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Rik Mayall

Rik Mayall

Actor and writer · Died June 9, 2014, aged 56 · Harlow, Essex, England

Richard Michael "Rik" Mayall (7 March 1958 – 9 June 2014) was an English comedian, writer and actor. He was known for his comedy partnership with Adrian Edmondson, his over-the-top, energetic portrayal of characters, and as a pioneer of alternative comedy in the early 1980s.

Biography from TMDB.

Born
March 7, 1958
Died
June 9, 2014 (aged 56)
From
Harlow, Essex, England
Works as
Actor and writer
Titles
37 on MovieCove · 132 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 63 days to Oct 26Down 27% in 30 days

What are Rik Mayall's films like?

Across their 27 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Self.

Genres

Comedy11 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 41st percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies
Animation4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 54th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Animation movies
Action2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 1st percentile
: browse their Action movies
Adventure2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 9th percentile
: browse their Adventure movies
Drama2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 46th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama 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
Bonds
26%
Self
21%
Survival
15%
Morality
13%
Power
13%
Society
8%
Ideas
4%
Friendship9 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception5 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth4 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival4 titles, browse their movies with this themeGreed4 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity4 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds3 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity4 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 24 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Wry: How sincerely it treats its story and characters, from ironic to earnest. Browse their wry movies.
Tone · Sincerity
ironicearnest

A split, not a type: Ironic 7 · Wry 5 · Earnest 12

Light: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their light movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 20 · Serious 2 · Dark 2

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

Grounded 3 · Stylized 11 · Heightened 10

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

Gentle 7 · Charged 9 · Intense 8

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

A split, not a type: Steady 7 · Shifting 8 · Whiplash 9

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

Straight-faced 2 · Some laughs 6 · Funny 16

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

Slow burn 8 · Even-paced 12 · Relentless 4

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

Casual 21 · Engaged 2 · Full focus 1

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

Resolved 21 · Open-ended 1 · Ambiguous 2

Roles they play

19 analyzed roles

Usually the Trickster: 6 of 19 analyzed roles.

Trickster
6 of 19
Hero
3 of 19
Shadow
3 of 19
Ally
2 of 19
Threshold guardian
2 of 19
Shapeshifter
1 of 19
Mentor
1 of 19
Herald
1 of 19
Show the 19 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Absurd
18
Joyful
15
Manic
10
Warm
7
Tense
6
Other
12

How their films linger

Fun17 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good12 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 5 with a twist

  • Happy14
  • Bittersweet2
  • Tragic2
  • Ambiguous8
  • 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 Rik Mayall's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 15 of their 37 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (9).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Rik Mayall'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

132 credits, 37 with a MovieCove page; 12 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Partridge and Moulding Want To Get Laid (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)

    Thanks

  • Completely Bad News (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    as Colin Grigson

  • How The Young Ones Changed Comedy(2018)

    as (Archive Footage)

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Grindhouse Nightmares(2017)

    as Chef Mario

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • One by One(2014)

    as Ernest

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • The Escape (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    as Eddie

  • Man Down (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Show 6 episodes · as Dad

  • Don't Fear Death (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Actor

  • Five Go to Rehab (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    as Mr. McVitty

  • 30 Years of Comic Strip (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Actor

  • Errors of the Human Body(2012)

    as Samuel Mead

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • Eldorado(2012)

    as Chef Mario

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • The Hunt for Tony Blair (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    as Professor Predictor

  • The Itch of the Golden Nit (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    as President Pinky (voice)

  • Just for the Record (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    as Andy Wiseman

  • Blackadder's Most Cunning Moments(2008)

    as Lord Flashheart/Self

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • The Legend of Harrow Woods (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as Winston Junior

  • Me & My Goldfish (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    Writer · as Narrator (voice)

  • Snow White: The Sequel(2007)

    as The Seven Dwarves (voice)

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all films

  • Sindy The Fairy Princess (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Actor

  • Sex Actually (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as Bilbo

  • All About George (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Show 6 episodes · as George Kinsey

  • King Arthur's Disasters (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Show 26 episodes · Actor

  • Valiant(2005)

    as Cufflingk (voice)

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • Agatha Christie's Marple(2004)

    Show 1 episode · as Alec Nicholson

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all shows

  • Churchill: The Hollywood Years(2004)

    Additional Dialogue · Writer · as Baxter

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • Bottom Mindless Violence (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Rick / Richie Rich / Richard Dangerous / Dreamy Time Escort / Richie Richard / Richard Twat (archive footage)

  • The Paul O'Grady Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Shoebox Zoo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Show 26 episodes · as Edwin the Eagle (voice)

  • ABBA - The Last Video (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Record Producer

  • Bottom Live 2003: Weapons Grade Y-Fronts Tour (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as Richard Richard

  • Chaos and Cadavers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as Lennox Crowley

  • Oh Marbella! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as Greg Dubois

  • Believe Nothing (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 6 episodes · as Professor Adonis Cnut

  • Day of the Sirens (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as Domo Childs

  • Chilly Dogs(2001)

    as Carter

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • Bottom Live 2001: An Arse Oddity (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Writer · as Richie

  • Murder Rooms: The Dark Beginnings of Sherlock Holmes (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Show 1 episode · as Lt. Daniel Blaney

  • Tales of Uplift and Moral Improvement (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Show 13 episodes · as Mrs. Ffine Carmody

  • Merlin: The Return(2000)

    as Merlin

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • Jesus Christ Superstar (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as King Herod

  • Jellikins: Christmas Special (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Narrator (voice)

  • Four Men in a Plane (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Alan Sellars

  • Guest House Paradiso(1999)

    Screenplay · as Richie Twat

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Big Bottom Live - The Best of Bottom Live (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Actor

  • Watership Down (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 26 episodes · as Kehaar (voice)

  • SpongeBob SquarePants(1999)

    Show 1 episode · as Lord Reginald (voice)

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • Blackadder: Back & Forth (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    as Robin Hood

  • What's a Carry On?(1998)

    as Sultan Abdul the Benevolent (archive footage) (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • In the Red (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 3 episodes · as Dominic De'Ath

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

    Show 1 episode · as Narrator (Voice)

  • Four Men in a Car (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    as Alan

  • The Canterville Ghost (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Reverend Dampier

  • Bottom Live 3: Hooligan's Island (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Richie Richard

  • Midsomer Murders(1997)

    Show 1 episode · as David Roper

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • Bring Me the Head of Mavis Davis(1997)

    as Marty Starr

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • Remember Me?(1997)

    as Ian

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • The Willows in Winter(1996)

    as Toad

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • The World of Peter Rabbit and Friends: The Tale of Two Bad Mice and Johnny Town-Mouse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    as Tom Thumb (voice)

  • Bottom Fluff (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Actor

  • The Wind in the Willows(1995)

    as Toad (voice)

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all films

  • Bottom Live 2: The Big Number 2 Tour (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Richie

  • How to be a Little Sod (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Show 10 episodes · Actor

  • Out Of My Head (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Ricky / The Doctor / Tobi

  • Look at the State We're In! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Show 1 episode · as Rattner

  • Rik Mayall Presents: Clair de Lune (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Toby

  • Rik Mayall Presents: Dirty Old Town (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Raymond

  • Rik Mayall Presents: The Big One (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Lewis Fox

  • The Snow Queen(1995)

    as Robber King

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • Bottom Live: The Stage Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    as Richie

  • The Thief and the Cobbler(1993)

    as Brigand (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • Rik Mayall Presents: Dancing Queen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    as Neil

  • Rik Mayall Presents: Briefest Encounter (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    as Greg

  • Rik Mayall Presents (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Show 6 episodes · Actor

  • Rik Mayall Presents: Micky Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    as Micky Love

  • Horse Opera (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    as Wyatt Earp

  • Holy - Bottom: Christmas Special (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Writer · as Richard Richard

  • Carry on Columbus(1992)

    as The Sultan

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • Little Noises (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    as Mathias Liechstenstein

  • Red Nose of Courage (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    as James Huntington

  • Bottom(1991)

    Show 18 episodes · Creator · Writer · as Richard Richard

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • The Princess and the Goblin(1991)

    as Prince Froglip (voice)

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • Drop Dead Fred(1991)

    as Drop Dead Fred

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • GLC: The Carnage Continues (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Lord Mayor of London

  • Who Shot Alan B'Stard? (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Alan B'Stard

  • The Turnip (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Actor

  • Kevin Turvey Investigates (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Writer · as Kevin Turvey

  • Oh No, Not Them(1989)

    Creator · Writer

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Grim Tales (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Show 22 episodes · Actor

  • Employees From Hell (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Actor

  • Mr Jolly Lives Next Door (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Writer · as Dreamy Time Escort

  • More Bad News (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    as Colin Grigson

  • The Strike (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    as Speaker/Hunchback

  • Jake's Journey (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    as Troll

  • Eat the Rich(1987)

    as Micky

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • The New Statesman(1987)

    Show 26 episodes · as Alan B'Stard

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all shows

  • French & Saunders (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Show 1 episode · as Cameo

  • Hardwicke House (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Show 1 episode · as Lenny

  • Filthy Rich & Catflap (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Show 6 episodes · Writer · as Richard Rich

  • Whoops Apocalypse(1987)

    as S.A.S Commander

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • Omnibus Presents Comic Relief (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Saturday Live (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Show 30 episodes · Actor

  • Private Enterprise (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Ali Kitson

  • Consuela (or, The New Mrs Saunders) (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Richard

  • Dangerous Brothers Present: World of Danger(1986)

    Writer · as Richard Dangerous

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • The Dangerous Brothers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Show 12 episodes · Creator · as Richard Dangerous

  • Happy Families (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 1 episode · as Priest

  • Gino: Full Story and Pics (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    as Tim

  • A Fistful of Travellers' Cheques (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Writer · as Carlos

  • Dirty Movie (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Writer · as Toadstool

  • The Black Adder(1983)

    Show 2 episodes · as Mad Gerald · as Squadron Commander Lord Flasheart

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • Summer School (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Tark

  • Bad News (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Colin Grigson

  • The Beat Generation (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Jeremy

  • War (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Various Roles

  • The Young Ones(1982)

    Show 12 episodes · Creator · Writer · as Rick

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • The Comic Strip Presents... (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 30 episodes · Writer · as Ali Kitson · as Carlos · as Colin Grigson · as Dreamy Time Escort · as Jeremy · as Lord Mayor · as Richard · as Slug/General Erwin/Hovis · as Speaker/Hunchback · as Tark · as Tim · as Toadstool

  • Northern Lights (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    as Chris

  • Kevin Turvey: The Man Behind the Green Door (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Writer · as Kevin Turvey

  • Wood and Walters (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 7 episodes · Actor

  • The Orchard End Murder (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    as Policeman

  • Couples and Robbers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    as Morris David Boyd

  • A Kick Up the Eighties (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Show 10 episodes · Actor

  • An American Werewolf in London(1981)

    as Second Chess Player

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all films

  • Shock Treatment(1981)

    as 'Rest Home' Ricky

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • Eye of the Needle(1981)

    as Sailor #2

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • The Rocky Horror Treatment (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    as (archive footage)

  • Wolcott(1981)

    Show 3 episodes · as PC Fell

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all shows (provisional, few ratings)

  • The Comic Strip (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Writer · Actor

  • Boom Boom... Out Go the Lights (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

  • The Squad (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    Show 1 episode · as Supporter

  • The Cannon & Ball Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Show 1 episode · as Clerk

Career shape

Star power in the 99th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 131 titles from 1979 to 2026; peak year 2000.

Biggest box office

Valiant (2005)

$62M worldwide

Highest rated

Bottom (1991)

Midcredits 93rd

Most popular right now

An American Werewolf in London (1981)

Film career

19792026

Peak 2000 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 6 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.

  • 1981Screen debut· Eye of the Needle
  • 1993First top-billed film· Bottom Live: The Stage Show
  • 1999Career best· Guest House Paradiso

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting129 of 131: 113 only acting, 16 with another role · typical Midcredits score69thWriting14 of 131: 0 only writing, 14 with another roleOther crew6 of 131: 2 only other crew, 4 with another role

131 titles, 16 with more than one role — acting and writing overlap on 14 of them.

By decade

1970s1 · acting1980s45 · 44 acting · 11 crew1990s43 · 43 acting · 3 crew2000s28 · 28 acting · 3 crew2010s13 · acting2020s1 · crew

Billing

usually 5th · top billed in 14% of 22 roles
819601

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.

How do Rik Mayall's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 45th percentile, the median of all 29; across their 24 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 41st percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

41stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 24

Approval · how many liked their films

39thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 24

Reach · how many have seen their films

59thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 24

Midcredits score across 37 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up15
  • 50th to 74th4
  • 25th to 49th8
  • Below 25th10

Shape of the crowd

19 of their 37 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Loved9
  • Divisive1
  • Crowd Pleaser7
  • Broadly Agreed1
  • Mixed19

Most divisive · writer

Oh No, Not Them (1989)

99th percentile spread · 56% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor, writer

Bottom (1991)

Midcredits 93rd · 89% liked

Reviewers score the acting 59/100 in their films, across 20 reviewed titles; fans 74, detractors 40. 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 Rik Mayall's work okay for kids?

Across up to 7 MovieCove titles with content scores, violence & gore, sex & nudity and profanity run heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore7 titles21–88 · median 61 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity7 titles27–66 · median 43 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity5 titles41–69 · median 60 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs4 titlesmedian 34 · mildMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense4 titlesmedian 40 · moderateMedian 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 Rik Mayall work with?

People who share at least 2 of Rik Mayall's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Adrian Edmondson shares the most, 6.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles