Paul Rudd’s new comedy with Tim Robinson, Friendship, has set a mᴀssive record for the long-time actor on Rotten Tomatoes. An eccentric comedy about two neighbors whose budding friendship comes under strain when Robinson’s character becomes dangerously obsessed with their shared hobbies, the film opened to excellent reviews at the Toronto International Film Festival last year. Many critics are calling it the funniest movie either actor has made in years. The strong reviews for Friendship have manifested in an equally strong Rotten Tomatoes score, which is impressive even by Rudd’s standards.

Rudd’s career has been a fascinating one to watch unfold, with his comedic roots allowing him to frequently collaborate with talents like Seth Rogen, Steve Carell, and Ben Stiller on some of their most acclaimed projects. The actor has also made a subtle transition to dramatic projects in recent years, with movies like Mute and Ant-Man proving that he’s not just restricted to the confines of comedy. And yet, the actor still knows how to turn in hilarious performances that subvert expectations – as proven by the trailer for Friendship. He’s such a versatile talent, and his Rotten Tomatoes filmography displays a similar variety.

Paul Rudd’s 30-Year Career In Comedy Includes Some Beloved Modern Classics

And The RT Scores (Sometimes) Reflect That

Although not every movie in his filmography has been a success with critics, there’s no denying that Paul Rudd’s expansive comedy career houses some of the genre’s most timeless classics. From ensemble buddy comedies like This Is The End and Anchorman to more dramatic projects such as The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Rudd has turned in countless brilliant performances over the years.

Although comedy is often underrated by critics, several of Rudd’s most beloved projects have performed extremely well on Rotten Tomatoes. Both I Love You, Man and The 40-Year-Old Virgin are Certified Fresh at 82% and 85% respectively, while more underrated deep-cuts like Prince Avalanche and Role Models also sit at 82% and 77%. Paul Rudd’s best movies even spread outside the comedy genre, with his MCU appearance in Avengers: Endgame sitting at 94%.

However, that’s not always the case. Several of Paul Rudd’s comedies also count as his more divisive movies among critics. This Is 40 scored a 52% from critics, while Dinner for Schmucks is down at 42%. The Wet H๏τ American Summer movie has a 39%, and even a movie like Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, which is now considered a hilarious comedic classic for many, only has a 66% score on Rotten Tomatoes. That’s further evidence that Rudd’s comedies don’t always get the response they may deserve.

Friendship Is Setting A New RT Bar For Paul Rudd Comedies

The A24 Movie Releases In Theaters This Week

Thankfully, Rudd’s latest project seems to have fallen at the better end of the comedy spectrum. Friendship currently has a Rotten Tomatoes score of 93%, which is the actor’s highest-ever rating for a comedy project (behind his minor role in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem). This is an excellent sign for the movie and will hopefully encourage a lot of people to go watch Friendship in theaters.

Rudd’s latest critical success couldn’t have come at a better time, as his most recent project, Death of a Unicorn, was met with overwhelmingly mixed reviews. Thankfully, Friendship seems to be a much more universally enjoyable movie that draws on the chemistry between Paul Rudd and Tim Robinson to forge a darkly comedic and surprisingly moving story about making friends and accepting the one life we have.

Paul Rudd may not have the most consistent filmography out there, but the highs are extremely impressive. Friendship offers a much-needed return to form for the comic actor, who’s struggled to find the right project in recent years that lets his comedic talent shine, favoring many blockbusters like Ghostbusters: Afterlife and his entries in the MCU, instead.