This animated film is loosely based on Roald Dahl's 1970 novel Fantastic Mr Fox. It also borrows some elements from Danny, the Champion of the World (1973) by the same author. The screenplay was written by American screenwriters Wes Anderson (who also directed and co-produced) and Noah Baumbach.

The original novel was set in England. It could be assumed that the film is set in North America by the presence of Kylie the opossum (opossums are only found in the Americas), but this is never made explicitly clear. All of the animals speak with American accents whereas the humans speak with English accents; this was a conscious decision made by Wes Anderson, as discussed on Radio Four's the Film Programme (23 October 2009). On the other hand, Franklin Bean's station wagon's steering column is on the right side of the vehicle.

Probably a ferret, based on evidence from page 82 of The Making of Fantastic Mr. Fox, a book by Wes Anderson, revealing that Coach Skip is probably a ferret. The book doesn't explicitly state his species, but "early concept designs [drawings]...by Félicie [Haymoz]" also appear to be that of a ferret.

"Street Fighting Man" by The Rolling Stones. The rest of the songs with their corresponding scenes can be found at what-song.