If you ain't first, you're last. That's wisdom brought straight to you from "Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby," starring Will Ferrell as one of the most lovable dunces in NASCAR history. It’s a good mantra to live by, though as one of the only movies I've ever cared about featuring racing wears on, Bobby realizes it’s more about the journey than being the best and the baddest driver in town.
- Release Date: August 4, 2006
- Starring: Will Ferrell, John C. Reilly, Sacha Baron Cohen
- The Verdict: Widely considered Will Ferrell’s funniest movie for its fearless, "unapologetically dumb" mid-2000s humor.
- Streaming On: Prime Video (buy/rent)
There’s a lot to love about this hilarious flick, which finds Ferrell playing opposite John C. Reilly and Sacha Baron Cohen. It also happens to be the best comedy Ferrell has ever starred in, even though it’s been two decades since the movie landed in theaters back in 2006.
When you finally watch it, it’s easy to see why it’s still a favorite all these years later. From the endless quotable moments to the absolutely unhinged behavior on the race track, it’s chock-full of everything you could want from a 2000s-era comedy.
Plot: What is 'Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby' about?
Ricky Bobby (Will Ferrell) has only one goal in life: to go fast and to be first. Raised on the racetrack after his deadbeat father Reese (Gary Cole) abandons the family mid-race, Ricky grows up believing that if you’re not first, you’re last. That philosophy fast-tracks him into becoming a superstar on the NASCAR circuit.
- The duo: He’s winning every race with his best friend and teammate Cal Naughton Jr. (John C. Reilly) by his side.
- The rival: Things change when French Formula One champion Jean Girard (Sacha Baron Cohen) hits the scene, determined to dethrone America's favorite racer.
- The fall: Ricky's empire starts to collapse, and he finds himself floundering, trying to figure out how to rise to the top once more.
Forced to face his own failures, he must find his way back to the driver’s seat with help from Cal, his family, and a father who suddenly wants back in his life.
Why you should watch 'Talladega Nights'
I can't stress enough how little I care about NASCAR or racing comedies. "Talladega Nights," however, is a movie I'll watch over and over. It is, unequivocally, the best comedy Ferrell has ever starred in.
The commitment to the character
The one-liners, the bravado, the swagger ... it’s all here. I actually believe Ferrell is this doofus of a NASCAR driver. He commits to this caricature through every single scene and doesn't pull back. And Reilly goes beat for beat with him as his best friend, one of the most underrated comedy sidekick performances of the era.
A fearless era of comedy
This movie represents the mid-2000s when studio comedies were loud, stupid, and completely fearless—a time I grew up with and felt excited by in comparison to the movies coming out now. It’s the shameless absurdity and jokes that hit so fast you barely have time to recover.
Best of all, it’s unapologetically dumb in the best way. Talladega Nights just wants to make you laugh until your sides hurt, and nearly twenty years later, it still absolutely does. So don't forget to catch it, unless you want us to come at you like a spider monkey.
Where to watch
You can buy or rent "Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby" on Prime Video and other streaming platforms.
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