The Best Movies Directed by Wes Anderson

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Updated April 30, 2024 22.7K views 16 items
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Over 900 movie fans have come together to vote on this list of the best Wes Anderson movies ever made. Known for his quirky, whimsical style and unique storytelling, Anderson has become a favorite among many cinephiles. His films are often characterized by their charming characters, pastel color palettes, and intricate set designs.

From the eccentric family dynamics in The Royal Tenenbaums to the coming-of-age tale Moonrise Kingdom, there's no shortage of beloved Anderson classics. But with so many critically acclaimed films under his belt, it can be hard to determine which ones truly reign supreme.

This ranking is sure to spark debate among fans as we explore every film from his impressive catalog and see where they stack up against each other. Whether you're a die-hard fan or just discovering Anderson's work for the first time, this list will give you an in-depth look at what makes each film unique and special.

So grab some popcorn and get ready to dive into our definitive ranking of all Wes Anderson movies - but don't forget to vote up your favorites.

Latest additions: The Ratcatcher, Poison, The Swan
Over 1.0K Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of The Best Movies Directed by Wes Anderson
  • The Grand Budapest Hotel
    1
    Ralph Fiennes, F. Murray Abraham, Mathieu Amalric
    708 votes
    In the visually stunning and quirky The Grand Budapest Hotel, we follow the adventures of Gustave H (Ralph Fiennes), a legendary concierge at a famous European hotel. His trusted friend, Zero Moustafa (Tony Revolori), a lobby boy turned millionaire, recounts their escapades during the tumultuous times between two World Wars. Their journey involves stolen Renaissance art, an escalating family dispute over an immense fortune, and a dramatic prison escape. This Wes Anderson movie won four Academy Awards and is known for its distinctive comedic style and intricate storytelling.
  • The Royal Tenenbaums
    2
    Gene Hackman, Anjelica Huston, Ben Stiller
    592 votes
    The Royal Tenenbaums is a quirky comedy-drama, directed by the distinctive Wes Anderson. It tells an eccentric tale of a peculiar family, headed by patriarch Royal Tenenbaum (Gene Hackman). His estranged wife, Etheline (Anjelica Huston), and their prodigious but troubled offspring - business savant Chas (Ben Stiller), playwright Margot (Gwyneth Paltrow), and tennis star Richie (Luke Wilson) - form the core of this unusual clan. A narrative spun around familial discord, reconciliation attempts, and personal growth, it's a film that's as unpredictable as the Tenenbaums themselves. Nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay, it stands testament to Anderson's unique storytelling prowess.
  • Fantastic Mr. Fox
    3
    George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Jason Schwartzman
    536 votes
    In the animated film Fantastic Mr. Fox, Mr. Fox (George Clooney) lives an idyllic home life with Mrs. Fox (Meryl Streep) and their son, Ash (Jason Schwartzman). However, when Mr. Fox's sly nature drives him to raid the farms of three wealthy farmers, he jeopardizes not only his family but the entire animal community as well. Directed by Wes Anderson, this stop-motion comedy-drama is a captivating adaptation of Roald Dahl's children's novel. It was nominated for two Oscars including Best Animated Feature. The movie, known for its witty dialogues and rich visuals, is a delightful mix of humor and adventure.
  • Rushmore
    4
    Jason Schwartzman, Bill Murray, Olivia Williams
    479 votes
    In the quirky comedy-drama Rushmore, Max Fischer (Jason Schwartzman), a precocious yet underachieving 15-year-old student at Rushmore Academy, finds his world turned upside down when he falls for elementary school teacher Rosemary Cross (Olivia Williams). Meanwhile, his unique friendship with wealthy industrialist Herman Blume (Bill Murray) takes a complicated turn when Herman also develops feelings for Rosemary. Directed by Wes Anderson, this film explores love triangles, teenage ambition, and adult disillusionment in a distinctive style. The movie has garnered critical acclaim, with Bill Murray winning Best Supporting Actor from the New York Film Critics Circle.
  • Moonrise Kingdom
    5
    Bruce Willis, Ed Norton, Bill Murray
    589 votes
    In Moonrise Kingdom, a whimsical tale set on an idyllic New England island in 1965, two young lovers, Sam Shakusky (Jared Gilman) and Suzy Bishop (Kara Hayward), decide to run away together. Their disappearance sparks a local search party led by the island's quirky inhabitants including Police Captain Sharp (Bruce Willis) and Scout Master Ward (Edward Norton). The film, directed by Wes Anderson, is a charming exploration of adolescent love and rebellion against societal norms. It was nominated for Best Original Screenplay at the 85th Academy Awards.
  • The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou
    6
    Bill Murray, Owen Wilson, Cate Blanchett
    524 votes
    In the offbeat adventure-comedy, The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, we follow oceanographer Steve Zissou (Bill Murray) on an eccentric quest. After his partner Esteban is eaten by a mysterious shark, Zissou assembles a motley crew, including a journalist (Cate Blanchett) and a man who may be his son (Owen Wilson), to hunt down the creature. Directed by Wes Anderson, this film won acclaim for its unique blend of humor, drama, and stylized visuals. It's a quirky exploration of ambition, fatherhood, and the allure of the deep sea.
  • The Darjeeling Limited
    7
    Owen Wilson, Adrien Brody, Jason Schwartzman
    438 votes
    Estranged brothers Francis (Owen Wilson), Peter (Adrien Brody) and Jack (Jason Schwartzman) reunite for a train trip across India. The siblings have not spoken in over a year, ever since their father passed away. Francis is recovering from a motorcycle accident, Peter cannot cope with his wife's pregnancy, and Jack cannot get over his ex-lover. The brothers fall into old patterns of behavior as Francis reveals the real reason for the reunion: to visit their mother in a Himalayan convent.
  • The French Dispatch
    8
    Benicio del Toro, Adrien Brody, Tilda Swinton
    140 votes
    The French Dispatch, directed by Wes Anderson, is a love letter to journalists set in a fictional 20th-century French city. The film is a collection of stories from the final issue of an American magazine published in France, "The French Dispatch." It weaves together a series of vignettes that explore themes such as art, politics, and the human experience with Anderson's signature whimsical and visually stylized approach. The star-studded cast includes Bill Murray, Tilda Swinton, Frances McDormand, Timothée Chalamet, and Jeffrey Wright, among others. Each actor brings to life quirky and memorable characters in this anthology that celebrates the idiosyncrasies of storytelling and the writers who craft them.
  • Isle of Dogs
    9
    Bryan Cranston, Ed Norton, Scarlett Johansson
    278 votes
    When, by executive decree, all the canine pets of Megasaki City are exiled to a vast garbage-dump called Trash Island, 12-year-old Atari sets off alone in a miniature Junior-Turbo Prop and flies across the river in search of his bodyguard-dog, Spots. There, with the assistance of a pack of newly-found mongrel friends, he begins an epic journey that will decide the fate and future of the entire Prefecture.
  • Bottle Rocket
    10
    Owen Wilson, Luke Wilson, Robert Musgrave
    287 votes
    In Wes Anderson's first feature film, Anthony (Luke Wilson) has just been released from a mental hospital, only to find his wacky friend Dignan (Owen C. Wilson) determined to begin an outrageous crime spree. After recruiting their neighbor, Bob (Robert Musgrave), the team embarks on a road trip in search of Dignan's previous boss, Mr. Henry (James Caan). But the more they learn, the more they realize that they do not know the first thing about crime.
  • Asteroid City
    11
    Jason Schwartzman, Scarlett Johansson, Tom Hanks
    55 votes
    World-changing events spectacularly disrupt the itinerary of a Junior Stargazer/Space Cadet convention in an American desert town circa 1955.
  • Hotel Chevalier
    12
    Jason Schwartzman, Natalie Portman
    183 votes
    A man (Jason Schwartzman) and a woman (Natalie Portman) converse in a hotel room.
  • The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar
    13
    Benedict Cumberbatch, Ralph Fiennes, Ben Kingsley
    17 votes
    An adaptation of Roald Dahl's story about a rich man who sets out to master an extraordinary skill to cheat at gambling.
  • The Ratcatcher
    14
    Ralph Fiennes, Rupert Friend, Richard Ayoade
    11 votes
  • Poison
    15
    Ralph Fiennes, Benedict Cumberbatch, Ben Kingsley
    12 votes
    A man discovers a poisonous snake asleep in his bed.
  • The Swan
    16
    Ralph Fiennes, Rupert Friend, Asa Jennings
    9 votes
    A small, brilliant boy is ruthlessly pursued by two large, idiotic bullies.