Steve Carell is one of Hollywood’s most versatile actors, known for making audiences laugh and cry in equal measure. From animated comedies to intense dramas, he has taken on a wide range of roles over the years.
Critics have loved some of his films and panned others pretty harshly. Here is a look at eight movies that earned glowing reviews and seven that left critics unimpressed.
1. The 40-Year-Old Virgin (2005) – Critics Praised
Few comedies manage to feel both hilarious and genuinely heartfelt, but this one pulled it off. Steve Carell’s portrayal of Andy Stitzer became an instant classic, earning praise for being surprisingly sweet beneath all the laughs.
Critics called it one of the funniest films in years. It proved that a raunchy comedy could still have real emotional depth.
Carell’s natural charm carried every scene effortlessly.
2. Little Miss Sunshine (2006) – Critics Praised
Road trip movies rarely hit this hard emotionally. Little Miss Sunshine brought together an eccentric family on a journey to a children’s beauty pageant, and Carell’s quiet, melancholy performance as Uncle Frank was a standout.
Critics gave the film near-universal acclaim, praising its balance of dark humor and genuine warmth. Carell showed audiences a softer, more restrained dramatic side that many had not seen before.
3. Over the Hedge (2006) – Critics Praised
Animated films can be surprisingly sharp when they take on suburban culture, and Over the Hedge did exactly that. Carell voiced Hammy the hyperactive squirrel, a character who quickly became a fan favorite.
Critics appreciated the film’s clever humor and charming animation, awarding it a solid 75% on Rotten Tomatoes. Hammy’s energy and innocence gave the movie some of its biggest laughs and most lovable moments.
4. Horton Hears a Who! (2008) – Critics Praised
Based on the beloved Dr. Seuss story, this animated adventure captured the magic of the original book beautifully. Carell voiced Horton the elephant with warmth and sincerity, making the character instantly endearing to kids and parents alike.
Critics praised the film for being whimsical and faithful to its source material, earning a 79% on Rotten Tomatoes. The message that “a person’s a person, no matter how small” resonated strongly with audiences everywhere.
5. Despicable Me (2010) – Critics Praised
Nobody expected a movie about a supervillain adopting three little girls to be this touching. Despicable Me surprised critics and audiences by delivering genuine emotional moments wrapped inside a hilarious animated adventure.
Carell voiced Gru with a ridiculous accent that somehow worked perfectly. Critics called it a “surprisingly thoughtful, family-friendly treat,” and it earned an 80% on Rotten Tomatoes.
The film launched one of animation’s most successful franchises.
6. Crazy, Stupid, Love (2011) – Critics Praised
Romantic comedies had grown pretty predictable by 2011, but this one genuinely felt fresh. Carell played Cal Weaver, a recently separated dad trying to rebuild his confidence after his wife asked for a divorce.
Critics loved the film’s sharp writing and strong ensemble cast. Ryan Gosling’s chemistry with Carell was a highlight that kept audiences laughing throughout.
Many reviewers called it one of the best rom-coms of its generation.
7. Foxcatcher (2014) – Critics Praised
Foxcatcher was a career-defining moment for Steve Carell. Playing real-life millionaire John du Pont, he transformed physically and emotionally into one of cinema’s most unsettling characters, earning an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor.
Critics were stunned by the dramatic range Carell displayed. The film received near-universal acclaim for its slow-burn tension and powerful performances.
Many viewers who only knew Carell from comedies were genuinely shocked by how chilling he was.
8. The Big Short (2015) – Critics Praised
Making the 2008 financial crisis entertaining sounds nearly impossible, but this film managed it brilliantly. Carell played Mark Baum, a passionate and morally outraged investor who saw the housing market collapse coming before anyone else did.
Critics showered the movie with near-universal praise, calling it smart, funny, and infuriating all at once. The film won the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay.
Carell’s angry idealism made Baum one of his most compelling roles.
9. Curly Sue (1991) – Fell Flat
Every actor has to start somewhere, and for Carell, it was a tiny uncredited role as a waiter in this 1991 family film. Curly Sue holds the unfortunate title of his lowest-rated movie on Rotten Tomatoes, sitting at just 13%.
Critics panned the film for being far too sentimental and overly corny. While Carell barely appeared on screen, the movie became a fun piece of trivia for his most dedicated fans.
10. Sleepover (2004) – Fell Flat
Carell appeared in this forgettable teen comedy before his big breakthrough, and critics were not impressed at all. Sleepover earned a painful 15% on Rotten Tomatoes, with reviewers criticizing its unoriginal script and outdated message about popularity.
The film tried to tap into the feel-good teen movie formula but missed the mark badly. Looking back, it reads more as an awkward early chapter in Carell’s filmography rather than anything worth revisiting.
11. Bewitched (2005) – Fell Flat
Remaking a beloved classic TV show is always risky, and Bewitched proved why. The film earned a disappointing 24% on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics describing it as “drab” and “phony” compared to the charming original series.
Carell played Jack Wyatt, an actor hired to star in a Bewitched reboot. Despite a recognizable cast, the movie never found its footing.
Most reviewers felt it lacked the warmth and magic that made the original so memorable.
12. Evan Almighty (2007) – Fell Flat
Sequels to beloved comedies face an uphill battle, and Evan Almighty stumbled hard. The follow-up to Bruce Almighty focused on a new character played by Carell who is ordered by God to build a modern-day Noah’s Ark.
Critics gave it a rough 23% on Rotten Tomatoes, calling the humor over-the-top and the story too thin to hold up. Despite impressive special effects and a massive budget, the laughs never really landed the way the filmmakers hoped.
13. Dinner for Schmucks (2010) – Fell Flat
American remakes of beloved foreign films often struggle to capture the original’s magic, and this one was no exception. Based on the French comedy “Le Diner de Cons,” the film starred Carell as Barry, a clueless but well-meaning oddball invited to a dinner mocking eccentric guests.
Critics found the humor repetitive and mean-spirited. Many called it a pale imitation of the original.
Despite some funny moments from Carell, the film overstayed its welcome.
14. The Incredible Burt Wonderstone (2013) – Fell Flat
A movie about rival Las Vegas magicians sounds like it should be a goldmine for comedy, but Burt Wonderstone never quite delivered. Despite a talented cast including Jim Carrey and Olivia Wilde, critics found the tone inconsistent and the plot predictable.
The film flopped at the box office and received mixed reviews. Carell played an arrogant, self-absorbed magician with commitment, but even his energy could not save a script that critics felt ran out of tricks far too quickly.
15. Welcome to Marwen (2018) – Fell Flat
Based on a genuinely moving true story, Welcome to Marwen had all the ingredients for a powerful film. Carell played Mark Hogancamp, a man who coped with trauma by creating an elaborate miniature WWII village in his backyard.
Critics were divided, with many finding the film’s execution disappointing despite its fascinating premise. Some praised Carell’s sincere performance and the animation sequences, but overall the movie struggled to connect emotionally.
It underperformed both critically and commercially.