It’s been twenty years since some of the best films of the century released in theaters. 2007 is the only year of the decade that’s considered by film critics and historians to be among the best. Some, on the other hand, went by completely under the casual radar. While not exactly a revered year for cinema, this list will shine light on films from around the world that make it one of the greatest 12-month periods for movies.
Several of these entries are of the blockbuster variety, but most of them are on the more independent side of the spectrum. Plenty of them were made by notable directors, too. No matter the filmmaker, the budget, or even the genre, though, these are the twenty best movies of 2003.
20Once Upon a Time in Mexico
The final entry of Robert Rodriguez’s “Mexico Trilogy” featured Antonio Banderas and Salma Hayek reprising their roles as El Mariachi and Carolina, respectively. It isn’t exactlyamong his best films, but it’s well-structured and explosive in its plot nonetheless. Also featuring Johnny Depp, Mickey Rourke, and Eva Mendes, it’s a bit of an absurd project, butOnce Upon a Time in Mexico(2003) provides enough zany moments that audience attention will undoubtedly be held.
Rodriguez even came out and said at one point in phases of post-production that the film’s inanity was entirely intentional. It was meant to be over-the-top at every turn and around every corner. And when looking at it through a lens of leniency, it’s undoubtedly one of the year’s most entertaining projects.
19The Matrix Reloaded
The third highest grossing movie of its year,The Matrix Reloaded(2003) is a sequel toThe Matrix(1999). Another entry in the series calledThe Matrix Revolutions(2003) released mere months after this one, but it left far less to write home about thanReloaded.
All three films were written and directed by the Wachowskis — a pair of filmmaking siblings who also worked on titles likeSpeed Racer(2008) andCloud Atlas(2012). There’s a solid argument to be made in sayingThe Matrix Reloadedis the last film of their catalog that held any sort of critical value, and that could undoubtedly be said from a financial standpoint as well. None of their films have broken even at the box office since 2003, and that fact might be set in stone.
The only true comedy on the list,Bad Santa(2003) remains a staple forChristmas movie fanaticseven twenty years down the line. It’s raunchy, so fair warning in that regard, but it’s also entertaining and inventive from start to finish. Plus, the movie received pretty favorable reviews from critics, and even garnered decent money at the worldwide box office.
A sequel released in 2016, though its lackluster performance in theaters was matched by its negative response from critics. If any scrooges out there might be hankering for a sort of anti-Christmas movie,Bad Santais definitely the move. But in this case, it’s best to stick to the original from 2003.
17Cold Mountain
An epic period war film written and directed by Anthony Minghella,Cold Mountain(2003) received seven nominations at the Academy Awards, including a Best Supporting Actress win for Renee Zellweger. It remains thestandout Zellweger performance, but the movie also featured other stars including Jude Law, Nicole Kidman, and Phillip Seymour Hoffman.
While it’s not the most popular film for today’s audiences looking to rewatch something from the early aughts,Cold Mountainstands out as a project from experienced filmmakers nonetheless. Its roster of supporting characters create truly memorable dynamics, and it’s just a beautiful film through and through.
16The Barbarian Invasions
Written and directed by Denys Arcand,The Barbarian Invasions(2003) was nominated for both Best Foreign Language Feature and Best Original Screenplay at the 76th Academy Awards. It won for the former and lost for the latter.
ACanadian-Frenchsex comedy-drama, the film is actually a sequel toThe Decline of the American Empire(1986), also written and directed by Denys Arcand. Both films follow a character named Rémy, but here inThe Barbarian Invasions, the history professor just found out he’s terminally ill with cancer. Garnering positive reviews across the critical board, it is a truly intelligent film, and a must-watch from the year 2003.
15Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
Even after twenty years and four top-grossing sequels,The Curse of the Black Pearl(2003) remains the finestPirates of the Caribbeanfilm to date. Starring Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightley, and Geoffrey Rush, this first entry received five nominations at the Academy Awards, including Best Actor for Depp.
It also holds an 80% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and went down as the fourth highest grossing film of its year. Adored by audiences and critics alike,The Curse of the Black Pearlwas the first large-scale production about pirates. And when the waves have settled and the franchise eventually ends, this will go down as the definitive movie about sailing the seven seas.
14Big Fish
Fun fact: this movie was almost directed by Steven Spielberg, and he wanted it to star Jack Nicholson. In the end, though,Big Fish(2003) was directed by Tim Burton, while starring Ewan McGregor. A far disparate pairing.
Based on the 1998 novel of the same name by Daniel Wallace,Big Fishtells the tale of a father who begins dying of cancer while his son explores the truth of his past. The project also features Helena Bonham Carter, Steve Buscemi, and Danny Devito in supporting roles, and it’s worth noting thatDanny Elfmanwas nominated for Best Original Score at the 76th Academy Awards. There’s plenty more to write home about here, but just know:Big Fishwas among the best films of 2003.
13Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World
Directed by Peter Weir and starring the king of melodrama Russel Crowe,Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World(2003) is an epic period war drama set during the Napoleonic Wars. It was made with a whopping $150 million budget, and grossed $211.6 million at the worldwide box office. It also holds an 85% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Most prominently, though, it was nominated ten times at the 76th Academy Awards, for honors that included Best Picture and Best Director. It won for bothBest Cinematographyand Best Sound Editing, and despite a straightforward plot, the project did facilitate some interesting character dynamics with impressive performances to boot.
Related:Master and Commander Prequel Is Happening, Will Russel Crowe Return?
12American Splendor
Appearing on several critical top ten lists by the end of the year,American Splendor(2003) boasts an impressive 94% approval rating on critical consensus website Rotten Tomatoes. It also garnered a Best Adapted Screenplay nomination at the Academy Awards for writer/director duo Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini.
In front of the camera, though, wasPaul Giamattias the real-life creator of theAmerican Splendorcomic book series: Harvey Pekar. It’s an endlessly fascinating project, and the casting was just perfect with Giamatti as Pekar and Hope Davis as his wife Joyce Brabner. They carried the film to reach this far on the list.
11The Triplets of Belleville
Oozing with a keen artistic panache and a strong directorial confidence,The Triplets of Belleville(2003) was one of three projects nominated at the 76th Academy Awards forBest Animated Feature. It would end up losing to a film that appears later in the list, but don’t let that fact fool you — this is a special movie from comic writer, animator, and film director Sylvain Chomet.
His specialties as a content creator blended perfectly with one another to produce this masterpiece of animation, and it will forever define his legacy as a filmmaker. To anyone who hasn’t seenThe Triplets of Belleville:it’s a must-watch for any fans of animation, comedy, or cinema in general.
