1. The Landlord (2007)
Adam McKay initially performed with improve-comedy groups before starting his career as writer for ‘Saturday Night Live’ (1995). By 1996, he was head-writer (1996-2001) and directed SNL digital shorts and other short films, while often appearing on-screen in the SNL-shows. In 2002-2003, he made brief appearances in films such as ‘Pushing Tom’ (2003).
McKay founded production company ‘Gary Sanchez Productions’ in collaboration with comedian Will Ferrell, who starred in many of McKay’s movies. McKay co-wrote and made directorial debut with satirical-comedy ‘Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy’ (2004), followed by its counterpart, direct-to-video alternate-film ‘Wake Up Ron Burgundy: The Lost Movie’ (2004). He was producer-director-co-writer for the sequel, ‘Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues’ (2013).
McKay was director-co-writer-executive producer of sports-comedy film ‘Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby’ (2006). Next, he co-wrote and directed comedy-film ‘Step Brothers’ starring Ferrell and Reilly, and then buddy-cop action-comedy ‘The Other Guys’ (2010). McKay played cameo roles in most of his own films.
McKay was producer of political-satire ‘The Campaign’ (2012) which was based on his story and writer for superhero-film ‘Ant Man’ (2015). Biographical comedy-drama ‘The Big Short’ (2015), which he directed and wrote screenplay adaption from financial journalist Michael Lewis’ book, earned him several nominations for direction and screenplay, and won BAFTA and Academy Award for ‘Best Adapted Screenplay.’ Further, he wrote, produced and directed biographical political black-comedy ‘Vice’ (2018) which brought in several accolades including 8 Academy Award nominations.
McKay produced several films including sci-fi adventure-comedy ‘Land of the Lost’ (2009), comedy ‘The Virginity Hit’ (2010), ‘Bachelorette’ (2012), action-horror ‘Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunting’ (2013), road-comedy ‘Tammy’ (2014), comedy-drama ‘Welcome to Me’ (2014), comedy ‘Get Hard’ (2015), ‘Daddy’s Home’ (2015), ‘The Boss’ (2016), ‘Ibiza’ (2018), and ‘Hustlers’ (2019) amongst other.
McKay also produced TV-series including ‘Eastbound & Down’ (2009-2013), sitcom ‘Big Lake’ (2010), drama-series ‘Succession’ (2018), miniseries ‘The Spoils of Babylon’ and variety talk-show ‘The Chris Gethard Show’ (2011). He directed TV-films ‘Lifecasters’ (2013), ‘The Procedure’ (2007), ‘Green Team’ (2008).
With Farrell, he formed comedy video-website ‘Funny or Die’ (2007), for which he directed and featured in short-comedies including ‘The Landlord,’ ‘Good Cop, Baby Cop’ (both 2007).
His latest venture as writer-co-producer-director is star-studded satirical sci-fi film ‘Don’t Look Up’ (2021).
Realizing the fragile United States housing bubble, eccentric hedge fund manager Michael Burry makes a huge bet against the housing market that attracts the attention of several opportunists like banker Jared Vennett and hedge-fund specialist Mark Baum. They make a fortune as the American economy collapse in the wake of the financial crisis of 2007–2008.
On the eve of their high school graduation, two best friends who were bookworms realize that they should have spent some more time playing and having fun. Therefore they decide to cram four years of fun into one single night.
Released from prison, Scott Lang finds it difficult to get a job and is prohibited from seeing his daughter by his ex-wife. Scientist Hank Pym lures him with a heist tip-off, and encourages him to don a special suit to become Ant-Man, gaining superhuman strength and shrinking ability. However, he must undertake a daunting heist to save the world.
Don’t Look Up is a science fiction comedy drama film which tells the story of Dr Randall Mindy, and his student Kate Diblasky, two low-level astronomers, who discover that a comet is going to collide with Earth, which can cause a huge catastrophe, leading to extinction of all living creatures. They approach the US President about the matter, who doesn’t pay much heed to it. Therefore, the two scientists decide to leak the news to the media, in order to warn mankind about the upcoming threat.
In 1970s San Diego, Ron Burgundy is a highly successful news anchorman in male-dominated Channel 4. However, the arrival of Veronica Corningstone, an ambitious woman aspiring to be a newswoman, changes the entire scenario. Ron becomes increasingly resentful of Veronica’s success beginning a fierce rivalry between the two.
After a lot of struggles and challenges, Dick Cheney manages to become a powerful bureaucrat in Washington. Eventually he becomes the Vice President to George W Bush.
Brennan Huff and Dale Doback, two middle-aged slackers living with their parents, are forced to share a room after Brennan's mother and Dale's father get married. Irritated by their rivalry, their parents give them one month ultimatum to find jobs, following which their love for music and shared hatred for Brennen's successful brother Derek bring them together.
While Danson and Highsmith are NYPD’s most popular detectives, Allen and Terry are The Other Guys. When the heroes die while on duty, everyone wonders who will take their place. Meanwhile, Allen and Terry unravel a big conspiracy while investigating a scaffolding permit violation by the rich David Ershon. Will the unlikely pair – one pacifist, another hot headed – become the new heroes?
NASCAR driver and superstar Ricky Bobby loses it all at the height of his glory when he crashes his car after being outperformed by new French driver Jean Girard. He must stage a comeback with the help of his absentee father Reese who adopts ruthless techniques to give Ricky his mojo back.
Lainey and Jake happen to meet twelve years after their one-night stand in college. They realize that both had failed to maintain a relationship. Though attracted towards each other, they agree to keep their relationship platonic and be just friends. Everyone around assumes that they are a couple, but it takes some twists and turns for the two to reach that conclusion.
Admiral-General Haffaz Aladeen, the universally-hated despotic ruler of the fictional oil-rich nation Wadiya, goes to New York to address concerns about the country's nuclear program at UN Security Council. The dictator flees from an assassination attempt, but with his iconic beard shaved, he struggles to survive in a community built by people he had ordered to be executed.
As a sequel to a 2004 film, Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues is a 1980s-themed comedy that revolves around a San Diego news anchor, Ron Burgundy, who moves to New York to join a 24-hour news channel along with his former colleagues. Starring Will Ferrell as Burgundy, and other major stars, this film features family drama and hilarious professional rivalry too.
Alcoholic, dim-witted Nobby Butcher lives in Grimsby. When he reunites with his long-lost brother Sebastian, who is a top MI6 agent, he accidentally foils Sebastian’s attempts to stop a sinister plot. On the run from both the MI6 and criminals, Sebastian must take Nobby’s help to prove his innocence and save his life.
The movie follows Hansel and Gretel who have grown up to become skilled witch hunters after surviving the wicked witch. Now they face the evil witch Muriel and her army of witches who plan to sacrifice twelve children and use Gretel’s heart during the Blood Moon, to gain immunity to fire.
When Democratic Congressman,Cam Brady,accidentally reveals his affair to the public, two corrupt businessmen, Glenn and Wade Motch,pounce upon the opportunity to make tourism director, Marty Huggins, run against Cam. As the political campaigns heat up, both parties stoop to new lows to slander each other and gain victory.
The mild-mannered, Brad Whitaker, is a loving stepfather to his wife Sara’s two children, Megan and Dylan. When the children’s more handsome and muscular biological father, Dusty, suddenly comes back into their lives and intends on throwing Brad out of their lives, Brad must do everything to save his marriage and family.
When hedge fund manager James King is convicted for fraud and embezzlement, he hires an African-American businessman, Darnell Lewis, to train him for prison. Unfortunately, Darnell is lying as he has no criminal experience and the two friends must figure out quickly how to make King tougher.
Daddy’s Home 2 is a Christmas comedy film, which tells the story of Dusty and Brad, who are planning on celebrating a perfect Christmas, along with their children. However, things take a turn, and their plans get ruined, when their fathers visit them unexpectedly.
Welcome to Me is a comedy drama film which tells the story of Alice Kleig, who is mentally unbalanced, and lives on disability benefits. Her life takes a turn when she wins a lottery of $ 86 million. She quits her medication and buys a talk show to broadcast her bizarre opinions on various subjects.
The film revolves around the life of Don Ready, who is a used-car salesman. He is hired by an auto dealership having poor sales, as they think he might be the right person who can turn their Fourth of July sale into a hugely profitable event.
The House is a comedy film which tells the story of Scott and Kate, a couple, whose daughter’s university cancels the scholarship program. Therefore, in order to make enough money to pay for her tuition fee, they decide to open an illegal casino.
Armando’s younger brother, Raul, returns to his family, along with his fiancée Sonia, in order to help his family fix the financial problems of the ranch. However, things get complicated when Armando finds himself attracted to Sonia, and things get even worse when a drug lord declares war on Raul and his family.
Tim and Eric are two filmmakers who are given a sum of a $ 1 billion, to make a movie. However, within some time, they end up wasting all of the money, after which they fear that they might be sent to prison or get hunted by the ones who loaned them the money. In order to get the money back, they attempt to revitalize a failing shopping mall.
Paleontologist Rick Marshall's career was ruined when his views on tachyon energy as a means of solving the world's energy problems became known. Inspired by a doctoral candidate called Holly Cantrell, he later completes his work and goes on a routine exploration to a cave. Accompanying him are Holly and a cave gift shop owner called Will Stanton.
Michelle Darnell, a wealthy CEO, gets busted for insider trading and lands in federal prison. After being released, she finds herself not only broke and homeless, but also hated. She tracks down a former assistant named Claire, the only person who is willing to help her.
Bachelorette is a 2012 American comedy film, revolving around three friends who are asked to be bridesmaids at the wedding ceremony of a woman whom they used to ridicule back during their high school days.
Harper, a New Yorker in her 30s goes to Barcelona for a business trip. She is joined by her two best friends. Harper comes across a hot, famous DJ, Leo. Is love on cards?
Tammy is a road comedy film, which tells the story of a woman who after losing her job, also finds out that her husband has been unfaithful to her. She decides to hit the road with her alcoholic grandmother.
Adam McKay Awards
| The Big Short | Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay | 2016 |
| Live in Front of a Studio Audience: Norman Lear's 'All in the Family' and 'The Jeffersons' | Outstanding Variety Special (Live) | 2019 |
| Succession | Outstanding Drama Series | 2020 |
| The Big Short | Best Adapted Screenplay | 2016 |
