All 54 Will Ferrell movies, ranked by critics
Gabbi Shaw
Ferrell has appeared in over 50 movies across his career, most recently as the CEO of Mattel in "Barbie."
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Will Ferrell has been making us laugh for decades, between "SNL" and his movie career.

He's been in some of the most beloved comedies of all time, like "Step Brothers" and "Anchorman."

Most recently, he played the CEO of Mattel in the mega-hit "Barbie."

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After getting his start on "Saturday Night Live," Will Ferrell left the show to become one of the biggest stars in comedy of the 2000s and beyond.

"Anchorman," "Talladega Nights," "Step Brothers," and "Semi-Pro" are all beloved by Ferrell fans — but did critics feel the same way? What about "Elf" or his most recent film, "Barbie"?

Keep scrolling to see every movie Ferrell has starred in, ranked by critics' scores on Rotten Tomatoes.

This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now. Have an account? .

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Will Ferrell has been in two 0% movies, the first being 1999's "The Suburbans."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 0%

When the members of a former '80s group reunite at the wedding of one of their members, a record executive (Jennifer Love Hewitt) convinces them it's time to give it a go one more time. Ferrell plays Gil, the Suburbans' bass player.

"Unlike 'That Thing You Do,' 'The Suburbans,' lacks innocence and a personable storyline, causing insufficient interest in the characters," according to MovieGuide.

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The next came 30 years later, with 2019's "Drunk Parents."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 0%

Ferrell has a small part as a homeless person in "Drunk Parents," which stars Salma Hayek and Alec Baldwin as a married couple on the verge of losing their house — so they decide to rent out their neighbor's house, which they're house-sitting, to make some quick cash. However, when they rent it to a registered sex offender (Jim Gaffigan), they re-think their options.

"Even with a cast this stacked, nothing about 'Drunk Parents' works," wrote Decider's Jade Budowski.

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Ferrell had a bit part in the 2002 rom-com "Boat Trip."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 7%

After best friends Jerry (Cuba Gooding Jr.) and Nick (Horatio Sanz) make homophobic comments in front of a gay travel agent (Ferrell), they're sent on a gay cruise to open their minds.

"This tacky and unfunny movie is another teen comedy, I suppose: but teen in the sense that this is the demographic it's aimed at. There are no teenagers actually in it, just grown men who ought to know better," wrote Peter Bradshaw for The Guardian.

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Ferrell teamed up with John C. Reilly in 2018 for the buddy comedy "Holmes & Watson," in which they play the famous detective duo.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 10%

Ferrell and Reilly became the latest pair of actors to take on the iconic duo of Sherlock Holmes and John Watson — but their version was much less revered than Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman or Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law.

Richard Propes of The Independent Critic called it "one of the worst films of 2018."

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One of the lowest-rated "SNL" sketch turned movies Ferrell starred in is the 1998 comedy "A Night at the Roxbury."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 11%

Ferrell and his "SNL" costar Chris Kattan reunited as the Butabi brothers in "A Night at the Roxbury." Their only objective is to get into Los Angeles' hottest club, the Roxbury — and they'll stop at nothing to do it.

"The lame-o aspects of the whole campy setup are still lame-o," wrote Entertainment Weekly's Lisa Schwarzbaum.

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"The Ladies Man," released in 2000, is also based on an "SNL" sketch, and it has the same score from critics.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 11%

"The Ladies Man" is based on a popular "SNL" sketch starring Tim Meadows as Leon Phelps, the titular Ladies Man. After he's fired from his job on TV giving relationship and romantic advice, he's forced to backtrack through his romantic relationships. Ferrell plays one of the many men whose significant others cheated on them with Leon.

"When Meadows's three-minute sketch persona is stretched out to cover a whole movie, the cracks soon start to show," wrote Peter Bradshaw for The Guardian.

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Ferrell teamed up with Amy Poehler to open an illegal casino in "The House," released in 2017.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 20%

In "The House," Ferrell and Poehler play a married couple who, after their town's community scholarship is dissolved, are unable to pay their daughter's college tuition. To make ends meet, they start an underground casino in their basement with the help of their friend Frank (Jason Mantzoukas).

"A dark, startlingly bloody journey into the bitter, empty, broken heart of the American middle class, a blend of farce and satire built on a foundation of social despair," wrote AO Scott for The New York Times.

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Mark Wahlberg and Ferrell returned for the 2017 sequel "Daddy's Home 2."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 21%

In "Daddy's Home 2," Ferrell and Wahlberg return as Brad and Dusty, former rivals and current co-parents whose bond is put to the test when their fathers enter their lives at Christmas, with John Lithgow playing Brad's dad Don and Mel Gibson playing Dusty's dad Kurt.

"Gibson could scarcely hope to play a character more like himself if he landed the lead in The Mel Gibson Story," wrote Ryan Gilbey for The New Statesman.

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Ferrell appeared in 2016 sequel "Zoolander 2," reprising his role as Mugatu.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 22%

Models Derek Zoolander (Ben Stiller) and Hansel McDonald (Owen Wilson) are thrust back into the limelight after a string of superstars are murdered. Ferrell returns as Zoolander's nemesis from the first film, Mugatu.

"One of the most unnecessary sequels of all time (yes, I've seen 'Speed 2')," wrote Max Weiss for Baltimore Magazine.

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He played the one-hit wonder turned basketball owner Jackie Moon in 2008's "Semi-Pro."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 23%

Using his earnings from a one-hit wonder, Jackie Moon (Ferrell) purchases the Flint Tropics, a basketball team in the American Basketball Association (ABA). But when an upcoming merger with the NBA threatens to dissolve the Tropics, Jackie pulls out all the stops to bring in fans — and win some games.

David Ansen of Newsweek wrote, "The semi-funny 'Semi-Pro' is amiable enough, but you never feel there's much at stake."

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He made an uncredited cameo in the 2019 film "Zeroville," based on the 2007 novel of the same name.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 23%

"Zeroville" follows Vikar (James Franco) on his journey across '70s Hollywood, as he becomes more and more involved in the film industry. Ferrell has a small role as a big-time Hollywood producer, Rondell.

"This filth grates all the more because the film is so unbearably smug," wrote Little White Lies' Lillian Crawford.

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Ferrell costarred with Nicole Kidman in the 2005 remake of the '60s sitcom "Bewitched."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 24%

In a meta remake of the TV series, Ferrell stars as actor Jack Wyatt who wants to star in a revival of "Bewitched" as Darrin Stephens, and is looking for the perfect costar — enter Isabel Bigelow (Kidman), who is actually a witch, making her the perfect actress to play Samantha Stephens.

"Ms. Kidman and Mr. Ferrell are not an intuitive match, and the romantic side of the story is both half-hearted and half-baked," wrote Manohla Dargis for The New York Times.

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In 2009, Ferrell starred in a remake of the '70s TV show "Land of the Lost."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 26%

One of the biggest flops of Ferrell's career is "Land of the Lost," in which he stars as "quantum paleontologist" Rick Marshall. After getting humiliated by Matt Lauer on air, Rick's career is in the dumps until he's convinced by a fan to continue his work, leading him on a time-travel adventure back to the dinosaurs.

JR Jones of Chicago Reader called the film a "gigantic chunk of scat."

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Ferrell was also uncredited in the 2009 comedy "The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 27%

Jeremy Piven stars as mercenary turned car salesman Don Ready, who is tasked with saving a failing dealership by any means necessary. Ferrell appears in a flashback as Don's best friend Craig, whom he killed after a job gone wrong.

"A throng of outrageous supporting characters do little to salvage this stalled effort," wrote Time Out's David Jenkins.

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Kevin Hart trained Ferrell to "Get Hard" in 2015.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 28%

When James King (Ferrell) is arrested and sentenced to 10 years in prison, he asks his acquaintance Darnell (Hart) to train him for prison, assuming that, as Darnell is Black, he's been to prison — even though Darnell has no relevant experience. Seeing a chance to make some money for his family, Darnell agrees.

"For a movie that wants to send a message about privilege and prejudice, it displays a clumsiness and exemplifies a lot of the ignorance and thoughtlessness it wants to rage against," wrote Alex Abad-Santos for Vox.

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Ferrell played a funeral director in the 2000 comedy "Drowning Mona."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 29%

"Who killed Mona?" is the leading question of "Drowning Mona." As Chief Wyatt Rash (Danny DeVito) learns more about Mona (Bette Midler) and her friends and family, the suspects keep piling up.

Ferrell has a small role as Cubby, the funeral director of the funeral home Mona's family uses.

"My problem was that I didn't care who killed Mona Dearly, or why, and didn't want to know anyone in town except for Chief Rash and his daughter," wrote Roger Ebert.

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Until "Barbie," the highest-grossing live-action film of Ferrell's career was 2015's "Daddy's Home."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 30%

When Brad Whitaker (Ferrell) meets the biological father of his two stepkids, Dusty (Mark Wahlberg), he learns that Dusty's intentions are less than pure — he plans on getting his ex-wife Sara (Linda Cardellini) back and reuniting their family. This turns into a battle of the dads.

"It's predictable and often drearily formulaic fare, stretching what is essentially a single sketch joke to feature film length, with the specter of inevitable emotional resolution always lurking in the background," wrote Mark Kermode for The Observer.

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Ferrell had a double role as Jesus and a popular high school student named Sky in 1999's "Superstar," also based on an "SNL" sketch.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 32%

"Superstar" is based on the popular "SNL" sketch starring Molly Shannon as Mary Katherine Gallagher, an unpopular if delusionally over-confident student at Catholic school. In the film, Ferrell plays the object of Mary Katherine's affection, Sky, and also appears to Mary Katherine in a vision as Jesus.

"I'm not in favor of protesting films on the basis of theology, but to picket them because they're boring could be an act of mercy," wrote Roger Ebert.

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"The Internship," released in 2013, features yet another uncredited Ferrell cameo.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 35%

Eight years after "Wedding Crashers," Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn reunited in 2013's "The Internship," in which they play middle-aged men who, after getting laid off from their jobs, somehow land highly coveted internships at Google.

Ferrell plays Kevin, the manager of a mattress store that Nick (Wilson) works at before scoring the internship, in a one-scene role.

"You don't need a heart to like this movie. You need an MBA," wrote Grantland's Wesley Morris.

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But the most surprising Ferrell cameo is in the 2020 "Impractical Jokers" movie, in which he's just a patron at a restaurant credited as Miami Restaurant Guy #4.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 35%

"Impractical Jokers: The Movie" is essentially an extended episode of the long-running truTV series which follows a group of comedians playing pranks on each other and unsuspecting civilians.

"An undistinguished and unnecessary extension of a brand whose primary attributes are likability, authenticity and relative modesty," wrote Variety's Mark Keizer.

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Ferrell and Julia Louis-Dreyfus costarred in the 2020 American remake of "Force Majeure," called "Downhill."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 36%

A remake of the Swedish film "Force Majeure," "Downhill" stars Ferrell and Julia Louis-Dreyfus as married couple Pete and Billie Stanton, who are forced to confront some unpleasant truths about their relationship after they're convinced they're about to die in an avalanche on a skiing trip.

"Inexplicably, Ferrell is the weakest link, downplaying his character's blooming sense of insecurity despite a celebrated propensity for aria-like tantrums. Why wasn't he allowed to go full 'Step Brothers'?" wrote Joshua Rothkopf for Sight & Sound.

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He played an owner of a mall in the 2012 absurdist comedy "Tim & Eric's Billion Dollar Movie."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 38%

This film, starring Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim as fictionalized versions of themselves, follows the two as they're given $1 billion to make a movie starring Johnny Depp — but when they squander the budget on a 3-minute film, they're on the hook to repay the studio $1 billion.

That's where Ferrell comes in — he plays the owner of a mall for sale who promises the new owners that they'll make $1 billion in profit.

"More-or-less abhorrent swill; vapid, painful and moronic in the way it treats its audience," wrote CineVue's Jamie Neish.

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He played a supermarket clerk in "The Wendell Baker Story."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 40%

This film focuses on Wendell Baker (Luke Wilson), who goes to jail after his illegal ID business is busted by the authorities — and then his girlfriend Doreen (Eva Mendes) dumps him when he seems like he's too well-adjusted to jail.

Ferrell has a small role as Dave, Doreen's new boyfriend who Wendell encounters after he's released from jail.

"Given Luke Wilson's affability, it's also irresistibly charming. You may not buy the film's plot, but you'll invest in him as a man whose heart is always in the right place," wrote the Houston Chronicle's Bruce Westbrook.

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In "Kicking & Screaming," released in 2005, he played a mild-mannered dad who, after getting introduced to coffee, becomes an ultra-competitive soccer coach for his son.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 41%

Phil Weston (Ferrell) is a typical middle-aged man, married with a son, who has an estranged relationship with his ultra-competitive father (Robert Duvall). When father and son make a bet about who can coach the better soccer team, all hell breaks loose.

"There is a bit of heart in 'Kicking and Screaming,' with Ferrell and Duvall both giving nice performances," wrote Micheal Compton for Bowling Green Daily News.

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Ferrell reunited with Zooey Deschanel for the 2005 indie "Winter Passing."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 42%

Just a few years after Ferrell and Deschanel played an unlikely couple in "Elf," they reunited in "Winter Passing," which stars Deschanel as Reese, a down-on-her-luck bartender who returns home to retrieve letters from her father (a reclusive, well-known author) and her late mother. Ferrell plays Corbit, a struggling musician living in her hometown who she bonds with.

"'Winter Passing' is one dull, extended encounter session among hackneyed characters," wrote Desson Thomson for the Washington Post.

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In 2012's "Casa de mi padre," Ferrell played an over-the-top telenovela hero.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 42%

"Casa de mi padre," or "House of My Father," stars Ferrell as Armando Álvarez, the heir to a Mexican ranch, who is dragged into a drug war after his little brother Raúl (Diego Luna) gets himself in over his head.

"It's all a little undercooked, playing more like an extended version of a very funny trailer than an actual, full-bodied comedy," wrote The Guardian's Phelim O'Neill.

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Ferrell had a small role in "Melinda and Melinda," released in 2004.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 51%

Directed by Woody Allen, "Melinda and Melinda" is an interesting little movie, in which the same story is told twice — but one telling is a comedy and one is a tragedy. Ferrell, playing Hobie, appears in the comedic version of the film.

"Great premise, but talky dramedy doesn't deliver," wrote Nell Minow for Common Sense Media.

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Ferrell took on the role of Franz Liebkind in the 2005 film adaptation of the musical "The Producers."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 51%

Based on the 2001 Broadway musical, which is in turn based on the 1967 Mel Brooks black comedy, "The Producers" stars Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick as two producers who attempt to scam the system by embezzling money from an intentionally horrible Broadway musical written by a former Nazi, Franz Liebkind (Ferrell).

"'The Producers' is a wonderful elegy for a certain kind of comic sensibility," wrote The Spectator's Mark Steyn.

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Ferrell played a federal marshal in "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back" in 2001.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 52%

Jay and Silent Bob (Jason Mewes and Kevin Smith) find out that the popular comic "Bluntman and Chronic," based on them, is being turned into a movie without their permission or any royalties from Miramax.

Ferrell has a bit part of a federal wildlife marshal who interrupts a jewel heist.

Alonso Duralde of The Advocate called the film "gut-bustingly hilarious from start to finish."

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Ferrell returned as Mustafa in the 1999 sequel "Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 53%

Mustafa returns in the 1999 sequel to "International Man of Mystery," with Ferrell once again donning brown face and a fez to play the seemingly indestructible henchman. Unfortunately, the jokes don't land the same way in "The Spy Who Shagged Me."

"In the context of the past few years, Austin Powers is essentially a walking, talking, hip-thrusting #MeToo lawsuit. The opening sequence in which he parades through a hotel lobby naked is literally just one long sex crime," wrote Alyssa Bereznak for The Ringer.

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The lowest-rated true classic Ferrell has starred in is 2008's "Step Brothers."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 55%

Ferrell and John C. Reilly play Brennan and Dale, adult men living at home, who are forced to move in together when Brennan's mom (Mary Steenburgen) marries Dale's dad (Richard Jenkins), even though they hate each other.

However, they start to bond over common interests and decide to get their act together in time for the Catalina Wine Mixer.

"Make no mistake, 'Step Brothers' is a funny movie. It isn't a great movie. In fact, it's a pretty stupid movie. But it's a good stupid, and the chemistry between John C. Reilly and Will Ferrell makes it a fun one as well," wrote MTV's Dre Rivas.

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The 2003 comedy "Old School" didn't fare much better with critics, though audiences loved it.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 60%

Old college friends Mitch (Luke Wilson), Frank (Ferrell), and Bernard (Vince Vaughn), team up to recapture their glory days by starting a fraternity after Mitch breaks up with his unfaithful girlfriend Heidi (Juliette Lewis).

"[Ferrell] knows how to make the most of the worst. God bless his little idiot-savant smile and vanity-free bared buttocks," wrote the Austin Chronicle's Kimberley Jones.

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Ferrell made yet another uncredited cameo in the 2004 film "Starsky & Hutch," based on the '70s TV show of the same name.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 63%

"Starsky & Hutch" stars Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson as Starsky and Hutch, respectively. In the film, the two are partners at the Bay City Police Department. Over the course of the film, they try to solve a case, which leads them to Big Earl (Ferrell), the owner of a motorcycle bar who is in jail.

"Stiller and Wilson are still hilarious as the super-cool detectives — there hasn't been a comedy duo this good since John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd," wrote Chicago Reader's JR Jones.

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Ferrell and Rachel McAdams took on the role of Icelandic musicians in "Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga" in 2020.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 63%

Ferrell and Rachel McAdams star as Lars Erickssong and Sigrit Ericksdóttir, two Icelandic best friends who decide to represent their country at the global singing competition Eurovision, putting them up against powerhouses like the Russian entrant Alexander Lemtov (Dan Stevens).

"It's exactly as silly and outlandish as it needs to be, while still paying sincere respect to one of Europe's great cultural quirks," wrote Clarisse Loughrey for The Independent.

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He played the villainous Mugatu in 2001's "Zoolander."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 64%

"Zoolander" stars Ben Stiller as Derek Zoolander, a dimwitted model who becomes entangled in a plot to assassinate a political leader after he's brainwashed by the evil designer Mugatu (Ferrell).

"This light silly and fluffy satire of the fashion industry targets for a change not the female but male models," wrote Emanuel Levy for Variety.

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His most enduring character is easily newscaster Ron Burgundy from 2004's "Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 66%

Ferrell's most iconic role of all time is Ron Burgundy, the news anchor of a San Diego local channel in the '70s. The film focuses on Ron and his colleagues, field reporter Brian Fantana (Paul Rudd), weatherman Brick Tamland (Steve Carell), and sportscaster Champ King (David Koechner), as they deal with a new hire at their channel, Veronica Corningstone (Christina Applegate).

That's really it — the enduring appeal of this movie rests on Ferrell's memorable performance and his infinitely quotable lines.

"'Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy' is one of the best comedies of this century," wrote Danielle Solzman for Solzy at the Movies.

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Ferrell starred in the 2012 comedy "The Campaign" as an embattled congressman up for reelection.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 66%

Ferrell stars as Representative Camden Brady, a congressman who is embroiled in a cheating scandal — and when his enemies get wind of this, they decide to prop up tour guide Marty (Zach Galifianakis) as his opponent in the race. The two quickly engage in a bitter race that surprises both of them.

Andrew O'Hehir of Salon wrote, "Simply taken as a broad character comedy, 'The Campaign' definitely has its moments."

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He voiced the famed Man in the Yellow Hat in 2006's "Curious George."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 70%

Based on the book series written by H. A. Rey and Margret Rey, "Curious George" stars Ferrell as Curious George's (Frank Welker) human friend, The Man in the Yellow Hat, given the name Ted in the film. After George follows Ted home from a trip to Africa, the unlikely duo get into all sorts of hijinks beloved by kids everywhere.

"It's a gentle, unhurried, largely hand-drawn children's cartoon with a nice simple storyline and no nods and winks to the grown-ups," wrote The Guardian's Steve Rose.

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In 2007, he played the disgraced figure skater Chazz Michael Michaels in "Blades of Glory."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 70%

Ferrell and Jon Heder play Chazz Michael Michaels and Jimmy MacElroy, two figure skaters who team up as an ice-skating duo after they are each banned from singles skating — even though they hate each other.

"One of Ferrell's greatest gifts as a comic is the perfectly timed spontaneous gesture, facial expression or random action," wrote Richard Propes for The Independent Critic.

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Ferrell played the titular Ricky Bobby in 2006's "Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 71%

Ricky Bobby (Ferrell) becomes a hugely successful NASCAR driver, but when a crash shakes his confidence, he loses his best friend Cal (John C. Reilly), his wife Carley (Leslie Bibb), and his career. It takes reuniting with his absentee father Reese (Gary Cole) to help Ricky reclaim his rightful spot at the top of the NASCAR rankings.

"Playing to his strengths, star and co-writer Will Ferrell reaps many good comic moments early on in Adam McKay's feature to compensate for a sluggish second half," wrote Tim Grierson for Screen Daily.

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Ferrell returned to the holiday genre in 2022 with "Spirited."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 71%

In an alternate take on "A Christmas Carol," Ferrell plays the Ghost of Christmas Present who makes it his mission to show Clint (Ryan Reynolds) the error of his Scrooge-like ways before it's too late.

"At a certain point, you just wish they'd get on with it already. But it delivers the Christmas movie goods," wrote Robert Levin for Newsday.

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He starred in "Dick" in 1999 as Bob Woodward, one of the journalists responsible for breaking the Watergate scandal.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 72%

Twenty-three years after "All the President's Men" showed audiences how Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein broke the story of Watergate came "Dick," a satirical comedy that posited, what if Deep Throat was actually two 15-year-old girls?

Ferrell played Woodward, Bruce McCulloch played Carl Bernstein, Dan Hedaya played Nixon, and Michelle Williams and Kirsten Dunst steal the show as Arlene and Betsy, the two teens who bring down Nixon.

"It's Watergate as seen through the eyes of two teenage girls, played with implacable good cheer by Kirsten Dunst and Michelle Williams," wrote Joe Morgenstern for the Wall Street Journal.

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He voiced the supervillain Megamind in the 2010 animated film "Megamind."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 72%

Ferrell voices Megamind, an alien who landed on Earth and grows up to become a supervillain. The other baby alien who fell to Earth at the same time grew up to become superhero Metro Man (Brad Pitt). But when Megamind seemingly defeats Metro Man once and for all, he discovers that there's more to life than villainy.

"I do love Ferrell, whose absurdist man-child routine has always been a matter of taste," wrote Amy Biancolli for the Houston Chronicle.

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In a performance that would not fly today, Ferrell plays henchman Mustafa in 1997's "Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 73%

The first "Austin Powers" film, "International Man of Mystery," introduced audiences to Austin Powers (Mike Myers), a clear parody of '60s-era James Bond and other spy films. Ferrell — in brown face — plays henchman Mustafa, a stereotypical Arab wearing a fez who is seemingly impossible to kill.

"Hugely influential at the time — but getting old relatively quickly — 'Austin Powers'-mania was a major force in the late 90s and early 2000s, especially when the sequels arrived in 1999 and 2002," wrote Stephen Silver of Tilt.

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Ferrell took on his first lead role in a dramatic film in 2006's "Stranger Than Fiction."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 73%

Ferrell stars as Harold Crick, an IRS agent who lives his life with set rules and routines. But when he begins hearing a disembodied voice in his head who seems to be narrating his life (Emma Thompson), he learns that there's more to life than just following the same pattern every single day.

"The ending may be mush, but the rest has surprising bite," wrote Anthony Lane for The New Yorker.

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He played a struggling alcoholic in 2011's "Everything Must Go."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 73%

In "Everything Must Go," based on the 1978 short story "Why Don't You Dance?" Ferrell plays Nick Halsey, a recovering alcoholic who, after relapsing, loses his job, his wife, and his money. To make some money and move on, Nick and his AA sponsor Frank (Michael Peña) organize a yard sale for Nick's belongings.

"Make a note about Will Ferrell. There is depth there," wrote Roger Ebert.

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Ferrell's most memorable uncredited cameo is as Chazz Reinhold in the 2005 film "Wedding Crashers."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 75%

"Wedding Crashers" stars Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn as two friends, John and Jeremy, who are dedicated to crashing weddings in order to find women to sleep with. But when John meets Claire (Rachel McAdams), he discovers that his crashing days might be over for good.

Ferrell has an unforgettable cameo as Chazz, the man who taught John and Jeremy everything they know about wedding crashing. But his arrested-development lifestyle convinces the two friends they need to grow up.

Alexa Moses of The Sydney Morning Herald called the film "an easy, breezy, lanky Hollywood rom-com with a brain, for most of its running time."

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Ron Burgundy returned in 2013's "Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 75%

Almost 10 years after we last saw Ron Burgundy, reconciled with his co-anchor and girlfriend Veronica Corningstone (Christina Applegate) and back to anchoring on his beloved KVWN in San Diego, Ron and Veronica return along with his friends for "Anchorman 2."

Except the team is broken up, Ron's relationship has fallen apart, and he's quit his all-star job in New York City. But you can't keep Ron Burgundy down for long.

"There's no question that, despite all the low-brow anarchy, the film is driven by anger at what happened to TV news during the 1980s," wrote Donald Clark for The Irish Times.

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Ferrell's first collaboration with Mark Wahlberg, 2010's "The Other Guys," remains their best-reviewed.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 79%

Ferrell and Wahlberg costar as two NYPD officers who get no respect from their colleagues — Terry (Walhberg) because he accidentally shot Derek Jeter, and Allen (Ferrell) due to his meek nature.

But when two of the NYPD's most high-profile cops jump to their deaths, it's up to Terry and Allen to crack the case.

"This is the fourth feature that Will Ferrell and writer-director Adam McKay have collaborated on, and once again they deliver laugh-out-loud if ultimately disposable comedy with mixed messages about arrested male development," wrote Joshua Keaton for Chicago Reader.

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Ferrell returned as a reformed Lord Business in the 2019 sequel "The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 84%

After being defeated in "The Lego Movie," Lord Business is now President Lord Business, and has been reformed into a better leader. Instead of facing off against him, Emmet (Chris Pratt) and his friends must battle the new Duplo figures that have appeared in their world to prevent Armageddon.

"If you're willing to let the quantum mechanics slide, you'll have a pretty awesome time," wrote Hanna Flint for Time Out.

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A true holiday classic, 2003's "Elf" is one of Ferrell's most beloved films.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 89%

In "Elf," Ferrell plays Buddy, an orphaned human who makes his way to the North Pole and is adopted by Santa and his elves. But when he finds out his birth father Walter (James Caan) has ended up on the Naughty List, he travels to New York City to find out what went wrong.

"Will Ferrell gives my favorite, underrated brand of acting performance: Adult capturing the wonder of a child without being patronizing," wrote Kevin Fallon for The Daily Beast.

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Ferrell has a relatively minor, yet memorable, role in 2023's "Barbie."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 89%

"Barbie," one-half of the movie craze sweeping the nation known as "Barbenheimer," is a story of self-discovery as Barbie (Margot Robbie) travels from Barbie Land to the real world to figure out who she really is. Ferrell plays the well-meaning, if a little strange, CEO of Mattel.

"'Barbie' is surprisingly spiritual, treating the messiness and contradictions of womanhood with reverence," wrote The New Republic's Grace Segers.

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But the highest-reviewed film of Ferrell's career is 2014's "The Lego Movie."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 90%

"The Lego Movie" is about Emmet (Chris Pratt), a seemingly average resident of Bricksburg who is called to join the fight against Lord Business (Ferrell), the tyrannical leader of their entire world.

Ferrell also has a live-action part in "The Lego Movie," as the dad of Finn, the 8-year-old boy who's been acting out the events of the film with his Legos.

"The movie is a wonderful surprise, cleverly written and executed brick by brick with a visual panache," wrote Peter Hartlaub of the San Francisco Chronicle.

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