The world survived Y2K, scooters took over sidewalks, reality TV arrived and the PlayStation 2 started a new console generation.
This guide rounds up what was popular in 2000, from what people wore and played with to what they watched and listened to. Use it to settle a nostalgia debate, write trivia for a 90s party, or plan a 2000-themed birthday or reunion.
Quick answer
In 2000, the biggest trends were the end of Y2K fears, Razor scooters, the PlayStation 2, Pokémon Gold and Silver, reality TV like Survivor, low-rise jeans, butterfly tops, boy bands and pop princesses, and songs like "Bye Bye Bye", "Oops!... I Did It Again" and "Breathe".
2000 at a glance
| Category | Biggest in 2000 |
|---|---|
| Toy craze | Razor scooters |
| Console | PlayStation 2 |
| TV phenomenon | Survivor |
| Fashion | Low-rise jeans |
| Song everyone knew | "Bye Bye Bye" |
| Game | Pokémon Gold and Silver (US) |
Fashion trends of 2000
Here is what people were wearing in 2000. For the full decade, see 90s fashion trends.
Low-rise jeans
The defining cut of the early 2000s.
Butterfly tops
Scarf tops tied at the back.
Tinted sunglasses
Colored lenses.
Velour and tracksuits
Starting to rise.
Platform flip-flops
Summer staple.
Frosted tips
Still going.
Popular toys and games in 2000
The toy aisle in 2000 looked like this. More in our list of popular 90s toys.
Razor scooters
The foldable scooter craze.
PlayStation 2
Launched in North America in October.
Pokémon Gold and Silver
North America in October.
Robot dogs
Interactive pets.
Mini music clip toys
Tiny song players.
Technology in 2000
- The PlayStation 2 launched in North America on October 26, 2000.
- USB flash drives began replacing floppy disks.
- A famously durable mobile phone with Snake II launched in September.
See every gadget of the decade in 90s tech gadgets and every console in 90s video game consoles.
Popular movies of 2000
| Movie | US release |
|---|---|
| Gladiator | May |
| X-Men | July |
| How the Grinch Stole Christmas | November |
| Bring It On | August |
| Remember the Titans | September |
| Chicken Run | June |
TV shows of 2000
| Show | Premiere / big year |
|---|---|
| Survivor | May 2000 |
| Malcolm in the Middle | January 2000 |
| Gilmore Girls | October 2000 |
| Big Brother (US) | July 2000 |
| Dora the Explorer | August 2000 |
| CSI | October 2000 |
For cartoons specifically, see 90s cartoons.
Popular songs of 2000
| Song | Artist |
|---|---|
| Breathe | Faith Hill |
| Bye Bye Bye | *NSYNC |
| Oops!... I Did It Again | Britney Spears |
| Say My Name | Destiny's Child |
| Maria Maria | Santana featuring The Product G&B |
| Who Let the Dogs Out | Baha Men |
Build a full playlist with our 90s party songs.
Big moments of 2000
- The year 2000 arrived without the feared Y2K computer collapse.
- The dot-com bubble began to burst in March.
- Reality TV became a primetime phenomenon.
Fun fact: Is 2000 part of the 90s? Culturally, many 2000 trends were a continuation of the late 90s, while strictly speaking the decade of the 1990s runs from 1990 to 1999.
Throw a 2000 themed party
2000 party checklist
- A playlist of 2000 hits
- Posters from Gladiator and X-Men
- A dress code inspired by low-rise jeans
- Trivia about 2000
- Toys from 2000 as decorations or prizes
- Disposable cameras
The story of 2000
When the clock struck midnight on January 1, 2000, the feared Y2K computer collapse did not happen, and the world moved into the new millennium. Culturally, 2000 felt like a continuation of the late 90s, with boy bands, pop princesses and teen movies still dominating, but new trends began to emerge.
Foldable scooters became the must-have ride for kids, and a new generation of game console launched in North America in October, though supply was limited. Pokémon continued with new games in the fall. Robot dogs and mini music players were popular gifts.
Reality TV arrived as a primetime phenomenon with a survival competition on a remote island, and a sitcom about a gifted kid in a chaotic family became a hit. Fashion shifted toward low-rise jeans, tinted sunglasses and scarf tops, previewing the early-2000s style often called Y2K.
Is 2000 part of the 90s? Strictly speaking, the decade of the 1990s ran from 1990 to 1999, but many people include 2000 as the end of 90s pop culture. A 2000 party is perfect for a millennium theme with silver, metallic outfits and the year's pop hits.
Conclusion
2000 was the year of Razor scooters, PlayStation 2, Survivor. Rewind one more year to what was popular in 1999.
Frequently asked questions
What was popular in 2000?
In 2000, the biggest trends were the end of Y2K fears, Razor scooters, the PlayStation 2, Pokémon Gold and Silver, reality TV like Survivor, low-rise jeans, butterfly tops, boy bands and pop princesses, and songs like "Bye Bye Bye", "Oops!... I Did It Again" and "Breathe".
What was the biggest movie of 2000?
Some of the biggest movies of 2000 were Gladiator, X-Men, How the Grinch Stole Christmas.
What toys were popular in 2000?
Popular toys and games in 2000 included Razor scooters, PlayStation 2, Pokémon Gold and Silver, Robot dogs, Mini music clip toys.
What songs were popular in 2000?
Popular songs in 2000 included "Breathe" (Faith Hill), "Bye Bye Bye" (*NSYNC), "Oops!... I Did It Again" (Britney Spears), "Say My Name" (Destiny's Child), "Maria Maria" (Santana featuring The Product G&B).
What TV shows started in 2000?
Shows that premiered or became hits in 2000 include Survivor, Malcolm in the Middle, Gilmore Girls, Big Brother (US), Dora the Explorer.
What did people wear in 2000?
Fashion in 2000 included low-rise jeans, butterfly tops, tinted sunglasses, velour and tracksuits, platform flip-flops. See our 90s fashion trends guide for more.
How do I throw a 2000 themed party?
Use the songs, movies and toys from 2000 on this page: a 2000 playlist, movie posters, era snacks and trivia about the year. Our 90s party ideas guide has a full plan.