The best movie actors of the 2000s decade, ranked

the 2000s (from 2000 to 2009) is a decade featuring some of the largest and most impressive blockbusters in cinema history. During this decade, filmmakers have embraced the power of assembling an all-star cast of a scale never before seen. In addition, the 2000s brought about a marked change in the representation of women, as they took on more prominent and diverse roles, adding depth and substance to these groups (see Kill Bill And Charlie’s Angels for key examples).

Here, we take a look at the most admired actors of the 2000s, and explore the star-studded lineups graced the silver screen. From epic adventure films to blockbuster dramas, we celebrate the memorable film actors that defined an era.

11 Meet Fockers

While the original Meet the parents It is undoubtedly the best in the series, thanks to Robert De Niro’s portrayal of the creepy and overprotective father, along with Ben Stiller’s boorish and neurotic character, creating the perfect comedy dynamic that generated a great deal of laughter through their awkward and often ridiculous exchanges, the sequel , Meet FockersAnd I continued this dynamic.

While it may not have been as fresh as the first time, we were treated to the addition of Dustin Hoffman and Barbra Streisand as the extroverted and liberal parents of Greg Focker (played by Stiller), which made for fascinating viewing as they constantly clashed with De Niro’s notoriously uptight father figure. Fan favorite Owen Wilson also reprized his role.

Related: The 25 Most Underrated Movies of the 2000s

10 kill bill vol 1 kill bill vol. 2

Kill BillDirected by Quentin Tarantino and released in 2003 and 2004 as a two-part film (Kill Bill Bean. 1 And Kill Bill Bean. 2), made a refreshing and empowering change to the action genre by showcasing actresses who fearlessly kicked ass on screen. In a genre dominated by male-centric novels, Kill Bill She broke stereotypes and gave a much needed dose of empowerment to women.

The heroine of the film, brilliantly played by Uma Thurman, portrayed a strong and determined character seeking revenge. Alongside Thurman, a cast of talents like Lucy Liu, Daryl Hana, and Vivica A. Fox showcased their formidable martial arts skills and proved that women could excel in physically demanding action roles.

9 Shark Tale

DreamWorks Animation films have a long history of putting together a huge cast of big Hollywood stars to lend their voices to animation in order to give them that extra “fin.” For the most part, they tend to pay off because they’ve developed a solid reputation for creating some of the most fun and financially successful animated films in the business. Although this is not always the case, Shark Tale It features what is arguably its most impressive cast, yet it was met with a lukewarm response from fans and critics alike.

Will Smith plays the entrepreneurial shark, Oscar. Besides Smith were two of the most sought-after ladies in Hollywood at the time, Renee Zellweger and Angelina Jolie. It also stars Jack Black, Robert De Niro, Martin Scorsese, Ziggy Marley, and Doug A. Doug, as well as musical cameos from Christina Aguilera and Missy Elliott.

8 Charlie’s Angels

Likes Kill BillAnd Charlie’s Angels It was a revolutionary film in the action genre, breaking new ground with its empowering portrayal of women as skilled, intelligent, and capable agents as it took the original TV series and brought it to the big screen with a modern twist. Directed by McG, the film featured Cameron Diaz, Drew Barrymore, and Lucy Liu as the formidable trio of angels. She emphasized the importance of teamwork and camaraderie, displaying the strength that comes from women supporting each other and lifting each other up. The film’s blend of action, humor, and empowerment resonated with audiences, paving the way for more diverse and inclusive representations of women in the action genre.

While it marks a huge shift in how women are portrayed on screen, when it comes to males, we’re treated to a slew of supporting offers from some of the biggest names in Hollywood, including Bill Murray, Crispin Glover, Matt LeBlanc, LL Cool J, Tom Green, Sam Rockwell, Luke Wilson, and Tim Curry.

7 Sin City

Sin City It is a pioneering piece of cinema that pushes the boundaries of violence and storytelling. With its elegant visuals, inspired by Frank Miller’s graphic novel series, the film immerses viewers in a dark and brutal world where violence reigns supreme.

Featuring a group of Hollywood celebrities, Sin City It brings together the talents of Bruce Willis, Jessica Alba, Clive Owen, Mickey Rourke, Elijah Wood, Josh Hartnett, and Rosario Dawson (among others), each delivering charming performances, breathing life into the complex and morally ambiguous characters that inhabit the city’s dangerous streets.

6 Tropical thunder

Tropical thunder He has received numerous accolades, including an Oscar nod for Robert Downey Jr.’s performance and Golden Globe nominations for him and Tom Cruise. It’s also gone down as one of the most controversial films of all time as well, with some finding Downey Jr.’s use of blackface, Ben Stiller’s portrayal of a man with developmental disabilities, and Cruise’s overly stereotypical Jewish character, especially offensive and insensitive.

Controversy aside, the premise is certainly intriguing. It follows a group of actors who, while shooting a Vietnam War movie in a jungle, encounter real danger and have to rely on what they’ve learned from acting to survive. At its core, the film acts as a parody of the Vietnam War epics of yesteryear. The film also features what may be the greatest cast ever assembled in a comedy, including Jack Black, Ben Stiller, Robert Downey Jr., Tom Cruise, Steve Coogan, Bill Hader, Matthew McConaughey, Danny McBride, Nick Nolte, and more. Celebrity engraving than you can get rid of.

Related: Best Western Movies Since 2000, Ranked

5 The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

When it comes to a group of pure talents and industry legends, the Lord of the Rings He only competes Harry Potter series. The return of the king It brings together the likes of notable veterans Ian McKellen, Sean Penn, Viggo Mortensen, Christopher Lee, and Cate Blanchett, and casts them alongside a slew of talented young actors on the cusp of stardom, including Elijah Wood, Orlando Bloom, and Liv. Tyler.

4 Crashes

While its winning of the Academy Award for Best Picture in 2006 sparked controversy due to stiff competition from the likes Brokeback Mountain, Munich And Cabotand differing opinions on its overall merits, one aspect remains undeniable: crew Crashes It stands as one of the most impressive templates ever put together.

The movie gathered a great ensemble cast including famous actors like Sandra Bullock, Brendan Fraser, Don Cheadle, Matt Dillon, Ryan Phillippe, Thandie Newton, Michael Pena, and many more. Their collective performances brought to life complex, interconnected stories that explored themes of race, prejudice, and redemption. Regardless of the controversy surrounding the film’s awards, the star-studded cast Crashes It remains among the most impressive of the decade.

3 In the twelfth ocean

the original Ocean 11 It featured a stellar ensemble starring some of the biggest names of the day, including Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr. The sharp and stylistic 2001 remake of Steven Soderbergh has blown our collective minds by managing to assemble the most impressive (and glamorous) cast Hollywood has ever seen, consisting of George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Don Cheadle, and Andy Garcia. Bernie Mac, Casey Affleck, and Julia Roberts.

sequel In the twelfth oceanIt manages to retain the cast, fun and energy of the original, and turn it into, well, 12. Catherine Zeta-Jones joins the main ensemble alongside Eddie Izzard in a supporting role. There were also appearances from Topher Grace, Robbie Coltrane, and Bruce Willis himself.

2 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

the Harry Potter The film series was unfathomably successful, which obviously has a lot to do with the beloved source material, but it sure didn’t hurt that the cast was made up of some of the best the UK has to offer.

Classically trained stage performers and industry legends such as Gary Oldman, Alan Rickman, Robbie Coltrane, Emma Thompson, Michael Gambon, Julie Walters, Maggie Smith, Warwick Davis, Lenny Henry, and Timothy Spall (to name a few) appear alongside the cast. Young. By Emma Watson, Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Tom Felton, and by Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkabanhave established themselves as stars in their own right.

1 late

late New Movie. One of the greatest awards legendary director Martin Scorsese has won to date. It also won Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Film Editing. Apart from a great director and screenplay, it also benefits from a great cast.

The Boston-based raucous gangster saw a number of actors on the cusp of legendary status, including Matt Damon, Mark Wahlberg, and Leonardo DiCaprio, sharing the screen with true cinematic icons like Jack Nicholson, Martin Sheen, Alec Baldwin, and Ray Winston. Featuring Scorsese’s trademark violence, a rocking soundtrack, and an epic, twisted plot, late It is a movie that works on so many levels and deserves all the success it has.