20 movies you won't believe are turning 20 in 2021

Talia LakritzDec 3, 2020, 23:28 IST

Reese Witherspoon as Elle Woods in "Legally Blonde," which was released in 2001.Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

Classic rom-coms like "Legally Blonde," "The Wedding Planner," and "The Princess Diaries" came out in 2001.
The first installments in the "Harry Potter" and "Lord of the Rings" movie franchises were the top-grossing films of 2001.
"A Beautiful Mind" won four Academy Awards, including best picture.

2001 was a big year in the movie business. The first films in the "Harry Potter" and "Lord of the Rings" franchises were released. Animated features like "Shrek" and "Monsters, Inc." entertained young movie-goers (and older ones, too). And "A Beautiful Mind" went on to sweep the Academy Awards.

Here are 20 movies that will turn 20 years old in 2021 - whether or not you can believe it.

It's hard to believe Jennifer Lopez and Matthew McConaughey starred in "The Wedding Planner" nearly 20 years ago.

"The Wedding Planner." Columbia Pictures

"Hannibal," based on the novel by Thomas Harris, premiered on February 9, 2001.

Julianne Moore in "Hannibal." Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

It's been almost two decades since we cringed and laughed at "Bridget Jones's Diary," based on the book by Helen Fielding.

"Bridget Jones's Diary." Miramax

"Spy Kids," a film about a family of spies, came out on March 30, 2001.

It was directed by Robert Rodriguez. Dimension Films

"The Mummy Returns," the sequel to the 1999 movie "The Mummy," follows the newly resurrected villain Imhotep and the Egyptologists who try to stop him.

"The Mummy Returns." Universal Pictures

"Shrek" hit theaters on May 16, 2001, kicking off a mega franchise that would also lead to a Broadway musical.

"Shrek." DreamWorks

"Moulin Rouge!" starred Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman.

Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor costarred in "Moulin Rouge!" 20th Century Fox

"Pearl Harbor" premiered 60 years after the historic attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941.

"Pearl Harbor." Buena Vista Pictures

The film "Lara Croft: Tomb Raider" was based on an adventure video game about recovering ancient artifacts.

Angelina Jolie as Lara Croft alongside Daniel Craig. Paramount Pictures

The first installment of "The Fast and the Furious" movie franchise came out on June 22, 2001.

The race against the Ferrari in "The Fast and the Furious." Universal Pictures

Yes, it's really been almost 20 years since the first "Legally Blonde" came out.

Reese Witherspoon as Elle Woods. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

The third installment of the "Jurassic Park" series came out on July 18, 2001.

"Jurassic Park III." Universal Pictures

"Planet of the Apes," which was released on July 27, 2001, was set in 2029 on a planet where an advanced society of apes rules over humans.

"Planet of the Apes." 20th Century Fox

It's been nearly 20 years since "The Princess Diaries" gave us one of the most iconic movie makeovers of all time.

"The Princess Diaries." Buena Vista Pictures

"Monsters, Inc." told the story of a monster town powered by children's screams, and two monsters named Mike and Sully who befriend a young girl.

"Monsters, Inc." Disney/Pixar

"Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" was the highest-grossing movie of 2001 and made its young actors household names.

A still from "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone." Warner Bros.

"Ocean's Eleven" was the first in a series of films about high-stakes heists led by an all-star cast.

"Ocean's Eleven." Warner Bros.

"The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" made over $883 million at the box office.

Elijah Wood and Ian McKellen in "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring." New Line Cinema

After its 2001 release, "A Beautiful Mind" won four Academy Awards the following year.

"A Beautiful Mind." Universal Pictures

"Black Hawk Down" was based on a nonfiction book by journalist Mark Bowden about a US military raid.

"Black Hawk Down." Columbia Pictures

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