10 Best Fred Savage Roles, Ranked (According To IMDb) (2024)

Before Fred Savage became a prolific and excellent film and television director (some of his works includeIt's Always Sunny In Philadelphia, Party Down, Modern Family, Daddy Day Camp,etc.), he was America's favorite kid in front of the camera for many years, portraying a variety of characters in the comedy, drama, and fantasy genres.

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There usually wasn't a TV series or summer movie hit that didn't have the iconic Fred Savage smile for the better part of a decade, as the young actor popped up in over 55 productions from lead role to co-star. Each performance Fred has given has been memorable, nuanced, and full of nostalgic bliss that has made audiences full of glee for many years.

Vice Versa (1988) — 5.9

Savage and Judge Reinhold teamed up and made the underrated comedy Vice Versa, an adaptation of the 1882 novel of the same name by F. Antsey, Famously, this book served as the basis for many well-known movies, includingFreaky Friday. The story follows a father and son who -- thanks to a magical skull from Thailand -- switch bodies and minds.

It makes for some comical situations, as the very young Savage has to be in charge of a city department store while attending grade school again, where Reinhold acts like a silly kid at his job. It's wonderful to see Savage take on the dual roles of a serious responsible adult while pretending to be a kid.

The Wizard (1989) — 6.1

Bringing an end to the '80s, Savage starred in perhaps his most nostalgic film:The Wizard.The film has a ton of emotional elements hidden beneath the otherwise feature-length Nintendo commercial. Not only did this film sell a ton of Nintendo gaming systems, a new Power Glove, and reveal Super Mario Bros. 3, but it gave Savage the opportunity to head out on a dangerous adventure across the country with two other kids, with abusive bad guys after them.

Savage had to play the adult in the film, even though he was a young kid. He pulled off the role with grace and ease, along with a bit of coming-of-age comedy.Despite the excessive product placement, there's still a ton of heart and soul in The Wizard.

Little Monsters(1989) — 6.1

The wild comedic stylings of Howie Mandel mixes perfectly with Fred Savage in the comedyLittle Monsters, whichcenters on the friendship between a young boy and a hip monster from under his bed whose goal in life is to pull pranks.

There's more to the eye here as Savage plays Brian, who is lashing out and struggling with the end of his parent's marriage while trying to make new friends. Savage showcases his acting chops in some truly emotional sequences along with some hilarious comedic escapades, while being the story's underdog hero.

Austin Powers In Goldmember(2002) — 6.2

The Wizard was the last feature film Savage had a role in until 2002 came along, and Mike Myers had him come on the third Austin Powers film Goldmember.

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Savage played a small, yet memorable and hilarious character named Number 3 or Mole, as he had a giant mole on his face and was a British Intelligence mole who worked with Austin Powers, despite his many jokes about his facial feature. Savage proved once again, he was a king of facial expressions and comedy alongside one of the best in the business in such a small role.

The Boy Who Could Fly(1986) — 6.5

In 1986, the world met a young Fred Savage in his first feature film debut with The Boy Who Could Fly, a heart-wrenching drama about an unlikely friendship and a couple of families battling their demons. Directed by Nick Castle (the man who played Michael Myers in Halloween), the film centers on a young woman named Milly who befriends an autistic boy named Eric, who might just be able to fly.

Milly's younger brother is Louis (Savage), who is constantly picked on by the older neighborhood kids. They beat him up, trash his bike, and are responsible for his dog Max getting hurt. Louis' gall and grit never keep him down for long as he gets some sweet, hot, yellow revenge towards the end. It was a bold, first acting role that still breaks the mold.

The Rules Of Attraction(2002) — 6.7

Written by Brett Easton Ellis and directed by Roger Avary, The Rules Of Attraction tells the story of several liberal arts students making their way during a semester of drugs, suicide, sex, crime, and classes. It's a brilliant, realistic, and ugly look at what life is like for wealthy, privileged students in America.

Savage pops up for one excellent and memorable scene in nothing but his underwear, high on heroin as Marc the Junkie. He's being questioned for payment for his addiction but can't even get a sentence out as he plays the clarinet in bed, almost naked. It's Savage like no one has ever seen before.

Working(1997-1999) — 7.5

Savage came back to a starring role intelevision with Working, a sitcom that would've been a hit on Netflix but was constantly battling falling ratings in the late '90s. Workingis fantastic, as it stars an older Fred Savage, straight out of college and climbing the corporate ladder at a big company where his bosses are constantly berating him and questioning his good morals, ethics, and decisions.

Workingsuffers from some of the silly sitcom tropes but in the end, was a fantastic series that deserves a reboot with Savage. There's a ton of social and work-place commentary here that's still relevant in today's' world.

The Twilight Zone (1985-1989)— 7.8

One of Fred Savage's first on-screen roles was in the '80s reboot version of The Twilight Zone, where he starred alongside film icon and Top Gun member Tom Skerrit and fellow child actor Lukas Haas. Aired in 1986, the episode "What Are Friends For?" followed a single father and his son (Savage) who have moved to the country, where Savage has trouble making friends. He meets a kid, who turns out to be an imaginary friend, where after an unfortunate accident, causes Skerrit to confront the problem head-on.

It's an oddly feel-good and charming episode, but Savage proved his skill as an actor by showcasing happiness with his new friend and utter sadness at his parent's divorce.

The Princess Bride(1987) — 8.1

Savage's most well-known role is probably that of The Grandson,who mimicked every young boy growing up in the '80s by playing Bases Loaded on the Nintendo while healing from a cold. Only interested in sports, The Grandson had no idea of the world of literature, adventure, and romance that was awaiting him when his grandfather told him the story of The Princess Bride.

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Savage played this kid pitch-perfectly, constantly questioning what kind of story it would bewith hilarious passive-aggressive retorts. This all led to him falling in love withwhat he initially dismissed as a "kissing book" that probably sparked his creative side, just as his grandfather had wished. The Grandsonwould prove so iconicthat Savage (sort of) reprisedhim in Deadpool 2'sPG-13 edit, Once Upon A Deadpool,where a now adult Savage gets kidnapped by Deadpool and isbasically forced to reenact his Princess Bridescenes.

The Wonder Years(1988-1993) — 8.3

Kevin Arnold in The Wonder Years is hands down the embodiment of what every young boy in America experiences in some form or fashion, whether it is a first kiss, family drama, vacations, or sibling rivalry. The show depicted the American Dream with all its flaws, which was both funny and tragic at times, where Kevin was the conduit and balanced individual who brought home the emotions and thoughts of its audience on screen.

Kevin isn't the perfect kid, but his heart is in the right place and he consistently does the right thing to helpothers get better along with himself. Kevin was a wonderful character brought to life in a way that only Savage could achieve.

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