It’s 2025, Here Are 25 Movies That Are Somehow Turning 20 Years Old This Year

Released on November 18, 2005.

Arguably the freshest story in the Harry Potter saga, Potter fans witnessed the Triwizard tournament on the big screen. From dragons to undersea creatures, the film delivered a memorable story that featured the return of the Dark Lord.

The fourth installment of the franchise was the highest-grossing film of 2005, earning a whopping estimated $896M worldwide. That’s wicked, ‘Arry!

Released on May 19, 2005.

The Star Wars prequel trilogy concluded with an action-packed final chapter. I still remember a man being stretchered away before the film after what I could only describe as a “lightsaber fight plunge off the theater ramp.”

Revenge of the Sith was one of two movies in 2005 to crack the $800M worldwide grossing mark, finishing with an estimated $850M.

Released on December 9, 2005.

Twenty years ago, movie goers stepped through a magical cupboard and into the world of Narnia. The film was larger than life at the time, and a huge hit for the fans, for Narnia, and for Aslan.

Released on July 10, 2005.

Tim Burton tackled the Roald Dahl classic, and the movie was a box office success, earning an estimated $475M worldwide. Replacing Gene Wilder as Wonka was nearly impossible, but the next generation loved Johnny Depp’s take on the eccentric chocolatier.

Released on June 15, 2005.

Dare I say, one of the most important comic book films ever made. Batman Begins was the launching point for The Dark Knight, and the gritty authenticity showed comic book movies could be done with grounded realism. Christian Bale’s take on Bruce Wayne brought something different to the table and worked exceptionally well as an origin story, which, at the time, had yet to be done with the Batman character.

Released on May 27, 2005.

After watching this animated comedy, kids screamed how they like to “move it, move it.” The film’s success has led to countless spinoff films, video games, and TV shows. The first film grossed an estimated $542M, the lowest amount following the success of the two sequels that followed.

Released on June 24, 2005.

Cue your best Morgan Freeman impression because this little film about the Penguin migration was a smash hit. The French documentary hired Freeman to narrate for the U.S. release, and the $8M film grossed an estimated $127M worldwide. The commercial success of this film led to more nature documentaries that followed (like Earth and Oceans).

Released on September 23, 2005.

At the height of Tim Burton’s popularity, the gothic stop-motion animated musical felt like the most Tim Burton work to ever Tim Burton. The dark, whimsy, and emotional tones make it a one-of-a-kind film with themes that will tug at your heartstrings.

Released on June 23, 2005.

Imagine that famous Tom Cruise run. Now add aliens. This action-packed film was the summer blockbuster of 2005. It is based on H.G. Wells’ classic sci-fi work, and it was only right that Steven Speilberg took on the challenge.

Although audiences and critics didn’t gush over it, it made an otherworldly $604M worldwide (estimated). With a memorable Dakota Fanning performance, the movie has stood the test of time and might be the best adaptation of the famous story.

Released on December 5, 2005.

The eighth wonder of the world didn’t leave anything to the imagination. The movie’s over three-hour runtime had it all: Big bugs, a T-Rex, and an ice-dancing Kong. With an estimated $557M in earnings at the box office, the blockbuster was indeed a powerhouse and, at the time, pushed the limits of what was possible in movie-making.

It was one of those movies where you “had to be there” to appreciate the grand scheme of things, such as the incredible CGI and greenscreens.

Released on December 9, 2005.

This period drama was an Academy Award magnet, earning six nominations and taking home three (Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography, and Best Costume Design). The Arthur Golden novel of the same name was adapted into a beautiful story with memorable performances by Zhang Ziyi, Ken Watanabe, and Michelle Yeoh.

Released on February 11, 2005.

The rom-com starring Will Smith, Kevin James, and Eva Mendes was the ultimate “just be you” romance film. Grossing an estimated $372M, Hitch finished in the Top 10 highest-grossing films in 2005.

Released on July 15, 2005.

“Hey, Ma! Can we get some meatloaf?”

Wedding Crashers was the biggest comedy of 2005. Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson launched themselves even higher in the circles of comedy films.

“Hey, Mom! The meatloaf! We want it now! The meatloaf!”

But there were other great breakout performances, like Isla Fisher. The movie had plenty of one-liners and cameos that were constantly quoted.

“MOM! THE MEATLOAF! F*CK!”

It even made a killing at the box office with an estimated $288M.

Released on May 31, 2005.

This would’ve been a great Twilight Zone premise, but it works great as a coming-of-age story. Adapted from the Ann Brashares book of the same name, best friends share the same pair of pants despite being different sizes.

There was a sequel, and now it is rumored a third film is being discussed as a potential musical. How about: “Sisterhood of the Dancing Pants” for a title?

Released on May 27, 2005.

The star-studded remake had plenty of sports cameos and laughs. One of the highest-grossing comedies of 2005, it gave the 1974 version a run for its money. The return of Burt Reynolds, the leading man in the original, as Coach Nate was the icing on the cake, and many remakes would follow the tradition of recasting O.G. actors in older roles.

Released on July 25, 2025.

Before we got Chris Evans as Captain America, we got Johnny Blaze in Fantastic Four. The Marvel favorites took on Dr. Doom in a hit of a superhero film that earned a sequel. The Thing said, “It’s Clobberin’ Time,” and clobbered all over the city.

Released on October 30, 2005.

This film is like a fever dream to me. Something…something… the sky is falling, but it is really aliens? This movie had stiff competition with Disney and DreamWorks, but this was a Disney movie!? What!?

I don’t know. Comment below if there are any Chicken Little stans out there.  The movie had huge commercial success, earning over $300M at the box office. Kids loved it, which was all that mattered.

Released on August 11, 2005.

“KELLY CLARKSON!” Steve Carrell looks like a baby in this movie 20 years later, and so do the other supporting cast members. People age, who would’ve thunk it.

The Judd Apatow-directed comedy was a hit. It was a unique comedy in the “raunchy” genre at the time, but equally as quotable as others who were successful with the formula.

Released on April 1, 2005.

Sin City looked like it had jumped right off comic book pages. The neo-noir film was violent and bizarre, but ultimately, it will be remembered for its style…a style that would ignite the green light for gutsier movies with odd cinematography styles.

Two years later, Zack Snyder released 300, bringing mainstream attention to how cinematography could push the boundaries for graphic novel adaptations and cinematography. But Sin City got the ball rolling.

Released on January 14, 2005.

Arguably the best basketball movie of the 21st century, Coach Carter was one of those films that never even sniffed the Top 50 of the box office for 2005, but as time has passed, people love the story.

Samuel L. Jackson shines in the leading role, and all the players bring unique personalities to their characters.

Released on May 6, 2005.

The Academy Award-winning film took home Best Picture for the 2005 films. Ironically, Wedding CRASHers was the bigger “crash” film that year, but critically, this film was the face of 2005.

There is plenty of debate about how the film has stood the test of time, but you’re better off watching for yourself to be the judge (which is the magic of cinema sitting in a vault waiting for people to watch it like a time capsule).

Released on July 29, 2005.

What if superpowered kids had to go to high school? Sky High answered that question in a ridiculous, over-the-top movie for the whole family. The movie is considered a must-watch for people who enjoy obscure family films, and I can’t believe it is two decades old.

Released on December 9, 2005.

With two brilliant performances by Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger, Brokeback Mountain quickly became the most-talked-about movie of the year.

People refused to give up on this film, and it shined, earning an estimated $178M and finishing in the Top 25 at the box office in 2005.

Released on June 7, 2005.

Of all the versions of this story, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie were a force at the time, which was reflected in the box office. The film earned an estimated $487M worldwide, which is not bad for an action comedy.

Released on June 10, 2005.

The world was on fire (because of all the lava) for this superhero adventure film geared toward kids. If you would say that I was lying when I said this was the most important film ever made, you’d be right. But it was still a fun little movie with the same feel as the Spy Kids franchise.