As 2025 comes to close it marks a time to look back, not only over this year’s pop culture crazes, but those of the first quarter of the 21st century. Each year we welcome new movies and music to obsess over for months, but each year has a defining piece of media that helps guide us through the decades.
This list is not one of “bests” as there are already yearly award shows set to proclaim a winner, but music and movies that have taken hold of the larger culture. They’re not only artistic feats, they capture the larger imagination of the mainstream and carry it forward.
2000 – “American Psycho” & “The Marshall Mathers LP” by Eminem
Will the real Slim Shady please show us his business card? Welcome to the 21st century where women direct serial killer flicks and rap is run by a white guy. Mumbling through an Eminem track or dancing to Huey Lewis and the News gives you your first taste of the 2000s.
2001 – “Shrek” & “Discovery” by Daft Punk
2001 came in harder, better, faster, stronger — let’s look at the layers behind these two picks. “Shrek” is undoubtedly the movie of a generation, from its humor to digs at Disney, it has inspired sequels, spin-offs and so much more. Daft Punk broke up in 2021, but their music lives on… as a Fortnite concert.
2002 – “Scooby-Doo” & “Yankee Hotel Foxtrot” by Wilco
A truly iconic cast accompanied by an equally exemplary album cover. Both loved by millennials with too much media consumption. While “Scooby-Doo” is entirely vibrant and wacky, Wilco brings a more somber, rock ’n’ roll sound to this year and beyond.
2003 – “Lord of the Rings: Return of the King” & “Speakerboxxx/The Love Below” by OutKast
Eleven Oscars and two Grammy awards between the two make it hard to deny how impactful these pieces were in 2003. Nowadays, nerds will still dedicate whole weekends to marathoning “Lord of the Rings,” while others spend their weekend recalling the lyrics to “Hey Ya!” at a party.
2004 – “Mean Girls” & “Mm..Food” by MF DOOM
While Regina George had some villainous insults, she could never match MF DOOM’s dastardly flow. Both of these picks take inspiration from earlier media — MF DOOM’s persona and mask show Marvel Comics influence on his music while “Mean Girls” mirrors the more grim film, “Heathers.”
2005 – “Brokeback Mountain” & “Demon Days” by Gorillaz
20 years later, “Brokeback Mountain” is still pushing boundaries for many conservative audiences. A sincere relationship in the American countryside and an animated band of (mostly) British misfits make an odd, but lovely pair.
2006 – “Little Miss Sunshine” & “The Black Parade” by My Chemical Romance
Contradictory in title, these two pieces of media actually equate to a pretty depressing 2006 with fluffy black hair to match. Each does a beautiful job of capturing moments of sadness or rage, but ultimately share a message of perseverance.
2007 – “Ratatouille” & “In Rainbows” by Radiohead
Anyone can cook, especially Radiohead. Quite the unique combo, but have a taste before you judge it. One can almost imagine the TikTok edit of Remy alone and miserable in the French sewers to “Jigsaw Falling Into Place.”
2008 – “Twilight” & “808s & Heartbreak” by Kanye West
Who’s streaming more Kanye, Edward or Jacob? Either way, these 2008 greats are immortal in mainstream culture. Cringe, cancelled or genius, the constant debate around “Twilight” and Kanye keeps X in business.
2009 – “Coraline” & “The E.N.D.” by Black Eyed Peas
We need to find the secret magic door that leads to the 2000s club scene. Visually stunning and audibly awesome, these two from 2009 really catered to audiences young and old alike. Coraline can also bond with the band due to their quirky names — Fergie, will.i.am, Taboo and apl.de.ap.
2010 – “Despicable Me” & “Teenage Dream” by Katy Perry
Katy used to be queen and everyone hated those minions, but look what a little time will do. The beginning of the 2010s really burst onto the scene with a poppy and bright introduction. “The One That Got Away” might just be Gru’s precious moon.
2011 – “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2” & “21” by Adele
Congratulations to the Brits for winning this year. Adele’s incredibly soulful voice and songwriting paired with the end of an era in fiction made for a truly spellbinding year. Although we’re already seeing “Harry Potter” remakes, no one can recreate the hold “21” had on radio stations in 2011.
2012 – “The Hunger Games” & “Channel Orange” by Frank Ocean
“Super Rich Kids” watch as representatives from each district make history, creating a new cultural phenomenon in the world of book-to-film adaptation. While we’re still getting “Hunger Games” content to look forward to, unfortunately the same can’t be said for Ocean’s music.
2013 – “The Conjuring” & “Pure Heroine” by Lorde
Oh, the horror! Both emotional and physical. “The Conjuring” is not only based on true stories, but started a series of spooky movies. Meanwhile, Lorde uses a different kind of ghost to haunt her songs: nostalgia and longing.
2014 – “The Lego Movie” & “1989” by Taylor Swift
Master builders, blank spaces and catchy songs galore. Everything must be awesome considering the Lego-based sequels and spinoffs since. Taylor’s version might’ve been released in 2023, but “1989” in 2014 was the moment — the “Bad Blood” music video anyone?
2015 – “Inside Out” & “To Pimp a Butterfly” by Kendrick Lamar
If you’ve ever been to therapy or in any counselor’s office, you’ve seen the effect “Inside Out” has had. Similarly, if you’ve ever listened to rap, you know Kendrick is king. While this movie and album are definitely made for different audiences, they both know the importance of digging deep.
2016 – “La La Land” & “Lemonade” by Beyoncé
A revolutionary year in music and film, both of these pieces shifted their field’s boundaries and expectations of what could be done. Despite the award show fiasco for “La La Land” and Beyoncé’s snub for Album of the Year, these works are still woven into mainstream culture daily.
2017 – “Get Out” & “Flower Boy” by Tyler, The Creator
“Get Out” marked Jordan Peele’s directorial debut and simultaneously secured him a seat in film forever. Although “Flower Boy” is Tyler’s fifth album, it’s the one that cemented him as a cultural icon, from his fashion to his lyrics.
2018 – “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” & “Black Panther: The Album” by Kendrick Lamar and various artists
Two superheroes, what is this, some kinda crossover? A group of Spider-Men (and women) revolutionized animation just as a supergroup of the most famous rappers of our time came together to create an album rooted in African culture.
2019 – “Parasite” & “When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?” by Billie Eilish
The first foreign language film to win Best Picture and the first woman to sweep the four major Grammy categories in one year. Setting records, breaking boundaries and remaining relevant looks easy with these 2019 picks.
2020 – “Sonic the Hedgehog” & “Punisher” by Phoebe Bridgers
What film is so spectacular that it got Jim Carrey out of retirement? “Sonic the Hedgehog,” of course. Don’t be sad if your favorite 2020 film didn’t get picked, but be sad because listening to Phoebe Bridger’s music commands it.
2021 – “Dune” & “Sour” by Olivia Rodrigo
It’s brutal being in the Arrakis desert. Olivia Rodrigo and Timothée Chalamet become Gen Z cultural icons as their talents shine through in each of their projects. Both maintain their hype and will hopefully see long, prosperous futures in their fields.
2022 – “Everything Everywhere All At Once” & “Un Verano Sin Ti” by Bad Bunny
2022 was the year of expansion in every sense of the word. Whether it’s traveling between dimensions or embracing another language, these selections broadened the scope of mainstream media. With Michelle Yeoh’s recent “Wicked” fame and Bad Bunny set for the Super Bowl, it’s safe to say they’re still a force to be reckoned with.
2023 – “The Holdovers” & “The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess” by Chappell Roan
A modern seasonal staple and a new princess of pop. Chappell Roan released her first album and hasn’t stepped out of the spotlight since. Although 2023 brought us “Barbenheimer,” “The Holdovers” remains relevant as a new Christmas classic that warms the heart.
2024 – “Wicked” & “Brat” by Charli XCX
Pink or Green? Nah, just green. Charli’s “brat” not only revived club music with a more genuine twist on it, but started a whole lifestyle. Elphaba must be part of this lifestyle with her committed color scheme and tendency to stir up trouble.
2025 – “KPop Demon Hunters” & “Getting Killed” by Geese
Golden geese — 2025 has yet to end, but the culture already decided a long time ago that K-pop is cool and that one band is leading the flock. “Getting Killed” is Geese’s third album that’s helped them soar to the top of the charts with their unique progressive rock sound. Maybe they’ll hunt some demons of their own with their newfound power.
Do you agree with our picks? Let us know on Instagram or X @VALLEYmag!
