The man, the myth, the legend (at least in my eyes): Jonathan Anderson. Anderson is, in my view, one of a kind – and a designer it’s easy to feel passionate about. But if you’re not well-versed in all things fashion, allow me to bring you up to speed.

He's Dior’s most recently appointed creative director, having previously spent a decade at Loewe, and also helming his namesake label, JW Anderson. He possesses an incredible creative mind – one that unravels and thinks in ways other creatives can only aspire to. So when every cinephile’s favourite platform, Letterboxd, interviewed Anderson about his four favourite films, we sit, listened, and took notes.

And they make perfect sense: many of the films and actors Anderson cites have since become recurring references in his work. The timing feels especially fitting, with his first Cruise collection for the house set to debut today — one that nods to Dior’s long-standing relationship with Hollywood, dating back to 1947.

Want to learn more? Or perhaps, like us, discover new films to hyper-fixate on? Keep reading for Jonathan Anderson's four favourite films...

Best in Show (2000)

What he said: "I probably have watched [this film] more than 100 times. I think every single character in it is fantastic. Jennifer Coolidge — I got to know very well — I like her in every film that she's in. "We both like soup" is probably one of the greatest lines in a film. I don't know, there's something about the film which I think changes the trajectory of films afterwards. It does something to sort of [change] mainstream cinema."

Stranger by the Lake (2013)

What he said: "I think it's one of the greatest horrors somehow, in a sunbathed way. Very sexual, very beautifully shot."

God's Own Country (2017)

What he said: "I think it's something that I could really relate to. This idea of looking at queer culture through a different lens. I grew up on a farm, so it had sort of synergies that I really understood, and it was really kind of the both of my friendship with Josh (O'Connor). I've worked with him for over ten years now. He's a very, very, very dear friend, and I think one of the greatest actors."

Challengers (2024)

What he said: "First time ever doing costume for a film. Luca (Guadagnino), who is my best friend, he convinced me to do it, and it was just amazing to be able to work with Josh, Zendaya, Mike (Faist). It was kind of a whole family just after Covid in Boston, working on a tennis film, which I knew nothing about!"

Feature image via Instagram.