Paul Rudd is one of those actors who is impossible not to like. He is an effortlessly charming and hilarious performer who has shown a lot of different sides of himself in a variety of films over the years. He makes any movie better with his presence and has been in some of the biggest movies in recent memory.
While some audiences might not know his work much beyond the MCU, there are plenty of great Paul Rudd films to check out. From comedies to genres to his career as a superhero, these are his films most worth a look. Check out Paul Rudd’s best movies according to Rotten Tomatoes.
I Love You, Man (83%)
Paul Rudd is perhaps the actor who is most responsible for the “bromance” subgenre of films. These are movies that follow the romantic-comedy formula but deal with the relationship between male friends. For some reason, Rudd excels at this type of movie and I Love You, Man is the best example of the subgenre.
Rudd is charming and dorky as Peter, a man who has never had luck making male friends. With his wedding approaching, Peter begins desperately looking for a new buddy to be his best man. Rudd and Jason Segel make a great pair in this hilarious and sweet comedy.
Forgetting Sarah Marshall (83%)
Rudd is one of the main actors to appear in the Judd Apatow cinematic universe. He is always a joy to see in these movies even if it’s just a brief role, such as in Forgetting Sarah Marshall. The film stars Jason Segel as a man who tries to get over a recent breakup by going to a Hawaiian resort… only to discover his ex is staying there with her new partner.
The movie is an incredibly entertaining and hilarious rom-com with an amazing cast. Rudd has a scene-stealing role as the resort’s oblivious surfing instructor. His “words of wisdom” are some of the funniest moments in the film.
Ant-Man (83%)
Rudd joined the MCU as its smallest Avenger in Ant-Man in which he plays Scott Lang, a thief turned hero who wears a super-suit that allows him to shrink to the size of an ant. The solo film marked his debut in the universe which has spawned several other appearances.
Rudd might not seem like your typical superhero but he is charming and lovable as the earnest hero. The movie is a fun and light adventure that makes great use of Scott’s unusual abilities in some very inventive sequences.
The 40 Year Old Virgin (85%)
The 40 Year Old Virgin was the directorial debut of Judd Apatow and one of Rudd’s breakout comedic roles. The movie stars Steve Carrell as a man who has gone his entire adult life without ever having sex. Rudd plays one of Carrell’s coworkers who tries to help him hit that milestone.
The movie leans into the crude humor as you might expect from the premise, but it is also a surprisingly sweet movie as well. The cast is filled with great comedic actors and Rudd is a standout as a guy who has his own relationship issues.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower (86%)
The Perks of Being a Wallflower is based on the popular novel of the same name and came out around the time of the young-adult movie boom. Luckily, the film proved to be one of the better entries in that oversaturated genre.
The movie follows a young teen named Charlie who struggles with his own shyness and a tragic past. His life is turned around when he befriends a group of eccentric seniors at his school. The movie is heartfelt and moving in its explorations of difficult subject matter. Rudd plays Charlie’s English teacher Mr. Anderson, who he strikes an unlikely friendship with.
Ant-Man and the Wasp (88%)
Ant-Man returned for his second adventure without the rest of the Avengers, but this time he has a partner in crime-fighting. The sequel debuts Hope Van Dyne as The Wasp as the two heroes attempt to rescue Hope’s long-lost mother from the Quantum Realm.
The sequel is a nice reminder of how charming and refreshing this smaller-scale franchise can be. Rudd and Evangeline Lilly make a fun pair and the action is even more fun this time around. Especially following the heavier Avengers films, this was a great bit of fun.
Knocked Up (90%)
Rudd and Apatow reteamed once more for another surprisingly sweet yet hilariously crude relationship comedy. Knocked Up stars Seth Rogen and Katherine Heigl as two people who have an unexpected one-night-stand which results in an even more unexpected pregnancy.
Rudd co-stars as Heigl’s brother-in-law and his banter with Leslie Mann as his wife provides some of the movie’s best moments. The movie is filled with great one-liners and hilarious moments that surround a touching romance story.
Captain America: Civil War (91%)
Scott Lang moved up into the big leagues as he joined many of the other Avengers in Captain America: Civil War. The movie centers around the government’s attempt to control the Avengers which pits Steve Rogers and Tony Stark at odds, all the while Bucky Barnes is on the run from the law.
The movie is funny and entertaining but also carries an emotional weight not seen in many of the other MCU films. Rudd has a small, scene-stealing role which mostly takes place during the famous airport brawl in the film. Rudd proves what an asset he is to the MCU as his charm adds a lot to the film.
The Little Prince (93%)
Rudd made one of his only voice-over appearances in this underseen animated gem. The Netflix film is based on a well-known children’s story and follows a young girl who learns of a story about a pilot who met a lost prince in the desert. The story inspires her to search out her own adventure as well.
The dazzling mix of animation styles makes for a fantastic visual adventure and the movie is packed with an all-star cast of voice actors. It all makes for a moving and poignant adventure.
Avengers: Endgame (94%)
Avengers: Endgame picks up after the devastating events of Avengers: Infinity War, in which Thanos succeeded in wiping out half the universe. With the world drastically changed, Scott Lang emerges from the Quantum Realm with a plan to set things right.
The movie is an epic, funny, heartbreaking and thrilling culmination of a decade long story. Somehow, it manages to pull off the amazing feat of shocking audiences and leaving them wholly satisfied. Rudd once again provides great comic relief as he joins the main squad of heroes.