20 great but forgotten movies from the 2000s

This French-language film is like a cup of hot coffee served with a freshly baked croissant. It warms the soul to watch Amelie (Audrey Tautou) help out those in need, taking on a sort of saintly role as she tries to make the world a better place. If she can do it in Paris, she can do it anywhere. And she continues to do it in living rooms everywhere.

Sideways follows a sad sack who desperately needs to get in the sack, but is far more interested in tasting wine. In Alexander Payne's low-budget triumph, we watch as Paul Giamatti slowly opens up to the world around him, making for a fragrant glass of wine that gets better with each sip.

Let me show you a magic trick: a Christopher Nolan movie that many people haven't seen. The Prestige came way before The Dark Knight and Inception, which means many people missed out on this mystery about dueling magicians. Played by Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale, they keep you guessing until the final reveal. 

Why don't people talk about Tropic Thunder anymore? The groundbreaking comedy may have pushed some boundaries, but the war satire remains as explosive as the forest where it takes place. 

Spike Lee is known for his textiles of black culture in America, but this one is something different from the prolific director. An examination of our country after the attack on the Twin Towers, this drama about a drug dealer enjoying his last days before prison is really about a country whose climate was about to change drastically. It's a far-fetched allegory, but one Lee manages to pull off.

Ah, the comforting feeling of the Before trilogy. While the previous entry was a bit of a downer, the second one is a relaxed stroll through Paris. As two lovers stroll down memory lane, they talk about their chance encounter in Vienna and maybe even discuss their future. There's not much more to it than that, but that's exactly what makes these films so riveting.

Dog shows are not that exciting in real life, but the characters in Christopher Guest's mockumentary treat them like a gladiator battle. As they gather for an annual contest, they scratch paws in some of the most hilarious moments in the subgenre.

Nicolas Cage plays Nicolas Cage who is playing Nicolas Cage in a movie about Nicolas Cage. In other words, he's a dude, disguised as a dude, playing another dude. In Charlie Kaufman's genius screenplay, the line between reality and fiction is blurred like an icy   window.

Many fans know this one by heart, but the rest of the population wouldn't know the difference between Wong Kar Wai and Wendy's. The director is the master of melodrama, turning hopeless romances into achingly gorgeous poems. His most accessible is this story of two neighbors who fall for each other despite their obstacles.

I don't care what anyone says, this is a great movie. Not only do the relationships feel authentic, but the entire vibe feels like a warm sweater on a sunny day of snow. You can almost snuggle this rom-com about two women trading homes for Christmas, as they happen to find the perfect match on their respective vacations. There are plenty versions of this movie that suck, but then again, they weren't directed by Nancy Meyers.

Maybe it's just me, but I think conspiracy thrillers are some of the most entertaining movies around. Combining tension, horror, commentary and character study, Michael Clayton sees one man (George Clooney) get sucked into a case that reaches all the way to the top.

There may not be a comedy more quotable than this one. So many of the jokes are referenced constantly, most of which come from the titular step brothers, who have just moved in together. It's not forgotten by a younger generation, but should be seen by an older one as well. 

Alfonso Cuaron has grown a following since this release, thanks in large part to his technical prowess as a filmmaker. How many disaster movies have you seen that feel cheesy? Or low quality? Cuaron's feels like an arthouse picture on a blockbuster scale. His story of a world where babies are no longer born has birthed a new generation of apocalyptic pictures, ones that have actual style.

It was a little too witty for children, a little too childish for adults. But now Wes Anderson's animation plays perfectly for both. 

A plane crash, a giant bunny, a sleepy town and a delusional teenager. These are the elements that make up one of the strangest movies we've ever seen. Donnie Darko is a cult classic whose mysteries only increase with increased viewings.

The 2000s were filled with gems from up-and-coming filmmakers who were inspired by the indie boom. The theaters were packed with names like Martin McDonagh — who would go onto become a household name with titles like Three Billboards and The Banshees of Inisherin — but was just finding his footing in the '00s. His greatest achievement remains In Bruges, a hilarious tragedy about hitmen stuck in, well, Bruges.

The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants has lost none of its magic since its release. Even if it's lost some of its hype, it remains a comforting tale of friendship that everyone can enjoy.

This art-house picture about Russian history is so mesmerizing, we have to recommend it. It's a film that unfolds in a single take. And not like other films, which use editing to make it look like a single take — the result is truly spectacular. A stroll through the halls of history that rarely gets old.  

A dream within a dream within a dream. What is this, Inception? Nope, it's the movie that inspired Nolan to make Inception. Paprika is the acid counterpart to Nolan's chilly blockbuster. 

Did someone ask for one of the best animated movies ever made? Cause we got one right here. Hayao Miyazaki's story of a fish becoming a human is a truly spellbinding adventure. You've seen this story before, but never with this much style. It's a truly great movie.