Few actors can boast as wide-ranging a filmography as Will Ferrell, but his movie career had humble beginnings.
Although Ferrell played it relatively safe initially, he quickly showed he wasn’t risk-averse.
There are two sides to the USC grad’s film career.
‘A Night at the Roxbury’.Everett Collection
With that in mind, here’s EW’s ranking of the 15 best Will Ferrell movies.
Where to streamA Night at the Roxbury: Amazon Prime Video
14.
Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997)
Yeah, yeah, we get it.
New Line
Though the role of Mustafa was small, it’s even more impactful upon reflection.
Ferrell wasn’t THE Will Ferrell in 1997 whenInternational Man of Mysterycame out.
At the time the film was released, he was finishing his second year onSaturday Night Live.
John Estes/Roadside Attractions
So watching Ferrell as Mustafa after the fact is like looking into a comedy time machine.
Evil’s cat, Mr. Bigglesworth, losing his hair.
As punishment, Mustafa is dropped into a fire pit and eventually shot.
Patti Perret/Warner Bros.
Both scenes were funny, goofy, and proved that even in small doses Ferrell has a big impact.
Where to rentAustin Powers: International Man of Mystery: Amazon Prime Video
13.
Locked out of his house, Nick creates a makeshift yard sale to sell all of his possessions.
Gemma LaMana/Paramount
Where to streamEverything Must Go: Vudu
12.
It was so popular it eventually led to the one-man Broadway showYou’re Welcome America.
A Final Night With George W. Bushin 2009 that acted as a swan song for the character.
Suzanne Hanover/Paramount
All the antics add up to a crazy, ridiculous, and humorous look at American politics.
Where to rentThe Campaign: Amazon Prime Video
11.
And so Will Ferrell and longtime collaboratorAdam McKaymade it happen…eventually.
Everett Collection
Where to streamAnchorman 2: The Legend Continues: Amazon Prime Video
10.
Where to rentBlades of Glory:Amazon Prime Video
9.
Where to streamZoolander: Hulu
8.
Richard Foreman/Dreamworks
Old School (2003)
“Yer my boy, Blue!”
Frank the Tank is one of Ferrell’s most memorable characters.
Where to streamOld School: Paramount+
7.
Warner Bros Pictures
It’s essentially the film version of the Harry Chapin song, “Cat’s in the Cradle.”
At first glance,The LEGO Movieseems like just another animated film for kids.
Everything IS awesome inThe LEGO Movie, including Ferrell’s performance.
Suzanne Hanover/Columbia Pictures
Ferrell’s Lord Business is a tyrant in the LEGO world.
Where to streamThe LEGO Movie: MAX
6.
He either wins or crashes his car at every race because he’ll only accept a binary result.
Macall Polay
Unfortunately for Ricky, his life soon comes crashing down, literally.
Where to streamTalladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby: Freevee
5.
The Other Guys (2010)
Forget Murtaugh and Riggs, Crockett and Tubbs, and Cagney and Lacey.
GEMMA LA MANA/Columbia
Where to streamThe Other Guys: Amazon Prime Video
4.
Step Brothers (2008)
For some,Step Brotherswasn’t a film that resonated right away.
Surprisingly, he’s not alone.
Will Ferrell as Buddy the Elf in ‘Elf’.Everett Collection
The best comedies, the ones that really have longevity, seem to work that way."
Or simply stated, always be yourself.
Where to streamStep Brothers: Hulu
3.
Frank Masi/DreamWorks
Buddy is a fish out of water and unintentionally ruffles plenty of feathers.
Where to rentElf: Amazon Prime Video
2.
Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
Surprisingly,Anchormanwas not a critical darling.
Ralph Nelson/Columbia
Most of the time, though, it’s not nasty enough."
Where to streamAnchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy: Paramount+
1.
Supporting characters clearly shine but it’s Ferrell that rightfully earns spotlight in this film.
Initially,Stranger Than Fictioncomes across as a typical Will Ferrell comedy.
After all, playing nebbish character’s is his speciality.
However, Harold is the most layered and complex role of the actor’s career to date.
Where to rentStranger Than Fiction: Amazon Prime Video
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