Step Brothers, an all-time comedy classic
List compiled by Eddie on 09/02/2024
His particular bag of tricks may not be for everyone but love or hate him, there’s little denying the fact that American comedian/actor Will Ferrell changed the face of Hollywood comedies through a hot streak in the early 2000’s that lasted the better part of a decade.
A name associated with the man-child persona that become a staple of mainstream comedy and also the ad-libbing craze that saw the likes of Oprah Winfrey and Tom Cruise have their names used liberally, Ferrell often has aimed fairly low-brow but there’s also a subtle genius too much of his more referred work that is not always fully appreciated.
Across his time as a household name Ferrell has also dabbled in films that may not have been huge financial or critical successes at the time but their films that have grown in reputation and a film such as Stranger Than Fiction acted as a fine showcase for a performer that is much more than he at times lets on.
Gifting us with countless hours of entertainment and endlessly quotable sayings that have entrenched themselves in popular culture and everyday use, Ferrell is a unique and creative mainstream player who’s many wins far outweigh his ample missteps.
Below is a list of films that can be considered Ferrell’s best, based on the product as a whole not solely on Ferrell’s individual performance.
Happy reading and happy watching.
Ferrell dialled it way back in the little seen indie Everything Must Go
10. Everything Must Go (2010)
Ferrell Plays – Nick Halsey
A small film that is often the forgotten entry in Ferrell’s long-standing CV of feature films, Everything Must Go is by no means groundbreaking but Dan Rush’s small-scale character study gives Ferrell a nice chance to dial it down and showcase to us all that his more than a screaming man-child.
Best Quote – “I’m no different than any of you. I just don’t hide in my house”
9. Megamind (2010)
Ferrell Plays – (voice of) Megamind
A rare animated film that centres around a villain, Megamind is a unique and often imaginative offering that makes great use of its A-list voice cast that also includes Brad Pitt, Jonah Hill and Tina Fey. While it’s not always spoken about in the same league as key animated heavy-hitters like Inside Out, Despicable Me or Coco, Megamind is a genre piece that time shouldn’t forget.
Best Quote – “There’s a benefit to losing: You get to learn from your mistakes”
8. The Other Guys (2010)
Ferrell Plays – Allen Gamble
Giving Ferrell a new partner in crime in the form of Mark Whalberg, The Other Guys may be excessively silly and unashamedly over the top but there’s little denying that this buddy cop comedy strikes more than it misses on its way to delivering some of the late 2000’s most memorable gags. RIP Samuel L. Jackson and The Rock.
Best Quote – “At age 11, I audited my parents. Believe me, there were some discrepancies, and I was grounded”
7. Old School (2003)
Ferrell Plays – Frank
A frat boy classic with a fresh middle aged men spin, Old School has become something of a minor comedy classic as many of its key comedic sequences have seeped into the mainstream. There’s not many more iconic early 2000 comedy moments than witnessing Will Ferrell’s game Frank go on a solo streaking run in the middle of the night.
Best Quote – “We’re going streaking!”
6. Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2006)
Ferrell Plays – Ricky Bobby
Gifting us with one of the greatest and unexpected comedy duos of the modern era in the form of Ferrell and John C. Reilly, Talladega Nights is not high brow stuff but even the most po-faced of viewers would be hard pressed not to crack a regular smile at the antics of racecar drivers Ricky Bobby and Cal Naughton Jr. Extra credit to one of the great dinner table scenes of all time.
Best Quote – “If you ain’t first, you’re last”
Stranger Than Fiction remains Ferrell’s crowning dramatic achievement
5. Stranger Than Fiction (2006)
Ferrell Plays – Harold Crick
Slept on a little on initial release, Marc Forster’s well-liked and cult favourite Stranger Than Fiction features Will Ferrell’s best singular performance as the awkward and likeable Harold Crick. Making use of a unique concept and giving us laughs that goes hand in hand with strong dramatic beats, Fiction is a film well worth revisiting or discovering for any viewers looking for a something with a difference.
Best Quote – “I may already be dead, just not typed”
4. Zoolander (2001)
Ferrell Plays – Mugatu
Lets just forget the terrible sequel never happened and we live in a world where Ben Stiller’s 2001 Zoolander is the only time we saw the clueless male model and his best friend Hansel get caught up in a range of shenanigans. A film that become a pop culture phenomenon for good reason, Zoolander is dumb comedy at its best.
Best Quote – “It’s that damn Hansel! He’s so hot right now!”
3. Elf (2003)
Ferrell Plays – Buddy
The film that launched Will Ferrell’s leading man credentials into the next dimension and showcased a family friendly side to the performer we hadn’t previously seen, Elf was a surprise box office and critical smash that has become an X-mas favourite the world over. One of the most enjoyable family offerings of the 2000’s.
Best Quote – “We elves try to stick to the four main food groups: candy, candy canes, candy corns, and syrup”
2. Step Brothers (2008)
Ferrell Plays – Brennan Huff
If you don’t find a way to laugh during Step Brothers I’m not sure you’re ever going to find life humorous in any way, shape or form. Peak Ferrell and Reilly, watching the two actors go toe to toe as two middle-aged man childs is a sight to behold gifting us viewers with some of the most endlessly quotable and unforgettable comedy moments of all time. Drumkits were never the same after this film came and went.
Best Quote – “I was watching Cops”
1. Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
Ferrell Plays – Ron Burgundy
The crowning achievement of Ferrell’s big screen comedy offerings, Anchorman firmly established Ferrell’s ad-libbing and famed personna that made him the biggest name in Hollywood comedics for the better part of a decade. A film many have gone back to multiple times and continue to use as inspiration for everyday quotes and quips, Anchorman is legendary stuff that deserves its place amongst the kings of feature film comedies.
Best Quote – “I’m in a glass case of emotion”
Ron Burgundy and his legendary crew in full flight
What is your favourite Will Ferrell movie? Let me know in the comments below!
Jordan and Eddie (The Movie Guys) 
Love Stranger Than Fiction, great performances, interesting premise, I watched it when I was finishing a Writing degree and perfect timing for some off-the-wall scripting.
Obviously, love Ferrell to! Anchorman forever embedded in my brain. Especially that quote, and so many more.
A film that has really grown in reputation over time it seems. Wish Ferrell would do more roles like it.
E
Stranger Than Fiction is my favourite one here. Most of the others are not the type of humour I like.
His antics are certainly for a specific taste. I grew up around his work so have a soft spot for him but can see why many don’t love it.
E
Love the list! Personally, I’ve never been a big fan of Will Ferrell. I don’t find his brand of humor to be funny. That being said, I really enjoyed his turn recently in “Barbie”. Here’s my review of Greta Gerwig’s Oscar-nominated film: https://huilahimovie.reviews/2023/08/12/barbie-2023-movie-review/
I think there is more too him than he has sometimes let on. I hope he continues to get involved in projects that showcases that different side to his man baby humor.
E