The 50 best films of the noughties 10 - 1

By Robbie Collin

10. THE DARK KNIGHT (2008, Christopher Nolan)

THIS razor sharp superhero movie single-handedly redefined what audiences can expect from a summer blockbuster. Awesome visuals, stunning set-pieces and a mind-blowing, Oscar-winning performance from Heath Ledger as the Joker.

9. PAN'S LABYRINTH (2006, Guillermo del Toro)

ADULT fairy tale about a girl living through the Spanish Civil War who escapes into a nighttime land of monsters is quite possibly the most visually stunning film on this list. If you missed it, rent or buy it now. And put a cushion on your lap, because jaws will drop.

8. LOST IN TRANSLATION (2003, Sofia Coppola)

THE film that introduced the world to Scarlett Johansson's backside breezes into the top ten thanks to a legendary turn from Bill Murray, director Sofia's eye for detail in the alien Tokyo setting, the aforementioned bumcheeks and THAT ending. Beautiful.

7. NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN (2007, Joel and Ethan Coen)

BIG landscapes, big guns, big hair and even bigger stakes mark out the Coen brothers' best film since Fargo as one of the decade's greatest. A thriller within prodding distance of perfection.

6. SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE (2009, Danny Boyle)

THE little film that came from nowhere and stormed the box office and the Oscars almost went straight to DVD - but thankfully common sense won out and it got the big-screen release it sorely deserved. Pure cinema magic. Slumdog Millionaire (15)

5. SPIRITED AWAY (2001, Hayao Miyazaki)

GORGEOUS hand-drawn family animation about a girl who loses her parents and gets adopted by a witch. Disney and Pixar supremo John Lasseter rates it one of the best films ever, and if it's good enough for him it's good enough for me.

4. AMELIE (2001, Jean-Pierre Jeunet)

MAGICAL French romance that introduced the world to the mad acting skills and other-worldly hotness of Audrey Tautou. On those grounds alone it deserves top 50 status, but the dreamy visuals and endless charm elevate it to top five. A timeless classic.

3. MULHOLLAND DR. (2001, David Lynch)

LOVED by some, hated by many, many others, this LA nightmare from the Twin Peaks maestro polarised crowds but I adore it. Just look at everything it's got to offer: a brain-melting plot. Many terrifying moments. Amazing performances all round. And Naomi Watts getting her lez on with Laura Hanning. What more could you ask for?

2. AVATAR (2009, James Cameron)

LIKE watching the best film of the year, from five years in the future. A timeless adventure yarn that captures everything great about going to the movies, complete with visuals that are a new milestone in the history of cinema. Outstanding.

1. THERE WILL BE BLOOD (2007, Paul Thomas Anderson)

FLAWLESS modern western with a terrifyingly good performance from Daniel Day-Lewis as demonic oil man Daniel Plainview. From the sun-scorched visuals to the nerve-jangling soundtrack to the note-perfect script, this is a stone cold classic for the ages. Simple as.

>>NEXT: Back to the start, and argue with my choices...