The Royal Tenenbaums Movie Information

Movie Information

Overall Rank: 865

Average Rating: 2.9/4

# of Ratings: 406

Theatrical Release Date: 12/14/2001

Language: English

Genre: Drama, Comedy

MPAA Rating: R

Director: Wes Anderson

Actors: Gene Hackman, Gwyneth Paltrow, Ben Stiller, Anjelica Huston, Luke Wilson, Own Wilson

Plot: A distant family, including three child prodigies long forgotten, are brought together by patriarch Royal Tenenbaum who is hoping to mend past mistakes.

Quick Movie Reviews

Rating of
3/4

Indyfreak - wrote on 12/07/2022

Typically strange like other Wes Anderson movies. But somehow remains a sweet ensemble comedy.

Rating of
4/4

Logan D. McCoy - wrote on 07/10/2019

It's award worthy screenplay and well developed plot and characters makes this Wes Anderson's best film.

Rating of
3.5/4

Rod - wrote on 08/01/2015

This is a beautiful creation by Wes Anderson (plus the co-writer Owen Wilson). I think this is one of the best films Anderson has created. Witty and interesting! Plus, the cast made a good combo. Loved it!

Full Movie Reviews

Matthew Brady
Matthew Brady
Movie God

Rating of
3/4

20 Movies to watch (FINALLY) in 2025 (1/20)

Matthew Brady - wrote on 08/06/2025

Chas: “I've had a rough year, Dad.”

Royal: “I know you have, Chassie.”


This is the first movie on the 20 Movies to watch (FINALLY) in the 2025 list. It stars the late, great Gene Hackman. It's a wild coincidence since I made this list before his death. Either way, I could not think of a better opportunity to watch this film and honour Gene Hackman by appreciating his work.

The Royal Tenenbaums is a cleverly written comedy-drama about a talented and creative family that is not on good speaking terms and is experiencing a creative slump. However, when their once-absent father (Hackman) returns to their lives in poor health to win back his children, this fractured family comes together under one roof.

The film has the usual quirkiness and visual flair you expect from …

Yojimbo
Yojimbo
Movie God

Rating of
N/A

"The Royal Tenenbaums" by Yojimbo

Yojimbo - wrote on 03/25/2017

A deadbeat dad who lost touch with his extended family after separating with their mother tries to insinuate himself back into their lives after informing them that he is dying. The Royal Tenenbaums is typical of Wes Anderson's brand of offbeat character ensemble and shares all of his usual strengths and weaknesses. The array of characters are likeable enough thanks to a talented cast but despite this - like The Life Aquatic - it is very much a one man show. Gene Hackman is great fun as the amusingly selfish and tactless absentee father and whenever he is on screen, the film is very watchable; but that doesn't stop its own self-conscious and rather forced kookiness from making the story seem rather contrived and ultimately pointless. There are some amusing moments but little of any real …

memento_mori
memento_mori
Producer

Rating of
3/4

A lukewarm take on a very confusing family.

memento_mori - wrote on 08/19/2013

I don't really know how to feel about The Royal Tenenbaums.

As the two people in the world who read my reviews know, I'm a Wes Anderson fan. I almost almost enjoy his deadpan humor and great direction, but once in a while comes a story of his that I'm not sure how to feel about.

This movie has qualities of his other movies. It has the quirkiness, great framing, great dialogue and what I enjoy most about Anderson.
So, what's its fatal flaw?: It's messy.
Somewhere in the middle of the movie, it breaks in two. It feels like another movie with parts of the first half cut in.
The way this movie is structured makes me question what kind of movie it is exactly trying to be. It is overwhelming how poor the editing and interludes to other scenes are. I never understood what this movie …

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