10 Best Noir Movies Of The 2000s, Ranked

Classic film noir was popular in Hollywood during the 1940s and 50s, but a newer style, called neo-noir, emerged in the 1960s and continued after that. Even in the 2000s, some truly great films in this style were made. Although the genre wasn’t as dominant as it once was, talented directors still used its classic elements to create some exceptional movies during that decade.

While each film had its own unique feel, they all shared key elements of neo-noir—a style distinct from typical 2000s crime dramas like The Departed. Featuring morally ambiguous heroes, captivating femme fatales, and a visually muted aesthetic, these ten films successfully revived the noir tradition for modern audiences.

Sin City (2005)

In 2005, Robert Rodriguez accomplished two key things with his first Sin City movie. First, he faithfully recreated the striking visuals of Frank Miller’s comic books using techniques like green screen and directly referencing the comic’s pages. This approach naturally resulted in a visually stunning noir film.

Let me tell you, Frank Miller’s work really grabbed me with its visual style. It felt like stepping right into an old film noir – think dramatic shadows, distorted angles, and a generally gritty look. Beyond that, he consistently delivered these fascinating, flawed characters – hard-boiled detectives, dangerous and captivating women, and worlds where the rules just didn’t seem to apply. It was a potent combination that really set his books apart.

A follow-up film maintained the striking visual style of the original, but the plot wasn’t nearly as strong. The first movie, however, delivered one of the decade’s best noir crime stories, and its use of stark black and white cinematography really enhanced the atmosphere.

Eastern Promises (2007)

As a big fan of Viggo Mortensen, I’ve noticed he’s done a few really cool neo-noir films. One that really stands out is Eastern Promises from 2007. It’s a David Cronenberg movie starring Naomi Watts as Anya, a midwife in London. The story centers around her delivering a baby for a young woman and then getting pulled into a mystery trying to figure out who the father is and what’s going on.

This early 2000s crime thriller features the Russian mafia targeting a young woman named Anya. Nikolai Luzhin (Viggo Mortensen), a cleaner for the mafia, gets involved and ultimately helps Anya after discovering his boss had sexually assaulted her—a line he refuses to let anyone cross.

The movie was a critical success, earning a 90% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and an 83% approval rating from audiences. Viggo Mortensen’s performance was particularly praised, and he was nominated for the Best Actor Oscar.

Gone Baby Gone (2007)

Ben Affleck’s 2007 film, Gone Baby Gone, is a suspenseful thriller. It stars Casey Affleck and Michelle Monaghan as private detectives Patrick Kenzie and Angie Gennaro, who are hired by a mother to find her four-year-old daughter after she’s been kidnapped. The movie is adapted from a novel by Dennis Lehane.

Like classic noir stories, the detectives in this mystery are kept in the dark and forced to make difficult choices. The twist? The seemingly innocent mother is the one with secrets, and the ending is a truly shocking surprise.

The movie was highly praised by critics, earning a 94% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and appearing on many “best of the year” lists. Amy Ryan, who played the mother in the film, received an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress.

Collateral (2004)

Collateral stands out in the neo-noir genre with its distinctive style and vibrant colors, a departure from the typically darker look of these films. While director Michael Mann is known for his use of blue tones, evident in much of his work, the movie’s plot and action firmly root it in classic noir traditions.

Tom Cruise plays a hitman who pays a cab driver – Jamie Foxx – handsomely to drive him between jobs, with the simple condition that he stays quiet. As often happens in these kinds of crime stories, the driver gets pulled into a dangerous situation and finds his own life threatened.

This film allowed Cruise to showcase a rare, coolly calculating villainous side, and Foxx brilliantly balanced him as an ordinary man simply trying to survive the night. Directed by Mann at his best, the movie was a complete success.

Brick (2005)

Before directing the popular film Knives Out and even before working on a Star Wars sequel, Rian Johnson demonstrated his skill with Brick, a stylish neo-noir movie. Brick cleverly updated the classic film noir style by setting the story in a modern high school.

The film is notable for its attempt to recreate the snappy, old-fashioned slang of 1930s and 40s detective stories, but with a twist: it’s spoken by high school students in a deliberately exaggerated way. Joseph Gordon-Levitt plays Brendan Frye, the main character, who investigates the murder of his former girlfriend.

This movie is a dream for fans of classic film noir, featuring a perfect, seductive villain, a powerful crime boss, and a detective who constantly gets roughed up. Brick has earned its place as a much-loved cult favorite.

Road To Perdition (2002)

Following his acclaimed film, American Beauty, Sam Mendes directed a movie starring Hollywood legends Tom Hanks and Paul Newman. Hanks portrayed Michael Sullivan Sr., a man with a difficult past who was raised by Irish mob boss John Rooney, played by Newman.

Michael discovers that John wants him dead, especially after John’s son ordered an attack that killed Michael’s wife and child. Only Michael’s son lives through the attack, and Michael flees with him while John sends a hitman to kill the man he once considered like a son.

This crime drama is a real standout, especially for its classic, old-Hollywood style. A highlight was Paul Newman receiving a final Oscar nomination, a fitting tribute to his amazing work.

Mulholland Drive (2001)

David Lynch was known for drawing inspiration from classic films and transforming them into something fresh and unique. In Mulholland Drive, he borrowed heavily from the style of old film noirs to create a bizarre and dreamlike depiction of Hollywood – a world so strange and unsettling that it often left audiences questioning what they were seeing.

Naomi Watts plays an actress new to Hollywood who forms a friendship with a woman suffering from amnesia, portrayed by Laura Harring. Soon, the lines between reality and illusion begin to blur, and the film keeps you guessing until the very end about what’s truly happening.

David Lynch intentionally avoided explaining the meaning of the film, wanting viewers to interpret it themselves. Despite its confusing aspects, Mulholland Drive is a classic noir film—and one of the most mysterious ever made in that style.

A History Of Violence (2005)

It’s surprising to learn that the film A History of Violence started as a comic book. Ultimately, though, it’s a classic neo-noir story, very similar to those seen in old Hollywood films. Like the 1947 noir Out of the Past, it centers on a man with a troubled past attempting to find peace and quiet in a small town.

Similar to the plot of Out of the Past, a figure from Tom Stall’s criminal past unexpectedly appears and pulls him back into a life he’s desperately tried to leave behind. Viggo Mortensen plays Tom, a diner owner with a hidden history as a professional killer, and the film shows how his violent past crashes into his peaceful present, endangering everything he’s built.

Among 2000s noir films, A History of Violence most closely resembles classic film noir. It features all the hallmarks of the genre: ruthless criminals, seemingly good people with hidden pasts, and a surprising amount of violence. By the film’s end, even the main character realizes his life has been irrevocably changed.

Training Day (2001)

The crime thriller Training Day features a brilliant performance by Denzel Washington as a seasoned, but corrupt, police officer. He’s tasked with mentoring a new recruit, played by Ethan Hawke, and quickly exposes him to a dangerous world where the lines between right and wrong are blurred. The rookie finds himself in a terrifying situation as his mentor repeatedly crosses the line, committing crime after crime and attempting to evade consequences.

Denzel Washington received an Oscar for his powerful acting in the movie, and Ethan Hawke delivered a strong performance alongside him. While the film was darker and more gritty than typical noir, it explored a classic theme of the genre: corruption within law enforcement.

As a fan, I think Training Day really nails the idea that even cops, or those who think they’re untouchable, can crash and burn. That’s what makes it such a great neo-noir film from the 2000s – it feels so realistic and shows that power doesn’t protect everyone.

Memento (2000)

Christopher Nolan became known as a promising director with his second film, Memento. What made Memento stand out was its unique storytelling – the movie unfolded backwards, starting with the last scene and ending with the first.

Guy Pearce plays Leonard, a man who can’t form new memories and is trying to find the person who murdered his wife. Though the premise sounds like science fiction, the movie keeps things realistic – Leonard relies on photos and tattoos to help him remember. What really makes the film stand out is its clever, classic noir mystery style.

Carrie-Anne Moss brings a unique take to the classic dangerous woman character, and Joe Pantoliano is fantastic as the man manipulating Leonard. The film keeps you guessing, with no one being quite who they appear, and ultimately leaves you feeling like things have gotten even more complicated. This makes Memento a perfect example of a neo-noir film to begin the new millennium.

2026-01-02 21:45