Wow-ing Us Since 1994
He's got the hair, the nose, the charm, the uncanny ability to make us laugh, and the "wow." Check out this ranking of Owen Wilson’s best roles, and tell us if you agree in the comments.
15. You, Me, And Dupree
This movie changed romantic comedies by mixing laughs with emotions. You, Me and Dupree showed how friendship matters and helped other rom-coms grow. It also showed Owen Wilson's funny way of acting, and so it's unique in its own way.
You, Me and Dupree (2006), Universal Pictures
15. You, Me, And Dupree (Cont.)
Owen's character, Dupree, stays with newlyweds Carl and Molly, causing a lot of trouble while looking for help. Dupree's fun-loving nature makes people laugh but also brings problems for the couple. Through good and bad times, he learns important lessons about being a good friend and loving others.
You, Me and Dupree (2006), Universal Pictures
15. You, Me, And Dupree (Cont.)
As much as we liked Owen's character for its silliness, some said it felt like a typical story about adults not growing up. You, Me and Dupree didn't get good reviews from movie critics, who also claimed that it was copying ideas from funnier movies.
14. Shanghai Noon
This story brings together cowboys and martial arts. Set in the Wild West, it follows Chon Wang and Roy O'Bannon as they fight against bad guys. Owen plays alongside Jackie Chan (the man, the myth, the legend) in a piece that's basically a nod to old cowboy movies.
Shanghai Noon 西域威龍 Trailer by JACKIE CHAN KR
14. Shanghai Noon (Cont.)
Based on the 1971 movie Red Sun, the story brings together a Chinese fighter and an American cowboy. The movie was filmed in Canada, among the beautiful landscapes. Roy (Owen's character) begins as a lazy guy who causes problems but, over time, becomes a good friend.
Shanghai Noon 西域威龍 Trailer by JACKIE CHAN KR
14. Shanghai Noon (Cont.)
The friendship between Roy and Chon adds a fun layer to the movie. And it didn't just make people laugh—it also helped the West learn about Chinese culture and fighting. This role also helped Owen get more roles in other action-comedies throughout his career.
Shanghai Noon 西域威龍 Trailer by JACKIE CHAN KR
13. Behind Enemy Lines
Owen Wilson, as Lieutenant Chris Burnett, a Navy pilot, shows bravery and fear, which makes him instantly relatable. After being shot down in Bosnia, he faces many dangers while trying to get away. One of the many things this movie highlights is Wilson's talent for combining action and emotions.
Behind Enemy Lines, 2001, 20th Century Studios
13. Behind Enemy Lines (Cont.)
Behind Enemy Lines started a series with some straight-to-video follow-ups. Even though people had different opinions about the film, it really caught viewers' attention by talking about war crimes and tough choices. The mix of action and drama gave it a special place in movie history.
BEHIND ENEMY LINES Clip - Shot Down (2001) Owen Wilson by JoBlo Movie Clips
13. Behind Enemy Lines (Cont.)
This movie gets ideas from real life, especially the story of Scott O'Grady. He was a U.S. Air Force captain who was shot down during the Bosnian War. You'd think nothing would happen after it, but O'Grady took the filmmakers to court because they had used his story without permission.
Behind Enemy Lines | #TBT Trailer | 20th Century FOX by 20th Century Studios
12. Bottle Rocket
The movie has comedy and crime—what's not to love? Set in Texas, it tells a unique story with stunning visuals, which showed a new side of heist movies. In it, Owen Wilson plays Dignan, who has a crazy plan to save his friend Anthony.
Bottle Rocket, 1996, Columbia pictures
12. Bottle Rocket (Cont.)
One interesting thing about this movie is that it features all three Wilson brothers, and it was their first movie as a trio. Their roles made the movie fun and proved just how good Wes Anderson was.
12. Bottle Rocket (Cont.)
Owen Wilson is Dignan, a guy with big dreams who doesn't always get things right. He shows how friends can have fun together and shares his funny side. Wilson's special way of acting in Bottle Rocket was commendable.
Believe889599, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
11. Cars
We all know Lightning McQueen. At first, the only thing Owen Wilson's character, McQueen, thinks about is winning; he sees himself as the best. But then, he finds himself in a small village and learns that life is not just about being famous. Wilson makes McQueen funny and friendly.
Walt Disney Pictures, Cars (2006)
11. Cars (Cont.)
When the movie came out in 2006, it made $462 million around the world. It is a funny, warm, and great watch for anyone, children or adults. The movie has a lot of lessons, and some of them are friendship, teamwork, and knowing who you are.
Walt Disney Pictures, Cars (2006)
11. Cars (Cont.)
Cars was made by John Lasseter (who's also the creator of Toy Story). The movie has a great voice cast, which also includes Paul Newman and Bonnie Hunt. Many critics liked the story and the feelings the movie brought out. It even won Best Animated Feature.
Cars 2006 Climax Racing Best Scene of movie by EYEDIA BOOK
10. Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou
The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou is very special because of its fun style and really bright visuals. Wes Anderson directed the movie, mixing adventure and comedy while honoring Jacques Cousteau. Filming in Italy simply made it even more charming.
The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, Touchstone Pictures
10. Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou (Cont.)
Ned Plimpton, who is portrayed by Owen Wilson, is a big fan of the strange ocean explorer Steve Zissou, who is played by Bill Murray. After Ned's mom dies, he wonders if Zissou might be his dad. Wanting to feel close to someone and have fun, Ned joins Zissou's team.
10. Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou (Cont.)
This movie inspired many musicians and artists. Austin Tofte, from the band Swimming With Dolphins, said it's his favorite film. Also, the song "Alan Forever" by Lupe Fiasco talks about a different life for Alan Kurdi, connecting it to the film's sense of adventure.
The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou,Touchstone Pictures
9. Starsky & Hutch
Starsky & Hutch is a funny buddy cop movie. It takes place in 1975 in a city called Bay City. The film mixes action and jokes while being based on an old TV show. The makers wanted to respect the old show and add new characters. They also mixed funny parts with cool car chases to keep people watching.
Starsky & Hutch, 2004, DimensionFilms
9. Starsky & Hutch (Cont.)
Owen Wilson plays Ken "Hutch" Hutchinson. His chill style works well with Ben Stiller's serious character, bringing out the good-cop-bad-cop trope that we love. The fun chemistry between the two actors became a big part of the movie and influenced future buddy cop films.
ABC Television, Wikimedia Commons
8. Meet The Parents
Released in 2000, Meet the Parents doesn't take itself too seriously. It tells the story of Greg Focker, a lost nurse who wants to impress his girlfriend's parents. The aim was to make characters people can relate to, with funny moments while also showing real feelings.
The Unexpected Disaster While Meeting Girlfriend's Parents by WatchTimeRecapped
8. Meet The Parents (Cont.)
Playing the role of Kevin Rawley is Owen Wilson, Pam's smooth ex-boyfriend, who makes things tense in the story. His character shows the big difference between Greg's clumsiness and Kevin's cool confidence. This part helped Wilson get noticed for his funny acting.
Meet the Parents (2000), Universal Pictures
8. Meet The Parents (Cont.)
Meet the Parents was so popular that it inspired other shows and references. In 2002, NBC started a reality show called Meet My Folks. In this show, a woman's boyfriend had to answer hard questions from her very protective dad while using a lie detector.
The Unexpected Disaster While Meeting Girlfriend's Parents by WatchTimeRecapped
7. Wedding Crashers
This was the first R-rated comedy to earn $200 million in the U.S., bringing back interest in grown-up comedies. The mix of funny and romantic moments connected with viewers, which made it popular and won it many awards, like three MTV Movie Awards.
Wedding crashers, 2005, New Line Cinema
7. Wedding Crashers (Cont.)
Owen was portrayed as John Beckwith, a divorce mediator. He and his buddy sneak into weddings to meet women. But throughout the story, John wants real love, especially with Claire, the maid of honor. Wilson's charm shows how John changes from a player to someone who is caring and thoughtful.
New Line, Wedding Crashers (2005)
7. Wedding Crashers (Cont.)
David Dobkin was the director of Wedding Crashers, which featured Vince Vaughn and Christopher Walken. People talked about making a sequel, but there were delays. Even so, the movie did really well and changed romantic comedies forever.
Wedding Crashers (2005), New Line Cinema
6. Fantastic Mr. Fox
Kristofferson Silverfox in Fantastic Mr. Fox was voiced by Owen Wilson. Kristofferson is the sweet nephew of Felicity Fox. His nice and gentle ways add something special to the Fox family. He is different from Mr. Fox—by different we mean, mischievous.
Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009), Twentieth Century Fox
6. Fantastic Mr. Fox (Cont.)
The movie uses stop-motion animation and tells a silly story from one of Roald Dahl's books. Bright colors keep people watching as Owen Wilson plays Kristofferson, who goes on exciting adventures in a world full of tricks and fun. The movie has jokes and art that make it special.
Carl Van Vechten, Wikimedia Commons
6. Fantastic Mr. Fox (Cont.)
Did you know that a fun game is out for iPhones based on the movie? Players get to be Mr. Fox and help him move through levels. By tilting their phones, they can steer Mr. Fox to miss obstacles. The game is easy and matches the movie's fun spirit.
Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009), Twentieth Century Fox
5. The Royal Tenenbaums
Mixing humor and drama, the movie is about family problems and lost dreams. Wes Anderson's special style uses bright colors and mixes old and new designs. The story feels like a book, making it easy to connect with the Tenenbaum family. Their odd lives leave a strong mark.
Touchstone Pictures, The Royal Tenenbaums (2001),
5. The Royal Tenenbaums (Cont.)
When it came out, The Royal Tenenbaums got many people who loved the movie just for telling the story and having great characters. It has won many awards, such as the Golden Globe for Gene Hackman. Today, it is still important in movies, inspiring new films.
Touchstone Pictures, The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)
5. The Royal Tenenbaums (Cont.)
Eli Cash, Richie's odd neighbor and close friend, adds a fun yet emotional layer to the story. Brought to life by Owen Wilson, Eli's struggles and unreturned feelings bring both laughs and heartache. His moments with the family show how tangled their lives are.
The Royal Tenenbaums (2001), Touchstone Pictures
4. Midnight In Paris
Owen Wilson plays Gil Pender, a sad writer who wakes up feeling confused and lost every single day. To escape this reality, every night at midnight, he magically travels back to the 1920s in Paris, where he meets popular writers like Hemingway and Fitzgerald.
Midnight in Paris by Woody Allen - Trailer VOST by Mars Films
4. Midnight In Paris (Cont.)
As Gil visits the past, he falls for Adriana, played by Marion Cotillard. Their connection shows the film's important lesson: it can be dangerous to only wish for a perfect past. In the end, he finds that enjoying the present, even if it's not perfect, is the key to happiness.
Midnight in Paris by Woody Allen - Trailer VOST by Mars Films
4. Midnight In Paris (Cont.)
Midnight in Paris won many awards, including the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay, and earned over $151 million around the world. Reviewers really liked Wilson's role and praised the movie for its fun mix of charm and wisdom.
Mediapro, Midnight In Paris (2011)
3. The Darjeeling Limited
Francis, portrayed by Owen Wilson, is the oldest brother who wants to bring his separated siblings back together. With his face wrapped in bandages from an accident, he plans the trip and controls everything, even their passports.
The Darjeeling Limited (2007), Searchlight Pictures
3. The Darjeeling Limited (Cont.)
Critics liked The Darjeeling Limited because it mixed funny parts with serious ones. It was shown at the Venice Film Festival and tried for the Golden Lion award. The movie's touching look at family and its pretty scenes made a strong connection with people.
The Darjeeling Limited (2007), Searchlight Pictures
3. The Darjeeling Limited (Cont.)
The Darjeeling Limited is about losing someone and finding a way to forgive. It shows how three brothers deal with their sadness after their dad dies. And it highlights their feelings and takes them on a trip that helps them heal and grow closer together.
Searchlight Pictures, The Darjeeling Limited (2007)
2. Inherent Vice
Wilson's role as a former addict who becomes a police informant adds a lot of weight to the movie. He shows how much Coy wants to see his family again while trying to stay hidden. His performance brings in a more emotional side.
2. Inherent Vice (Cont.)
A key moment in Inherent Vice happens when Coy feels stuck. He wants to get out but can't because of his secret life as an informant. He's caught between being an informant and wanting to be with his family.
Inherent Vice | Official Trailer | CELEBRI by CELEBRI
2. Inherent Vice (Cont.)
The chemistry between Owen Wilson's Coy and Joaquin Phoenix's Doc Sportello creates tension, especially when Doc helps Coy manage his secret double life. Wilson brings a caring touch to Coy's tough journey, which makes it shine against the movie's darker themes.
aphrodite, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
1. Zoolander
Zoolander makes fun of the fashion world through its main character, Derek Zoolander. Ben Stiller, who directed and acted in it, created the movie from short sketches for the VH1 Fashion Awards. The story mixes humor and serious topics while poking fun at the fashion world.
1. Zoolander (Cont.)
A new model on the scene, Hansel (played by Wilson), wins people over with his chill, carefree vibe. He shows how silly the fashion world can be, but he acts totally serious, which makes his moments with Derek (Ben Stiller) even funnier.
1. Zoolander (Cont.)
The movie not only had a sequel in 2016 but also resulted in an animated series, showing how much it still matters. Its unique style, including guest appearances by many celebrities, added to its charm. The movie's humor and great moments still connect with audiences.
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