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An acclaimed actress, comedian, screenwriter, and producer, Melissa Ann McCarthy wears many feathers on her cap. Cousin of actress and model Jenny McCarthy, Melissa made her television debut on Jenny’s eponymous show in 1997, followed by her feature film debut in 1999 with a minor role in ‘Go.’ She has earned her laurels on both platforms, winning Primetime Emmys and getting nods at the Oscars, BAFTA, and the Golden Globes. On the small screen, she stars in shows like ‘Mike & Molly,’ ‘Gilmore Girls,’ and ‘Nine Perfect Strangers,’ while her movie appearances include ‘Bridesmaids,’ ‘Identity Thief,’ ‘Tammy,’ ‘The Boss,’ and ‘Life of the Party,’ among others. Melissa also has a successful stand-up comedy career and has served as a host on ‘Saturday Night Live.’ If you are looking forward to exploring Melissa McCarthy’s works on Netflix, the following list will help you get started.
7. Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life (2016)
McCarthy reprises her iconic role as Sookie St. James in a cameo in ‘Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life,’ which is set nine years after the finale events in ‘Gilmore Girls.’ The miniseries follows Lorelai Gilmore (Lauren Graham) and her daughter, Rory (Alexis Bledel), as they navigate the four seasons across a single year, with each episode capturing a season. On one hand, we see Rory, who is navigating her freelance journalism career while maintaining a no-strings affair with Logan Huntzberger (Matt Czuchry), who is engaged. On the other hand, there is Lorelai, who struggles with her father’s death and a future with her boyfriend of 10 years, Luke Danes (Scott Patterson). The different ways the lives of the Gilmore Girls intersect form the drama’s premise, with Sookie making a cameo appearance in the final episode. The cast also includes Milo Ventimiglia, Kelly Bishop, Liza Weil, and Sutton Foster. ‘Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life’ can be streamed here.
6. Mike & Molly (2010-2016)
‘Mike & Molly’ is a sitcom centering on two blue-collar people, Officer Mike Biggs (Billy Gardell) and fourth-grade teacher Molly Flynn (Melissa McCarthy), their acquaintance, romance, and family life together. Mike has to take care of his critical mother, while Molly has her alcoholic mother and a carefree sister to look after. Mike and Molly meet at an Overeaters Anonymous group, bond over pie and weight-loss, only to fall for each other and help each other navigate career shifts and chaotic lives in Chicago. If you are into sitcoms, ‘Mike & Molly’ is a fun one, which also earned McCarthy a Primetime Emmy. It can be streamed here.
5. Thunder Force (2021)
‘Thunder Force,’ directed by Ben Falcone, revolves around estranged childhood best friends Lydia Berman (Melissa McCarthy) and Emily Stanton (Octavia Spencer), who are reunited as adults. In a world filled with supervillains, the latter develops a formula to give regular humans extraordinary abilities. When Lydia accidentally injects herself with the serum that gives super-strength, she teams up with Emily, who has the power of invisibility, to form the titular Thunder Force and battle crime across Chicago. However, fighting with style is easier said than done for women in their forties with no prior training. Stream the superhero comedy here.
4. The Starling (2021)
From director Theodore Melfi, ‘The Starling’ follows Lilly Maynard (Melissa McCarthy), a middle-aged woman who finds her life and marriage upended after a great personal loss. As her husband, Jack (Chris O’Dowd), moves out of their home to recover, Lilly is left to deal with her grief on her own. Adding to her troubles, a starling makes a nest in her backyard and starts to harass and attack her, making Lilly comically obsess over killing it. Upon the insistence of a friend, she seeks guidance from psychologist-turned-veterinarian Dr. Larry Fine (Kevin Kline), who guides her in acknowledging and confronting her trouble. A heartfelt comedy drama, watch ‘The Starling’ on Netflix.
3. Go (1999)
Doug Liman’s crime comedy drama ‘Go’ centers on a set of young individuals around Christmas time. We have lovers Adam and Zack, who buy ecstasy pills from Ronna; we have Simon, a drug addict, out with his friends, Marcus, Tiny, and Singh, for a night of no-holds-barred adult enjoyment in Las Vegas; and we have Claire, left as collateral to drug dealer Todd. Todd is Simon’s dealer, Ronna leaves Claire as collateral to Todd, and Adam and Zack are being tracked by Burke, a police detective, who wants to find Todd. How the events unfold in the dark drama is bound to entertain you and stay with you for a long time. The movie stars Sarah Polley, Katie Holmes, Timothy Olyphant, Desmond Askew, Taye Diggs, William Fichtner, Scott Wolf, and Jay Mohr. McCarthy made her feature film debut with the role of Sandra, an acquaintance of Adam and Zack. You can watch ‘Go’ here.
2. God’s Favorite Idiot (2022)
Created by and starring Ben Falcone, ‘God’s Favorite Idiot’ centers around mid-level tech-support employee Clark Thompson (Ben), who gets struck by lightning by a seemingly angelic cloud and begins to glow periodically. The event is witnessed by his friend and co-worker, Amily Luck (Melissa McCarthy), whom people in the office have a hard time believing because of her drug habits. However, Clark’s newfound ability is undeniable on sight and soon makes the news. As he tries to figure out the reason for being chosen by God, Satan and his followers appear, signaling the coming of the apocalypse. Binge the supernatural workplace comedy on Netflix.
1. Unfrosted (2024)
Marking the feature directorial debut of Jerry Seinfeld, ‘Unfrosted’ is a fictional retelling of the creation of Pop-Tarts toaster pastries, a classic American breakfast food. The narrative unfolds in Michigan in 1963, when the rivalry between the cereal companies Kellogg’s and Post hits the fan. Both of them race to create a pastry in the hope of changing breakfast in the country for the foreseeable future, and stack their R&D teams with experts from various fields. Melissa McCarthy stars in the film as Donna Stankowski, a NASA food scientist who joins the Kellogg’s team. Watch ‘Unfrosted’ here.
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