Steve Carell’s resume is beyond impressive. From the days on The Dana Carvey Show (1996) and The Daily Show (1996) to leading TV shows and movies, the actor and comedian has accrued a myriad of iconic roles. There are so many standouts, like Frank Ginsburg in Little Miss Sunshine (2006), that there’s no way for this list to be exhaustive.
One of the most appealing things about Carell’s filmography is its range. Of course, Carell shines in comedy, but he’s also an incredibly skilled dramatic actor. He always brings a lot of heart to whatever character he’s playing, even if they’re animated. Here are the 10 best Steve Carell movies and TV shows, ranked. You can watch them on HBO Max, Peacock, and more!
10. Rooster (2026-Present)
The only reason why Rooster is last on this list is because it’s the newest. Carell returns to a leading role in a comedy show with Greg Russo. Whereas other projects on this list see the actor frequently working in Greg Daniels or Judd Apatow’s comedic worlds, Rooster switches it up. This time, Carell finds his place in a Bill Lawrence and Matt Tarses comedy series. There are already plenty of comparisons between Rooster and Ted Lasso (2020) for that very reason.
This TV show has a little bit of everything that’s worked for Carell over the years. There’s physical comedy and vulnerable character work. There are interesting family and workplace dynamics. It’s all familiar, and that’s not a bad thing. It’s the opposite, actually, because Carell is just as enjoyable to watch in Rooster as he is in all the other projects on this list. It’s definitely for people who are looking for more feel-good comedies in their TV rotation.
9. Date Night (2010)
Date Night is Steve Carell and Tina Fey. What else do you need to know? Just know this one has a different ending for Carell than his more recent collaboration with Fey–Netflix’s The Four Seasons (2025). This action comedy finds the other side of its coin with Steve Carell and Anne Hathaway in Get Smart (2008). Seriously, it’s a fun double-feature.
Date Night is the kind of movie that doesn’t get made anymore. So, it feels particularly nostalgic—mid-budget action comedies used to be abundant in Hollywood. I know I’m still waiting for the Spy (2015) sequel! Maybe the tides will change, and more movies like Date Night will exist again. Until then, this movie is for anyone who misses that trend in movies.
8. Battle of the Sexes (2017)
This spot could go to Carell’s turn as John du Pont in Foxcatcher (2014), but Battle of the Sexes is the more underrated of the two to me. Carell’s performance in the former is great; it created a dramatic shift in his career, helped by prosthetic make-up. Battle of the Sexes, however, relies on more subtleties in Carell’s performance as he brings Bobby Riggs to the big screen. He stars opposite Emma Stone who plays Billie Jean King.
The movie showcases the historic 1973 tennis match between King and Riggs. With a runtime of over two hours, Battle of the Sexes barely drags. Stone and Carell keep the proverbial ball that is this movie in the air as it navigates gender politics and equality in sports. Therefore, Battle of the Sexes ticks a lot of boxes. It’s for biopic fans, sports fans, and those who like character-driven drama. If you’re looking for another biopic about tennis, then King Richard (2021), which is about Serena and Venus Williams’ father, Richard Williams, is a must.
7. The 40 Year Old Virgin (2005)
The 40 Year Old Virgin is one of many collaborations between Carell and Judd Apatow. It’s the first time that Carell leads a comedy on the big screen. I haven’t seen this movie in a long time, but that waxing scene with Carell’s Andy Stitzer is seared in my mind forever. Ironically, Apatow approaches the same age through a different lens in the tonally similar This Is 40.
Again, raunchy comedies don’t really exist in the same capacity as they did in the early 2000s–or even the 2010s. That said, The 40 Year Old Virgin does have a lot of elements that don’t age well, like, but not limited to, gay stereotypes becoming a consistent punchline. So, some jokes may fall super flat in 2026, but the movie may appeal to people who like sentimentality in their comedies. After all, Steve Carell has a knack for bringing a level of emotional resonance to his comedic work.
6. The Big Short (2015)
I never thought a movie about the lead-up to the 2008 financial crisis would pull me in, or star Steve Carell, but both things are true about The Big Short. This cast is stacked with Christian Bale and Brad Pitt, with Ryan Gosling as the narrator. Still, it’s Carell’s performance as Mark Baum that stuck with me. I found the character’s moral dilemma compelling to watch amid the movie’s immoral activity. So, don’t expect The Big Short to be all that lighthearted; it’s for dark comedy fans.
The movie’s celebrity cameos are also incredible. They may not work for everyone, but they certainly did for me. The one from chef and writer Anthony Bourdain is a personal favorite. If you’re looking for more movies that discuss real-world events through a satirical lens, Don’t Look Up (2001) may be the movie for you.
5. Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004) may be one of the first Steve Carell movies I remember watching because this movie was a favorite in my household. I still say, “I love lamp,” and laugh because of Steve Carell. It clearly appealed to plenty of people, as Carell reprised his role of Brick Tamland in the sequel, Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues (2013).
Will Ferrell leads in the titular role, but the movie works far better as an ensemble piece for some of the funniest people in Hollywood. There’s even an absurd cameo from Jack Black! For that reason, Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy is definitely for those who like Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2006) and vice versa. All the jokes in either movie may not land the same as they did in the early 2000s, but these comedies will make you laugh. That is, if absurdist comedies are your thing.
4. Beautiful Boy (2018)
Beautiful Boy is a personal favorite in Steve Carell’s filmography, though it’s incredibly heavy and intense. In the biographical drama, he stars as David Sheff, opposite Timothée Chalamet’s performance as Nic Sheff, who suffers from drug addiction. The two actors create such a believable father/son dynamic that sits at the heart of the movie. I often think that Carell and Chalamet should’ve received more critical acclaim than they did for their performances.
Carell reunites with his The Office (2005) costar Amy Ryan, who also delivers a beautiful performance as Nic’s mom, Vicki. Beautiful Boy definitely isn’t for someone looking for a light-hearted watch in Carell’s filmography. It’s for those who enjoy films that tackle heavier topics through interpersonal relationships. Given the subject matter, this movie may be for those who enjoyed the raw and realistic approach in The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012).
3. Crazy, Stupid, Love (2011)
Opinions around Crazy, Stupid, Love (2011) are always changing, but it’s often the subject of conversations. Right now, it’s because the movie is about to celebrate its 15th anniversary. Personally, I love it! I think it’s one of the few great rom-coms, like Sleeping with Other People (2015), from that 2010s burst. The seamless interconnected stories pay off in an incredible sequence of reveals. So, Crazy, Stupid, Love may not be for those who want fast-paced results from their romantic comedy. It’s really worth watching all the stories until the very end.
It also makes me wish for more movies like it and Valentine’s Day (2010). I think of Crazy, Stupid, Love as one of my first interactions with writer Dan Fogelman’s work, who would later go on to break my heart with This Is Us (2016-2022). It’s also the first time Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone, who both work with Carell later in their careers, work together. So, it’s almost like we wouldn’t have La La Land (2016) without Crazy, Stupid, Love.
2. Despicable Me (2010)
Despicable Me (2010) is a cultural phenomenon. I can’t go anywhere without seeing a Minion or learning about a new addition to the franchise. Despicable Me 4 (2024) is the latest entry in the franchise. All of that started with the first movie and Steve Carell’s voice performance as Gru. Everything banks on him, and it pays off because he couldn’t have been better cast. Despicable Me is such an easy watch, and it’s because there is a lot of fantastic work happening in the animation and voice work. Those looking for a confident, family-friendly comedy will vibe with this movie.
Just as he does in his live-action work, Carell infuses Gru with so much heart that it’s impossible not to root for the animated character that’s a villain on paper. Despicable Me finds Gru’s heart in his dedication to being a good father to his daughters, Agnes, Margo, and Edith. If you’re looking for more voice work from Carell, you can go back to the early 2000s and watch Over the Hedge (2006), where Carell played the absolutely wild squirrel, Hammy.
1. The Office (2005-2013)
There was never going to be another #1, was there? Steve Carell as Michael Scott in The Office is it. With seven seasons as the lead and a series regular, this comedy series is the longest time that Carell has spent with a character. It shows great benefits throughout the series. Even in its weaker moments, like The Office Season 6, Episode 12, “Scott’s Tots,” Carell remains excellent. So much so, picking a favorite moment from his time as Michael Scott is subjective.
I tend to get stuck in the tender moments, like the song “9,986,000 Minutes” from his farewell episode or when he tells Pam he’s proud of her artwork. I, like Amy Poehler on her Good Hang with Amy Poehler podcast episode with Carell, also think about what Michael whispered to Pam at the airport. I love it when Steve Carell can make me laugh and cry. If you do, too, then The Office is for you. If you’re looking for more of that feeling with your comedy TV, Greg Daniels and Mike Schur’s Amy Poehler-led Parks and Recreation (2009-2015) is a perfect match.
