Oscars 2000: Emotional Journeys from 'American Beauty' to 'The Straight Story'

South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut

1999 • 81 min • Budget $21M • Box office $83M

Animation, Comedy

This funny satire follows four young boys who accidentally trigger an international political crisis when they sneak into an adult film starring the Canadian comedy duo Terrance and Philip. Their parents, shocked by their sons' exposure to explicit material, pressure…

7.3

7.7

17+

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+12

Buena Vista Social Club

1999 • 105 min

Documentary, Music

Oscar-nominated documentary. Guitar legend Ry Cooder brings together a group of elderly Cuban folk musicians, some in their nineties, to record a Grammy-winning album in Havana. More than just music, the film is a celebration of life, legacy, and art's…

7.5

7.6

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+10

American Beauty

1999 • 122 min • Budget $15M • Box office $356M

Drama

Lester Burnham, a middle-aged advertising executive, lives a dull life in a picture-perfect suburb. Feeling trapped and depressed, he unexpectedly becomes drawn to Angela, the friend of his daughter. This attraction sparks a renewed zest for life in Lester, leading…

8.0

8.3

17+

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Tarzan

1999 • 88 min • Budget $130M • Box office $448M

Family, Adventure, Animation

Abandoned as an infant, Tarzan is raised by an ape named Kala in the jungle, learning to live among the animals. He grows up unaware of his human origins, embracing his life in the wild. His world changes when he…

7.4

7.3

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The Straight Story

1999 • 112 min • Budget $10M • Box office $6M

Drama

Alvin Straight, a determined man in his seventies, confronts life's difficulties after his wife's death and retirement from farming. When his estranged brother Lyle suffers a severe stroke, Alvin feels a strong need to reconnect before it’s too late. Despite…

7.7

8.0

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Stuart Little

1999 • 84 min • Budget $133M • Box office $300M

Family, Fantasy, Comedy

Stuart Little is the story of a small, brave mouse who bravely lives among humans. With human-like qualities, Stuart is adopted into a loving family and becomes their cherished pet and sibling. He faces funny challenges as he tries to…

6.1

6.0

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Angela's Ashes

1999 • 145 min • Budget $50M • Box office $13M

Drama

In 1930s Limerick, a poor Irish Catholic family struggles to survive after losing a child in America. The father, an unemployed veteran haunted by his past, faces poverty, discrimination, and alcoholism as he tries to support his family. They live…

7.3

17+

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Anna and the King

1999 • 148 min • Budget $75M • Box office $113M

Drama, Romance, History

In 19th century Siam, a remarkable romance blossoms between the King and Anna Leonowens, a widowed British school teacher. During the 1860s, their unexpected love story explores passion, cultural differences, and personal change. Anna comes to the Royal Palace to…

6.8

6.7

13+

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The Hurricane

1999 • 146 min • Budget $50M • Box office $73M

Drama

"Hurricane" is the inspiring true story of Rubin Carter, a successful middleweight boxer whose life changed dramatically when he was wrongly accused of murder in Paterson, New Jersey. Framed for a crime he didn't commit and given a triple life…

7.4

7.6

17+

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Music of the Heart

1999 • 124 min • Budget $27M • Box office $14M

Drama, Music

Set against the backdrop of bustling city life in Harlem, the film centers on a dedicated schoolteacher determined to share classical music with local children. Facing limited resources and varied backgrounds, the teacher perseveres in fostering musical excellence through the…

6.7

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Fight Club

1999 • 139 min • Budget $63M • Box office $100M

Drama, Thriller

The film follows two unlikely partners: a man plagued by insomnia and a charismatic soap salesman. Exploring the complexities of human nature, they develop a unique therapy involving intense physical fights to release aggression. This sparks the growth of underground…

8.4

8.8

17+

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East/West

1999 • 121 min • Budget $11M • Box office $6M

Drama, Romance

In June 1946, Joseph Stalin extends an invitation to Russian émigrés worldwide to return to the Soviet Union. This seemingly kind offer masks a dangerous reality: those who accept are met with execution and imprisonment upon arrival. A family –…

6.4

7.4

13+

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The Insider

1999 • 158 min • Budget $90M • Box office $60M

Drama, Thriller

A driven scientist risks everything when he agrees to reveal his research on how the tobacco industry operates to a major news outlet. As he prepares for the interview, powerful interests try to undermine him and his work. Caught in…

7.5

7.8

17+

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Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me

1999 • 95 min • Budget $33M • Box office $312M

Adventure, Comedy, Crime

A hilarious action comedy follows Dr. Evil as he travels back in time to steal superspy Austin Powers' prized "mojo." To stop him, Austin journeys to the 1960s with American agent Felicity Shagwell. Together, they navigate the era's iconic style…

6.3

6.7

13+

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Humdrum

1999 • 7 min

Two deeply bored, mysterious figures are searching for something to occupy themselves. Their attention settles on a game of shadow puppets.

6.7

6.6

The Cider House Rules

1999 • 126 min • Budget $24M • Box office $88M

Drama

This is a touching story about Homer, an orphan who finds a family in the orphanage run by Dr. Larch. Dr. Larch mentors Homer in medicine, and he develops impressive skills despite not being formally trained. As Homer grows older,…

7.1

7.4

13+

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The Old Man and the Sea

1999 • 21 min

Animation, Adventure, Drama

In a peaceful coastal village, an elderly fisherman makes what could be his last trip out to sea. His boat, showing its age, carries him out with a hopeful heart and a familiar net. As the sun sets, he hooks…

7.6

8.0

The Mummy

1999 • 124 min • Budget $80M • Box office $415M

Adventure, Action, Fantasy

In 1920s Egypt, legionnaire Rick O'Connell stumbles upon the lost city of Hamunaptra, a place of ancient secrets and dangerous curses. A fight for control of the city erupts as O'Connell discovers the resting place of Imhotep, a high priest…

7.0

7.1

13+

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The End of the Affair

1999 • 102 min • Budget $23M • Box office $10M

Romance, Drama

In 1946 London, a stormy night brings three lives together in a tangled story of love, betrayal, and obsession. Maurice Bendrix, a novelist haunted by his past, meets Henry Miles, the husband of his former lover Sarah. This brief encounter…

6.6

7.0

17+

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The Talented Mr. Ripley

1999 • 140 min • Budget $40M • Box office $128M

Thriller, Crime, Drama

"The Talented Mr. Ripley" follows Tom Ripley, a clever young man who believes in using deception to get ahead. He's given a chance to go to Italy and convince the wealthy Dickie to return home, seeing it as his opportunity…

7.2

7.4

17+

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+10

Himalaya

1999 • 108 min

Adventure, Drama

Against the stunning Himalayan mountains, this drama tells the story of a small Tibetan village grappling with tradition and change. Each year, the villagers make a difficult journey to trade salt for grain, but their trek is complicated by internal…

7.4

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3 Misses

1998 • 11 min

Three separate stories of individuals facing hardship become connected.

5.9

5.6

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Under the Sun

1998 • 130 min

Drama, Romance

On a large rural farm, Olof lives a solitary life, committed to his family's history after his mother's death. He struggles with reading and feels isolated, but finds friendship in Erik, a sailor who loves stories and adventure. As spring…

5.9

6.8

The Red Violin

1998 • 130 min • Budget $18M • Box office $9M

Drama, Thriller, Mystery

The Red Violin follows a remarkable musical instrument's journey through time and across continents. Made by an Italian master in 1681, the violin's story unfolds as it changes hands, traveling from Austria to England, then to China, and finally to…

7.4

7.6

17+

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When the Day Breaks

1999 • 10 min

Animation

This heartwarming story follows Redd, a rooster, as he enjoys his final biscuit before venturing out for a grocery run around the farm. Simultaneously, Penny, a resourceful pig, prepares her usual breakfast of potato peelings, only to discover she's out…

6.7

6.8

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Magnolia

1999 • 189 min

In the San Fernando Valley, a father nearing the end of his life, his young wife, a male caretaker, a famous son who has gone missing, a police officer with a secret love, a boy genius, a former boy genius,…

7.7

8.0

17+

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Theis and Nico

1999 • 20 min

Two brothers, Teis and Nico, discover a "Gone with the Wind" poster and begin discussing kissing, analyzing the techniques shown. They then meet Giinjha, who invites them to her birthday party. While getting ready, they practice kissing based on the…

7.8

6.6

My Mother Dreams the Satan's Disciples in New York

1998 • 30 min

A recently widowed woman from the Midwest visits her daughter in Manhattan for the first time. While there, she develops an intense fascination with a motorcycle club located across the street from her daughter's apartment in the East Village.

7.7

7.0

Killing Joe

1999 • 40 min

Killing Joe is a 1999 short film directed by Mehdi Norowzian. The story follows Joe, a teenager in 1963 who is captivated by John F. Kennedy because of their shared initials. The film received an Academy Award nomination for Best…

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6.4

Small Change

1999 • 15 min

Herr Hoffman parks his car in a lot across from his office building and gives a coin daily to a beggar outside. One day, he sees the beggar washing his car – the only one in the lot. He tells…

6.7

7.3

Tumbleweeds

1999 • 102 min • Budget $312K • Box office $1M

Comedy, Drama

This drama follows single mother Mary Jo Walker and her teenage daughter Ava as they frequently relocate due to relationship problems. They find a fresh start in San Diego, where Mary Jo begins a relationship with trucker Jack Ranson. However,…

6.4

6.7

13+

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Sweet and Lowdown

1999 • 95 min • Budget $29M • Box office $4M

Comedy, Drama, Music

In 1930s America, jazz guitarist Emmet Ray idolizes Django Reinhardt. Driven by ambition and a search for his signature sound, he becomes entangled with gangsters and the criminal underworld, where music and danger intertwine. His life changes when he meets…

6.8

7.2

13+

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+11

No poster

King Gimp

1999 • 39 min

"King Gimp" is a 1999 documentary that won the 2000 Academy Award for Best Short Subject Documentary and a 2000 Peabody Award. The film chronicles the life of Dan Keplinger, an artist with cerebral palsy, living in Towson, Maryland. It…

7.0

7.7

My Grandmother Ironed the King's Shirts

1999 • 11 min

This film offers a personal look at Norwegian history, focusing on a grandmother who, during World War II, loses her job ironing shirts for the King. This loss unexpectedly gives her access to enemy uniforms, leading her to inspire a…

6.5

6.9

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Eyewitness

1999 • 39 min

Eyewitness, a 1999 American short documentary by Bert Van Bork, examines the lives of three artists – Jan Komski, Dinah Gottliebova, and Felix Nussbaum – who were compelled to work in hiding within Nazi death camps. These artists all bore…

5.0

7.1

The Wildest Show in the South: The Angola Prison Rodeo

1999 • 30 min

"The Wildest Show in the South: The Angola Prison Rodeo," a 1999 American short documentary directed by Simeon Soffer, centers on the inmates' experiences participating in the prison rodeo. For many prisoners, the rodeo represents their primary source of hope.…

7.0

6.3

Major and Minor Miracles

1999 • 25 min

In rural Sweden, a struggling village priest is visited by an emissary from the Vatican. The emissary has come to investigate a local child, the son of a farming couple, who has attracted attention for unusual occurrences. Initially dismissing the…

7.0

6.7

The Matrix

1999 • 136 min • Budget $63M • Box office $463M

Action, Science Fiction

In the year 22nd century, advanced artificial intelligence controls all aspects of human life, including our minds. This is the bleak future presented in *The Matrix*. A talented computer hacker discovers a hidden world and joins a group of rebels…

8.2

8.7

17+

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Toy Story 2

1999 • 92 min • Budget $90M • Box office $497M

Animation, Comedy, Family

Young Andy goes on a summer adventure to Cowboy Camp, leaving his toys behind. Trouble starts when the toys he left behind are captured by Al McWhiggen, an eccentric toy collector who runs Al's Toy Barn. Determined to save their…

7.6

7.9

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Boys Don't Cry

1999 • 118 min • Budget $2M • Box office $11M

Crime, Drama

This drama follows a young person in rural Nebraska as they explore who they are and the challenges of love. The story sensitively examines gender identity while depicting life away from big cities. With realistic acting and beautiful visuals, the…

7.4

7.5

17+

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Topsy-Turvy

1999 • 160 min • Budget $10M • Box office $7M

Drama, Music, Comedy

W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan encounter their first major obstacle with their opera "Princess Ida," which is poorly received. Their strained relationship and mounting pressure threaten to end their partnership. With encouragement from friends, they begin to collaborate again, rekindling…

6.6

7.3

17+

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All About My Mother

1999 • 101 min • Budget $5M • Box office $67M

Comedy, Drama

Manuela travels from Madrid to Barcelona hoping to find her son's father, a man she's never known. During her journey, she meets a variety of people: a bold transgender sex worker, a troubled actress struggling with her career, and a…

7.6

7.8

17+

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Bicentennial Man

1999 • 131 min • Budget $100M • Box office $87M

Science Fiction, Drama

"Bicentennial Man" tells the story of Andrew, an NDR-114 robot gifted to the Martin family. Young Richard names him "Andrew" and he begins as a helper around the house. But over time, Andrew develops unexpected emotions and the ability to…

7.3

6.9

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Girl, Interrupted

1999 • 127 min • Budget $40M • Box office $48M

Drama

Set in the late 1960s, this film is based on the true story of Susanna Kaysen. After a brief meeting with a psychiatrist, she's committed to a mental institution, disrupting her life. What starts as a short stay becomes a…

7.6

7.3

17+

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Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace

1999 • 136 min • Budget $115M • Box office $924M

Adventure, Action, Science Fiction

The film tells the story of Anakin Skywalker, a young slave living on the desert planet Tatooine. While enduring a difficult life, he unexpectedly catches the attention of the Jedi Order, a group of warriors dedicated to peace and justice…

6.6

6.5

The Sixth Sense

1999 • 107 min • Budget $40M • Box office $672M

Mystery, Thriller, Drama

Dr. Malcolm Crowe, a child psychologist, takes on a difficult case with nine-year-old Cole Sear. Following a personal tragedy, Malcolm tries to help Cole deal with the ghosts that are troubling him. Cole believes he can see and talk to…

7.9

8.2

13+

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Snow Falling on Cedars

1999 • 127 min • Budget $35M

Drama, Romance

Set in a 1950s coastal town, the film follows a Japanese-American fisherman suspected of murdering his neighbor after an incident at sea. Local reporter Ishmael's investigation becomes complicated when he learns his former lover is involved. As he digs deeper,…

6.0

6.7

13+

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Being John Malkovich

1999 • 113 min • Budget $13M • Box office $22M

Comedy, Drama, Fantasy

A struggling puppeteer named Craig discovers a strange portal at work. Stepping through allows anyone to briefly inhabit the body and mind of John Malkovich. The film explores identity, ambition, and desire as characters become obsessed with this ability to…

7.4

7.7

17+

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Titus

1999 • 162 min • Budget $18M • Box office $2M

Drama, History

In Shakespeare's 'Titus Andronicus,' a respected Roman general returns home from war to endure a series of heartbreaking losses as his children are taken from him. This early tragedy is known for its graphic violence and explores themes of revenge,…

6.4

7.0

17+

Solomon & Gaenor

1999 • 105 min

In 1911 Wales, a young Jewish man earns a living selling fabrics door to door, concealing his identity. He meets and falls in love with a quiet young woman, whose father is domineering and whose brother harbors anti-Semitism. Their love…

5.8

6.8

17+

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Election

1999 • 103 min • Budget $25M • Box office $14M

Comedy, Drama

This drama follows Tracy Flick, a high school student who appears destined to win the student election. Her path to victory is disrupted when Jim McAllister, a teacher with his own reasons, intervenes. Jim, feeling a complicated mix of feelings…

6.9

7.2

17+

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The Green Mile

1999 • 189 min • Budget $60M • Box office $286M

Fantasy, Drama, Crime

A quiet, imposing inmate named John Coffey on death row in a Southern prison possesses a remarkable gift: he can heal people with a touch. Paul Edgecomb, the head guard, witnesses this miracle and feels compelled to protect Coffey from…

8.5

8.6

17+

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On the Ropes

1999 • 94 min

This is the story of three young boxers and their coach, who is dedicated to helping them succeed both in their boxing careers and in their lives outside the ring.

6.5

7.3

Life

1999 • 108 min • Budget $80M • Box office $73M

Comedy, Crime

In 1930s Mississippi, two men from different worlds form a powerful connection inside a prison. Both have been wrongly convicted of a serious crime and sentenced to life. This story follows their fight to survive in difficult conditions while battling…

6.7

6.8

17+

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Speaking in Strings

1999 • 73 min

This documentary follows the vibrant career of Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg, a celebrated Italian violinist who relocated to the United States at eight to study at The Curtis Institute of Music and later at The Juilliard School with Dorothy DeLay. The film…

5.7

6.6

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One Day in September

1999 • 94 min

Documentary, History

This documentary recounts the tragic 1972 Munich Olympics Massacre, using archival footage and interviews. It details the abduction of Israeli athletes by Palestinian terrorists, highlighting the insufficient police response and the denial of Israeli aid. The film also examines Israel's…

7.3

7.8

17+

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Genghis Blues

1999 • 87 min

Blind blues musician Paul Pena gained recognition for his song "Jet Airliner." In 1993, he encountered Tuvan throat singing on shortwave radio and then dedicated himself to learning the art of replicating these unique sounds. This documentary follows Pena to…

7.0

7.8

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