The classic Wes Anderson movie The Royal Tenenbaums is turning 20 this year, and what better way to celebrate than have a movie marathon of all the titles that remind us of it? Quirky, intelligent, and filled with immediately-recognizable costumes like Margot‘s fur coat, this film is full of unique dialogue (AKA “hell of a damn grave, wish it were mine”) and scenes we’ll remember forever. From Margot and Richie’s secret love, to Eli’s cowboy persona, to all of Chas’s signature cherry-red tracksuits and paranoia, it’s difficult to compare this movie to anything, but there are countless films that are just as unconventional. Ahead, find the top 10 movies that remind us of The Royal Tenenbaums for your movie marathon– just add a track headband or cowboy hat, and a dirty martini!
The Meyerowitz Stories
The Meyerowitz Stories, much like The Royal Tenenbaums, follows siblings as they navigate their tumultuous lives in New York, overshadowed by their successful sculptor father. As they deal with their dysfunctional paths, and their relationships with each other, the father deals with his fading legacy. This dark comedy is tinged with drama, but still features a witty, cerebral dialogue – cast members like Adam Sandler and Ben Stiller make it an instant classic.
The Grand Budapest Hotel
Including a couple of Wes Anderson’s other movies in your celebratory marathon is a surefire bet. The Grand Budapest Hotel is arguably Anderson’s best movie to date, depicting the story of a lavish European ski resort and the people within it. It follows Zero, a lobby boy, and concierge Gustave as they confront themes as wide-ranging as war, friendship, passion, and even a mysterious death (and expensive painting). An incredible cast and magical imagery make this the perfect movie to watch when you want something that’s sentimental and nostalgic, yet really intelligent, too.
The Death of Stalin
If you like The Royal Tenenbaums for its dark humor and eccentric script, you won’t want to miss The Death of Stalin, a political satire dark comedy that depicts the struggle for power after Soviet leader Stalin’s death. It defies expectations of what a quasi-historical movie should look like, creating a parody related to dictatorship, manipulation, and the hunger for authority.
Love & Mercy
The Royal Tenenbaums has a sense of unshakeable nostalgia throughout the film, from outfits like Margot’s fur coat and barrette and Eli’s cowboy getups, to a soundtrack that includes Paul Simon, Van Morrison, and The Beatles. Love & Mercy, the story of the Beach Boys’ Brian Wilson as he deals with mental illness from the 1906s onward, also has a vintage quality as it examines a heartbreaking-yet-beautiful story. Much like The Royal Tenenbaums, this film also examines the idea of genius, and its effects.
The Ballad of Buster Scruggs
If you’ll forever be a fan of Eli Cash’s cowboy style and Western novels, but you still want the tinge of quirky humor in movies that Wes Anderson is known for, try The Ballad of Buster Scruggs on for size. An anthology of six short films that take place post-Civil War during the settling of the West, these vignettes are wildly outrageous while also being quite deep. Written and directed by the Coen brothers, this film combines the nostalgia of Westerns with tons of dark humor.
The Darjeeling Limited
Another classic Wes Anderson film to add to your movie marathon, The Darjeeling Limited shows the auteur at his finest. With a sense of intellectualism, hints of absurdity, and a focus on familial relationships, this movie bottles up the main themes of The Royal Tenenbaums and transports viewers on a train trip through India. Estranged brothers Francis, Peter and Jack must reunite since their father passed away, and each deal with a wide range of issues, including a motorcycle accident and heartbreak.
The Squid and the Whale
Produced by Wes Anderson himself, The Squid and the Whale is an arthouse dramedy that tells the semi-autobiographical story of two brothers in Brooklyn who must deal with their parents’ divorce in the 1980s. Shot using a handheld film camera, this film reminds us of The Royal Tenenbaums with its themes of strained family relationships and dark humor, while presenting an interesting angle related to the mother’s success in the writing world.
Where'd You Go, Bernadette
Based on the novel of the same name by Maria Semple, Where’d You Go, Bernadette is about a woman who has disappeared. A former architect with a beautiful home and family, when Bernadette vanishes into thin air, her family must go on an adventure to find out where she is. Here, you’ll find eccentricity at its finest, weaving in themes of family and a woman’s independence, just like in The Royal Tenenbaums with both Margot and mother Etheline. A trip to Antarctica and a Russian operation round out this very unexpected film.
Hail, Caesar!
Starring Ralph Fiennes and Tilda Swinton, actors known for their work with Wes Anderson, Hail, Caesar! is all about absurdity and nostalgic Hollywood mystery. Set in the 1950s, a studio boss must deal with the kidnapping of a major star, just adding to pre-existing issues involving singing cowboys and beautiful swimmers. With a witty script that gives us total Tenenbaums‘ vibes, the interesting, retro appeal of this movie makes it a must-watch.
