The Best Wes Anderson Films—Ranked from Worst to Best
Wes Anderson's films are a potent mixture of dry humor and decadent assembly. He's become a director known for his talented ensembles and colorfully nostalgic staging. His filmography is loaded with gorgeous films that are amazing to get lost in, whether it's an undersea adventure or a hotel caper.
With The Criterion Collection releasing a boxed set of Anderson's films, it's a good time to cover some of his best works. If you've never seen any of his movies, figuring out where to start can be daunting. For your consideration, indulge this decalogue of the dapper works of Wes Anderson.
Bottle Rocket
It didn't take long for Anthony (Luke Wilson) to be released from a mental institution to jump into a life of crime. He teams up with his friend Dignan (Owen Wilson) and neighbor Bob (Robert Musgrave) for a scheme involving Dignan's boss, Mr. Henry (James Caan). But they're not the best criminals as the plan progressively goes awry.
Bottle Rocket was Wes Anderson's first feature film, and while it looks nothing like the movies he makes now, it's still fascinating to watch his film skills develop. He finds just the right notes for finding comedy with Owen Wilson and Luke Wilson, and his cinematography for shooting around Texas is visually stunning. It's a great film to see how much Anderson can do with so little.
The Phoenician Scheme
Anatole "Zsa-Zsa" Korda (Benicio del Toro) is a tycoon who survived many assassinations and escaped death. But with his more frequent trips to the afterlife, he decides to buy himself some more time and leave his fortune to his religious daughter, Liesl (Mia Threapleton). The two connect over an adventure of keeping Korda's many investors invested, whether it's through displays of gratitude or basketball games.
Like Asteroid City , The Phoenician Scheme is also a film about death, but more overtly given the afterlife sequences and a skull always on Korda's desk. While it compartmentalizes much of the ensemble, the performances are some of the most emotional and nuanced of any Anderson picture. Benicio del Toro gives a remarkably layered portrayal of a weary man, but special attention should be given to newcomer Michael Cera, who absolutely steals this film by essentially performing two different roles as the same character.
Isle of Dogs
All the dogs of the Japanese city Megasaki City are forced to be quarantined on the remote Trash Island, where the canines squabble for survival over food and tribes. The young Atari ventures off to the island for his lost bodyguard dog, relying on the guidance of resident dogs who don't speak his language. What starts as an adventure to find one dog soon turns into a quest to unravel a conspiracy.
Isle of Dogs was the second animated film by Wes Anderson, and it takes a lot of inspiration from Japanese films, ranging from the Kurosawa-style staging of the dogs to the familiar Japanese music in the background. That alone should be a draw, but the distinct stop-motion style is intoxicating (especially the sushi cooking sequence), and the talented voice cast (Bryan Cranston, Edward Norton, Greta Gerwig) makes this picture such a refreshing change of pace for an animated film. If you love classic Japanese films, stop-motion animation, and dogs, this film should be at the top of your Anderson watchlist.
The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar
Based on the short story by Roald Dahl, The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar focuses on the peculiar life of the wealthy Henry (Benedict Cumberbatch). Fascinated by the idea of being clairvoyant, Henry attempts to learn from a guru how to see without his eyes. While this new ability takes time to master, he uses it for gambling, but also manages to foresee his own death, which he cannot stop.
Although originally intended to be a feature-length film, Wes Anderson kept his adaptation short and sweet, along with some other short Dahl adaptations he directed for Netflix. Cumberbatch's swift narration works so well for this film, which seems to proceed with the set dressing of a fast-paced play with its quick transitions from scene to scene. So much contemplation on life and riches is divulged in under an hour, proving that Anderson's style can work in short form, considering Henry Sugar won the Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film.
Moonrise Kingdom
On the island of New Penzance, the orphaned boy scout Sam (Jared Gilman) has fallen in love with his pen pal, Suzy (Kara Hayward). With their lives bound by the monotony of adults who can't figure out their own lives, the two kids set off for a romantic getaway from the world that has shunned them. The adults must search for them quickly, as a deadly storm is on the horizon.
Moonrise Kingdom finds Anderson focusing on the emotional wonder and hardships of growing up. Given the young protagonists, he gives these characters a mature honesty by depicting a weirdly believable perspective on young love. For this picture immersed in coming-of-age stories, Anderson's usual nostalgic hallmarks fit with the old-fashioned Boy Scouts troop and a love of classic books and records.
Asteroid City
Set in the 1950s, the remote desert town of Asteroid City attracts a crowd for the Junior Stargazer convention. The science convention makes an incredible discovery when aliens arrive, forcing the military to lock down the site. Amid all the curiosity and fears of aliens in the atomic age, the widowed father, Augie (Jason Schwartzman), tries to find the best way to break the sad news to his many children about their mom's death.
Asteroid City cleverly tackles existentialism through the colorful desert location and the black-and-white framing device of a TV play. In addition to the film's eye-popping adherence to retro-futurism, there are some unforgettable performances in this picture from the supporting players, including Tom Hanks as the stern grandfather unwilling to accept Augie and Jeffrey Wright's lengthy yet speedy speech. Add a stop-motion alien and a musical number, and Anderson's foray into science fiction feels like an easy transition.
The Royal Tenenbaums
Despite having a large and talented family, Royal Tenenbaum (Gene Hackman) has grown distant and lonely from his ex-wife and children. To bring his kin back together, he fakes an illness to get everybody back in the same house. The dysfunctional family starts to get along despite all the tragedy and trauma that has lingered in their lives.
The Royal Tenenbaums was the film where Wes Anderson's style began solidifying. His ensemble ballooned, his shots became more gorgeous, and his tone embraced more retro whimsy. The performances in this film are fantastic, but Hackman stands out for being the cantankerous glue that brings all these characters together.
The Fantastic Mr. Fox
Based on Roald Dahl's book of the same title, The Fantastic Mr. Fox depicts the quirky adventures of a fox and his animal friends. Although Mister Fox (George Clooney) adheres to his animal instincts of pilfering food from farms, he does so in a suit and with the wit of a skilled thief. He'll have to use all his smarts when his friends and family are threatened by the more aggressive actions of the farmers defending their food.
As his first animated film, Anderson applies his love of the retro to this stop-motion movie. His skill for blocking is ideally suited for animation, and the rough touches he applies to the medium give the many characters and scenes a tactile charm. The voice talent is also top-notch, boasting such big names as George Clooney and Meryl Streep, fitting easily into a Wes Anderson production (even if it only requires them being in front of a microphone).
The Grand Budapest Hotel
Set in 1930s Europe, hotel concierge Monsieur Gustave (Ralph Fiennes) attempts to train his new lobby boy, Zero (Tony Revolori). Gustave, however, isn't the best boss, considering his sexual affair with a wealthy madam (Tilda Swinton), the swiping of her valuable painting that enrages her son (Adrien Brody), and the many scuffles he faces with local law enforcement, hitmen, and fascists.
Loaded with lush colors and stunning cinematography, The Grand Budapest Hotel is Anderson's most gorgeous movie, ranging from the pristine decor of the hotel to the pink interior of a delivery truck. The performances are also a highlight, with Ralph Fiennes adding some dignity to his absurdity and Tony Revolori leaving a lasting impression. The film was so remarkable that it was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture and won Best Costume Design, Best Makeup and Hairstyling, Best Original Score, and Best Production Design.
Rushmore
Max (Jason Schwartzman) is a student who is a genius at setting up extracurricular activities but not much else. When he sets his romantic sights on the teacher, Ms. Cross (Olivia Williams), he finds he has competition with the disillusioned businessman Herman Blume (Bill Murray). The two rivals are willing to do anything for the love of Cross, despite how much it ruins their lives when bound by jealousy and revenge.
Rushmore features Anderson's writing at its cleverest, with a love triangle amid Max's most elaborate endeavors. Max's intricate school plays are a joy to watch, and watching Bill Murray amble with casual comedy made him a brilliant staple for Anderson's future films. It also features my favorite ending, where Max beautifully wraps up his relationships during his uproarious school play based on the Vietnam War with explosive special effects.
Wes Anderson has continued to be the most iconic film director of our age. His style is so recognizable that it's been parodied in everything from slasher movies to superhero ensembles. He's still making movies and delivering stylish pictures that delight as much as his witty and wry writing, and hopefully, he will have more of those films in him in the future.
