What Will Forte Movies and TV Shows Should You Watch First?

Will Forte movies and TV shows offer a clear path from quick laughs to longer character work. Viewers new to his catalog can start with the most accessible credits and then move into the projects that show how his style evolved. The order below keeps momentum without repetition.

SNL as the starting point

Will Forte joined Saturday Night Live as a writer in 2002 and became a cast member in 2005. His sketches introduced recurring characters and digital shorts that still circulate online. Many fans first meet Forte here before they notice his name in film credits.

The show gave him room to test physical comedy and deadpan timing in short bursts. Those bits later fed directly into bigger projects. Viewers who sample a few classic sketches understand the tone he carries into feature roles.

By 2010 he left the series to focus on film and television leads. The move felt abrupt to some viewers, yet it set up the next phase of his career.

MacGruber as first film

The 2010 feature MacGruber grew straight out of an SNL sketch. Forte stars as the bumbling operative racing to stop a terrorist threat. Kristen Wiig and Ryan Phillippe round out the main trio.

The film keeps the sketch’s absurd energy but stretches it across ninety minutes. Box-office numbers were modest, yet word-of-mouth created a steady cult following. Fans still quote lines at repertory screenings.

Its later Peacock revival proves the character still draws interest. Watching the original first shows how the 2021 series updates the same premise for a new format.

Streaming the Peacock series

The eight-episode MacGruber season dropped on Peacock in 2021. Jorma Taccone returned to direct, and Forte reprised the title role. The season mixes new missions with callbacks to the 2010 film.

Reception was mixed, but the short run works as a low-stakes entry for younger viewers. It also refreshes interest in the earlier movie without demanding a full rewatch first.

Because the series is streaming, it lowers the barrier for anyone browsing Will Forte movies and TV shows on a weekend. It functions as both sequel and on-ramp.

Last Man on Earth for long-form work

Forte created, wrote, and starred in The Last Man on Earth, which ran on Fox from 2015 to 2018. The premise follows the supposed final survivor of a virus until other characters appear. Kristen Schaal and January Jones headline the ensemble.

The show blends absurdist humor with quieter character beats, a shift from sketch pacing. Four seasons gave Forte sustained creative control that sketch television rarely allows. Cancellation after season four left some storylines open.

Viewers who enjoy the series often return to Forte’s earlier credits to trace how his timing adapted to hour-long episodes.

Supporting film roles worth sampling

Forte has taken smaller parts in studio comedies that still showcase his delivery. These credits sit between his lead projects and function as palate cleansers. They also keep his name visible during gaps between series.

Because these films are widely available, they serve as low-commitment stops on a viewing list. They rarely demand prior knowledge of his other work.

Sampling one or two prevents the catalog from feeling limited to only MacGruber and Last Man on Earth.

Voice work as quick diversions

Animation credits let Forte test different registers without carrying an entire project. Short episodes or single scenes fit between longer watches. They also introduce his voice to audiences who skip live-action comedies.

These roles rarely overlap with his signature characters, so they expand the range listeners associate with his name. Availability on major streamers makes them easy to locate.

They function best as palate cleansers rather than centerpieces.

How the projects connect

Every listed title traces back to Forte’s SNL years. Sketches supplied the MacGruber character, which later moved to film and then streaming. The Last Man on Earth applied the same comic logic to a longer narrative.

Sequencing the work this way shows clear progression rather than random credits. It also explains why certain jokes reappear across formats.

Understanding the links removes the sense that Forte’s output is scattered.

Where to watch right now

Most of the titles sit on major platforms with standard subscriptions. Peacock holds both MacGruber entries, while network streaming services carry The Last Man on Earth. Sketch clips remain free on the official SNL channel.

Rotating catalogs mean availability can shift, yet these projects rarely leave circulation for long. Checking a single aggregator keeps the plan simple.

Starting with whatever is already included in an existing subscription avoids extra fees.

Why this order works

The path moves from short sketches to feature film, streaming sequel, and finally a multi-season series. Each step increases runtime and deepens character exposure. Viewers finish with a sense of how Forte’s style scaled across formats.

Skipping around is possible, but the sequence prevents tonal whiplash. It also mirrors the order many fans discovered the work organically.

Completing the list leaves a compact but representative survey of Will Forte movies and TV shows without filler.

Moving forward

Once the core titles are checked off, later projects slot into place more easily. Forte continues to balance voice roles, guest spots, and new leads. Keeping an eye on upcoming announcements prevents the catalog from feeling finished.