Every Wes Anderson Movie Ranked!
From 'Asteroid City' to 'Rushmore,' Moviefone counts down the best films of director Wes Anderson's career.
Writer/director Wes Anderson on the set of 'Asteroid City,' a Focus Features release. Credit: Courtesy of Roger Do Minh/Pop. 87 Productions/Focus Features
Filmmaker Wes Anderson is one of the most visionary and unique directors of his generation.
Anderson's comedies are known for their specific direction, fantastic production design, and unique musical choices, as well as his ensemble cast of frequent collaborators that include Owen Wilson, Luke Wilson, Jason Schwartzman, Bill Murray, Angelica Huston, Adrien Brody, Tony Revolori, Willem Dafoe, Jeff Goldblum, Tilda Swinton, and many more.
In honor of Anderson's new movie, 'Asteroid City,' which opened in theaters in wide release on June 23rd, Moviefone is counting down every film of Wes Anderson's impressive career, including his latest.
Let's begin!
11. 'The Darjeeling Limited' (2007)
Three American brothers (Owen Wilson, Adrien Brody, and Jason Schwartzman) who have not spoken to each other in a year set off on a train voyage across India with a plan to find themselves and bond with each other -- to become brothers again like they used to be. Their "spiritual quest", however, veers rapidly off-course (due to events involving over-the-counter pain killers, Indian cough syrup, and pepper spray).
The Darjeeling Limited
10. 'Bottle Rocket' (1996)
Upon his release from a mental hospital following a nervous breakdown, the directionless Anthony (Luke Wilson) joins his friend Dignan (Owen Wilson), who seems far less sane than the former. Dignan has hatched a hair-brained scheme for an as-yet-unspecified crime spree that somehow involves his former boss, the (supposedly) legendary Mr. Henry (James Caan).
Bottle Rocket
9. 'The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou' (2004)
Renowned oceanographer Steve Zissou (Bill Murray) has sworn vengeance upon the rare shark that devoured a member of his crew. In addition to his regular team, he is joined on his boat by Ned (Owen Wilson), a man who believes Zissou to be his father, and Jane (Cate Blanchett), a journalist pregnant by a married man. They travel the sea, all too often running into pirates and, perhaps more traumatically, various figures from Zissou's past, including his estranged wife, Eleanor (Anjelica Huston).
The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou
8. 'Isle of Dogs' (2018)
In the future, an outbreak of canine flu leads the mayor of a Japanese city to banish all dogs to an island that's a garbage dump. The outcasts must soon embark on an epic journey when a 12-year-old boy (Koyu Rankin) arrives on the island to find his beloved pet.
7. 'Asteroid City' (2023)
The itinerary of a Junior Stargazer/Space Cadet convention (organized to bring together students and parents from across the country for fellowship and scholarly competition) is spectacularly disrupted by world-changing events.
6. 'Moonrise Kingdom' (2012)
Set on an island off the coast of New England in the summer of 1965, Moonrise Kingdom tells the story of two twelve-year-olds (Jared Gilman and Kara Hayward) who fall in love, make a secret pact, and run away together into the wilderness. As various authorities try to hunt them down, a violent storm is brewing off-shore – and the peaceful island community is turned upside down in more ways than anyone can handle.
Moonrise Kingdom
5. 'The Grand Budapest Hotel' (2014)
The Grand Budapest Hotel tells of a legendary concierge (Ralph Fiennes) at a famous European hotel between the wars and his friendship with a young employee (Tony Revolori) who becomes his trusted protégé. The story involves the theft and recovery of a priceless Renaissance painting, the battle for an enormous family fortune and the slow and then sudden upheavals that transformed Europe during the first half of the 20th century.
The Grand Budapest Hotel
4. 'The French Dispatch' (2021)
The staff of an American magazine based in France puts out its last issue, with stories featuring an artist sentenced to life imprisonment, student riots, and a kidnapping resolved by a chef.
3. 'Rushmore' (1998)
When a beautiful first-grade teacher (Olivia Williams) arrives at a prep school, she soon attracts the attention of an ambitious teenager named Max (Jason Schwartzman), who quickly falls in love with her. Max turns to the father (Bill Murray) of two of his schoolmates for advice on how to woo the teacher. However, the situation soon gets complicated when Max's new friend becomes involved with her, setting the two pals against one another in a war for her attention.
2. 'Fantastic Mr. Fox' (2009)
The Fantastic Mr. Fox (George Clooney) bored with his current life, plans a heist against the three local farmers (Michael Gambon, Robin Hurlstone, and Hugo Guinness). The farmers, tired of sharing their chickens with the sly fox, seek revenge against him and his family.
1. 'The Royal Tenenbaums' (2001)
Royal Tenenbaum (Gene Hackman) and his wife Etheline (Anjelica Huston) had three children (Ben Stiller, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Luke Wilson) and then they separated. All three children are extraordinary --- all geniuses. Virtually all memory of the brilliance of the young Tenenbaums was subsequently erased by two decades of betrayal, failure, and disaster. Most of this was generally considered to be their father's fault. "The Royal Tenenbaums" is the story of the family's sudden, unexpected reunion one recent winter.
The Royal Tenenbaums
If you are in Los Angeles, and want to attend the immersive 'Asteroid City' experience at Landmark Theaters, which includes with a premium ticket admission to the film, the immersive event, an exclusive T-shirt, and a concessions combo, tickets are available here!
