Top 10 Films of 2001: There were numerous excellent additions to the film industry in 2001. This year gave us several classic movies that can be rewatched with the same satisfaction time and time again, including the debut of massive Oscar-winning franchises and kid-friendly DreamWorks favorites. For information about movie facts, quotes, and ratings, check out IMDB.
How about breaking down the top films of each year and adding one or two to the list if you’re bored at home and looking for something to watch? If this sounds appealing to you, look no further as we provide the best 10 films of 2001, as determined by IMDB.
1. Training Day – 7.7 (2001)
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In this movie, Denzel Washington and Ethan Hawke play LAPD officers Alonzo Haris (Washington) and Jake Hoyt (Hawke), who clean the streets using dubious means while undergoing training. The film only made a little over $100 million on a budget of about $45 million, yet it garnered a respectable 72% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Given that Denzel is likely one of today’s best performers and consistently delivers strong performances, Training Day is a good choice if you want to see Denzel in some LAPD cop action.
2. Shrek – 7.8 (2001)
In this endearing classic starring Mike Meyers, Eddie Murphy, and Cameron Diaz, an ogre sets out on a quest to rescue a princess from a castle guarded by a fire-breathing dragon in an effort to bring peace to his swamp. The story attempted to incorporate the well-known and beloved elements of fairy tales.
The first Shrek, which made over $484 million at the movie office, is undoubtedly the greatest of its three successors. The three tiny pigs, Pinocchio, the wolf from tiny Red Riding Hood, and even the Three Blind Mice all make brief cameo appearances. For a fun flashback evening, turn on this movie and sing along to Smash Mouth.
3. No Man’s Land – 7.9
In 2020, your mind automatically jumps to 1917 when you consider a film about two soldiers during the war, yet 19 years ago, many people would have mentioned No Man’s Land. Three soldiers—two from opposing sides and one who steps on a land mine—find themselves in a no-man’s land in Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1993.
The three troops must learn how to function in each other’s presence. No Man’s Land is a wonderful option if you want a movie that is simple to watch and follow and manages to cover facets of war and humanity.
4. Monster’s Inc. – 8.0 (2001)
Monsters Inc., starring John Goodman as Sully and Billy Crystal as Mike Wazowski who both work for the factory where they collect the energy from children’s screams to power their home city of Monstropolis, is another favorite for youngsters from Disney and Pixar. Mike and Sully are entrusted with bringing Boo home before anyone else learns that she managed to smuggle herself into the monster realm.
On a $115 million budget, the movie grossed over $632 million worldwide. Monsters University, the 2013 sequel, was similarly largely well-liked by the original’s audience.
5. Donnie Darko – 8.0 (2001)
Jake Gyllenhaal was the victim of illusions in Donnie Darko, where he is tortured by delusions of a guy in a gigantic rabbit suit that drive him to do crimes, before he cast illusions as the villain Mysterio in Spider-guy: Far From Home. Despite having a $6 million budget, the movie only generated $6.9 million globally. S. Darko, the 2009 follow-up, only garnered little more than $1 million in sales.
Everyone should be aware that audience numbers don’t always reflect a film’s quality. In addition, since everyone has different tastes, even if millions of people worldwide didn’t enjoy a film, you might.
6. Mullholland Drive – 8.0 (2001)
This film about a catastrophic vehicle accident that leaves only one survivor with total amnesia stars Naomi Watts and Jeanne Bates. A young actress on her way to Hollywood makes the decision to put her goals on hold in order to solve this mystery. Together with the survivor, she searches for hints but discovers much more in the process.
Despite barely earning $20 million globally, the movie had an 87% audience approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
7. A Beautiful Mind – 8.2
A Beautiful Mind, directed by Ron Howard and starring Russell Crowe, is based on true events and follows John Nash (Crowe), one of the greatest mathematicians of all time, as he struggles with schizophrenia and makes an amazing discovery. When the government enlists his assistance in deciphering Soviet codes, it propels him on an intense voyage of self-discovery.
A Beautiful Mind, which earned $316 million at the box office and has a 93% approval rating from the public on Rotten Tomatoes, is a serious contender for the top 10 films of 2001.
7. Amelie – 8.3 (2001)
Audrey Tautou plays the title character in the film Amelie, who had a severely repressed upbringing. After spending a large portion of her life almost alone, she dedicates her life to helping other people. However, when she realizes that her altruistic actions are impeding her prospects of finding a life and a partner of her own, she must choose which route she will choose.
9. Spirited Away – 8.6 (2001)
Spirited Away, an animated film starring Rumi Hiiragi as a young girl named Chihiro who transfers to a new town but finds her family in a land where people have been transformed into monsters, comes in at number nine. Chihiro needs to put her faith in a new ally in order to free her parents from captivity.
10. The Fellowship of the Ring in The Lord of the Rings: 8.8 (2001)
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, the first entry in the Middle Earth series and the highest-rated 2001 film on IMDB, tells the tale of Frodo Baggins and his journey to destroy the one ring that will rule them all. Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen as the wizard Gandalf, Orlando Bloom as the elf archer Legolas, and Viggo Mortensen as his fan-favorite character Aragorn all appear in this film.
The movie made nearly $887 million at the box office on a $93 million budget. In addition, the movie took home four Oscars including best visual effects, best make-up, and best original soundtrack. Additionally, it was up for nine additional awards, including best actor, best director, and best costume designer.
