20 Most Rewatchable Movies Of The 2000s

20. Shrek 2 (2003)

Shrek 5 is nearly upon us, hoping to recapture the glory some  26 years after the original, and 17 after the last and most dismal sequel, Shrek Forever After. Some series start on a high and never recapture that glory, but for many there is a sophomore bump before the decline, and the Shrek franchise is no different. Yes, sharing the hallowed halls of Aliens, Terminator 2, and The Dark Knight, is Shrek 2.

With newlywed Shrek and Fiona (Mike Myers and Cameron Diaz), we travel to the kingdom of Far Far Away to meet Fiona’s parents, who are less than delighted to find their daughter not the fair princess they hoped for, but still an ogre – and now married to one. So, King Harold (John Cleese) hatches a plan to dispatch his new son-in-law and install Prince Charming (Rupert Everett) in his place.

A massive visual improvement on its predecessor, Shrek 2 successfully expands its universe and feels lived-in, earned, and authentic; something none of the other sequels can claim. It’s got Puss in Boots as an assassin, the Fairy Godmother as a maniacal antagonist, and more references, sight gags, and easter eggs than you can shake a magic wand at. And it’s one of the last children's animations that truly deserves the hackneyed descriptor of being as much fun for the adults as it is for the kids. Which is why those of us who grew up with it are still watching it today.