Ferrell is fresh off a strong performance in Downhill with Julia Louis-Dreyfus, but that marital dramedy and his role as Watergate journalist Bob Woodward in Dick were not included on this list. Even though I loved Ferrell’s work in Daddy’s Home, Starsky & Hutch, Big Earl, the viral Funny or Die short “The Landlord,” opposite Adam McKay’s daughter Pearl, and as the villain in The LEGO Movie, one of the most popular animated movies of the decade, I couldn’t choose that film over Stranger than Fiction, which earned Ferrell his one and only Golden Globe nomination for best actor in a leading role.

The tragic fact that Ferrell wore brownface to portray Dr. Evil’s Arab henchman Mustafa in the first Austin Powers movie stood out while preparing this list. Even though he’s hilarious in that small role, Ferrell’s first studio film was quickly eliminated from the running. Fortunately, we’re not here to focus on that misstep; rather, we’re here to honor the best moments of Ferrell’s filmography, which has made millions of people laugh all over the world. Here we go without further ado!

No.10 – Wedding Crashers

In David Dobkin’s 2005 smash hit Wedding Crashers, the comedian was cast in a third-act revelation as Vince Vaughn’s erstwhile wedding crasher mentor Chazz Reinhold, proving that a little bit of Will Ferrell can go a long way. Chazz is shown to be a 40-something guy who still lives with his mother and has been down to breaking into funerals to pick up women while wearing a red silk kimono that reveals his thick chest hair.

Ferrell really kills the plum part, which is more than just a cameo but not quite a supporting one. Ferrell rarely plays the scene-stealer, but watching Chazz boast about his accomplishments and scream at his mother for meatloaf is hilarious. If nothing else, we can credit Wedding Crashers for films like The Hangover, Pineapple Express, and 21 Jump Street since it helped restore the appeal of R-rated comedy centered on male friendship.

No.9 – Stranger than Fiction

Because it was Ferrell’s first lead dramatic part and he was cast alongside Oscar winners like Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson, my Collider colleagues and I felt firmly that Marc Forster’s brilliant 2006 movie needed to be on this list. Ferrell portrays Harold Crick, an IRS employee who starts to hear a voice that describes every moment of his life, making him the protagonist of a book that culminates with him passing away—an outcome he strives desperately to avoid. In contrast to Maggie Gyllenhaal, who plays Ferrell’s love interest, Hoffman portrays the literary expert who aids Ferrell’s protagonist in making sense of what is happening.

Forster directs Zach Helm’s clever script with a light touch, and Ferrell gives a restrained performance that, like the movie itself, depends on the little things we frequently take for granted. Ferrell makes us root for an IRS employee, which is almost impossible to do and on its own would be reason enough to merit inclusion on this holy list, despite the fact that his casting is a little odd.

No.8 – Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back

I’ve idolized Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back since I was 17 years old, thus this was the “one for me” option. When an orangutan escapes, Ferrell portrays Federal Wildlife Marshal Willenholly, who declares jurisdiction over it and conducts a quest for “the two most dangerous guys on the earth.” Ferrell and Judd Nelson help Ferrell sell the tone of Kevin Smith’s writing, which has a certain goofy charm, especially during the major standoff scene between our two heroes and law enforcement. Although Marshal Willenholly mistaking an orangutan for a young child is absurd, we accept it because of how Ferrell plays it.

After falling victim to a humorous parody of The Fugitive, Willenholly finally makes his way to Hollywood in an effort to locate the missing monkey and apprehend the villains—who turn out not to be villains at all. Then everyone heads to Morris Day and the Time’s party. I don’t know what else to call it, but Ferrell’s sequences with Jon Stewart, who hosted the Daily Show at the time, may be worth the price of admission on their own. This movie, which came out a month before Zoolander, is an invitation to see.

No.7 – The Other Guys

This 2010 buddy cop film is a blast and stands up well when seen more than once. Since it was Ferrell’s fourth movie with his friend Adam McKay and directly inspired the Daddy’s Home flicks, this was the movie that just kept giving. Star cops Danson and Highsmith (Dwayne Johnson and Samuel L. Jackson) are initially followed until they are killed in the line of duty, at which point the focus shifts to the other guys: Will Ferrell’s bookish Detective Allen Gamble and his impulsive partner Detective Terry Hoitz (Mark Wahlberg), who are called in to look into a financial scheme being carried out by a billionaire (Steve Coogan) who is supported by a group of mercenaries led by Ray

The inspiration for The Other Guys, according to McKay, came from a dinner he and Ferrell had with Wahlberg during which he observed their chemistry. This chemistry is more than apparent on the big screen. Just to see Wahlberg’s priceless response to learning that Ferrell’s dimwitted character is married to Eva Mendes makes this movie worth seeing. While that on-screen marriage may be out of Ferrell’s comfort zone, this PG-13 action comedy is right up his alley.

No.6 – Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby

As mentioned above, although Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg had good chemistry in The Other Guys and Daddy’s Home, they aren’t a screen couple to remember. Ferrell and John C. Reilly are the actors who first teamed up to perform Shake and Bake in this NASCAR classic. Ferrell portrays the title character, Ricky Bobby, who grew up dreaming of only one thing: moving quickly, following in the footsteps of his father (Gary Cole), who taught him that “if you ain’t first, you’re last.”

Years later, Ricky has developed into a competent racecar driver, especially when competing alongside his best friend Cal. All bets are off, and Ricky Bobby has to fight to regain everything he’s lost, including his friendship with Cal, when a French Formula One driver (Sacha Baron Cohen) joins the team.

In Talladega Nights, how you perform on the track matters more than how you place, particularly in the eyes of your loved ones. especially if you have sons with names like Walker and Texas Ranger. Ferrell succeeds as a conceited moron who pisses excellence every morning but still has no idea what to do with his hands when he’s on camera. If Jesus, Allah, or my Jewish god can’t grant my modest request, then I may have to turn to The Man himself, Tom Cruise. I’d love to see the Magic Man and El Diablo ride once more.

No.5 – Elf

I simply enjoy grinning. It’s my favorite to smile. Additionally, this seasonal favorite will make you grin and offer you the kind of warm festive hug that will cause your tongue to expand. Buddy, a human who was adopted and nurtured by Santa’s elves, is played by Ferrell. When he finds out that his biological father (a grumpy James Caan) is in New York City, he decides to visit him while bringing joy to a jaded society.

With Will Ferrell playing the blazing yule log on which the entire film burns, director Jon Favreau gives Elf a certain warmth. Elf was originally a much darker project that was developed as a Jim Carrey star vehicle. Buddy has a lovely love interest in Zooey Deschanel, and I’ll always enjoy Bob Newhart’s Papa Elf and Ed Asner’s Santa.

Ferrel actually made up the song he sings in the midst of Gimbels’ Santaland, and Favreau used force perspective in Elf to make Buddy appear even bigger in comparison to the other elves. Many of you are in love with Elf, and you don’t care whether anyone knows. Just knowing that there are other people that are interested in elf culture is comforting. Unfortunately, sequels to Old School, Step Brothers, and Zoolander were not to be, which may be a good thing in light of the success of Anchorman, Zoolander, and Daddy’s Home.

No.4 – Zoolander

In the wake of 9/11, in September 2001, when people sorely needed to laugh but were still wary of going to the movies, Ben Stiller’s Zoolander was released. And even though it didn’t perform particularly well at the box office when it was first released, it has now evolved into a cult favorite. Jacobim Mugatu, the corrupt fashion magnate, is one of the greatest comedic villains, after all. Mugatu, a hot little potato who fits well in Stiller’s elevated vision of the fashion world with his wild hairdo and peculiar sense of style, is an inspired comic creation.

Ferrell’s insane enthusiasm in this film is the ideal counterpoint to Zoolander’s own laid-back attitude. Even though he is a fierce adversary who is capable of carrying out a critical hit, there is something unthreatening about him. Maybe it has to do with how he commands Zoolander to obey the tiny white poodle. Then again, am I taking crazy pills once more, or is watching Ferrell lick lollipops while dressed as a little girl the scariest thing ever?

No.3 – Step Brothers

Even though this is one of my personal favorite Ferrell movies, Brennan Huff just can’t hold a candle to Ron Burgundy or even Frank the Tank in terms of pure character. Brennan is alternately sympathetic and obstinate, so this is a very funny performance with some surprisingly poignant beats. The comic chemistry between Ferrell and his new sibling John C. Reilly improves from Talladega Nights, and the two are so in tune now that they resemble a young synchronized swimming team.

Because Step Brothers is the kind of movie that smacks you like a lightning bolt in the crotch or the funny bone, my deadliest foes and I could end up becoming best friends. The kind of timeless classic that “Boats ‘N Hoes” is will maintain Prestige Worldwide in the thoughts and hearts of followers long after the Catalina Wine Mixer has finished its final glass.

No.2 – Old School

Despite how fantastic Ferrell was in Zoolander, the movie did poorly at the box office, thus it was actually 2004’s Old School that gave Ferrell his big break as a leading man. He was still the third member of the trio, following Vince Vaughn and Luke Wilson, but Will Ferrell’s Frank the Tank became an overnight sensation. By the time you saw the movie about three miserable 30-somethings who decide to start a fraternity in order to relive their college days, you were there to see Ferrell “go streaking.” He had all the best lines in the trailer.

This college comedy, which Todd Phillips directed more than ten years before Joker, introduced the world to Will Ferrell’s versatility on the big screen. He was even nominated for an MTV Movie Award, losing to Mike Myers for the third Austin Powers movie, which today seems absurd, but he looks fantastic running around with a dart in his neck and singing “Dust in the Wind.” Old School Dos might come our way one day if the movie gods are on our side, but perhaps that chapter of Frank the Tank is gone and a bridge has been built since then. However, if that is the fact and you tell anyone, I will fucking kill you because that is not how you debate!

No.1 – Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy

I can say that I don’t immediately regret this choice. Ferrell’s creation of Ron Burgundy, the ideal concoction of pure sex, fine scotch, and political incorrectness, is unquestionably his funniest work. Look at that mustache, for instance! And look at how he maintains that eye contact! It’s the kind of comedic performance that gives you a hot glass of milk and a punch in the mouth while you enjoy a sensual jazz flute solo.

In the film Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, the title character, a news anchor, falls in love with Veronica Corningstone, a competitor co-anchor played by Christina Applegate, whose hiring he first opposed because she is a woman. Ron, not very classy! According to Anchorman’s director Adam McKay, Will Ferrell witnessed a 1970s interview with a sexist anchorman and believed it offered a perfect opportunity for a joke. Paul Rudd, Steve Carell, and David Koechner were some of his crazy co-stars, and he embraced the misogynist ideas of the day. McKay’s satire succeeds every time 60% of the time.

As he can tell the difference between a whale’s vagina, a smelly pirate hooker, cinnamon-scented hair, and apartments that smell like rich mahogany, Ron Burgundy has a kind of superpower. Now Anchorman 2 kind of stinks, that sense of smell has since vanished, but lovers of the first should seek out Wake Up, Ron Burgundy: The Lost Movie, which swaps out the film’s pregnant panda plot with a band of hippy bank robbers known as The Alarm Clock.

Don’t try to hide your admiration; Anchorman is Peak Ferrell, no matter how you look at it.