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10 Movies Like The Grand Budapest Hotel To Watch If You Enjoy Stylish Films

November 7, 2022
movies like the grand budapest hotel

The movie, The Grand Budapest Hotel is a highly critically acclaimed and fan favourite film. Gorgeous visuals, excellent acting and a wonderful story make it one of Anderson’s best films. For your consideration, we have curated a list of brilliant movies like The Grand Budapest Hotel that you must check out. 

Directed by Wes Anderson, The Grand Budapest Hotel is a stunning comedy-drama movie– featuring a big ensemble cast of 17 actors. Ralph Fiennes plays Monsieur Gustave H who is framed for the murder of a wealthy and old dowager (Tilda Swinton). Gustave and his protégé Zero (Tony Revolori) embark on a quest to gain a fortune with a priceless Renaissance painting. The movie received an Oscar award for its production design, costume and make-up and original music.

List of Movies Like The Grand Budapest Hotel

  1. The Darjeeling Limited 
  2. The French Dispatch
  3. Moonrise Kingdom
  4. Little Miss Sunshine
  5. Knives Out
  6. Hail Caesar!
  7. Jojo Rabbit
  8. Her
  9. Pulp Fiction
  10. Inception

1. The Darjeeling Limited (2007)

IMDB ratings: 7.2/10

Cast:  Owen Wilson, Adrien Brody and Jason Schwartzman 

Director: Wes Andreson

If you love The Grand Budapest Hotel by Wes Anderson, you should watch more movies made by him. The Darjeeling Limited is Wes Anderson’s 2007 comedy-drama film that tells the story of the 3 Whitman brothers: Francis (A businessman and a ringleader), Peter (A regular man about to become a father and Jack (A novelist living in Paris). Characters are played by Owen Wilson, Adrien Brody (also in The Grand Budapest Hotel ) and Jason Schwartzman respectively.

The Whitman brothers who lost their father a year ago come to Rajasthan, India in search of their mother who they haven’t seen for many years. This marks a spiritual journey for the characters, Anderson enters a new journey by placing the 3 brothers in the colourful alien land. The Darjeeling Limited is a tragic-comedy journey and if you’re in search of films like The Grand Budapest Hotel, this movie is perfect for you.

2. The French Dispatch (2021)

IMDB ratings: 7.2/10

Cast: Bill Muray, Timothée Chalamet, Tilda Swinton, Saoirse Ronan and Adrien Brody.

Director: Wes Anderson

The French Dispatch follows the story of a literary magazine called The Dispatch inspired by The New Yorker. The fictional magazine starts as a travel vlog for a Kansas newspaper and establishes itself in a 20th-century French town which is staffed by American expatriates. 

The French Dispatch actually unfolds the story like a magazine. Narrated by ‘authors’ characters with different stories and points of view. The movie is majorly in black and white only colourful to bring the audience back to the present-day story. The aspect ratio of The Grand Budapest Hotel also becomes an element of its story-telling. The film has an incredibly talented cast of Bill Muray, and Timothée Chalamet, as well as actors from The Grand Budapest Hotel such as Tilda Swinton, Saoirse Ronan and Adrien Brody. You should definitely watch The French Dispatch if you are a fan of the cast and want to see more films like The Grand Budapest Hotel.

3. Moonrise Kingdom (2012)

IMDB ratings: 7.8/10

Cast: Bill Murray, Jared Gilman, Kara Hayward and Bruce Willis 

Director: Wes Anderson

Moonrise Kingdom is the 7th film directed by Wes Anderson. Released in 2012, Moonrise Kingdom is set on an island off the coast of New England in the summer of 1965. The movie tells the story of two 12-year-olds, Suzy and Sam who fall in love and make a pact of running away together in the wilderness. Bruce Willis plays the local sheriff in search of the two children, iconic Bill Murray and Frances McDormand play the parents of the young girl. 

Moonrise Kingdom is a sweet and touching love story with an Andersonian style of quirky characters. The movie feels like it was inspired by Roald Dahl’s style, a realistic world with small eccentric details. If you love watching heartwarming romances in movies like The Grand Budapest Hotel then you are sure to like Moonrise Kingdom.

Also Read: Movies like Arrival

4. Little Miss Sunshine (2006)

IMDB ratings: 7.8/10

Cast: Steve Carell, Toni Collette and Paul Dano

Director: Valerie Faris, Jonathan Dayton

Little Miss Sunshine is a tragicomedy film directed by Valerie Faris and Jonathan Dayton that was released in 2006. The story opens up with a scholar of Proust called Dr Frank (Steve Carrell) who recently tries to commit suicide when he is turned down by a man he fell in love with. Being unemployed he lives with his sister, Sheryl for the time being. Sheryl is an overworked mother and her husband, Richard is striving to build a career as a motivational speaking life coach Sheryl’s two kids, a teenage boy who won’t speak till he becomes a pilot and a little girl aspiring to become a beauty queen. 

The story’s dysfunctional family will remind you of Wes Anderson’s characters. When the 7-year-old girl by fluke gets into a beauty contest the entire family rallies in support of her. This tragic story of the emotionally bankrupt family will still manage to put a smile on your face. Little Miss Sunshine reminds the viewers that failures in life don’t equate to a failed life. If you are looking for movies like The Grand Budapest Hotel then Little Miss Sunshine is sure to make you happy. 

5. Knives Out (2019)

IMDB ratings: 7.9/10

Cast: Ana De Armas, Chris Evans and Daniel Craig

Director: Rian Johnson


Knives Out is a well-directed film by Rian Jhonson who is known for movies like Looper and Star Wars: The Last Jedi (Episode VII). The movie Knives Out is a twist on the classic whodunit type of movie. It features a long cast of talented actors like in Anderson’s The Grand Budapest Hotel. An interrogation is led by detective Benoit Blanc (Craig) of the aristocratic Thrombeys. The head of their family, the reputed mystery novelist Harlowe Thrombey suspiciously kills himself, leaving his entire inheritance to an unexpected heir.

Knives Out is truly brilliant, being a murder mystery it rarely puts focus on pain and darkness, rather its subversive approach makes the narrative closer to a highly witty and energetic film. If you enjoy movies like The Grand Budapest Hotel, you are sure to love  Knives Out as well.

6. Hail Caesar! (2016)

IMDB ratings: 6.3/10

Cast: George Clooney, Josh Brolin, Ralph Fiennes, Tilda Swinton, Fisher Stevens

Director:  Ethan Coen, Joel Coen

Wes Anderson’s The Grand Budapest Hotel is said to have a very Coen Brothers touch, which in turn inspired Ethan Coen and Joel Coen to make Hail Caesar! The character Eddie Mannix (Josh Brolin) is the head of physical production at Capital Pictures. He works to fix any scandal of his star clients. One instance is when an actress DeeAnna Moran (Scarlet Johansson) becomes pregnant, he arranges for her to discreetly deliver and put the baby in foster care and then adopt her.

Eddie Mannix’s entire process is almost like a conductor who keeps in check every little detail, attention ahead and solving any problems that come by. This idea of operating in a controlled hysteria will surely remind you of M.Gustave from The Grand Budapest Hotel. With an A-list casting and witty dialogues and shifting aspect ratios, Hail Caesar! Will be a perfect match if you’re looking for movies like The Grand Budapest Hotel.

7. Jojo Rabbit (2019)

IMDB ratings: 7.9/10

Cast:  Taika Waititi, Scarlett Johansson, Roman Griffin Davis, Thomasin McKenzie

Director: Taika Waititi


Jojo Rabbit was written and directed by Taika Waititi and released in 2019. Taika found inspiration from the book Caging Skies by Christine Leunens. Jojo Rabbit is a comedy-drama film set during the Nazi Germany collapse in the fictional city of Falkenheim. The story follows a 10-year-old boy Hitler Youth boy, who finds out that her mother is hiding a Jewish girl in their attic. He is faced with the challenge of dealing with his beliefs or choosing to support his mother (Scarlett Johansson). The boy conjures up an imaginary friend, a fanciful version of Adolf Hitler (Taika Waititi).

Jojo Rabbit uses humour to address a terrifying time in history, to show a world from an innocent child’s view. Waititi uses elements of terror and thrill from the usual war movies in a satirical manner. The film cast also includes Sam Rockwell, Stephen Merchant, and Alfie Allen. If you want to see more movies like The Grand Budapest Hotel, Jojo Rabbit is one of the most fun movies you can watch. 

8. Her (2014)

IMDB ratings: 8/10

Cast: Joaquin Phoenix, Scarlet Johansson and Rooney Mara

Director: Spike Jonze

Directed by Spike Jonze, Her is set in the near future world of Los Angeles. The movie follows Theodore Twombly, an introverted man who is lonely and depressed after his wife Catherine asks for a divorce from him. He finds comfort in a highly advanced female-voiced AI who calls herself Samantha. The female AI is bright, insightful, sensitive and surprisingly funny. As Samantha’s desires grow, in tandem with Theordore’s, their friendship evolves into love for each other. 

Like The Grand Budapest Hotel, Her is a movie that tells its story from the colour palette, the beautiful reds around Theodore and the warm colour palette throughout are intentionally chosen to have a specific identity of themselves. This beautiful story of love and grief is worth a watch if you’re looking for movies like The Grand Budapest Hotel.

Also Read: Movies like Now You See Me

9. Pulp Fiction (1994)

IMDB ratings: 8.9/10

Cast: Quentin Tarantino, John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson and Uma Thurman

Director: Quentin Tarantino

Pulp Fiction is a cult classic movie directed by Quentin Tarantino. Pulp Fiction was released in 1994 and is a dark comedy crime film. The story shows us a series of crimes in Los Angeles. The title of the movie itself refers to the Pulp magazines and hardboiled crime novels that were famous at the time. 

Pulp Fiction is full of violent action and punchy dialogues. The humour is not felt at first but is apparent on a rewatch. I admit the jokes can sometimes be uncomfortable, but the film is hilarious regardless. The acting, action, and dialogues of the movie are now iconic. Considering you haven’t seen it already, Pulp Fiction is a great choice if you want to see movies similar to The Grand Budapest Hotel. 

10. Inception (2010)

IMDB ratings: 8.8/10

Cast: Leonardo Dicaprio, Joseph Gordon-Levitt,  Elliot Page and Tom Hardy

Director: Christopher Nolan

Christopher Nolan’s Inception is a film whose reputation precedes itself, it’s one of the highest-rated Action/Sci-fi movies of all time. The movie uses the concept of dreaming as a skill to intercept the minds of people. Don Cobb (played by the talented Leonardo Dicaprio) is a highly skilled thief in dreaming, his skills make him an in-demand commodity for corporate espionage. After being stuck in circumstances that prevent him from reuniting with his children, Cobb is desperate to find a way out.

When offered a seemingly impossible task by a powerful man who tells Cobb that he can arrange for Cobb to return home, Cobb builds a team with an impressive set of unique skills. The theme of the movie is centralised in dreaming, there is ‘a dream within a dream within a dream within a dream’ which matches the concept ‘a story within a story within a story’ of The Grand Budapest Hotel. Brilliant performances by the talented cast and incredible mind-bending visual effects make this movie a masterpiece. And so, if you’re searching for movies similar to The Grand Budapest Hotel there’s a good chance you might like Inception as well.

Honourable Mentions 

Here are a few similar movies like The Grand Budapest Hotel that didn’t make the list, but you can check them out nonetheless: 

  1. Inglorious Bastards
  2. Frances Ha
  3. Mr Fantastic Fox
  4. Captain Fantastic
  5. Weekend at Bernie’s
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When Lost aired over a decade ago, its successful narrative created a pop culture impact and changed the landscape of television. If you are a fan and want to watch shows like Lost then you can have a look at this list we made just for you.

Lost

The hugely successful television series Lost aired in 2004. The premise, as we know, deals with a group of people surviving a commercial passenger plane crash on a remote island. The show masterfully explores supernatural and sci-fi elements on this mysterious south Pacific island. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTu8iDynwNc

The use of cliffhangers at the end of each episode of Lost kept the viewers on the edge of their seats, desperately craving for the next episode to come. Even though it's a large ensemble cast, most of the characters receive a justifiable personal arch. Lost was inspired by the movie Castaway and became one of the most expensive pilots to be shot at the time! Lost continues to be appreciated for its originality in storytelling and dynamic character arcs. 

List of TV Shows Like Lost

  1. The Leftovers
  2. Manifest
  3. Lost Room
  4. Twin Peaks
  5. The Prisoners
  6. Battlestar Galactica
  7. The New People
  8. Flight 29 Down
  9. Fringe
  10. Alcatraz
  11. Under the Dome
  12. Dark

1. The Leftovers (2014)

IMDB ratings: 8.3/10

Cast: Carrie Coon, Justin Theroux, Amy Brenneman and Margaret Qualley

Creator: Damon Lindelof and Tom Perrotta

The director of Lost, Damon Lindel also created a supernatural drama series called The Leftovers. The show begins 3 years after an unexplainable global event called ‘Sudden Departure’  where almost 2 per cent of the population, nearly 140 million people, disappear. The Leftovers isn't about WHY people are gone, it's about how the ones who remain dealt with their loss, people often try to comfort themselves with dreams, angels, gods, or even death.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLT3YUALJno&t=8s

The Leftovers will leave you with so many questions but beyond words, you have to feel it and savour its unanswered questions to find peace. The Leftovers is an incredible television series that starts incredibly well but loses its way by the series's end. I have to say though, Carrie Coon has brilliant moments in the end. The Leftovers is so weird, fragmented and nonsensical at times that it reminds me of Lost. If you are looking for shows like Lost, I recommend that you give The Leftovers a try.

2. Manifest  (2018) 

IMDB ratings: 7.1/10

Cast: Melissa Roxburgh, Josh Dallas and J.R. Ramirez 

Creator: Jeff Rake


The Manifest is a supernatural drama show about a bunch of people who discover that they lost 5 years of their lives when they landed in New York after their aeroplane faced severe turbulence. All the people on the plane were presumed to be dead. Now, these people have to find a way to adjust themselves to a new life around their loved ones. Mild spoiler! They learn their loved ones and the rest of society is not as they left it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1hNAIzkQWY

I found that the show’s premise was very intriguing and the actors give a very convincing performance. The narrative details of the show, however, in my opinion, are a bit sloppy and inconsistent. The writers surely have room for improvement but their concept is incredibly thrilling. Every episode of Manifest keeps you on your toes. Manifest has completed 3 seasons up until now and continues to be on air. Manifest is a pretty good choice if you want to watch TV shows like Lost.

3. Lost Room (2006)

IMDB ratings: 8.1/10

Cast: Peter Krause, Julianna Margulies and Peter Jacobson

Creator: Christopher Leone, Laura Harkcom

This lesser-known show The Lost Room is an American Sci-fi television miniseries which only had 3 episodes of 90 mins each and no follow-up seasons. The show was based on a very unique idea where the room in question (known as the ‘Lost Room’) and the objects in the said room had supernatural powers. This strange room is set in a 1960s motel along the iconic U.S. Route 66. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfWrECLnFYU

One day the protagonist (Peter Krause) Joe Miller’s daughter disappears inside the room. Joe, with the help of objects present in the room, tries to find his daughter Anna (Elle Fanning). The story of Lost Room was intensely engaging. I found the direction and the actor’s performances to be absolutely brilliant. It baffles me that the creators did not return to make another short season within the same concept. If you have been searching for TV series like Lost then I can assure you that Lost Room will be worth a watch.

4. Twins Peaks (1990) 

IMDB ratings: 8.8/10

Cast: Kyle MacLachlan, Mädchen Amick, Sherilyn Fenn and David Lynch

Creator: David Lynch

David Lynch, the well-known director of weird and captivating films such as Eraserhead and Blue Velvet created an iconic show called Twin Peaks. It is a hauntingly eccentric show about the investigation of the mysterious murder of a small-town homecoming queen named Laura Palmer. Believe me, as odd as the show may seem at first, you will grow to love it, after all, it is considered to be one of the best mystery shows ever created. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zwn9ou_nf-I

With the mysteries, the supernatural elements and the list of bizarre characters, Twin Peaks has it all. In my opinion, the cinematography of the show was truly ahead of its time. Kyle’s Dale Cooper was especially entertaining. Twin Peaks’ experimental formula of the satirical soap opera is extremely unsettling yet rewarding to watch, I must warn you, it’s not for the faint-hearted!  If you are in search of TV shows like Lost then Twin Peaks won’t disappoint you.

The Prisoners (1967)

IMDB ratings: 8.5/10

Cast: Patrick McGoohan, Angelo Muscat and Geroge Markstien

Creator: Patrick McGoohan


The Prisoner centres around an unnamed British agent (Patrick McGoohan) who tries to flee his country after abruptly quitting his high-ranking government job. He is abducted and held captive in a strange ‘sea-side’ village that is isolated from the rest of the world. This village is a highly secure and monitored place filled with weird technology. There are only 17 episodes to this late 60s show but it manages to bring up such surreal surprises, it's sure to leave a great impact on the viewer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JrNr85fPms

The Prisoner’s unique concept influenced many popular shows including Lost. The creators of Lost even cited the show. I was very impressed by how ahead of its time The Prisoners proves to be. If you want to watch more shows similar to Lost the Prisoners should definitely be on your list.

6. Battlestar Galactica (2004)

IMDB ratings: 8.7/10

Cast: Katee Sackhoff, Edward James Olmos and Tricia Helfer 

Creator: Glen A. Larson

The 2004 Battlestar Galactica is a reboot of the original 1978 miniseries of the same name. Do not be mistaken by the title, the show is not related to Star Trek.  Battlestar Galactica is set in the 7th millennium AD and follows Cylons, the robot enemy of humanity that resurfaces to destroy the 12 colonies of Mankind. Only a few survive and are able to escape on ships led by a powerful warship called Battlestar Galactica. Mankind struggles to fight the Cylons and work their own political agendas and disputes while finding their long-lost 13th colony Earth.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnYsf2Yv8i8

The show is a dark, intense and gritty socio-political commentary with EPIC cinematic value. The script is especially clever and as a huge fan of sci-fi shows, this show ticks the boxes in all the right categories. When the show was released, it blew the viewers and critics away. As far as an obsessive and gripping story goes, Battlestar Galactica is one of the most similar to shows like Lost. 

7. The New People (1969)

IMDB ratings: 7.3/10

Cast: David Moses, Zooey hall and Tiffany Boiling

Creator: Larry Gordon Aaron Spelling

The New People is an American Tv series that aired only for 1 season and is focused on a couple of college students who survive a plane crash. The incident takes place while they were returning from a trip to Southeast Asia, their plane crashes on an island in the south of the Pacific ocean. 

By now this show must already be sounding a lot like Lost to you, and it surely is. The remaining group of people discover an unusual truth about the island: there’s an above-ground unused nuclear test site filled with supplies for the survivors. If you want to see more plane survival stories like Lost then The New People should definitely be on your list.

8. Flight 29 Down (2005)

IMDB ratings: 7.2/10

Cast: Allen Alvarado, Halle Hirsh and Corbin Bleu

Creator:  Stan Rowgow D. J. MacHale

The show Flight 29 Down is a drama series about a group of pre-teens/teens who are stranded on a South Pacific island after their plane crashes in a tropical storm while they were flying from an eco-adventure camping trip in Palau. The show is in many ways a younger version of the Adult-centred show Lost but sans the supernatural elements. I’d say that the show draws inspiration from the show The New People.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLeG0w3kL8k

Flight 29 Down uses the technique of a video diary as a plot device for the viewers to keep up with the story of these children. It was very engaging to watch young intelligent characters finding their way on the island. The first two seasons of the show are quite engaging but I seemed to lose interest in its 3rd and final season. Regardless, Flight 29 Down is a really good series to watch if you want to see TV shows like Lost.

9. Fringe (2008)

IMDB ratings: 8.4/10

Cast: Anna Torv, John Noble and Joshua Jackson

Creator: J. J. Abrams, Alex Kurtzman, and Roberto Orci

Fringe is a popular Sci-fi crime drama television series. It may seem like a standard procedural drama at first, but the show actually explores the parallel universe, alternate versions of people filled with crazy scientific experiments. I personally had a great time watching this show.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29bSzbqZ3xE

Fringe is actually inspired by shows like Lost, The X-files and The Twilight Zone. The 3 main characters of the show work with a special division called Fringe. There are so many brilliant twists and turns in Fringe that in my opinion, the show is at the top of its category. If you are searching for TV series like Lost, I strongly recommend you watch Fringe. 

10. Alcatraz (2012)

IMDB ratings: 6.9/10

Cast: Sarah Jones, George Garcia and Jonny Coyne 

Creator: Elizabeth Sarnoff, Steven Lilien, Bryan Wynbrandt

This American fiction show is based on the infamous Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary built on Alcatraz island in San Francisco Bay. The prison is now closed but once kept some of the most dangerous criminals of America. The show takes the liberty to make a show around the conspiracies of the place.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V514ACIGp_k

In the interesting premise we see that under unknown circumstances, 256 inmates and 46 guards of the prison disappear without a trace. Later the disappeared ones start to appear one by one without ageing a day and resume their criminal activities with no realisation of disappearance. A special government unit is dedicated to finding and putting those criminals back in prison. If you are looking for mystery shows similar to Lost, try watching Alcatraz. 

11. Under the Dome (2013)

IMDB ratings: 6.5/10

Cast: Alexander Koch and Rachelle Lefevre

Creator: Stephen King

Based on a novel written by the sci-fi legend Stephen King, Under the Dome tells the story of the residents of the fictional small town called Chester's Mill, when a huge, transparent and indestructible dome suddenly cuts them off from the rest of the world. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_Y5YeYrqUk

Now the trapped residents try to find a way to discover the truth, origin and purpose of these domes. This journey forces them into situations where they learn more about each other than they ever knew. Under the Dome may not be on the top of this list but it’s quite a decent watch if you’re looking for mystery shows similar to Lost. 

12. Dark (2017)

IMDB ratings: 8.7/10

Cast: Louis Hofmann, Lisa Vicari and Gina Stiebitz

Creator: Baran bo Odar, Jantje Friese

The German-language Netflix series Dark is an interesting blend of Science fiction and Mystery. Truly a compelling and mind-bending story to watch. At the beginning of Dark, many children suspiciously start disappearing in the German town of Winden. The dark past of generational mysteries of 4 families living in the town namely, Kahnwald, Nielsen, Doppler, and Tiedemann is brought to light.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrwycJ08PSA

After the discovery of a wormhole, the lives of the families intertwine more than one can imagine. I believe every element of the show is top-notch, especially Dark’s cinematography, which is a TRUE masterpiece. If you are looking for TV series similar to Lost then the intense and gripping story of Dark is sure to keep you engrossed.

Honourable Mentions

Here are a few TV shows like Lost that didn’t make the list, but you can check them out nonetheless: 

  1. Carnivale
  2. Yellowjackets
  3. Game of Thrones
  4. Black Mirror
  5. Flashforward
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