Debapriya Bhattacharya
Comedian, actor, writer, and producer John William Ferrell rose to fame as a cast member of Saturday Night Live, where he performed from 1995 to 2002. At the same time, he starred in a series of movies and became a part of the “frat pack,” which comprises a series of comedic actors who established themselves in Hollywood at the turn of the 21st century, such as Jack Black, Ben Stiller, Steve Carell, Vince Vaughn, Paul Rudd, and Owen Wilson. Movies starring Will include ‘A Night at the Roxbury,’ ‘Elf,’ ‘Anchorman,’ ‘Talladega Nights,’ ‘Blades of Glory,’ ‘Step Brothers,’ ‘The Other Guys,’ and ‘Get Hard,’ with many of his characters gaining a cult following. The actor has also appeared in dramatic roles in films such as ‘Stranger than Fiction‘ and has lent his voice for animated projects like ‘Megamind.’ The co-founder of the comedy website Funny or Die, Will has won numerous accolades throughout his career and was honored with the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in 2011. If you wish to explore projects featuring Will Ferrell on Netflix, the following list has been curated to help.
9. Between Two Ferns: The Movie (2019)
Based on the web series of the same name, Scott Aukerman’s directorial ‘Between Two Ferns: The Movie’ is a mockumentary that revolves around Zach Galifianakis and his few-minute-long interviews with celebrities. After a faulty pipeline results in guest Matthew McConaughey nearly drowning on set, a furious Will Ferrell, owner of the Funny or Die website where the show is uploaded, demands that Zach bring him the interviews of 10 celebrities. With the set being rebuilt, Zach and his team, including his special ferns, set out on a road trip to meet high-profile celebrities and make it within the deadline to keep their jobs. You can stream the film on Netflix.
8. Despicable Me 4 (2024)
Directed by Chris Renaud and Patrick Delage, ‘Despicable Me 4’ is the fourth installment of the original film series and the sixth overall entry in the ‘Despicable Me’ franchise. It picks up the story of former supervillain-turned-Anti-Villain League agent Gru, his wife Lucy, and their adopted daughters Margo, Edith, and Agnes, after the arrival of the newest member of their family, Gru Jr. Living a happy life with the minions, the family finds their safety compromised when Gru’s old rival Maxime Le Mal resurfaces with his girlfriend Valentina to take revenge on Gru for a grudge that he holds since they were in high school. You can watch the animated film where Will Ferrell lends his voice to Maxime on Netflix.
7. Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997)
‘Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery,’ directed by Jay Roach, tells the story of a flamboyant British spy, Austin Powers (Mike Myers), who goes toe to toe with his nemesis, Dr Evil (also Mike Myers). When Dr Evil cryogenically freezes himself in 1967 to return at a time when the world is more destabilized, Austin follows suit. Thirty years later, both of them return to continue their cat-and-mouse game while also adjusting to their new surroundings. Will Ferrell stars in the film as Dr Evil’s henchman and weapons designer, Mustafa, who takes credit for creating the cryogenic chamber for his master. Watch the film here.
6. Will & Harper (2024)
‘Will & Harper’ is a Peabody Award-winning documentary directed by Josh Greenbaum that focuses on actor Will Ferrell and writer Harper Steele. Thirty years after meeting each other on the set of Saturday Night Live in 1995, Harper writes to Will informing him of her decision to come out as a trans woman. To process the new stage in their friendship, the two set out on a cross-country road trip. As they drive from New York to Los Angeles over 16 days, they stop at places that are meaningful to them, their friendship, and to America, as Harper sees the country she loves through her eyes for the first time all over again. A deeply moving, intimate, and heartfelt project, you can stream the movie on Netflix.
5. Daddy’s Home (2015)
Helmed by Sean Anders, ‘Daddy’s Home’ stars Will Ferrell as Brad Whitaker, a radio executive who lives a peaceful life with his wife Sara and his step-children, Megan (Scarlett Estevez) and Dylan (Owen Vaccaro). As the kind soul is getting closer to the children with every passing day, their biological father, Dusty Mayron (Mark Wahlberg), barges in on the scene with his tough guy persona. Dusty starts to intimidate Brad, who falls into a sense of insecurity. The two ultimately engage in a show of one-upmanship to win the affection of the children and their mother, leading to hilarious consequences. View the buddy comedy film here.
4. Daddy’s Home 2 (2017)
Sean Anders directed ‘Daddy’s Home 2’ as a direct sequel to his 2015 movie ‘Daddy’s Home.’ Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg reprise their respective roles of Brad Whitaker and Dusty Mayron, who now raise their children as friends and co-parents. During the winter holidays, Brad’s father, Don (John Lithgow), and Dusty’s father, Kurt (Mel Gibson), arrive at their home to spend time with their grandchildren. Like their sons, Don and Kurt are quite different in their stature and personalities. As the family changes their original plans and visits a luxury resort, mayhem ensues. Watch the film on Netflix.
3. Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga (2020)
Directed by David Dobkin, ‘Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga’ tells the story of musicians Lars Erickssong (Will Ferrell) and Sigrit Ericksdóttir (Rachel McAdams) from Iceland, who have been struggling for their breakthrough. They are not appreciated at the clubs that they sing at, with Lars even disappointing his own father (Pierce Brosnan). When they get the opportunity to represent their country in Europe’s largest music contest, ‘Eurovision,’ they go all out in their effort to make their country proud and prove to themselves that their fight is worth fighting for. You can view the musical romantic comedy film here.
2. Megamind (2010)
‘Megamind,’ helmed by Tom McGrath, chronicles the life of highly intelligent alien supervillain Megamind, whose sole purpose in life is to defeat his nemesis, the heroic Metro Man. However, his brilliant plans and over-dramatic set-ups always fail every time in beating the latter. As such, when he finally manages to defeat Metro Man one day, Megamind is surprised just as much as anybody else. He momentarily rejoices in his victory, but soon realizes he does not have any purpose remaining in life. To remedy the situation, he creates another hero who decides that it is more fun to be the villain instead. Will Ferrell lends his voice to the titular character in the animated film that you can stream here.
1. The Other Guys (2010)
Adam McKay’s directorial ‘The Other Guys’ centers around hot-headed NYPD Detective Terry Hoitz (Mark Wahlberg) and his partner, mild-mannered forensic accountant Allen Gamble (Will Ferrell). Ridiculed by their peers, the ragtag duo seeks an opportunity to make a name for themselves. It presents itself when Allen picks up a minor case of a scaffolding permit violation by British multi-billionaire Sir David Ershon (Steve Coogan), which ends up being connected to a much more elaborate and sinister plot. Working with him, Terry discovers a very different side of Allen’s persona, which leaves him stunned. You can view the buddy cop action comedy movie here.
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