Though never finishing his UT degree, Owen Wilson used his Longhorn experiences and connections such as Wes Anderson to leave a mark on the film industry. The Daily Texan compiled a list of films starring the former Longhorn to distract from back-to-homework dread.

“Bottle Rocket”

A special movie not only because it makes for Wilson’s first feature film but also because it was the first made alongside longtime friend and UT roommate Wes Anderson, dramedy “Bottle Rocket” follows funnily frazzled friends who take on multiple chaotic robberies. Wilson plays Dignan, a man desperate to accomplish a robbery alongside his troubled friends Bob and Anthony. Co-starring his brother Luke Wilson, the chemistry between the Wilson brothers’ characters Dignan and Anthony proved one of the best parts of the movie.

“Zoolander”

Though arguably not his most thought-provoking film, “Zoolander” makes for a classically great movie to watch just for the fun of it. Starring alongside Ben Stiller as Zoolander and Will Ferrell as Mugatu, Wilson’s character,  Hansel, pokes fun at the world of fashion and its sometimes misguided and vain professionals. Zoolander’s and Hansel’s shared ridiculousness, while not consistently funny, made for a handful of viral scenes.

“Midnight in Paris”

Written and directed by Woody Allen, “Midnight in Paris” stars Wilson as Gil Pender, a writer who travels to Paris with his fiancee (Rachel McAdams) and her family. Though a vacation should have brought them closer, the trip to Paris exposes the couple’s mutual discontent with one another. Gil’s dissatisfaction is only further emphasized as he fantastically travels back in time to 1920s Paris each night at midnight surrounded by artists of the Lost Generation that he can resonate with.

“Shanghai Noon”

An unlikely great pairing, Wilson stars as an American western outlaw named Roy alongside a Chinese imperial guard named Chon Wang (Jackie Chan). The two meet initially at odds when Wang travels to America to retrieve China’s Princess Pei Pei. Wang and Roy eventually find common ground in their enemies and join forces to retrieve the princess from a labor camp she ran away to in the States. Throughout their adventure, the two share harmonious banter that makes the story more enjoyable. 

“The Darjeeling Limited”

“The Darjeeling Limited” serves as a beautiful film brought again through the collaboration of Wilson and Wes Anderson. It tells the story of three brothers struggling to reconnect with one another while also working out their individual issues in the wake of their father’s death. Wilson plays the eldest brother, Francis, who lovingly fights to keep his brothers by his side on a month-long trip traveling by the Darjeeling Limited train.