It’s official, you’re old.
It’s hard to believe that 2004 was 20 years ago but here we are. For many, 2004 feels like just yesterday so it may be hard to grip that any movie or TV on this list is 20 years old.
We’ve already explored video games turning 20 this year so let’s jump into movie and TV shows. So, buckle up and take your Advil.
The Incredibles
Once upon a time, superhero movies were not the norm in theaters. The Incredibles came at a unique time where some of the redefining hero flicks were still years away. The Incredibles also explored unique themes and made for a more realistic villain. Furthermore, it was a concept left alone for 14 years. This film continued Pixar’s dominance of the decade and helped usher in the age of superhero movies.
Lost
JJ Abrams hadn’t quite arrived when Lost debuted in 2004, but this show helped propel him to new heights. Abrams worked alongside Damon Lindelof and Jeffrey Lieber to create a show that would redefine serialized network TV. Lost‘s unique approach to storytelling and character studies made for a show that many couldn’t wait to dissect each week. To this day, TV shows are still trying to recreate the magic Lost had, a sign of its lasting impact.
Napoleon Dynamite
Not many films did weird quite like Napoleon Dynamite. This low-budget indie film was a cult sensation at the time and despite its limited theatrical release, it grossed an insane amount after a year. Critics never quite knew what to make of this film and it never was a masterpiece of a comedy movie. Still, Napoleon Dynamite knew what it was and that made it endearing for fans.
Battlestar Galactica
Reboots were not common in 2004 so Battlestar Galactica could shine. The 2004 show rebooted the show of the same name from 1978, modernizing it for current audiences. The 2000s were a great decade for mainstreaming nerd culture and this show was one of reasons for the shift. It drew critical acclaim as it blended science-fiction with political intrigue and post-apocalyptic worlds. It also gave the franchise a decades worth of popularity.
Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy
The 2000s were a great time for comedies, particularly with Will Ferrell in them. Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy was one of them. It was the directorial debut of Adam McKay, who spent years at Saturday Night Live with Ferrell. The two would combine for numerous films throughout the decade but it all started with iconic newsman from San Diego. It’s tongue-in-cheek commentary and its endless quotable lines make for a film that still holds up.
Stargate: Atlantis
The Sci-Fi Channel really came into its own during the 2000s and the Stargate franchise was a big reason why. Stargate: Atlantis was the first spinoff of Stargate SG-1, which began in 1997. While not as successful as the main series, Atlantis still ran for five seasons. Despite a hot start, Atlantis could never escape the shadow of SG-1. Still, it played a key part in bolstering the Sci-Fi Channel and keeping interest in the franchise as a whole.
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
The Harry Potter franchise was fully committed to its movie schedule and started to find its voice by the third film. It marked a new director after Chris Columbus led to first two and had a noticeably darker tone. Prisoner of Azkaban also introduced viewers to characters who would be integral to the rest of franchise in Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, and Peter Pettigrew. In a lot of ways, Prisoner of Azkaban represented a turning point for the movie.
Bleach
Anime had long been around in the U.S. but when Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim started airing it in 2001, its popularity soared. Bleach was the last entry in anime’s Big 3, which included One Piece and Naruto. Often regarded as the lesser of the Big 3, it still had a passionate following. Though the show wouldn’t make it to the U.S. until 2006, it began in 2004 in Japan. When it did arrive in North America, it became a staple on Adult Swim’s anime bloc.
Mean Girls
Mean Girls‘ age is a little more obvious thanks to the recent reboot earlier this year. Still, this movie’s impact is strong in pop-culture as it captures the ridiculous nature of high school cliques through the stellar writing of Tina Fey. A large reason for the lasting power of Mean Girls is its quotability and its relatability. As the film ages, those who watched it can relate to it on different levels as Fey’s intent was for it to appeal to both adults and teenagers.
Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends
Cartoon Network had many great shows during the 2000s but one that is back in the limelight is Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends. The recent movie IF draws a lot of parallels with Foster’s thus reminding fans of this gem of a show. What makes this show more unique is it was Cartoon Network’s first program made primarily with Adobe Flash. Its premise is unique and its characters are charming, making Foster’s one of Cartoon Network’s best series.
What movie or TV show that you like is turning 20? Which ones not mentioned did you enjoy? Let us know in the comments below or head over to our Discord channel to join the conversation.
Featured Image: Jason Leung (via Unsplash)
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