To commemorate his birthday today, we have compiled a list of the top 10 Paul Rudd movies spanning almost three decades, showcasing his versatility in genres ranging from Shakespeare adaptations to Marvel blockbusters and even silly comedies. Throughout his career, Rudd has managed to maintain a youthful appearance, making him a beloved and timeless actor in the entertainment industry.
Paul Rudd’s early roles on screen showcased his range as an actor, from horror in “Halloween 6″to romantic comedy in “The Object of My Affection”to drama in “The Cider House Rules”. However, it was his appearances in a few lighthearted comedies that solidified his reputation as a charming and humorous actor, and since then, Rudd has continued to thrive in the entertainment industry.
Ten years ago, Marvel approached Rudd and his career took an unexpected turn as he transformed into the goofiest superhero in the MCU, Ant-Man. He even joined the ranks of the Avengers in one of the most successful films of all time. However, comedy is a part of his essence and the genre he always gravitates back towards.
Hence, our ranking of the 10 best Paul Rudd movies is presented below in ascending order. It is worth mentioning that some of these films could have been ranked higher if the actor had a larger role, as there is no such thing as too much Paul Rudd.
10. Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet (1996)
Paul Rudd as Dave Paris in Romeo + Juliet.
Despite Paul Rudd’s brief appearance as ‘Dave Paris’ in Romeo + Juliet, the film ranks low on this list. However, Baz Luhrmann’s reinterpretation of William Shakespeare’s classic remains a marvel; a bold and captivating reimagining that infuses this timeless story with a contemporary flair.
Claire Danes’ portrayal of Juliet captured the hearts of audiences, while Leonardo DiCaprio’s performance as Romeo was equally captivating. The fast-paced action and dynamic visuals made this adaptation of Shakespeare’s classic play perfect for the MTV generation. The soundtrack, featuring hits from popular 90s artists like Garbage and The Wannadies, as well as the beautiful love theme by Des’ree, only added to the overall appeal of the film.
Where can I watch it?: Hulu.
9. The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)
Similar to Baz’s crazy adaptation of R+J, Wet Hot American Summer should be implausible but surprisingly succeeds. Created by David Wain and Michael Showalter, inspired by their own memories of summer camp, the film takes place in 1981 and parodies the popular teen and sex comedies of that time.
Despite the star-studded cast including Janeane Garofalo, David Hyde Pierce, Elizabeth Banks, Christopher Meloni, Molly Shannon, Amy Poehler, and Bradley Cooper, it is Rudd’s portrayal of the lazy, conceited, obnoxious, incompetent, and self-centered Andy that truly shines in the film. As Camp Firewood’s worst counselor, he steals the show and delivers the most laughs.
How to access: Prime Video
8. The Forty-Year-Old Virgin (2005)
Even his t-shirt is funny in this one.
After first working together on Anchorman, which is listed further down, Paul Rudd established himself as the comedic best friend in Judd Apatow’s films. His first role in this category was in the high-concept comedy, The 40-Year-Old Virgin.
In the title, Steve Carell delivers a standout performance as Andy, an older virgin whose attempts to lose his virginity always result in humiliation and calamity. Rudd, Romany Malco, and Seth Rogen also shine in their roles as Andy’s closest companions, providing comedic commentary and frequently boosting and then deflating Andy’s hopes of losing his virginity.
Where can I find it? Hulu
7. The Ant-Man Sequel We’ve All Been Waiting For (2018)
The Ant-Man movies turned Rudd into an action star.
Initially, there was surprise when Paul Rudd was chosen to join the MCU, as his previous role as Brian Fantana did not seem fitting for a superhero. However, Ant-Man’s quirky persona and comical abilities align with Rudd’s strengths, making the casting decision more understandable. As Rudd’s physique transformed and his features became more chiseled, his portrayal of Ant-Man fell into perfect alignment.
Despite the disappointment of the third Ant-Man film, the second installment, Ant-Man and the Wasp, stands out as the most emotionally impactful. This movie focuses on the search for Hope’s mother, Janet van Dyne, making it a must-watch.
The platform to find it on is Disney+.
6. Romantic Comedy: Knocked Up (2007)
This Knocked Up couple returned in This is 40.
Despite being a slacker, Seth Rogen finds himself in a one-night stand with high-achiever Katherine Heigel, resulting in her pregnancy. Despite the unexpected circumstances, they both decide to have the baby. This leads to hilarious events that ultimately contribute to the film’s success, grossing over $200 million at the global box office and making a significant impact on American comedy.
The success of Knocked Up propelled Rogen to A-list status and also served as a platform for the film careers of Jason Segel and Jonah Hill. The film also offered Rudd a prominent role as a man-child who is married to Heigel’s sister, portrayed by Leslie Mann, and faces challenges with becoming a parent himself. Apatow, the writer and director, was so enamored with Rudd’s character that he later created This is 40, a film about the struggles of his marriage, ten years later.
Where to view: Apple TV
5. Marvel Studios’ Captain America: Civil War (2016)
The debut of Giant-Man in the MCU.
The film Civil War depicts a clash of ideologies between Captain America and Iron Man, leading to a confrontation among the Avengers and their allies with superhuman abilities. Scott Lang ultimately aligns himself with Steve Rogers, and despite his limited appearance, Ant-Man delivers the most impactful moment in a memorable scene.
The airport battle is a notable sequence where beloved heroes engage in a spectacular and intense fight with each other. It is also the first appearance of Giant-Man, a potentially hazardous transformation that Scott Lang bravely utilizes to assist in saving the day.
Where can I find it? Disney+.
4. The Influence of Role Models (2008)
Danny is one of the biggest a-holes Paul Rudd has played.
Throughout his professional career, Paul Rudd has carefully crafted a distinct persona on screen. His likability is universal, allowing his characters to behave in objectionable ways while still garnering sympathy from the audience. This is evident in his past roles as endearing jerks in Judd Apatow’s films, and now he reunites with David Wain, his collaborator from Wet Hot American Summer, to portray the most lovable jerk of them all.
Danny and his best friend Wheeler (Seann William Scott) make a living by selling energy drinks. However, Danny’s job leaves him feeling down and leads to him making poor choices. As a consequence, the two friends are tasked with mentoring troubled kids as part of a ‘Big Brother’ program. Despite the predictable nature of this sitcom plot, it still manages to deliver plenty of laughs as Danny attempts to connect with his mentee Augie (Christopher Mintz-Plasse), a fan of LARPing. And somehow, amidst all its crudeness, this comedy is able to evoke genuine emotion in its final act.
Where can I watch the show? It is available on Prime Video.
3. The Legend of Zorro (2005)
Scott Lang plays a pivotal role in the Endgame.
Despite sitting out the events of Avengers: Infinity War due to his involvement in the Quantum Realm, Scott Lang makes a triumphant return for the final installment. In fact, he plays a crucial role in the $400 million film as he devises the time-travel theory and joins the team on their mission to retrieve the Infinity Stones from the past.
Despite facing difficulties, Scott still makes an attempt to retrieve the Space Stone during the 2012 Battle of New York. Although the mission does not go as planned, Ant-Man becomes a crucial player in the final showdown, with his Giant-Man alter ego wreaking havoc and creating one of the most spectacular sequences in the history of superhero cinema.
How to watch: Disney+
2. The Iconic Clueless (1995)
Rudd made his debut in Clueless, and a star was born.
Despite Paul Rudd initially filming Halloween 6: The Curse of Michael Myers, the horror movie was ultimately postponed due to unfavorable test screenings. As a result, his first appearance on the big screen was as Josh in Clueless, a critically acclaimed comedy that proved to be a fantastic start to his successful career.
Amy Heckerling wrote and directed Clueless, a loose adaptation of Jane Austen’s Emma. Alicia Silverstone was expertly chosen to play Cher, a meddlesome matchmaker, and her performance is captivating. However, it’s hard to ignore Cher’s hilarious, charming, and endearing best friend in the film. It takes Cher 90 minutes to come to the realization that she’s in love with Josh. But when she does, their iconic first kiss marks the perfect ending to this fantastic romantic-comedy.
Where can I watch it: Paramount
1. The Incredibles (2004)
60% of the time, Paul Rudd works every time.
Despite being considered one of the dumbest comedies of all time, Anchorman remains one of the funniest films due to its constant delivery of jokes and the perfect casting of its absurd main characters.
The title character, Ron Burgundy, is an egotistical anchorman played by Will Ferrell. Champ Kind, the testosterone-fueled sportscaster, is portrayed by David Koechner. Steve Carell takes on the role of Brick Tamland, the dim-witted weatherman. Completing the quartet is Paul Rudd as Brian Fantana, known for his success with women and signature cologne, Sex Panther.
The movie successfully parodies classics such as Airplane and Naked Gun, but it also serves as a biting satire, as it revolves around the Anchormen struggling to adjust to the influx of women in the workplace.
Despite a delayed sequel that did not reach the same level of comedy, the first installment’s reputation has continued to rise over the years. Anchorman consistently ranks as one of the funniest movies of all time.
Where to stream: Paramount
Therefore, our compilation of the top 10 Paul Rudd films is now finished. In case you are craving for more of Rudd’s performances, he is currently featured in Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, and you can find his insights on joining the cast here.
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