The 2000s have been a defining period for cinema. Early on, the last decade launched fantasy movie franchises, together with Harry Potter, The Lord of the Rings and Pirates of the Caribbean, which proceed to encourage leisure, from tailored TV collection to video video games to new installments in cinema. The flip of the century additionally marked achievements in motion movies, with legendary characters like Jason Bourne (Matt Damon). The revitalization of fantasy and motion genres and the novelty of pc animation are notable on their very own, however none of those films could be right here with out the good actors who took on these roles.

From the younger trio of wizards in Harry Potter, performed by Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint, to established actors like Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep, the 2000s boasted numerous stars that outlined the last decade. These are the largest film stars of the 2000s, ranked by their prominence all through the last decade, their films’ success, and their performances in these films.

10

Orlando Bloom

Finest 2000s Motion pictures: ‘The Lord of the Rings’ trilogy (2001-2003)

Orlando Bloom rose to world fame within the early 2000s, largely as a consequence of his roles in two blockbuster franchises. As Legolas in The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Bloom captivated audiences along with his portrayal of the stoic archer, bringing physicality and emotional depth to the character. He additionally starred as Will Turner in Pirates of the Caribbean, anchoring the franchise reverse the flamboyant Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp). Bloom’s work in Kingdom of Heaven and Troy solidified his area of interest in epic historic dramas.

Bloom thrives in an ensemble forged. The height of his profession was undoubtedly the 2000s, and he has by no means actually reached that degree of fame or acclaim since. Whereas Legolas is arguably Bloom’s most notable function throughout his profession, his expertise shines by way of his capacity to merge motion, emotion and appeal, making him a constant presence in blockbusters and smaller tasks.

9

Nicole Kidman

Finest 2000s Film: ‘Moulin Rouge!’ (2001)

As a rising star within the ‘90s, Nicole Kidman‘s profession within the 2000s validated her repute as a flexible and daring actress. Her Oscar-nominated function in Moulin Rouge! showcased her vocal abilities and earned her essential acclaim. The identical yr, she starred within the atmospheric The Others, giving an emotional and suspenseful efficiency. Kidman’s portrayal of Virginia Woolf in The Hours stays one in every of her most acclaimed performances, incomes her the 2003 Oscar for Finest Actress.

All through the last decade, Kidman demonstrated vary and dedication with movies just like the experimental Dogville, the historic epic Australia, and the satirical sci-fi comedy The Stepford Wives. Right now, Kidman stays one of the vital daring and constantly attention-grabbing actresses of her technology. Most lately, she starred within the erotic thriller Babygirl from A24, for which she received the Volpi Cup for Finest Actress on the 2024 Venice Movie Competition. A trademark of Kidman’s profession is her mix of emotional complexity, fearlessness, and authenticity, qualities that shined in her work all through the 2000s.

8

Russell Crowe

Finest 2000s Film: ‘Gladiator’ (2000)

Coming into the 2000s with momentum from L.A. Confidential, Russell Crowe rapidly cemented his standing as one in every of Hollywood’s most commanding actors. His Oscar-winning portrayal of Maximus in Gladiator stays iconic, mixing physicality with emotional depth. Crowe adopted this success with a nuanced efficiency as mathematician John Nash in A Lovely Thoughts, a efficiency that earned him a 3rd Oscar nomination.

Crowe’s versatility shone in Cinderella Man, the place he remodeled into Despair-era boxer James Braddock with exceptional authenticity. In 3:10 to Yuma, he introduced depth and charisma to the function of an outlaw. American Gangster additional showcased his vary throughout genres. Whether or not main epic dramas or exploring offbeat comedic roles, Crowe continues to captivate audiences along with his depth. He’s nonetheless a profitable working actor, however the 2000s absolutely have been his best epoch.

7

Tom Cruise

Finest 2000s Film: ‘Minority Report’ (2002)

Following success within the ‘80s and ‘90s, Tom Cruise solidified his standing as an motion icon within the 2000s. His work on Minority Report and Warfare of the Worlds confirmed his ability in anchoring thought-provoking sci-fi narratives with emotional depth. In the meantime, his Oscar-worthy portrayal of a calculated murderer in Collateral demonstrated his vary, delivering an uncharacteristically chilling and exact efficiency.

The 2000s noticed the continuation and development of the Mission: Not possible movie collection that Cruise continues to star in as lately as July 2023, with one other installment within the works for Might 2025. Cruise continues to dominate the field workplace and redefine motion cinema. Certainly, he’s among the many uncommon actors who’ve been constantly on high for 4 a long time and counting. With ventures into sudden genres like his comedic flip in Tropic Thunder, Cruise proves himself a dynamic performer whose dedication and bodily prowess preserve him on the forefront of worldwide stardom.

6

Matt Damon

Finest 2000s Motion pictures: ‘Bourne’ Movie Sequence (2002 – current)

Matt Damon solidified his repute as a number one actor in the course of the 2000s along with his versatility resulting in business and significant success. He headlined two blockbuster franchises, portraying the amnesiac murderer Jason Bourne within the Bourne franchise and conman Linus Caldwell within the Ocean’s trilogy. Damon’s vary prolonged to acclaimed dramas like The Departed, the place he duplicitous efficiency as an undercover cop.

These roles showcased Damon’s expertise for mixing intelligence and physicality, drawing reward for his nuanced performances. Damon has maintained his standing as one in every of Hollywood’s most constant abilities. He had simply as nice a time within the 2010s as he did within the 2000s. Nevertheless, the noughties have been the time when he really grew to become a film star. Damon’s enduring enchantment lies in his capacity to steadiness blockbuster roles with intimate, character-driven narratives, sustaining each box-office success and significant acclaim.

5

Will Smith

Finest 2000s Film: ‘Ali’ (2001)

Following his time on The Contemporary Prince of Bel-Air and ‘90s film successes like Males in Black and Independence Day, Will Smith expanded his vary with the biopic Ali, incomes essential acclaim and his first Oscar nomination. He introduced appeal to sci-fi in I, Robotic, excelled in romantic comedy with Hitch, and delivered an emotional, Oscar-nominated efficiency in The Pursuit of Happyness along with his son, Jaden Smith. Smith was excellent in I Am Legend, carrying the movie solo, whereas Hancock hilariously demonstrated his capacity to subvert superhero tropes.

Smith’s mix of humor, emotional depth, and blockbuster enchantment outlined the last decade and cemented his place as one in every of Hollywood’s most prolific stars. It is much more spectacular, contemplating he was additionally one of many greatest film stars of the ’90s. Right now, Smith stays a star and even received a Finest Actor Oscar for King Richard, even when the notorious slap on the 2022 Oscar derailed his profession a bit. Nonetheless, his 2000s-era performances propelled his repute as an actor on the silver display.

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4

Leonardo DiCaprio

Finest 2000s Film: ‘The Departed’ (2006)

Leonardo DiCaprio’s profession within the 2000s showcased his transformation from a heartthrob right into a dramatic heavyweight, marked by collaborations with acclaimed administrators and a dedication to advanced roles. DiCaprio labored with Martin Scorsese in Gangs of New York and The Aviator. His work in The Departed and Blood Diamond additional highlighted his capacity to discover emotionally advanced and intense characters, with each performances incomes essential reward.

DiCaprio’s roles within the 2000s established him as a well known actor able to balancing emotional depth and charisma, turning into a fixture in fashionable cinema’s most compelling narratives. In recent times, DiCaprio has continued to push creative boundaries with transformative performances. Recognized for embracing difficult roles and collaborating with visionary administrators, DiCaprio stays a cinematic power and an icon of American cinema with an incredible legacy.

3

Brad Pitt

Finest 2000s Film: ‘Inglourious Basterds’ (2009)

Following a fruitful profession within the ‘90s, Brad Pitt showcased his versatility, charisma, and skill to sort out various roles throughout genres within the 2000s. Within the Ocean’s trilogy, Pitt’s portrayal of Rusty Ryan exemplified his appeal and comedic timing, anchoring an ensemble forged. His dramatic depth shone in Babel, whereas The Curious Case of Benjamin Button showcased his emotional vary. Pitt additionally embraced darkish humor in Burn After Studying and depth in The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford.

Pitt’s movies of the 2000s, together with Mr. and Mrs. Smith and Inglourious Basterds, emphasize his knack for each main and ensemble roles. He acquired probably the most acclaim throughout this decade, even incomes an Oscar nod for Benjamin Button. In recent times, Pitt has reached new profession heights, balancing charismatic and introspective performances. Pitt’s dedication to each creative and business excellence interprets into nice essential and business success, branding him as a flexible and enduring expertise.

2

Angelina Jolie

Recognized for ‘Lara Croft: Tomb Raider’ (2001)

Angelina Jolie entered the 2000s having simply given an outstanding, Oscar-winning efficiency in Woman, Interrupted. Within the 2000s, Jolie achieved the standing of a bonafide film star. Her titular function in Lara Croft: Tomb Raider proved her capacity to remodel right into a bodily demanding motion heroine, incomes her world fame. She explored various genres, excelling in motion with Mr. and Mrs. Smith, drama along with her Oscar-nominated flip in Changeling, and animation with the extremely profitable Kung Fu Panda.

Jolie’s performances typically drew reward for his or her depth and charisma, along with her expertise being the spotlight of the film. She stays related as each a film star and a status actress; simply final yr, Jolie starred as opera singer Maria Callas within the Netflix biographical drama Maria, and is at the moment predicted to earn her third Oscar nomination for the function. Notably, she additionally starred because the eponymous character in Maleficent and its sequel. Right now, Jolie is famend for her dynamic display presence and skill to steadiness energy with sensitivity.

1

Johnny Depp

Finest 2000s Film: ‘Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl’ (2003)

Following his success within the ’90s, Johnny Depp’s profession within the 2000s epitomized his mastery of eccentric and multifaceted roles, propelling him to world stardom. His Oscar-nominated portrayal of Captain Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl redefined the swashbuckler style with its mix of appeal, unpredictability, and wild and epic power. Depp’s vary was equally evident in Discovering Neverland and Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Road, for which he earned extra Oscar nominations.

Different darkly imaginative movies, just like the haunting youngsters’s stop-motion animation Corpse Bride and Charlie and the Chocolate Manufacturing facility, each in 2005, highlighted Depp’s expertise for remodeling unconventional characters into icons of cinema. Depp’s dedication to advanced, typically difficult roles has saved him within the highlight. His profession took a considerable hit within the final decade as a consequence of private struggles and more and more unreliable habits each in entrance and behind the digital camera. Nevertheless, Deep stays the last word star of the 2000s, due to daring creative decisions and unmatched versatility.

NEXT: The ten Finest Motion pictures That Outlined the 2000s, Ranked