As one of the most popular Hollywood actors, there are a lot of Paul Rudd movies that fans can continue to watch to show their love for the star. With decades as an established talent in the movie business, Rudd has built an impressive career thus far. While not all of his movies have been a hit, critically or commercially, there are some stand-out examples of Paul Rudd movies that use his talents as a charming, funny, and compelling actor well. This includes his most well-known successes as well as some hidden gems fans might have previously overlooked.
Certainly, these days Rudd is best known as Ant-Man in the MCU, having starred in his third solo outing Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. However, his career has proven he can do much more than just superhero movies. Paul Rudd's best movies range from those big blockbusters to Best Picture nominees to hilarious comedies. As he continues to be loved by fans, there is likely even more on the horizon to add to the collection of notable Paul Rudd movies.
10 Wet Hot American Summer (2001)
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Wet Hot American Summer centers around the final day at Camp Firewood in the summer of 1981. Following campers, counselors, and a director who have unfinished business they need to resolve on the last day of camp, Paul Rudd plays boys counselor Andy in this film. He's the bad-boy idiot who every girl wants. Rudd is a bonafide scene-stealer as he delivers some of Wet Hot American Summer's best quotes. He embodies the jerky nonchalant nature of Andy. The movie failed to make any dent in the box office when it was released but has since become a cult classic, spawning a sequel and prequel series on Netflix with most of the star-studded cast returning.
9 The Perks Of Being A Wallflower (2012)
- Stream on Hulu
The Perks of Being a Wallflower is about a freshman in high school, Charlie, in 1991. With the help of two seniors, Charlie is taught how to enjoy life more and be more active in participating in it. In this film, Rudd plays an emotional role as Charlie's teacher Mr. Anderson. Though not very prominent in the movie, Rudd makes the most of his scenes with a strong performance headed by some great one-liners. In fact, one of the most memorable Perks of Being a Wallflower quotes is delivered by him: "We accept the love we think we deserve." Based on a popular novel, The Parks of Being a Wallflower was a critically acclaimed coming-of-age story that manages to hold significant importance for younger audiences.
8 The Cider House Rules (1999)
- Stream on Paramount+
Rudd found himself taking plenty of supporting roles in the 1990s, appearing in a variety of interesting movies, including the Best Picture nominee The Cider House Rules. The movie stars Tobey Maguire as a young man living and working in an orphanage in the 1940s who decides to leave and pursue his own life. Rudd and Charlize Theron play a young couple who visit the orphanage and who agree to let Maguire travel with them when they leave. The movie is an emotional drama with a complex story involving some heavy subject matter. Rudd is one small part of an impressive ensemble that also includes Kieran Culkin, Delroy Lindo, and Michael Caine in an Oscar-winning role.
7 The 40-Year-Old Virgin (2005)
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The movie that helped launch Steve Carell's movie career also helped establish Rudd as a Hollywood star. The 40-Year-Old Virgin stars Carell as a nice but socially awkward middle-aged man who has never had sex. Once his secret gets out, his coworkers (Paul Rudd, Seth Rogen, and Romany Malco) attempt to seal the deal for him. The movie marks Judd Apatow's directorial debut and established his brand of raunchy R-rated comedies with a lot of heart. Rudd also helped to cement himself as one of the best comedic actors in Hollywood today with a hilarious performance that helped the movie become a surprise hit.
6 Ant-Man (2015)
- Stream on Disney+
Though Edgar Wright's version of Ant-Man would have been a lot of fun to see, the Ant-Man fans got made for a smaller-scale hit for the MCU. It follows Scott Lang, a master thief who's recently been released from prison, as he helps genius scientist Dr. Hank Pym. With the help of Pym's incredible shrinking technology, Scott must embrace his role as Ant-Man and pull off a heist to save the world. In this film, Rudd plays Scott Lang and is formally introduced as a member of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. His charm and ability to be funny without even trying allow him to make a more grounded everyman hero that makes for a nice contrast to the likes of Thor and Tony Stark.
5 I Love You, Man (2009)
- Stream on HBO Max
Though the bromace movie existed long before, Paul Redd helped popularize this subgenre of comedy with movies like I Love You, Man. Peter Klaven is in a predicament when he realizes he has no close male friends to be his best man. With his wedding quickly approaching, Peter goes on a number of bro-dates and eventually meets Sydney, who may be the answer to his problem. Rudd plays Peter as he co-stars alongside Jason Segel as Sydney Fife. The two of them have incredible chemistry in this bromantic comedy, constantly one-upping each other with their next piece of dialogue. The movie earned rave reviews and earned over $90 million (via Box Office Mojo).
4 Clueless (1995)
- Stream on Paramount+
A '90s coming-of-age teen comedy, Clueless is about the ultra-popular high school girl, Cher. When she helps new student Tai by giving her a makeover, Cher is distraught that Tai quickly becomes even more popular than her. Rudd plays John Lucas, Cher's ex-stepbrother. In the film, a young and charming Rudd is the grounding voice for the shallow Cher. Even in one of his earliest roles, Rudd is impactful and makes the movie the fun teen flick that it is. Even though the movie is very cemented in the '90s, it has managed to stand the test of time as a hilarious comedy.
3 Captain America: Civil War (2016)
- Stream on Disney+
In Captain America: Civil War, governments around the world have passed an act in order to regulate superhuman activities. The act separates members of the Avengers, as some side with Iron Man and others with Captain America. Paul Rudd reprises his role as Ant-Man as he joins up with Captain America against Iron Man. In one of the more serious films in the MCU, Rudd as Ant-Man gives much-needed comedic relief and it is fun to see him teamed up with legendary Marvel heroes as well as some newly introduced, major MCU characters. It is regarded by some as one of the best solo MCU movies and grossed more than $1 billion (via Box Office Mojo).
2 Anchorman: The Legend Of Ron Burgundy (2004)
- Stream on Paramount+
Following Ron Burgundy and the Channel 4 News Team, Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy is about the issues that arise for the 1970s news team when Veronica Corningstone joins as a new reporter. One of the great comedies created by Adam McKay, this film has a ton of laughs for everyone. Paul Rudd plays reporter Brian Fantana. Rudd needed to turn it up in order to keep up with the hilarious performances of Will Ferrell, Steve Carell, and David Koechner, and he more than succeeded in doing so. The movie is an outlandish farce with a very loose plot held together by one hilarious sequence after another. This includes the famous news team brawl and Rudd's best moment as Fantana shows off his rare cologne.
1 Avengers: Endgame (2019)
- Stream on Disney+
Avengers: Endgame follows the aftermath of Avengers: Infinity War. After losing half of all life, the remaining Avengers must team up one last time in order to undo the horrific actions of Thanos. Again as Ant-Man plays a huge role in the plan, Paul Rudd comes in to participate in one of the highest-grossing movies of all time. This superhero epic is the climax of over a decade of films and has all of Marvel's hardest hitters. Paul Rudd matches the energy and is more than up for the challenge. It makes for a thrilling, emotional and thoroughly satisfying culmination of the Infinity Saga.