The bestTim Allenmovies and TV shows highlight his undeniable comedic talent and ability to bring heart to even the most outlandish roles (even when relying on nothing but his voice). Originally from Colorado and born in 1953, Tim Allen rose to prominence as a stand-up comedian before landing his breakout role inHome Improvement, which cemented him as one of the most recognizable sitcom stars of the ‘90s. His rugged, everyman charm made him a household name, and he successfully transitioned into film with iconic roles inThe Santa ClauseandToy Story. Over the years, Allen has proven his versatility, from voicing animated heroes to starring in live-action family comedies and action-packed adventures.
While Tim Allen has never been nominated for an Academy Award, his contributions to television and film have earned him multiple accolades, includinga Golden Globe forHome Improvement.His ability to blend humor with heartfelt moments has made him a favorite among audiences of all ages. From Christmas classics to animated masterpieces, the best Tim Allen movies and TV shows make it easy to see why he’s a beloved on-screen presence for his many fans.
2004’sChristmas With The Kranksis a holiday comedy based on John Grisham’s novelSkipping Christmas. Directed by Joe Roth,Christmas With The Kranksfollows Luther Krank (Tim Allen) and his wife, Nora (Jamie Lee Curtis), as they decide to skip Christmas festivities in favor of a tropical vacation. However, their plans unravel when their daughter announces a last-minute holiday visit, forcing them to scramble to restore the Christmas spirit. The movie may have received mixed reviews, but it’s become a cult-classic comedy for the Holiday season in the years since.
Tim Allen delivers a classically hilarious performance inChristmas With The Kranks, bringing his signature brand of physical humor and exasperated energy to Luther Krank. His chemistry with Jamie Lee Curtis is noteworthy, to say the least, and leads to some of the most hilariousChristmas With The Kranksmoments, especially as the couple struggles with the chaos of their abrupt holiday change of heart.While it may not be his most critically acclaimed film,Christmas With The Krankshas gained a loyal following over the years, earning its place among the best Tim Allen movies and TV shows for those who enjoy festive, family-friendly humor.
5 Reasons The Santa Clause Is Tim Allen’s Best Christmas Movie (& 5 It’s Christmas With The Kranks)
Tim Allen has a reputation for holiday movies. Is he best as Scott Calvin in The Santa Clause, or as Luther Krank in Christmas with the Kranks?
Running for nine seasons, the sitcomLast Man Standingallowed Tim Allen to return to his roots as a TV patriarch (especially since, in many ways, the series is aspiritual successor toHome Improvement). Created by Jack Burditt, the show follows Mike Baxter, a conservative sporting goods store executive navigating family life in a house full of women.Last Man Standingcleverly mixed humor with topical discussions, and is Allen’s longest-running project outside ofHome Improvement. Despite changing networks from ABC to Fox in later seasons, it maintained a dedicated fan base throughout its run.
Tim Allen’s Mike Baxter is reminiscent of his earlier TV success but with a modern twist.His sarcastic, no-nonsense demeanor made the character relatable to many, while his interactions with co-stars Nancy Travis and Hector Elizondo added heart to the comedy.ThoughLast Man Standingwas never a major awards contender, it won over audiences and showcased Allen’s ability to anchor a long-running sitcom. It remains one of the best Tim Allen movies and TV shows, proving his staying power in the world of television comedy.
8Wild Hogs (2007)
Tim Allen Plays Dr. Doug Madsen
A lighthearted and easy-viewing road trip comedy, 2007’sWild Hogsfollows four middle-aged friends who embark on a cross-country motorcycle adventure to escape their mundane lives. Directed by Walt Becker,Wild Hogsfeatures an all-star cast, including John Travolta, Martin Lawrence, and William H. Macy. However, their journey takes a chaotic turn when they cross paths with a real biker gang led by Ray Liotta. WhileWild Hogswasn’t a critical darling, it became a box-office hit, grossing over $250 million worldwide(viaBox Office Mojo).
Tim Allen plays Doug Madsen inWild Hogs, a dentist going through a midlife crisis who finds himself embracing the open road. His comedic timing shines, especially in scenes with his equally talented co-stars. Though the film leans heavily into slapstick humor, Allen’s performance adds an endearing quality that makes the character feel genuine.Despite mixed reviews,Wild Hogsremains a fan-favorite and one of the best Tim Allen movies and TV shows, thanks both to its easy-going comedic charm and chemistry between Allen and the rest of the all-star cast.
A Disney+ miniseries continuation ofThe Santa Clausefranchise,The Santa Clausesbrings Tim Allen back as Scott Calvin, who, by this point, has been Santa for nearly three decades. Created by Jack Burditt,The Santa Clausesfollows Scott as he contemplates retirement and searches for a worthy successor. However, stepping away from the role of Santa proves more challenging than expected. While the series received a mixed reception from critics, it was well-received by longtime fans of the franchise.
Tim Allen effortlessly steps back into the career-defining role of Scott Calvin, blending humor with warmth as he explores his character’s struggles with aging and legacy. His on-screen chemistry with Elizabeth Mitchell, who reprises her role as Mrs. Claus, helps elevate the series’ heartfelt moments.Though not as groundbreaking as the originalSanta Clausefilms,The Santa Clausesis a nostalgic return to the world of holiday magic, earning its place among the best Tim Allen movies and TV shows.
All 5 Tim Allen Christmas Movies, Ranked Worst To Best
Tim Allen is no stranger to Christmas movies, but he’s been in more than just the Santa Clause franchise, and a ranking compares them all.
A family adventure comedy directed by John Pasquin, 1997’sJungle 2 Junglefollows Michael Cromwell (Tim Allen), a successful businessman who discovers he has a teenage son raised in the Amazon jungle. When his son, Mimi-Siku (Sam Huntington), comes to New York City, cultures clash, leading to a series of comedic misadventures.A remake of the 1994 French comedyUn indien dans la ville,Jungle 2 Jungledidn’t receive widespread critical acclaim but still found an audience thanks to Allen’s unique comedic appeal.
Tim Allen delivers an enjoyable performance as a father struggling to connect with his son in an unfamiliar way. His reactions to Mimi-Siku’s jungle upbringing provide some of the movie’s funniest moments, and his comedic chemistry with Martin Short adds to the film’s charm. While not a career-defining role,Jungle 2 Jungleremains an entertaining entry in Tim Allen’s filmography.
A classic fish-out-of-water comedy released the same year asJungle 2 Jungle,For Richer Or Poorerstars Tim Allen and Kirstie Alley as a wealthy but troubled couple who must pose as Amish farmers after getting caught in a tax fraud scandal. Directed by Bryan Spicer,For Richer Or Poorerblends slapstick humor with heartfelt moments as the couple adapts to their new lifestyle, and is in many ways a textbook yet incredibly entertaining 1990s comedy. Though it wasn’t a box office hit, it gained a cult following over the years (like several of Tim Allen’s movies).
Tim Allen’s portrayal of Brad Sexton is both hilarious and charismatic, as he transforms from a greedy businessman into a man who genuinely appreciates the simple life. His comedic chemistry with Alley is a highlight, and the dynamic between their characters is both funny and endearing.While not as well-known as some of his other films,For Richer Or Poorerremains a fun and underrated comedy, and the greedy-to-compassionate character arc of Brad captures the strongest aspects of Tim Allen’s skills as a performer.
One of Tim Allen’s most beloved films and the first entry in the franchise his career has since become synonymous with, 1994’sThe Santa Clauseis a holiday classic that blends comedy, heart, and Christmas magic. Directed by John Pasquin,The Santa Clausefocuses onTim Allen’s Scott Calvin, a divorced father who accidentally causes Santa’s demise on Christmas Eve. As a result, he is magically recruited to take Santa’s place, transforming both physically and emotionally into the jolly figure. The movie was a massive success, spawning two sequels and a Disney+ miniseries.
Tim Allen’s performance as Scott Calvin is both humorous and heartfelt, capturing the character’s initial reluctance and gradual acceptance of his destiny. Arguably, Scott Calvin also captures everything that drew Tim Allen fans to the actor in the first place. His comedic timing shines, especially in scenes where he struggles to convince others of his transformation.The Santa Clauseearned Allen widespread recognition outside of television and remains one of the best Tim Allen movies and TV shows due to its enduring holiday charm.While the movie didn’t earn major awards, it solidified Allen’s place as a family-friendly leading man and remains a Christmas staple for audiences worldwide.
A defining sitcom of the 1990s,Home Improvementis inarguably the show that turned Tim Allen into a household name. Created by Carmen Finestra, David McFadzean, and Matt Williams,Home Improvementstarred Allen as Tim “The Toolman” Taylor, a TV handyman who juggles his career, marriage, and raising three boys. The show was a ratings juggernaut, running for eight seasons and making Allen one of the highest-paid actors of the 1990s.What’s more,Home Improvementwon numerous awards, including a Golden Globe for Allen’s performance and multiple Primetime Emmy nominations.
Tim Taylor perfectly blended slapstick comedy with heartfelt family moments, aspects that all became foundations for Tim Allen’s success. His chemistry with Patricia Richardson (who played his wife, Jill) and the dynamic with his onscreen kids made the show relatable and endearing. The series also introduced memorable supporting characters, including Richard Karn as Al Borland and Earl Hindman as the mysterious Wilson.Home Improvementremains one of the best Tim Allen movies and TV shows, cementing his legacy as one of TV’s most iconic sitcom stars.
Home Improvement: 10 Hidden Details You Never Noticed
Those who binge-watched Home Improvement might know a lot about it, but there are some key hidden details they probably missed.
A cult 1999 sci-fi comedy,Galaxy Questis abrilliant satire ofStar Trekand the fandom that surrounds it. Directed by Dean Parisot, the film follows the washed-up cast of a defunct sci-fi TV series who are mistaken for real space heroes by an alien race in need of help. Tim Allen plays Jason Nesmith, the egotistical star of the show, whose arrogance is put to the test when he must lead his fellow actors on a real-life space adventure. The film was a critical and commercial success, praised for its humor and heartfelt storytelling.
Tim Allen delivers one of his best performances inGalaxy Quest, balancing comedy with genuine moments of growth as his character evolves from a self-absorbed actor to a true leader. His chemistry with co-stars Sigourney Weaver, Alan Rickman, and Tony Shalhoub adds depth to the film’s hilarious yet heartfelt tone.Galaxy Questwon the Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation and remains one of the best Tim Allen movies and TV shows, proving his ability to excel outside of family comedies.
A groundbreaking animated movie thatmade Pixar a household name, 1995’sToy Storyrevolutionized animation as the first fully CGI feature film and launched one of the most successful franchises in movie history. Directed by John Lasseter,Toy Storytells the story of Woody (Tom Hanks), a cowboy doll who feels threatened when a new space ranger action figure, Tim Allen’s tear-jerkingly hilarious Buzz Lightyear, becomes the latest addition to Andy’s room.Toy Storywas an instant classic, praised for its innovative animation, heartfelt story, and memorable characters.While Allen shined in every one of theToy Storysequels, it’s the 1995 original that remains the best in terms of his filmography.
Tim Allen’s turn as Buzz Lightyear is one of the most iconic voice performances in animation history. His ability to bring both comedy and sincerity to the character made Buzz instantly beloved. The dynamic between Buzz and Woody became the heart of theToy Storyseries, with Allen and Hanks forming one of animation’s most legendary duos.Toy Storywas nominated for three Academy Awards and won a Special Achievement Award for its innovation, making it the pinnacle of the best Tim Allen movies and TV shows.
