Top 10 Will Ferrell Performances
#10 – Brennan Huff: “Step Brothers” (2008)
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Kicking off our list is a movie that fits the Will Ferrell mold perfectly, but still brings laughs in a new way – prolonged fart jokes aside. He and John C. Reilly bond over a shared love of John Stamos, bunk beds and karate as a couple of childish, middle-aged losers. This movie proves that Ferrell's comedy is rooted in the fact that he's just a big kid.
#9 – Chazz Reinhold: “Wedding Crashers” (2005)
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This entire film builds to the moment where the legend who invented wedding crashing shows up on screen, and Ferrell is that mentor, guru and sage all rolled into one silk robe. His uncredited cameo may only be a few minutes long, but it’s some of the movie’s most memorable material. You thought picking up desperate women at a wedding was bad…
#8 – Chazz Michael Michaels: “Blades of Glory” (2007)
Here's another Ferrell film with an over-the-top story that's just silly enough to keep us in stitches. As a trash-talking, drunken sex addict, Ferrell is the “fire” to Jon Heder's “ice” when he dons a pair of skates and a skin-tight unitard as half of an all-male figure skating duo. However, we'll never look at wizards the same way again...
#7 – Jacobim Mugatu: “Zoolander” (2001)
Ferrell's film career started during his “Saturday Night Live” days, and “Zoolander” came near the end of his run. Ferrell takes on the bad guy role as Mugatu: the evil fashion mastermind out to brainwash the simple-minded Zoolander. Crazy costumes and a silly wig don't get in the way of his ultra-quotable comedy and random fits of rage. Btw, whatever you do, don't forget who invented the piano key necktie.
#6 – Steve Butabi: “A Night at the Roxbury” (1998)
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After introducing nightclubbing brothers Steve and Doug Butabi to TV audiences on “SNL,” Will Ferrell and Chris Kattan brought them to the big screen. While critics universally dismissed it as another failed “Saturday Night Live” movie, crowds honored it with a cult following. As always, Ferrell is not afraid to let it all hang out with a little low-brow comedy. But seriously, can you hear that song without bobbing along?
#5 – Ricky Bobby: “Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby” (2006)
This faux-biopic sees Ferrell target NASCAR culture with one of the most outrageous of his many, many characters. “Talladega Nights” benefits from excellent casting on all accounts, and Ferrell is no exception. Southern accent, cocky swagger, idiotic expressions... Where have we seen this before? Plus, how many times have we seen Ferrell running around in his underwear? May the Dear Lord Baby Jesus save you. Or Tom Cruise.
#4 – Harold Crick: “Stranger Than Fiction” (2006)
Most of the movies on this list prove that Ferrell is a comedy genius with no shame. But this is the one that proves he can actually act. As a by-the-book IRS agent who discovers he’s the character in a novel, he shows his quieter, more pensive side. You keep expecting him to break into classic Will Ferrell screaming, but this movie is too smart to let that happen.
#3 – Buddy: “Elf” (2003)
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Remember when we said Ferrell was a big kid? Well, never does his childlike wonder work so well as it does here. Anybody else would be downright creepy as an adult male who thinks he’s one of Santa’s elves, but even at 6’3” he’s the only man for the job. Ferrell’s charm makes this movie a modern Christmas classic that will be on the holiday rotation year after year.
#2 – Frank “the Tank” Ricard: “Old School” (2003)
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From childlike innocence, to flat-out insane – that’s the beauty of Will Ferrell. Who better to lead the Frat Pack as they take on frat life than this guy? Actually, Ferrell’s role is technically a supporting one, but he steals every scene he’s in – and will stoop to any level to do it. Although he’d been in a few movies before this, it was “Old School” that solidified his film career. Yes, even with the streaking.
#1 – Ron Burgundy: “Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy” (2004)
Taking the top spot on our list is the most quotable movie of the most quotable actor. “Anchorman” was Ferrell’s first turn at taking the reins as a leading man, and it takes his style of comedy to the nth degree. Ron Burgundy is a smooth-talking, well-dressed, sexist moron, but a lovable guy deep down, even if he doesn’t know what San Diego means. You stay classy, Will Ferrell. Will Ferrell is such a beloved comedian, he's got enough great movies for two lists. Be sure to tell us which of your favorites we've left off our top 10 at WatchMojo.com.
