarded as an underappreciated gem. Following Chuck’s recruitment as a CIA assassin, (interesting) antics take place.

The 2009 film “Drag Me to Hell”

Sam Raimi, the creator of Evil Dead, followed up his Spider-Man movies with this one. Despite being a monetary success, this movie lost some of its impact in the crowded horror market. It’s unfortunate because it’s far more gory and stressful than anticipated.

The 2007 film “Eastern Promises”

David Cronenberg, a legendary horror director, consistently produces films that are extremely severe. Viggo Mortensen plays a Russian mob henchman who is more nuanced than he seems, and he does it with complete fearlessness.

(2004) “Ella Enchanted”

This movie, which is ostensibly based on a book but alters a lot of the original content, didn’t get a great review. Set in a universe reminiscent of fairy tales, it is enjoyable and magical on its own merits. Because Ella (Anne Hathaway) has been cursed with the “gift” of obedience, she must follow all instructions.

“The Fountain” (2006)

Like so much of his work, this Darren Aronofsky is gorgeous, ethereal, and a little hopeless and depressing. Hugh Jackman and Rachel Weisz portray different versions of themselves as tragic lovers who battle death in both reality and time. Contrary to appearances, it is far more cohesive.

(2008) “Happy-Go-Lucky”

Poppy (Sally Hawkins) is a character in this immensely feel-good film who remains positive in the face of numerous difficulties, such as having her bike stolen and having to deal with critical family members. Despite being a modest British picture, it contributed to Hawkins’s wider recognition. It also gives everyone the boost they need when they’re feeling down.

The 2009 film “I Love You, Man”

Although this film received positive reviews and performed rather well at the box office, Paul Rudd and Jason Segel both gave less extravagant performances than usual. With Rudd’s character dealing with the very real challenge of making male friends, it’s actually pretty sweet in retrospect.

The 2002 film “Igby Goes Down”

Kieran Culkin starred in this underappreciated film prior to becoming a Succession star. He is the title character, Igby, who vows to live a life of disobedience because he despises almost everything about his affluent family. It turns sweeter and a tad more optimistic than anticipated; reviewers praised it, and this independent film merits even more modern attention.

The 2009 film “It’s Complicated”

Is there anyone who doesn’t enjoy Meryl Streep as a romantic lead? She is rightfully put at the center of a romantic triangle involving her ex (Alex Baldwin) and a new man (Steve Martin) in this Nancy Meyers movie. Although it was successful, it doesn’t always receive the same attention as other Meyers works.

“Kill Zone” (2005)

SPL: Sha Po Lang, which was first released as Kill Zone in the United States, is a great action movie from Hong Kong that wasn’t particularly well-known to Americans. The spectacular final fight sequence is praised by fans of the genre.

The 2007 film “Lars and the Real Girl”

It was just too daring for moviegoers. Despite its poor box office result, it was a critical favorite, and as Ryan Gosling has grown in popularity, more people have discovered this early performance of the actor. To put it briefly: Lars, who is shy and withdrawn, dresses up an adult doll and acts as though she is his actual girlfriend. It’s more terrible and poignant than it seems.

Steve Zissou’s “The Life Aquatic” (2004)

Despite being hailed by many admirers as one of Wes Anderson’s best films, this movie was a huge box office bust. You should go see it if you enjoy Anderson’s movies, but even if you don’t, it’s a humorous parody of Moby Dick and Jacques Cousteau.

In 2001, “The Man Who Wasn’t There”

Billy Bob Thornton plays a man who tries to blackmail the man he believes is having an affair with his wife in this black and white neo-noir, which may not be as well-known as some of the Coen brothers’ other films. As is typical of the Coen brothers, things don’t work out. Although it is now better appreciated, audiences did not enjoy it as much as critics did.

The 2008 film “The Midnight Meat Train”

When Bradley Cooper made this horror picture, he was still in the early stages of his career. He portrays a photographer who searches the city for an enigmatic killer. It’s an intriguing twist, but it becomes much more unsettling than you initially anticipate.

The 2002 film “One Hour Photo”

What makes this movie so special is that the late, endearing Robin Williams hardly ever ventured into the realm of actual villainy. He portrays an isolated, compulsive photo technician who has developed an obsession with a contented family and their pictures. Although the film is somewhat of a history of the time when we had to create images, the idea is still powerful.

2007’s “The Savages”

This is a far more mature (but no less dysfunctional) look at a family, primarily Wendy (Laura Linney) and Jon Savage (the late Philip Seymour Hoffman), as they cope with their violent but dying father (the late Philip Bosco), if you enjoyed Little Miss Sunshine.

“Saved!” (2004)

Saved is the result of setting a teen film about an unwanted pregnancy at a very orthodox Christian school. starring, among others, Jena Malone, Macaulay Culkin, and Mandy Moore. It was a smaller-scale independent hit; if you enjoy movies like Yes, God, Yes, you’ll enjoy this one as well.

(2006) “A Scanner Darkly”

With a cast that includes A-listers like Keanu Reeves, Robert Downey Jr., Woody Harrelson, and Winona Ryder, this rotoscope movie is cool to look at and even more cool to watch. In a bleak future, it centers on undercover agent Bob Arctor (Reeves), who breaks into the narcotics trade.

“Spy Kids” (2001)

Growing up in the 2000s, you most likely recall this hugely successful children’s movie (and the fact that it inspired a whole franchise). However, you might have missed it if you didn’t: Despite being geared toward children, Spy Kids is a fun, outrageous spy game that is suitable for players of all ages.

The 2005 film “The Squid and the Whale”

Noah Baumbach’s semi-autobiographical film, which was produced by Wes Anderson, tells the story of their two sons during a very contentious divorce. The major revelation is Jesse Eisenberg as the struggling older son, although Jeff Daniels and Laura Linney are excellent as the divorcing couple who mistreat each other.

The 2006 film “Stranger Than Fiction”

Whoa, what a fantastic movie idea: Harold, played by Will Ferrell, discovers (slight spoiler alert) that he is a fictional character in a book and that renowned author Emma Thompson is writing about his life and tragic demise. Both the idea and the execution are excellent.

“Sunshine” (2007)

Sunshine has an amazing premise: In order to restart the star and stop the ice age on Earth, astronauts are traveling toward the sun rather than away from it in order to detonate a bomb. It’s essentially a space-based horror film with a dash of awesome sci-fi action. Additionally, the ensemble is absolutely packed, including Michelle Yeoh, Chris Evans, and Cillian Murphy, to mention a few.

(2009) “Sunshine Cleaning”

In need of money, two ladies (Emily Blunt and Amy Adams) launch a company cleaning up crime scenes. That may sound like a capital D drama, but it’s actually pretty charming and humorous at times. Additionally, Adams and Blunt have a terrific chemistry.

“Titan A.E.” (2000)

This is one of those movies that you could have missed at first because it had mediocre reviews and did poorly at the box office. However, it’s a distinctive animated film with an intriguing sci-fi plot and the voices of Matt Damon, John Leguizamo, and Drew Barrymore, among others.

The 2002 film “Treasure Planet”

You may not be aware with this Disney film, which is a sci-fi adaptation of Treasure Island, but it was a box office failure. With Brian Murray as the pirate [Long] John Silver and Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Jim Hawkins, it has become a cult classic.

2001’s “Vanilla Sky”

You might recognize this as “that trippy Tom Cruise movie,” but it’s a better remake than we initially thought. Following a severe auto accident, a scarred David (Cruise) starts to have weird, unexplained things happen to him in his daily life.

The 2003 film “What a Girl Wants”

Despite receiving mostly unfavorable reviews, this movie was a box office success. When Amanda Bynes, the teen, goes to England to meet her father (Colin Firth), she gets into mischief, which is, of course, handled amicably. It demonstrates Bynes’s comical ingenuity at the time and the chemistry that naturally developed between her and Firth.