It's the year 2004. You go to the movie theatre to see 13 Going on 30 [1] without a face mask and watch the trailer for the fourth Harry Potter [2] movie during the previews. "Just keep swimming" and "Why so serious?" (not the The Dark Knight version) have just been introduced to our vocabularies, HBO Max doesn't even exist yet, and life is good.
From Katherine Heigl [3] rom-coms through the emergence of 3D action films, the first decade of the millennium was filled with tons of memorable movie moments [4]. If you want to go back to the era where "All Star" by Smash Mouth was included in way too many movie soundtracks, look no further than HBO Max, and make sure you re-watch all of these early-2000s favourites [5] in your best Mean Girls [6]-style tracksuit.
My Big Fat Greek Wedding
"We might be lambs in the kitchen, but we're tigers in the bedroom," Toula's mother tells her on her wedding day. Toula Portokalos is about to marry Ian, the man of her dreams, and it's an event that's important to her as much as it is to her family — all they've ever wanted is for her to get married and have babies. Ian may be the first non-Greek vegetarian to marry into the Portokalos family, but at least Aunt Voula is there to feed him lamb.
Watch My Big Fat Greek Wedding on HBO Max [7].
Million Dollar Baby
In a role that scored her a best actress win at the 2005 Academy Awards, Hilary Swank [8] plays amateur boxer Maggie Fitzgerald, who is taken under the wing of Frankie Dunn. With the cantankerous trainer by her side, Maggie fights her way to the top and achieves her dreams of going pro.
Watch Million Dollar Baby on HBO Max [9].
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
The first instalment of The Lord of the Rings trilogy introduces us to chosen Hobbit Frodo Baggins, who has become the guardian of the One Ring. With the help of his loyal friends and fellow creatures of Middle Earth, Frodo must complete the daunting task of destroying the One Ring in the fires of Mount Doom in order to save the future of civilization.
Watch The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring on HBO Max [10].
In this love story for the ages, a poor yet passionate man and a young rich woman embark on a lifelong romance. Through the challenges of life and despite the loss of time and memory, Noah and Allie prove that true love overcomes all.
Watch The Notebook on HBO Max [11].
Best in Show
Packed with the ridiculous commentary from ruthless dog owners who take competition way too seriously, this mockumentary offers a satirical glimpse into the cutthroat world of American dog shows. (And yes, that's Moira and Johnny Rose.)
Watch Best in Show on HBO Max [12].
V For Vendetta
A masked freedom fighter who goes by the initial "V" plots to overthrow the totalitarian government in a dystopian version of the UK. Along with the young woman he's rescued from the secret police, he instigates nationwide riots against tyranny as the country falls into anarchy.
Watch V For Vendetta on HBO Max [13].
Sex and the City: The Movie
The continuation of the television series that ended four years prior, Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte, and Miranda are back and thriving amidst the ups and downs of motherhood, marriage, and Manhattan real estate. Making a major life change, Carrie is finally ready to marry Mr. Big, and her friends make sure to be there for her every step of the way.
Watch Sex and the City: The Movie on HBO Max [14].
Castaway
FedEx executive Chuck Noland is en route to Malaysia when his plane crashes over the Pacific Ocean. As the sole survivor of the flight, Chuck remains alone on an uninhabited island for four years accompanied only by Wilson, a volleyball with a drawn on face.
Watch Castaway on HBO Max [15].
School of Rock
A guitarist with big dreams, Dewey Finn gets kicked out of his amateur band and finds himself unemployed. Lying his way into a substitute teaching job at an elite private elementary school, Dewey, who takes on the identity of Mr. Schneebly, turns his classroom into a School of Rock in which he introduces the students to the world of hard rock and prepares them for a local Battle of the Bands competition.
Watch School of Rock on HBO Max [16].
27 Dresses
Always the bridesmaid, never the bride, Jane Nichols has been to 27 weddings. It's a number shocking enough for journalist Kevin Doyle to write a feature on her in the local newspaper, much to Jane's humiliation. And when her sister gets engaged to the man she's had feelings for that Jane begins to question her view of true love. Will Jane ever get to trade in her bridesmaid dress for a wedding dress?
Watch 27 Dresses on HBO Max [17].
Inception
Dom Cobb possesses the rare ability to enter people's dreams and steal valuable secrets from their subconscious. He's become a master of corporate espionage, but it cost him everything. When he's given a chance at redemption, the stakes are higher than ever, and it's all or nothing.
Watch Inception on HBO Max [18].
Revolutionary Road
Titanic [19] stars Leo and Kate are back together as Frank and April in Revolutionary Road. This drama-romance based on the Richard Yates novel of the same name takes us back to the 1950s and tells the story of a married couple struggling both together and apart through their life in suburbia.
Watch Revolutionary Road on HBO Max [20].
The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants
Bridget, Carmen, Lena, and Tibby are spending their first summer apart. Through heartbreak and happiness, the girls are able to remain connected and share in each others' life experiences as they take turns wearing a pair of jeans that fit all four of them perfectly.
Watch Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants on HBO Max [21].
Wedding Crashers
Divorce mediators and lifelong friends Jeremy and John spend their free time crashing wedding receptions to drink for free and meet vulnerable women. It's all fun and games until the wedding of William Cleary's daughter, when John locks eyes with one of the bridesmaids, Claire. Will he be the one at the altar next?
Watch Wedding Crashers on HBO Max [22].
13 Going on 30
13-year-old Jenna Rink wants to be "30, flirty, and thriving," just like the girls on the cover of Poise Magazine. When a wish on her thirteenth birthday gets her everything she thought she wanted, Jenna learns the value of loyalty, success, and self worth, and finds true love in the process.
Watch 13 Going on 30 on HBO Max [23].