"I love Wilson Phillips." The 10 Best Melissa McCarthy Movies and TV Shows, According to Rotten Tomatoes (2024)

With an impressive catalog of movies and shows to her credit, Melissa McCarthy has quickly cemented her place as one of Hollywood's leading comediennes and a remarkably versatile performer. A two-time Oscar nominee, McCarthy gives committed performances in virtually every project; even if the film itself isn't very good, McCarthy is often stellar. She caught the spotlight recently with her portrayal of Ursula in the live-action movie remake The Little Mermaid.

From a sweet and reliable best friend to a struggling author to an iconic fantasy villain, McCarthy has done it all. Many of her films, especially during the 2010s, have received acclaim from critics, as evidenced by their high scores on the popular review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes. From laugh-out-loud comedies to thoughtful dramas, McCarthy's best-reviewed films on Rotten Tomatoes showcase her remarkable talent as a performer.

10 'The Nines' (2007)

Rotten Tomatoes: 64%

This interesting movie captures three intriguing stories as a sort of anthology, with Ryan Reynolds and Hope Davis also starring. Written and directed by John August, the movie follows three tales - one with a trapped actor, another with sitcom production, and the last one with a stranded video game designer.

The Nines is a great commentary on feeling trapped and the mental delusions that follow. It's an underrated thriller with elements of science fiction interspersed to make the movie a fast-paced entertainer. The Nines really challenged McCarthy’s prowess as she played three different characters in one movie, and her on-screen dynamic with the equally committed Reynolds is especially effective.

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9 'The Heat' (2013)

Rotten Tomatoes: 66%

The Heat is an exciting cop comedy with Melissa McCarthy and Sandra Bullock. With Paul Feig as the director, the movie makes great use of McCarthy and Bullock’s comic timing and follows a face-off between two cops who are working solo to detain a drug lord while aiming for a promotion.

Watching Bullock and McCarthy go toe to two was not something audiences knew they needed. They challenge each other throughout the movie while blossoming a friendship over the struggles faced by female officers. The Heat is among McCarthy and Bullock's best comedic movies, a showcase of their well-known abilities to make people laugh and further confirmation that they are among their generation's finest comedians.

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8 'The Little Mermaid' (2023)

Rotten Tomatoes: 68%

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The most recent addition to McCarthy’s list of awesome works is the live-action adaptation of The Little Mermaid, directed by Oscar-nominee Rob Marshall. She plays the evil witch of the sea, Ursula, one of the most iconic villains in animation, originally voiced by the late Pat Carroll. Ursula is the one Ariel comes to make a deal to experience life on land and realize her true love.

The live-action adaptation of the classic that kickstarted the Disney Renaissance has delighted viewers across the world. McCarthy’s portrayal is an amalgamation of menace and charm, just what is needed to lure Ariel and eventually betray her. The actress captivates the audience whenever she comes on screen, embodying the character's wicked allure. The Little Mermaid is an effective and enchanting adaptation of a well-known cinematic classic; it can't quite match the original's timelessness, but it ranks among the studio's strongest live-action efforts.

The Little Mermaid

PG

The youngest of King Triton's daughters, Ariel is a beautiful and spirited young mermaid with a thirst for adventure. Longing to find out more about the world beyond the sea, Ariel visits the surface and falls for the dashing Prince Eric. Following her heart, she makes a deal with the evil sea witch, Ursula, to experience life on land.

Release Date

May 26, 2023

Director

Rob Marshall

Cast

Halle Bailey , Jonah Hauer-King , Melissa McCarthy , Javier Bardem , Daveed Diggs , Jacob Tremblay , Awkwafina

Runtime

135 Minutes

Watch on Disney+

7 'Ghostbusters' (2016)

Rotten Tomatoes: 73%

Another buddy comedy with McCarthy, 2016's Ghostbusters follows an all-female group of paranormal investigators fighting against supernatural threats. When they stumble upon the fact that an evil force is planning something apocalyptic in New York, they must rise to the challenge and protect the city.

Directed by Paul Feig, the movie succeeded in entertaining audiences, both young and old alike. Despite the mainly positive critical reception, Ghostbusters faced backlash and vitriol for its all-female cast and for straying away from the source material. Still, 2016's Ghostbusters is a remarkable reboot of the franchise, thanks to McCarthy's charming and lively chemistry with her co-stars. The film might be divisive, but it is arguably even better than 2022's Ghostbusters: Afterlife.

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6 'Samantha Who?' (2007-2009)

Rotten Tomatoes: 77%

This underrated sitcom Samantha Who? might not have lasted very long, but fans loved McCarthy as Dena. The plot revolves around Samantha Newly, who experiences amnesia and learns how miserable she used to be. To make amends, she corrects her ways and begins on a journey of self-improvement. McCarthy plays Samantha's friend, Dena, who often acts as her conscience.

Created by Cecilia Ahern and Donald Todd, Samantha Who? is an adventurous and hilarious ride powered by Applegate's brilliant, Emmy-nominated performance. Due to dropping viewership and ratings, the show was canceled after two seasons, leaving fans disappointed. However, streaming allows for another chance to watch this underrated gem of a TV show.

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5 'St. Vincent' (2014)

Rotten Tomatoes: 78%

See Also

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While McCarthy shines unusually bright in comedy roles, she brings a certain charming quality in her other, more dramatic roles as well. Such is the case for 2014's St. Vincent, where she plays a single mother who wants the best for her child. When she asks her war veteran neighbor to babysit her kid, a beautiful friendship blossoms between the kid and the elderly man.

Directed by Theodore Melfi, St. Vincent received praise for its screenplay and the performances of McCarthy, Bill Murray, and Naomi Watts. Wicked, clever, and adopting a sharp and biting approach to humor, St. Vincent is a black comedy with genuine heart and one of McCarthy's most delightful and pleasantly unexpected choices.

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4 'Gilmore Girls' (2000-2007)

Rotten Tomatoes: 86%

A highly rewatchable television dramedy, Gilmore Girls follows Lorelai and her daughter, Rory, as they navigate a life full of love, loss, and humor-filled struggles. McCarthy plays Sookie, Lorelai’s best friend and confidante and a major supporting player in the show. The clumsy and endlessly cheery Sookie is among the show's funniest characters.

Gilmore Girls was McCarthy's ticket to mainstream recognition, with the actress staying for seven seasons and returning for a small cameo in the revival, Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life. Quirky and warm, Gilmore Girls has become a beloved part of millennial culture and remains highly popular with modern audiences thanks to streaming. McCarthy's role as Sookie is an important part of the show's success, with her friendship with Lorelai becoming one of its strongest aspects.

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3 'Bridesmaids' (2011)

Rotten Tomatoes: 89%

The first partnership between McCarthy and Paul Feig was the now-iconic 2012 comedy Bridesmaids. The film was co-written by and stars Kristen Wiig as Annie, a struggling woman who has to be the maid of honor for her best friend, Lillian. However, things not only go wrong, they go terribly awry, thus creating a plethora of funny situations. McCarthy plays Megan, one of Lillian's bridesmaids, famous for her confidence and eccentric personality.

Bridesmaids received universal critical acclaim and is widely considered among the 21st century's best R-rated comedies. The film was McCarthy's breakthrough as a movie star, with her performance becoming the standout in the film. The actress received an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress, a remarkable feat considering the Academy's bias against comedies.

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2 'Spy' (2015)

Rotten Tomatoes: 95%

Audiences can expect unparalleled hilarity whenever Paul Feig and Melissa McCarthy unite for a project, and 2015's Spy proves it. McCarthy plays an analyst at a desk job who springs into action when another agent is compromised. The newly appointed spy must navigate challenges and accomplish the job

Bridesmaids

R

Release Date

May 13, 2011

Director

Paul Feig

Cast

Kristen Wiig , Rose Byrne , Maya Rudolph , Melissa McCarthy , Ellie Kemper , Wendi McLendon-Covey

Runtime

125 minutes

Gilmore Girls

TV-PG

Release Date

October 5, 2000

Cast

Lauren Graham , Alexis Bledel , Scott Patterson , Melissa McCarthy , Keiko Agena , Yanic Truesdale , Kelly Bishop , Edward Herrmann

Main Genre

Comedy

Seasons

7

. Jason Statham, Rose Byrne, and Jude Law also star in this comedy action movie.

Arguably the 21st century's best spy comedy, Spy is a hilarious showcase for McCarthy's considerable comedic gifts. The actress receives considerable support from the supporting cast, especially Byrne and a surprisingly funny Statham. However, McCarthy remains front and center, elevating Spy to new comedy heights with her physical and earnest performance.

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1 'Can You Ever Forgive Me?' (2018)

Rotten Tomatoes: 98%

Earning McCarthy a well-deserved Academy Award nomination for Best Actress, Can You Ever Forgive Me? proved, once and for all, that McCarthy was an incredibly good dramatic performer. Directed by Marielle Heller, the film follows a struggling writer who begins forging letters from famous people and selling them to libraries.

Clever and insightful, Can You Ever Forgive Me? is a brilliant portrayal of artistic struggle and desperation. McCarthy and her co-star, Richard E. Grant, are tremendous together, injecting wicked humor into a dark and tragic story. Confidently guided by Heller's hand, Can You Ever Forgive Me? is devastating, poignant, intelligent, and undoubtedly McCarthy's best movie.

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NEXT: The 10 Best Jennifer Lawrence Movies, Ranked by Rotten Tomatoes