Although filmed in New York, director Wes Anderson didn't want to include any of the city's landmarks, particularly its famous skyline. In the scene when Royal and Pagoda meet in the park on the waterfront (Battery Park), Anderson went so far as to place Pagoda so he blocked any view of the Statue of Liberty in the harbor.

The name of the familly and the movie came from Brian Tenenbaum, a friend of Wes Anderson, the director, Owen Wilson and Luke Wilson. He also plays one of the paramedics in the accident scene.

When Richie visits Elie, there's a huge blurred pile of adult films near the television and many plants in another room, presumably marijuana.

In the closeup of Chas' hand with a pellet lodged between its knuckles it's not Ben Stiller's, but Andrew Wilson's hand, brother of Owen and Luke Wilson. When they were children, Owen fired a pellet gun at Andrew's hand.

The character of Etheline Tenenbaum is based on director Wes Anderson's mother, who became an archaeologist after the divorce with his father.

Every time they take a cab, it's a very beat-up Gypsy cab, and every time a bus is taken, it's a Greenline.

Etheline Tenenbaum's glasses belonged to director Wes Anderson's mother.

The announcers at Richie's tennis match are actually director Wes Anderson, and Luke and Owen Wilson's brother, Andrew.