The best Tina Fey movies and TV shows showcase a career that’s defined by sharp wit, fearless comedy, and an irresistible sense of charm. Born in Pennsylvania in 1970, Tina Fey first captured the world’s attention with her work on Saturday Night Live, where she became the first female head writer and a standout Weekend Update anchor. Since then, she’s transformed from sketch comedy royalty into a powerhouse actress, writer, and producer, balancing razor-sharp humor with real heart in every project she touches.
Fans adore Tina Fey for her ability to deliver hilarious, relatable characters and clever, unforgettable writing. Whether she’s leading a workplace sitcom or stealing scenes in animated blockbusters, Fey’s performances are always a perfect blend of brainy and bold. She’s the creative mind behind some of the most beloved comedy classics, and her talent for making even the most absurd situations feel grounded is what keeps audiences coming back for more. From iconic roles in 30 Rock to surprise turns in star-studded ensembles, the best Tina Fey movies and TV shows prove just how versatile and hilarious she truly is.
10
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot (2016)
Tina Fey Plays Kim Baker
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot
5/10
- Release Date
-
March 4, 2016
- Director
-
John Requa, Glenn Ficarra
- Writers
-
Robert Carlock
In the 2016 wartime dramedy Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, Tina Fey takes on the role of Kim Baker, a journalist who dives headfirst into the chaos of Afghanistan. Directed by Glenn Ficarra and John Requa, Whiskey Tango Foxtrot follows Kim’s transformation from a desk-bound reporter to a field correspondent tackling danger, culture shock, and personal reinvention. It’s a sharp, funny, and surprisingly emotional look at life in a warzone, and Tina Fey anchors it beautifully with her signature mix of vulnerability and dry humor.
Starring alongside Margot Robbie, Martin Freeman, and Billy Bob Thornton, Tina Fey holds her own among a talented cast. Her performance captures Kim’s evolution with honesty and wit, making the character someone audiences can really root for. Whiskey Tango Foxtrot might not have raked in major awards, but it stands out as one of the best Tina Fey movies and TV shows for the sheer strength of her performance. She brings a raw, unpolished humanity to Kim, showing off a dramatic range that fans don’t always get to see. It’s a must-watch for anyone who wants to experience Fey at her most daring.
9
Megamind (2010)
Tina Fey Plays Roxanne Ritchi
Megamind
6/10
- Release Date
-
November 11, 2010
- Runtime
-
96minutes
- Director
-
Tom McGrath
In DreamWorks Animation’s Megamind, Tina Fey lends her voice to Roxanne Ritchi, a feisty news reporter who becomes the constant target (and occasional confidante) of the titular supervillain. Directed by Tom McGrath, Megamind flips the superhero genre on its head with sharp humor and surprising heart, and Tina Fey’s performance adds a lively, grounded energy to the wild, animated world.
Sharing the Megamind cast with the likes of Will Ferrell, Brad Pitt, and Jonah Hill, Tina Fey’s Roxanne is smart, independent, and far more than just a damsel in distress. Her quick-witted banter with Megamind gives the film some of its best moments, and Fey’s vocal performance brings just the right amount of sass and warmth. While Megamind didn’t land major award wins, it remains a cult favorite, beloved for its clever writing and vibrant voice work. It’s another reason why the best Tina Fey movies and TV shows aren’t just about live-action brilliance – her animated performances are just as unforgettable.
Related
All 4 Megamind Movie & TV Show, Ranked From Worst To Best
Megamind’s new movie and TV show are the first projects in over a decade for DreamWorks’ franchise, but how do they compete with the originals?
8
Date Night (2010)
Tina Fey Plays Claire Foster
Date Night
6/10
- Release Date
-
April 9, 2010
- Runtime
-
88minutes
- Director
-
Shawn Levy
Tina Fey teams up with Steve Carell in the riotous 2010 action-comedy Date Night, playing suburban mom Claire Foster whose attempt to spice up her marriage turns into a night of complete chaos. Directed by Shawn Levy, Date Night races through a series of wild misadventures as Claire and her husband are mistaken for criminals and end up entangled with mobsters, dirty cops, and a whole lot of car chases.
Tina Fey’s chemistry with Carell is absolutely electric, bringing tons of heart and hilarity to the mayhem. As Claire, she balances relatable exasperation with razor-sharp timing, making even the most ridiculous scenarios feel real. Date Night solidified Fey’s place as a big-screen comedic force and easily earns its place among the best Tina Fey movies and TV shows for its non-stop laughs and surprisingly sweet moments.
7
Muppets Most Wanted (2014)
Tina Fey Plays Nadya
In the charming and delightful musical Muppets Most Wanted, Tina Fey dives into full-blown comedy as Nadya, a stern Russian prison guard with a surprisingly musical side. Among the best Tina Fey movies and TV shows, this one proves she’s always ready to steal the show, even alongside a bunch of felt and fur. Directed by James Bobin, the 2014 movie follows the Muppets as they embark on a world tour only to be caught up in an international crime spree led by a Kermit look-alike.
Tina Fey throws herself into the zany spirit of Muppets Most Wanted, delivering an over-the-top but lovable performance that’s pure fun from start to finish. She even sings in the movie, reminding fans that she’s a triple threat when it comes to entertainment. Her scenes with Ricky Gervais and Ty Burrell sparkle with slapstick humor and plenty of wink-at-the-audience gags. Muppets Most Wanted remains a fan-favorite Muppets movie, and Tina Fey’s gloriously goofy Nadya is a big part of why.
6
Great News (2017-2018)
Tina Fey Plays Diana St. Tropez
Great News gave Tina Fey another chance to flex her producing muscles – and also steal scenes as the unforgettable Diana St. Tropez. Created by Tracey Wigfield (one of Fey’s protégés from 30 Rock), Great News centers on a news producer navigating a career that gets complicated when her mother joins the newsroom. Tina Fey guest-starred in Season 2, lighting up every scene as the eccentric and wildly ambitious network executive Diana.
Fey’s portrayal of Diana is pure comedic gold: part ruthless boss, part hilarious caricature of corporate absurdity. Sharing the screen with Briga Heelan, Andrea Martin, and John Michael Higgins, Tina Fey showed once again why the best Tina Fey movies and TV shows are packed with unforgettable characters. Though Great News was short-lived, it earned critical praise for its snappy writing and sharp performances, and Tina Fey’s guest arc was a standout. She brought a perfect mix of neuroticism and cunning to Diana, making it impossible to look away whenever she appeared.
5
A Haunting In Venice (2023)
Tina Fey Plays Ariadne Oliver
In Kenneth Branagh’s A Haunting in Venice, Tina Fey takes a thrilling leap into murder mystery territory, playing Ariadne Oliver, a mystery novelist and old friend of Hercule Poirot. Based on Agatha Christie’s novel Hallowe’en Party, A Haunting In Venice follows a spooky séance in postwar Venice that leads to murder and Poirot’s reluctant return to detective work. Fey brings a razor-sharp wit and magnetic charm to Ariadne, a character who’s every bit as clever and curious as her literary counterpart.
Joining a cast that also includes the likes of Branagh, Michelle Yeoh, and Jamie Dornan, Tina Fey fits seamlessly into A Haunting In Venice’s stylish, atmospheric world. Critics praised its haunting visuals and strong performances, with Tina Fey’s turn standing out for its intelligence and humor. A Haunting In Venice is a solid example of why the best Tina Fey movies and TV shows work so well: she can shine in any genre, and she always brings depth to her roles.
4
Sisters (2015)
Tina Fey Plays Kate
Sisters
6/10
- Release Date
-
December 18, 2015
- Runtime
-
118minutes
- Director
-
Jason Moore
2015’s Sisters saw Tina Fey reunite with longtime comedy partner Amy Poehler for an outrageous, no-holds-barred comedy that flips their usual dynamic. Directed by Jason Moore, the film sees Fey’s wild-child Kate and Poehler’s responsible Maura throwing one last epic party in their childhood home before it’s sold. Fey shines as the reckless, chaotic Kate, delivering some of her most delightfully unhinged comedy work to date.
Sisters allowed Tina Fey to truly let loose in a role that’s all about bad decisions and big laughs. Alongside Poehler, Maya Rudolph, Ike Barinholtz, and John Cena, Fey builds a rowdy, riotous energy that’s impossible to resist. Sisters was a box office success and cemented Fey and Poehler as one of the funniest duos in Hollywood. It’s a perfect example of why the best Tina Fey movies and TV shows are the ones that let her go completely off the rails and have a blast doing it.
3
Mean Girls (2004)
Tina Fey Plays Ms. Norbury
Mean Girls
9/10
- Release Date
-
April 30, 2004
- Runtime
-
97 minutes
- Director
-
Mark Waters
Tina Fey changed pop culture forever with Mean Girls, the endlessly quotable teen comedy she both wrote and starred in. Directed by Mark Waters, the 2004 movie follows Cady Heron (Lindsay Lohan) as she navigates the savage world of high school cliques, with Fey playing the wise and weary math teacher Ms. Norbury. Not only is Fey hilarious as the embattled Ms. Norbury, but her screenplay (adapted from Rosalind Wiseman’s book) was also nominated for a Writers Guild of America Award.
Tina Fey created characters and Mean Girls quotes that live rent-free in fans minds to this day. Fey starred alongside a powerhouse cast that included Rachel McAdams, Amanda Seyfried, and Lacey Chabert, and her work both behind and in front of the camera proved that she was a comedic force to be reckoned with. Mean Girls isn’t just one of the best Tina Fey movies and TV shows, it’s a full-blown cultural phenomenon, one that was revived in 2024 for the Mean Girls musical remake (that Fey was also behind).
2
Soul (2020)
Tina Fey Plays 22
Soul
6/10
- Release Date
-
December 25, 2020
- Runtime
-
100 minutes
Pixar’s Soul delivered one of Tina Fey’s most heartfelt performances yet, with her voicing the mischievous and philosophical 22. Directed by Pete Docter, the 2020 movie follows a middle-school music teacher, Joe Gardner (Jamie Foxx), whose soul ends up in a cosmic realm after a sudden accident. Fey brings perfect comedic timing and emotional depth to 22, a soul who’s spent millennia avoiding Earth.
22’s banter with Joe is funny, poignant, and deeply human, and it helped Soul win the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. Sharing the Soul voice cast with the likes of Graham Norton, Rachel House, and Angela Bassett, Fey’s performance added layers of humor and heart to a movie about life’s big questions. Soul is a shining example of how the best Tina Fey movies and TV shows blend humor with genuine emotion, making you laugh and cry all at once.
1
30 Rock (2006-2013)
Tina Fey Plays Liz Lemon
30 Rock
8/10
- Release Date
-
2006 – 2013-00-00
- Showrunner
-
Robert Carlock
There’s no better showcase for Tina Fey’s brilliance than 30 Rock, the iconic NBC sitcom she created, wrote, produced, and starred in. Fey’s portrayal of Liz Lemon, the overworked head writer of a sketch comedy show, is nothing short of legendary. 30 Rock was created with showrunner Robert Carlock and directed by numerous talents across its run, with Fey leading the charge in front and behind the scenes.
With a stellar cast including Alec Baldwin, Tracy Morgan, and Jane Krakowski, 30 Rock racked up a mountain of awards, including multiple Emmys for Best Comedy Series. Fey herself won an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series, and her portrayal of Liz – a pizza-loving, sarcastic, lovable mess – became an instant classic. It’s the crown jewel among the best Tina Fey movies and TV shows, proving beyond a doubt that nobody does smart, fearless, and hilarious quite like Tina Fey.