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But which of his movies is the best?
This question has sparked many debates among fans and critics alike. Some prefer his earlier works, such as Rushmore and The Royal Tenenbaums, which established his signature style and themes. Others favor his later films, such as The Grand Budapest Hotel and Isle of Dogs, which showcase his mastery of storytelling and visual effects.
To help you decide, we have ranked all of his movies from worst to best, based on their ratings on Rotten Tomatoes, a website that aggregates reviews from critics and audiences. We have also included some facts and trivia about each movie, as well as the release date of his upcoming film, The French Dispatch.
10. Bottle Rocket (1996)
Wes Anderson's debut feature is a crime comedy about three friends (Owen Wilson, Luke Wilson, and Robert Musgrave) who plan a series of heists after escaping from a mental hospital. The movie was based on a short film that Anderson made with Owen Wilson, who also co-wrote the screenplay. The movie was praised by Martin Scorsese, who compared it to the works of McCarey and Renoir, but it flopped at the box office.
9. The Darjeeling Limited (2007)
Wes Anderson's fifth feature is a road movie about three brothers (Owen Wilson, Adrien Brody, and Jason Schwartzman) who travel across India by train in an attempt to reconnect after their father's death. The movie was inspired by Jean Renoir's The River and Satyajit Ray's films, and features a soundtrack of Indian music. The movie was criticized for being self-indulgent and culturally insensitive, but it also has its fans who appreciate its emotional depth and visual beauty.
8. Isle of Dogs (2018
Wes Anderson's second stop-motion animated film is a dystopian adventure about a boy (Koyu Rankin) who searches for his dog on an island where all dogs have been banished by a corrupt mayor (Kunichi Nomura). The movie was influenced by Japanese cinema, especially the works of Akira Kurosawa and Hayao Miyazaki, and features an ensemble voice cast that includes Bryan Cranston, Edward Norton, Bill Murray, Scarlett Johansson, and Yoko Ono. The movie was praised for its technical brilliance and political satire, but it also faced controversy for its portrayal of Japanese culture and characters.
7. Moonrise Kingdom (2012)
Wes Anderson's seventh feature is a romantic comedy about two 12-year-olds (Jared Gilman and Kara Hayward) who run away from their homes on an island in New England in the summer of 1965. The movie was inspired by Anderson's own childhood memories and the novels of J.D. Salinger and Mark Twain. It features a star-studded cast that includes Bruce Willis, Edward Norton, Bill Murray, Frances McDormand, Tilda Swinton, and Bob Balaban. The movie was nominated for an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay and won the Golden Globe for Best Musical or Comedy.
6. The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004)
Wes Anderson's fourth feature is a marine adventure about an eccentric oceanographer (Bill Murray) who sets out to find and kill the shark that ate his partner. The movie was inspired by the documentaries of Jacques Cousteau and the novels of Herman Melville and Jules Verne. It features a soundtrack of David Bowie songs performed in Portuguese by Seu Jorge, as well as stop-motion animation by Henry Selick. The movie was panned by critics for being too quirky and self-indulgent, but it has since gained a cult following among fans who love its humor and heart.
5. The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)
Wes Anderson's third feature is a family drama about three former child prodigies (Ben Stiller, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Luke Wilson) who reunite with their estranged father (Gene Hackman) after he claims to have a terminal illness. The movie was co-written by Owen Wilson, who also plays a supporting role. It features a soundtrack of classic rock songs by the Rolling Stones, the Beatles, and Nico, as well as an original score by Mark Mothersbaugh. The movie was nominated for an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay and won the Golden Globe for Best Musical or Comedy.
4. The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)
Wes Anderson's eighth feature is a historical caper about a legendary concierge (Ralph Fiennes) and his loyal lobby boy (Tony Revolori) who get involved in a murder mystery and political intrigue in a fictional European country in the 1930s. The movie was inspired by the writings of Stefan Zweig and the paintings of Gustav Klimt and Egon Schiele. It features a sprawling cast that includes F. Murray Abraham, Adrien Brody, Willem Dafoe, Jeff Goldblum, Harvey Keitel, Jude Law, Bill Murray, Edward Norton, Saoirse Ronan, Jason Schwartzman, Tilda Swinton, Tom Wilkinson, and Owen Wilson. The movie was Anderson's most successful film at the box office and won four Oscars for Best Costume Design, Best Makeup and Hairstyling, Best Production Design, and Best Original Score.
3. Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)
Wes Anderson's first stop-motion animated film is a comedy about a cunning fox (George Clooney) who steals from three evil farmers (Michael Gambon, Brian Cox, and Robin Hurlstone) and puts his family and friends in danger. The movie was based on the children's book by Roald Dahl and co-written by Noah Baumbach. It features a voice cast that includes Meryl Streep, Jason Schwartzman, Bill Murray, Willem Dafoe, Owen Wilson, and Jarvis Cocker. The movie was praised for its charm and wit and nominated for an Oscar for Best Animated Feature.
2. Rushmore (1998)
Wes Anderson's second feature is a coming-of-age comedy about a precocious teenager (Jason Schwartzman) who falls in love with a teacher (Olivia Williams) and competes with a wealthy businessman (Bill Murray) for her affection. The movie was co-written by Owen Wilson and featured a soundtrack of British Invasion songs by the Kinks, the Who, and the Faces. The movie was a critical success and launched the careers of Anderson, Schwartzman, and Murray as an indie darlings.
1. The French Dispatch (2021)
Wes Anderson's previous anthology film pays tribute to the New Yorker magazine and its writers. The movie consists of four stories set in a fictional French city in the 20th century, each focusing on a different aspect of culture, politics, art, and crime. The movie features an ensemble cast that includes Benicio del Toro, Adrien Brody, Tilda Swinton, Léa Seydoux, Frances McDormand, Timothée Chalamet, Bill Murray, Owen Wilson, Liev Schreiber, Elisabeth Moss, Edward Norton, Willem Dafoe, Saoirse Ronan, Christoph Waltz, Jason Schwartzman, and more.
So there you have it: Wes Anderson's best movies of all time. Do you agree with our ranking? Which one is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below!
Conclusion
That's our ranking of Wes Anderson's best movies. Do you agree? Which one is your favorite? Tell us in the comments!
And don't miss his new movie, Asteroid City, coming out on June 23rd, 2023. It's an anthology film presented as a play-within-a-play, written by a Tennessee Williams-like character, with various stories set in a small town in Arizona that is famous for its meteorite.
It has a star-studded cast and a retro Americana vibe. It sounds amazing! We hope you liked this blog post and learned something new about Wes Anderson and his movies. Please share it with your friends and family who love his work.
And stay tuned for more posts on cinema, culture, and entertainment. Thanks for reading!