Bottle Rocket

Play trailer

2:43

Bottle Rocket

R

1996

1h 31m

Comedy

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

86%

Tomatometer

73 Reviews

79%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

In Wes Anderson's first feature film, Anthony has just been released from a mental hospital, only to find his wacky friend Dignan determined to begin an outrageous crime spree. After recruiting their neighbor, Bob, the team embarks on a road trip in search of Dignan's previous boss, Mr. Henry. But the more they learn, the more they realize that they do not know the first thing about crime.

Watch on Fandango

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

Bottle Rocket is Reservoir Dogs meets Breathless with a West Texas sensibility.

Read Critics Reviews

David Hunter

The Hollywood Reporter

Feb 21, 2018

The performers look like they're having a lot of fun, but there is a great deal of skill on display.

Go to Full Review

Kenneth Turan

Los Angeles Times

Mar 4, 2014

A confident, eccentric debut about a trio of shambling and guileless friends who become the Candides of crime, Rocket feels particularly refreshing because it never compromises on its delicate deadpan sensibility.

Go to Full Review

Bruce Diones

The New Yorker

Mar 4, 2014

[Bottle Rocket] meanders pleasantly, like a road movie, with a seventies-style, anything-goes offhandedness that whisks the audience through the rough spots.

Go to Full Review

Sarah Ward

Concrete Playground

Oct 16, 2025

Establishes many of the filmmaker's trademarks from the outset — including his penchant for witty interactions, as well as his love of dressing his characters in coordinated outfits.

Go to Full Review

Joe Leydon

The Moving Picture Show

Nov 9, 2023

In tone, style and content, this quirky little movie recalls the low-key comedies of Bill Forsythe ("Local Hero," "Housekeeping"), the poet laureate of melancholy whimsy.

Go to Full Review

Farah Cheded

A Good Movie To Watch

Sep 29, 2023

Wes Anderson’s debut might lack the meticulous visual style he's synonymous with, but it's full of the charm and understated emotion we love him for.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Craig W

@CJWolfe27 Aug 14, 2026

Really good movie, where a lot of people got there start

See more

Oggie B

@OGDawg Aug 11, 2026

Before Wes Anderson became synonymous with immaculate compositions, eccentric families, deadpan dialogue, and meticulously curated worlds, there was Bottle Rocket: loose, funny, imperfect, and deeply human. Its modesty is part of its charm. It feels like a film made by people who were still figuring things out, which is precisely why it feels so alive. Bottle Rocket is ultimately about the beautiful foolishness of believing your life can become something more.

See more

Sponge B

@RT02640473 Jul 25, 2026

pretty good movie, interesting, only funny at the end. interesting characters. interesting concept.

See more

Erik B

@Atma-X Mar 30, 2026

A charming, meandering film about a trio of listless young men who are yearning for adventure. Very much indicative of Wes Anderson's style, but maybe one of his most "normal" movies. What the hell kinda name is Dignan?

See more

Tyler P.

@TylerPhoenixMD Dec 20, 2025

I don’t care what anyone says this movie is a classic. It’s the beginnings of some of the best movies! You can tell all the inspiration that comes from it.

See more

Woodruff F

@Woodrufffoley Dec 2, 2025

The best and only good Wes Anderson film ha ha

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

Wes Anderson

Director

Owen Wilson

Dignan

Luke Wilson

Anthony Adams

Robert Musgrave

Bob Mapplethorpe

Andrew Wilson

John Mapplethorpe (Future Man)

Lumi Cavazos

Inez

Bottle Rocket: Official Clip - The Job Falls Apart

2:06

Now Playing

Bottle Rocket: Official Clip - They'll Never Catch Me

2:10

Now Playing

Bottle Rocket: Official Clip - Little Banana

2:05

Now Playing

Bottle Rocket: Official Clip - Dignan Blows Up

2:04

Now Playing

Bottle Rocket: Official Clip - Keep the Gun on the Table!

2:06

Now Playing

Bottle Rocket: Official Clip - Future Man and Stacy

2:13

Now Playing

Bottle Rocket: Official Clip - Bob Mapplethorpe, Potential Getaway Driver

2:12

Now Playing

Bottle Rocket: Official Clip - It Was for Exhaustion

1:37

Now Playing

View more videos

Booty Call

31%

59%

Booty Call

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Booty Call

Mo' Money

16%

51%

Mo' Money

Watchlist

Big Trouble

14%

24%

Big Trouble

Watchlist

Neighbors

57%

50%

Neighbors

Watchlist

Stripes

67%

78%

Stripes

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Stripes

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Top 5 Freshest Wes Anderson Movies

1:33

Now Playing

Bottle Rocket: Trailer 1

2:43

Now Playing

View more videos

View more photos

Synopsis

In Wes Anderson's first feature film, Anthony has just been released from a mental hospital, only to find his wacky friend Dignan determined to begin an outrageous crime spree. After recruiting their neighbor, Bob, the team embarks on a road trip in search of Dignan's previous boss, Mr. Henry. But the more they learn, the more they realize that they do not know the first thing about crime.

Director: Wes Anderson
Producer: Cynthia Hargrave, Polly Platt
Screenwriter: Owen Wilson, Wes Anderson
Distributor: Columbia Pictures
Production Co: Gracie Films, Columbia Pictures Corporation
Rating: R
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 21, 1996, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 18, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $488.6K
Runtime: 1h 31m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby SR

Join The Newsletter

Join The Newsletter

Cookie Settings