The Best Seth MacFarlane Movies And TV Shows, Ranked

A Million Ways to Die in the West marks one of MacFarlane's rarer live-action projects, where he sits as director, writer, producer, and star. Here, he trades his trademark love of sci-fi and dysfunctional family sitcoms for a comedy western featuring a messy love triangle of sorts. After falling for a woman with gunslinging prowess (Charlize Theron), MacFarlane's Albert finds himself confronting her notorious outlaw husband (Liam Neeson).

The movie is equally silly as MacFarlane's best-known projects, yet it harbors a sliver of sweetness beneath its offensive jokes and too-long runtime. It might not be quite as engaging or smartly satirical as the well-loved Blazing Saddles (1974). Still, A Million Ways to Die in the West will appeal to those who like a hefty dose of comedy with their western fare. With a more niche target audience in mind (if you don't like westerns, you probably won't like this), it holds the last spot on this list.

With Family Guy's popularity, a spin-off is no surprise. While the Griffins still make appearances, The Cleveland Show spotlights Cleveland Brown (Mike Henry) and his family after moving to Stoolbend, Virginia. The show doesn't go quite as big as its flagship series, but there is still a lot to like.

Cleveland's kind-heartedness adds an element of warmth and lightness to the absurdity expected of a MacFarlane production. Some critics called the spin-off "unnecessary." However, Family Guy fans hungry for a similar vibe and familiar faces might find that The Cleveland Show scratches that itch. Just know that humor can fall a little flat at times.

What happens when a childhood wish brings a man's once-beloved teddy bear to life? Well, apparently, you get Ted, the comedy movie starring Mark Wahlberg and Mila Kunis. The film marks MacFarlane's live-action directorial debut. As the highest-grossing movie of 2012, Ted also proves MacFarlane's comedic chops aren't limited to animation.

In addition to writing the script alongside Alec Sulkin and Wellesley Wild, MacFarlane voices the titular bear with a penchant for chaos. No stranger to wearing multiple hats, MacFarlane also wrote the lyrics for the movie's main theme, "Everybody Needs a Best Friend," which went on to win an Academy Award for Best Original Song. Yes, Ted has awards to back it up, but keep in mind that it's crass, raunchy, and vulgar. If that's not your thing, maybe MacFarlane isn't the director for you. However, if you dig fun, turn-your-brain-off movies, Ted is an easy R-rated choice.

MacFarlane put his self-professed love for sci-fi and the Star Trek franchise on full display in The Orville. Set 400 years in the future, the series chronicles the lives of the U.S.S. Orville crew on their space expedition. MacFarlane stars in the series as Captain Ed Mercer, alongside other names like Adrianne Palicki, Penny Johnson Jerald, Scott Grimes, and even Norm Macdonald. 

What begins as a Star Trek parody transforms into more of a character-driven dramedy in Seasons 2 and 3. However, The Orville remains a big departure from MacFarlane's usual style of humor, leaning more into adventure and spoofy fun. Although it doesn't require an abundance of Star Trek knowledge to get the jokes, it still works best for Trekkies and sci-fi nerds unafraid to poke fun at their favorite space saga. Like A Million Ways to Die in the West, the genre limitations speak to a more niche audience. However, its clever writing and unique dissection of complex sci-fi earn it a significantly higher spot on this list. 

If you thought the adventures of Ted and John Bennett ended with 2015's Ted 2, think again. The duo returns in the Ted series, a Peacock original directed by MacFarlane. Set in 1993, the show acts as a prequel, detailing the early life of the titular sentient bear and his human companion. While MacFarlane returns as the voice of Ted, Max Burkholder replaces Wahlberg as the younger John Bennett.

Although the series hasn't garnered quite as much buzz as its big-screen source material, Ted delivers plenty of fun for fans of MacFarlane's irreverent humor—and, in some ways, even surpasses it. The best part is that you can jump right in. While fans of the Ted movies might harbor more nostalgia, newcomers will fall in love with this underrated sitcom. 

American Dad! is like the wittier cousin of Family Guy. It revolves around the Smiths, a traditional middle-class family that just so happens to have an alien living in their attic thanks to Stan Smith's affiliations with the CIA. While Family Guy leans into random jokes with an undertone of crudeness, American Dad! focuses more on the chaos created by the Smiths' family dynamics.

Although not quite as popular as MacFarlane's debut series, American Dad! has a devoted fanbase that has kept the show running for 22 seasons and counting. Personally, American Dad! hits better and harder, but Family Guy's pop culture presence is unbeatable. Still, American Dad! is an absolute must-watch for those looking for a smart, coherent animated sitcom where the family feels real despite their absurdity.

MacFarlane's breakout animated creation introduces the Griffins, a dysfunctional Rhode Island family complete with a talking anthropomorphic dog. Surviving multiple cancellations after its 1999 debut, Family Guy has become one of the longest-running animated series on television. While the edgy material resulted in controversy, the show also received heaping praise and Emmy wins.

In many ways, Family Guy foreshadows MacFarlane's "jack of all trades" signature that he'd bring to his other animated and live-action projects. As a producer and (very) occasional writer of the show, MacFarlane also voices the vast majority of characters, including fan favorites like Peter, Stewie, Brian, and Quagmire. If you want to "get to know" MacFarlane, this is the place to start. American Dad! might have stronger storytelling, but Family Guy is a pop culture juggernaut perfect for fans of irreverent dark humor who don't mind heavy doses of cutaway gags and absurdity.