Seth MacFarlane might be best known for his animated comedy creations and voice-acting roles, but he also has producer credits for Cosmos and The End is Nye, which might surprise those unaware of his love for science and sci-fi. Before all that, though, MacFarlane got his start animating and writing for Cartoon Network classics like Johnny Bravo and Dexter’s Laboratory. However, his big break came in 1999 with Family Guy. Now one of the most iconic cartoons of all time, Family Guy put MacFarlane on the map and laid the foundation for other projects.
From directing and writing to singing and voice-acting, MacFarlane fully throws himself into his work while injecting his trademark irreverent sense of humor. Here’s where to watch the best Seth MacFarlane movies and TV shows on streaming platforms like Hulu and Apple TV Plus.
Family Guy (1999-Present)
MacFarlane’s breakout animated creation introduces the Griffins, a dysfunctional Rhode Island family complete with a talking anthropomorphic dog. Surviving multiple cancellations after its 1999 debut, Family Guy has become one of the longest-running animated series on television. While the edgy material resulted in controversy, the show also received heaping praise and Emmy wins. In many ways, Family Guy foreshadows MacFarlane’s “jack of all trades” signature that he’d bring to his other animated and live-action projects. As a producer and very occasional writer of the show, MacFarlane also voices the vast majority of characters, including fan favorites like Peter, Stewie, Brian, and Quagmire.
American Dad! (2005-Present)
American Dad! is like the wittier cousin of Family Guy. It revolves around the Smiths, a traditional middle-class family that just so happens to have an alien living in their attic thanks to Stan Smith’s affiliations with the CIA. While Family Guy leans into random jokes with an undertone of crudeness, American Dad! focuses more on the absurdity created by the Smiths’ family dynamics. Although not quite as popular as MacFarlane’s debut series, American Dad! has a devoted fanbase that has kept the show running for 22 seasons and counting. Once again, MacFarlane serves as creator (alongside Mike Barker and Matt Weitzman) and voices a number of characters, including Stan and Roger.
The Cleveland Show (2009-2013)
With Family Guy’s popularity, a spinoff is no surprise. While the Griffins still make appearances, The Cleveland Show spotlights Cleveland Brown (Mike Henry) and his family after moving to Stoolbend, Virginia. The show doesn’t go quite as big as its flagship series, but there is still a lot to love. Cleveland’s kind-heartedness adds an element of warmth and lightness to the absurdity expected of a MacFarlane production. Some critics called the spinoff “unnecessary.” However, Family Guy fans hungry for a similar vibe and familiar faces might find that The Cleveland Show scratches that itch.
Ted (2012)
What happens when a childhood wish brings a man’s once-beloved teddy bear to life? Well, apparently, you get Ted, the comedy movie starring Mark Wahlberg and Mila Kunis. The film marks MacFarlane’s live-action directorial debut. As the highest-grossing movie of 2012, Ted proves MacFarlane’s comedic chops aren’t limited to animation. In addition to writing the script alongside Alec Sulkin and Wellesley Wild, MacFarlane voices the titular bear with a penchant for chaos. No stranger to wearing multiple hats, MacFarlane also wrote the lyrics for the movie’s main theme, “Everybody Needs a Best Friend,” which went on to win an Academy Award for Best Original Song.
A Million Ways to Die in the West (2014)
A Million Ways to Die in the West drops MacFarlane back into live-action, this time as director, writer, producer, and star. Here, MacFarlane trades his love of sci-fi and dysfunctional family sitcoms for a comedy Western featuring a messy love triangle of sorts. After falling for a woman with gunslinging prowess (Charlize Theron), MacFarlane’s Albert finds himself confronting her notorious outlaw husband (Liam Neeson). A Million Ways to Die is equally silly as MacFarlane’s other projects, yet it harbors a slither of sweetness beneath its offensive jokes and too-long runtime. It might not be quite as loved (or satirical) as the well-loved Blazing Saddles. Still, A Million Ways to Die will appeal to those who like a hefty dose of comedy with their Western fare.
The Orville (2017-2022)
MacFarlane put his self-professed love for sci-fi and the Star Trek franchise on full display in The Orville. Set 400 years in the future, the series chronicles the lives of the U.S.S. Orville crew on their space expedition. MacFarlane stars in the series as Captain Ed Mercer, alongside other names like Adrianne Palicki, Penny Johnson Jerald, Scott Grimes, and even Norm Macdonald. What begins as a Star Trek parody transforms into more of a character-driven dramedy in Seasons 2 and 3. The Orville is a big departure from MacFarlane’s usual style of humor, but it’s one that very much works, especially for sci-fi nerds who aren’t afraid to poke fun at their favorite space saga.
Ted (2024-Present)
If you thought the adventures of Ted and John Bennett ended with 2015’s Ted 2, think again. The duo returns in Ted, a Peacock original series directed by MacFarlane. Set in 1993, the show acts as a prequel, detailing the early life of the titular sentient bear and his human companion. While MacFarlane returns as the voice of Ted, Max Burkholder replaces Wahlberg as the younger John Bennett. Although the series hasn’t garnered quite as much buzz as its big-screen source material, Ted delivers plenty of fun for fans of MacFarlane’s irreverent humor.
Where To Watch The Best Seth MacFarlane Movies And TV Shows Online
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