PHOTOGRAPHS TO BE USED SOLELY FOR ADVERTISING, PROMOTION, PUBLICITY OR REVIEWS OF THIS SPECIFIC MOTION PICTURE AND TO REMAIN THE PROPERTY OF THE STUDIO. NOT FOR SALE OR REDISTRIBUTION." data-credit="Warner Bros. Pictures" data-credit-link-back="undefined" src="https://image.staticox.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fo.aolcdn.com%2Fdims-shared%2Fdims3%2FGLOB%2Fcrop%2F2930x1554%2B719%2B0%2Fresize%2F660x350%21%2Fformat%2Fjpg%2Fquality%2F85%2Fhttp%3A%2F%2Fo.aolcdn.com%2Fhss%2Fstorage%2Fmidas%2Fe17d1807489755ed530c68e9fe0da5a2%2F204076126%2Fthe-dark-knight.jpg" data-mep="1273761" />The 2000s were a great decade for movies. They saw the emergence of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the rebirth of the movie musical. It was a decade when unconventional genres like science fiction and fantasy took home the Oscar for Best Picture. And it was a decade that had directors pushing the boundaries of what the medium can do. So what movies stand out as benchmark moments? Read on to find out.

The 'Lord of the Rings' Trilogy (2001 - 2003)

It's impossible to single out one film from director Sean Astin's devoted Samwise Gamgee. "The Return of the King" took home 11 Oscars in 2004, and it was obvious that it was the Academy's way of rewarding the entire trilogy as a masterpiece.

'Moulin Rouge' (2001)

As a genre, the movie musical was at death's door until Nicole Kidman), the sparkling diamond of the Moulin Rouge nightclub. "Moulin Rouge" is full of razzle-dazzle as it captures the atmosphere of the club with opulent costumes and dizzying camera work. But it was the way "Moulin Rouge" relied on well-known pop songs to convey the emotions of the characters that clicked with audiences. You'll never listen to "Roxanne" the same way again.

'Finding Nemo' (2003)

Pixar's fourth film, "Finding Dory," captures the magic of the original.

'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind' (2004)

"Kate Winslet are Joel and Clementine, a couple that recently went through a painful breakup. When Joel learns that Clementine has undergone a procedure that erased him from her memory, he endeavors to to do the same. However, once the treatment begins, Joel realizes he doesn't want to give up his memories, sending him and his memory version of Clementine on a trippy journey through his brain. Equally absurd and poignant, "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" is a meditation on relationships and the choices we make when we love someone. "Meet me in Montauk ..."

'The Dark Knight' (2008)

"Heath Ledger as the Joker, but Ledger proved them all wrong, turning in a brilliant performance that netted him every ing actor award of the season and became the defining moment of his tragically short career. The sheer amount of life Ledger poured into the role was made all the more potent after his tragic ing in January 2008. Ledger's untimely death may have brought more attention to "The Dark Knight," but the movie stands on its own, packed with thrilling action sequences, tense standoffs, and ruminations on what it means to be a hero. Many would argue that it's the greatest superhero movie of all time -- and it's hard to disagree.

'The Hangover' (2009)

What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, right? "Justin Bartha), they discover just what happened on their wild night. "The Hangover" is one of those lightning in a bottle type of movies that no one sees coming. It was a mix of the perfect cast, the perfect story, and the perfect amount of raunchy humor that made it connect with audiences.

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