The “Great Comedy” That Christopher Nolan Swears by Races Up the Streaming Charts

The “Great Comedy” That Christopher Nolan Swears by Races Up the Streaming Charts Christopher Nolan on the red carpet at the BAFTAsImage via PA Images/INSTARimages By  Rahul Malhotra Published 16 minutes ago Rahul Malhotra is a Weekend News Writer for Collider. From Francois Ozon to David Fincher, he'll watch anything once.

He has been writing for Collider for over two years, and has covered everything from Marvel to the Oscars, and Marvel at the Oscars. He also writes obsessively about the box office, charting the many hits and misses that are released weekly, and how their commercial performance shapes public perception. In his time at Collider, he has also helped drive diversity by writing stories about the multiple Indian film industries, with a goal to introduce audiences to a whole new world of cinema. 

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While offering his opinion about serious subjects such as nuclear war and male hubris during the press tour for Oppenheimer, director Christopher Nolan also revealed that he adores the Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly comedy Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby. For a filmmaker who had previously spoken glowingly about the likes of David Lean and Stanley Kubrick, this statement felt straight out of left-field. Talladega Nights had emerged as something of a cult favorite over the years, but nobody could've expected someone as seemingly serious as Nolan to endorse it. And yet, he's the same filmmaker who said that he has "no guilt" about enjoying the Fast & Furious movies as well. He has another opportunity to check out Talladega Nights, now that it's witnessing a spike in interest on streaming.

According to FlixPatrol, the comedy was among the 10 most-watched titles on the domestic Paramount+ charts earlier this week, when the leader board was topped by another cult Ferrell and Reilly vehicle, Step Brothers. Released in 2006, Talladega Nights was directed by Adam McKay and co-produced by Judd Apatow during his heyday. The movie made over $170 million globally against a reported budget of just over $70 million. It featured Ferrell as a NASCAR driver and Reilly as his partner; Sacha Baron Cohen played the antagonist, an eccentric French driver. Talladega Nights earned mostly positive reviews, and is now sitting at a 72% score on the aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, where the critics' consensus reads, "Though it occasionally stalls, Talladega Nights' mix of satire, clever gags, and excellent ensemble performances put it squarely in the winner's circle."

Christopher Nolan's Next Epic Is 'The Odyssey'

On The Rich Eisen Show, Nolan was asked to name a few movies that he absolutely cannot stop watching once he starts. He said, "I mean, god, anything by Kubrick, you know? It’s a remote drop. And some of the great comedies too. I mean Talladega Nights, I’m never gonna be able to switch that up." Appearing on Stephen Colbert's show, Nolan also proudly voiced his love for the Fast & Furious franchise, and was shocked when Colbert said that he'd never seen any movie in it.

“I have no guilt about being a fan of the Fast & Furious franchise,” Nolan said. “A tremendous action franchise… You’ve never seen any of them? I watch those movies all the time. I love them. I’m amazed you’ve never seen one of them. It’s only the last few where a specific arc and mythology develop. I would start with Tokyo Drift and watch it as its own thing."

Nolan is now putting together his massive new movie, The Odyssey, set for release next year. You can watch his favorite comedy, Talladega Nights, at home, and stay tuned to Collider for more updates.

Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby

Like Follow Followed PG-13 Comedy Release Date August 4, 2006 Runtime 108 minutes Director Adam McKay Writers Will Ferrell, Adam McKay Producers Jimmy Miller, Judd Apatow

Cast

See All

• Will Ferrell Ricky Bobby
• John C. Reilly Cal Naughton, Jr.
• Sacha Baron Cohen Jean Girard
• Gary Cole Reese Bobby

Number one NASCAR driver Ricky Bobby stays atop the heap thanks to a pact with his best friend and teammate, Cal Naughton, Jr. But when a French Formula One driver, makes his way up the ladder, Ricky Bobby's talent and devotion are put to the test.

Genres Comedy Powered by Expand Collapse

• Movie News
• Christopher Nolan
• Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby

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