Sometimes you want a movie that's not too old and not too new – a Goldilocks of cinematic history, if you will. Fortunately for Netflix subscribers, the streaming service is jam-packed with some of the best movies from early-aughts, from blockbuster action to crowd-pleasing comedies, and even a few Oscar winners. For the purposes of this list, we'll be looking at movies that came out between the years of 2000 and 2009. And boy, the first decade of the new millennium sure had some killer films, from the birth of superhero dominance at the box office to the rise of beloved filmmakers like Todd Phillips, Paul Thomas Anderson, and Guy Ritchie.

Check out our picks for the Best 2000s Movies on Netflix below, and if you're looking for more streaming recommendations, be sure to check out The Best Movies on Netflix and The Best TV Shows on Netflix.

House Bunny (2008)

Run Time: 1 hr 37 min | Genre: Comedy | Director: Fred Wolf

Cast: Anna Faris, Colin Hanks, Emma Stone

Anna Faris, Colin Hanks, and a young Emma Stone star in this raucous comedy about former Playboy bunny Shelley Darlingson (Anna Faris), who, in an effort to regain her purpose, finds herself as the house mother of a group of college sorority girls. Full of laugh-out-loud light comedy, Karen McCullah and Kirsten Smith’s script is brimming with awkwardly hilarious scenarios that jump from page to screen. Anna Faris is endearing in the lead role, with the ensemble cast just as talented, including a brilliant performance from soon-to-be Academy Award winner Emma Stone. Harmless fun, House Bunny is definitely a film to rid you of your blues. - Jake Hodges

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Superbad (2007)

Run Time: 1 hr 53 min | Genre: Comedy | Director: Gregg Mottola

Cast: Jonah Hill, Michael Cera, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Bill Hader

Widely cited as one of the best comedies of the 2000s, Superbad follows a group of unpopular, awkward teenagers as they make their bid to turn from boys into men after being surprisingly invited to a popular party. Bursting at the seams with comedy royalty, Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg produce a script for the ages that would come to define an entire sub-genre. Perfectly capturing the angst-ridden social awkwardness of teenage life, Superbad is unapologetic and sometimes crude but never far from genuine hilarity. - Jake Hodges

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The Sweetest Thing (2002)

Run Time: 1 hr 24 min | Genre: Rom-com | Director: Roger Kumble

Cast: Cameron Diaz, Thomas Jane, Christina Applegate

After finally finding the man of her dreams, Cameron Diaz’s Christina and her friends, following an encouraging chat at her brother’s wedding, set out on a trip to track him down after he leaves town. With jokes aplenty, The Sweetest Thing never loses sight of the wholesome hunt for love at its heart, with the endearing Diaz excelling in the leading role. Often cited as an underrated gem in a diluted genre, The Sweetest Thing is exactly what it says on the tin, with plenty of laugh-out-loud moments and a touch or two of raunchiness for good measure. The narrative paces along gently with the satisfyingly predictable climax leaving a smile on the face of any viewer. - Jake Hodges

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8 Mile (2002)

Run Time: 1 hr 50 min | Genre: Drama | Director: Curtis Hanson

Cast: Eminem, Brittany Murphy, Kim Basinger

A film that made Eminem the first rapper to win an Academy Award, 8 Mile follows the hip-hop icon as Jimmy, a young wannabe rapper living in poverty who snatches hope from the jaws of defeat while surrounded by a system designed to make his dreams as unattainable as possible. Truly inspirational, 8 Mile serves as a call to arms for those who lost faith in their dreams, with the narrative seemingly throwing every obstacle Jimmy’s direction and him still finding a way to battle through. Based on elements of Eminem’s real life, the movie is raw and visceral in its depiction of the protagonist's struggle, with its moments of drama and tension at times relieved by genuine comedy. Gripping from the start, 8 Mile is a shining example of what was, at the time, a burgeoning sub-genre of hip-hop movies. - Jake Hodges

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Sex and the City: The Movie (2008)

Run Time: 2 hr 25 min | Genre: Comedy | Director: Michael Patrick King

Cast: Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Cynthia Nixon, Kristin Davis

Based on the hugely successful TV series of the same name, Sex and the City: The Movie follows the famous friends a few years after the events of the show, with Sarah Jessica Parker’s Carrie Bradshaw about to finally marry Mr. Big (Chris Noth) when things disastrously take a turn for the worst. Michael Patrick King makes his feature film directorial debut in a movie that does well to pay homage both tonally and literally to the series it follows but also stands strong on its own. Emotionally chaotic and brilliantly funny, fans of the show rightfully hailed this as worthy of its title, with the central friendships endearing enough to carry the plot on their own. - Jake Hodges

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Lost in Translation (2003)

Run Time: 1 hr 42 min | Genre: Comedy, Drama | Director: Sofia Coppola

Cast: Bill Murray, Scarlett Johansson, Giovanni Ribisi, Anna Faris

Starring Bill Murray as tired film star Bob Harris, Lost in Translation takes place in Tokyo and sees Harris form an unlikely relationship with Scarlett Johansson’s Charlotte. Cited as Bill Murray’s favorite film he’s ever made, Lost in Translation thrives thanks to a beautiful script from director Sofia Coppola, with none of the detailed nuances from the page lost in translation onto the screen. Murray and Johansson have dazzling chemistry in every scene, with Murray’s pensive performance oddly captivating. Oozing class from start to finish, Lost in Translation is much more than a whisper in the ear. - Jake Hodges

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The Fast and the Furious (2001)

Run Time: 1 hr 46 min | Genre: Action | Director: Rob Cohen

Cast: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Michelle Rodriguez

The movie that spawned one of the 21st century’s biggest franchises, The Fast and the Furious follows Paul Walker’s LAPD officer Brian O’Conner, who, after investigating the illegal world of street racing, becomes infatuated with it himself. Full of action-packed set pieces, The Fast and the Furious is much more than a film for petrolheads, with its emotive quality shining as much as its high-octane stunts. Quite literally both fast and furious, the plot speeds through like a supercar at a frightening pace but still takes time for moments of reflection amongst the fun. With thrills in abundance, it’s no wonder this franchise has become as vast as it has. - Jake Hodges

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Spider-Man (2002)

Run Time: 2 hr 1 min | Genre: Action | Director: Sam Raimi

Cast: Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, James Franco, Willem Dafoe

Tobey Maguire dons the famous spidey-suit in the first of director Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man trilogy. This time, the oft-told Spider-Man origin story is sprinkled with a real sense of deep-rooted emotion, with the relationship between Maguire’s Peter Parker and James Franco’s Harry — and Peter’s home life with his grandparents — fully realized. Willem Dafoe excels as the iconic Green Goblin, with his eyes ever-twinkling with evil menace. True to its comic book source material and genuinely moving, Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man is a brilliant retelling of one of Marvel’s most famous stories. - Jake Hodges

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Accepted (2006)

Run Time: 1 hr 33 min | Genre: Comedy | Director: Steve Pink

Cast: Justin Long, Jonah Hill, Blake Lively

Steve Pink makes his directorial debut in this high school comedy about Bartleby Gaines, (Justin Long) who, in an attempt to gain approval from his difficult father, makes his own school — the South Harmon Institute of Technology — and finds his calling. Packed full of gags, Accepted thrives by not taking itself too seriously, with a cast of characters who match this mantra perfectly. The comedy weaves between the slapstick, the crude, and the downright wacky as the likes of Jonah Hill and Justin Long excel with the source material. Despite its drive to tell as many jokes as possible, Accepted still thankfully finds the time for moments of genuine emotion amongst the laughter. - Jake Hodges

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Role Models (2008)

Run Time: 1 hr 39 min | Genre: Comedy: | Director: David Wain

Cast: Paul Rudd, Seann William Scott, Elizabeth Banks, Jane Lynch

After Paul Rudd’s Danny and Seann William Scott’s Wheeler are arrested for their stupid behavior, both are given community service as big brothers to two uniquely challenging boys. A comedy with a heart of gold, a stellar cast latches onto a hilarious script with gripped fists and applies their immense talent in abundance. Paul Rudd, Seann William Scott, and Jane Lynch are all fantastic, but it is young Bobb’e J Thompson as Ronnie who steals the show with his shocking profanity and punchy one-liners. The relationship between Ronnie and Wheeler grows and matures nicely alongside a tight story worthy of the public acclaim this movie received. Likened to Superbad and Pineapple Express, if laughter is the best medicine, then Role Models is like therapy. - Jake Hodges

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