IMDb: Top Rated Films of the 2000s

The Internet Movie Database has just put up its "Top Rated Films of the 2000s" list, based on the ratings for individual films compiled over the years by its registered users. Not nearly as commercial a list as you might expect, though obviously it's a tally of popular, big audience films rather than smaller pictures which may belong on a "Best of the Decade" list - compare this list of critic favourites, for instance, bearing in mind that it doesn't yet include the films of 2009.

Also bear in mind, with IMDb ratings, films often rate higher in the months immediately after they're released, when the people posting ratings are the people who rushed to see the film in the theatre, and are most likely to be fans. Over time, more people see the films whose tastes don't necessarily run that direction, who gave it a miss ("maybe when it's on dvd") when it first hit the theatres - plenty of whom will experience the Big Letdown Syndrome ("what was all the hype?"), and rate the film lower than it may deserve, just as the initial fans may have rated it higher in their fresh enthusiasm. So expect the totals for 2009 films to settle over time.

Still, an interesting snapshot that reminds us of a lot of terrific films. And an interesting "heads up" about Nefes: Vatan sagolsun ("The Breath") - first I've heard of a Turkish war film that's obviously evoking a strong response.

IMDb: Top Rated "2000s" Titles

1. Dark Knight, The (2008)
2. Lord of Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
3. City of God ("Cidade de Deus" 2002)
4. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of Ring (2001)
5. Avatar (2009)
6. Memento (2000)
7. Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)
8. WALL·E (2008)
9. Amelie ("Le fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain" 2001)
10. Lives of Others, The ("Das Leben der Anderen" 2006)

11. Spirited Away ("Sen to Chihiro no kamikakushi" 2001)
12. Pianist, The (2002)
13. Departed, The (2006)
14. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
15. Requiem for a Dream (2000)
16. Up (2009)
17. Inglourious Basterds (2009)
18. Pan's Labyrinth ("El laberinto del fauno" 2006)
19. Downfall ("Der Untergang" 2004)
20. Prestige, The (2006)

21. Gran Torino (2008)
22. Slumdog Millionaire (2008)
23. Sin City (2005)
24. District 9 (2009)
25. Hotel Rwanda (2004)
26. Oldboy (2003)
27. Batman Begins (2005)
28. Gladiator (2000)
29. Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)
30. No Country for Old Men (2007)

31. Breath, The ("Nefes: Vatan sagolsun" 2009)
32. Up in the Air (2009/I)
33. Wrestler, The (2008)
34. There Will Be Blood (2007)
35. Donnie Darko (2001)
36. Into the Wild (2007)
37. Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003)
38. Snatch (2000)
39. Million Dollar Baby (2004)
40. Star Trek (2009)

41. Bourne Ultimatum, The (2007)
42. Amores perros (2000)
43. Departures ("Okuribito" 2008)
44. Finding Nemo (2003)
45. Ratatouille (2007)
46. V for Vendetta (2005)
47. Diving Bell and the Butterfly, The ("Le scaphandre et le papillon" 2007)
48. Do Your Thing ("Dil Chahta Hai" 2001)
49. Twilight Samurai, The ("Tasogare Seibei" 2002)
50. Incredibles, The (2004)