Paul Rudd is one of the most successful and talented actors in the movie industry and is believed to be the most wholesome guy. Ageless, charming, and funny, Rudd has established himself as a great actor in many different genres. To honor his wide filmography, TechTrends decided to make a list of the best Paul Rudd movies of all time.
Paul Rudd has made a career for himself that is filled with every genre, from cult classics to blockbuster movies. He has featured in more than 90 films so far, with some of them being better than others. Since the 90s, he has been among the most favorite leading men. The 2021 sexiest man alive has been a superhero, a comedy icon, and a romantic lead, and he has proved many times that he is so charming as a talented actor. He most definitely made a name for himself in comedy and still regularly features in the genre. Recently, he has been working on more dramatic roles, proving how good he can be at that as well. He is a jack of all trades, and we made a list of the best must-see Paul Rudd movies of all time to celebrate his incredible career. Without further ado, let’s dive into the list.
Best Paul Rudd Movies of All Time
Although he still looks the same after all these years, his talent and the range of movies he acted in grow and change perfectly. This versatile performer has made a unique space for himself in Hollywood. Here at TechTrends, we want to showcase the very best Paul Rudd movies of all time. The list is ranked based on the movies’ ratings on Rotten Tomatoes and IMDb.
13. Wet Hot American Summer 2001
- Genre: Comedy/Romance
- Director: David Wain
- Stars: Paul Rudd, Michael Showalter, Amy Poehler, Elizabeth Banks, Bradley Cooper
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 37%, IMDb 6.5
One of the best Paul Rudd films of all time is Wet Hot American Summer, which is a comedy that makes fun of raunchy ‘80s teen movies. Rudd portrays the role of the rude and uncaring counselor of the camp named Andy. Although the movie was not well-received and failed financially, over the years, it developed a strong cult. If you loved him in the movie, then make sure to watch Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp and Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years Later, where he continues the role.
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12. The Shape of Things 2003
- Genre: Drama/Romance
- Director: Neil LaBute
- Stars: Paul Rudd, Rachel Weisz, Frederick Weller, Gretchen Mol
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 64%, IMDb 6.6
Paul Rudd appears as Adam Sorenson, a college student that is lonely, in the movie The Shape of Things. Adam attracts the attention of Evelyn, played by Rachel Weisz, who is a fellow college student that is trying to write her thesis. However, their relationship progresses, and she becomes more manipulative. When his friendship suffers, he decides to change his personality and looks. Both actors perform amazingly well in the movie. The Shape of Things is one of the best Paul Rudd films ever.
11. Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy 2004
- Genre: Comedy
- Director: Adam McKay
- Stars: Paul Rudd, Will Ferrell, Steve Carell, Christina Applegate
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 66%, IMDb 7.1
Rudd’s performance as Brian Fantana in this movie is probably one of his funniest roles ever. Moreover, the most memorable character Will Ferrell most likely portrayed has to be the arrogant, dumb, misogynistic, yet really charming Ron Burgundy. This next one on the list of the best Paul Rudd movies of all time is jam-packed with hilarious humor and is one of the funniest films of 2004. The main character was not the only one to have a landmark since the whole Frat pack, including Steve Carell and David Koechner, got to shine. The story starts when Burgundy welcomes new reporter Veronica Corningstone into the broadcast news. Then, when she starts to outshine him, his jealousy ruins his career. Following that, he has to find a chance to redeem himself.
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10. Our Idiot Brother 2011
- Genre: Comedy/Drama
- Director: Jesse Peretz
- Stars: Paul Rudd, Elizabeth Banks, Zooey Deschanel, Emily Mortimer
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 70%, IMDb 6.4
The 2011 comedy Our Idiot Brother showcases Paul Rudd as good-guy stoner Ned Rochlin. He gets arrested when he sells a week to a cop wearing a uniform. Following the incident, his girlfriend kicks him out of the house, and Ned starts to interfere in his mother’s and three sisters’ lives. Rudd was the perfect choice for this character as he delivered a great comedy as well as an emotional performance. Our Idiot Brother is among the best Paul Rudd movies ever.
9. The Fundamentals of Caring 2016
- Genre: Drama
- Director: Rob Burnett
- Stars: Paul Rudd, Craig Roberts, Selena Gomez, Jennifer Ehle, Megan Ferguson, Bobby Cannavale
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 77%, IMDb 7.3
The Fundamentals of Caring is one of Paul Rudd’s greatest movie roles where he plays the role of Ben Benjamin, a caregiver. He gets his first assignment with his first client, Trevor. The 18-year-old has muscular dystrophy. The two, who are paralyzed in various ways, learn about friendship and hope together, taking a road trip to west. This role as Ben is a more serious one, and Rudd shows his ability to capture the depressive nature of the character while also inserting his special style of humor into it.
8. Clueless 1995
- Genre: Comedy/Romance
- Director: Amy Heckerling
- Stars: Paul Rudd, Alicia Silverstone, Brittany Murphy, Stacey Dash, Donald Faison
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 81%, IMDb 6.9
Clueless is another one of the best Paul Rudd movies of all time, which revolves around the life of a super-popular high school girl, Cher. When she helps out one of the new students, Tai, and gives her a makeover, Cher sees that she becomes more popular than her. Rudd plays the role of John Lucas, Cher’s former step-brother. In the movie, Rudd is charming and young, playing the grounding voice for Cher. Although this was one of his earliest roles, Rudd performs greatly and makes the movie fun.
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7. I Love You, Man 2009
- Genre: Romance/Comedy
- Director: John Hamburg
- Stars: Paul Rudd, Jason Segel, Rashida Jones, Andy Samberg, Jon Favreau
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 83%, IMDb 7
Paul Rudd performs the role of Peter Klaven in I Love You, Man, who is a husband-to-be on the lookout for a Best Man for his wedding. He and Sydney, played by Jason Segel, connect and start a friendship. The movie is about friends, and it is quite entertaining. The two amazing actors have worked together a number of times, like in 2008’s Forgetting Sarah Marshal. Therefore, they have good chemistry between them. I Love You, Man is yet another one of the best Paul Rudd movies of all time.
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6. Forgetting Sarah Marshall 2008
- Genre: Romance/Comedy
- Director: Nicholas Stoller
- Stars: Paul Rudd, Mila Kunis, Jason Segel, Kristen Bell, Russell Brand, Jonah Hill
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 83%, IMDb 7.1
Forgetting Sarah Marshall stars Paul Rudd and other notable actors, with the star cast joining forces for this romantic comedy story that revolves around a sad man who has recently been dumped. However, while he is on a Hawaiian vacation, his ex seems to be doing the same, but with a new boyfriend. Then, his sad story takes a different direction as he meets Rachel Jansen, played by Mila Kunis. Following that, the two start to feel for one another. Paul Rudd’s character in this movie is indeed one of the most memorable ones in his career as he portrays the role of a surf instructor named Chuck. He has an awful memory and tries to teach Jason Segel, the leading character, how to surf. This is indeed one of the best Paul Rudd Movies of all time.
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5. Ant-Man Film Series
- Genre: Action/Adventure
- Director: Peyton Reed
Ant-Man 2015
- Stars: Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Michael Douglas
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 83%, IMDb 7.3
Ant-Man is among the top Paul Rudd movies of all time, and it introduces this miniature hero to the MCU. He is stylish and humorous, which is something that made Iron Man a hit in the first place. Paul Rudd plays the role of Ant-Man, who is making ends meet. Rudd is the perfect actor for this role as he shows the character being immature but loveable at the same time.
Ant-Man and the Wasp 2018
- Stars: Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Michael Douglas, Michelle Pfeiffer, Hannah John-Kamen
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 87%, IMDb 7
If you liked the first Ant-Man, you would love this one as the movie has everything that makes a movie special. After the events of the Civil War, our hero goes under house arrest and outs with the Pyms, when an opportunity to save Hope’s Mum brings them together. This is one of the most memorable and best Paul Rudd movies of all time.
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4. The 40-Year-Old Virgin 2005
- Genre: Comedy/Romance
- Director: Judd Apatow
- Stars: Paul Rudd, Steve Carell, Seth Rogen, Catherine Keener
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 85%, IMDb 7.1
Before Steve Carell became the star of the show The Office, he played the role of a middle-aged virgin who was desperate to get rid of his slump. The director changed the landscape of comedy in the mid-2000s. Moreover, he even allowed his cast to improvise in the movie, which led to a more relaxed genre. The story is about a 40-year-old man, who is, as the title indicates, a virgin. Catherine Keener plays the role of his love interest, and Paul Rudd shows off an impressive and hilarious performance. This helped the film become one of the best Paul Rudd movies of all time. Although the premise might be a little crude, it was one of the top 10 best 2005 films named by the American Film Institute. That turned out to be a surprise for many, as not only was there humor, but there was also cleverness behind it.
3. The Perks of Being a Wallflower 2012
- Genre: Romance/Drama
- Director: Stephen Chbosky
- Stars: Paul Rudd, Emma Watson, Logan Lerman, Ezra Miller, Nina Dobrev
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 85%, IMDb 8
The Perks of Being a Wallflower, directed by Stephen Chbosky in 2012, is a coming-of-age drama movie that is an adaptation of his own novel back in 1999. It is a tale of a socially shy adolescent, Charlie, who is a wallflower usually on the margins of life. Then, two of his classmates turn out to be his mentors.
Paul Rudd plays the role of his English teacher, but he was able to deliver an impactful performance. So, this has become one of the best Paul Rudd movies of all time. Samantha Button is one of her mentors, and she is played by Emma Watson. She is nice, helpful, and peculiar. Moreover, she thinks that everything appears nicer on vinyl. Sam’s boyfriend cheats on her during the end of the film. Before Sam went to college, she and Charlie had a romance, but it was unofficial.
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2. Captain America: Civil War 2016
- Genre: Action/Adventure
- Directors: Joe Russo, Anthony Russo
- Stars: Paul Rudd, Chris Evans, Anthony Mackie, Scarlett Johansson, Samuel L. Jackson, Emily VanCamp, Robert Downey Jr., Sebastian Stan
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 90%, IMDb 7.8
In Captain America: Civil War, the Avengers, everyone’s favorite superhero team, split up because of a disagreement. There is team Cap, and there is team Iron Man. When these two collide, it becomes one hell of a superhero movie. Paul Rudd continues his role as Ant-Man in this movie and joins up with Captain America. Although the movie is quite serious, Ant-Man was able to provide needed comedic relief, and watching him with the Marvel heroes is pretty fun. This is among the best Paul Rudd movies of all time.
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1. Avengers: Endgame 2019
- Genre: Action/Sci-fi
- Directors: Joe Russo, Anthony Russo
- Stars: Paul Rudd, Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Brie Larson, Jeremy Renner, Scarlett Johansson, Elizabeth Olsen, Tom Holland, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Pratt
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 94%, IMDb 8.4
The movie Avengers: Endgame starts with Iron Man in space for three weeks after Thanos’ Snap wiped out half the universe’s population. However, they get saved by Captain Marvel later in the movie. The rest of the Avengers, on the other hand, have to find out a way to bring their lost ones back. In the beginning, Tony Stark was not willing to do anything. However, when he remembered Peter Parker, he decided to help them bring everyone back. Appearing as Ant-Man again, Paul Rudd is part of one of the highest-grossing movies ever. His performance matches the energy of the challenge they have at hand, making this one of the best Paul Rudd movies of all time.
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