10 Bill Hader movies and TV shows that made us laugh, cry, and wonder how one person can be this good

Deeya
Still from The Skeleton Twins (Image via Amazon Prime Video)
Still from The Skeleton Twins (Image via Amazon Prime Video)

Some of the best Bill Hader movies and TV shows are those that showcase the diverse range and skill of the actor, comedian, and screenwriter. Known mainly for his comedic roles, Hader has also showcased his acting diversity by starring in more complex and layered roles. The actor is known for his ability to morph into any character that is given to him and here are 10 such Bill Hader movies and TV shows, that fans of the actor must definitely watch.


Inside Out, Barry, and other Bill Hader movies and TV shows that one must watch

1. Trainwreck

Still from the movie (Image via Universal Pictures)
Still from the movie (Image via Universal Pictures)

Directed by Judd Apatow, this romantic comedy features Amy Schumer, Bill Hader, and others. The movie is also written by Amy Schumer and is one of the must-watch Bill Hader movies and TV shows. The movie is about a free-spirited and hard-drinking magazine writer Amy (Schumer), who ends up having an unexpected serious relationship with an orthopedic surgeon called Aaron (Hader). The movie was a critical and commercial hit and focuses on themes like dating in the modern world. The movie proves that Bill Hader is not just a great comic actor, but can also take on romantic lead roles. While Shumer’s character is all over the place and deals with her issues regarding commitment and family traumas, Hader’s character embodies the sweet and funny personality of Aaron, who quietly but strongly supports Amy. The movie is lighthearted yet important in today’s world of dating and is one of the must-watch Bill Hader movies and TV shows.


2. The Skeleton Twins

Still from the movie (Image via Amazon Prime Video)
Still from the movie (Image via Amazon Prime Video)

Starring Bill Hader, Kristin Wiig, and others, this comedy drama is directed by Craig Johnson and features Wiig and Hader playing the role of twins in the movie. The movie was noted by critics and Hader and Wiig, both give powerful performances, making it one of the must-watch Bill Hader movies and TV shows. The film is about the twins, Maggie and Milo, played by Wiig and Hader respectively. The siblings have stayed apart from each other since more than a decade but a dramatic event brings them together. The film explores the codependency that often gets formed in a siblings relationship and the personal struggles of both the brother and sister. While there are moments of hilarity, the movie has more emotional moments and will linger on with the viewers, even when the film ends. Bill Hader delivers effortlessly in the role and proves that he can take on complex and layered roles as well. There are very few movies that explore the unsaid bond between twins and therefore this is one of the must-watch Bill Hader movies and TV shows.


3. Inside Out

Still from the movie (Image via Pixar)
Still from the movie (Image via Pixar)

Directed by Pete Docter and featuring the voices of Amy Poehler, Bill Hader, and others, this animated coming-of-age movie has been deemed a modern classic and is one of the most nuanced animated movies to have been released in a long time. It is therefore one of the best Bill Hader movies and TV shows. The film was a critical and commercial success and its subject matter is extremely important. The movie is about a young girl Riley, who deals with her family’s relocation and all her mind’s inner workings and emotions are personified by various characters. Noted for its themes of mental health, the movie offers an insight into a person’s complicated feelings. Bill Hader has done some remarkable work in animation as well and in this movie, he plays the role of the emotion, fear. The actor is hilarious as he plays the emotion and is dressed in a bowtie and loafers like an old teacher. It is one of the must-watch Bill Hader movies and TV shows.


4. Forgetting Sarah Marshall

Still from the movie (Image via Amazon Prime Video)
Still from the movie (Image via Amazon Prime Video)

Starring Jason Segel, Kristen Bell, and others, this romantic comedy is directed by Nicholas Stoller and focuses on Peter (Segel), a music composer for a TV show, where his girlfriend Sarah (Bell), is also the lead. However, after a five-year-long relationship, the two break-up and Peter is devastated. As he books a trip to Hawaii, to move forward with his life, he ends up meeting Sarah again over there, who is now roaming around with her new boyfriend. The film was a critical and commercial hit and is one of the must-watch Bill Hader movies and TV shows, even though the actor is in a secondary role. Segel also wrote the movie and the film has important themes about self-growth. However, Bill Hader is in his element, as he plays the role of Peter’s stepbrother and best friend Brian, who encourages him but also dives into funny monologues, quirky metaphors, and hilarious conversations. It is therefore, one of the must-watch Bill Hader movies and TV shows as it shows the actor’s incredibly comic timing.


5. Tropic Thunder

Still from the movie (Image via Amazon Prime Video)
Still from the movie (Image via Amazon Prime Video)

Directed by Ben Stiller, who also stars in the movie alongside Jack Black and Robert Downey Jr., this satirical action and comedy movie is one of the underrated Bill Hader movies and TV shows. The movie parodies many famous war movies and focuses on a group of actors, who are making a Vietnam War movie. However, trouble ensues when the director dies in a freak accident and the actors must rely on their acting skills to survive real danger as they are stranded in a jungle. Bill Hader appears in a supporting role as studio executive Rob Slolom, who is the assistant to the crude character of Les Grossman, played by Tom Cruise. The movie was a critical and commercial success and is one of the lesser-known Bill Hader movies and TV shows. However, the actor does a hilarious job of playing the role allotted to him and gives funny expressions.


6. Barry

Still from the show (Image via HBO)
Still from the show (Image via HBO)

Created by Alec Berg and Bill Hader, this black comedy and crime drama is one of the most famous works by Bill Hader and is therefore, one of the must-watch Bill Hader movies and TV shows. Starring Hader himself, the show is about Barry (Hader), who is a former US Marine and now works as a hitman. However, when he travels to Los Angeles to carry out a mission, he ends up joining an acting class, where he meets an aspiring actress Sally (Sarah Goldberg), and begins to question his life choices, while also dealing with the criminals that he has now associated with. The show was praised by both critics and viewers for its dark humor, tone, direction, and originality. Bill Hader gave a career-defining performance and received an Emmy Award for his portrayal. The show has important themes of depression and self-discovery and is both poignant and hilarious. Hader embodies the role that he has created for himself and is indistinguishable as Barry. It is one of the must-watch Bill Hader movies and TV shows.


7. Maggie’s Plan

Still from the movie (Image via Sony Pictures)
Still from the movie (Image via Sony Pictures)

Directed by Rebecca Miller, this romantic comedy and drama movie features Ethan Hawke, Bill Hader, Maya Rudolph, and others. The film has an ensemble cast where everyone has their own story. However, the movie’s lead is Maggie (Greta Gerwig), who is a director for business development and outreach and decides that she wants a child. She enlists the help of a former college acquaintance, Guy (Travis Fimmel), into giving his sperm. The movie is endearing yet funny and Bill Hader plays the role of Tony, who is the husband of Rudolph’s Felicia and is also the best friend of Maggie. While Hader does not have a lead role in the movie, it is still one of the must-watch Bill Hader movies and TV shows as the actor showcases his acting prowess, even in a limited role. His character gives sound advice to Maggie and offers comic relief. However, Hader’s comic timing feels nuanced and not immature. Therefore, it is one of the underrated Bill Hader movies and TV shows.


8. The Awesomes

Still from the show (Image via Hulu)
Still from the show (Image via Hulu)

Created by Seth Meyers and Mike Shoemaker, this adult animated comedy series focused on a group of superheroes who must replace the members of a previous legendary superhero team because they are disbanding. As the superheroes struggle with a new leadership, the titular team must put themselves back together and prove to the public and media that they are here to fight against evil. The show features the voices of Meyers, Paula Pell, and others. Bill Hader also lends voice to the character of Dr. Giuseppe Malocchio and the underrated show is one of the must-watch Bill Hader movies and TV shows. The show is a light-hearted watch and focuses on the troubles that superheroes have to go through. Hader displays his voice acting talent in the show and the actor is known for his animated projects. Therefore, it is one of the must-watch Bill Hader movies and TV shows.


9. It Chapter Two

Still from the movie (Image via Warner Bros)
Still from the movie (Image via Warner Bros)

Directed by Andy Muschietti and starring Bill Hader, Jessica Chastain, and others, this horror movie is the sequel to It and is the second part in a two-part adaptation of the 1986 novel by Stephen King. The movie is set 27 years after the events of the previous movie and focuses once again on the members of the Losers Club, who have all grown up now and must reunite to destroy the terrifying clown, Pennywise, once and for all. The movie was a success at the box office, though it received some mixed reviews from the critics. Bill Hader plays the role of Richie Tozier and it is one of the must-watch Bill Hader movies and TV shows. Hader delivers a powerful performance and showcases his acting range as he takes on roles that have a funny element in them, but are also more serious and dramatic. The actor embodies the various struggles that his character is going through and the fear that he feels. It is one of the must-watch Bill Hader movies and TV shows.


10. Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

Still from the movie (Image via Sony Pictures Entertainment)
Still from the movie (Image via Sony Pictures Entertainment)

Based on the 1978 children’s book by Judi and Ron Barrett, this sci-fi animated comedy is directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller and features the voices of Bill Hader, Anna Faris, and others. It is one of the best Bill Hader movies and TV shows. The movie is about an aspiring inventor Flint Lockwood (Hader), who develops, after many failed experiments, a machine that converts water into food. However, after the machine goes berserk and develops food storms, Flint must stop it to save the world. The movie was a critical and commercial success and was noted for its colorful visuals, humor, and voice acting. The movie even has a sequel and a series and Hader proves that he is a talented voice actor. He portrays all the inflections and emotions of his character Flint and makes viewers feel the urgency that Flint has surrounded himself with. The movie is quirky and charming and is one of the must-watch Bill Hader movies and TV shows.

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Edited by Deeya