Gladiator, Looking For Alibrandi, and other classic films turning 25 this year

In 2000, we navigated the Y2K bug scare, Cathy Freeman shone at the Sydney Olympics, the Backstreet Boys were at the height of their fame, and Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt tied the knot. That year also saw the release of many beloved films, leaving us with lasting memories.

Some films that flopped at the box office back then have since become classics, while others that were all the rage 25 years ago have gradually faded from memory. For example, Christian Bale's "American Psycho" only ranked 95th at the global box office and grossed just $15 million in the US that year. Now, it is a highly sought-after classic, with Austin Butler set to star in a new adaptation.

Meanwhile, Disney's "Dinosaur" was the fifth highest-grossing film of 2000, earning nearly $345 million worldwide and $138 million in the US. However, it is no longer considered a Disney classic today. Popularity aside, the 25th anniversary is the perfect time to revisit these films. Here are some of our picks for turn-of-the-century gems, perfect for a summer night's viewing.

"Looking for Alibrandi," an iconic Australian coming-of-age story, celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. 17-year-old Josie Alibrandi doesn't know where she belongs, but this year everything is about to change. She will face her fears, uncover secrets, and even discover the true identity of her father. Whether you saw it in the cinema, studied it at school, or are a die-hard fan who revisits this gem every time you're sick or hungover, "Looking for Alibrandi" has had a profound impact on many people's lives.

For some, the film resonates with its humorous portrayal of the immigrant experience. For others, the film focuses on what it’s like to be a teenage girl in Australia. For me, the highlight of the film is its soundtrack, a blend of 90s grunge rock and retro Italian pop. While the film is overall warm and nostalgic, it also explores grief and mental health, plot points that are easily missed if your main impression is of tomato day and Pia Miranda talking back to her mum.

Overall, "Looking for Alibrandi" is a perfect summer watch, with Josie hanging out in Bondi, flirting with boys, and making pasta sauce with her family in the sunshine. "Billy Elliot" If you're looking for a coming-of-age classic but are tired of "Looking for Alibrandi" (almost impossible!), then "Billy Elliot" is definitely for you. This global phenomenon was later adapted into a musical and toured the biggest stages around the world, and is also credited with changing attitudes towards male dancers.

The film tells the story of Billy, an 11-year-old boy living in northern England during the 1984 miners' strike. Billy dreams of becoming a ballet dancer, skipping his boxing lessons to secretly study ballet, much to the disapproval of his conservative father. Julie Walters plays Billy's ballet teacher, and her brilliant performance will have you laughing, crying, and tapping your feet in the space of 10 minutes.

"Chicken Run" is now a quarter of a century old since its release, and it remains the most successful stop-motion animation film ever made. Produced by legendary animation company Aardman (the makers of "Wallace and Gromit"), "Chicken Run" is a clay animation masterpiece. Every blink, head tilt, cluck, and "I don't want to be a pie!" yell was meticulously crafted by hand. The result is a family film that is both hilarious and exciting, full of slapstick, witty banter, and send-ups of British and American stereotypes.

The film turned a generation of children into staunch vegetarians and remains a film worth revisiting again and again. "Bring It On" This film weaves class inequality, race politics, and the denigration of women's movements into a vibrant, catchy cheerleading performance. This teen classic made Kirsten Dunst a star and inspired countless teen comedies. The film tells the story of Torrance (Dunst), a newly appointed cheerleading captain who discovers that her squad has been stealing dance routines from the East Compton High School's black cheerleading squad, the Clovers.

Despite its flaws, the film was progressive for its time in addressing issues such as cultural appropriation and white privilege. The film is also full of joy, from its focus on female friendships to the catchy cheerleading dances, this engaging film is sure to lift your spirits. "Gladiator" Of all the films of 2000, this one took home the Best Picture Oscar the following year. Ridley Scott's somber epic stars Russell Crowe as a general who is reduced to a gladiator, having lost everything, all at the hands of the brutal new Caesar (played by Joaquin Phoenix).

If you loved the recent "Gladiator 2" but missed the original (like me), then this 2000 blockbuster will give you the same feels. The plot, characters, and themes are almost identical to the sequel starring Paul Mescal, but the slight graininess of the original film from 25 years ago somehow makes the special effects, sets, and props even more impressive. Maybe it's just that the CGI sharks in the recent remake made me feel unwell. Even if you don't usually like action epics, this is a worthwhile watch, reminiscent of big-budget must-sees like "Game of Thrones" or "Lord of the Rings." "Gladiator" is full of all the usual tropes, but in the best possible way.

"The Dish" This is another Australian classic, but one you may have forgotten starring Sam Neill. From the team at Working Dog, who also made "The Castle," "Utopia," and "Have You Been Paying Attention," this film combines comedy with historical drama. "The Dish" tells the story of a group of scientists tasked with installing a satellite dish in a remote sheep paddock in Australia. This quirky team ends up being the only hope for NASA to receive the historic images of the first humans to land on the moon. A power outage leads to things going horribly wrong, and it's up to our colorful cast of characters to overcome the odds.

"The Dish" is a classic underdog story, and it's a sentimental reflection on how even a group of Australians in the mid-west of NSW could play a part in one of the most defining moments in modern history.