Will Ferrell names his four favourite movies
For much of the 2000s, Will Ferrell reigned as one of the top comedic actors, so it comes as no surprise that his selection of favourite movies would lean toward the humorous. Getting him to approach the task with complete seriousness, however, was likely a challenge—after all, when has Ferrell ever taken anything entirely seriously?
Offering up five options instead of four, Ferrell technically cheated, but this minor sin can be forgiven, considering his comedic attempt at trolling. Otherwise, his choices seem off the cuff and span decades beginning as far back as the 1940s. Of course, a little Chevy Chase had to be expected, given the two are so often compared, and fans of both will not be disappointed.
While the actor has more recently been criticised for his over-the-top physical comedy and his apparent negative influence on a generation of comedians, it’s still clear he knows his stuff, given his start as a cast member on SNL and recent work as a producer. And, despite claiming to find the task difficult when questioned by Letterboxd, Ferrell seems to come up with his favourites with ease – and characteristically, little real explanation.
Off the back of co-star Steve Carell naming Dr Strangelove as his favourite, Farrell chooses another iconic Peter Sellers film, Being There, as his top choice. An Academy Award-winning 1979 satirical drama, it features Sellers as a simple gardener mistaken for a well-educated, upper-class businessman who fell on hard times. It’s easy to see why, with Seller stilted, physical comedy clearly inspiring Ferrell’s own.
Ferrell’s second pick is the timeless classic It’s A Wonderful Life. The 1946 Christmas movie, often hailed as one of the greatest films ever made, garnered five Academy Award nominations. In many ways, the film’s influence can be seen in Ferrell’s own beloved Christmas movie, Elf. Walter Hobbs, Ferrell’s character in Elf, could be viewed as a modern take on George Bailey, reflecting similar themes of redemption and family.
Moving on swiftly, Ferrell gives what is undoubtedly an ironic call out to “the movie where Shaquille O’Neal plays a genie”. This film in question is the 1996 musical fantasy comedy Kazaam, starring the NBA player as its lead. Discussing the movie, which he erroneously calls Shazaam, he claims it’s “gotta be like ‘Duh!’ from your subscribers”.
Lastly, Ferrell names a film that he describes as representing an entire genre. “I really loved anything that was very ensemble, you know, Animal House, Caddyshack, those types of movies,” he explains. Both National Lampoon’s Animal House and Caddyshack are beloved for their stellar ensemble casts, with Animal House featuring John Belushi, Tim Matheson, Kevin Bacon, and Donald Sutherland in a frat house comedy, while Caddyshack stars Rodney Dangerfield, Ted Knight, Bill Murray, and Chevy Chase. Ferrell’s affinity for this genre is evident in his own career, as he frequently collaborates with actors like John C Reilly, Paul Rudd, and Steve Carell, fostering the same ensemble dynamic.
Will Ferrell’s favourite movies:
- Being There (Hal Ashby, 1979)
- It’s A Wonderful Life (Frank Capra, 1946)
- National Lampoon’s Animal House (John Landis, 1979)
- Caddyshack (Harold Ramis, 1980)
