It’s hard to believe that 2006 was 20 years ago. It feels just like yesterday we saw the return of Ethan Hunt, James Bond, and Jack Sparrow.
This year, we’re looking forward to the return of Miranda Priestly, a new James Bond (at some point), and recently said goodbye to Ethan Hunt.
So with that in mind, let’s take a trip down memory lane and talk about 20 movies turning 20 in 2026 and why we still love them.
Mission: Impossible III
The first Mission: Impossible movie has aged incredibly well and still ranks among the best in the franchise. The same cannot be said for the second; it’s a bit of a mess. Under the direction of Brad Bird, Mission: Impossible III would right the ship. Is it as good as the modern releases? No, but Phillip Seymour Hoffman is an excellent villain.
The Prestige
Long before Christopher Nolan would finally win his Oscar with Oppenheimer, he dazzled us with one of film’s most impressive plot twists. The Prestige is a tale of two rival magicians that showcases Nolan at his very best. Clever, intelligent, well-paced, and hard to stop once you start watching.
Beerfest
One movie genre that has, unfortunately, become lost over time is the humble comedy. They were out in full force 20 years ago, as we’re about to showcase. Following the success of Super Troopers, comedy group Broken Lizard proved they weren’t a one-hit wonder. Beerfest is the type of silly, somewhat juvenile, but not quite gross-out humor that still thrives today. While the group is now working on Super Troopers 3, we’re still waiting on that Beerfest sequel. Follow us on MSN for more content you love.
Accepted
If mid-2000s comedies weren’t going all in on gross-out humor, they were instead opting for heart. That’s the case with Accepted, which features an impressive cast led by Justin Long and Jonah Hill. Is the premise silly and unbelievable? Absolutely, but we’re not here for a coherent plot. We want to laugh, smile, and feel something. Accepted still delivers that warm, comfy feeling inside.
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest
Call me crazy, but I very much like Dead Man’s Chest and feel like it still holds up well today. While the first Pirates movie goes all in on fun and unserious stakes, Dead Man’s Chest does an excellent job of giving things a darker, dramatic feel that’s still juxtaposed well with comedy.
Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby
Speaking of comedy, Talladega Nights remains one of Will Ferrell’s best. It remains insanely quotable, a wonderful comfort watch, and just as funny today as it was twenty years ago.
Stranger Than Fiction
One of my favorite things is when comedic actors get a chance to show their dramatic chops. Stranger Than Fiction is a perfect example of this, throwing Will Ferrell into a more serious, albeit still somewhat comical, premise that lets him showcase his talents.
The Devil Wears Prada
I’m not sure how well the upcoming sequel will fare, but, worst-case scenario, we’ll always have the original. The Devil Wears Prada is delightful today as it was in 2006, doing an excellent job of combining a coming-of-age story for Andy while doubling as a dramatic look at the world of fashion.
Smokin’ Aces
2006 was a strong year for critically acclaimed movies, but we still want to give credit to the popcorn flicks. There’s no better example than Smokin’ Aces. It’s stylish, features an impressive ensemble cast, and is a whole lot of fun. Is it a perfect movie? No, but there’s nothing wrong with turning your brain off once in a while.
Alpha Dog
Based on the true story of the disappearance of Nicholas Markowitz, Alpha Dog uses the backdrop of that story to deliver the same stylish entertainment as Smokin’ Aces. Since it’s based on a true story, it succeeds in delivering a more serious story, even if it still falls short of something like The Departed. Kudos to Justin Timberlake for proving he has some serious acting chops.
Little Miss Sunshine
In any other year, I’m convinced this would have won Best Picture. Little Miss Sunshine is a perfectly cast, surprisingly uplifting dark comedy that can’t help but put a smile on your face. It’s the type of movie that shouldn’t work, but succeeds despite all odds thanks to the strength of its cast.
Borat
Sascha Baron Cohen was no stranger to the Borat character, having played him on Da Ali G Show. His 2006 big-screen debut introduced him to a broad audience, and the results spoke for themselves. Borat is not only one of the funniest movies of all time, but one that doubles as an incredible look at American culture and society.
Clerks II
Clerks II is arguably just as funny as Borat, though it doesn’t double as a satirical examination of the problems of America’s citizens. Let’s be honest: this is a dumb movie meant for Kevin Smith fans, and it succeeds at that. Will it win over newcomers? Possibly, but it’s unapologetic about catering to its core demographic, and we love it for that.
Grandma’s Boy
20th Century Fox
Speaking of dumb movies, there may be no better than Grandma’s Boy. It’s an Adam Sandler comedy without Adam Sandler. Instead, his frequent co-star Allen Covert gets the leading role in a comedy that’s best meant to be watched alongside some assistance, if you catch my drift.
Pan’s Labyrinth
Guillermo del Toro’s masterpiece is a groundbreaking fantasy film that broke the mold for the genre. Rather than relying on established and tired tropes, especially following the success of The Lord of the Rings, del Toro’s film ventures into new aesthetics and imagery that still impresses moviegoers today.
The Holiday
Every year brings a new Christmas movie, but very rarely does one become a holiday staple. 2006’s The Holiday succeeds in doing that, using the holiday season as the backdrop for a movie that doesn’t fall into the trap of becoming overly cheesy. It also helps that the cast (Cameron Diaz, Jude Law, Kate Winslet, and Jack Black) has incredible chemistry together.
Casino Royale
It’s hard to believe that Daniel Craig’s time as James Bond is finished, especially considering how well it began. Casino Royale is the perfect reboot for the Bond franchise, bringing it into the modern era of filmmaking with a more realistic, down-to-earth, gritty approach that still holds up today.
Crank
That doesn’t mean we wanted every 2006 movie to be down-to-earth. Crank is anything but; it’s a fantastic, over-the-top action movie that features Jason Statham at his very best.
The Departed
You didn’t think we’d forget about the best movie of 2006, did you? The Departed holds up incredibly well today, featuring no-stop, career-defining performances from its entire ensemble cast that highlight the very best of Martin Scorsese’s filmmaking.
Follow us on MSN for more content you love.
Read More From Us:
