Sort by Popularity - Most Popular Movies and TV Shows With Michael Palin

1. The Simpsons (1989– )

TV-14 | 22 min | Animation, Comedy

The satiric adventures of a working-class family in the misfit city of Springfield.

Stars: Dan Castellaneta, Nancy Cartwright, Harry Shearer, Julie Kavner

Votes: 435,544

2. Saturday Night Live (1975– )

TV-14 | 90 min | Comedy, Music

A famous guest host stars in parodies and sketches created by the cast of this witty show.

Stars: The Saturday Night Live Band, Don Pardo, Darrell Hammond, Kenan Thompson

Votes: 52,684

3. The Garfield Movie (2024)

PG | 101 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy | Completed

After Garfield's unexpected reunion with his long-lost father, ragged alley cat Vic, he and his canine friend Odie are forced from their perfectly pampered lives to join Vic on a risky heist.

Director: Mark Dindal | Stars: Chris Pratt, Samuel L. Jackson, Hannah Waddingham, Ving Rhames

4. Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)

PG | 91 min | Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy

King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table embark on a surreal, low-budget search for the Holy Grail, encountering many, very silly obstacles.

Directors: Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones | Stars: Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Eric Idle, Terry Gilliam

Votes: 569,974 | Gross: $1.23M

5. Absolutely Anything (2015)

R | 85 min | Comedy, Sci-Fi

A group of eccentric aliens confers a human being with the power to do absolutely anything, as an experiment.

Director: Terry Jones | Stars: Simon Pegg, Kate Beckinsale, Sanjeev Bhaskar, Rob Riggle

Votes: 48,188

6. The Death of Stalin (2017)

R | 107 min | Comedy, Drama, History

Moscow, 1953. After being in power for nearly 30 years, Soviet dictator, Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin, takes ill and quickly dies. Now the members of the Council of Ministers scramble for power.

Director: Armando Iannucci | Stars: Steve Buscemi, Simon Russell Beale, Jeffrey Tambor, Andrea Riseborough

Votes: 113,355 | Gross: $8.05M

7. Brazil (1985)

R | 132 min | Drama, Sci-Fi, Thriller

A bureaucrat in a dystopic society becomes an enemy of the state as he pursues the woman of his dreams.

Director: Terry Gilliam | Stars: Jonathan Pryce, Kim Greist, Robert De Niro, Katherine Helmond

Votes: 211,147 | Gross: $9.93M

8. Time Bandits (1981)

PG | 110 min | Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy

A young boy accidentally joins a band of time travelling dwarves, as they jump from era to era looking for treasure to steal.

Director: Terry Gilliam | Stars: Sean Connery, Shelley Duvall, John Cleese, Katherine Helmond

Votes: 68,300 | Gross: $42.37M

9. Home and Away (1988– )

TV-14 | 22 min | Drama, Romance

This show chronicles the lives, loves, happiness, and heartbreaks of the residents of Summer Bay, a small coastal town jon the upper Northern Beaches of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

Stars: Ray Meagher, Lynne McGranger, Emily Symons, Ada Nicodemou

Votes: 6,482

10. Life of Brian (1979)

R | 94 min | Comedy

Born on the original Christmas in the stable next door to Jesus Christ, Brian of Nazareth spends his life being mistaken for a messiah.

Director: Terry Jones | Stars: Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Michael Palin, Terry Gilliam

Votes: 421,731 | Gross: $20.05M

11. Virgin Territory (2007)

R | 97 min | Adventure, Comedy, Romance

Young Florentines take refuge from the black plague and engage in bawdy adventures and lusty exchanges.

Director: David Leland | Stars: Hayden Christensen, Mischa Barton, Ryan Cartwright, Christopher Egan

Votes: 8,692

12. The Daily Show (1996– )

TV-14 | 22 min | Comedy, News, Talk-Show

A comedy news show featuring humorous takes on top stories.

Stars: Jon Stewart, Trevor Noah, Stephen Colbert, Roy Wood Jr.

Votes: 48,178

13. A Fish Called Wanda (1988)

R | 108 min | Comedy, Crime

In London, four very different people team up on a jewel heist, then try to double-cross one another for the loot, complicated by their efforts to fool a very proper barrister.

Directors: Charles Crichton, John Cleese | Stars: John Cleese, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kevin Kline, Michael Palin

Votes: 153,842 | Gross: $63.49M

14. Staged (2020–2023)

TV-MA | 22 min | Comedy, Drama

David Tennant and Michael Sheen star as two actors whose West End play has been put on hold due to Covid-19, but whose director has persuaded them to carry on rehearsing online.

Stars: David Tennant, Michael Sheen, Georgia Tennant, Anna Lundberg

Votes: 10,147

15. The Witches (1990)

PG | 91 min | Adventure, Comedy, Family

A young boy stumbles onto a witch convention and must stop them, even after he has been turned into a mouse.

Director: Nicolas Roeg | Stars: Anjelica Huston, Mai Zetterling, Jasen Fisher, Rowan Atkinson

Votes: 54,631 | Gross: $10.36M

16. Vanity Fair (2018)

TV-14 | 60 min | Drama

An adaptation of the 1848 novel by William Makepeace Thackeray.

Stars: Michael Palin, Olivia Cooke, Tom Bateman, Johnny Flynn

Votes: 5,718

17. Monty Python's Flying Circus (1969–1974)

TV-14 | 30 min | Comedy

The original surreal sketch comedy showcase for the Monty Python troupe.

Stars: Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle

Votes: 78,748

18. The Graham Norton Show (2007– )

TV-14 | 60 min | Comedy, Music, Talk-Show

Irish comedian Graham Norton hosts his very own chat show, which includes chatting to A-list celebrities, the very famous Red Chair game, live music, lots of jokes and fun from Graham and the celebrities themselves.

Stars: Graham Norton, Ricky Gervais, Judi Dench, Jack Whitehall

Votes: 13,179

19. The Meaning of Life (1983)

R | 107 min | Comedy, Musical

The comedy team takes a look at life in all of its stages in their own uniquely silly way.

Director: Terry Jones | Stars: John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones

Votes: 125,281 | Gross: $14.93M

20. Late Night with Conan O'Brien (1993–2009)

TV-14 | 60 min | Comedy, Music, Talk-Show

Conan O'Brien, a Harvard Lampoon alumnus, hosts this late-night comedy/talk-show, which is often silly and whimsical.

Stars: Conan O'Brien, The Max Weinberg 7, Andy Richter, Joel Godard

Votes: 18,949

21. The Man Who Killed Don Quixote (2018)

Not Rated | 132 min | Adventure, Comedy, Drama

Toby, a disillusioned film director, is pulled into a world of time-jumping fantasy when a Spanish cobbler believes himself to be Sancho Panza. He gradually becomes unable to tell dreams from reality.

Director: Terry Gilliam | Stars: José Luis Ferrer, Ismael Fritschi, Juan López-Tagle, Adam Driver

Votes: 22,158 | Gross: $0.39M

22. The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (2014– )

TV-14 | 60 min | Comedy, Music, Talk-Show

Jimmy Fallon hosts the Tonight Show and interviews celebrities, plays games with them and has a musical or comedic guest perform.

Stars: Jimmy Fallon, The Roots, Steve Higgins, Questlove

Votes: 19,014

23. The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962–1992)

TV-14 | 105 min | Comedy, Talk-Show

Host Johnny Carson performs comedy routines and chats with various celebrities.

Stars: Johnny Carson, Ed McMahon, Doc Severinsen, Skitch Henderson

Votes: 4,239

24. Jabberwocky (1977)

PG | 105 min | Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy

A young peasant with no interest in adventure or fortune is mistaken for the kingdom's only hope when a horrible monster threatens the countryside.

Director: Terry Gilliam | Stars: Michael Palin, Harry H. Corbett, John Le Mesurier, Warren Mitchell

Votes: 15,977

25. Fierce Creatures (1997)

PG-13 | 93 min | Comedy

Zookeepers struggle to deal with the policies of changing directors.

Directors: Robert Young, Fred Schepisi | Stars: John Cleese, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kevin Kline, Michael Palin

Votes: 25,625 | Gross: $9.38M

26. Time Bandits

Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy | Post-production

Television adaptation of Terry Gilliam's 1981 film, Time Bandits, which centers on a young boy who discovers a time-traveling portal in his bedroom.

Stars: Kal-El Tuck, Sarah Darkin, Lisa Kudrow, Tadhg Murphy

27. Arthur Christmas (2011)

PG | 97 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy

Santa's clumsy son Arthur sets out on a mission with Grandsanta to give out a misplaced present to a young girl in less than two hours on Christmas Day.

Directors: Sarah Smith, Barry Cook | Stars: James McAvoy, Jim Broadbent, Bill Nighy, Hugh Laurie

Votes: 67,077 | Gross: $46.46M

28. Worzel Gummidge (2019– )

59 min | Family

Children's series about the adventures of Worzel Gummidge (Mackenzie Crook), a scarecrow who comes to life. Two orphans arrive at a farm who meet Worzel and join him in the adventures.

Stars: Thierry Wickens, India Brown, Steve Pemberton, Rosie Cavaliero

Votes: 1,898

29. The Two Ronnies (1971–1987)

Comedy

This long-running BBC comedy show consisted of sketches and humourous musical routines.

Stars: Ronnie Barker, Ronnie Corbett, The Fred Tomlinson Singers, John Owens

Votes: 3,583

30. Screen Two (1985–1998)

TV-14 | 120 min | Drama

In 1984 Kenith Trodd joined BBC team responding to Channel 4 releases, leading to transition from BBC studio plays to Screen One/Two anthology series. Trodd oversaw first group of titles in these series in 1985.

Stars: Jude North, Roger Brierley, Geoffrey Chater, Norman Jones

Votes: 243

31. Torchwood: Monthly Range (2015 Podcast Series)

Action, Sci-Fi

Torchwood - a clandestine organisation outside the government, beyond the police. An elite team of operatives defending Cardiff and the world from alien menaces and terrible forces, keeping... See full summary »

Stars: Gareth David-Lloyd, Tom Price, Kai Owen, John Barrowman

Votes: 15

32. The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (1992–2014)

TV-14 | 62 min | Comedy, Music, Talk-Show

Jay Leno takes over the Tonight Show with interview, sketches, and plenty of laughs.

Stars: Jay Leno, Kevin Eubanks, Edd Hall, John Melendez

Votes: 10,927

33. Mr. Toad's Wild Ride (1996)

PG | 88 min | Adventure, Comedy, Family

Mole's underground home is bought by the Weasels from wealthy landowner Mr. Toad and Mole is thrown out. He and Rat start to fight to get his home back from evil Weasels.

Director: Terry Jones | Stars: Steve Coogan, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, Antony Sher

Votes: 3,437 | Gross: $0.07M

34. The Rutles: All You Need Is Cash (1978 TV Movie)

Not Rated | 76 min | Comedy, Music

Charts the adventures of the prefab four, possibly the most famous band of all time.

Directors: Eric Idle, Gary Weis | Stars: Eric Idle, John Halsey, Ricky Fataar, Neil Innes

Votes: 6,944

35. Percy (1971)

R | 103 min | Comedy

Edwin Antony (Hywel Bennett) is emasculated in an accident which kills a young philanderer. Doctors successfully replace his member with that of the dead man, but refuse to tell him the ... See full summary »

Director: Ralph Thomas | Stars: Hywel Bennett, Denholm Elliott, Cyd Hayman, Julia Foster

Votes: 467

36. The Jonathan Ross Show (2011– )

60 min | Talk-Show

British talk show host Jonathon Ross talks with guests from around the globe.

Stars: Jonathan Ross, David Walliams, Rob Beckett, Katherine Ryan

Votes: 1,306

37. Monty Python's and Now for Something Completely Different (1971)

PG | 88 min | Comedy

An anthology of the best sketches from the first and second seasons of Monty Python's Flying Circus (1969).

Director: Ian MacNaughton | Stars: John Cleese, Michael Palin, Graham Chapman, Terry Gilliam

Votes: 31,493

38. Loose Women (1999– )

60 min | Talk-Show

Lively daytime TV show, in which four "loose women" chat about news, issues and life in general.

Stars: Coleen Nolan, Andrea McLean, Carol McGiffin, Kaye Adams

Votes: 1,386

39. Remember Me (2014)

TV-14 | 60 min | Drama, Horror, Mystery

Tom Parfitt fakes an injury in order to escape from his monotonous lifestyle and head to a care centre. However, upon his arrival, the staff experiences several strange instances, including a murder.

Stars: Michael Palin, Mark Addy, Jodie Comer, Julia Sawalha

Votes: 1,864

40. The Midnight Special (1972–1981)

90 min | Music, Talk-Show

Late night rock and pop music performances are featured.

Stars: Wolfman Jack, Helen Reddy, Donna Summer, Gladys Knight

Votes: 381

41. The Missionary (1982)

R | 90 min | Comedy

In the early 20th Century, devout Reverend Charles Fortesque returns to England from his missionary work in Africa and, despite plans to marry his childhood sweetheart, receives a most unusual assignment: minister to the local prostitutes.

Director: Richard Loncraine | Stars: Michael Palin, Maggie Smith, Trevor Howard, Denholm Elliott

Votes: 2,589 | Gross: $7.24M

42. This Morning (1988– )

150 min | Comedy, Drama, Game-Show

Magazine show featuring lifestyle, cookery, fashion and news segments, along with celebrity interviews and gossip.

Stars: Phillip Schofield, Holly Willoughby, Ruth Langsford, Eamonn Holmes

Votes: 892

43. The Wind in the Willows (1995 TV Movie)

73 min | Animation, Family

When three close friends Mole, Ratty and Badger find out that the infamous Mr. Toad of Toad Hall has been up to no good, they must find him and change his ways for good.

Directors: Dave Unwin, Dennis Abey | Stars: Alan Bennett, Michael Palin, Michael Gambon, Rik Mayall

Votes: 1,178

44. Late Night with David Letterman (1982–1993)

TV-PG | 60 min | Comedy, Music, Talk-Show

Popular late-night comedy/talk-show with host David Letterman, interviewing famous guests.

Stars: David Letterman, Paul Shaffer, Bill Wendell, Calvert DeForest

Votes: 4,988

45. Top of the Pops (1964–2023)

60 min | Music, News, Talk-Show

A rundown of the latest chart hits, featuring in-studio performances from popular music artists.

Stars: The Ladybirds, Pan's People, Jimmy Savile, Legs & Co

Votes: 1,125

46. The One Show (2006– )

30 min | Documentary, Talk-Show

A live magazine programme featuring topical stories and big name studio guests.

Stars: Alex Jones, Matt Baker, Christine Lampard, Adrian Chiles

Votes: 621

47. This Is Your Life (1955–2003)

30 min | Documentary, Biography

The UK version of the popular US show. Eamonn Andrews (later Michael Aspel) surprises celebrities by presenting them with the Big Red Book before taking them into the studio to tell viewers... See full summary »

Stars: Eamonn Andrews, Michael Aspel, Elizabeth Dawn, June Whitfield

Votes: 323

48. Arena (1975– )

60 min | Documentary

Wide-ranging arts program.

Stars: Gavin Millar, Kenneth Tynan, John Walters, Jonathan Miller

Votes: 319

49. G.B.H. (1991)

567 min | Comedy, Drama

Politician Michael Murray's life entwines with headmaster Jim Nelson's, changing their trajectories when their paths cross unexpectedly.

Stars: Robert Lindsay, Michael Palin, Dearbhla Molloy, Alan Igbon

Votes: 821

50. Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl (1982)

R | 77 min | Documentary, Comedy, Musical

The Monty Python troupe perform a combination of classic sketches and new material at the Hollywood Bowl.

Directors: Terry Hughes, Ian MacNaughton | Stars: John Cleese, Michael Palin, Eric Idle, Graham Chapman

Votes: 15,767 | Gross: $0.33M