Star-studded ensemble casts, a distinct color palette that’ll make any European cinema-crazed hipster gush, and a dry yet endearing sense of humor all characterize the filmography of Wes Anderson. However, one mustn’t count out how masterfully he incorporates music into his films. Genres such as folk, indie, classic rock, unique covers of classic rock, and more have all infused his works, helping to make the key scenes that much more memorable. He has you covered with delightful scores, but the soundtracks accompanying each movie should have a proper look. Here are the first seven entries in his filmography that all feature key needle-drop moments (The Grand Budapest Hotel to Asteroid City marks his latest era where the use of scores is almost exclusively what accompanies his visual cues), from 1996 to 2012.
1. Bottle Rocket
Luke Wilson
Owen Wilson
Robert Musgrave
Lumi Cavazos
James Caan
Andrew Wilson
Teddy Wilson
Donny Caicedo
Jenni Tooley
Shea Fowler
Kumar Pallana
Smells like a low-budget 90s independent debut. This explains the few but carefully picked rock songs that would enhance the picture. Owen Wilson’s Dignan rescues his friend played by Luke Wilson’s Anthony (acting debuts for both Wilson brothers) from a voluntary psychiatric unit. He gets him to agree to a plan to pull off several heists and then meets with part-time criminal Mr. Henry, played by the late James Caan. A crime caper dealing with rather disturbed figures certainly needs some fun, catchy tunes to maintain the light-hearted, comedic tone that Wes swims in.
“2000 Man” by the Rolling Stones plays as the climax of the 1996 film ensues, featuring our gang’s final heist being botched by the cops. Most notable, however, is “Over and Done With” by The Proclaimers, a perfect song for the film’s midpoint. It instantly makes you think of Dignan and Anthony and all their lovable eccentricities.
“They’ll never catch me, man, ‘cause I’m f**king innocent.”
Find the full Bottle Rocket soundtrack here.
2. Rushmore
Jason Schwartzman
Bill Murray
Olivia Williams
Seymour Cassel
Brian Cox
Mason Gamble
Sara Tanaka
Stephen McCole
Luke Wilson
Dipak Pallana
Andrew Wilson
Marietta Marich
For those who yearn for coming-of-age movies with a soundtrack that almost exclusively features British Invasion bands of the 1960s, look no further than Wes’ 1998 classic. Jason Schwartzman (in his film debut) plays Max Fischer, an ambitious 15-year-old who befriends 50-year-old wealthy industrialist Herman Blume, played by Bill Murray (which earned him respect as an actor in independent cinema) in their shared love over elementary school teacher Rosemary Cross, played by British actress Olivia Williams.
Cat Stevens, The Kinks, and John Lennon all get their chance to enhance memorable scenes within the film. It’s the closing number, “Ooh La La” by the Faces, however, that truly hits you in the sweet spot. The chorus encapsulates what makes the movie special. Confident yet inexperienced Max attempting to win over the world through pure passion is something anybody can relate to.
“I wish that I knew what I know now… when I was younger.”
Find the full Rushmore soundtrack here.
3. The Royal Tenenbaums
81%
76
7.6
Gene Hackman
Anjelica Huston
Gwyneth Paltrow
Ben Stiller
Luke Wilson
Owen Wilson
Bill Murray
Danny Glover
Kumar Pallana
Stephen Lea Sheppard
Grant Rosenmeyer
Jonah Meyerson
His first major commercial success, and one that remains a fan favorite. It’s as stacked of a cast as it gets- the Wilson brothers back together, Gene Hackman, Gwyneth Paltrow, Ben Stiller, Bill Murray, Angelica Huston, and Danny Glover are all in the mix. Anderson would end up mastering the ensemble cast structure in his later efforts, but one can see why this was so iconic for its time. It’s the peak of dysfunctional families and redemption stories.
It’s what makes the utilization of introspective, provocative songwriters such as Lennon, Bob Dylan, Nick Drake, and Elliott Smith within the soundtrack so impactful. Smith’s “Needle in the Hay” certainly helps numb the pain of a rather uncomfortable sequence, while “These Days” by Nico will always floor the viewer along with Luke Wilson’s Richie when he has a gander at Paltrow’s Margot.
Find the full The Royal Tenenbaums soundtrack here.
4. The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou
Bill Murray
Owen Wilson
Cate Blanchett
Anjelica Huston
Willem Dafoe
Jeff Goldblum
Michael Gambon
Noah Taylor
Bud Cort
Seu Jorge
Robyn Cohen
Waris Ahluwalia
Wes takes familial trauma beneath the sea this time with this quirky, adventure comedy. We have a pretty healthy cast here- Murray and Owen Wilson are back in the game, as well as Cate Blanchett, Angelica Huston, Willem Dafoe, Jeff Goldblum, Michael Gambon, Bud Cort, and Noah Taylor. While it flopped upon its release, it has since become a cult classic and has been remastered by the Criterion Collection.
The whimsical nature of David Bowie in the film’s soundtrack (including covers sung in Portuguese by Seu Jorge, who plays Pelé) fits in perfectly with Murray’s Zissou and all his eccentricities as an oceanographer avenging the shark death of his best friend. Wilson’s Ned joins the documentary crew, claiming to be Zissou’s biological son. Bowie’s “Life on Mars?” plays during this emotional reveal and sets the tone of melancholia for the rest of the picture.
Find the full The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou soundtrack here.
5. The Darjeeling Limited
Owen Wilson
Adrien Brody
Jason Schwartzman
Amara Karan
Waris Ahluwalia
Irrfan Khan
Camilla Rutherford
Bill Murray
Anjelica Huston
A. P. Singh
Wes goes East. The late great Irrfan Khan getting further exposure in Western cinema is what I, as the 90s/00s Hindi cinema devotee, loved most about this West meets East story. Owen Wilson, Adrien Brody, and Jason Schwartzman star as estranged brothers who agree to meet in India after their father’s funeral for a spiritual journey. Naturally, conflict arises between the brothers and it’s a bumpy ride. It’s through those disagreements, however, that their bond strengthens and they can forge a healthy relationship.
The Kinks and the Rolling Stones cover the usual 60s/70s fix, as well as the inclusion of film scores of Bengali filmmaker Satyajit Ray. The Kinks’ “This Time Tomorrow” sticks out most, the uncertainty of the lyrics coupled with Brody anxiously hopping on a train before it’s gone, the picture is what one can call traveler’s soup.
Find the full The Darjeeling Limited soundtrack here.
6. Fantastic Mr. Fox
George Clooney
Meryl Streep
Jason Schwartzman
Eric Chase Anderson
Willem Dafoe
Bill Murray
Robin Hurlstone
Hugo Guinness
Michael Gambon
Helen McCrory
The first animated feature of Wes’ career also happens to be an adaptation of a classic children’s novel by the legendary Roald Dahl. Greed, classism, and family dynamics are all at play here, with memorable voiceover performances from George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Jason Schwartzman, Bill Murray, Willem Dafoe, and Owen Wilson. Alexandre Desplat’s score received an Oscar nomination. It also marks Wes’s second screenwriting collaboration with writer/director Noah Baumbach (who also uses Bowie in his soundtracks) and his second Oscar nomination for Best Animated Feature.
The Stones’ “Street Fighting Man” roars during a rebellious team-up sequence. Wes had been implementing the band’s work throughout his filmography but this is perhaps the most gripping due to the eye-popping colors and sheer zaniness of these animated characters.
“I can fight my own fights…”
“No, you can’t.”
Find the full Fantastic Mr. Fox soundtrack here.
7. Moonrise Kingdom
Jared Gilman
Kara Hayward
Bruce Willis
Edward Norton
Bill Murray
Frances McDormand
Tilda Swinton
Jason Schwartzman
Bob Balaban
Lucas Hedges
Charlie Kilgore
Harvey Keitel
Summer camp for runaways, rejects, and hopeless romantics. Moonrise Kingdom is considered one of Wes’ magnum opuses as a filmmaker, all of that dry, witty humor, glorious set designs, and ultimate relatability hits a new pinnacle here. I will never not list how stacked the casts in these films are- Bruce Willis, Edward Norton, Bill Murray, Frances McDormand, Tilda Swinton, Jason Schwartzman, Lucas Hedges, and the debuts of Jared Gilman and Kara Hayward.
Teen mental health, neglectful parents, and Boy Scout life all are spotlighted, with Desplat teaming up with Wes again to compose a thrilling score. Our young lovers Sam and Suzy jam out to "Le Temps de L'Amour" by the late Françoise Hardy, which stands out from the soundtrack. It’s one of the most adorable, unique, and quirky dance sequences out there, and perhaps the peak of young summer love before the parents come and spoil the fun.
Find the full Moonrise Kingdom soundtrack here.