Saturday Night Live has always been a breeding ground for comedic talent, including Will Ferell. His outrageous gags, commitment to comedy, and boundless energy brought him from TV to film. If you can’t get enough of this guy’s amusing humor, check out the 11 Best Will Ferell movies in this article.
More About Will Ferell
Born John William Ferell, Will is not only an actor but also a writer and producer. His first foray into comedy was when he was a student at his Irvine, California, high school.
Everyone in the school loved the funny morning announcements he made using different voices. After graduating with a sports journalism degree, he became a local cable sports broadcaster. Then he studied comedy acting and trained with the Groundlings, an LA improv comedy group.
Will first started in Hollywood as a cast member in Saturday Night Light or SNL. He performed in the iconic sketch comedy show for seven years. His impersonations in the show of Jeopardy’s Alex Trebek, President George Bush, and singer Neil Diamond were all memorable.
He’s part of a generation of exceptional comedians that started to make waves in the 90s and the 2000s. Known as the “Frat Pack,” this generation of funny guys includes Ben Stiller, Steve Carell, Paul Rudd, and Jack Black.
Receiving nominations or awards as a comedian can be pretty challenging. However, Will Ferell managed to obtain a notable few, including the following:
- Emmy Awards nomination for his performances in Saturday Night Live
- Golden Globe nominations for his role in The Producers (2005) and Stranger than Fiction (2006)
- Golden Globe nomination as a producer for Vice (2018)
- Best Comedian 2015 at the British GQ Men of the Year Awards
This list will come in handy if you’re raring to go on a Will Ferell movie marathon.
1. Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
English 1h 34m IMDb
Director: Adam McKay
Stars: Will Ferrell, Christina Applegate, Steve Carell
This iconic Will Ferell comedy follows the life of Ron Burgundy. He’s a San Diego anchorman whose career peaked during the 70s. Ron’s on top of his game until the arrival of ambitious reporter Veronica Corningstone played by Christina Applegate.
At first, Ron welcomes the “eye candy” in the newsroom. However, when Veronica gets fed up covering cooking traditional female topics, the battle for the anchor position begins.
If you’re looking for nonstop laughter, then stream Anchorman today. It perfectly spoofs the 1970s news industry and the whole decade in general. You’ll be amazed at how the creators managed to get every detail right.
2. Elf (2003)
English 1h 37m IMDb
Director: Jon Favreau
Stars: Will Ferrell, James Caan, Bob Newhart
The movie follows the story of Buddy, a man raised by elves. As a baby in an orphanage, he sneaked into Santa’s sack and unknowingly went with him to the North Pole. Santa allowed him to find his birth father in New York City when he became an adult. His father deserved to be on Santa’s naughty list for being mean and heartless.
Elf is a classic Christmas movie that you won’t mind watching yearly. Buddy’s city adventures as a clueless elf were both endearing and hilarious. The cinematography and striking locations perfectly captured the iconic New York holiday vibe.
3. Step Brothers (2008)
English 1h 38m IMDb
Director: Adam McKay
Stars: Will Ferrell, John C. Reilly, Mary Steenburgen
The story revolves around two slackers, Dale Doback and Brennan Huff. They became step brothers when Dale’s dad married Brennan’s mom. Since the men still live with their parents, they’re forced to share a room.
A riot ensues since they can’t get along. Until one day, their love for music (and John Stamos) leads to an unusual friendship. However, other domestic events and family complicated the situation further.
Will Ferell and John Reilly have incredible chemistry in this movie. The plot may be silly, but it’s entertaining, nonetheless. It’s consistently hilarious throughout, and there is no dull moment.
4. Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2006)
English 1h 48m IMDb
Director: Adam McKay
Stars: Will Ferrell, John C. Reilly, Sacha Baron Cohen
This movie revolves around the life of Ricky Bobby, a number one NASCAR driver. He stays on top with the help of his teammate and best friend, Cal. He’s rich, famous, and life is good.
However, the dynamics changed with the arrival of French Formula One driver Jean Girard. Ricky’s skills and devotion are challenged as his new contender fights his way to the top.
This movie is a fantastic spoof on the NASCAR racing circuit. You’ll be entertained by the goofy antics and witty punchlines even if you’re not a race fan. Will Ferell did a fantastic job as the silly and absurd Ricky Bobby.
5. Old School (2003)
English 1h 28m IMDb
Director: Todd Phillips
Stars: Luke Wilson, Vince Vaughn, Will Ferrell
The movie is about three friends, Frank, Mitch, and Beanie, who are disillusioned by the state of their personal lives. They started a fraternity with the hopes of reliving their college glory days.
The guys used Mitch’s on-campus house as their headquarters and recruited misfits and losers as part of their group. A riot ensues as they dodge the dean’s eviction.
Old School gave birth to the “Frat Pack,” the generation of iconic 2000s comedians. The group included Will Ferell, Luke Wilson, and Vince Vaugh, the film stars. Their chemistry in this film was off the charts.
6. Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga (2020)
English 2h 3m IMDb
Director: David Dobkin
Stars: Will Ferrell, Rachel McAdams, Dan Stevens
Since they were kids, Lars and Sigrit dreamt of performing at the Eurovision Song Contest. When officials chose them to represent Iceland at the world’s biggest music competition, they felt it was the start of great things. However, several events proved that sometimes you must fight hard for your dreams.
The costumes, location, and music perfectly combined to make this highly-entertaining film. Fans appreciate the feel-good element of the film, especially during the trying times of 2020. Will Ferell and Rachel McAdams gave heartwarming performances you’ll surely enjoy.
7. The Other Guys (2010)
English 1h 47m IMDb
Director: Adam McKay
Stars: Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg, Derek Jeter
Will Ferell plays Allen Gamble, a detective afraid to take risks. Together with Terry Holtz (Mark Wahlberg), they were designated ” the other guys .”They don’t do the usual action-packed police work.
Instead, they file paperwork for the two hotshots in the station. However, when the reluctant duo had to work on a high-profile case, they had to set aside their differences.
This movie isn’t the typical Will Ferell goofy film. Even if the comedy is more subdued, it’s still funny nonetheless. It has several quotable lines that fans still remember after all these years.
8. Stranger Than Fiction (2006)
English 1h 53m IMDb
Director: Marc Forster
Stars: Will Ferrell, Emma Thompson, Dustin Hoffman
In this film, Will Ferell plays Harold Crick, an IRS agent who has a dull and monotonous life. One day, he hears a voice in his head narrating what’s happening in his life. He realizes that the voice was a famous author. The narration was extraordinarily accurate, so he convinces her to change the story when the story leads to his demise.
This movie has an incredibly unique storyline. Its combination of comedy and emotional moments makes it a memorable masterpiece. The artistic visuals, camera angles, and color contrasts added to its mesmerizing effect.
9. Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues (2013)
English 1h 59m IMDb
Director: Adam McKay
Stars: Will Ferrell, Christina Applegate, Paul Rudd
A list of best Will Ferell movies won’t be complete without Anchorman 2. In this hilarious sequel, Ron Burgundy returns and reunites with his news team. Brick, Champ, and Brian.
After living in New York City, he returns to San Diego for another shot at redemption. His new stint at the Global News Network resulted in some hilarious events and typical Ron Burgundy flair.
If the first installment was a parody of the news industry, this was a spoof of cable news networks. Will Ferell, Steve Carell, and Paul Rudd’s comedic timing were perfect, making it an entertaining watch.
10. Blades of Glory (2007)
English 1h 33m IMDb
Director: Josh Gordon, Will Speck
Stars: Will Ferrell, Jon Heder, Amy Poehler
When the rivalry between top male figure skaters led to a fight during an awarding ceremony, officials banned them from competing for life. After three years, they’re set to compete again, but this time as the first male-male duo. They had to overcome their opponents’ dirty tricks and hatred toward each other.
While the film may have a predictable “rise, fall, and rise again” theme, it managed to entertain with witty dialogue and storyline. Ferell and Feder’s exchange of energy makes it a hilarious watch. The outlandish costumes and the skating routines complete this memorable movie.
11. Daddy’s Home (2015)
English 1h 36m IMDb
Director: Sean Anders
Stars: Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg, Linda Cardellini
Will Ferell plays Brad Whitaker, a stepdad to two kids. He badly wishes for his stepkids to show him love and treat him like a real dad. When he thinks he’s making some progress, the biological father, Dusty, arrives. The two dads competing for the kids’ attention leads to hilarious events.
This movie is Will Ferell and Mark Wahlberg’s cinematic reunion. They still have great chemistry, and both played opposite roles well. It also touches on the struggles of fatherhood and what it means to be a good dad.
Conclusion
Maybe this article’s 11 Best Will Ferell movies can help if you’re feeling blue or stressed. They’re filled with witty lines and goofy antics that can make you laugh. They’re timeless comedy classics you can enjoy watching with family and friends. You can even use them to bond with your kids, especially the older ones.
