12 Best Owen Wilson Movies, Ranked
Who doesn't love Owen Wilson? In the late '90s, the blond star burst on the scene in Wes Anderson's "Bottle Rocket," snuck into big productions like "The Haunting" and "Armageddon," and then hit the big time when he teamed with Jackie Chan for the blockbuster "Shanghai-Noon" and its sequel. Since then, Wilson has expanded his portfolio with instant classics like "Zoolander," "Wedding Crashers," and "Midnight in Paris," and continues to show off his knack for lighthearted comedy in films such as "The French Dispatch," and the Marvel Disney+ series, "Loki."
Wilson even has his own animated franchise, Disney/Pixar's "Cars," in which he plays Lightning McQueen, a role he's returned to various times, including the California Adventure theme park ride. There's nothing he can't do, and his careful project selection typically ensures quality despite a small handful of duds during his nearly three-decade stay on the Hollywood A-list.
Which of his films is the best? I'm glad you asked because I put together a list of my favorite Owen Wilson movies, ranked from worst to best. Let's do this!
12. Marley & Me
Owen Wilson lends his quirky humor to "Marley & Me," a good-natured comedy about a family's life-long relationship with their pet Labrador. On the surface, this David Frankel-directed pic is little more than your average by-the-numbers dog comedy, ala "Beethoven." Writers Scott Frank and Don Roos (adapting from John Grogan's memoir) hone in on Wilson's character, exploring his triumphs and failures as a budding newspaper columnist, father, and pet owner. We see him struggle early on as a news reporter before a flash of inspiration leads him to write stories about his neurotic dog, Marley, a move that results in fame and success.
Sporting a terrific supporting cast, including Jennifer Aniston and the always dependable Alan Arkin, "Marley & Me" dishes out a plethora of life lessons that every parent and pet owner can identify with. A terrific montage zips through two years of Wilson's life and perfectly captures his frustrations and joy. It's rather illuminating.
That said, "Marley" is, perhaps, a little too conventional for its own good. Dramatic story beats, such as Aniston's miscarriage, are quickly glossed over. The script crams a lot of material into a 115-minute runtime, resulting in something akin to whiplash. At times, director David Frankel veers into sitcom territory and leans too hard on broad humor.
Regardless, Wilson is in fine form and displays amazing chemistry with Aniston. It may not be a great comedy, but "Marley & Me" delivers where it matters most.
11. Armageddon
Depending on who you talk to, "Armageddon" is either a rambunctious example of everything wrong with Hollywood or the most awesome blockbuster ever made. I sit in the latter camp and consider Michael Bay's disaster epic one of my great guilty pleasures. This relentless, high-octane thrill ride knocks the brain with infectious energy and overt stupidity.
"Armageddon" is big, loud, dumb fun — the highest example of "check your brain at the door" cinema. Where else will you find a group of blue-collar oil drillers, led by Bruce Willis and Ben Affleck, sent into space to stop an asteroid? Say what you will about its clunky script, but "Armageddon" deserves high praise for executing its goofy premise with a straight face.
Wilson has a small-ish part as Oscar, the slow-talking, cowboy-hat-wearing member of Willis' party, who bites the dust early but still makes an impact thanks to a couple of significant comedic bits. Speaking with Affleck's character during one of the numerous montages, Wilson suggests he's the Han Solo of the group. "If anybody's Han Solo, it's me," Affleck retorts. "And you're Chewbacca." "Chewy," Wilson says incredulously. "Have you ever seen 'Star Wars'?"
"Armageddon" may be little more than an overproduced blockbuster. Still, it's a good time. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the Bayhem.
10. Masterminds
When it comes to quirky comedies, you won't find one much odder than "Masterminds." Deploying the same outlandish humor that made "Napoleon Dynamite" and "Nacho Libre" memorable, director Jared Hess introduces audiences to a colorful cast of dimwitted criminals who team up to rob a bank.
Starring Zach Galifianakis, Kristen Wiig, Owen Wilson, and Jason Sudeikis, "Masterminds" failed to generate much heat at the box office and wasn't exactly a hit with critics (just 34% awarded the pic with a positive score on Rotten Tomatoes), which says to me they didn't get the joke. While far from perfect and a little too weird for casual audiences, this 2016 comedy is excellent. Galifianakis and Wiig have a field day as the "brains" of the operation, while Wilson plays a sleazy partner who attempts to have his teammates whacked by Sudeikis' hitman.
It's all wacky fun for those who can stomach Hess' style. So count me among those who consistently return to "Masterminds" for a lighthearted farce to sweep the blues away.
9. Cars
It was only a matter of time before Owen Wilson lent his voice to an animated feature. Thankfully, the clever folks at Pixar Animation Studios found the perfect role to capture his offbeat mannerisms — the 2006 adventure "Cars." While not as memorable as the studio's best efforts, this adorable four-cylinder tale charms as a robust, brightly colored, beautifully animated character study of one car's quest for relevance.
Wilson voices Lightning McQueen, the brash up-and-coming superstar of the racing circuit in a world populated by automobiles. After a random detour lands him in a small town hidden in the American wilderness, McQueen must overcome his selfish instincts to become his generation's greatest racer.
"Cars" boasts an all-star cast (namely Wilson, Paul Newman, Bonnie Hunt, Larry the Cable Guy, and Michael Keaton) with beautiful designs and a simple but positive message kids can digest without much effort. In short, this "Rocky"-esque picture delivers where it matters most.
8. Bottle Rocket
Compared to Wes Anderson's more notable efforts, "Bottle Rocket" is a relatively straightforward character dramedy with a few stylistic quirks. The story revolves around a group of would-be criminals who plan a series of heists to secure their future. Featuring Anderon's distinct brand of humor, a sharp script, and stellar performances from Luke and Owen Wilson (making his film debut), "Bottle Rocket" is a novel bit of indie filmmaking.
Wilson displays his natural acting chops and deft comic timing, delivering his dialogue as though he were making it up on the spot. Interestingly, his style has stayed the same over the last several decades. Still, he's so great at playing himself that it doesn't matter. His character means well but doesn't have what it takes to accomplish the task, mainly because he lacks the intelligence to make crucial decisions. Regardless, he's a lovable guy who cares about his friends. It's easy to see why the actor rose to stardom so quickly.
7. Meet the Parents
Remember that 2 to3 year span when every movie starred Ben Stiller? "Meet the Parents" kicked off the Stiller phenomenon in style, delivering a hilarious examination of the awkwardness between a stiff father (excellently played by Robert De Niro) and the kind but socially inept man (Stiller) set to marry his daughter. Clever hijinks ensure, primarily a result of misunderstandings, leading to a side-splitting affair with enough heart to resonate on a personal level.
Owen Wilson co-stars as an ex-lover who still pines for Stiller's girl and seemingly has an in with her dad. He crafts an altar by hand to show his affection and undermines Stiller at every turn. Again, Wilson's role is more of an extended cameo than a star turn. Still, he is one of the few who can take something small and mold it into a memorable piece of cinema.
Overall, "Meet the Parents" is a simple, crowd-pleasing comedy jam-packed with hilarious gags. Sure, all the problems resolve themselves far too quickly, and director Jay Roach's inability to frame a joke without some low-brow sexual innuendo gets annoying. Still, when "Meet the Parents" hits, which is often, it hits big and should satisfy those in search of a good time at the movies.
6. The Royal Tenenbaums
Following his critical successes with "Bottle Rocket" and "Rushmore," Wes Anderson returned in 2001 with his most ambitious project yet, "The Royal Tenenbaums." This profound, albeit humorous, exploration of family includes the director's lavish quirks and absurdist style but lacks the mainstream appeal of "Rushmore" and "The Grand Budapest Hotel." In other words, you either love or hate his approach.
Count me in the former group as one who admires Anderon's distinct filmmaking style. "The Royal Tenenbaums" is a smart yet sad look at the effects bad parenting can have on children. In this case, Gene Hackman's immature and selfish Royal leaves his three brilliant children, Chas (Ben Stiller), Richie (Luke Wilson), and Margot (Gwyneth Paltrow), stuck in a perpetual state of arrested development, leading to a series of unfortunate events that nearly destroys the Tenenbaum family.
Owen Wilson co-stars as Eli Cash, an envious neighbor who noses his way into the family's legacy but realizes he must address his various problems. Wilson is great in the role, using his easy-going charm to gloss over his inner sadness until he hits rock bottom. His part is small but no less critical to the overall story.
5. Shanghai Noon
Following small parts in films such as "The Cable Guy," "Anaconda," and "Armageddon," Owen Wilson shot to superstardom in the endlessly entertaining "Shanghai Noon." The action comedy pairs him with iconic martial artist Jackie Chan and plays like a Western version of "Rush Hour." The premise may be thin. Chan teams up with a train robber to find a kidnapped princess, but the laughs come fast and furious thanks to the splendid chemistry between the two stars and Chan's impressive array of tricks.
In one great scene, Wilson and Chan, aka Roy and Chon, get stuck in jail and must devise a scheme to break out. As Roy fumbles about, Chon rips off his shirt, pees on it, and uses the wet cloth (and a piece of wood) to bend the prison bars. Roy watches skeptically, then leaps to help, pressing down with a finger. Then, he squeezes through the metal and exclaims, "See ya, sucker!" before returning to reply, "I'm just kidding. I can't leave my old pal behind bars."
The rest of the film follows suit: Roy and Chon get in hot water, Roy cowers and offers a little help, and Chon ultimately saves the day. The formula may grow old after an hour or so. Still, there's no denying "Shanghai Noon" is a perfectly entertaining, old-fashioned buddy comedy.
4. The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou
"The Life Aquatic" finds Wes Anderson digging into his bag of tricks to tell the thrilling story of Steve Zissou (Bill Murray) and his efforts to find and kill the jaguar shark that killed his friend. Owen Wilson co-stars as Zissou's (supposed) long-lost son, who accompanies him on the journey, along with a wild cast of characters, including Cate Blanchett, Anjelica Houston, and Jeff Goldblum, and scene-stealing Willem Dafoe.
Packed with incredible visuals, quick-witted dialogue, and deeper themes about life and love, "The Life Aquatic" stands as one of my favorite Wes Anderson films. Where else will you see Bill Murray take on a hoard of seafaring pirates to the music of Iggy Pop?
Critics didn't get the film when it hit theaters in 2004, and it's easy to see why. This is a weird film that ventures into some crazy territory. At first, I was disappointed, but subsequent viewings made me appreciate the craft, the performances (notably Murray and Wilson), and Anderon's overarching vision. It's brilliant.
3. Midnight in Paris
Owen Wilson and Woody Allen make a terrific team. Outside of the brilliant "Midnight in Paris," the duo hasn't collaborated on more projects. No matter. We'll always have Paris. This whimsical study of art and relationships transports Wilson's wayward writer to the 1920s, where he mingles with the greats like F. Scott Fitzgerald (Tom Hiddleston), Ernest Hemingway (Corey Stoll), Gertrude Stein (Kathy Bates), and T.S. Elliot (David Lowe) among others. He also finds love in the form of Marion Cotillard's Adriana, and together they attempt to overcome their desire for nostalgia. The past so entrances Wilson's character that he doesn't notice his modern-day fiance (played by Rachel McAdams) cheating on him. He is shocked to discover the likes of Hemingway and Eliot likewise pining for past artistic triumphs while bemoaning their current age.
"Midnight in Paris" is a fascinating, magical viewing experience, layered with sophisticated themes, good drama, winning humor, and an easy-going tone that reflects Wilson's strengths as an actor.
2. Zoolander
Owen Wilson and Ben Stiller teamed up so many times over the years that it's easy to forget how novel the pair's initial collaboration, "Zoolander," was upon its release. The legendary comedy duo shared the screen in "Permanent Midnight" and "Meet the Parents," but "Zoolander" was the first to feature them as co-leads. Lucky for audiences, the gamble paid off.
"Zoolander" is a riotous, side-splitting examination of male models and the entertainment industry. Stiller plays the titular Derek Zoolander, a popular model whose place atop the modeling world comes under fire when Wilson's Hansel arrives and steals the spotlight. The two rivals must eventually join forces to stop the diabolical Mugatu (a scene-stealing Will Ferrell) from using them as assassins.
Ripe with sight gags, quotable dialogue ("How can we teach kids how to read if they can't even fit inside the building?"), and Stiller's brand of weird, zany, even dark humor, "Zoolander," is one for the ages. Unfortunately, everyone decided to make a sequel. The magic that makes the original such a classic is severely lacking in round two.
No matter, we can still watch the original "Zoolander" and appreciate the incredible creativity that went into crafting this unique comedy. I don't think Wilson has ever been better, though I'd be hard-pressed to call it his best film. That honor goes to ...
1. Wedding Crashers
For all of Wilson's commercial and artistic triumphs, none of his movies match the outright hilarity of 2005's "Wedding Crashers," a side-splitting comedy about two laid-back pals (played by Wilson and Vince Vaughn) who spend their days, well, crashing weddings in the hopes of finding vulnerable women to sleep with. However, Wilson's character John grows tired of the juvenile antics and seeks to settle down, especially after he bumps into the beautiful Claire (Rachel McAdams). Unfortunately, Claire only knows John and Vaughn's character, Jeremy, by their fake identities established to crash her sister's wedding. Now they must continue their deception and dodge the prying eyes of Claire's brutish fiance, Sack (Bradley Cooper).
That's quite a lot to digest, but director David Dobkin keeps the comedy firing on all cylinders and even finds time for a little old-fashioned romance. Wilson and Vaughn are at their comedic peak, their electrifying chemistry producing laughs aplenty. McAdams turns in a solid performance, while Isla Fisher steals the show as Claire's rambunctious sister who locks eyes with Jeremy. Oh, and Will Ferrell turns up as a deplorable (and legendary) funeral crasher and almost runs away with the film.
Sure, some humor falls flat, and the by-the-numbers finale may leave viewers rolling their eyes. Still, aside from some minor nitpicks, "Wedding Crashers" easily ranks as Wilson's best effort. It's a shame we never got a sequel!