Wes Anderson needs no introduction. One of the most popular directors of modern cinema, the auteur is known for his deadpan humor, symmetrical shots, and vibrant, detail-heavy aesthetics. As his upcoming anthology film The French Dispatch heads closer to the release date, it makes sense for cinephiles to revisit some of his cult favorites.
But fans of Anderson can also opt for other movies that are similar in either their tone or visual elements. Dysfunctional families, colorful costume design, and dialogue laden with dark comedy are just some of the tropes that can end up making any film seem 'Wes Anderson-ish.'
Napoleon Dynamite (2004) - Available On Redbox
The titular character in Napoleon Dynamite is a socially awkward teenager who is pretty much content with his lack of popularity at school. But when an equally awkward friend desires to be the class president, Napoleon does all he can to help him win. And if that isn't enough, he has his own eccentric family to deal with.
The quirky high-school comedy's low-budget and minimalistic approach will excite Anderson fans who might even be able to see it as a perfect companion film to his coming-of-age comedy, Rushmore. While the latter's protagonist is smarter and more ambitious, both Rushmore's Max and Napoleon make for relatable misfits in stories that are less glamorized than the usual teen film.
Me And Earl And The Dying Girl (2015) - Available On VUDU
Me And Earl And The Dying Girl is absurdly funny and dramatically touching in its exploration of teen friendships. Greg is the classic archetype of an introverted teen. While he spends most of his days with his best friend Earl, they befriend a girl with has leukemia named Rachel. What follows is a rollercoaster of emotions that only makes their friendship stronger.
The awkwardness between the characters evokes the personalities of several Wes Anderson characters and the central friendship is definitely as wholesome as that of Sam and Suzy's in Moonrise Kingdom.
Coffee And Cigarettes (2003) - Available On Prime Video
Jim Jarmusch has dabbled in several anthology films, Coffee and Cigarettes being one of them. Divided into black-and-white movie vignettes, the anthology stars several celebrities like Iggy Pop, Alfred Molina, Cate Blanchett among many others. They either play fictionalized versions of themselves or random everyday characters.
The awkward silences and dialogue-driven humor of each conversation are bound to entertain those viewers who enjoyed the strangely funny conversations in films such as The Darjeeling Limited and The Royal Tenenbaums. And as Anderson's next film in itself, in parts, a black-and-white anthology comedy, Coffee and Cigarettes would only seem timelier.
Amelie (2001) - Available On Paramount Plus
A modern French classic, Amelie celebrates the mundane through the eyes of its ever-optimistic heroine. Her adventures in the Parisian streets and her interactions with random strangers make for an extremely relaxing and fulfilling watch.
The film is also iconic for its color scheme that adds more life to the city of Paris. At the same time, Amelie is also an intricate study into human loneliness, as the heroine grapples with her own deep-seated isolation through acts of kindness towards others. This is similar to the essence of some of Wes Anderson's own films (like The Royal Tenenbaums, Isle of Dogs) that are colorful on the surface but delve into darker human issues from the perspectives of flawed characters.
The Meyerowitz Stories: New & Selected (2017) - Available On Netflix
To put it simply, The Meyerowitz Stories: New & Selected is centered upon the children of an aging artist who reunite after a long period of time. As is the case with such family-centric comedies and dramas, old wounds are opened and actions are regretted. Growing into parents themselves, each of the Meyerowitz siblings go through the ups and downs of their own lives, as Noah Baumbach's dialogue-heavy film reveals.
When it comes to exploring dysfunctional families, both Noah Baumbach and Wes Anderson are equally competent. So, while a film like The Royal Tenenbaums (also starring Ben Stiller) uses quirky humor to understand a troubled family. Baumbach attempts to do the same but with a more grounded approach.
Reservoir Dogs (1992) - Available On HBO Max
Reservoir Dogs continues to be one of the top picks of the heist genre. However, unlike other heist thrillers that largely focus on action and thrills, Quentin Tarantino's screenplay also sets up the atmosphere with witty interactions and rivalries. The opening diner scene bears testimony to the film's blend of dark comedy and hyperviolent action.
At the time of its release, Wes Anderson's indie feature Bottle Rocket also drew comparisons with Reservoir Dogs. The heist-planning and the actual heist in the former definitely make it another notable entry in the genre. And film students will be attracted to both films, given they were the directorial debut films of both Quentin Tarantino and Wes Anderson.
Captain Fantastic (2016) - Available On Netflix
Starring Vigo Mortensen in the lead, Captain Fantastic is a dark comedy revolving around a recently-widowed man and his six children who he raised in the forest. As he finally decides to introduce his family to human civilization, they all adjust in their own unique ways. Questions on human society and the family structure are raised throughout, as the patriarch himself struggles to be a good father.
The offbeat premise is reminiscent of Moonrise Kingdom in which the lead characters themselves plan on living in the woods. On the other hand, the complex family dynamics are perfectly suited for fans of The Royal Tenenbaums.
20th Century Women (2016) - Available On Showtime
Partially based on his own childhood, director Mike Mills helmed a heartwarming story of teenage and parenting with 20th Century Women. The plot largely deals with a shy teenager who grows up with an outgoing mother and two other women whom he looks up to. As he explores life in the 1970s, the titular women overcome struggles of their own.
The performances and writing aside, 20th Century Women's editing and production design are also eye-catchy. The use of jump-cuts, colorful montages, and even a few surreal sequences are enough to catch the attention of those who enjoy Wes Anderson's stylish family dramas.
Knives Out (2019) - Available On Prime Video
Knives Out boasts a star-studded ensemble to showcase a classic murder mystery movie in which everyone might be a suspect. With its self-aware humor and satirical jabs at the whodunit genre, Rian Johnson's film functions well as both a mystery thriller and a hilarious comedy.
Be it the bright costume design or the straight-face humor, viewers are bound to draw comparisons between it and The Grand Budapest Hotel. Even Anderson's film smartly uses slapstick humor and oddball characters for a highly enthralling mystery.
Submarine (2011) - Available On IMDb TV
In the British drama Submarine, an inquisitive teenager explores love and life in a sleepy town while his parents go through a rocky marriage. The film is filled with scenes of observational humor and mellowed-down family drama with Arctic Monkeys' frontman, Alex Turner, performing the unexpectedly good soundtrack.
The music choice and premise are what will instantly draw Wes Anderson aficionados. Submarine's Oliver Tate is also pretty similar to Rushmore's Max. Both give off a hardened and rebellious personality on the outside, but deep inside, they both are heartbroken adolescents who are finding their way through changes.