The Royal Tenenbaums

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The Royal Tenenbaums

R

Released Dec 14, 2001

1h 48m

Comedy

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

81%

Tomatometer

216 Reviews

89%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

Royal Tenenbaum and his wife Etheline had three children and then they separated. All three children are extraordinary --- all geniuses. Virtually all memory of the brilliance of the young Tenenbaums was subsequently erased by two decades of betrayal, failure, and disaster. Most of this was generally considered to be their father's fault. "The Royal Tenenbaums" is the story of the family's sudden, unexpected reunion one recent winter.

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Critics Consensus

The Royal Tenenbaums is a delightful adult comedy with many quirks and a sense of poignancy. Many critics especially praised Hackman's performance.

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Joshua Rothkopf

In These Times

If it sounds bittersweet, it is, but like the best family albums, Tenenbaums is split wide with open-heartedness, and equally generous with its triumphs and failures.

Mar 16, 2020

Full Review

Jack Mathews

New York Daily News

This comedy-drama about a dysfunctional family of eccentric geniuses is exactly the kind of movie America could use. It's funny, poignant, laced with irresistibly flawed characters and focuses on the power of love in a family.

Rated: 3.5/4

Oct 1, 2014

Full Review

Jeff Strickler

Minneapolis Star Tribune

The film manages to be both sarcastic and sentimental. As odd as the Tenenbaums are, the family remains bound by love.

Oct 1, 2014

Full Review

JD Duran

InSession Film

The Royal Tenenbaums isn't just Wes Anderson's best film, it's one of the best films of all-time.

Rated: A+

Oct 25, 2023

Full Review

Mitchell Beaupre

Paste Magazine

A family who seemingly has it all, a large collection of parents, siblings, children all under the same roof, and yet every single one of them, even Royal, still feels like an outsider.

Rated: 8/10

Sep 22, 2022

Full Review

Rob Gonsalves

Rob's Movie Vault

Underneath the film’s ornate but terse facade might be a churning tangle of backstories barely hinted at.

Rated: A+

Sep 17, 2022

Full Review

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Thom N

I would love to go into histrionics and calisthenics about this film, but those who care already know and those who know don't need my input. I saw this at a VHS rental store my mom worked at 20 years ago, and liked it as a kid, but much more as an adult. Despite the presence of alleged abuser and creep Bill Murray and scam artist Gwen Paltrow, this manages to be one of the most quintessential American films of all time. The charismatic lying father reminded me a lot of my own hardships, and I love this movie more with each viewing.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/05/25

Full Review

Jen K.

Impressive cast, wild storyline, dark and dry humor while lightly tugging on some heart strings

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

07/04/25

Full Review

Ken M

I like most of Wes Anderson’s film, but I don’t think this is his best in retrospect. I tried watching the film again recently after seeing the original in the theater when it came out and it just bored and annoyed me seeing it again. The characters just seemed contrived and unrealistic, except for Hackman who gave it his all. I would have liked more of a backstory on his character. The script just seemed to be influenced too much by New Yorker magazine short stories and JD Salinger’s work to be original. I didn’t believe for a moment that the family were related to each other in any way. I was amused by Paltrow’s performance as the dour adopted daughter; along with Hackman she’s the best standout performances.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

06/26/25

Full Review

Will G

A great Wes Anderson film. Bill Murray is a very talented actor. It was about a family and their estate in New York. The relatives get older and one of them had kids. I look forward to seeing the new film “The Phoenician Scheme”.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

06/24/25

Full Review

Faiz D

Owen Wilson & Wes Anderson Rock! The Royal Tenenbaums is a beautifully melodramatic nostalgia that delivers laughs, cries, and pure joy. A great movie, but not for everyone.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

05/13/25

Full Review

Sergio A

This film is flawless in its character development, performances, and casting choices. Wes Anderson should consider returning to a more focused approach with fewer actors and real locations. While the tragicomedy is evident, it’s a pleasure to watch the characters and their stories unfold so seamlessly. Undoubtedly, Anderson’s best film.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/03/25

Full Review

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Wes Anderson

Director

Gene Hackman

Royal Tenenbaum

Anjelica Huston

Etheline Tenenbaum

Ben Stiller

Chas Tenenbaum

Gwyneth Paltrow

Margot Tenenbaum

Luke Wilson

Richie Tenenbaum

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The Royal Tenenbaums: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Royal Tenenbaum and his wife Etheline had three children and then they separated. All three children are extraordinary --- all geniuses. Virtually all memory of the brilliance of the young Tenenbaums was subsequently erased by two decades of betrayal, failure, and disaster. Most of this was generally considered to be their father's fault. "The Royal Tenenbaums" is the story of the family's sudden, unexpected reunion one recent winter.

Director: Wes Anderson
Producer: Barry Mendel, Wes Anderson, Scott Rudin
Screenwriter: Wes Anderson, Owen Wilson
Distributor: Buena Vista Pictures, Touchstone Pictures, Criterion Collection
Production Co: Touchstone Pictures, American Empirical Pictures, Mordecai Films
Rating: R (Nudity|Drug Content|Sexuality|Some Language)
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 14, 2001, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 23, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $52.4M
Runtime: 1h 48m
Sound Mix: Dolby SR, DTS, Dolby Stereo, Surround, SDDS, Dolby A, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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