5 Must-See Anthology Movies to Watch Right Now

Director Yorgos Lanthimos and actress Emma Stone’s latest collaboration, Kinds of Kindness, is currently playing in theaters. Like their previous works, 2018’s The Favourite and 2023’s Poor Things, the film is darkly funny, violent, and sexually explicit. It fits seamlessly into the growing collection of projects by Stone and Lanthimos. However, there is one notable difference: Kinds of Kindness, unlike the previous films, is an anthology piece.

The film is comprised of three loosely connected stories with the same actors playing different roles in each segment. While unique in Lanthimos’ filmography, Kinds of Kindness is part of a rich tradition of anthology movies in cinema, known for their experimental and artistic nature.

One such example is Creepshow (1982), directed by George A. Romero and written by Stephen King. This cult classic in the horror genre tells five standalone stories, presented as the contents of an in-universe horror comic. Renowned for its practical effects by legendary makeup artist Tom Savini, Creepshow delivers tales of ghostly revenge, alien invasion, intense fears, and monsters with an unbridled sense of enjoyment. It’s regarded as one of the most beloved horror anthology films ever and can be rented or purchased on Amazon Prime Video.

Another noteworthy anthology film is Akira Kurosawa’s Dreams (1990). This late-career achievement by the Japanese filmmaker presents eight cinematic vignettes inspired by his recurring dreams. The film is both personal and universal, featuring some of the most captivating imagery ever captured on film. With moments that stay with you long after watching, Dreams is an absorbing piece that stands out as both an inspiring look into Kurosawa’s mind and a significant cinematic work. You can stream Dreams on Tubi.

Hou Hsiao-hsien’s Three Times (2005) is another remarkable anthology film. Starring Shu Qi and Chang Chen, it explores three different eras of Taiwanese history and features three sets of lovers. The film’s structure, combined with Hsiao-Hsien’s signature long camera shots, creates a lyrical quality that resonates deeply. The first story, set in the mid-60s, is considered one of the world’s greatest short films. Three Times explores how connections and love evolve with time, and it was a major influence on Barry Jenkins’ 2016 drama Moonlight. Currently, Three Times can only be watched on DVD.

Joel and Ethan Coen’s The Ballad of Buster Scruggs (2018) is another memorable anthology film. Criticized at its release for not being one of the Coens’ best works, it is nonetheless a standout film. With six separate vignettes set in the American West, the film is alternately hilarious, heartbreaking, and terrifying. It uses the Coens’ signature storytelling style to both parody and pay tribute to the Old West’s violent absurdity and earnest optimism. The film’s fifth story, The Gal Who Got Rattled, is particularly noteworthy. The Ballad of Buster Scruggs is streaming now on Netflix.

Lastly, Wes Anderson’s The French Dispatch (2021) exemplifies the director’s unique, dollhouse-like style. The film tells the history of a fictional magazine through four stories brought to life in stunning black-and-white and color sequences. Featuring a cast of Anderson’s favorite actors, including Bill Murray, Adrien Brody, and Tilda Swinton, the film was initially met with lukewarm reviews but deserves a closer look. It may not be Anderson’s greatest film, but it is another rewatchable, singular dramedy with unforgettable performances, especially from Benicio del Toro, Frances McDormand, and Jeffrey Wright. The French Dispatch is streaming on Hulu.

Source: Digital Trends