The Films of Wes Anderson Ranked
With Anderson’s latest release Asteroid City, let’s look at his entire filmography and rank them. Rather than rank by “Worst to Best” I am going to rank by personal preference. Though I’ve never thought of Wes Anderson as one of my favorite filmmakers, there is not a movie of his I do not like. So, here is a personal ranking of Anderson’s 11 films.
11 – The Darjeeling Limited (2007)
Three brothers played by Anderson staples; Jason Schwartzman, Adrien Brody, and Owen Wilson go on a spiritual journey to India after the passing of their father. But it is not only a spiritual journey but a search for their mother.
Upon a re-watch, this is easily my least favorite Wes film. This is the one film that feels like he is taking from the culture rather than honoring or understanding the culture.
It also feels like most heavy-handed, the visuals are so on the nose it almost breaks your nose. I still enjoy it, but if I am in the mood to watch one of his films I would reach for this last.
10 - Isle of Dogs (2018)
A strain of dog flu has ravaged the country of Japan and all dogs have been banished to Trash Island (Isle of Dogs). Atari, an orphan who was living with his Uncle the mayor of fictional town Megasaki, goes to find his dog Spots.
Re-watching this after getting a dog, I thought this would resonate more. Instead the movie just kind of exists. It’s good and the technical aspects are a wonder.
Past that, it’s hard to figure out why he wanted to make this film. He had already done a stop-motion animation, and the emotional themes have been explored better. It’s good but sits near the bottom for those reasons.
09 – Bottle Rocket (1996)
Three friends, two played by real-life brothers Luke and Owen Wilson, along with a friend attempt to devise plans to pull off heists. Of course, nothing goes according to plan and things only get worse when they work with Dignan’s (Owen) Mentor Mr. Henry (James Caan).
Wes’ first feature film doesn’t have his idiosyncratic production design and whizzing camera, but the script is razor sharp and a matter-of-fact style that he will keep throughout his career. Maybe one day Owen and Wes will write another script together because they’re pure magic together.
08 – The French Dispatch (2021)
An ode to journalism and The New Yorker specifically. This is an anthology film, told in four different stories, each from a different writer submitting a story for the final publication of The French Dispatch after the sudden death of its Editor-in-Chief Arthur Howitzer Jr.
The issue with every anthology film is that some stories are going to be better than others. So the film will have distinct high and low points and the low points hinder the film.
Overall the film has high points. The strongest is the final act with Jeffrey Wright who should’ve received a supporting actor nomination.
07 – Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004)
Bill Murray plays a Jacques Cousteau type whose friend is eaten by a rare shark. Steve decides to set out to find the shark and kill it for revenge. Along the way, Steve discovers he has a son who was born over 20 years before and who came to be with him.
Life Aquatic is seen as a low point in Wes’ career, especially with the back-to-back of this and Darjeeling Limited. I think this is much more enjoyable than Darjeeling, but I think Wes is trying to do too much here. Especially in these themes, which he has explored better in previous films. Grief and parenthood. But the soundtrack of Seu Jorge is perfection.
06 – Asteroid City (2023)
From the trailer, Anderson’s new film looks to be another star-studded feature about a world-changing event that happens during a Junior Stargazer event in the small town of Asteroid City. However, this film is far more than meets the eye and is more esoteric than the trailer would leave you to believe.
Don’t fret though, if you’re a fan of Wes Anderson then you will enjoy his new film. If you’ve never watched one of his films maybe do not start with this one. It’s probably the most complex film of his career, seemingly going after his biggest critics.
This could climb in the rankings in the future, but my top five personal favorite Wes Anderson films are unassailable. Asteroid City attempts to tackle many themes, some of that Wes has looked at before. But this time it feels like a fresh take, one that needs multiple viewings to absorb them all.
05 – The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)
On the brink of war and hotel concierge named Gustav H. hires a new lobby boy Zero to be his protégé. A prominent hotel guest is murdered and Gustav is framed for the murder. Gustav and Zero attempt to solve the murder all while escaping prison and avoiding authorities and the Nazi-esque army.
Many consider this to be Wes’ definitive film. I enjoy it a lot because of the humor and Ralph Fiennes giving one of the best performances in a Wes Anderson film. Alexander Desplat’s score is perfect. The production design expertly shows the passing of time and how Gustav’s & Zero’s lives went from happy to ultimate sadness. It’s also one of Anderson’s most emotionally poignant films.
04 – The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)
The Tenenbaums patriarch Royal, played by Gene Hackman, attempts to reconnect with his family. His ex-wife and their three children, each a respective genius in their own way. All past wounds come out as each child reckons with the trauma Royal had inflicted on them. Trauma may be hyperbolic, but Royal left his children with issues that they’re still dealing with.
I realize Wes Anderson fans will be mad that this is on four. And if this was a ranking of his best films this would probably be one. But, there are others of his I like more.
As stated before, Owen and Wes need to write another script together. Wes’ first three films have a danger to them and an honesty that seems to have gone away after Owen stopped helping him write.
It’s why this and Rushmore are still regarded as two of his best films. Plus the performances in the cast are insanely good. Gene Hackman gives possibly the best performance in a Wes Anderson film ever.
03 – Moonrise Kingdom (2012)
On the island of New Penzance off the coast of New England, there is a small community of quirky people. Inside this community are two 12-year-olds who find each other and connect through their feelings of alienation. They run off together and as a storm is fast approaching the whole island conducts a search party to find them.
At my heart, I am a romantic. I believe in love, and this film touches on this subject above all other Wes films. Finding that undeniable connection to someone else, someone who sees you for you and doesn’t judge you, but loves everything about you.
It’s heartfelt but grounded and it’s the closest Wes comes to the danger of his first three films without Owen as a writing partner. Bruce Willis gives his best performance to date as well. He is an actor I’ve never cared for because he feels like he sleepwalks through his films, but he is lovely in this film.
02 – Fantastic Mr. Fox – (2009)
Based on Roald Dahl’s children’s book of the same name. Co-written by Noah Baumbach who only wrote two films with Wes. This and Life Aquatic. Fantastic Mr. Fox might be the best thing Noah has ever written.
Mr. Fox cannot help his cunning ways and attempts to steal from the local farm. Then his community has to band together to survive the three farmer’s retaliations.
This is the film that has slowly climbed up my personal ranking of Wes’ films. It’s not his deepest or most complex. But it is a ton of fun. Stop-Motion animation was perfect for Wes to dabble in.
He is meticulous and obsessive, two traits that stop-motion calls for. Anderson has great soundtracks and this is one of his best ones.
01 – Rushmore (1998)
Max Fischer is a precocious high school student at a prestigious prep school called Rushmore. On the verge of flunking out, because he spends too much time creating clubs and writing plays, Max meets first-grade teacher Rosemary. He develops an unrequited love as well as being mentored by Bill Murray’s Herman Blume, who also develops feelings for Rosemary. Soon the mentor and protégé rival for the attention of Rosemary.
Anderson is like the older sibling you have who has cool taste in music. The only other director who might have better needle drops in their films is Quinten Tarantino. This film above all others has the best soundtrack and the best needle drops.
It’s everything that is great about Wes distilled into one film. Great soundtrack, a great young actor performance, a sharp wit script, and a film that has that Owen Wilson danger (potential sexual relationship between student and teacher).
Wes consistently gets brilliant performances from young actors. He found a huge talent in Jason Schwartzman and he gives one of the best first feature performances ever.
Max has to seem wise beyond his years and Jason has the confidence of a veteran actor. Now in 2023, Jason gives another stellar performance in Asteroid City.
This also marked the revival of Bill Murray. Without this film Lost in Translation maybe does not happen. I love everything about this film, I don’t think it’ll ever be usurped as my favorite Wes Anderson film.
What is your favorite Wes Anderson film?
