The 20 Best Music Videos of the 2000s, Ranked

To kick off our list for the best music videos of the 2000s, we've got "Dance, Dance," a classic high school dance scene with a twist. Fall Out Boy added their signature brand of emo-punk rebellion to the mix, and the result was a fun, energetic video that resonated with the teenage angst of the time. The video's offbeat charm and the band's compelling performance make it a standout entry in their catalog and a quintessential video of the 2000s pop-punk era.

In "Beautiful," Snoop Dogg and Pharrell take us on a journey to the sunny beaches and vibrant streets of Rio de Janeiro. The video, featuring stunning panoramas of the city and the jovial, party-loving local culture, perfectly encapsulates the song's laid-back and joyous vibe. It's a charming celebration of beauty in all forms, making it one of the most uplifting music videos of the 2000s.

The theatrical, circus-themed video for this emo-pop anthem is as dramatic as the song itself. It captures the band's penchant for theatrics and grandeur, helping establish Panic! At The Disco as one of the leading bands in the mid-2000s emo scene.

Perhaps one of the most iconic dance routines of all time, Beyoncé's "Single Ladies" music video is a masterclass in minimalism. The black-and-white video, featuring Beyoncé and her two backup dancers in leotards, was a cultural phenomenon that sparked countless tributes and even parodies.

The "Fell in Love with a Girl" video is an impressive display of creativity, using Lego bricks to animate Jack and Meg White's blistering garage rock hit. Directed by Michel Gondry, it's a whirlwind of colors and shapes that perfectly mirrors the song's frenetic energy.

The music video for "My Band," D12's highest-charting song in the U.S., is as humorously self-deprecating as the lyrics themselves. With Eminem playing up his frontman status to comedic effect, the video presents scenarios of band members feeling overshadowed and unnoticed. The tongue-in-cheek approach and playful visuals capture the essence of the song, making it one of the most memorable music videos of the 2000s.

OK Go redefined what could be achieved in a music video with "Here It Goes Again". Filmed in one continuous take, the video features the band members performing an intricate routine on treadmills. It went viral before 'going viral' was a thing, and remains a testament to the band's innovation and creativity.

"Bad Romance" introduced the world to Gaga's avant-garde style and penchant for theatricality. The video, featuring a mix of futuristic fashion, twisted love narratives, and captivating dance sequences, took the music video genre to new artistic heights.

"Hollaback Girl" was a departure from Gwen Stefani's work with No Doubt and firmly established her as a solo artist. The video, set in a high school, features Stefani as a cheerleader leading a marching band, embodying the song's defiant, empowering message.

Green Day's post-apocalyptic video for "Boulevard of Broken Dreams" perfectly captures the song's themes of loneliness and disillusionment. Its gritty, desolate visuals were a stark contrast to the band's pop-punk roots and showcased their evolution as artists.

The music video for 50 Cent's breakout hit, "In Da Club," is an impressive visual feast that features the rapper in various scenarios, ranging from a club to a gym. The video's aesthetics, with a blend of slick production and raw energy, helped establish 50 Cent as a major player in the hip-hop world. The video remains one of the most iconic of the era, symbolizing 50 Cent's triumphant entrance into the music industry.

A delightful tribute to the Beatles' "Ed Sullivan Show" performance, "Hey Ya!" by OutKast is full of energy and fun. It's impossible not to tap your foot along to the beat as André 3000, playing all eight band members, takes the stage.

Rihanna solidified her pop diva status with the "Umbrella" music video. The black-and-white aesthetics with interspersed color, Rihanna's dynamic dancing in silver body paint, and the intense rainfall scene created an impactful and memorable spectacle throughout the entire video.

This video's striking black-and-white imagery and intense narrative addressing social issues in America left a profound impression on audiences. Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Mark Romanek, it's no wonder this gritty video won an MTV Video Music Award for Best Rap Video.

The video for "The Scientist" by Coldplay features a reverse narrative that adds an additional layer of intrigue to the already poignant song. The effect of watching Chris Martin's journey rewind is beautiful, leaving a lasting impression on anyone who watches it.

Eminem's "Stan" video, like the song, tells a chilling narrative that is both powerful and disturbing. With each verse corresponding to a different scene in the video, it amplifies the haunting story of obsession and mental decline, making it one of the decade's most influential videos.

In this visually stunning and style-forward video, Kanye West brought together elements of futuristic fashion, Japanese culture, and even references to the film "Akira." The result is a vibrant spectacle that matches the song's innovative sampling of Daft Punk's "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger." The video, with its quick-cut editing and flashy neon lights, captured the dynamism of the song and cemented Kanye's place as a creative force in music.

Missy Elliott's "Work It" was a game-changer in terms of music video creativity. The video, directed by Dave Meyers, was filled with bizarre scenes, from a bumblebee Missy to an upside-down dance floor, proving Elliott's exceptional vision and status as a trendsetter.

Embracing her immigrant background and punk spirit, M.I.A.'s video for "Paper Planes" was a rebellious statement about globalization and stereotypes. The video's raw style, mixed with urban street culture aesthetics, resonated with viewers, making it a standout of the decade.

The virtual band Gorillaz brought animation into the music video realm in an innovative way. The video for "Feel Good Inc" is a stunning animated spectacle filled with surreal imagery, which fits the song's vibe perfectly.