Steve Carell Opens Up About His Two Favorite Films Ever

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Steve Carell is a hugely popular comedian, famous for playing characters like Michael Scott in The Office and Brick Tamland in Anchorman. However, even comedic geniuses have their influences. He once told MTV his two favorite films, and surprisingly, they have a lot in common.

Steve Carell said his favorite movies are Dr. Strangelove and Being There, both of which feature Peter Sellers. He noted that Peter Sellers appears in both films.

Steve Carell is fascinated by Peter Sellers’ versatility as an actor and his ability to create memorable characters. He specifically praised the 1964 Stanley Kubrick film, Dr. Strangelove, for its unique blend of humor and serious themes. According to Carell, the film is both hilarious and unsettling, tackling dark subjects in a surprisingly thought-provoking way. He was amazed by how much the filmmakers were able to get away with, creating a movie that’s simultaneously chilling and funny – a truly remarkable achievement.

Peter Sellers famously played three distinct characters in Dr. Strangelove: the President, a British officer, and the unusual scientist Dr. Strangelove himself. This satirical film tackles the subject of nuclear war during the Cold War and was nominated for four Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director. Recognized for its cultural and historical importance, it’s also been added to the National Film Registry.

Steve Carell’s second choice, the 1979 film Being There, reveals a very different side of Peter Sellers. He explained, “I think Being There had a uniquely subtle tone – something I hadn’t encountered in a movie before.” He particularly admired the film’s gentle, kind, and intelligent approach, and felt Sellers’ performance was brilliant.

I recently revisited Hal Ashby’s Being There, and it’s still a remarkably funny and thought-provoking film. Peter Sellers is brilliant as Chance, a gardener who’s lived his entire life sheltered within the walls of a grand estate. When his employer passes away, Chance is thrust into society, and the truly bizarre thing is, people interpret his simple gardening metaphors as deep political insight! It’s a clever satire, and Sellers is wonderfully supported by Shirley MacLaine and Melvyn Douglas, who deservedly won an Academy Award for his performance. Like Dr. Strangelove, it’s a true classic—preserved in the National Film Registry and continues to be a cult favorite for a reason.

Steve Carell has brought a smart, character-focused style of comedy to today’s films. He’s proven his range after his success on The Office, moving seamlessly between funny and serious roles. He received an Oscar nomination for Foxcatcher and was highly praised for his work in The Big Short.

Steve Carell recently worked with Tina Fey on the Netflix series The Four Seasons, which launched in May 2025. The show, based on a 1981 film starring Alan Alda, was popular with viewers and has been picked up for a second season set to air in Spring 2026. In 2025, he also appeared in the HBO comedy Mountainhead, directed by Jesse Armstrong, the creator of Succession. In the show, he played a tech billionaire facing a difficult situation.

Fans are eagerly anticipating Carell’s upcoming HBO show, Rooster, set to premiere in March 2026. The series, created by Bill Lawrence (known for Ted Lasso and Scrubs), stars Carell as a writer unexpectedly thrown into the complicated world of academia. These new roles, combined with his previous work, demonstrate Carell’s ability to draw inspiration from comedic greats like Peter Sellers, solidifying his reputation as one of today’s most adaptable and talented actors.

Steve Carell explained that his favorite films are likely either Dr. Strangelove or Being There, because both feature the incredibly talented Peter Sellers.

So, which do you prefer: the wild comedy of Dr. Strangelove or the quiet satire of Being There?

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2026-01-19 13:16