Every Chris Farley Movie, Ranked

Chris Farley was a kind and talented man, but he became known in Hollywood for his wild physical comedy. While he enjoyed making people laugh – and that was truly important to him – he was often limited to those types of roles, which took a toll on him emotionally. He longed to show his range and knew he was capable of more serious work, and tragically, he was just beginning to break free from that image when he died at 33. It’s heartbreaking to think how close he was to achieving that. He was originally cast as Shrek, completing almost all of the dialogue with great enthusiasm. Even more significantly, he was poised to star in a biopic about the silent film comedian Roscoe ‘Fatty’ Arbuckle, but the studio required him to maintain sobriety for a certain period, as he had become a difficult performer to insure.

Roscoe Arbuckle struggled with his weight, but it ironically helped others profit, so he maintained it to keep working. For John Candy, a dramatic acting breakthrough seemed possible, and perhaps gaining confidence through success could have helped him overcome substance abuse – many of his family members were also battling addiction and eventually got sober. Sadly, we only received ten films from him. Four were leading roles, while the others were brief appearances, extended cameos, or supporting parts. We’ve now ranked those films based on how well his comedic talents were used.

10) Wayne’s World

Absolutely, Wayne’s World is a fantastic film – the best one on this list, actually. However, the role Chris Farley played could have been handled by almost anyone. The part didn’t demand a lot of comedic skill, and certainly not the incredible talent Farley brought to it.

Farley’s brief screen time is a highlight, though. His proud walk, complete with puffed-out chest and airplane gestures depicting a journey from St. Louis to Detroit (with a stop in Chicago), is one of the funniest moments in an already hilarious movie.

Stream Wayne’s World on Paramount+.

9) Airheads

Many enjoy Airheads as a lighthearted and nostalgic film from the 90s. However, Chris Farley isn’t really a major focus of the movie.

Farley only appears on screen for about five minutes in this film, but like in another movie he’s in, that’s all he needs to be memorable. Here, he plays a police officer who tries to act confident, but is easily distracted and keeps repeating the same mistakes.

8) Almost Heroes

Despite featuring Chris Farley, the movie Almost Heroes is simply not a good film and is difficult to watch. Knowing he was nearing the end of his life makes it especially painful, even though he was sober during filming. It’s reminiscent of, but not as striking as, his appearances on All That and hosting Saturday Night Live.

It’s sad that Almost Heroes was Chris Farley’s last major film role. He reportedly didn’t like Beverly Hills Ninja or Black Sheep, and likely would have recognized Almost Heroes as a low point in his career. While Farley gives a good performance, particularly when the movie focuses on the character’s adventurous side, it’s disappointing to see him in silly scenes like being drunk in a pigpen or fighting an eagle. The film suffers from clashing comedic styles – Farley’s energetic performance, Matthew Perry’s sarcasm, and director Christopher Guest’s satirical approach – which ultimately prevent it from being truly successful.

Stream Almost Heroes for free with ads on The Roku Channel.

7) Coneheads

Though only his second film, Coneheads showed how quickly Chris Farley was becoming a notable actor, landing a significant supporting role after a brief appearance in Wayne’s World. It’s also interesting that he was cast in a relatively normal role, without relying on over-the-top comedy.

Let’s be honest, Coneheads isn’t a very good movie. It’s a perfect example of why Saturday Night Live sketches that are funny for four minutes often don’t work as full-length films. However, it’s nice to see Chris Farley play a genuinely sweet romantic character for once, instead of just being used for physical comedy or fat jokes.

Stream Coneheads on Paramount+.

6) Wayne’s World 2

Despite being made quickly after the first movie, Wayne’s World 2 doesn’t get the credit it deserves. While it doesn’t utilize Christopher Walken very well, it features a fantastic performance by Chris Farley, who plays Milton, a directionless friend of Wayne and Garth hoping to become a roadie at their Waynestock concert.

Farley’s role was significantly larger this time around, appearing fifth in the credits after the returning cast members Myers, Carvey, and Carrere, and alongside Walken as the villain. This was a big improvement from his brief appearance in the first movie, and he really made the most of the extra screen time. The highlight is the roadie audition, where hopefuls have to dodge fast-moving tennis balls. Milton attempts to grab a fallen microphone but gets hit by the balls himself. Wayne then steps in, mimicking a famous scene from An Officer and a Gentleman, and angrily scolds Milton for his repeated failures. He demands to know why Milton keeps trying, and Milton passionately shouts a line inspired by Richard Gere’s character, yelling, “’Cause I got no place else to go!”

Stream Wayne’s World 2 on Paramount+.

5) Dirty Work

First of all, Dirty Work doesn’t get nearly enough credit. If you’re okay with Norm Macdonald’s unique, slow-paced humor, you’ll find a lot to enjoy. It’s not a masterpiece, but it’s a really energetic and fun movie.

Despite its flaws, the movie really shines thanks to two supporting actors. Chevy Chase delivers a strong performance as a doctor deeply in debt to dangerous criminals, and each appearance shows him with a new, more serious injury. But it’s Chris Farley who truly steals the show. His five-minute role as Jimmy No-Nose is incredibly energetic and funny – everything his last film wasn’t able to be, a proper goodbye. From screaming at the skunks he believes he’s trained to shouting “B! Se-eh-ven!” and his memorable line about the “Saigon whe who bit my nose off!”, every moment is hilarious.

Stream Dirty Work for free with ads on The Roku Channel.

4) Beverly Hills Ninja

If you remember Blockbuster Video, you probably recall the cover art for Beverly Hills Ninja, featuring Chris Farley doing a split in front of the Japanese flag. It’s a memorable image, and honestly, it’s more enjoyable than the movie itself.

Okay, so Beverly Hills Ninja is a bit of a mixed bag, honestly. It actually does a surprisingly good job of capturing that ‘outsider in a fancy world’ vibe that Beverly Hills Cop nailed. But, let’s be real, it mostly delivers exactly what you’d expect from a Chris Farley movie – lots of physical comedy. Still, even though it’s not a great film, it’s a really important one when you look back at Farley’s career. He plays Haru with this genuinely sweet, childlike wonder – he’s just a big kid in a karate outfit! And even though he apparently cried while watching it (and not happy tears!), it’s clear that everything that works in the movie is down to him and his performance.

This movie is important for a couple of reasons. First, it was the only film where Chris Farley truly played the main character, and he showed he could successfully lead a whole movie. Second, his rising popularity helped make the film appealing to families, and many kids grew up loving it. Though Farley wasn’t initially thrilled with the direction of the movie, he enjoyed bringing joy to children, so it would have been wonderful to see how he reacted to its popularity with younger viewers – and even Christian Bale, as it turns out.

Stream Beverly Hills Ninja on Starz.

3) Black Sheep

Released quickly to capitalize on the popularity of Tommy Boy, Black Sheep doesn’t quite measure up. A major issue is that it heavily relies on the same story structure as Tommy Boy, simply swapping in a new plot. Chris Farley plays a clumsy character desperate to avoid letting down a loved one, and David Spade plays the sarcastic voice of reason, shielding him from the world. However, instead of selling brake parts to save a family business, the plot now revolves around a brother running for political office.

Unlike Tommy Boy, this film doesn’t give Chris Farley’s character a strong connection with a female co-star. It relies too much on physical comedy, missing the elements that made Tommy Boy so successful. Still, Black Sheep is the last movie Farley and David Spade made together, which makes it significant. Sadly, it was also a turning point for Farley, as he began to worry that he’d be typecast as just a performer of slapstick.

Stream Black Sheep on Prime Video.

2) Billy Madison

Even in his fifth movie, Billy Madison, Chris Farley was still mostly given small parts or supporting roles. While this is just a five-minute appearance, it’s arguably his most hilarious scene, and he nails every line.

I’ll never forget the moment the bus driver got hit with a sandwich – it’s seriously one of the funniest things from the ’90s! Seeing him at the wheel, absolutely furious with his face bright red and on the verge of tears, was amazing. He yells about turning the bus around and ending the field trip, and you can just feel his frustration building. It really showed how brilliantly he could play these characters who were initially intimidating, but then turn them into these hilariously pathetic figures. It was perfect comedic timing!

Stream Billy Madison on YouTube TV.

1)Tommy Boy

If you want to understand Chris Farley, Tommy Boy is the best movie to watch. It really shows his kind personality, and the film’s portrayal of Tommy as a college student who loves to party is based on Farley’s own experiences. However, the most important part of the movie – and what really connects it to Farley’s life – is the relationship between Tommy and his father, Big Tom Callahan II, who is wonderfully played by the late Brian Dennehy.

Farley deeply admired his father, but this created a difficult situation for him. He admitted to friends he felt pressured to maintain his weight and drinking habits to avoid upsetting his dad. The film Tommy Boy begins with Tommy’s grief over his father’s death, which mirrors Farley’s own fear of losing his dad, Tom. Sadly, Farley passed away just a year before his father did. While his father managed to stop drinking after Farley’s death, the damage to his liver was irreversible. Tommy Boy is a classic, heartwarming movie, but it also leaves many viewers wondering what Farley could have achieved if he hadn’t been so quickly defined by a certain type of role.

Stream Tommy Boy on Paramount+.

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2026-01-06 02:18