1. "The Shape of Things" (2003)
Here's a drama that plays out like a real punch in the gut. Paul Rudd plays Adam, a nerdy, introverted guy who gets involved with Evelyn, an art student. At her urging, Adam starts to change — loses weight, gets a new hairstyle, you name it. Slowly but surely, his friendships start to crumble, especially with his best bud, Phillip.
Just when you think it's a movie about transformation, bam! It turns out Evelyn has been manipulating Adam for an art project.
2. "Wanderlust" (2012)
Okay, who hasn't dreamed of leaving it all behind and living in a commune? When George and Linda (played by Paul Rudd and Jennifer Aniston) both lose their jobs, they end up in a hippie community called Elysium.
It's got everything: free love, vegan meals, and no doors on the bathrooms. George is all in at first, but then realizes that utopia has its downsides, like maybe sharing is not caring when it comes to spouses.
3. "Diggers" (2006)
Remember those coming-of-age stories that you'd catch late at night? This is one of them but with a twist — it's about adults. Set in the 1970s, this film takes us to a Long Island town where clam-digging is the family business. When a corporation threatens to take over, tensions rise among the four pals, one of whom is Hunt, played by Rudd.
There's love, there's loss, and there's a heck of a lot of clam-digging drama.
4. "The Chateau" (2001)
Who wouldn't want to inherit a massive French chateau, right? Rudd's character, Graham, and his brother inherit such a place, but they find out it's more of a money pit than a gold mine. They decide to sell it, but the estate's staff, especially the caretaker, have other ideas.
Cultural misunderstandings and language barriers lead to all sorts of awkward and funny situations. While the brothers try to adapt to French culture, their plans go hilariously awry.
5. "Over Her Dead Body" (2008)
Alright, the premise sounds like something out of a soap opera, but stay with me. Rudd plays Henry, whose fiancée Kate dies in a freak accident right before their wedding. Fast forward, and Henry's friends try to set him up with a psychic to communicate with Kate. But plot twist! The psychic, Ashley, starts falling for Henry. Kate's ghost isn't having any of that and tries to sabotage the relationship from the afterlife.
Yep, it's a love triangle with a paranormal edge.
6. "The Oh in Ohio" (2006)
We're starting off with a bang — or should I say, an 'oh'? Priscilla (Parker Posey) has been married to her high-school teacher Jack (Paul Rudd) for years, and let's just say things in the bedroom are less than satisfying. Priscilla embarks on a sexual self-discovery journey while Jack has his own soul-searching to do. He ends up moving out and living in a pool house of one of his students.
Awkward and heartfelt moments make this a unique romantic comedy.
7. "How Do You Know" (2010)
What happens when a pro softball player, Lisa, gets cut from her team and starts dating a corporate guy, George (Paul Rudd), who's under investigation for white-collar crimes? A whole mess of drama and life questions, that's what! As both Lisa and George navigate their respective life crises, they form a connection that neither of them saw coming.
It's complicated, messy, and a rather sweet take on adulting.
8. "Our Idiot Brother" (2011)
Here, Paul Rudd plays Ned, an organic farmer with a heart of gold and maybe not the best judgment. After selling weed to a uniformed cop — yep, he's that naïve — he ends up in jail. Post-prison, he crashes with each of his three sisters, bringing a trail of chaos along with him.
It's like watching a human tornado mess up, but you can't help rooting for the guy.
9. "They Came Together" (2014)
This isn't just a romantic comedy; it's a satire of all romantic comedies. Rudd plays Joel, an executive of a big candy company that's threatening to shut down Molly's (Amy Poehler) quirky little candy shop.
Sounds like the plot of every rom-com ever, right? That's the point. Expect clichés to be turned on their heads, sweet moments to get absurd, and a lot of wink-wink-nudge-nudge to the audience.
10. "The Ten" (2007)
In this comedy anthology based on the Ten Commandments Paul Rudd is Jeff, the man who ties all these stories together. He's going through stories that range from absurd to hilarious to just plain weird. One involves a guy who becomes a celebrity after surviving a fall without any injuries; another is about a prisoner who covets his fellow inmate's... well, you get the idea.