Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby
A swaggering NASCAR champion is forced to rebuild his identity when a flamboyant Formula One rival threatens his reign and his partnership with his best friend.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Simple
- Violence
- Mild
- irreverent
- exuberant
- sardonic
- lazy sunday
- group comedy night
What critics said
Critics generally found the film an energetic, affectionate sports satire elevated by clever gags, strong racing sequences, and an excellent ensemble, despite occasional unevenness.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Ricky Bobby's celebrity, sponsor-driven identity, and NASCAR rivalries are treated as both targets of parody and sources of affection.
Ricky's win-at-all-costs persona collapses when Jean Girard challenges his dominance and personal confidence.
The Shake and Bake partnership, Girard's theatrical challenge, and the escalating racing contests turn sports rivalry into farce.
The stock-car races emphasize heat, speed, crashes, and trackside physicality with a near-documentary visual texture.
Films like Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, and why
Blades of Glory
shares broad sports satire, outrageous character comedy, and a boastful protagonist whose identity depends on winning
Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy
shares will ferrell's irreverent comic persona, exaggerated competition, and warm undercurrent beneath absurd rivalry
DodgeBall: A True Underdog Story
shares fast-paced slapstick, macho sporting culture, and friendship tested by intense competition
The Waterboy
shares parody of professional sports mythology, ensemble chemistry, and comic underdog redemption
Movie Details
- Director
- Adam McKay
- Release Date
- 2006-08-04
- Runtime
- 108 min
- Rating
- 6.4 / 10 (2005)
Cast
- Will Ferrell
- John C. Reilly
- Sacha Baron Cohen
- Gary Cole
- Leslie Bibb
- Michael Clarke Duncan
- Jane Lynch
- Amy Adams
- Greg Germann
- Molly Shannon
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- fuboTV, Peacock Premium, Starz Apple TV channel, Peacock Premium Plus
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Plex
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby about?
- A swaggering NASCAR champion is forced to rebuild his identity when a flamboyant Formula One rival threatens his reign and his partnership with his best friend.
- What is Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as simple.
- Is Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby as mild.
- What did critics think of Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby?
- Critics generally found the film an energetic, affectionate sports satire elevated by clever gags, strong racing sequences, and an excellent ensemble, despite occasional unevenness.
- Which films are like Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby?
- Films with a similar feel include Blades of Glory, Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, DodgeBall: A True Underdog Story, and The Waterboy.
- How long is Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby?
- Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby runs 108 minutes.
- Where can I watch Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby?
- In United States, Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby streams on fuboTV, Peacock Premium, Starz Apple TV channel, Peacock Premium Plus.
