The turn of the millennium brought movies that defined a generation of sleepovers and DVD collections. This One Gotta Go card puts four of them together: American Pie, the Scary Movie franchise, Legally Blonde and 8 Mile. Each one was a big part of the culture when it came out.
Three movies stay in your collection, and one disappears. Think about the films you rented again and again, the lines you still quote and the one that has aged in ways you did not expect. Then make your pick and share which movie defined your teenage years.
American Pie vs Scary Movie franchise vs Legally Blonde vs 8 Mile
A. American Pie
American Pie, released in 1999, kicked off a wave of teen comedies and several sequels. It was a huge hit. It also has humor that many viewers find very dated now, which makes it the most common pick to cut on this card.
Keep it if: You loved the friendships and the chaos, and it reminds you of being a teenager at the time.
B. Scary Movie franchise
The Scary Movie franchise, started in 2000 by the Wayans brothers, spoofed every horror hit of the era. It was silly and fast. Its jokes depend on knowing the movies it parodies, which makes it harder to enjoy for younger viewers.
Keep it if: You loved the spoofs, you quote the jokes and you think the first one is still hilarious.
C. Legally Blonde
Legally Blonde, from 2001, starred Reese Witherspoon as Elle Woods, who proves everyone wrong at Harvard Law. It is fun and uplifting. If romantic comedies are not your thing, it might be the one you would cut, though many say it holds up well.
Keep it if: You love Elle Woods, you quote her lines and you think the movie has a great message about believing in yourself.
D. 8 Mile
8 Mile, from 2002, starred Eminem in a story inspired by his life in Detroit, and Lose Yourself became the first rap song to win the Oscar for Best Original Song. It is gritty and powerful. Some viewers prefer lighter movies, which makes it a candidate to cut.
Keep it if: You know every word of Lose Yourself and the final rap scene still gives you chills.
Our take
We would cut American Pie. It mattered at the time, but its humor has aged the least gracefully, while Scary Movie, Legally Blonde and 8 Mile each still hold up for different reasons. The most fun debate usually comes from Legally Blonde fans against 8 Mile fans, since both are underdog stories with very different vibes. Ask everyone which movie they would put on for a throwback night.
How to play this card with friends
- Read the four choices out loud.
- Everyone picks the one they'd eliminate at the same time.
- Explain your pick. This is where the fun starts.
- Use the follow-up questions below to keep it going.
Follow-up questions to keep the debate going
- Which early 2000s movie has aged the most?
- What movie defined your teenage years?
- Is Legally Blonde one of the best comedies of its time?
- What early 2000s movie would you add to this card?
Want more debates like this? Get the One Gotta Go card game for game night, family dinners and road trips. Shop the decks.
Early 2000s Movies: quick answers
Did Lose Yourself win an Oscar?
Yes. Lose Yourself by Eminem, from the film 8 Mile, won the Academy Award for Best Original Song at the 2003 ceremony. It was the first rap song to win the award. The song also topped the charts for weeks.
Who made Scary Movie?
Scary Movie was directed by Keenen Ivory Wayans and written by a team that included Shawn and Marlon Wayans, who also starred in it. Released in 2000, it parodied horror films like Scream and I Know What You Did Last Summer and launched a long running franchise.
