Wes Anderson’s journey to filmmaking began in 1996 when he worked on the movie Bottle Rocket. The movie received positive reactions from viewers, and since then, Anderson has become a household name.
If you haven’t watched his movies yet, we have a list of some of his best works for you to delve into the unique world of filmmaking that is meticulously crafted by Wes Anderson.
Here are the best Wes Anderson movies you should watch-
1. The Grand Budapest Hotel
Probably the best work of Wes Anderson, the nine Academy Award nominations and bringing home four of them is an open testament to the sheer potential of the film.
Set in the fictional Eastern European country of Zubrowka, the movie stars Ralph Fiennes, leading an ensemble cast of 17 people, as a concierge framed for murder.
The movie won him his debut Oscar nomination for Best Director, and it also won Best Production Design- the movie is a result of cinematic art.
2. Fantastic Mr. Fox
Fantastic Mr. Fox features George Clooney’s voiceover as Mr. Fox, a patriarch who has caused disturbance among domestic farmers due to his raids.
The movie is a testament that Wes Anderson’s stunning approach to filmmaking extends to animation as well. He takes over the voice of Weasel in the film.
Fantastic Mr. Fox earned Anderson an Oscar nomination for Best Animated Feature.
3. Moonrise Kingdom
A whimsical tale that has stood the test of time, Moonrise Kingdom is every person’s childhood fantasy. Showing two pre-teen lovers who fall for each other and decide to run to the wilderness, prompting an entire town to search for them, Moonrise Kingdom has been hailed by some as one of the best works by Wes Anderson.
The coming-of-age movie earned a nomination for Best Original Screenplay, and Anderson was the co-author. It was recently added by the BBC to the list of the greatest films of the 21st century.
4. Isle of Dogs
The second in line of animated films by Wes Anderson, Isle of Dogs, is a classic example of stop-motion animation.
The movie has an outstanding storyline too- it features a young Japanese boy who is on a quest to find his dog after the country bans the canines and transports them to a trash island.
The movie truly portrayed Wes Anderson’s potential to display his stylistic approach in animation, too.
5. The Royal Tenenbaums
Featuring the chaotic family of Tenenbaums, the part sentimental and part satirical movie is a story of an awkward family that accidentally reunites during winter and has to uncover two decades of dysfunction in their lineage due to the blunders of their patriarch.
Wes Anderson co-wrote the screenplay with Owen Wilson and bagged a nomination for Best Original Screenplay. The seasoned cast added to the charm of the movie, making it one of his five best works.
6. Rushmore
Starring Jason Schwartzman as Max, an aspiring teenager at Rushmore Academy who finds himself in a peculiar situation when the person he seeks romantic advice from falls for the same person he wanted to date.
Gaining a cult following over the years, the second feature of the legendary filmmaker is also the first of the nine collaborations between Bill Murray and Wes Anderson.
7. Asteroid City
Asteroid City is Wes Anderson’s most captivating work. Using the technique of metatextuality, the movie is a story within a story where a playwright is trying to produce a show called “Asteroid City.”
The engrossing movie has an ensemble cast featuring Jason Schwartzman, Tom Hanks, Scarlett Johansson, Edward Norton, Margot Robbie, Maya Hawke, Steve Carell, William Dafoe, and the list goes on.
The star-studded cast gives a thrilling performance and is backed by a peculiar storyline. Asteroid City is a must-watch.
8. The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou
The movie has stunning cinematography, with some of the most spectacular imagery; however, Wes Anderson begins to stagnate as a filmmaker in this movie.
The movie has a stellar cast, with Bill Murray leading it, along with Willem Dafoe. The two of them carry the movie.
It is a good watch, but you won’t list it in Anderson’s best work. However, you can watch The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou if you have covered all the change titles and have become a big fan of his.
Conclusion
Wes Anderson is known for his vibrant color hues, balanced compositions, and meticulously crafted sets. Although his main theme is usually comedic and light-hearted, it often explores deeper themes beneath its whimsical layers. He knows how to balance melancholy and comedy and is known for encapsulating the complex nature of humans through his lens to display the great masterworks that his projects are.
Those who did not know of this talented filmmaker also became acquainted with him due to the Instagram reel trends. Have you watched any Wes Anderson movies? Let us know below.
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