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Where a group of child prodigies attends a Junior Stargazers’ convention in a desert town that was once hit by an asteroid.
The film features an ensemble cast that includes Jason Schwartzman, Scarlett Johansson, Tom Hanks, Jeffrey Wright, Tilda Swinton, Maya Hawke and many more.
But what if you’re looking for more movies like Asteroid City? Movies that combine sci-fi elements with humor, nostalgia, and whimsy?
Movies that explore the themes of family, friendship, and adventure? Well, you’re in luck, because we’ve compiled a list of 10 movies like Asteroid City that you should watch.
Paul (2011)
Simon Pegg and Nick Frost star as two British sci-fi geeks who go on a road trip across America’s UFO hotspots.
And encounter a real alien named Paul (voiced by Seth Rogen), who needs their help to escape from the government agents who are after him.
Paul is a hilarious and heartwarming movie that pays homage to classic sci-fi films like E.T., Close Encounters of the Third Kind, and Star Wars.
It also features a stellar supporting cast that includes Kristen Wiig, Jason Bateman, Bill Hader, Sigourney Weaver, and Jane Lynch.
The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004)
One of Wes Anderson’s earlier films, The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou is a comedy-drama that follows Steve Zissou (Bill Murray).
A washed-up oceanographer and documentary filmmaker who sets out to find and kill the elusive Jaguar Shark that ate his partner.
Along the way, he is joined by his estranged wife (Anjelica Huston), his loyal crew (including Willem Dafoe, Owen Wilson, and Cate Blanchett), and his possible son (Owen Wilson).
The film is a tribute to the works of Jacques Cousteau and features a soundtrack composed mostly of David Bowie songs performed in Portuguese by Seu Jorge3.
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (2005)
Based on the cult classic novel by Douglas Adams, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy is a sci-fi comedy that follows Arthur Dent (Martin Freeman).
He’s an ordinary man who escapes the destruction of Earth by hitching a ride on a spaceship with his friend Ford Prefect (Mos Def), an alien journalist.
Together, they embark on a wild and absurd journey across the galaxy, guided by a book called The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.
The film also stars Sam Rockwell, Zooey Deschanel, Bill Nighy, John Malkovich, Stephen Fry, and Alan Rickman4.
White Noise (2022)
White Noise is another sci-fi comedy directed by Noah Baumbach, who co-wrote the script with Wes Anderson.
Based on the novel by Don DeLillo, the film stars Greta Gerwig and Adam Driver as a married couple who live in a college town and are obsessed with consumerism and technology.
Their lives are disrupted when an airborne toxic event forces them to evacuate their home and confront their fears and anxieties.
The film also features Ben Stiller, Jodie Foster, Don Cheadle, Frances McDormand, Timothée Chalamet, and Saoirse Ronan.
Moonrise Kingdom (2012)
Moonrise Kingdom is another charming and nostalgic film by Wes Anderson that tells the story of Sam (Jared Gilman) and Suzy (Kara Hayward).
These two 12-year-old misfits fall in love and run away together in the summer of 1965. Their disappearance sparks a frantic search by their families, the local police, and a troop of boy scouts.
The film features an ensemble cast that includes Bruce Willis, Edward Norton, Bill Murray, Frances McDormand, Tilda Swinton, Jason Schwartzman, and Bob Balaban.
Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)
Wes Anderson’s first foray into animation, Fantastic Mr. Fox is a stop-motion adaptation of Roald Dahl’s children’s novel of the same name.
The film follows the titular Mr. Fox (voiced by George Clooney), a cunning and charismatic fox who decides to raid the farms of three wealthy and cruel farmers.
Boggis (Robin Hurlstone), Bunce (Hugo Guinness), and Bean (Michael Gambon). However, his actions put his family and friends in danger as the farmers retaliate with force.
The film also features the voices of Meryl Streep, Jason Schwartzman, Bill Murray, Willem Dafoe, Owen Wilson, and Jarvis Cocker.
Amélie (2001)
If you’re looking for a movie like Asteroid City that is not directed by Wes Anderson but still has his influence, you might want to check out Amélie, a French romantic comedy by Jean-Pierre Jeunet.
The film stars Audrey Tautou as Amélie Poulain, a shy and quirky waitress who decides to change the lives of those around her for the better by performing small acts of kindness.
Along the way, she also falls in love with Nino (Mathieu Kassovitz), a mysterious man who collects discarded photo booth pictures.
The film is known for its whimsical and fairy-tale-like style, its colorful and imaginative cinematography by Bruno Delbonnel, and its enchanting soundtrack by Yann Tiersen.
The World’s End (2013)
The World’s End is the third and final installment of the Three Flavours Cornetto trilogy by Edgar Wright, Simon Pegg, and Nick Frost.
It follows Gary King (Pegg), a middle-aged alcoholic who reunites his childhood friends to complete an epic pub crawl in their hometown.
However, they soon discover that their town has been taken over by alien robots who pose as humans.
The film is a hilarious and action-packed sci-fi comedy that also explores the themes of friendship, nostalgia, and growing up. It also stars Martin Freeman, Paddy Considine, Eddie Marsan, and Rosamund Pike.
Synecdoche, New York (2008)
Synecdoche, New York is a mind-bending and existential sci-fi drama by Charlie Kaufman, who wrote the scripts for Being John Malkovich, Adaptation., and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.
It stars Philip Seymour Hoffman as Caden Cotard, a depressed and dying theater director who decides to create a massive play that recreates his life inside a warehouse.
The film is a complex and ambitious exploration of life, death, art, and identity that blurs the lines between reality and fiction.
It also features an impressive cast that includes Samantha Morton, Michelle Williams, Catherine Keener, Emily Watson, Dianne Wiest, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Tom Noonan.
Idiocracy (2006)
Mike Judge’s sci-fi comedy Idiocracy has developed a cult following over the years, and the reason behind its popularity is that it seems to have correctly predicted the future on several fronts.
The film follows Joe Bauers (Luke Wilson), an average man who participates in a military experiment that puts him in hibernation for 500 years.
He wakes up in a dystopian world where human intelligence has declined drastically due to overpopulation and consumerism.
He soon discovers that he is the smartest person alive and tries to fix the problems of society with the help of Rita (Maya Rudolph), a former prostitute who was also part of the experiment.
Conclusion
These are some of the movies like Asteroid City that you should watch if you’re a fan of Wes Anderson’s style and vision.
These movies will transport you to different worlds and times, filled with wonder, humor, and emotion.
Whether you’re looking for a sci-fi comedy, a coming-of-age romance, a stop-motion adventure, a French fairy tale, or an oceanic odyssey, these movies have something for everyone.
So grab some popcorn, sit back, and enjoy these movies like Asteroid City. You won’t regret it.