Some comedies get quoted for years after they come out. This One Gotta Go card puts four of the most quoted together: Anchorman, Animal House, Step Brothers and Talladega Nights. Three of them star Will Ferrell, which makes the choice even trickier.
You keep three and erase one from your movie nights forever. Think about the lines you still repeat, the scenes you rewind and the one you have not watched in years. Then make your pick and see who starts quoting first.
Anchorman vs Animal House vs Step Brothers vs Talladega Nights
A. Anchorman
Anchorman gave the world Ron Burgundy, the news team and more catchphrases than anyone can count. It is a classic, but some say its best moments live on as quotes more than as a full movie. If you have only seen the clips, it is a fair cut.
Keep it if: You still quote Ron Burgundy on a regular basis and think the news team scenes are comedy perfection.
B. Animal House
Animal House came out in 1978 and helped create the college comedy as we know it, with John Belushi leading the way. It is a landmark. It is also the oldest film here, and some of its humor feels very much of its time to modern viewers.
Keep it if: You love classic comedy history and think Belushi's performance is one of the funniest ever filmed.
C. Step Brothers
Step Brothers pairs Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly as two grown men forced to share a house, and it has become a cult favorite. The humor is loud and silly on purpose. If that style is not for you, Step Brothers is an easy cut.
Keep it if: You think the bunk bed scene is one of the funniest moments in movie history and you quote it often.
D. Talladega Nights
Talladega Nights sends Will Ferrell into NASCAR as Ricky Bobby, again with John C. Reilly at his side. It has plenty of great lines, but it shares a lot of DNA with the other Ferrell films here. If you need to cut one, it might feel like the most similar.
Keep it if: You love the racing scenes, the dinner table prayer and Ricky Bobby's whole outlook on life.
Our take
We would cut Talladega Nights. It is very funny, but it overlaps the most with Anchorman and Step Brothers, while Animal House brings something completely different from another era. The most fun debate usually lands on Anchorman against Step Brothers, since both have endless quotes and loyal fans. Ask each person to share their favorite line from their pick, and you might end up watching one of them by the end of the night.
How to play this card with friends
- Read the four choices out loud.
- Everyone picks the one they'd eliminate at the same time.
- Explain your pick. This is where the fun starts.
- Use the follow-up questions below to keep it going.
Follow-up questions to keep the debate going
- Which comedy is quoted the most in your friend group?
- Does Animal House still hold up today?
- Which Will Ferrell movie is his best?
- What comedy movie would you add to this card?
Want more debates like this? Get the One Gotta Go card game for game night, family dinners and road trips. Shop the decks.
Comedy Movies: quick answers
Who stars in Step Brothers and Talladega Nights?
Both films star Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly. Talladega Nights came out in 2006 and Step Brothers in 2008. Both were directed by Adam McKay, who also directed Anchorman, which is why the three films share a similar style of comedy.
When did Animal House come out?
National Lampoon's Animal House was released in 1978. It starred John Belushi and became one of the most successful comedies of its time, inspiring many college comedies that followed. It is often listed among the greatest comedy films ever made.
