5 Stephen Colbert TV shows and movies that should definitely be on your watchlist

What makes these five Stephen Colbert projects worth placing on your watchlist? The answer: each of them signifies a different point in the long, diverse, and powerful career of Stephen Colbert!

These shows, ranging from news parody to animation, demonstrate the influence of Stephen Colbert in the American comedy scene and are simultaneously illustrative of his flexibility within various formats.

From political satire to interviews, to character roles, to voice acting, Colbert is already an established name in the entertainment industry. Notably, the conclusion of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert in May 2026 has brought more attention to his past works among the audience. These five Stephen Colbert titles should be on everyone’s watchlist!

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Have a look at 5 Stephen Colbert TV shows and movies that should definitely be on your watchlist

1. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (2015–2026)

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert premiered on September 8, 2015, demonstrating unequivocally that Stephen Colbert was completely done away with the character of the theatrical critic he had created for The Colbert Report, and he forthrightly led the late-night CBS franchise as himself.

In the month of July 2025, CBS and Stephen Colbert publicly declared that the program would come to an end with the contract in May of 2026. The program features nightly interviews, monologues, and commentary that are all part of a nightly show. It is still one of the most visible roles of Stephen Colbert, as it marked his journey from character-based satire to traditional late-night hosting.

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2. The Colbert Report (2005–2014)

The Colbert Report was one of Stephen Colbert's most famous projects, in which he played an imaginary right-wing commentator. The program, which was a spin-off of The Daily Show, was able to become a favourite of both critics and audiences through its clever and sometimes biting political, media, and social commentary.

The show concluded in December 2014, right when Stephen Colbert was getting ready to take over at CBS. This is still one of the major titles of Stephen Colbert because it is the character that secured him nationwide fame.

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3. The Daily Show (1997–2005; later guest appearances)

Long before he hosted his own show, Stephen Colbert already had a prominent role on The Daily Show in 1997, where he was one of the correspondents under Craig Kilborn as well as Jon Stewart.

The particular features of his segments frequently dealt with political matters, cultural issues, and comic field reports. His appearances contributed to the comic method, which later became characteristic of The Colbert Report.

Since Colbert left in 2005, he has appeared from time to time as a guest, which has already made the series a major milestone in his career.

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4. Strangers with Candy (1999–2000)

Strangers with Candy is another side of the coin regarding Stephen Colbert's early career. It was a series created by the collaboration of Amy Sedaris, Paul Dinello, and, last but not least, Stephen Colbert himself, and appeared from 1999 until 2000 on Comedy Central. Colbert was also in the role of Chuck Noblet, a socially awkward high-school teacher, and contributed as a writer.

The show became famous for its humor that was not only unconventional but also very intentionally so, and gained a cult following. It was most important for us to grasp very early in his work how Stephen Colbert did sketch-style and ensemble comedy.

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5. Monsters vs. Aliens (2009)

In the animated movie Monsters vs. Aliens, made by DreamWorks in 2009, Stephen Colbert gave the voice to the character of a U.S. President. Despite not being a lead role, his voice-over acting reflects his involvement in the animation industry.

Besides that, this movie depicts another aspect of Stephen Colbert’s career and his ability to adapt his comic timing to the medium of animation.

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The five Stephen Colbert titles include: The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, The Colbert Report, The Daily Show, Strangers with Candy, and Monsters vs. Aliens. These titles show various phases within his career, making it clearer what kind of influence Colbert had in various media formats.

Also read: Now that The Late Show with Stephen Colbert is canceled, here's what the host could do next