The 15 Best Paul Rudd Movies, Ranked

Thanks to his affable charm, charismatic screen presence, and seeming agelessness, Paul Rudd has become one of Hollywood's most endearing performers. Though primarily known for his comedic roles, Rudd was classically trained at the beginning of his career, studying at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts-West and the British Drama Academy at Oxford University. This academic background perhaps lends an emotional truth to Rudd's numerous sarcastic and sardonic characters. 

While many actors can play a funny jerk, it's hard to bring warmth and empathy to that same archetype, a specific chemistry Rudd has made his own. Rudd is also known for his frequent collaborations with writer/producer/director Judd Apatow and comedians Michael Ian Black, David Wain, and Michael Showalter. Outside of acting, Rudd is also a producer and writer who has managed to keep both feet in television and film throughout his career. A grounded performer who also loves a good prank, Rudd's career has taken many turns, from romantic lead to bro comedy star, to bite-sized superhero. Here we've gathered the best of the best Paul Rudd movies, ranked from least to greatest.

The latest entry into the Ghostbusters canon follows a family who gets evicted and winds up in Oklahoma to crash at the abandoned home of their deceased grandfather. The younger daughter named Phoebe (McKenna Grace) is an awkward science geek who soon becomes absorbed with the mysteries of the house and the grandfather she never knew. When she discovers her summer school teacher Mr. Anderson (Paul Rudd) is tracking local seismic activity, the mystery grows bigger, evoking literal ghosts of the past. 

Phoebe is determined to solve the mystery and trap the ghosts, a skill that may or may not be in her blood. Meanwhile, Mr. Anderson woos her mom (a delightfully acerbic Carrie Coon) and advises the science in an off-hand capacity. "Ghostbusters: Afterlife" wisely places the story in Phoebe's hands, a natural evolution for the franchise. It's a sweet story and well-made film, but it doesn't escape the trappings of excessive fan service. However, it is worth watching if for nothing else than its simplest and most creative scene — Rudd shopping alone late at night in a Walmart — which showcases Rudd's singular captivating screen presence, even when his only co-stars are specters and monsters.

Based on the novel by Stephen Chbosky, who also adapted and directed the film, "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" is a typical teen story with a fresh emotional spin. Charlie (Logan Lerman) is a painfully introverted freshman with a limited social circle, living in the shadow of his popular older sister and brother. Furthermore, Charlie has trauma in his past from when his best friend killed himself, and he's haunted by memories of his deceased aunt. His life starts to regain hope and energy when he meets two seniors, Patrick (Ezra Miller) and his stepsister Sam (Emma Watson). 

Patrick and Sam initiate Charlie into a world of "Rocky Horror Picture Show" screenings and late-night drives through tunnels. However, as Charlie faces the inevitability of them leaving for college, his depression returns. Paul Rudd has a smaller role as Charlie's English teacher, Mr. Anderson. It's a stereotypical dynamic with the teacher who seeks out a smart but troubled student and offers him additional mentorship. Mr. Anderson lends Charlie books outside of class and offers his ear to listen. Remarkably, even with minimal screen time, Rudd finds a foothold: "We accept the love we think we deserve." Rudd imbues the somewhat cheesy quotation with sincerity and truth, bringing to life one of the book's most famous lines.

Judd Apatow's feature directorial debut was a defining comedy moment for a generation. Steve Carrell stars as Andy, a sweet and nerdy man who collects action figures but has never had success with women, including losing his own virginity. When his friends and co-workers at an electronics superstore discover the truth, they are determined to help him end his virginal status. Though Andy gets all kinds of well-meaning advice from his friends, it all goes out the window when he meets Trish (Catherine Keener), a single mom with whom he soon falls in love. Of course, the more the tension builds up, the more Andy's anxiety does as well, until everything literally comes crashing down. 

While many aspects of the film have not aged well, "The 40-Year-Old Virgin" is a weirdly sweet film with a heartfelt romance and genuine performances. Paul Rudd co-stars as David, a man obsessed with his ex-girlfriend who masks his heartbreak with raunchy humor and gives Andy terrible advice. Playing against Seth Rogen's Cal, the two create some of the film's most memorable jokes and riffs. Though his role is small, Rudd manages to make every moment count, bringing much-needed empathy to a character that would otherwise be entirely irredeemable.

An unconventional romantic comedy, "Knocked Up" follows Ben (Seth Rogen) and Alison (Katherine Heigl), two strangers who meet and hook up on a drunken night out. When Alison winds up pregnant, the two decide to raise the baby together, embarking on a rocky romance. Though they were brought together by happenstance, the two discover they genuinely like each other but that isn't necessarily enough to build a family. Fueling these fears are Alison's sister Debbie (Leslie Mann) and brother-in-law Pete (Paul Rudd), who have two children and long for their childless days to return. 

Though Pete and Debbie's dynamic is a bit stereotypical in "Knocked Up," the characters are a funny foil for Ben and Alison as they dare to create their own family. Rudd is also given more room to explore his character and the dynamic in Judd Apatow's 2012 sequel "This is 40," which provides more depth for some otherwise stale tropes. While both films are a bit heteronormative and sexist in terms of how they view marriage and family, they have oddly warm and loving themes. Pete is also a great example of the kind of archetype Rudd handles so well as an actor, where there is a thick layer of cool sarcasm on the surface but a deep well of feeling is always brimming underneath.

A ridiculous sendup of 1970s culture, "Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy" stars Will Ferrell as the title character, a star local anchorman in San Diego who falls in love with a new female anchor named Veronica (Christina Applegate) who turns his life upside down. At Ron's side are reporter Brian Fantana (a heavily mustachioed Paul Rudd), sportscaster Champ Kind (David Koechner), and weatherman Brick Tamland (Steve Carrell). The plot is fairly straightforward and loose with a heavily improvised script that showcases the comedic talents of the cast. 

As Ron and Veronica's tumultuous workplace romance falls apart, the news team is put at odds with Ron in order to keep their jobs. Early in his comedy career, Rudd played goofy scumbags more often than lovable jerks. "Anchorman" may be the best example of this archetype for him, and also catapulted Rudd into a different level of his comedy career. While most of the characters in "Anchorman" are surreal and larger than life, Rudd's Brian is strangely grounded, especially in the context of the main news team. The role showcases Rudd's ability to be unceasingly funny thanks to an undercurrent of emotion and truth, perhaps best seen in the film's famous and timelessly funny sex panther sequence.

"Forgetting Sarah Marshall" is kind of a surrealist fever dream, inspired by the themes of its subject matter. Peter (Jason Segel) has a goal of writing and staging a musical with puppets, but scores television procedurals by day. His girlfriend Sarah (Kristen Bell) is a massive star, which makes it all the more difficult when she dumps him because she feels like his life isn't going anywhere. Finding it difficult to escape her, Peter decides to take a vacation to Oahu to reset and get over his heartbreak only to find Sarah and her new boyfriend, pretentious rockstar Aldous Snow (Russell Brand), checking in to stay at the same resort. 

While Peter does his best to avoid and get over Sarah, he falls in love with the hotel manager while befriending other staff and locals. Paul Rudd's role is more minor as Chuck, the local surf instructor. Though he doesn't have much screen time, Rudd encapsulates a specific type of person — the mainlander appropriating Hawaiian culture — to brutal and hilarious effect. It's rare to see Rudd play a character that isn't sharply intelligent, yet it's a testament to the breadth of his comedic talents. Overall, the film is a unique spin on the romantic comedy that has one of the most shocking final set pieces in the genre.

It's hard to remember now almost a decade later, but "Ant-Man" had a troubled production. As a result, the film represented a risk for both fans and Marvel but ended up a delightful, creative surprise with Paul Rudd as the perfectly cast centerpiece. Until then, the MCU had not seen a hero like Scott Lang, an ex-con and master thief who is far from the typically morally superior specimen the Avengers might choose to join their ranks. When Scott steals a suit that allows him to take on the properties of ants (while shrinking or growing in size), he gets caught up in a conspiracy bigger than he understands. 

Aside from Rudd's baked-in charm and likability, Scott's genuine love for his daughter is his main redeeming quality. While he's good at stealing and therefore drawn to it, Scott wants to be a better man for her, lending a human conflict to a superhuman story that Rudd portrays beautifully. As a co-writer on the screenplay, Scott feels like a peak of the Rudd archetype, sarcastic and cynical yet endearing and caring. At the time of its release, "Ant-Man" also had some of the most joyful and surprising sight gags of any Marvel film, using scale and force to brilliant effect in its fight scenes.