It seems as though, every year, the film industry finds a way to outdo itself, whether that is due to advancements in technology, increasing budgets, or the quality of storytelling. One year that stands out in particular amongst the rest is 2005. Some of the most complex and movingfilms from the 2000swere released during that year. From the Academy’s Best Picture winnerCrash, directed and written by Paul Haggis, to Ang Lee’s romance/dramaBrokeback Mountain, starring Jake Gyllenhaal and future Oscar-winner Heath Ledger. Not only are the performances in both films incredible, but the screenplays are exceptional and both, overall, are stories that audiences are still admiring over15 years later.
In addition to these great films with original screenplays, there were so many belovedbook to film adaptationsreleased in 2005.Pride & Prejudice, adapted from theclassic Jane Austen novel, made its way onto the big screen and has become a fan favorite over the years. With such a strong cast of actresses including Keira Knightley, Rosamund Pike, and Carey Mulligan, the film was destined for success. 2005 is also the year that the fourth film in the widely popularHarry Potterfranchise,Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, was released, which grossed over $896 million at the box office. Here are the best movies that indicate why 2005 was such a great year for film.
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8Corpse Bride
There is nothing else quite like a Tim Burton film. The director is a master at his craft and one of the most successful filmmakers when it comes to the fantasy/family genre. FromEdward Scissorhands,Beetlejuice, andAlice in WonderlandtoCharlie and the Chocolate FactoryandCorpse Bride, Burton has created such innovative and iconic work.Corpse Brideis based on stories told in Jewish folklore and stars Helena Bonham Carter and Johnny Depp, both of whom Burton has collaborated with on multiple projects.
7Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith
TheStar Warsfilms, created and directed by George Lucas, are considered to be one of the most successful franchises in all of cinema. The movies were extremely successful right from the beginning in 1977 when the first filmStar Wars: A New Hopewas released.Revenge of the Sithstars Hayden Christensen, Ewan McGregor, Ian McDiarmid, Natalie Portman, Christopher Lee, and Samuel L. Jackson and follows the suspicions raised in the Jedi Council concerning Palpatine and Anakin’s journey to the dark side. The film concluded the Prequel Trilogy.
6Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Like theStar Warsfranchise, theHarry Potterfilms have made their mark on cinema history, becoming one of the most popular film franchises of all time. Broadway shows, amusement parks, and tons of stores have come out of the extreme success these movies have gained, and even ten years after the final film was released, audiences have proven that they still love this story and all the characters that make it so special.Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fireis the fourth installment in the franchise and follows the dangerous journey Harry must go on when his name is mysteriously drawn from the Goblet of Fire.
5Pride & Prejudice
Jane Austen’s classic novelPride & Prejudicereleased in 1813 and is one of the most beloved pieces of literatureto this day. When the 2005 adaptation of this story was released, it was destined for greatness. Kiera Knightley, Matthew Mcfayden, Rosamund Pike, Simon Woods, Carey Mulligan, and Rupert Friend give incredible performances starring as these iconic characters. In 2006, the film was nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Actress (for Knightley), Best Original Score, Best Production Design, and Best Costume Design.
4Batman Begins
Christopher Nolan’sThe Dark Knighttrilogy is iconic and has received major critical acclaim over the years. The trilogy includesBatman Beginsreleased in 2005,The Dark Knightreleased in 2008, andThe Dark Knight Risesreleased in 2012. Aside from how incredible the cinematography is and how interesting the story is, one of the most notable aspects of the franchise is the cast. The amount of stars who make appearances in the three films is unmatched, from Christan Bale who plays Batman/ Bruce Wayne, to Heath Ledger, Gary Oldman, Michael Caine, Aaron Eckhart, Morgan Freeman, Tom Hardy, Anne Hathaway, Cillian Murphy, Katie Holmes, Marion Cotillard, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Maggie Gyllenhaal.
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3Walk The Line
This musical/dramaWalk The Lineis based on the true story of music legends Johnny Cash and June Carter and how the two fell in love with one another. While this is a beautiful story, the heart and soul of this film is the incredibleperformance Reese Witherspoongives as Carter. This part was a monumental role in Witherspoon’s career, earning the actress her first Academy Award nomination and win for Best Actress in 2006. Joaquin Phoenix also received a nomination for Best Actor for his portrayal of the country musician.
2Brokeback Mountain
Brokeback Mountainis such a special film that is centered around the love shared between a rodeo cowboy and a ranch hand. Both Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger give some of the best performances of their careers as Jack Twist and Ennis Del Mar, respectively, alongside the talented Michelle Williams and Anne Hathaway. Despite how strongly Jack and Ennis feel about one another, the two go on to marry other people and keep their affair a secret for over 20 years. Still, to this day, people are frustrated withBrokeback Mountain’s Best Picture loss to Crash at the Academy Awards in 2006, and some consider it to be one of the biggest Oscar snubs of all time.
AlthoughCrashtechnically had a limited release in 2004, it didn’t make its wide release in the United States until 2005. This crime/drama deals with race, gender, and the justice system in the United States and that very evident imbalance of power. Matt Dillon, Sandra Bullock, Don Cheadle, Brendan Fraser, Terrence Howard, Thandiwe Newton, Ryan Phillippe, Jennifer Esposito, and Michael Peña all star in the film.Crashwas nominated for five Oscars in 2006 and ended up winning three Academy Awards: for Best Film Editing, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Picture.
