# Movies from 2000s that will stand the test of time **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 3, 2013, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-from-2000s-that-will-stand-the-test-of-time/667917 "2013-09-03T20:05:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![DeweyDecibel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d26b3c/32.png) [@DeweyDecibel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeweyDecibel)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2013, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-from-2000s-that-will-stand-the-test-of-time/667917/1 "2013-09-03T20:05:23Z")
As a loose spinoff to the movies suddenly no one likes thread, I’m wondering about recent movies that we think are likely to last. Not necessarily the best movies, or your favorite ones, but ones that you suspect will still be discussed in 20 years. Discussed by the general public, by serious film buffs, or by academics. Preferably discussed in a positive way, not as an example of the terrible films of the 2000s 🙂 I’m going to say 2000-2009, because anything 2010 or later is likely too new for us to have a real perspective on. That said, the criteria aren’t hard and fast, so if you have a great contender from 1998 or 2011, throw it in. ---
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2013, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-from-2000s-that-will-stand-the-test-of-time/667917/2 "2013-09-03T20:19:03Z")
A few that I think will stand the test of time. _There Will Be Blood_, 2007 _No Country for Old Men_, 2007 _Children of Men_, 2006 _Almost Famous,_ 2000 _Up_, 2009 _High Fidelity_, 2000 ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2013, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-from-2000s-that-will-stand-the-test-of-time/667917/3 "2013-09-03T20:21:02Z")
_The Lord of the Rings_, without a doubt. ---
**Author:** ![Quimby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/22d042/32.png) [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2013, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-from-2000s-that-will-stand-the-test-of-time/667917/4 "2013-09-03T20:45:01Z")
These aren’t the best films, as you said, but films I think people will still be talking about in 20 years are (especially film scholars etc.): 1. The Lord of the Rings Films. 2. District 9 3. Inception 4. Momento 5. The Passion of the Christ. 6. The Dark Knight 7. United 93 I was looking at a partial list of films that came out over that time frame and that is what I came up with in no order (I probably shouldn’t have numbered them) Eta: I think I included at least one from 2010…oops. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2013, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-from-2000s-that-will-stand-the-test-of-time/667917/5 "2013-09-04T00:21:24Z")
I will mainly be agreeing with others, but my list is: Lord of the Rings Inception [Paprika - Seriously, see this movie.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paprika_%282006_film%29) [Spirited Away - Miyazaki’s magnum opus. Anyone not listing this one forgot it.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spirited_away) Part of me, perhaps the idealistic side, hopes and believes that: [In Bruges](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_bruges) will be realized for the masterpiece it is. ---
**Author:** ![drastic\_quench](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e36b37/32.png) [@drastic\_quench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drastic_quench)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2013, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-from-2000s-that-will-stand-the-test-of-time/667917/6 "2013-09-04T01:41:31Z")
City of God There Will be Blood No Country for Old Men The Incredibles Gladiator Brokeback Mountain ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2013, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-from-2000s-that-will-stand-the-test-of-time/667917/7 "2013-09-04T02:18:06Z")
_Lord of the Rings_ - Yes. The books have withstood the test of time and the movie trilogy is solid enough to do the same. In fifty years, the special effects will look cheesy but the central story will endure. _Spirited Away_ - Yes. Another timeless story. _Momento_ - Yes. Will age like a fine Hitchcock. _United 93_ - No. A well-made film but too much of its time. It will eventually no longer resonate with an audience when 9/11 is seen as just another historical event. _Brokeback Mountain_ - No. Another movie of our era. Social attitudes will move on and this will some day seem as dated as _Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner?_ or _Gentleman’s Agreement_. Future audiences will not be able to understand what the problem was. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2013, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-from-2000s-that-will-stand-the-test-of-time/667917/8 "2013-09-04T02:23:09Z")
Some other movies I think will be remembered in fifty years: _The Fabulous Destiny of Amelie Poulain_ - Solid character driven movie _Sexy Beast_ - Also a solid character driven movie. Which shows two very different movies can have the same strengths. And while some things may change, human character is timeless. So these movies will still be relevant in fifty years. _Pirates of the Caribbean_ - A good adventure film. Will be remembered the way movies like _The Adventures of Robin Hood_ or _Raiders of the Lost Ark_ are. ---
**Author:** ![drastic\_quench](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e36b37/32.png) [@drastic\_quench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drastic_quench)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2013, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-from-2000s-that-will-stand-the-test-of-time/667917/9 "2013-09-04T02:23:40Z")
I think Brokeback will serve as a reminder of how severe social attitudes were. So, yeah it will hopefully date itself, but still stand the test of time as a time capsule of sorts. Plus there’s the dead movie star factor. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2013, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-from-2000s-that-will-stand-the-test-of-time/667917/10 "2013-09-04T02:34:37Z")
I think people will still be talking about _The Avengers_ and its prequels, mostly due to the franchise that will exist by that time if they play their cards right. ETA: Okay, fine. _Iron Man._ They’ll be talking about _Iron Man,_ and the franchise that followed it, and _nobody_ will like Edward Norton’s _Hulk_ except me. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2013, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-from-2000s-that-will-stand-the-test-of-time/667917/11 "2013-09-04T02:40:06Z")
_Synecdoche, New York_ (2008) ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2013, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-from-2000s-that-will-stand-the-test-of-time/667917/12 "2013-09-04T03:37:20Z")
There’ve been some great movies since 2000. Some of my favorites - all of which have the potential to become classics, although who can tell? - include: _Limitless Pride & Prejudice The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Iron Man The Avengers No Country for Old Men The Incredibles Up Gladiator Memento_ (note spelling) ---
**Author:** ![Ellis\_Aponte\_Jr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@Ellis\_Aponte\_Jr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellis_Aponte_Jr)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2013, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-from-2000s-that-will-stand-the-test-of-time/667917/13 "2013-09-04T03:50:11Z")
Movies that were innovative in their narrative approach will be remembered, or at least acknowledged by future film scholars. In this group I would include _Blair Witch Project_ (1999) and \*Irreversible \*(2002). As the average budget for a feature film continues to increase - to $100 or $150 million or whatever it might be - _Blair Witch_ will also be remembered as a rare counterexample - a low budget movie ($60,000) that was able to break the system and make millions. Also, don’t laugh, but I think certain Will Ferrell comedies like _Talledega Nights_, _Casa de mi padre_, and _The Campaign_ will be remembered for their cogent sociological commentary. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2013, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-from-2000s-that-will-stand-the-test-of-time/667917/14 "2013-09-04T05:12:39Z")
It’s been a Golden Age for documentaries, including _Fog of War_, _Capturing the Friedmans_, _Fahrenheit 9/11_, _Bowling for Columbine_, _Dear Zachary_, _Grizzly Man_ and many, many others. Of the above, _Zachary_ and _Grizzly_ will likely stand the test of time the most. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2013, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-from-2000s-that-will-stand-the-test-of-time/667917/15 "2013-09-04T05:22:09Z")
> [@Ellis\_Aponte\_Jr](#): > > Also, don’t laugh, but I think certain Will Ferrell comedies like _Talledega Nights_, _Casa de mi padre_, and _The Campaign_ will be remembered for their cogent sociological commentary. I can see Ferrell becoming a classic comedy icon, like Chaplin, Keaton, Tati, etc - like them, he’s got his own individual style that carries his films. ---
**Author:** ![Ranger\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranger_jeff/32/2065_2.png) [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2013, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-from-2000s-that-will-stand-the-test-of-time/667917/16 "2013-09-04T05:26:47Z")
Something from Pixar, I’d expect. ---
**Author:** ![Ellis\_Aponte\_Jr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@Ellis\_Aponte\_Jr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellis_Aponte_Jr)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2013, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-from-2000s-that-will-stand-the-test-of-time/667917/17 "2013-09-04T05:32:10Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > I can see Ferrell becoming a classic comedy icon, like Chaplin, Keaton, Tati, etc - like them, he’s got his own individual style that carries his films. Agreed. He’s got a strong comedic sensibility that is unique, plus there’s a certain “truth” to his comedy that I’m guessing will endure. ---
**Author:** ![Jeff\_Lichtman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeff_lichtman/32/1531_2.png) [@Jeff\_Lichtman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff_Lichtman)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2013, 8:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-from-2000s-that-will-stand-the-test-of-time/667917/18 "2013-09-04T08:31:26Z")
It’s hard to know in advance what will be remembered. Some very good movies tend to fall out of the public consciousness. Here are my best guesses: Memento (2000) - This will remain interesting because of its forward/backwards storytelling. City of God (2002) - An astounding movie that should age well. Mystic River (2003) - Big stars and a compelling story that involves universal themes. Sideways (2004) - Fine acting, great story about the effects of insecurity on character. Notes on a Scandal (2006) - Big stars, great acting, interesting story. The Queen (2006) - That people continue to be fascinated by Princess Diana should keep bringing people back to this movie. No Country for Old Men (2007) - Great dialogue, great acting, one of the most fascinating bad guys ever. Let the Right One In (2008) - In my opinion, the best vampire movie in an era of vampire movies. District 9 (2009) - A great science fiction movie that’s about big issues that people really care about. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2013, 8:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-from-2000s-that-will-stand-the-test-of-time/667917/19 "2013-09-04T08:48:05Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#): > > ETA: Okay, fine. _Iron Man._ They’ll be talking about _Iron Man,_ and the franchise that followed it, and _nobody_ will like Edward Norton’s _Hulk_ except me. I like Edward Norton’s Hulk. And put me down for The Dark Knight, No Country for Old Men, Children of Men, Gladiator, Iron Man, Pirates of the Caribbean, and The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Allow me to add Spider-Man 2, The Prestige, Taken, Casino Royale, and Love Actually. ---
**Author:** ![Soul\_Brother\_Number\_Two](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/soul_brother_number_two/32/3515_2.png) [@Soul\_Brother\_Number\_Two](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Soul_Brother_Number_Two)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2013, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-from-2000s-that-will-stand-the-test-of-time/667917/20 "2013-09-04T18:30:36Z")
I vote for The Station Agent and Winter’s Bone. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-from-2000s-that-will-stand-the-test-of-time/667917.md?page=2)