---
title: "Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues"
year: 2013
kind: "film"
canonical: "https://film.one/film/anchorman-2-the-legend-continues"
fi1m_id: "anchorman-2-the-legend-continues"
imdb_id: "tt1229340"
tmdb_id: 109443
wikidata_id: "Q4752758"
fi1m_score: 58
critics_score: 62
critics_reviews: 21
published: "2026-10-05T01:05:25.255795+00:00"
updated: "2026-10-05T01:05:32.594984+00:00"
region: "NZ"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues (2013)

Directed by Adam McKay · 1h 59m · OFLC M · Comedy

## Identity

Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/film/anchorman-2-the-legend-continues
- **Type:** Film
- **Fi1m ID:** anchorman-2-the-legend-continues
- **IMDb ID:** tt1229340
- **TMDB ID:** 109443
- **Wikidata ID:** Q4752758
- **Same entity:** https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1229340/, https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/109443, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q4752758

**Fi1m score: 58** · Critics 62 from 21 reviews

*In a sentence:* Four men in brown suits accidentally invent 24-hour news, then wander off to find other jokes

> Adam McKay’s sequel has one sharp idea, that Ron Burgundy’s news team invented everything wrong with television news, and it is funny for as long as it stays on it. It keeps wandering off, and at 119 minutes the wandering shows.

## Synopsis

New York, 1980. Ron Burgundy (Will Ferrell) and his wife Veronica Corningstone (Christina Applegate) co-anchor the weekend news until the network sacks him and gives her the nightly bulletin. Ron walks out on her and their son Walter (Judah Nelson), drifts back to San Diego and is narrating a dolphin show when a producer, Freddie Shapp (Dylan Baker), offers him a job at GNN, the first channel to broadcast news round the clock. Ron collects the old team: Champ Kind (David Koechner), now frying chicken, Brian Fantana (Paul Rudd), now photographing cats, and Brick Tamland (Steve Carell), presumed dead. At GNN the boss, Linda Jackson (Meagan Good), hands them the two in the morning slot, and its star anchor, Jack Lime (James Marsden), bets Ron he cannot beat his ratings.

## Review

Nine years after [*Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy*](https://film.one/film/anchorman-the-legend-of-ron-burgundy) (2004), Adam McKay and Will Ferrell move their news team from San Diego to New York for the birth of 24-hour television news. *Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues* has one properly good idea: that four idiots handed the graveyard slot on a cable channel nobody watches invented every bad habit the news now has, the live car chase, the flag, the cute animal, the shouting about nothing. For twenty minutes the film sits on that idea and is funny. The rest of the time it is a sketch show looking for a reason to continue.

Ferrell has lost nothing in the gap: the sentences still begin with grandeur and finish wherever they finish, and he plays Ron’s stupidity as a kind of calm. Paul Rudd and David Koechner pick their characters back up as if they had never put them down, and Rudd’s cabinet of colognes from the first film has become a cabinet of something else. Christina Applegate is given a promotion and then little to do with it. Greg Kinnear’s Gary, Veronica’s new boyfriend, claims to read minds, a decent running joke run slightly too far.

The newsroom is where the film works. Clayton Hartley builds GNN as a cavern of beige desks, brown and teal and far too big for the handful of people in it. Oliver Wood lights it flat and even, like the television it is mocking. Meagan Good plays the boss, Linda Jackson, straight, and that gives Ferrell something to push against; the scenes in which Ron cannot stop remarking on her race walk a narrow line and mostly stay on it. James Marsden’s Jack Lime, all teeth and hair, is the best new arrival. Then the first two o’clock broadcast goes out, and we laughed out loud: told there is nothing to report, the team fills the hour with a live car chase, a montage of flags and Ron’s opinion that America is the greatest country on Earth, and the phones light up.

Steve Carell is the problem and Kristen Wiig is half the answer. Brick was a seasoning in the first film, a line of nonsense a scene; here he is a main course, and McKay has not noticed that nonsense works in small helpings. Wiig’s Chani, a GNN secretary as unmoored as he is, is the right partner for him, and their first scene, two people failing to make eye contact for a full minute, is the strangest and sweetest thing in the film. By their fourth scene we had stopped laughing.

Melissa Bretherton and Brent White cut the film with the stitches showing. Scenes run past their natural end because another good take existed. The second half takes a turn we will not describe. We can say that it removes Ron from the newsroom, from the satire and from the other three men for a long stretch, and that we were bored, and then faintly cross at being bored by so many funny people with so much money. A late set piece restages the original’s most famous scene at several times the scale, and the scale is the only joke. John Nau and Andrew Feltenstein supply soft-rock pastiche and the odd mock-heroic swell and otherwise keep out of the way.

Against the first film this is baggier and in one respect better. The original had one plot and a quotable line a minute; this has three plots and a dozen lines that will survive. But the satire is sharper than anything in 2004. Josh Lawson’s Kench Allenby, the Australian who owns GNN and an airline and would like the news to be kind about the airline, is a joke the film could have stayed with all night.

If you know the first film it is worth an evening, and probably a better one at home, where the slack stretches can be taken up with a pause and a drink. If you do not, it is a good twenty minutes about the news with a hundred minutes of men in brown suits attached. It runs 119 minutes and carries a 15.

*Fi1m score 58, published 5 October 2026.*

## What the critics say

Most critics find the sequel funny but uneven: of twenty-one reviews, eleven are mixed, seven positive, three negative. The praise clusters in two places. The first is the cast, above all Will Ferrell, whose improvised set pieces and oblivious Ron Burgundy carry the film for most reviewers. The second is the satire of rolling cable news, which several critics think is the film’s best idea.

The reservations cluster just as tightly. The commonest complaint is length, and many reviews add recycled gags and a middle and final act that sag. The spread is wide, from the mid-30s to the mid-80s. Slant dismisses it as bloated and limp, the Los Angeles Times finds it overstuffed and The Wrap exhausting, while Paste is the warmest, treating it as a continuation rather than a repeat. Steve Carell’s Brick divides them: HeyUGuys says he steals the film, Digital Spy says his scenes wear thin.

## Straight answers

**Is Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues worth watching?**

*Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues* is worth an evening for anyone who knows and likes the first film, and we scored it 58. Its one good idea, that Ron Burgundy's team invented every bad habit of 24-hour news, is funny for about twenty minutes, and the remaining hundred are a baggy sketch show. Newcomers should start with the original.

**How long is Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues, and what is it rated?**

*Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues* runs 1h 59m and is rated M by the OFLC in New Zealand. It is a comedy film.

**Where can I watch Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues in New Zealand?**

*Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues* is available to rent from Apple TV from NZ$5.99. Availability is checked daily; the links above go straight to each service.

**How violent or frightening is Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues, and is it suitable for children?**

*Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues* is a 15 in the UK, and the certificate is earned by crude humour, swearing and sexual jokes rather than violence or fear. Nothing in it is frightening, and the only large action scene is a cartoonish brawl played for scale rather than pain. It suits older teenagers and adults, not younger children.

**How does Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues compare to Network?**

*Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues* jokes about everything that [*Network*](https://film.one/film/network) says in earnest: a channel filling airtime with noise, flags and shouting about nothing, and a proprietor who wants the news to be kind to his business. Sidney Lumet's film is the better one, funnier in its fury and far more disciplined. Watch *Network* if you want the argument, *Anchorman 2* if you want men in brown suits.

**What should I watch after Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues?**

After *Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues*, try [*Network*](https://film.one/film/network) (1976, Fi1m 86): The furious original: everything Anchorman 2 jokes about, said straight by Paddy Chayefsky. Then [*The Day Today*](https://film.one/tv/the-day-today) (1994, Fi1m 86): Six episodes that dismantle the grammar of television news more precisely than any film has; and [*Broadcast News*](https://film.one/film/broadcast-news) (1987, Fi1m 84): James L. Brooks on the handsome idiot anchor and the clever people who prop him up.

### Reviews we read (21)

- **Total Film**, Kevin Harley (4/5): Harley finds the sequel overlong and too reliant on recycled jokes, but says its fresh comic energy keeps it entertaining. He especially praises Ferrell’s improvised episode involving wanking and sharks. [Read](https://www.gamesradar.com/anchorman-2-the-legend-continues-review/)
- **Variety**, Scott Foundas (80/100, inferred): Foundas finds the sequel generously funny and welcome, even if it is less quotable than the original. He especially praises the cast’s improvisational energy and the film’s satire of sensationalized television news. [Read](https://variety.com/2013/film/reviews/anchorman-2-the-legend-continues-review-1200943015/)
- **Film Comment**, R. Emmet Sweeney (70/100, inferred): The standfirst suggests an enthusiastic verdict on the film’s comedy. It singles out the anarchic brio of Will Ferrell and Adam McKay’s approach. [Read](https://www.filmcomment.com/review-anchorman-2-the-legend-continues/)
- **Screen Daily**, Brent Simon (70/100, inferred): Simon presents the sequel favorably, calling it every bit as oddly extravagant as the original. The accessible standfirst singles out its epic weirdness as the chief virtue. [Read](https://www.screendaily.com/anchorman-2-the-legend-continues/5064757.article)
- **The AV Club**, Ben Kenigsberg (B-): Kenigsberg finds the sequel scattershot, with plenty of hits and misses, but suggests it may grow funnier with repeat viewings. He praises its sharp idea about cable news normalizing sensationalism and unverified reporting, while noting that some scenes and subplots misfire. [Read](https://www.avclub.com/there-are-hits-and-misses-aplenty-in-anchorman-2-the-l-1798179024)
- **The Hollywood Reporter**, Todd McCarthy (70/100, inferred): McCarthy finds the sequel funny and bawdy, though it takes time to hit its stride and loses focus as the plot gives way to sketches. He singles out Will Ferrell’s performance and his exchanges with Meagan Good and James Marsden as particular highlights. [Read](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/anchorman-2-legend-continues-film-2-666003/)
- **Evening Standard**, The Standard (65/100, inferred): The review finds the comedy often funny but ultimately disappointing because it could have been better. It praises Brick’s disturbingly funny romance and Ron’s performance as a blind man. [Read](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/anchor-man-2-the-legend-continues-film-review-9017434.html)
- **Vulture**, David Edelstein (65/100, inferred): Edelstein finds the sequel excessive and uneven but ultimately worthy of Ron Burgundy. He singles out a quieter sequence about Ron, Veronica, their son, and a wounded shark as the film’s most moving and hopeful stretch. [Read](https://www.vulture.com/2013/12/movie-review-anchorman-2-the-legend-continues.html)
- **RogerEbert.com** (64/100, inferred): The page could not be accessed, so the critic’s verdict is unavailable. No specific praise or complaint could be verified. [Read](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/anchorman-2-the-legend-continues-2013)
- **Empire**, Dan Jolin (60/100, inferred): Jolin finds the film overlong and uneven, but says it still delivers considerable laughter and pointed satire. He singles out Ferrell’s newsroom scenes and the film’s defense of investigative journalism, while criticizing the repeated gags and stretched segments. [Read](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/anchorman-2-legend-continues-review/)
- **Radio Times**, Stella Papamichael (3/5): Papamichael presents the sequel as a rib-tickling continuation, praising Will Ferrell’s eccentrically florid comedy. The available excerpt cuts off before revealing any specific complaint or fuller verdict. [Read](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-tmctql/anchorman-2-the-legend-continues/)
- **The Guardian**, Andrew Pulver (60/100, inferred): Pulver finds the sequel uneven, but says it should please Ron Burgundy’s fans. He praises its regular run of strong gags, while faulting the sagging middle and final acts. [Read](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/dec/16/anchorman-2-the-legend-continues-review)
- **Time Out**, Tom Huddleston (3/5): The review calls the sequel perfectly adequate rather than a top story. The available metadata offers no specific praise or complaint beyond that muted verdict. [Read](https://www.timeout.com/movies/anchorman-2-the-legend-continues)
- **Slant Magazine**, Chris Cabin (1.5/4): Cabin finds the sequel a bloated, limp comedy that recycles old jokes and ideas. He singles out the comedians as its only noteworthy element, while criticizing the constrained performances and pandering storyline. [Read](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/anchorman-2-the-legend-continues/)
- **Los Angeles Times**, Betsy Sharkey (35/100, inferred): Sharkey finds the sequel overlong and overstuffed, though its characters provide distinct pleasures. She especially praises Steve Carell and Kristen Wiig’s strange, funny romantic chemistry. [Read](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/moviesnow/la-et-mn-anchorman-2-review-20131218-story.html)
- **Paste**, Michael Burgin (8.4/10): Burgin finds the sequel a compelling continuation rather than a repetition of the original. He praises the cast’s committed performances and the film’s bursts of inventive, tear-inducing absurdity. [Read](https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/anchorman/anchorman-2-the-legend-continues)
- **Den of Geek**, Ryan Lambie (3/5): Lambie finds the sequel uneven, with less freshness and creativity than the original, though its best scenes still deliver laughs. He praises the intimate, character-based moments for recapturing the original’s inventive comic spirit. [Read](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/anchorman-2-review-2/)
- **Digital Spy**, Simon Reynolds (3/5): Reynolds finds the sequel funny and satisfying for devoted fans, though overlong and short on memorable one-liners. He praises Ron Burgundy’s obliviousness and the film’s satirical take on rolling news, but says Brick’s scenes wear thin. [Read](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a536687/anchorman-2-the-legend-continues-review-ron-burgundy-returns/)
- **HeyUGuys**, Stefan Pape (3/5): The critic finds the sequel hilarious and entertaining, but increasingly self-indulgent and weakened by a disappointing finale. He especially praises Steve Carell’s Brick Tamland, who steals the show and balances the ensemble. [Read](https://www.heyuguys.com/anchorman-2-the-legend-continues-review/)
- **Eye for Film**, Angus Wolfe Murray (50/100, inferred): The critic finds the film manic and unpredictable, with comedy that survives through constant replacement of failed jokes and subplots. He singles out Burgundy’s industrial-scale ability to survive blunders, while criticizing the film’s persistent insensitivity. [Read](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/anchorman-12-the-legend-continues-2013-film-review-by-angus-wolfe-murray)
- **The Wrap** (35/100, inferred): The critic finds the film’s barrage of jokes intermittently funny but ultimately flimsy and exhausting. They praise its supply of comic ideas while faulting the lack of structure and meaningful roles for women. [Read](https://www.thewrap.com/anchorman-2-review-will-ferrell-sequel-sketchy-sketch-sketch-movie/)

## Details

- **Director:** Adam McKay
- **Director:** Adam McKay
- **Screenplay:** Will Ferrell, Adam McKay
- **Cinematography:** Oliver Wood
- **Editor:** Melissa Bretherton, Brent White
- **Music:** Andrew Feltenstein, John Nau
- **Production design:** Clayton Hartley
- **Producer:** Judd Apatow, Will Ferrell, Adam McKay
- **Cast:** Will Ferrell as Ron Burgundy; Steve Carell as Brick Tamland; Paul Rudd as Brian Fantana; David Koechner as Champ Kind; Christina Applegate as Veronica Corningstone; Dylan Baker as Freddie Shapp; Meagan Good as Linda Jackson; Judah Nelson as Walter Burgundy
- **Runtime:** 1h 59m
- **Certificate (OFLC):** M
- **Release (New Zealand):** 19 December 2013
- **Genres:** Comedy
- **Budget:** $50 million
- **Box office:** $174 million

## Where to watch in New Zealand

- Apple TV: rent NZ$5.99, hd
- Apple TV: buy NZ$14.99, hd

*Checked 2026-10-05.*

Also available in: AE, AR, AT, AU, BE, BG, BR, CA, CH, CL, CO, CZ, DE, DK, EE, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, HK, HR, HU, ID, IE, IL, IN, IT, JP, KR, LT, MX, MY, NL, NO, NZ, PA, PH, PL, PT, RO, RS, SE, SG, TH, TR, UA, US, VN, ZA. Add `?region=XX` to this URL for another country.

## If you liked this

- *Network* (1976), Fi1m 86: The furious original: everything Anchorman 2 jokes about, said straight by Paddy Chayefsky. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/network.md)
- *The Day Today* (1994), Fi1m 86: Six episodes that dismantle the grammar of television news more precisely than any film has. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/tv/the-day-today.md)
- *Broadcast News* (1987), Fi1m 84: James L. Brooks on the handsome idiot anchor and the clever people who prop him up. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/broadcast-news.md)
- *Step Brothers* (2008): McKay and Ferrell at their loosest and most disciplined, which turns out to be the same thing.
- *Nightcrawler* (2014), Fi1m 85: The car-chase-at-two-in-the-morning news culture, played as horror rather than farce. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/nightcrawler.md)

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/film/anchorman-2-the-legend-continues