Movie producers in the early 2000's must've taken pity on parents because they created some of the best kids movies that were just as entertaining for adults as they were for the kids.
The Emperor's New Groove, 2000
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"The Emperor's New Groove" will teach your kids that being selfish won't get you very far in life. Kuzco the Emperor is transformed into a llama by his ex-advisor Yzma and her henchman Kronk. Kuzco has to rely on Pacho, a town local, to save his skin--that is if Pacho will forgive him for trying to build a water park over his house.
Spy Kids, 2001
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Is it not every kid's dream to find out their parents are secretly spies? The classic feuding brother and sister, Carmen and Juni, have to toughen up and learn how to rely on each other to save their parents before they are turned into really creepy "fooglies" by TV show star Fegan Floop. Who even thought of this?
Monster's Inc., 2001
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One-eyed Mike Wazowski and his fluffy friend Sully are Monster's Inc.'s most productive scaring employees. But when one of their jobs goes awry, they leave the office with a lot more than they can chew--a human toddler!
Shrek, 2001
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"In the morning, I'm making waffles!"
Shrek and Donkey team up to save the swamp, filled with all of your child's favorite characters like the three blind mice and Gingy, the gingerbread man. Shrek goes from grumpy loner to fun-loving, princess-saving hero and the duo drop some of the best one-liners of all time.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, 2001
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Does this even need an explanation?! The world's obsession with the wizarding world began in the early 2000's, and it's still not over. Packed with magic, adventures, dragons and plenty of life lessons, your kids obviously have to watch Harry Potter, the Boy Who Lived.
Lilo and Stitch, 2002
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"Ohana means family. Family means nobody gets left behind."
"Lilo and Stitch" could make a grown man blubber like a baby... If it wasn't about a funny looking little alien with a tendency to destroy everything in its path. At its heart though, "Lilo and Stitch" is all about family and heroism--what else do you need for movie night?
Ice Age, 2002
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Travel with the kiddos back to the Ice Age where things are heating up--literally. Sid the sloth and Manny the Mammoth--wow, nice alliteration--rescue a baby after a pack of saber tooth tigers attack a camp of humans. Sid and Manny have to find a compromise with Diego, one of the tigers, to get the baby back to his father before it's too late.
Finding Nemo, 2003
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"Just keep swimming, just keep swimming."
"Finding Nemo" is one of the best kids movies of all time. Hands down. Marlin, an over-protective clownfish dad, must embark on a journey to find his son, Nemo, after he's captured and confined to a dentist's fish tank. Marlin and forgetful Dory have to face their fears and conquer their weaknesses if they hope to navigate shark- and jellyfish-infested waters to rescue Nemo.
The Incredibles, 2004
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The Incredibles are just like any normal family—but with secret super powers. When Mr. Incredible foolishly falls into a trap at the hands of his nemesis Syndrome, it takes the whole super family working together to save the day.
Shark Tale, 2004
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The only thing better than the "Shark Tale" soundtrack is its message to kids. Lenny, a vegetarian shark, wants to escape his shark mob family and follow his own path, so he enlists the help of underachieving whale-washer Oscar. Oscar learns there's a big price for being famous and the best thing you can do in life is dream big, work hard and be yourself.
The Chronicles of Narnia, 2005
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Ever wonder why your kid keeps trying to break through the back of your coat closet? Blame "The Chronicles of Narnia," where there's an entire world waiting full of magic and awesome talking lions.
Cars, 2006
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"My name's Mater, it's like Tuhmater...without the Tuh."
The movie that made Rascal Flatts kind of OK to listen to also happens to be one of the best kids movies ever. Champion racecar Lightning McQueen gets stuck in the small town of Radiator Springs off Route 66 on the way to the big race, where he learns there's a lot more to life than flashy trophies and getting headlights--like friendship and pretty Porsches.
Ratatouille, 2007
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Aha! Finally, a movie that will make your kid want to cook you dinner for once. Remy the rat dreams of being a big time chef one day, and he's found just the young man to help him do it. Linguini, who has no real cooking talents of his own, let's Remy become his puppeteer in the kitchen and the two end up opening their very own restaurant--sounds sanitary.
Kung Fu Panda, 2008
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Jack Black is at it again in "Kung Fu Panda." Po, the giant panda, wants to become a kung fu master, much to the displeasure of his adoptive father. Po endures brutal training with Master Shifu and the Furious Five, winning them over with his insatiable appetite and light-hearted attitude.
WALL-E, 2008
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WALL-E the robot is on a mission to bring humans back to earth after he discovers it's ready to support life again--but it won't be easy. "WALL-E" isn't just on our list of best 2000s movies. It also topped TIME magazine's Best Movies of the Decade list and won Best Animated Feature Film at the Golden Globes in 2008.
Up, 2009
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A crotchety 78-year-old man named Carl and Russell, a young "wilderness trooper," set out on a whirlwind adventure to fulfill Carl's late wife's dream of seeing the wilds of South Africa--in a house suspended by thousands of balloons. No animated film besides "Beauty and the Beast" has ever been nominated for the Academy Award's Best Picture, except for "Up." It's a must see.
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