15 Will Ferrell Movie, Ranked (Yes, Even the Weird Ones)
Will Ferrell has made a career out of playing loud and kind of clueless characters, and somehow, it never gets old. There have been massive comedies that ruled the box office, and even smaller, strange films that left people scratching their heads. His movies cover a lot of ground, including sports, music, holiday chaos, and the occasional bizarre deep cut.
And while not everything he’s made is a classic, every role he played shows just how far he’s willing to go for a laugh. Let’s check out some of the most well-known Ferrell’s movies that always bring something unexpected.
15. Holmes & Watson (2018)
Credit: IMDb
Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly teamed up to play the famous detective duo. Instead of clever sleuthing, the movie relied on loud gags and slapstick. Of course, the case remained unsolved due to all the yelling and jokes that fell flat. It was a weird movie, even though they were trying to make a funny parody.
14. Bewitched (2005)
Credit: IMDb
This remake had a star-studded cast and Nora Ephron in charge, so it looked like it would be a hit. Instead, it jumped back and forth between comedy and romance. Ferrell plays an actor who is stuck in a magical mess, but the movie’s identity crisis can’t be fixed by his charm alone.
13. Spirited (2022)
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Have you ever thought about what A Christmas Carol would be like if it had more musical numbers and Ryan Reynolds and Will Ferrell sang together? This movie is your answer. Ferrell is the Ghost of Christmas Present, trying to teach lessons through song and dance. It’s fun in places, though not a bad Christmas movie!
12. Casa de Mi Padre (2012)
Credit: IMDb
“I will die for honor… and maybe for love.” Ferrell delivers this line in perfect Spanish, and he means it. This straight-faced telenovela spoof sees him as a rancher caught in a melodramatic tale of romance and crime. Even though the jokes are somewhat repetitive, Ferrell’s flawless delivery maintains its brilliantly bizarre quality.
11. Everything Must Go (2010)
Credit: IMDb
This movie was a complete departure from Ferrell’s usual schtick, as he traded wild comedy for a dramatic role. He plays a man whose life falls apart slowly. Since his ex-wife kicked him out, he sells his stuff at a yard sale to deal with his loss instead of hiding away behind the pain.
10. The Campaign (2012)
Credit: IMDb
Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis face off in a down-and-dirty political brawl. While the satire goes from being sharp to being silly, Ferrell’s clueless, scandal-plagued candidate keeps it grounded. If you are tired of the political viewpoint, you’ll love how this movie perfectly captures the circus of modern elections.
9. The Other Guys (2010)
Credit: IMDb
What happens when two cops who couldn’t be more different end up as partners? Pure chaos. Mark Wahlberg plays the hothead, Ferrell plays the desk-loving oddball, and together they unravel a case bigger than either of them expected. It’s action-packed, hilarious, and smarter than it first appears.
8. Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues (2013)
Credit: IMDb
Ron Burgundy steps back into the world of 24-hour news, and the chaos only grows. This role had Farrell doing bigger and stranger things than the first, sometimes too much. His total commitment to Burgundy’s clueless bravado keeps it wildly watchable and endlessly quotable.
7. Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2006)
Credit: IMDb
Ricky Bobby lives for speed, glory, and the occasional bizarre dinner-table prayer. Ferrell does a good job as a NASCAR superstar whose ego is out of control. With John C. Reilly by his side and Sacha Baron Cohen as a flamboyant rival, this movie is comedy gold.
6. Elf (2003)
Credit: IMDb
Ferrell’s Buddy the Elf is pure joy wrapped in green felt. His innocence and physical comedy make this classic the perfect holiday movie for years to come. It’s not often that a family movie is still funny after all these years.
5. Old School (2003)
Credit: IMDb
Will Ferrell’s Frank “The Tank” starts out mild-mannered but turns into the wildest guy in the room after one beer bong. His over-the-top antics steal the spotlight and made the role one of Ferrell’s biggest early successes.
4. Blades of Glory (2007)
Credit: IMDb
Two disgraced figure skaters team up to become the world’s first male-male pair. Ferrell’s macho bravado paired with Jon Heder’s awkward charm creates plenty of laughs, and the flashy costumes and absurd routines are worthy of the film’s over-the-top premise.
3. Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
Credit: IMDb
“I’m kind of a big deal.” WiRon Burgundy became famous after that one dialogue. Ferrell’s portrayal of the clueless news anchor is legendary. The ensemble cast and 1970s newsroom setting made this film a defining moment in modern comedy.
2. The Step Brothers (2008)
Credit: IMDb
Ferrell and John C. Reilly play middle-aged man-children with sibling rivalry. Their growing feud and then their equally strange bond make for a movie that is both crazy and oddly heartfelt. No wonder this is one of Ferrell’s most famous roles and one that people love to quote.
1. Despicable Me 4 (2024)
Credit: IMDb
“Maxime Le Mal always wins!” Ferrell brings a lot of talent to his first role in this animated franchise by voicing a villain with flair and arrogance. Even though he’s only a voice, his performance still stands out.