Writer’s note: With Exhibit’s 18th anniversary coming up, I thought it would be interesting to see what else is turning 18 with us. Movies are one of the best mediums of storytelling and entertainment. It’s life brought to a screen and some of the best releases were in 2006. I was surprised to see how old and young some of these movies are in reality. Time passes by us in the blink of an eye, doesn’t it?
Krrish (June 23, 2006)
The hit film, Krrish, with its stunning lead, Hrithik Roshan, is unforgettable. The superhero film was a trendsetter in Bollywood with VFX on par with Hollywood at the time of release. The extensive universe of the Krrish franchise, starting from Koi… Mil Gaya (2003), Krrish introduced a legacy of thrilling superhero films.
Box office: ₹126.5 crore
Cars (June 9, 2006)
Life is a highway and so is the lifespan of Cars. The feel-good animated film is one of the most unexpectedly hilarious experiences. Owen Wilson is Lightning McQueen, an arrogant sentient race car who eventually learns about life and friendship.
Box office: $462 million
The Devil Wears Prada (June 30, 2006)
Are we still debating who the real villain of this movie is? The Devil Wears Prada is a deliciously complicated film with Anne Hathaway as our leading lady and Meryl Streep as the titular devil. The movie portrays the boss-employee relationship in a multi-dimensional way and is still iconic today.
Box office: $326.7 million
Phir Hera Pheri (June 9, 2006)
The sequel to the 2000 Hera Pheri holds a candle to its original story. Phir Hero Pheri is the mess we were all hoping and waiting for. The trio of Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty and Paresh Rawal were back to create chaos and navigate through twists and turns.
Box office: ₹69 crore
She’s the Man (March 17, 2006)
This movie puts sophisticated Shakespeare adaptations to the test. She’s the Man features Amanda Bynes and Channing Tatum as our leading couple but not without several obstacles. The movie was inspired by William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night and is one of the best modern adaptations in history.
Box office: $57.2 million
Rang De Basanti (January 26, 2006)
Even the name invokes a sense of nostalgia. Rang De Basanti garnered both domestic and international attention for its brilliant storyline and inspiring performance by Amir Khan. The soundtrack by A. R. Rahman was also considered for an Academy Award nomination, an impressive feat for that time.
Box office: ₹97 crore
Lage Raho Munna Bhai (September 1, 2006)
The satirical comedy film was back again with another absurd plot. Lage Raho Munna Bhai is the sequel to its original, Munna Bhai M.B.B.S (2003) and now focuses on Sanjay Dutt posing as a history professor to impress a new love interest instead of a medical student. How would anything go wrong there?
Box office: ₹126.2 crore
Pan’s Labyrinth (October 11, 2006)
The Spanish dark fantasy film by renowned horror director, Guillermo Del Toro, is a visual spectacle. Pan’s Labyrinth mixes horror with fantasy and is set in the summer of 1944 in Spain, following Ofelia (Ivana Baquero) who finds out something life-changing about herself. The movie is considered Del Toro’s magnum opus and received intense praise in many categories.
Box office: $83.9 million
The Pursuit of Happyness (December 15, 2006)
Based on the American businessman Chris Gardner, The Pursuit of Happyness is one of the most emotional films you will experience. Will Smith plays Gardner and received much praise for his performance, with his son, Jaden Smith, playing Gardner’s son.
Box office: $307.1 million
Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna (August 11, 2006)
Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna is a controversial film, receiving mixed reviews for its complex subject matter. Despite this, their ensemble cast performed to their greatest potential and made one of the highest-grossing Hindi-language films in 2006.
Box office: ₹113 crore
Night at the Museum (December 17, 2006)
This fantasy film is equal parts creative as it is hilarious. Night at the Museum follows Larry (Ben Stiller), the new night security officer at the Museum of Natural History, navigating the wild night as the museum exhibits come alive and create complete chaos. The weird but heartwarming dynamic between him and the exhibits is the highlight of the film.
Box office: $579.5 million
The Pink Panther (February 10, 2006)
The Pink Panther is a massively successful detective, comedy series. It’s actually shocking the 2006 reboot The Pink Panther with Steve Martin as Jacques Clouseau isn’t older than 18 years with its outdated and offensive humour. Still, it’s a lighthearted movie with a simple plot so it’s perfect if you don’t want to watch and overthink.
Box office: $164.1 million
Dhoom 2 (November 24, 2006)
The sequel to 2003 Dhoom, Dhoom 2, is the highest-grossing Hindi film of 2006 and one of the most successful Bollywood films. The ensemble cast included Hrithik Roshan, Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai, Bipasha Basu and Uday Chopra. It’s a thrilling heist film that brought controversy for its fast-paced and dangerous driving.
Box office: ₹151 crore
Don (October 20, 2006)
Don (also known as Don: The Chase Begins Again) is another memorable film title on this list. This is one of Shah Rukh Khan’s most iconic roles and he left a historical mark on the action-thriller genre. The film won Best Asian Film at the Neuchâtel International Fantastic Film Festival.
Box office: ₹106 crore
Step Up (August 11, 2006)
Surprisingly, this film is now turning 18. Though it’s an arguably bad film, Step Up was a box-office success and now has four sequels and a TV series. It’s a fun experience with intense chemistry between Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan.
Box office: $114.2 million
The Omen (June 6, 2006)
Despite being the fifth instalment of The Omen series, The Omen is the remake of the original 1976 film. It’s a classic horror film about a couple adopting an orphan who is the embodiment of the devil and causing tragic events to take place. It’s a must-watch for horror fans.
Box office: $120 million
X-Men: The Last Stand (May 26, 2006)
The third instalment of the X-Men movie adaptations was the most expensive film produced in 2006. X-Men: The Last Stand follows a dark plot around a “mutant cure” that causes serious consequences for mutants and humans alike. The ensemble cast of Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry and many more reprise their roles.
Box office: $460.4 million
Paprika (November 25, 2006)
The legendary director, Satoshi Kon, created a masterpiece of a psychological thriller with Paprika. Animation is one of the best mediums of surrealistic storytelling and Paprika nailed it. The movie was Kon’s final feature film before he died in 2010. The movie does include adult themes so be warned.
Box office: $944,915 (overseas)