It is a weird thing, being Paul Rudd. One day you’re the sensitive guy in a flannel shirt reading Nietzsche on a porch in Clueless, and thirty years later, you’re shrinking down to subatomic levels to punch a time-traveling conqueror. People always talk about how he doesn't age, which, yeah, is basically a meme at this point. But if you actually look at the full list of Paul Rudd movies and tv shows, the variety is kind of staggering.
He didn't just start with Marvel. Honestly, he spent a decade being the "guy you recognize from that one thing" before becoming a household name. He was in Sisters. He was in Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers. He even did a Hong Kong action flick called Gen-Y Cops.
The guy has range. You’ve seen him play the jerk, the sweetheart, the superhero, and the absolute weirdo.
The Early Days and the Clueless Breakthrough
Before the big blockbusters, Rudd was grinding in the 90s television circuit. He was Kirby Philby in the drama Sisters for three seasons. It’s a role that feels a million miles away from the Brian Fantana "Sex Panther" energy he'd eventually adopt. Then 1995 happened.
Clueless changed everything. As Josh, the stepbrother-turned-love-interest, he became an instant "minor teen idol." It’s a movie that still holds up, and interestingly enough, there’s a Clueless 30th Anniversary project slated for 2025 that has fans buzzing about a potential Josh return.
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After that, he didn't just stick to rom-coms. He took a hard left into Shakespeare and Broadway. He played Paris in Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet. Most people forget he was even in that movie because Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes took up all the oxygen in the room. But Rudd was there, being the "perfect" suitor who gets rejected.
The Judd Apatow Era and the Comedy Pivot
If you ask someone to name their favorite Paul Rudd performance, they usually land somewhere between 2004 and 2012. This was the era of the "Frat Pack" adjacent comedies.
- Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004): Brian Fantana. The mustache. The cologne. This was the moment Rudd proved he could be absolutely ridiculous and still be the coolest guy in the room.
- The 40-Year-Old Virgin (2005): He played David, the guy who gets a little too obsessed with his ex-girlfriend.
- Knocked Up (2007): This role as Pete was so relatable that it literally birthed a spin-off, This Is 40.
It’s during this time that he really nailed the "charming everyman" vibe. He’s the guy you want to grab a beer with, even when he’s having a total meltdown on screen. I Love You, Man is probably the peak of this. His chemistry with Jason Segel is legendary, mostly because they were actually bonding over their shared love for the band Rush while filming.
Paul Rudd on the Small Screen: From Friends to Only Murders
While the movies were taking off, Rudd never really left TV. He joined Friends in 2002 as Mike Hannigan. Let’s be real: he’s the only person who could have actually handled Phoebe Buffay’s chaotic energy. He was supposed to be a guest for a few episodes, but the audience loved him so much they made him a permanent fixture.
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More recently, he’s been taking bigger risks. He played two versions of himself in Netflix’s Living with Yourself, which was a weird, dark, and deeply underrated sci-fi comedy. Then there was The Shrink Next Door on Apple TV+, where he played Dr. Isaac Herschkopf. That role was different. He was manipulative and genuinely unlikable. It was a sharp reminder that he isn't just a "nice guy" actor; he can be terrifying when he wants to be.
And we have to talk about Only Murders in the Building. Joining in season 3 as Ben Glenroy, he brought a level of "douchebag actor" energy that was just perfection. The fact that he’s continuing to pop up in the series, even as different characters or in flashbacks, shows how much Steve Martin and Martin Short enjoy having him around.
The Marvel Shift: Scott Lang and the MCU
When it was announced that Paul Rudd would be Ant-Man, a lot of people were confused. A comedy guy as a superhero? But that’s exactly why it worked. Scott Lang is the most "human" Avenger. He’s a dad who just happens to have a suit that lets him talk to bugs.
He’s carried that role through three solo films and the massive Avengers: Endgame. Looking ahead, he’s already confirmed to return as Scott Lang in Avengers: Doomsday in 2026. It’s a massive transition from his indie roots, but he’s kept that dry, self-deprecating humor intact even when fighting Thanos.
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What’s Next: Paul Rudd in 2025 and 2026
If you think he’s slowing down, you’re wrong. The 2025-2026 slate for Paul Rudd is actually one of his busiest.
- Anaconda (2025): This is a meta-reboot of the 90s cult classic. It stars Rudd and Jack Black as friends trying to remake the original film, only to get hunted by a real giant snake. It’s already grossed over $111 million worldwide as of early 2026.
- Friendship (2025): An A24 black comedy where he plays a charismatic neighbor to Tim Robinson. Early reviews from festivals call it "unhinged."
- Death of a Unicorn (2025): Another A24 project, this time a horror-comedy where he stars alongside Jenna Ortega.
- Power Ballad (2026): A musical comedy directed by John Carney. Rudd plays a wedding singer who stumbles onto a hit song.
He’s also continuing his work in the Ghostbusters franchise. Following the success of Afterlife and Frozen Empire, his character Gary Grooberson has become the new heart of the series.
Why the "Ageless" Thing Actually Matters
It’s a fun joke, but Rudd’s longevity is actually due to his choice of roles. He never got pigeonholed. He can do a Judd Apatow improv-heavy comedy on Monday and a Shakespearean play on Tuesday. He’s worked with everyone from David Wain to the Russo Brothers.
Most actors have a "peak" decade. Rudd has had three.
If you're looking to catch up on his work, don't just stick to the Marvel stuff. Go back and watch Role Models or Wet Hot American Summer. You’ll see a guy who is willing to look stupid for a laugh, which is probably the most charming thing about him.
Actionable Insights for Paul Rudd Fans
- For the Comedy Purists: Watch Wet Hot American Summer (the movie and the Netflix prequel series). It’s peak absurdist Rudd.
- For the Drama Seekers: Check out The Fundamentals of Caring on Netflix. It’s a heartfelt road-trip movie that shows his softer side.
- For the Horror Fans: Keep an eye out for the digital release of Anaconda (2025) and Death of a Unicorn.
- For the MCU Completists: Rewatch Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania before Avengers: Doomsday drops in 2026 to stay caught up on the multiverse lore.
The best way to experience his filmography is to look for the collaborations. He tends to work with the same directors over and over—David Wain, Judd Apatow, and Peyton Reed. When Rudd likes a creative team, he sticks with them, and that’s usually when he does his best work.