The Best Steve Carell Movies & TV Shows, Ranked

While Bruce Almighty is undoubtedly Jim Carrey’s movie, it does include a hilarious supporting role for Carell as a rival news anchor named Evan Baxter. Yes, I know he has his own movie, but Evan Almighty is simply nowhere near as funny as the original. Carell is responsible for the funniest moment, too, when his character is being controlled by Bruce and starts talking gibberish live on air.

With Carrey on top comedic form, superb support from Carell and Jennifer Aniston, and Morgan Freeman playing God, what’s not to like about this movie? You can find it on Disney Plus, but while it’s a very goofy film, I would recommend you only watch it with older kids – there are a few sexual references and crude humour that wouldn’t really be suitable for anyone under the age of 11.

If you do want to give younger children a taste of Carell’s comedy, then Despicable Me is absolutely the way to go. Love them or hate them, there’s no denying that the Minions are entertaining, and the films themselves are really fun for all the family. They offer a unique spin on superhero and spy tropes, and have some genuinely funny moments that’ll even get adults laughing – especially where Carell’s Gru is involved.

I personally prefer the first movie, but there’s a lot of merit in the second and third installments, too, particularly when it comes to the villains. The first two movies are on Disney Plus or Amazon Prime Video, too. Meanwhile, the third is only on Prime, while the fourth – which is not nearly as charming – is on Sky.

There’s a slightly more serious edge to The Big Short, with a focus on the 2008 financial collapse in this Adam McKay satirical docudrama. Carell is in fine form as Mark Baum, while Christian Bale and Ryan Gosling are spectacular for very different reasons – Bale is somewhat more nuanced and relatable, while Gosling goes full campy and comedic with his portrayal of the obnoxious Jared Vennett.

In the same vein as films like The Social Network and The Wolf Of Wall Street, this one does handle some fairly weighty and complex topics, but the jargon is never overwhelming and the tone is light enough to engage most viewers. Weirdly, this is also on Disney Plus, but you can rent it on JustWatch TV for £3.49 as well.

The most underrated gem on this list is The Way Way Back, a film that really does not get enough attention or admiration. Funnily enough, Carell plays the bad guy here, taking on the role of the mean-spirited, manipulative boyfriend of the main character’s new step-dad. It’s testament to his performance that Carell, someone who is usually so endearing on screen, is absolutely abhorrent in this movie.

There are moments of levity in The Way Way Back, but it’s also a really heartfelt and provocative coming-of-age story, too. Bonus points for Sam Rockwell being a brilliant bundle of energy, as always, too. Unfortunately, you’ll have to rent this one. It costs £3.49 on Apple TV, but if you’re into films like The Edge of Seventeen or The Perks of Being A Wallflower, I think you’ll really be on board with this.

Sandwiched between two of Carell’s more serious roles is one of his most ridiculous. Fresh off the back of the success of Anchorman (more on that one soon), Carell crushed it in another raunchy comedy, The 40 Year Old Virgin. This is a quintessential mid-2000s flick along the lines of Knocked Up and Superbad, with just as many memorable quotes and tonnes of hilarious physical comedy to keep you giggling throughout the runtime.

When you have Carell lining up alongside the likes of Paul Rudd, Seth Rogen, and Elizabeth Banks, you’re bound to have comedy gold on your hands. What’s surprising, though, is that this film has really stood the test of time. Usually, movies of this nature lose their magic or start to be viewed as crass when we look back, but not this one. Find it on Now Cinema and laugh away a couple of hours.

Carell’s role in Bennett Miller’s Foxcatcher earned him his one and only Oscar nomination to date, and deservedly so. Carell brings a formidable, menacing energy to the role of John du Pont, the eccentric and, frankly, evil millionaire who trains wrestling brothers Mark and Dave Schultz ahead of the 1988 Olympic Games.

This is a real slow-burner of a sporting biopic, with a brooding and bleak undertone running throughout. If you’re into movies like The Wrestler and Warrior – or are just interested in wrestling in general – you’ll get a lot out of this. But, for what it’s worth, I don’t like combat sports at all and I still found it fascinating. Check it out on Lionsgate+ now.

For my money, Crazy, Stupid, Love is one of the very best comedies of the 2010s. It’s brimming with laugh out loud moments, from incredible one-liners to some of the funniest physical gags this side of the millennium. But, what truly sets this film apart from its peers is that it’s also got a lot of heart.

Carell’s partnership with Ryan Gosling’s relationship guru, Cal, is the source of most of the comedic success here, but Emma Stone, John Carroll Lynch, and Julianne Moore do their fair share, too. This story is pure chaos, and it all culminates in a superb plot twist and an epic brawl, which makes this a relentlessly entertaining package. Dive into the madness on HBO Max and get ready to find a new comedy favourite.

Ironically, Little Miss Sunshine is very similar to The Way Way Back, although Carell plays a completely different kind of character here – his portrayal of Frank is full of charm and he imbues the character with an effortlessly sweet yet sarcastic vibe that elevates the whole ensemble. Which, I must add, is an ensemble that includes the likes of Paul Dano, Toni Collette, and Bryan Cranston.

Little Miss Sunshine is a powerful and poignant family drama akin to films like The Royal Tenenbaums and Captain Fantastic, with dry humour and heartfelt moments perfectly balanced throughout. It is not at all surprising that this film won the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay. Find out why by catching it on Disney Plus.

I mentioned Will Ferrell at the start of this list, and in many ways, Anchorman is the one film that underpins why I think he’s an absolute comedy genius. I remember being introduced to this film when I was roughly 13 years old, and it totally blew my mind. It’s exactly the kind of preposterous, crazy comedy that has me crying with laughter, but it’s not a film that relies on trashy jokes or dumbing down – it’s actually very clever how these laughs are crafted through genius writing and outstanding comedic performances from Ferrell, Carell, Paul Rudd, David Koechner, and Christina Applegate.

I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve watched Anchorman now, and it’s a film I’d happily watch again quite literally this instant if someone suggested it. Carell is a real highlight as the low-IQ weather man on the Channel 4 News team, Brick Tamland, managing to produce some of the biggest laughs with his unpredictable nature. This is one of the best comedy movies ever made, and you can find it on Paramount Plus.

While all of these roles showcase what Steve Carell can do, there are none that encapsulate his impeccable comedic talents quite like Michael Scott in The Office. The US remake of the cult classic British sitcom had big shoes to fill, but in casting Carell in the lead role, they struck gold. He’s cringeworthy, shameless, and downright stupid, but he also manages to capture your heart time and time again when he lets his authentic human side come to the fore.

It’s the magic of Carell’s performances that carry this great show – highlighted by the fact it gets significantly weaker when he leaves at the end of Season 7. Up to that point, we’re talking about all-timer status here. Even after he departs, the series is still strong enough to remain a worthwhile watch, though. It’s a show with a lovely combination of having an episodic feel while allowing certain storylines to develop over time, enriched by a delightful group of characters working at Dunder Mifflin. The Office is available on a handful of different streaming services, including most notably, Netflix, so get binge-watching now.