Skip to content
MovieCove
Michael Cera

Michael Cera

Actor, also producer and composer · Born June 7, 1988 (38) · Brampton, Ontario, Canada

BAFTA Award nominee · Screen Actors Guild Award nominee · 1 other major award body

Michael Austin Cera (born June 7, 1988) is a Canadian actor and musician. He started his career as a child actor, voicing the character of Brother Bear on the children’s television show The Berenstain Bears and portraying a young Chuck Barris in Confessions of a Dangerous Mind (2002). He has had numerous roles in United States television and film productions, including character George Michael Bluth on the sitcom Arrested Development (2003–2006, 2013, 2018–2019) and for his film roles as Evan in Superbad (2007), Paulie Bleeker in Juno (2007), Scott Pilgrim in Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010), and a fictional version of himself in This Is the End (2013). He voiced Dick Grayson/Robin in The Lego Batman Movie (2017), Barry (a deformed sausage) in Sausage Party (2016), and Sal Viscuso, the voice behind the announcements in Childrens Hospital. Cera made his Broadway debut in the 2014 production of Kenneth Lonergan's This Is Our Youth. For his performance in the 2018 production of Lonergan's Lobby Hero, Cera was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Play. Cera starred in the revival of Lonergan's The Waverly Gallery. In addition to acting, Cera is a musician, having released his debut album True That in 2014. Cera has also performed as the touring bassist for indie rock supergroup Mister Heavenly.

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
June 7, 1988 (38)
From
Brampton, Ontario, Canada
Works as
Actor, also producer and composer
Titles
72 on MovieCove · 104 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 155 days to Oct 26Down 8% in 30 days

What are Michael Cera's films like?

Across their 48 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Self and Bonds.

Genres

Comedy18 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 41st percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Animation6 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 53rd percentile
: browse their Animation movies
Drama6 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 46th percentile
: browse their Drama movies
Action3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 71st percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Action movies
Adventure2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 56th percentile
: browse their Adventure movies
Biography2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 70th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Biography movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Self
34%
Bonds
32%
Society
16%
Survival
8%
Morality
6%
Power
3%
Ideas
2%
Family bonds14 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity13 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth9 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship11 titles, browse their movies with this themeComing of age8 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love9 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity9 titles, browse their movies with this themeIsolation6 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 39 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 23 · Serious 8 · Dark 8

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 18 · Stylized 12 · Heightened 9

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

A split, not a type: Gentle 16 · Charged 13 · Intense 10

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 17 · Shifting 17 · Whiplash 5

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 9 · Some laughs 15 · Funny 15

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

A split, not a type: Slow burn 17 · Even-paced 15 · Relentless 7

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 23 · Engaged 11 · Full focus 5

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

A split, not a type: Easy watch 17 · Affecting 13 · Heavy 9

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 23 · Open-ended 10 · Ambiguous 6

Roles they play

34 analyzed roles

Usually the Hero: 13 of 34 analyzed roles.

Hero
13 of 34
Ally
6 of 34
Trickster
5 of 34
Shadow
4 of 34
Herald
3 of 34
Shapeshifter
2 of 34
Mentor
1 of 34
Show the 34 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Absurd
19
Joyful
16
Tense
14
Warm
15
Contemplative
12
Other
52

How their films linger

Feel-good24 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful16 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun13 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet13 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 5 with a twist

  • Happy16
  • Bittersweet20
  • Tragic1
  • Ambiguous10
  • Cyclical1

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Michael Cera's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 58 of their 72 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (26).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Michael Cera's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

104 credits, 72 with a MovieCove page; 21 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • The Running Man(2025)

    as Elton Perrakis

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • The Phoenician Scheme(2025)

    as Bjorn Lund

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • Sacramento(2024)

    as Glenn

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all films

  • Christmas Eve in Miller's Point(2024)

    Producer · as Officer Gibson

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Sausage Party: Foodtopia(2024)

    Show 16 episodes · as Barry (voice)

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all shows

  • Self Reliance(2023)

    Thanks

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • Scott Pilgrim Takes Off(2023)

    Show 8 episodes · as Scott Pilgrim (voice)

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all shows

  • Dream Scenario(2023)

    as Trent

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • Under the Boardwalk(2023)

    as Armen (voice)

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • The Adults(2023)

    Producer · as Eric

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • Barbie(2023)

    as Allan

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

  • Command Z (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    Show 8 episodes · as Kerning Fealty

  • Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank(2022)

    as Hank (voice)

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • Life & Beth(2022)

    Show 10 episodes · as John

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all shows

  • Diabolical(2022)

    Show 1 episode · as Great Wide Wonder (voice)

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all shows

  • Cryptozoo(2021)

    as Matthew (voice)

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • Medical Police(2020)

    Show 3 episodes · as Sal Viscuso (voice)

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all shows

  • Avenues(2017)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all films

  • Gloria Bell(2018)

    as Peter

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • Weird City (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    Show 1 episode · as Tawny Clem

  • Tyrel(2018)

    as Alan

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • Spivak(2018)

    as Robby LeBeau

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • The Zen Diaries of Garry Shandling (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    Show 2 episodes · as Garry Shandling (voice)

  • The Shivering Truth(2018)

    Show as Delmer Gibbons

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all shows

  • Molly's Game(2017)

    as Player X

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • Person to Person(2017)

    as Phil

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • Cooking with Alfred (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    as Dick Grayson / Robin (voice)

  • How to Be a Latin Lover(2017)

    as Remy

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all films

  • The Lego Batman Movie(2017)

    as Robin / Dick Grayson (voice)

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all films

  • Lemon(2017)

    as Alex

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • Man Rots from the Head (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    as Sydney Ward

  • Sausage Party(2016)

    as Barry (voice)

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • A Very Murray Christmas(2015)

    as Jackie the Talent Agent

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Entertainment(2015)

    as Tommy

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • That Dog (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    as Tim

  • Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp(2015)

    Show 3 episodes · as Jim Stansel

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows

  • Beef(2014)

    as Clovis

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • Hits(2014)

    as Bennie

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films

  • Bitch (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Director · as Dave McKenna

  • Here Comes the Night Time (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    as Bartender / Grandmaster Mike

  • Magic Magic(2013)

    Executive Producer · as Brink

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • Crystal Fairy & the Magical Cactus(2013)

    as Jamie

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • Drunk History(2013)

    Show 1 episode · as John Endicott · as Maurice Cohen

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

  • Failure (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Director · Composer · as Man

  • This Is the End(2013)

    as Michael Cera

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • Gregory Go Boom (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    as Gregory

  • Brazzaville Teen-Ager (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Director · Writer · as Gunther

  • The End of Love(2012)

    as Michael

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • Bright Day (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    as Michael Cera

  • The Boring Life of Jacqueline (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Show 10 episodes · Actor

  • Burning Love(2012)

    Show 8 episodes · as Wally

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all shows

  • The Immigrant (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    as Michael

  • Black Mirror(2011)

    Show 1 episode · as Beppe

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • Bad Dads (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    as Cory

  • Scott Pilgrim vs. the World(2010)

    as Scott Pilgrim

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all films

  • Scott Pilgrim vs. the Animation (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    as Scott Pilgrim (voice)

  • Youth in Revolt(2009)

    as Nick Twisp / François Dillinger

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films

  • Paper Heart(2009)

    Composer · as Michael Cera

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • Year One(2009)

    as Oh

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all films

  • Childrens Hospital(2008)

    Show 91 episodes · as Sal Viscuso

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all shows

  • Extreme Movie(2008)

    as Fred

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist(2008)

    as Nick

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • Juno(2007)

    as Paulie Bleeker

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all films

  • Superbad(2007)

    as Evan

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • Clark and Michael (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Show 10 episodes · Creator · as Michael

  • Derek and Simon: The Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Show 13 episodes · Actor

  • Wayside(2007)

    Show as Todd (voice)

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all shows

  • Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!(2007)

    Show 1 episode · as Jamie Stevens

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all shows

  • Top Chef(2006)

    Show 1 episode · as Guest Judge

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all shows

  • Lunar Jim (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Show 92 episodes · Actor

  • Wayside School(2005)

    as Todd (voice)

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • Darling Darling (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as Harold

  • Tom Goes to the Mayor(2004)

    Show 1 episode · as Scrotch (voice)

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all shows

  • Veronica Mars(2004)

    Show 1 episode · as Dean

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all shows

  • Arrested Development(2003)

    Show 84 episodes · Consulting Producer · Producer · as George Michael Bluth

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • The Berenstain Bears(2003)

    Show 80 episodes · as Brother

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all shows

  • Confessions of a Dangerous Mind(2002)

    as Chuck (8 & 11 years)

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • Rolie Polie Olie: The Great Defender of Fun(2002)

    as Young Gizmo (voice)

    Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all films

  • Stolen Miracle (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as Brandon McKinley

  • I Was a Rat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as Buzzer

  • The Ripping Friends (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Show 1 episode · as Boy Boy (voice)

  • Anne of Green Gables: The Animated Series (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Show 1 episode · as Benjamin (voice)

  • Walter and Henry (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as Crying Kid

  • Braceface(2001)

    Show 25 episodes · as Josh Spitz (voice)

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all shows

  • My Louisiana Sky(2001)

    as Jesse Wade Thompson

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • The Familiar Stranger(2001)

    as Young Ted Welsh

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • Doc(2001)

    Show 2 episodes · as Max

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all shows

  • Pecola(2001)

    Show as Robbie Rabbit

    Midcredits score: 10th percentile of all shows

  • Custody of the Heart(2000)

    as Johnny Raphael

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • Steal This Movie(2000)

    as America - 7 & 8 Years Old

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • Frequency(2000)

    as Gordy Jr. (10 Years)

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • Ultimate G's: Zac's Flying Dream (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Young Zac

  • Switching Goals(1999)

    as Taylor

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Twice in a Lifetime (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 1 episode · as Skateboarder #2

  • What Katy Did(1999)

    as Dorry Carr

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • Rolie Polie Olie(1998)

    Show 6 episodes · as Little Gizmo (voice)

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all shows

  • Noddy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 1 episode · as Butch

  • La Femme Nikita(1997)

    Show 1 episode · as Jerome

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all shows

  • The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Twin Peaks(1990)

    Show 1 episode · as Wally Brando

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • The Simpsons(1989)

    Show 1 episode · as Nick (voice)

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Gummy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Director · Writer

  • How and Why (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    as Mendelson

  • Love Is Not the Answer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Director · Producer · Writer

Career shape

Star power in the 99th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 102 titles, 99 of them dated from 1989 to 2025; peak year 2009.

Biggest box office

The Lego Batman Movie (2017)

$312M worldwide

Highest rated

Arrested Development (2003)

Midcredits 96th

Film career

MilestoneNomination
19892025

Peak 2009 · back in prominent film roles after a quiet stretch. Top draw in 31 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting98 of 102: 89 only acting, 9 with another role · typical Midcredits score49thDirecting5 of 102: 0 only directing, 5 with another roleWriting3 of 102: 0 only writing, 3 with another roleProducing5 of 102: 0 only producing, 5 with another roleMusic3 of 102: 1 only music, 2 with another roleOther crew2 of 102: 1 only other crew, 1 with another role

102 titles, 11 with more than one role — acting and directing overlap on 3 of them.

By decade

1980s1 · acting1990s8 · acting2000s35 · 35 acting · 3 crew2010s38 · 37 acting · 5 crew2020s17 · 16 acting · 3 crew

Billing

usually 3rd · top billed in 28% of 39 roles
99091419

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

Awards

8 major nominations and no wins, 2005–2024.

  1. 2024
    • Screen Actors Guild Award, nominated · Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
  2. 2014
    • Screen Actors Guild Award, nominated · Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series
  3. 2009
    • BAFTA Award, nominated
  4. 2008
    • Critics Choice Award, nominated · Best Acting Ensemble
    • Critics Choice Award, nominated ×2 · Best Young Actor
  5. 2006
    • Screen Actors Guild Award, nominated · Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series
  6. 2005
    • Screen Actors Guild Award, nominated · Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series

Major bodies only: the Oscars, Primetime Emmys, Golden Globes, BAFTAs and Screen Actors Guild Awards are named; Cannes, Venice, the Berlinale, Sundance, the directors', writers' and producers' guilds, the Grammys, Critics Choice and the Independent Spirit Awards count as other major bodies. Festival and regional prizes are not counted. Source: IMDb.

How do Michael Cera's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 46th percentile, the median of all 47; across their 39 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 51st percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

51stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 39

Approval · how many liked their films

48thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 39

Reach · how many have seen their films

79thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 39

Midcredits score across 72 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up18
  • 50th to 74th17
  • 25th to 49th27
  • Below 25th10

Shape of the crowd

30 of their 72 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Loved8
  • Divisive2
  • Cult Classic5
  • Crowd Pleaser23
  • Broadly Agreed4
  • Mixed30

Most divisive · actor

Beef (2014)

91st percentile spread · 44% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor, producer

Arrested Development (2003)

Midcredits 96th · 90% liked

Reviewers score the acting 71/100 in their films, across 37 reviewed titles; fans 79, detractors 46. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Michael Cera's work okay for kids?

Across up to 26 MovieCove titles with content scores, sex & nudity and profanity run heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore23 titles24–85 · median 42 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity26 titles21–77 · median 48 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity23 titles26–93 · median 59 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs21 titles29–75 · median 40 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense21 titles15–74 · median 36 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Michael Cera work with?

People who share at least 2 of Michael Cera's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Evan Goldberg shares the most, 4.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles