TheAnt-Manactor is recently in the limelight for his role in the Marvel Cinematic universe, but with a decades long career, there are some prolific filmsPaul Ruddappeared in, especially at the beginning of the century. Indeed, Rudd is an actor that wears many hats, as both a performer, writer, and producer of multiple works among his time on screen. With a background in theater, studying both at the University of Kansas and the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Rudd has a grasp on what it takes to bring his characters to life both on and behind the screen as well as the stage. Many of his early projects utilized his skills on stage and translated well to film, as Rudd would also work on Broadway with a plethora of shows on the Great White Way.
The 2000s entertainment scene saw the rise of creative freedoms, Netflix, and the dawn of prolific shows and actors getting their feet in the door. With the incoming release ofAnt-Man and the Wasp: Quantumaniakicking offMarvel’s Phase 5of the MCU in February 2023, perIGN, fans are no stranger to seeing Rudd on the big screen. However, before the epics of the MCU, there were many projects that Rudd found himself in that eagle-eyed viewers will be remiss to see if not watching closely. From hilarious cameos to callbacks to his stage roots, here is a list of the best movies featuring Paul Rudd in the 2000s, ranked.
9Night at the Museum (2006)
Starring Ben Stiller, Carla Gugino, and more,Night at the Museumwas the first of many installments of the comedic museum series. The films followed the hijinks and escapades of night security guard Larry Daley as he gradually realizes that the Natural History Museum in New York City is not exactly as it seems. At night, the transformation brings on the likes of historical figures, ancient artifacts, and more. Not everyone believes Larry about this phenomenon, and some memorable characters come from his encounters throughout the movie.
While at the back of the pack, this film makes the list largely in part due to Rudd’s hilarious appearances as Don, a working businessman who is also the stepfather of the protagonists biological son. Don is offbeat, busy, and a little tone-deaf, but it never stops him from making sure that Nicky knows how much he cares for him between his business and family life.
Related:Paul Rudd’s Best Performances, Ranked
8The Ten (2007)
A collection of intertwined stories about the ten commandments,The Tenis billed as an ensemble-focused vignette film that follows different comedic stories featuring a cast of characters including Jon Hamm, Ken Marino, Winona Ryder, and more. The stories all stem from modern day takes on the famous biblical tablet instructions of the Ten Commandments, and place people in peculiar situations.
Rudd takes presence in the film as a sort of semi-reliable narrator, Jeff Reigert, taking us through the events of the sketches while being inside the action as a whole. Rudd’s’ character also sings, giving a nod to his theatrical roots and training alongside other sketch players in a cacophony of not-so-biblical escapades in this far from righteous commentary. The trailer gives a look at what you can expect when going on this roller coaster ride, and Rudd shows just how well his improv chops can take an argument from bad to ridiculous.
7Two Days (2003)
When an unsuccessful actor is at his wits’ end, Paul Miller becomes fed up with his shortcomings and pitfalls in the industry, and decides to end his life, but not without hiring a crew to film his last moments as he reconnects with friends, family, and works to leave behind something more than a note.Two Daystakes the audience on a journey of what is important to a man and his relationships when he fervently believes he has nothing left to lose.
Rudd takes up the mantle of Paul Miller, who is fed up with his status after a decade of trying to make it in the entertainment industry. With companionperformances from Adam Scott, Donal Logue, and direction from Sean McGinly, Rudd takes us on his journey of reflection in this documentary-style film, with intervention and changes throughout that could change the path that Miller takes on his life by the end of the 48-hour pilgrimage.
6The Château (2001)
When two brothers travel from America to the smaller pockets of France, they find that a death in the family has endowed them to a Château. Excited to have something far beyond what they were expecting, the pair work to accomplishing selling the place for a large profit, but not without the ups and downs of translation, culture shock, and maintaining a property alongside staff of a caliber they never saw coming.
Rudd plays alongside Romany Malco in this comedic trip as Graham and Rex Granville, a pair of brothers that are navigating their newfound French lifestyle despite lacking the class and grace of their fresh inheritance. Lifting tropes from drama, comedy, romance, and taking advantage of the communication obstacles in the film, Rudd is both hilarious and clever inThe Château, early in his career and adding another comedic foray into his books.
5Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008)
Peter Bretter is dumped by his girlfriend of five years, Sarah Marshall, and in an effort to get over the separation, he goes on a vacation to Hawaii to kick the memory of Sarah to the curb. Unfortunately for Bretter, he and Sarah have taken flight to the same resort for some rest and relaxation. Starring Kristen Bell and Jason Segel, this romantic comedy takes the audience for a game of cat-and-mouse and of course, chaos ensues.
Rudd plays the surfing instructor Chuck, who goes by “Kunu” after adopting a new life in Hawaii. Laid back, filled with vibes only, Kunu makes his living with teaching visitors how to ride the perfect wave, but not without a series of confusing instructions to match his nonsensical outlook on life. To get the full Kunu experience, the audience will need to look back toForgetting Sarah Marshallto appreciate the hilarious take Rudd leaves us with.
Related:Paul Rudd’s Best Movies from the 90s, Ranked
Henry, in an effort to revive his social life, seeks the help of psychic, Ashley, to contact his fiancé and possibly close the gap between his emotions, and moving on with his life. With the help of his sister, Chloe, the medium is able to convince Henry that she is in contact with his dead fiancé. Those unresolved feelings Henry is working through? Turns out his fiancé has some of her own. Starring Eva Longoria, Rudd, and Lake Bell,Over Her Dead Bodyis a comedy that keeps audiences on their toes.
Rudd is our leading man in the film, falling and playing off of the feelings he has as Henry from the finance he once had, to the new woman in his life that is doing everything in her power to help him move on. Henry is likable, flawed, and relatable, even if he can’t see that his fiancé is physically trying to get between his love life choices. Rudd is sure to make audiences laugh in this spin on love and jealousy.
3The 40-Year-Old Virgin (2005)
Steve Carell leads this hilarious comedy about a man working in a tech company who is tricked – more or less – into admitting he’s never been laid.The 40 Year Old Virginis a cacophony of the romantic ups and downs with all the flavors of the 2000s. The revelation send his friends on a determined trip to make sure he changes his status – one way or another.
Rudd is among the group of friends in the workplace where Carell’s character spends his day to day. As David, Rudd gives the audience a performance alongside coworkers Jay (played by Romany Malco) and Cal (played by Seth Rogen). Rudd and Malco previously came together in a satirical fashion in the form ofThe Château,and their reunion, camaraderie, and balance on screen pair well with Carrell and Rogen. If following Rudd’s’ work, the audience can note the familiar interactions as he grew in the four short years between the films as well.
2The Shape of Things (2003)
In the 2000s, Neil LaBute worked on a variety of projects, shocking and disturbing audiences with strong direction and a candid approach to the human condition.The Shape of Thingsfollows his work in the same vein, with a seemingly regular protagonist, starring Rudd, who gradually shapes into someone his friends have a hard time recognizing, all under the audiences’ nose.
Rudd plays Adam Sorenson, a college student who fails to particularly stand out in a crowd, and even less so for his looks. After meeting Evelyn, as time goes on, she seems to teach him things about himself and suggest changes to his life that look to be for the better. Toward the top of the list, this entry is a direct highlight of Rudd’s’ stage roots, with the project being afilm version of the playof the same name, Neil LaBute refuses to hold his blows in this story of how we perceive.
1Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
When an anchorman used to being the talk of the town of news station fame in San Diego is joined by a brand new woman co-anchor, Ron Burgundy and his crew of anchormen are beside themselves. Led in brazen hilarity by Will Ferrell,Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundygives the audience a taste of what happens when a woman walks into a patriarchal industry in the 1970s, and who will come out on top.
Rudd is part of a team of anchormen that support Ron Burgundy’s ideals, as well as the station hierarchy — until a woman is part of the equation — and then the chaos ensues in the testosterone filled news HQ. As Brian Fantana, Rudd creates competition, pranks, and gives anchorman Ron and company some of the best advice money can’t buy, no matter how ridiculous. In a laugh out loud performance alongside Ferrell, David Koechner and Kristen Wiig, the first installment of theAnchormanmovies is a strong testament to Rudd’s character acting, and comedic timing.
