The year 2004 delivered an exceptional range of films, from critically acclaimed dramas and daring indie projects to memorable box office hits. The Best Movies of 2004 included superhero movies that won over critics, independent films exploring new creative ground, and animated movies breaking box office records. From Shrek 2 dominating the world charts to Million Dollar Baby taking home the Academy Award for Best Picture, 2004 remains one of the most exciting and diverse years for moviegoers.
Some of the unforgettable and most powerful performances stories of the early 2000s came from the Oscar-worthy dramas that shaped 2004.
Million Dollar Baby
Kicking of this list of the The Best Movies of 2004 is Million Dollar Baby, directed by Clint Eastwood and featuring Eastwood himself, Hilary Swank and Morgan Freeman is a powerful boxing drama.
It earned three Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Actress, and Best Supporting Actor.
Ray
As music icon Ray Charles, Jamie Foxx gave one of his most memorable performances to date. Charles changed so drastically that both reviewers and viewers believed they were seeing him on screen.
Foxx’s win of the Academy Award for Best Actor solidified this biopic’s standing as one of the year’s best.
Sideways
Alexander Payne’s humorous and depressing road trip film about two men experiencing midlife crises while tasting wine in California.
It was well received by reviewers. It won an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay and starred Paul Giamatti and Thomas Haden Church. The film was both funny and emotionally touching.
These movies not only won awards, but they also stood the test of time as examples of heartfelt, character-driven movies.
Movies That Made History at the Box Office
There were a lot of award-winning dramas in 2004, but it was also a big year at the box office. If you’re enjoying this post of the Best movies of 2004 ranker, please consider checking out:
Shrek 2
Shrek 2 became the highest-grossing film of 2004, earning an impressive $929 million worldwide.
The movie built on the original’s fairy-tale satire with even funnier jokes, famous characters like Puss in Boots, and scenes that people will remember for years to come.
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, directed by Alfonso Cuarón, marked the third film in the series and introduced a darker, more visually creative style to the franchise.
Fans still love its unique look and mature tone, which make it one of the best games in the series.
Spider-Man 2
Spider-Man 2 was the masterpiece of Sam Raimi and is often praised as one of the greatest superhero films.
It was a seamless blending of thrilling action scenes with Peter Parker’s personal struggles.Its $783 million box office receipts demonstrated that superhero films could be both well-liked and critically acclaimed.
The Incredibles
The Incredibles, Pixar’s tale of a superhero family, brought a fresh approach to both animation and storytelling. It is still one of Pixar’s best-loved films and brought in over $631 million worldwide. It combines humuor, action, and everyday family life.
Indie and International Highlights
2004 was a great year for indie films and films from other countries, in addition to big Hollywood hits.
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind-
Directed by Michel Gondry and brilliantly penned by Charlie Kaufman, is still one of the most unique movies of the 21st century. It starred Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet and looked at memory, love, and heartbreak in a strange but very human way.
People still talk about love and identity after seeing the movie, which won an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay.
Before Sunset
Richard Linklater’s minimalist follow-up to Before Sunrise brought Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy back together for a walk-and-talk in real time in Paris.
It got a lot of praise for its personal stories and deep emotions, and it is now considered one of the best romance movies.
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House of Flying Daggers
This visually stunning martial arts epic by Chinese director Zhang Yimou wowed audiences all over the world.
It stood out among international releases because of its stunning cinematography and graceful action choreography.
Hayao Miyazaki’s animated masterpiece combined beautiful visuals, fantasy, and anti-war themes. It earned $235 million worldwide.
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Final thoughts
While 2004 gave us some of the best films of the 2000s, it’s a far cry from the worst movies of the 90s, which show how quickly Hollywood can swing between hits and misses.
The best movies of 2004 remind us of a time when Hollywood and other countries made movies that were funny, exciting, sad, and hard to forget.
Each movie had something different to offer audiences, whether it was the touching story of Million Dollar Baby, the innovative ideas in Eternal Sunshine, or the pure fun of Shrek 2.
More movies
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