2004 was a good year for cinema, delivering a diverse array of films that lefta lasting cultural impact. Its gems range from deeply introspective dramas to high-energy action thrillers. Directors likeMichel Gondry,Quentin Tarantino, andRichard Linklaterexperimented with narrative structure and emotional depth, while mainstream filmmakers likeSam RaimiandBrad Birdelevated genre filmmaking with heart and intelligence.
With this in mind, this list looks at some of the essential movies from 2004, running the gamut from revenge-o-matics to character studies. They all hold up more than two decades later, whether through emotional resonance, innovative storytelling, or sheer cinematic craftsmanship.
10’Sideways' (2004)
Directed by Alexander Payne
“I’m not drinking any f***ing Merlot!” One ofAlexander Payne’smost beautifully bittersweet projects,Sidewayscenters on Miles (Paul Giamatti), a struggling writer and wine aficionado, who takes his best friend Jack (Thomas Haden Church) on a weeklong trip through California’s wine country before Jack’s wedding. Both have their own problems, hopes, and regrets, responding to midlife crises in different ways.
Sidewaysnicely balances comedy and melancholy, and all of the jokes and gags, even the slapstick, feel earned, emerging organically from the characters. The movie also takes a refreshingly kind approach rather than a satirical one. The characters' flaws aren’t ridiculed but observed with empathy. The script is nuanced and fundamentally hopeful, rightly winning that year’s Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay. Giamatti and Church rise to the occasion with committed, charming performances (this was a breakout role for the former), as doVirginia MadsenandSandra Oh.
Two men reaching middle age with not much to show but disappointment embark on a week-long road trip through California’s wine country, just as one is about to take a trip down the aisle.
9’Collateral' (2004)
Directed by Michael Mann
“Max, six billion people on the planet, you’re getting bent out of shape cause of one fat guy.“Tom Cruisedeliversone of his best performancesin this sleek thriller, playing against type. He is Vincent, a ruthless contract killer with a list of targets to eliminate in a single night. His stare is dead-eyed and icy, and all of his lines drip with menace.Jamie Foxxis also solid as Max, the mild-mannered cab driver who is forced to drive Vincent from hit to hit, providing the movie’s emotional core.
The two polar opposite characters create an engaging dynamic. From this simple premise,Michael Manncrafts a stylish, electrifying action flick that turns Los Angeles into a neon-lit labyrinth of moral dilemmas.This is neo-noir done right, executing its genre thrills with flair. In particular, the introspection and the intelligent, believable dialogue elevateCollateralover similar, more middling films.
Collateral
8’The Incredibles' (2004)
“When everyone’s super, no one will be.“The Incrediblesis not just one ofPixar’s best films—it’s one of the greatest superhero movies ever made. Set in a world where superheroes have been forced into hiding due to public backlash, the story follows the former Mr. Incredible (Craig T. Nelson), now struggling with a mundane suburban life after his crime-fighting days were cut short. When he’s secretly recruited for a new mission, Bob jumps at the chance to relive his glory days, only to discover that the assignment is a trap.
Vibrant visuals are combined with layered characters and mature themes, including a thoughtful exploration of family, relationships, individuality, and the longing to be special. The movie even swerves intoWatchmenterritory, looking at the bureaucratization of heroes, as well as the disconnect between fandom and creators. These observations have aged well, as superhero fatigue has set in and the genre has started to run out of steam.
The Incredibles
Directed by Edgar Wright
“Don’t say the Z-word!” The formidable trio ofEdgar Wright,Simon Pegg, andNick Frostrose to fame with this gem, seamlessly fusing sharp British comedy with gory zombie horror. Pegg plays the title character, a slacker stuck in a dead-end job and an even deader-end relationship, who is forced to step up when a zombie apocalypse breaks out in London. He and his pal Ed (Frost) devise a hilariously misguided plan to save their loved ones, which mostly involves drinking at their favorite pub.
Shaun of the Deadisa masterclass in fusing genres, riffing on a host of cinematic influences yet still exuding its own personality. Wright’s affection for the zombie genre shines through, and everything about this movie feels lovingly crafted. The rapid-fire editing, clever foreshadowing, and endlessly quotable dialogue make it incredibly rewatchable. But the movie’s beating heart is the chemistry between Pegg and Frost, announcing their arrival as one of the strongest comedic duos of the 2000s.
Shaun of the Dead
6’Kill Bill: Vol. 2' (2004)
Directed by Quentin Tarantino
“That woman deserves her revenge… and we deserve to die.” Speaking of movies that expertly blend a range of references,Tarantinoserved up one of the decade’s most impressive one-two punches in hisKill Billsaga. While the first was a blood-soaked rampage of martial arts and revenge,Vol. 2slows things down, offeringa more introspective and character-driven conclusionas The Bride (Uma Thurman) moves closer to her final target.
For example, the climax is surprisingly dialogue-based, with The Bride and Bill (David Carradine) clashing with words rather than swords. Both the hero and the villain are revealed to be more complex and vulnerable than the viewer might have thought. That said, the more action-focused scenes are still terrific, including The Bride’s training montage in a gorgeous green forest and her memorable escape from a buried coffin. This movie just bursts with creativity and an unabashed love for cinema, making its charms hard to resist.
Kill Bill: Vol. 2
5’Before Sunset' (2004)
Directed by Richard Linklater
“Baby, you are gonna miss that plane.“Richard Linklater’sBeforeseries is one of the few movie trilogies that can giveLord of the Ringsa run for its money. The sequel not only matched but enriched its predecessor, catching up with Jesse (Ethan Hawke) and Celine (Julie Delpy) in Paris nine years after their magical night in Vienna. Jesse, now a successful author, is on a book tour when Celine appears at a reading, sparking an afternoon of walking, talking, and unraveling the emotions left unresolved since their first encounter.
This is impressively naturalistic storytelling, held together by brilliant dialogue (much of it improvised) and fantastic performances. But unlike the youthful optimism ofBefore Sunrise, this film is tinged with regret and longing. The stars co-wroteBefore Sunsetwith the director. As Linklaterexplains: “I was sort of a conduit – they would send me monologues and dialogues and scenes and ideas, and I was editing, compiling and writing.” What a fantastic meeting of the minds.
Before Sunset
4’Million Dollar Baby' (2004)
Directed by Clint Eastwood
“Maggie’s got two things. She’s got talent and she’s got heart.” One ofClint Eastwood’s most memorable films as a direct,Million Dollar BabyfeaturesHilary Swankas Maggie Fitzgerald, an underdog with nothing to lose, who convinces grizzled trainer Frankie Dunn (Eastwood) to take her under his wing. Against all odds, she rises through the ranks, proving her worth in the ring and forging a father-daughter bond with Frankie, who has his own demons to battle.
What sets the movie apart is the way it rises above its sports genre trappings.This a gut-wrenching drama disguised as a boxing movie.The midway narrative turn is shattering, and the brutal scene on which it all pivots has since become iconic. Eastwood’s restrained direction allows the emotions to simmer, adding to their impact when they finally boil over. It earned him his second directing Oscar, as well as the Best Actress award for Swank.
Million Dollar Baby
3’Spider-Man 2' (2004)
Directed by Sam Raimi
“I believe there’s a hero in all of us.“Sam Raimi’sSpider-Manmovies helped forge the path for the superhero boom of the late 2000s. They work so well because they serve up big spectacles along with compelling characters and a ton of emotion. The second installment sees Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) struggling to balance his dual life as a college student and a crime-fighting superhero. When his powers start failing due to self-doubt, he faces an identity crisis. Meanwhile, the threat of Doctor Octavius (Alfred Molina) looms.
This movie doubles down on everything that madeSpider-Manenjoyable: the action, the character work, the emotional stakes. This is a blockbuster with soul. This setsSpider-Man 2apart from many recent blockbusters, which heap spectacle upon anemic plots and flimsy protagonists. Peter is real and relatable, which is essential to the movie’s success. Sadly, we’re unlikely to see many more superhero flicks like this anytime soon.
Spider-Man 2
2’Downfall' (2004)
Directed by Oliver Hirschbiegel
“Traudl, a man should remain brave even in the face of despair.” Challenging but essential viewing,Downfalltakes an unflinching, claustrophobic look at the final days ofAdolf Hitler(Bruno Ganz), told from the perspective of his personal secretary,Traudl Junge(Alexandra Maria Lara). Set within the crumbling walls of the Fuhrer’s Berlin bunker as the Soviet army closes in, the film captures the descent into madness and delusion of the Nazi leadership, culminating in their leader’s infamous suicide.
Ganz’s portrayal of Hitler is one of the most haunting performances in film history—he is by turns terrifying, pathetic, and eerily human. In this regard,the movie strips away myth to reveal the horrifying realityof one of history’s most monstrous figures.Downfallis important because it brings these events to life, reminding us that they were all too real. This also made the film controversial in some circles, but the critics misunderstand what it’s trying to accomplish.
1’Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind' (2004)
Directed by Michel Gondry
“Constantly talking isn’t necessarily communicating.” Claiming the top spot on this list isEternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, a breathtakingly original exploration of love, memory, and the pain we choose to forget.Jim Carreystars as Joel, a quiet, introverted man who is devastated to learn that his free-spirited ex-girlfriend, Clementine (Kate Winslet), has undergone a procedure to erase all memories of their relationship. Heartbroken, he decides to do the same—but as his memories begin disappearing, he realizes he doesn’t want to let go.
The leads are terrific. Carrey is vulnerable and restrained, a far cry from the gonzo humor he became famous for. Meanwhile, Winslet is warm and volatile, yet more complex than the stereotypical ‘manic pixie dream girl.‘The finished product is a zany, touching fusion of sci-fi elements and romantic drama, proving that ‘high concept’ and ‘deep emotion’ need not be mutually exclusive. What a singular vision.
