Though he’s been in movies before, Tim Allen’s acting career really started when he played the funny handyman Tim Taylor on Home Improvement. Ever since, he has had a fairly steady acting run, starring in films for almost consecutive years. It was only in 2013 with 3 Geezers! that he took his longest break from film.
Many of the films Allen has starred in, such as Zoom and the aforementioned 3 Geezers!, haven’t been well received by critics or audiences. Conversely, there are many films of Allen that audiences have adored. Here are ten of those that truly highlight Allen’s acting skills, ranked by IMDb.
Who Is Cletis Tout? (6.3)
The first entry on the list, Who Is Cletis Tout? is a classic crime film with comedy intertwined evenly. The film is about Critical Jim (played by Tim Allen), an assassin who was sent to kill Cletis Tout. When he goes to kill Tout, he finds a man who has his identity, but he's actually a guy named Finch (played by Christian Slater). Finch then tells Jim the story of how he got Cletis Tout's identity.
Who Is Cletis Tout? is a great film for somebody looking for a good laugh, as well as some suspense. It's a neat story that has friendship, action, and a love for Hollywood crime movies.
Big Trouble (6.5)
When Big Trouble was released, Tim Allen was at the top of his career. Coming off of several successes in both film and television, he was riding a wave of some losses, but many victories. Unfortunately, Big Trouble was released with hardly any marketing and brought in almost no revenue. You could say the film was in... bad standing, financially.
However, critically, it seemed to do okay. In Big Trouble, businessman Arthur Herk (played by Stanley Tucci) gets a nuclear bomb that's disguised as a suitcase to protect himself against two assassins. It's up to Allen's character Eliot Arnold, his son, and the rest of the Herk family to stop the criminals and get the bomb before it hurts anyone.
The Santa Clause (6.5)
Tim Allen is comically regarded as the man who led a generation of children spelling “Santa Claus” wrong. While the name of the film may be an unforgivable pun, that doesn’t discount its quality.
In The Santa Clause, Allen’s character Scott Calvin, a divorced toy salesman, accidentally causes Santa Claus to die. This leads to Scott taking his place as Santa. At first, he’s resistant but he warms up to the idea after he sees how happy it makes his son. The Santa Clause is a charming story about how far a father is willing to go to do right by his son.
Redbelt (6.7)
Sometimes, you try your hardest to avoid an option to take. It might be because you know it's bad, or because it hurts your pride seeking help from that route. Nevertheless, you may find that that's your only way to get things done. This is what happens in the film Redbelt.
Redbelt sees a master in martial arts named Mike Terry who wants to avoid fighting in the ring. Not because he is afraid he can't win, but because he believes it's unbecoming. But when he gets involved in a lawsuit, he finds that fighting in the ring is his only option left to make money. Redbelt is a gripping tale about rising above your obstacles.
Chimpanzee (7.2)
While Allen isn't physically in the film Chimpanzee, his voice can be heard throughout, narrating the adventures of the chimpanzee. In the Disney Nature film, a baby chimp named Oscar is separated from his mother when they are attacked by other chimpanzees. Without a mother, he wanders into the jungle in search of a new guardian.
He soon finds one in the form of a burly chimp named Freddy. Freddy feels sympathy for him, and the two begin to form an unbreakable bond that would last a lifetime. The moving story, along with Allen's narration, makes Chimpanzee a touching movie for animal lovers everywhere.
Galaxy Quest (7.3)
Parody films used to be a lot more common than they are now. Airplane!, Spaceballs, and Scary Movie are all parodies and were released decades ago. A parody of Star Trek was also released during this time, called Galaxy Quest.
In Galaxy Quest, Allen’s character Jason Nesmith starred on a fictional TV show about a space crew. The twist is that aliens in outer space watch the show and think it’s real, so they come to Earth to meet Nesmith and the rest of the cast. Galaxy Quest is a good movie for anyone looking for a fun space adventure.
Toy Story 4 (7.8)
It’s unsurprising that a Toy Story film is featured on the list, with many more to follow. In Toy Story 4, Woody struggles to find his place in the world, which he questions even more when he’s reunited with Bo Peep. Whether it’s to be there for Bonnie or take care of her new toy Forky, he eventually learns what it means to be a toy.
Toy Story 4 serves as the conclusion to Woody’s journey. From the beginning, Woody’s devotion is directed towards other people, whether it’s Andy, Bonnie, or the toys. He still loves his friends, but the fact he thinks of himself shows how far he’s come.
Toy Story 2 (7.9)
Following the success of the first film, Pixar released Toy Story 2, which continues with the themes of the first. After Andy accidentally rips Woody’s arm, Woody worries that getting abandoned. When he is stolen by a toy collector, he’s torn between returning to Andy or staying with his new friends.
The film not only continues Woody’s story but Buzz’s too. In the first, Woody had to show Buzz what it meant to be a toy, and now Buzz has to do the same for him. Toy Story 2 is not only a worthy successor to the original but a fantastic film overall.
Toy Story 3 (8.3)
The ending of the Toy Story franchise for nearly a decade, Toy Story 3 follows Woody, Buzz, and the rest of the gang as they are mistakenly taken to Sunnyside Daycare. What happens next is a fun and heartwarming story about the value of togetherness.
The toys’ love for one another is the core of the franchise, and it’s especially seen here. From when they’re holding hands in the incinerator to when Woody goes with the other toys to Bonnie, they truly care about each other’s well-being. The Toy Story franchise is consistent with quality, and that’s no exception for the third installment.
Toy Story (8.3)
The first computer-animated film in history is also Tim Allen’s first animation role. Toy Story stars Allen and Tom Hanks as the toys Buzz and Woody. As they struggle to escape Sid’s dungeon and get back to Andy’s house, they form a bond that would last over twenty years.
The original Toy Story film is the perfect representation of Pixar’s magic. It has heart, humor, and an emphasis on self-worth. As Woody and Buzz come to terms with their own roles, they also comfort and understand one another. Made even better by Allen and Hanks’s voice acting, Toy Story is a film that belongs on everyone’s must-watch list.