John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein have been creative partners for just over a decade and a half now, and in that time they’ve either solely written or helped out on quite a few comedies and superhero films. They haven’t all been winners, either critically or commercially, but each one of their projects shows the duo’s firm grasp on human nature and what can make it funny.
Note that only Daley and Goldstein’s writing and directorial work was considered, but Daley in particular has had a solid work in front of the camera as well, most notably as the co-lead of Freaks and Geeks. These are the films that Daley & Goldstein have written, directed, or pulled double duty on, ranked.
10 The Incredible Burt Wonderstone (2013)
The Incredible Burt Wonderstone is one of those high concept comedies that hit theaters with big names and faces on the poster yet did no business and swiftly left theaters. There was something rotten in the air as soon as the first trailer hit the internet, with fans pointing out that it looked like a parody of a movie (one that might be featured in a show like 30 Rock).
And that’s what it feels like, with the movie throwing unfunny material at talented performers like Steve Carell, Olivia Wilde, Jim Carrey, Steve Buscemi, the late James Gandolfini, and the late Alan Arkin, then leaving them to carry audiences through an uninteresting plot with even less interesting characters. In short, it’s the type of movie that heavily relies on audiences finding Carell in a wig really, really funny. It’s also a film that feels like it belongs earlier in Carrey’s filmography, and with him in the central role. It’s surprising The Incredible Burt Wonderstone‘s screenplay was solely a Daley & Goldstein effort, but perhaps it can just be chalked up to a case of the ‘Sophomore Slump.’
9 Vacation (2015)
2015’s Vacation is an admirable but ultimately unsuccessful attempt to continue National Lampoon’s film series. On one hand it is graced with a terrific cast (with standout work from Christina Applegate, Skyler Gisondo, and Chris Hemsworth’s gargantuan prosthetic member).
But, on the other, it largely fails to recapture the spirit of the franchise at its best (in other words National Lampoon’s Vacation and National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation). There’s a cameo from Beverly D’Angelo as Chevy Chase, but by then it’s too little too late, and the audience has already sat through unfunny cameo-laden set pieces e.g. the rafting scene, which lands with a thud.
8 Vacation Friends (2021)
Like some other Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley movies, Vacation Friends was a team effort. Director Clay Tarver also served as writer as did Tim and Tom Mullen. And, as is often the case when there are so many writers behind a screenplay, it’s jumbled and a little bland.
But it’s also telling that the second film was written solely by director Clay Tarver and scored far lower with the critics. That said, it’s not as if the first one was a critical darling, either. Lil Rel Howery, Yvonne Orji, and John Cena are all excellent performers, but their talents have been put to better use elsewhere. But it’s Meredith Hagner who steals the show.
7 The Flash (2023)
A bomb at the box office and a bomb on Max, The Flash has a reputation that will always precede it. But, Daley & Goldstein weren’t heavily involved, so there will be no harm to their careers, that is if there’s harm to anyone’s at all. Not to mention, the movie’s actually fairly solid.
The Flash went through many, many iterations en route to the big screen, but it seemed as though Warner Bros. had finally settled on Daley & Goldstein to write and direct it. And, before long, they were confirmed to hold both titles. Then star Ezra Miller became wrapped up in the Fantastic Beasts sequels. Furthermore, Miller voiced displeasure with the duo’s light-hearted script. All in all, they left the project back in July 2019, with Warner Bros. choosing Birds of Prey writer Christina Hodson as their replacement. Yet, in the end, all three received a “Story by” credit while Hodson received the sole credit for the screenplay.
6 Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (2023)
Co-written with Michael Gilio based off his and Chris McKay’s (The Lego Batman Movie) story, Daley & Goldstein’s Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves is fun even for those who have absolutely no familiarity with the IP. Fast-paced and funny more often than not, it’s a film that has its impact buoyed by genuine chemistry among its cast members: Chris Pine, Michelle Rodriguez, Justice Smith, Sophia Lillis, Hugh Grant, and Regé-Jean Page.
While the film’s box office receipts were lacking, there’s reason to hope for its future, regardless of whether it ends up being a franchise. For one, it didn’t flop so much as it underperformed and, secondly, it’s the type of movie that will do just fine streaming on Paramount+.
5 Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 (2013)
In some ways, Daley & Goldstein feel cut from a similar cloth as Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, so it makes sense the former duo replaced the latter for Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2. That said, both Lord and Miller returned to give the sequel their special touch as executive producers.
The sequel is of a comparable quality to the original, which is to say it’s one of the 2010s’ more inventive animated films. There also couldn’t be a better cast to read the dialogue from Daley, Goldstein, and Erica Rivinoja. Bill Hader and Anna Faris have great chemistry, Andy Samberg is always a welcome addition (especially when dressed in a chicken suit), and the late James Caan.
4 Horrible Bosses (2011)
The duo’s first film (co-written with Michael Markowitz from his story), Horrible Bosses, is still one of their freshest and most energeticf films. With uniformly game performances from the cast (especially a very against type Colin Farrell) and some decent twists, it’s a winner but falls just short of being a comedy classic. It was also a further launching pad for Charlie Day, which is always a good thing.
The chemistry between Day, Jason Bateman, and Jason Sudeikis is what helps the movie fly by as much as its fast-paced script. Bateman’s Nick is right in his straight man foil wheelhouse, Kurt has Sudeikis essentially playing the 2010s’ Chevy Chase, and Dale has Day being, well, a more intelligent and less creepy Charlie Kelly. Daley & Goldstein only contributed to the sequel’s story, but that film is still worth seeking out for fans of the first.
3 Horrible Bosses 2 (2014)
While Horrible Bosses 2 is far better than its reputation might indicate, standing as one of the best comedy sequels of its respective decade, it still is a film powered by less intelligent writing than its predecessor. That said, there’s nothing in the first film that’s as good as the sequel’s opening, which features Bateman’s Nick, Day’s Dale, and Sudeiki’s Kurt on a talk show promoting “The Shower Buddy.” The interview derails a tad courtesy of Dale who, in a sidebar with Kurt, asks “Why would your buddy be in the shower with you?!” to which Kurt replies “Why would your dad?!“
The film also benefits from two more game villainous performances, this time from Christoph Waltz and Chris Pine. Pine, in particular, excels in the film, and the fact that he’s obviously having a ball is infectious for the audience, making it far from surprising Daley & Goldstein reenlisted him for Dungeons & Dragons. That said, Daley & Goldstein’s involvement in Horrible Bosses 2 was slight compared to the original film, as once Sean Anders was brought in to replace that film’s director, Seth Gordon, Anders and his producer partner rewrote Daley & Goldstein’s script. That said, they still got a “Story by” credit.
2 Game Night (2018)
Game Night was a bit different for Daley & Goldstein in that they’re only credited as directors, not screenwriters. But, as Variety reported and is obvious by watching it, they rewrote the script that was initially presented them.
A modest success at the box office, Game Night needs a sequel. Jason Bateman and Rachel McAdams’ Max and Annie Davis feel like real, likable people from the jump, and they’re the kind of duo who deserve and could do much with expanded narratives. A key element of Game Night‘s success is not only due to the strength of the writing, specifically with the lead two, but the chemistry amongst the cast as well. Not only between McAdams and Bateman, but co-stars Lamorne Morris, Kylie Bunbury, Billy Magnussen, and Sharon Horgan (all four of whom had their profiles expanded a bit by the film, which is more than well-deserved).
1 Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
Featuring one of the title character’s best villains to date (which is no small complement), Jon Watts’ Spider-Man: Homecoming is a fan favorite MCU installment. Daley and Goldstein were the first two writers hired, but they were joined by Watts, Christopher Ford, Chris McKenna, and Erik Sommers.
It’s hard not to see the writing team in Homecoming‘s smaller, comedic scenes. After all, Daley has significant experience with high school comedic material, having led the masterful Freaks and Geeks.
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