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Owen Wilson has been gracing the big screen since the '90s, and has been staying in the spotlight since. With his newest film being released on Paramount+, Secret Headquarters is sure to bring in Wilson fans.
In Secret Headquarters, Wilson will be playing the tough yet charming superhero, a role audiences are yet to see from him. With Wilson's strong connection with the famous director, Wes Anderson, Owen has starred in many well-received roles. With so many years under his belt, these are considered his best movies, according to Metacritic.
The Darjeeling Limited (2007) - 67
The Darjeeling Limited is a comedy-drama directed by the famous Wes Anderson. The underrated Anderson film has Wilson in the starring role of Francis. After Francis and his two brothers learn of their father's death, they decide to take a train journey to India in the hopes of rediscovering their brotherly bond.
Wilson's performance as Francis, the main leading brother, is outstanding. Within comedy films, Wilson often finds himself playing similar roles, but here in The Darjeeling, he really stepped out of his box and showed a different side to himself in this spiritual film. His chemistry with his co-stars is the icing on the cake, pulling in the necessary pieces to make this film about healing.
Cars (2006) - 73
Cars is the Disney Pixar film about talking auto racing cars, that was soon to bring about one of the most successful Disney Pixar franchises in the 2000s. When number one racer, Lightning McQueen, damages property in Radiator Springs, he's tasked in fixing everything before he's allowed back onto the track.
Owen Wilson voices main race car driver, Lightning McQueen. With his unique voice, it's easy to pick up on whose voicing the talking car, yet Wilson uses that to his advantage and makes Lightning McQueen's voice memorable. Even without seeing Wilson on the screen, he shows audiences that his charm and humor works just as well with the power of his voice.
Meet The Parents (2000) - 73
Meet The Parents is a classic feel-good comedy from the early 2000s. People often find themselves in the scary situation of meeting their partner's parents for the first time, but for Greg Focker, it's a whole new level. Greg decides to spend the weekend with the parents before he proposes to his girlfriend, there's just one problem...her father despises him.
Owen Wilson plays the role of Kevin Rawley, the girlfriend's ex-fiancé. While Wilson is not in the starring role in this film, he still shines in his own way. Supporting the main cast with his perfect comedic timing, he adds what is needed to make this a great comedy movie.
The French Dispatch (2021) - 74
The French Dispatch is Wes Anderson's most recent release. The film is a collection of anthologies, three stories with a prologue and an epilogue. All of these are told in the structure of newspaper stories to be published in "The French Dispatch."
Owen Wilson plays the role of Herbsaint Sazerac, who gives the audience a bike tour of the French town, building up the world. While his role may be small, he opens up the film with his charming personality and quirky storytelling. His prologue is an enjoyable watch with an interesting performance from Wilson.
The Royal Tenenbaums (2001) - 76
The Royal Tenenbaums is another Wes Anderson film, this time co-written by Owen Wilson. The Tenenbaums family consists of three distant siblings, all of which have their own special talents that they've used to grant themselves success. But when their father gathers them together to announce he's dying, they must learn to get along again.
Playing the role of Eli Cash, the childhood neighborhood friend of Richie Tenenbaums, Owen Wilson puts on an eccentric performance. With the lyrical writings of Anderson's work, Wilson gives a brilliant line delivery throughout the film, adding that extra touch of thought to his character.
Shanghai Noon (2000) - 77
Shanghai Noon is a classic Jackie Chan action movie. Chon Wang journeys to the WIld West to rescue a kidnaped princess. There he befriends a train robber who agrees to help him. But things aren't so easy when they have to fight and survive the Chinese traitor.
This action western film is a step out of Wilson comfort zone, with intense fight sequences and crazy dangerous stunts that the famous Jackie Chan is used to. But Wilson and Chan, an unexpected duo, have great chemistry on the screen, providing audiences with a fun and silly time.
Midnight In Paris (2011) - 81
Midnight In Paris is one of Owen Wilson's most successfully received romance films. Making audiences fall in love with the city of Paris, this romance film is beautiful in many ways. While on a trip with his fiancée, a nostalgic writer finds himself disappearing back into the 1920s every day at midnight.
Owen Wilson plays the main character, Gil. His performance as the longing writer is realistic and believable, adding depth to his character. He does more than play the "handsome guy in a romance movie," and instead he gives audiences a beautiful character who wishes for more in this love letter to Paris.
Inherent Vice (2014) - 81
Inherent Vice is a great Paul Thomas Anderson movie. This Neo-Noir mystery follows a private investigator, Doc, in the 1970s. Doc begins an investigation on a missing woman who turns out to be a past lover of his.
Owen Wilson plays the role of Coy Harlingen. This strikingly visual and interestingly directed film allows Wilson to shine simply as an actor. The scenes take no distraction away from his performance as he takes audiences on a rollercoaster of emotions within one simple scene.
Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009) - 83
Fantastic Mr. Fox is a Wes Anderson classic, produced in the form of stop-motion animation. The story follows Mr. Fox, who finds himself drawn back to his past of stealing. But when he starts raiding the farms of his human neighbors, he gets trapped in a life-threatening situation.
Owen Wilson has a small role playing Coach Skip. While he may not have much screen time, his time on screen is memorable. He delivers a funny and witty performance. With his previous voice acting jobs, like Cars, Wilson has no problem relying solely on his voice.
The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014) - 88
The Grand Budapest Hotel is considered to be Wes Anderson's greatest film yet. The story begins with a writer who meets the owner of The Grand Budapest Hotel. He describes all the adventures he encountered as a lobby boy under an exceptional concierge.
Owen Wilson has a very small cameo in this film, playing the character of M. Chuck. With all the films he has worked on with Wes Anderson up until this point, it has become expected for Wilson to appear on the screen in every Anderson project. While he is shown for one small scene, it is enjoyable for fans to see him take part in another Anderson classic.