David Cross is a comedic genius known for his dry wit, sarcastic humor, and unflinching social commentary. Over his multi-decade career, Cross has appeared in numerous critically-acclaimed and fan-favorite movies and TV shows. From his breakout role on the groundbreaking sketch comedy series Mr. Show to his iconic turn as Tobias Fünke on Arrested Development, Cross has consistently delivered hilarious and memorable performances.
As an actor, writer, director, and stand-up comedian, Cross has demonstrated his versatility across a range of genres and mediums. His unique comedic voice shines through in everything from absurdist sketches to biting satire to quirky character roles.
To celebrate the impressive scope and influence of David Cross’s body of work, we’ve ranked his 15 best movies and TV shows. The list spans his entire career and covers his most iconic, hilarious, and thought-provoking projects. Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to his comedy, these are the essential David Cross movies and TV shows you need to watch.
15. Megamind (2010)
Cross lent his vocal talents to this clever animated superhero comedy from DreamWorks. He voices Minion, the loyal sidekick to Will Ferrell’s titular supervillain. It’s a supporting role, but Cross makes the most of it with his manic energy and gift for sycophantic suck-uppery.
The fast-paced banter between Megamind and Minion is a highlight, with Cross gamely playing the straight man to Ferrell’s delusional narcissist. He brings both warmth and laughs to a character that could have been one-note in lesser hands. Megamind is a fun, fresh spin on the superhero genre with Cross helping fuel the comedy.
14. Alvin and the Chipmunks franchise (2007-2011)
In a live-action/animation hybrid franchise primarily aimed at kids, Cross found a way to amuse their parents too. He plays Ian Hawke, the greedy record executive exploiting the titular singing chipmunks for profit. It’s a broad, villainous role that Cross attacks with gusto.
Across three films, Cross goes delightfully over-the-top, chewing the CGI scenery with his character’s capitalist megalomania. He’s clearly having a blast playing a family-friendly bad guy. And in doing so, he winks at the adults in the audience, acknowledging the craven commercial calculations behind this type of four-quadrant franchise filmmaking. Cross’s knowing performance gives the Alvin movies a subversive edge.
13. Next Gen (2018)
This Netflix animated sci-fi adventure boasts an incredible voice cast including Cross, Charlyne Yi, Jason Sudeikis, Michael Peña and Constance Wu. Cross has a small but memorable role as Dr. Tanner Rice, a Steve Jobs-esque tech mogul with a god complex.
Cross is perfectly cast as the arrogant, turtle-necked guru peddling his latest innovation to the masses. He channels the smug self-importance of Silicon Valley billionaires with laser precision. It’s a quick but impactful performance that grounds the film’s central conflict in a recognizable, real-world type of villainy. Leave it to Cross to find the dark satirical underbelly in a kids’ movie.
12. Kung Fu Panda franchise (2008-2016)
Across three blockbuster animated films, Cross voiced Crane, a member of the heroic Furious Five. As the pragmatic, neurotic avian kung fu master, Cross found a character perfectly suited to his comedic sensibilities. His dynamic with Jack Black’s Po formed the heart of the franchise.
Cross brought a sly, self-deprecating sense of humor to the role that cut through the films’ earnest messages of believing in yourself and inner peace. Crane is often a voice of reason and deadpan commentary on the absurdity of the situations the characters find themselves in. It’s not a huge part, but Cross made it a crucial comedic ingredient.
11. Curious George (2006)
In this charming 2D animated adaptation of the classic children’s books, Cross voiced The Man in the Yellow Hat. As the inquisitive monkey’s human companion and father figure, Cross brought warmth and gentle humor to the role.
It’s a sweeter, more subdued performance than Cross is typically known for. But his inherent likability shines through and helps sell the central relationship. Cross’s voice work expresses both exasperation and affection in dealing with George’s mischief. He anchors the film with heart while still finding moments for his signature comedic asides.
10. Men in Black (1997)
Cross pops up in an amusing cameo in this sci-fi comedy classic. He plays Morgue Attendant Newton, tasked with tending to a particularly strange dead body. His brief scene opposite Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones is a master class in playing exasperated bewilderment for laughs.
Cross milks his single scene for all it’s worth, hilariously underplaying his character’s complete lack of surprise at the film’s otherworldly goings-on. “I hate the living,” he deadpans with perfect hangdog delivery. It’s the kind of small but memorable role Cross excels at, leaving you wanting more of his comedic perspective.
9. Freak Show (2006)
This short-lived animated series created by Cross and H. Jon Benjamin was a natural evolution of their comedic partnership on Mr. Show and Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist. The irreverent workplace comedy followed the behind-the-scenes antics of a traveling freak show.
Cross voiced Benny, the Siamese twin to Benjamin’s Tuck. Together they formed the bickering heart of the eccentric ensemble. The series allowed Cross to explore his love of oddball characters and dark, surreal humor. It was perhaps too niche to survive past seven episodes, but it’s a singular showcase for Cross’s voice and comedic sensibilities.
8. The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret (2010-2016)
Cross co-created and starred in this pitch-black British-American comedy series. He played the titular Todd, a clueless American salesman in way over his head in London. Each season tracked Todd’s downward spiral as he made one terrible choice after another.
It’s a tour-de-force cringe comedy performance from Cross. He fully commits to Todd’s mix of ignorance, arrogance and desperation. Watching him dig himself deeper and deeper is equally uncomfortable and riveting. Cross also mined the cultural clash between Todd and his British surroundings for some sharp satire. It’s a must-see for fans of Cross’s bleak worldview and masochistic humor.
7. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
In this mind-bending sci-fi romance, Cross plays Rob, a friend of Jim Carrey’s Joel undergoing his own troubled relationship. Cross brings a manic, live-wire energy to his few scenes, ranting about his tumultuous feelings for his girlfriend Carrie (Jane Adams).
Cross has a knack for playing characters unraveling at the seams, and Rob is a prime example. He perfectly captures the character’s mix of anger, confusion and regret as he processes his romantic turmoil. It’s a small role, but Cross makes it pop with his unique comedic intensity. He provides a burst of neurotic humor that complements the film’s inventive exploration of love and memory.
6. I’m Not There (2007)
Todd Haynes’ experimental Bob Dylan biopic features Cross in a supporting role as poet Allen Ginsberg. It’s a more subdued, dramatic turn from Cross, but one that showcases his range and ability to embody real-life figures.
Cross brings a quiet intensity to his portrayal of Ginsberg, capturing the poet’s mix of intelligence, sensitivity and anti-establishment spirit. He shares a few charged scenes with Cate Blanchett’s Jude Quinn, one of six Dylan avatars in the film. Cross holds his own opposite Blanchett’s commanding performance, subtly conveying the complex dynamic between the two counterculture icons. It’s a testament to Cross’s talents that he makes an impact without relying on his comedic bag of tricks.
5. Mr. Show with Bob and David (1995-1998)
The groundbreaking HBO sketch comedy series created by and starring Cross and Bob Odenkirk is a cornerstone of ’90s alternative comedy. Packed with absurdist premises, scathing social commentary and a who’s who of comedic talent, Mr. Show pushed the boundaries of the form.
Cross was one of the main creative forces behind the series, serving as writer and performer. He appeared in classic sketches like “The Story of Everest,” “The Audition” and “Prenatal Pageant.” His range was on full display, playing everything from a pregnant beauty queen to a Satanic businessman to a hapless thimble collector.
Mr. Show established Cross as a bold, uncompromising voice in comedy. It remains a influential touchstone for generations of sketch performers. Without Cross’s contributions, it’s hard to imagine modern comedy looking quite the same.
4. Waiting for Guffman (1996)
Cross has a small but memorable role in Christopher Guest’s pioneering mockumentary. He plays UFO expert Dr. Allan Pearl, who delivers a hilariously dry presentation on alien abductions to Corky St. Clair’s community theater troupe.
Cross’s scene is a perfect example of his mastery of the comedic straight face. With complete seriousness, he rattles off increasingly absurd “facts” about extraterrestrial encounters, never once breaking character. His commitment to the bit makes it all the funnier.
It’s a testament to Cross’s skills that he manages to stand out in a film filled with top-tier improvisational comedic talent. He makes the most of his limited screen time, crafting a fully realized eccentric who feels of a piece with Guest’s larger tapestry of small-town oddballs.
3. Arrested Development (2003-2019)
Cross’s work as “analrapist” Tobias Fünke on the beloved cult sitcom is arguably his most iconic role. A disgraced psychiatrist and struggling actor, Tobias is a fountain of cringe-inducing lines, wild delusions and unintentional double entendres.
Cross throws himself into Tobias’s ridiculousness with reckless abandon. Whether unsuccessfully dodging gay rumors, painting himself blue for an audition, or making ill-advised forays into the gay porn industry, Cross is fearless in his full-bodied commitment to the character’s tragicomic lack of self-awarenes
Over the show’s initial three season run and two Netflix revival seasons, Cross made Tobias one of the most quotable and GIF-able characters in modern TV comedy. It’s a virtuoso comedic performance that captures everything that makes Cross great.
2. Run Ronnie Run! (2002)
This underrated comedy, spun off from a recurring Mr. Show sketch, stars Cross as Ronnie Dobbs, a petty criminal who becomes the star of his own Cops-style reality show. Part lowbrow farce, part media satire, Run Ronnie Run! is a showcase for Cross’s singular comedic voice.
As Ronnie, Cross delivers a committed performance that’s equal parts white trash caricature and oddball folk hero. He imbues the character with a manic charm and dim-witted joie de vivre that’s infectious. Cross co-wrote the film with Odenkirk, and their signature mix of high-brow and low-brow humor is on full display.
Run Ronnie Run! takes aim at the crass commercialization and exploitation of “reality” entertainment. Cross is the perfect vessel for this satire, embodying the blurred line between laughing at and laughing with Ronnie as he stumbles into fame. It’s a layered comedic turn that showcases Cross’s ability to find depth in even the broadest of characters.
1. W/ Bob & David (2015)
After years of anticipation, Cross and Odenkirk reteamed for this spiritual sequel to Mr. Show. The Netflix sketch series recaptured the manic energy and satirical bite of their HBO cult classic, updated for a new era. It’s a thrilling showcase for Cross’s growth as a writer and performer.
Like its predecessor, W/ Bob & David is a comedic high-wire act, veering wildly between the silly and the savage. Cross brings his A-game to every sketch, whether he’s playing a condescending actor, a deranged militia leader, or a hapless office drone. His chemistry with Odenkirk remains electric, the duo playing off each other with the ease of two comedic soulmates.
W/ Bob & David is a master class in sketch comedy from two of the form’s greatest practitioners. It’s a triumphant return for Cross, proving that his comedic voice is as vital and uncompromising as ever. The series captures an artist at the height of his powers, fearlessly pushing buttons and boundaries in pursuit of the ultimate laugh.
The 15 movies and TV shows on this list represent the best of Cross’s diverse and influential body of work. Whether he’s starring in a cult sketch comedy series, stealing scenes in a Hollywood blockbuster, or delivering a heartfelt dramatic performance, Cross brings his signature style and uncompromising vision to every project he takes on.
For fans of smart, subversive comedy, David Cross is a true icon. His work challenges us to think critically, to question authority, and to find the humor in even the darkest of subjects. He’s a comedian who’s never been afraid to push boundaries or speak truth to power, and that fearlessness is what makes him such a vital and enduring voice in the entertainment world.
