Will Ferrell Movies
Another member of the Saturday Night Live Screen Actors Guild, Will Ferrell made his major film debut as Steve Butabi, one of the spectacularly clueless brothers who serve as the protagonists of A Night at the Roxbury (1998). The character originated on SNL, where Ferrell had been a regular since 1995, entertaining audiences with his celebrity impressions and such characterizations as Craig the Spartan Cheerleader and junior high-school teacher Marty Culp.Born in Irvine, CA, on July 16, 1967, Ferrell attended the University of Southern California, graduating with a degree in sports information. Following graduation, he worked as a sportscaster on a weekly cable show, but he soon found his interests leaning toward acting and standup comedy. He enrolled in classes and workshops given at a local community college, and after only a year of training, he was invited to join the Groundlings, an infamous L.A. comedy improv group. Ferrell's involvement with the Groundlings led to his SNL discovery; from that point on, the previously unknown comic found himself enjoying growing recognition and a steady paycheck.
Although A Night at the Roxbury turned out to be a complete and utter flop, it did little to prevent Ferrell from finding more screen work; the following year, he could be seen as journalist Bob Woodward in Dick and as the object of fellow SNL castmate Molly Shannon's unwanted affection in Superstar. A series of scene-stealing supporting roles followed for Ferrell in such films as Drowning Mona, Zoolander, and, most-notably, Old School. In the 2003 Todd Phillips film, Ferrell sunk his teeth into the role of Frank "The Tank", delivering several lines that would forever be quoted by frat guys the world over.
But it was Ferrell's other 2003 film that truly announced his arrival as a Hollywood star. As the oversized titular character in director Jon Favreau's holiday comedy Elf, Ferrell delighted audiences and critics alike, making the modestly-budgeted film a surprise box-office smash.
In the wake of Elf's success, Ferrell's 2004 plate was full, starring as fictional '70s TV newscaster Ron Burgundy in Anchorman (a film which had enough outtakes to merit an entire second feature upon being released to home video), taking a role in the Woody Allen's Melinda and Melinda, and signing on for lead roles in two long-anticipated projects: the filmed adaptation of John Kennedy Toole's cult novel A Confederacy of Dunces and the big-screen version of the classic sitcom Bewitched. Though the curse that had plagued the big-screen adaptation of Confederacy seemed to persist when, by mid-2006, there still seemed to be no signs that the film would be going before the cameras anytime soon, Ferrell continued to crack-up audiences with a hilarious cameo in the popular Vince Vaughn/Owen Wilson comedy Weddng Crashers, as well as a memorable turn in The Producers - a big screen adaptation of the smash Broadway hit that was inspired by Mel Brooks' 1968 comedy classic of the same name.
Of course for true Ferrell fans, nothing compares to the opportunity to see the seasoned comic sink his teeth into an original character of his own creation. After lending his voice to the character of the Men in the Yellow Hat in the feature animated effort Curious George, the breakout SNL star re-teamed with Anchorman co-writer and director Adam McKay for Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby the tale of a popular NASCAR driver whose comfortable lead on the track is challenged by a lead-footed French rival (played by Da Ali G Show star Sasha Baron Cohen). His fans turned out in full force, making the film one of the biggest successes of his career, and prompting talk that he would immediately reteam with co-star John C. Riley in a comedy titled Step Brothers. The same year as Talladega, Ferrell co-starred alongside Oscar winners Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson in Stranger Than Fiction, as a fictional character who must try to contact the author (Thompson) trying to kill him. Staying true to his roots, Ferrell next opted for yet another sports comedy in Blades of Glory, starring with Napoleon Dynamite's John Heder as a macho figure skater who circumvents the consequences of being kicked out of the league for poor conduct by competing in the pairs circuit with another man. ~ Rebecca Flint Marx, Rovi
- 2013
The Other Guys's stars Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg reteam for this sports comedy about two families who have carried on a tradition of playing football in the park between their houses. When the patriarch of Wahlberg's downtrodden clan (played by Alec Baldwin) becomes deathly ill, his last wish is for sweet revenge on the football field at their annual Thanksgiving game. Robert Carlock and Scott Silveri provide the script. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, Rovi
Jeremy Renner and Gemma Arterton reimagine Hansel and Gretel grown-up as bounty hunters in this Paramount Pictures production. Will Ferrell's Gary Sanchez Prods. produces, with Dead Snow's Tommy Wirkola directing from a script by D.W. Harper. Famke Janssen co-stars. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, Rovi
- Starring:
- Jeremy Renner, Gemma Arterton, (more)
- 2012
- R
Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! stars Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim make the leap to the big screen in this anarchic comedy about two guys who watch their dreams of movie stardom going up in flames after blowing their unprecedented billion-dollar budget. Will Ferrell, Zach Galifianakis, John C. Reilly, Will Forte, and Jeff Goldblum star. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
The son (Will Ferrell) of a dead rancher unwittingly gets into a war with a local drug lord (Gael Garcia Bernal) after trying to settle his family's estate in this Spanish-language comedy from Gary Sanchez Productions. Frequent Ferrell collaborator Adam McKay (Step Brothers, The Other Guys) produces, with Funny or Die's Matt Piedmont handling direction duties. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, Rovi
- Starring:
- Will Ferrell
- 2012
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Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis star as rival presidential candidates in this comedy from director Jay Roach. Chris Henchy and Shawn Harwell provide the script, with Jason Sudeikis heading up the starring cast alongside Sarah Baker, Katherine LaNasa, Brian Cox, and John Lithgow. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, Rovi
- 2011
Kirsten Dunst, Isla Fisher and Lizzy Caplan star in this comedy about three dysfunctional friends who attempt to leave the past behind while serving as bridesmaids at the wedding of a girl they mocked mercilessly back in high school. As teenagers, Regan (Dunst), Gena (Caplan) and Katie (Fisher) used to call Becky (Rebel Wilson) Pig Face. A few years later, Becky is about to tie the knot, and calls on her taunting former classmates to join the wedding party. And though Regan is determined to give Becky a bachelorette bash she'll never forget, tart-tongued Gena has already started partying hard well before the big night, and capricious Katie seems to have her head stuck in the clouds. Later, as the ladies cut loose and the booze begins to flow, a mishap with the wedding dress sends the entire event spiraling out of control, leading to a wild night of debauchery that neither the bride nor her bridesmaids will ever forget. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
Will Ferrell offers his fans a change of pace as he takes on a rare dramatic role as a man struggling to hold his life together. Nick Halsey (Ferrell) was once a successful salesman with a happy marriage, but years of drinking are finally catching up with him, as he's fired from his job and his wife has decided she's had enough. Nick's wife has kicked him out of the house and moved all his possessions onto their front lawn; hoping retain a bit of dignity and maybe raise some cash as he plots his next move, Nick puts a yard sale sign on his stuff and tries to convince the neighbors (and the cops) that he's simply selling some junk he doesn't need anymore. As Nick makes believe he isn't homeless in between beers, he strikes up a friendship with a kid from the neighborhood (Christopher Jordan Wallace), tries to reconnect with a girl he loved in high school (Laura Dern), and bonds with his neighbor Samantha (Rebecca Hall), who is pregnant and struggling to get by while her husband is away on business. Based on a short story by Raymond Carver, Everything Must Go was the first feature film from director and screenwriter Dan Rush. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Starring:
- Will Ferrell, Christopher Jordan Wallace, (more)
Notorious Metro City villian Megamind (voice of Will Ferrell) becomes an unlikely savior to the troubled metropolis after defeating beloved do-gooder Metro Man (voice of Brad Pitt) and creating a new opponent who refuses to play by the rules. Megamind was only an infant when his parents loaded him into an emergency escape pod and jettisoned him into space just as their planet was being sucked into a black hole. His destination: planet Earth. Meanwhile, another slightly more wholesome baby sets out on the same trajectory. But while the latter will ultimately land in the home of a wealthy couple and grow up to become Metro Man, hero of Metro City, poor Megamind finds his fate taking the opposite course when his pod crashes in a prison yard, leaving him to be raised by convicts. Later, in grade school, the kids all flock to Metro Man, leaving a frustrated Megamind to embrace a life of diabolical misdeeds. As the years go by, Metro Man and Megamind develop an intense adversarial relationship that pits them in battle over Metro City time and again. Undeterred by his unbroken losing streak, Megamind hatches an ingenious scheme to finally destroy Metro Man by kidnapping pretty reporter Roxanne Ritchi (voice of Tina Fey), and luring the predictable hero into a deadly trap. Then something unexpected happens -- Megamind’s plan actually works. Now, with Metro Man out of the picture, Megamind and his Minion (voice of David Cross) stake their claim on Metro City. But what good is ultimate power when you don’t even have to fight for it? Realizing that life is simply out of balance without Metro Man to be the hero, Megamind creates a new foe who will be just as righteous and powerful as his fallen adversary. Unfortunately, Megamind’s schemes usually have a way of backfiring, and when Metro City’s newest savior proves even more evil than Megamind, the blue-hued antihero prepares to fight back with everything he's got. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Will Ferrell, Brad Pitt, (more)
- 2010
The new protector of Metro City faces the one foe that could cut his heroic reign short in this companion adventure to the hit animated feature Megamind. The diabolical items cluttering their evil lair no longer of use, Megamind (Will Ferrell) and Minion (David Cross) decide that everything must go -- everything except the Death Ray, of course. Meanwhile, Megamind reveals to the people of Metro City that he's created a special suit that gives him all of Metro Man's powers, and that he will use it to keep the city safe and secure. Later, while sifting through the items that didn't sell, Megamind stumbles across a mysterious red button, and pushes it. Suddenly, a forgotten robot named Mega-Megamind appears. Mistaking Megamind for Metro Man, it launches an all out attack on the wisecracking hero and his terrified sidekick. When Mega-Megamind proves to be an exceptional opponent, the only hope for ending the massive robot's rampage of destruction is to unleash another, much smaller robot that Minion had secretly stored for safe keeping. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Will Ferrell, David Cross, (more)
One teen's quest to lose his virginity is broadcast on the Internet for the entire world to see in this comedy from producers Will Ferrell and Adam McKay. Matt always wanted his first time to be special, but then his plan to lose his virginity with longtime girlfriend Nicole went horribly awry. Unfortunately for Matt, his friends were videotaping the entire thing, and before long the clip goes viral. Embarrassed and heartbroken, Matt finds his luck turning around when a pretty online admirer offers to be his first. But her offer comes with a list of stipulations, and as Matt prepares to take the plunge, his pals keep the camera rolling to catch every painfully awkward moment of his transition into manhood. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Matt Bennett, Zack Pearlman, (more)
A desk-jockey detective and his tough-talking partner get their moment to shine in this buddy police comedy starring Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg, and directed by Adam McKay (Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby). New York City detective Allen Gamble (Ferrell) is more comfortable pushing pencils than busting bad guys. A meticulous forensic accountant, his numbers are never off. Detective Terry Hoitz (Wahlberg) is Gamble's reluctant partner. Try as Detective Hoitz might to get back on the streets, an embarrassing encounter with Derek Jeter has left a sizable black mark on his permanent record. Detectives Danson (Dwayne Johnson) and Highsmith (Samuel L. Jackson) are the complete opposites of Gamble and Hoitz: unwaveringly confident, they always get their man, and they do it with style to spare. When the time comes for Gamble and Hoitz to prove their mettle and save the day, their incompetence becomes the stuff of legend. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg, (more)
- 2009
- Add Will Ferrell: You're Welcome, America: A Final Night With George W. Bush to QueueAdd Will Ferrell: You're Welcome, America: A Final Night With George W. Bush to top of Queue
Adapted from SNL alumni Will Ferrell's one-man Broadway show, this filmed performance finds the celebrated comic lampooning the 43rd President of the United States one last time before George W. Bush ends his eight-year term. From the former president's charmed childhood to his rowdy college years, his post-collegiate stint as co-owner of the Texas Rangers, and ultimate role as the leader of the free world, no aspect of Bush's life or career is immune from Ferrell's outrageous brand of political satire. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Will Ferrell
- 2009
A big league relief pitcher returns home to Shelby County, NC following a spectacular career flame out, accepting a job as a substitute gym teacher in this comedy series created by Danny McBride, Ben Best, and Jody Hill (The Foot Fist Way). Kenny Powers (McBride) was poised to rule the major league when his fading fastball and insufferable personality began to overshadow his game. Ejected from the sport after accusations of steroid use led to a major on-camera meltdown, Powers travels back to his hometown in North Carolina and reluctantly begins working as a substitute gym while living with his brother Dustin (John Hawkes). But while Kenny may be down, he's certainly not out, and despite the fact that his fame has all but dried up, he begins plotting his inevitable comeback between repeated rounds of heavy drinking. Katy Mixon, Jennifer Irwin, and John Hawkes co-star in a comedy series produced for HBO by Will Ferrell and Adam McKay's Gary Sanchez Productions. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
- 2009
A frustrated Kenny is ready to throw in the towel on his comeback dreams, but his major-league fire is reignited after a run-in with an old adversary (Craig Robinson) who's shilling for Ashley Schaeffer (Will Ferrell). ~ Joe Friedrich, Rovi
- 2009
Dismayed by the idea of selling his Jet Ski for extra money, Kenny seeks an endorsement deal from a car dealership, but the owner (Will Ferrell) makes some potentially dangerous demands.\ Later, Kenny and Clegg crash a middle-school dance. ~ Joe Friedrich, Rovi
This big-screen adaptation of Land of the Lost stars Will Ferrell as Dr. Rick Marshall, a quantum paleontologist who has been discredited in the scientific world due to his strident belief in time travel as the cure for all of humanity's problems. After hitting an all-time low, giving a lecture to elementary school kids, Dr. Marshall meets an ambitious young scientist named Holly (Anna Friel), who tells him she has followed all his work and believes he's a genius. Spurred on by her enthusiasm, he finishes building the device that will allow him to time travel -- something he promptly does along with Holly, and white-trash fireworks salesman Will (Danny McBride), after Will leads them into a cave that seems like a promising place to test the new machine. They end up in a world full of dinosaurs, sand, and scary lizard-like creatures known as Sleestacks. They quickly lose the machine that brought them to this alternate universe, and if they ever want to return home, the trio must recover it with the help of Chaka (Jorma Taccone), the monkey-like friend they make in this strange place. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi
- Starring:
- Will Ferrell, Danny McBride, (more)
- 2009
- R
- Add The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard to QueueAdd The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard to top of Queue
A smooth-talking jack-of-all-trades attempts to save a struggling car dealership from certain bankruptcy in this comedy starring Jeremy Piven, directed by Chappelle's Show creator Neal Brennan, and produced by Will Ferrell and Adam McKay's Gary Sanchez Productions. Don Ready (Piven) takes sales seriously; he's always up for a challenge, and he parties as hard as he works. Approached to help an ailing car dealership from falling into the red, Ready recruits a crew of his best men and descends upon the quiet town of Temecula determined to succeed. Before long the dealership is flourishing and Ready's crew are kings of the roost, but what happens when the man who made his mint by hustling cars meets the one woman who isn't charmed by his formidable skills as a salesman. Realizing this may be his one shot at true love, Ready starts working overtime to convince the woman of his dreams that he's the best bargain on the lot. Has the hustler finally found his soul, or is he so locked into his anything-goes lifestyle that there's no looking back? Ving Rhames, Ed Helms, James Brolin, and David Koechner co-star. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Jeremy Piven, Ving Rhames, (more)
The American Basketball Association is on the verge of collapse, and when a former NBA benchwarmer returns to his hometown of Flint, MI, to whip his former team into shape for the playoffs, redemption is just a free throw away in this period sports comedy starring Will Ferrell and Woody Harrelson. Penned by Old School scribe Scot Armstrong, Semi-Pro tells the tale of a 1970s-era basketball player who doesn't have much luck in the NBA, but vows to leave his mark on the sport by coaching the Flint Tropics. When the upstart ABA league agrees to be absorbed by the NBA, only four teams will be allowed in. Jackie Moon (Ferrell) must orchestrate a successful season both on the court, and financially off the court with the help of many odd promotional events, in order to remain in the sport he loves. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Will Ferrell, Woody Harrelson, (more)
Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby co-stars Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly re-team with that film's director, Adam McKay, to tell the tale of two pampered best friends whose single parents fall in love and decide to marry. McKay and Ferrell share screenwriting credits, and Judd Apatow and Jimmy Miller produce. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Will Ferrell, John C. Reilly, (more)
Will Ferrell, Jon Heder, and Will Arnett headline this high-concept comedy concerning two male figure-skating rivals aching to compete despite having been banned from the sport. Their medals stripped after getting into a highly publicized fight at the World Championships, star figure skaters Chazz Michael Michaels (Ferrell) and Jimmy MacElroy (Heder) are barred from ever competing in the sport again. Upon discovering a loophole that will allow them to perform together in the pairs figure skating category, the two athletes determine to put their differences aside in order to pursue their gold medal aspirations. Amy Poehler, Jenna Fischer, Craig T. Nelson, and Rob Corddry co-star. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Will Ferrell, Jon Heder, (more)
The comedy trio known as Lonely Island attempt their first feature-length comedy with Hot Rod. Andy Samberg stars as Rod Kimble, an inept would-be stuntman who believes his dad worked for daredevil Evel Knievel. His stepfather abuses him at every opportunity, but Rod keeps attempting tricks on his moped. After the stepfather becomes very ill, Rod gets the brilliant idea to attempt a stunt more dangerous that Knievel ever considered in order to raise the money to cure him. His master plan being that, after the stepfather improves, Rod will finally get his revenge and beat him in a fight. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi
- Starring:
- Andy Samberg, Isla Fisher, (more)
- 2006
- PG13
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When America's number one NASCAR speed-demon is issued a direct challenge from a gay, French Formula One racer with a hunger for the top spot and a mean talent for tight-cornering, the race is on to become the number one man in all of NASCAR in a full throttle comedy starring Will Ferrell and directed by Anchorman cohort Adam McKay. Ricky Bobby (Ferrell) is a national hero with a "smokin' hot" trophy wife, pair of borderline-abusively precocious sons, and an endless line of endorsement deals filling his mansion with toys and driveway with sports cars and Hummers. His racing partner and lifelong friend Cal Naughton, Jr. (John C. Reilly), never fails to provide him with a hand on the racetrack, frequently performing their trademark "slingshot" maneuver to shoot Ricky into first place, leaving Cal in second. While the public loves these buddies (popularly known by the meaningless childhood nicknames they find so exceedingly cool: "Shake and Bake"), a wedge comes between the two, as Ricky Bobby's longstanding winning-streak is broken by flamboyand French Formula One driver Jean Girard (Sacha Baron Cohen), robbing Ricky of everything in an instant as the trauma leaves him unable to drive. Ricky's wife takes his fortunes while Cal takes his wife, and now he's back with his mother (Jane Lynch) and long-estranged father (Gary Cole). Things look bad for Ricky, but his father was once a race car driver himself, and now with the help of a training montage, a live cougar, and the courage to drive without his gleaming white Wonder Bread endorsement, Ricky might be ready to face the track again. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Will Ferrell, John C. Reilly, (more)
The naughty little monkey from Margret Rey and H.A. Rey's beloved children's stories makes the leap to the big screen in this animated adaptation. Ted (voice of Will Ferrell) is an explorer with a large yellow hat who is good friends with Bloomsberry (voice of Dick Van Dyke), who runs a natural history museum. Bloomsberry's greedy son, Bloomsberry Junior (voice of David Cross), wants to tear down his dad's museum and put a parking ramp in its place, but the elder Bloomsberry is convinced that a spectacular new exhibit could save the museum from the wrecking ball. Ted heads to Africa on an expedition to find some special artifacts that will keep his friend in business, but while he's there he befriends a playful monkey he calls George (voice of Frank Welker). While George is friendly, he has a taste for mischief and seems to always get Ted in hot water; Ted thinks he's seen the last of his simian friend when his ship heads back to America, until he discovers that George managed to hide aboard the boat before it set sail. Ted's search for a eye-catching exhibit proved to be a failure, and Ted and his good friend Maggie (voice of Drew Barrymore), a schoolteacher who's sweet on him, struggle to find of a way to save Bloomsberry's museum. But time becomes precious for Ted when George has an entire new city to explore. Curious George features a handful of original songs composed for the film by surfer-turned-singer/songwriter Jack Johnson. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Starring:
- Will Ferrell, Drew Barrymore, (more)
