Major Wes Anderson retrospective unveiled at the Design Museum
Wes Anderson unveils a retrospective exhibition of his films, Credit: Matt Alexander/PA Media Assignments
The Design Museum in London has unveiled its major new Wes Anderson exhibition, a landmark retrospective of the work of one of the world’s most loved filmmakers.
Anderson has officially inaugurated the exhibition — titled Wes Anderson: The Archives — ahead of Friday’s public opening. He visited the museum and posed for photographs with the exhibition’s curators. Over 700 items are on show, and it marks the first time his archives have gone on display in the UK.
The Design Museum also reveals today that the exhibition will bring Anderson’s career right up to date, with objects on display from his most recent feature film: 2025’s The Phoenician Scheme.
The exhibition which opens to the public on Friday offers a look at the director’s carefully crafted archives and his signature filmmaking style. Credit: Matt Alexander/PA Media Assignments
Over two-dozen beautifully made items from the film are on show. These include a pipe from Dunhill and a bejewelled dagger made by contemporary artist and sculptor Harumi Klossowska de Rola.
Wes Anderson: The Archives at the Design Museum. Credit: Luke Hayes
Exhibition curators Lucia Savi and Johanna Agerman Ross said, “The inclusion of these objects from The Phoenician Scheme is a fitting conclusion to this expansive exhibition. Wes Anderson has collected objects throughout his career — the archives that form the backbone of this show are a testament to this instinct.
In his latest film, collecting plays a central role as the main character, Anatole ‘Zsa-zsa’ Korda, is himself a passionate collector of art, books, residences and businesses. So, we are thrilled that we can bring this latest chapter in Wes Anderson’s story to visitors.”
The museum also reveals that three additional short films will be screened in full. As well as the previously announced 14-minute Bottle Rocket short, visitors can enjoy Hotel Chevalier (2007), a prologue to The Darjeeling Limited, and Castello Cavalcanti (2013), made in collaboration with Prada.
Most recently, he directed The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and Three More (2023), a series of shorts adapted from Roald Dahl stories. One of the shorts in the series — The Swan — will be shown.
Wes Anderson. Copyright Searchlight Pictures. Credit: Charlie Gray
Seen together, the shorts screened in the exhibition chart Anderson’s evolving use of the format — and it is the first time in Britain they have been projected together.
Wes Anderson: The Archives
21 November 2025 – 26 July 2026
the Design Museum
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