There are directors whose taste in music is so impeccable that their soundtracks become defining characters themselves. Wes Anderson's films have a number of trademarks, particularly the electric musical choices that delve deep into obscure cuts, international pop songs, and classical-themed original scores. While there are a plethora of things that make his movies so special, including his talented ensemble casts and colorful visuals, Anderon's soundtracks have helped elevate his films to greatness.

Breaking down his varied filmography, examining which of his films contains the best soundtrack is a challenging task. However, we're determined, so without further ado here's all of Anderson's films ranked according to their soundtracks.

10 Isle of Dogs

Isle of Dogs cast on TV
Fox Searchlight Pictures

Anderson's second animated feature, Isle of Dogs, doesn't rely too heavily on its soundtrack compared to other Anderson films. However, it still manages to utilize its musical choices effectively. The film, which revolves around a group of Japanese dogs in a dystopian future, takes cues from 1984. Its soundtrack is largely comprised of instrumentals that incorporate percussive Japanese sounds, but the haunting effect they add enhances the atmosphere and mood. Isle of Dogs doesn't rely on as many iconic needle drops, and the only real songs outside the film's Alexandre Desplat score (appropriately) come from some of the best Akira Kurosawa films, but its use of music and visuals still packs a punch and contributes to its distinct aesthetic.

9 Bottle Rocket

The cast of Bottle Rocket in yellow jumpsuits
Sony Pictures Releasing

Anderson's debut feature, which helped establish his budding talent and gave Owen and Luke Wilson their first on-screen roles, is a charmingly off-kilter and quirky caper film. Compared to most of Anderson's following features, Bottle Rocket is surprisingly low-key and light on the touches he'd become more widely recognized for later. In terms of musical cues, Bottle Rocket doesn't have nearly as many of Anderon's best needle drops, although its soundtrack does provide a nice mix of energy to its set pieces, and includes some great classic rock numbers (especially the two by Love). It's still an enjoyable, vibrant and charming feature, but it only gave us a small taste of Anderson's musical pedigree and stylistic choices that would define his signature style.

8 The French Dispatch

The cast sits in the newsroom in The French Dispatch
Searchlight Pictures

Anderson's latest film is chock-full of the visual wonder and whimsical filmmaking he's become known for in recent years, and is as visually perfect as anything he's done. In terms of musical moments, though, The French Dispatch doesn't especially revolve around its soundtrack, but Anderson does populate the film with a few great French pop tunes to give off a culturally specific feel, along with a nice Gene Autry number, which all adds to Deplat's fanciful score and Anderson's usual dose of energy. The French Dispatch serves as a tribute to the cinema of the French new wave, so its musical cues are filled with nods and references to that era. It may not have as many iconic music-centric moments, but its strong sense of aesthetic does allow for Anderson to flex his playlist of classic vintage cuts tastefully.

7 The Darjeeling Limited

Adrien Brody, Owen Wilson, and Jason Schwartzmann in The Darjeeling Limited
Fox Searchlight Pictures

One of Anderson's most subtle and mature films, The Darjeeling Limited makes tremendous use of its Middle Eastern setting in both visual and technical departments. Musically the film has a unique soundtrack comprised of Indian instrumentals (largely composed by the Indian auteur, Satyajit Ray, whose films are an emotional influence here) and Anderson's usual contemporary picks, with especially great cuts from the Kinks and the Rolling Stones.

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Darjeeling Limited artfully merges these sounds together to enhance its exotic atmosphere and tone. While it may not contain the flashiest soundtrack of his films, its musical choices genuinely add to the mood and storytelling and offer another example of Anderson's dynamic musical range.

6 Moonrise Kingdom

Edward Norton in Moonrise Kingdom
Focus Features

As a coming of age story involving two teenage lovers, Moonrise Kingdom takes great stock in its soundtrack. The film contains a wide sonic spectrum, from classic opera to '60s rock and roll, that helps to heighten the emotion, drama, and excitement of the plot. Anderson's choice of songs here are particularly resonant and help to underline the exuberance and passion of the two protagonists (especially when the music is French). It also helps that Anderson's flair for musical moments elevates the scope of Moonrise Kingdom to feel truly grandiose. For a showcase of Anderson's ability to tailor his soundtracks to gain moments of emotional depth and artistry, Moonrise Kingdom is a captivating achievement.

5 The Grand Budapest Hotel

The two young people in the mail room filled with pink boxes in The Grand Budapest Hotel
Fox Searchlight Pictures

Perhaps the film most full of Anderson-isms, complete with the ornate visuals, imaginative settings, and quirky yet sentimental tone, The Grand Budapest Hotel has quite the stature in Anderson's catalog. Musically as well, Alexandre Desplat's score for the film is bombastic and Oscar-winning, utilizing the Osipov State Russian Folk Orchestra and a massive 50-person orchestra of balalaika musicians; as such, it's the only Anderson film to not feature a single pop or rock (or non-original) track. The Grand Budapest Hotel's musical choices not only add classical flair to its eye-popping visuals but also help to highlight the emotions at the core of the story; it is one of Anderson's most accomplished films, and its original score helps to achieve its sense of artistry.

4 Fantastic Mr. Fox

The cast of fantastic mr fox
20th Century Studios

Anytime Wes Anderson steps into the realm of animation, it's always a treat for viewers. Fantastic Mr. Fox, his first animated feature, is no exception, and is one of Anderson's most delightful and joyous films. Its soundtrack is a contributing factor, containing some of Anderson's most upbeat musical picks with a playlist full of bright '60s music from The Beach Boys, The Mellomen, and The Rolling Stones. The energy this soundtrack brings perfectly matches the momentum of the film, thus allowing viewers to feel even more connected. Fantastic Mr. Fox is a fan favorite for many, and its varied soundtrack composed in part by Desplat is an ingredient to its success.

3 The Life Aquatic

Bill Murray as Steve Zissou in a red cap on a boat in The Life Aquatic
Buena Vista Pictures

Anderson's infatuation with pop music and its relationship to his characters is utilized tremendously throughout his fourth feature The Life Aquatic. The film contains musical cues ranging from David Bowie to The Stooges, classic French pop music and even contemporary artists like Sigur Ros (a rarity for Anderson). The Life Aquatic is quite the rollercoaster ride of a film, so naturally having a diverse soundtrack more than fits the bill, and the beautiful Portuguese acoustic cover versions of various Bowie songs from musician Seu Jorge are a delight.

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The Life Aquatic has its fair share of iconic musical moments (to compliment one of the best Bill Murray movies) including a standout sequence where Murray's Steve Zioussu sits alone while "Life On Mars" plays in the background. With such rich and imaginative visuals, The Life Aquatic naturally needed a soundtrack to match, and thankfully it delivers in spades on that front.

2 Rushmore

The cast of Rushmore
Buena Vista Pictures

Anderson's second feature helped solidify him as a singular talent and establish his trademark aesthetic. Rushmore also helped to introduce his penchant for underlining important moments with popular music. Rushmore's soundtrack contains a mix of old school rock and also elegant pop music as well. Anderson's musical selections here not only add a nostalgic vibe but correlate to the emotional state of its protagonists. Rushmore is one of Anderson's most romantic and heartfelt films, and its soundtrack provides the right amount of nostalgia to match it.

1 The Royal Tenenbaums

Luke Wilson and Gwyneth Paltrow in Royal Tenenbaums
Buena Vista Pictures

Anderson's finest achievement on film is arguably his third feature, The Royal Tenenbaums. From it's stacked ensemble cast featuring Gene Hackman, Anjelica Huston, Luke Wilson, and Ben Stiller, and its imaginative settings and tone, The Royal Tenenbaums is Anderson's purest cinematic expression to date. Its soundtrack also contains some of the most memorable musical moments in Anderson's filmography. From Richie and Margo's reunion set to Nico, to Richie's suicide attempty set to Elliot Smith, to Royal's outing with Chaz's kids set to Paul Simon, the soundtrack here truly feels like its own character. The Royal Tenenbaum's soundtrack allows us to feel even deeper connected to our protagonists and highlight the depth of Anderson's storytelling.