Nostalgia is a complicated thing, but it can often be seen as the gateway to that warm, fuzzy feeling people get when they're watching a film from the past. What draws people into the lure of nostalgia is the way it reminds them of a time when things felt simpler and happier.

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With films from the 2000s reaching 20 years old, many movies aimed at younger audiences now serve as connective tissue linking young adults to their past, marking points in time. Ultimately, movies invite their audiences to travel back in time to reminisce about their past and the memories they are holding on to.

10 Treasure Planet

This year, Treasure Planet turned 20. The film may not have performed well during its initial release, but it still holds a special place in the hearts of its fans. Upon rewatching the film, Treasure Planet brings viewers to a style of 2D animation – blending in 3D elements – that hardly gets used in this day and age.

As a space-set adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's classic novel, Treasure Island, the film follows a young man as he travels the stars looking for a grand prize. Champions of the film believe it to be the epitome of a diamond in the rough. However, thanks to retroactive reappraisal from fans, Treasure Planet is loved more now than it was during its release.

9 Shrek

Shrek In The Opening Of The Movie Shrek

Beyond being a gateway to nostalgia, Shrek is one of the greatest 3D animated films of not just its era, but of all time. From the iconic voice acting by stars like Mike Myers and Eddie Murphy to the bop-filled soundtrack, there is much to love about the film.

In recent years, Shrek has found itself in the exciting position of being a highly memeable property. This has helped to bolster its reputation as not just a classic film, but a cultural staple. The film is still as beloved by fans today as it was during Shrek's release.

8 Napoleon Dynamite

Napoleon Dynamite wearing a Vote For Pedro t-shirt walking down the hall with Pedro.

Napoleon Dynamite delivers a heaping dose of nostalgia with its quotability and uncanny ability to show what it's like being an awkward teenager. Understandably, the movie has become a cult classic. Fans still proudly don their "Vote For Pedro" shirts in a tribute to the film..

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The cars, clothes, music, and personalities of the characters all add to the nostalgic feel of the movie. Napoleon Dynamite is odd but has a genuine heart behind its quirks. While not exclusively true to all teen life, the film was a touchstone for many people during the early 2000s.

7 Princess Diaries

Anne Hathaway Princess Diaries

Princess Diaries was the film that helped to kickstart Anne Hathaway's now successful acting career. Released in 2001, the film is now considered a classic by many. Viewers still enjoy the nostalgic, evergreen tale of Mia (Hathaway) transforming from a terminally awkward teen into the princess of Genovia.

Princess Diaries is the incarnation of teen fantasy, going from being nerdy and overlooked to incredibly special overnight. The nostalgic vibe of the film brings viewers back to the obstacles they faced during the simpler, more awkward stages of their life while providing a wish-fulfillment fantasy for the ages.

6 Mean Girls

Cady Joins The Plastics In Mean Girls

Mean Girls was the movie to see back in 2004 and remains a cultural touchstone. The words of Regina George and the cast of beloved characters are still casually interspersed in regular conversation – although "fetch" is never going to happen. And fans can still be seen wearing pink on Wednesdays.

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What gives the film its staying power is its sharp script by Tina Fey. Mean Girls isn't an average cringey teen movie, but a satire of the cliques and social codes that define teen life.

5 The Emperor's New Groove

The Emperor's New Groove

The Emperor's New Groove has become an underrated classic. It offers its viewers the popular 2D animation and art style of the 2000s before 3D became the dominant mode. The film takes its story from a classic tale and spins it into an offbeat comedy starring a monarch-turned-llama.

New Groove's audience follows along as Kuzco, the aforementioned llama, and Pacha, a kindly peasant he meets along the way, as they journey through the forest to avoid certain death at the hands of a usurper to the throne. The film's unexpected humor sells this buddy comedy, and the unworthy Kuzco's moral upgrade helps fans connect with the sense of hope they felt when they were younger.

4 Superbad

Seth superbad

Released in 2007, Superbad was an instant hit. Today, the movie continues to resonate with older crowds who first saw the film upon theatrical release, younger crowds who will pass through their late teens, and possibly the main characters' experiences.

While incredibly raunchy, the film still maintains a core of truth about what it's like being a teen. More importantly, Superbad focuses on that pivotal moment when high school ends, and friends suddenly realize that things will change against their wills.

3 Scooby-Doo

Mystery Incorporated in Scooby-Doo (2002)

When Scooby-Doo (2002) brought a well-loved show to life, it was already loaded with nostalgic ties to many lives. Based on the iconic animated series, the movie appealed to fans of the original series, and looked to tap into a newer generation of viewers. However, what made the film enjoyable was its pitch-perfect casting, a once-in-a-lifetime moment of synchronicity.

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In 2002, any moviegoer was already familiar with Freddie Prinze Jr., Matthew Lillard, and Sarah Michelle Gellar – who all seemed to have new movies coming out just about every week. Considering the long-term fanbase of the Scooby series, and the teen appeal of the live-action cast, it's no wonder the film has a certain charm to viewers.

2 Miss Congeniality

Sanda Bullock in a dress, standing on stage in Miss Congeniality.

Miss Congeniality is one of Sandra Bullock's best films that viewers keep coming back to. Viewers believe it to be her "crowning glory." The film takes its audience into the world of beauty pageants and all of the absurdity that surrounds them. Bullock plays an FBI agent who goes undercover as a contestant and must contend with her more brash impulses while finding a would-be assassin.

Despite Miss Congeniality's odd premise, it provides major laughs, thanks to a sharp, endlessly quotable screenplay. Additionally, Bullock is an excellent foil to the ridiculous pageantry that governs some young women's lives. It's nostalgic in ways few satires ever are.

1 Sisterhood Of The Traveling Pants

Sisterhood Of The Traveling Pants cast

Sisterhood of The Traveling Pants was a movie based on a book that became incredibly popular in 2005. The film offers that sought-after nostalgic feel for its viewers and takes its audience on an adventure of friendship.

Magically, one pair of pants is able to fit a group of friends with different body types perfectly. Then, the pants become an item of clothing that changes hands between the friends, "traveling" across life's many twists and turns. Fans relate to Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants because of its captivating story and plot line. This film is great for fans who want a nostalgia-filled trip to the past.

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