Ranking the top 25 Judd Apatow movies

As we'll learn, Apatow likes to get behind these so-called "mockumentary" films. Star Andy Samberg, playing a former pseudo-boy-band star turned solo artist, also had a hand in producing the film. While critics liked it, moviegoers were lukewarm at best. Most reading this list probably don't remember it all. That's kind of a shame because mockumentaries and some of the many cameos involved here (Paul McCartney, Snoop Dogg, Martin Sheen) are worth a look.

This Adam Sandler vehicle, which Apatow co-wrote with Sandler and Robert Smigel, is a passable comedy. The idea of an Israeli commando wanting to become a New York City hairdresser is wacky enough to draw interest, thanks mostly to John Turturro’s crazy "Phantom" Hakbarah.

By many accounts, Apatow — and Colin Quinn — dropped the ball with the screenplay, as the potential for some memorable comedy regarding Boston Celtics fans kidnapping an opposing team's best player never materialized. Making fun of fan craziness is ripe for satire, and at times, it's successful but not enough to leave a lasting impression. 

Another film starring former roommate and longtime pal Adam Sandler, "Funny People" delves into the standup comedy world with which Apatow is well familiar. While the film has its moments of comedic endearment, Sandler's George Simmons doesn't earn total sympathy. Plus, the two-hour-plus running time is excessive. As a budding comic, Seth Rogen tends to be the film's highlight.

Saturday Night Live star Pete Davidson is not for everyone. However, he offers an above-average effort in this tale of a New York slacker looking for direction while still somewhat lost from the long-ago death of his firefighter father — loosely based on his own upbringing in Staten Island. It's a nice blend of senseless comedy and heartfelt drama that earns this flick a place among Apatow's better projects.

The rumor has been that Apatow wanted to direct but suggested Ben Stiller for the gig after being shunned by Columbia. Reportedly, Apatow thought this would be a more lighthearted comedy. However, it turned into a dark comedy that introduced audiences to a side of actor Jim Carrey not previously seen but lauded nonetheless by critics.

Some like to pan this film as being lazy, but Owen Wilson was more than serviceable in the lead role of a bodyguard for a group of bullied school kids. It's one of those Apatow movies that most viewers need reminding was made but is actually more entertaining as time passes.

With this Jake Kasdan film, there's a good chance the casual Apatow fans might not even remember the comedy-drama starring David Duchovny about a television pilot. Though some would argue it's a satire, Kasdan insists it is not; instead, it is simply about the process of making a pilot and getting it picked up.

The first of which we'll hear from Russell Brand. Reprising his role as rocker Aldous Snow from the Apatow-produced Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Brand is solid in the lead role, and the movie is actually better than expected. Maybe because Snow's escort Aaron (Jonah Hill) is good in the supporting role and perhaps the biggest reason to see the movie.

Apatow takes his crack at documentary filmmaking and knocks it out of the park while telling the story of these indie folk rockers. Fans of the Avett Brothers will enjoy and appreciate this project. It's enough to leave many Apatow followers hoping something else like this is coming down the line.

Knocked Up favorites Pete (Paul Rudd) and Debbie (Leslie Mann, Apatow's real-life wife) get their own spinoff. But while it is branded as a comedy, the better parts are when the couple handles marriage and family struggles while dealing with turning 40. It's not the best Apatow effort but not close to the worst.

We're getting into Apatow's collaborations with Will Ferrell. While the film received mixed reviews from critics, the contentious relationship between father (Robert Duvall) and son (Ferrell), with youth soccer as a backdrop, is entertaining. Whether as a writer, director, or producer, Apatow is known for balancing comedy with a message that is relatable.

Apatow has had his moments with Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly, and Step Brothers is one of the better ones. As seems to be the case when Ferrell and Reilly team up, die-hards of the pair will enjoy the sophomoric brand of comedy they deliver. Those who can only take them in controlled doses might be turned off by their antics as adult children living together after a parent of each marries.

A double-dip for Apatow as writer and producer. Apatow has said he and director Jake Kasdan watched many music biopics in preparation for a film that pokes fun at such types of movies, especially the critically acclaimed Walk The Line. It also helps that star John C. Reilly can sing and play guitar.

As time goes on, Heavyweights seems to have matured from a movie filled with fat jokes and poking fun at self-help types to something a little more genuine. Another underdog film that we've come to expect from Apatow, there is still some questionable political correctness for today's social climate, but it has the potential to grow on the viewer.

Jason Segel wrote and starred in this smart, funny, and rather endearing romantic comedy. It's easy to feel for Peter (Segel) and what he must be going through while seeing his ex-girlfriend on vacation with her new boyfriend. Apatow, an everyman and forever champion of the underdog and downtrodden, is part of a good one here. It's also our introduction to Aldous Snow (Russell Brand).

True Apatow enthusiasts would probably rank this stoner comedy, co-written by buddies Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg (with Apatow helping on the story), higher on the list. It's actually one of the smarter takes on drug-themed comedy because the writing is well above par.

This is another run with Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly and another mega-hit for Apatow and Co. Maybe it does not have the overall substance as some of the other memorable films that Apatow is associated with, but it certainly delivers some quality laughs and stands as arguably the best movie the two pals buddied up to make.

Super-talented Kumail Nanjiani won Apatow over with the loosely based story of how he met his wife. Nanjiani co-wrote it with his wife, Emily Gordon, and he and Zoe Kazan are perfect as an on-screen couple dealing with a challenging relationship. The film earned an Oscar nomination for Best Original Screenplay and was one of the best movies of 2017 — and certainly among Apatow's catalog. 

Seth Rogen and friend Evan Goldberg began writing a version of the film when they were teenagers in Canada. The story of pals Seth (Jonah Hill) and Evan (Michael Cera) is loosely based on Goldberg and Rogen's high school years. Hill is hilarious as the sex-starved high school senior. The coming-of-age film also features future Oscar winner Emma Stone.

It's one of the greatest comedies of all time and perhaps Will Ferrell's best and most memorable. Apatow was the producer on the project, and plenty of Apatow's usual suspects are involved, too (Paul Rudd, Seth Rogen). Of course, the fight scene among the local network news teams is pure comedy gold and the highlight of a truly brilliant film. 

Teamed up with Freaks and Geeks buddy Paul Feig, Apatow was behind this stellar comedy. It proved star and co-writer Kristen Wiig can carry a film and elevated Melissa McCarthy to an A-List celeb. For our money here, Bridesmaids is the best of any Apatow film that he did not direct. It's made even better in that his buddy Feig resurrected his career with this effort.

As mentioned, we feel it's important to give preference to Apatow's work as a director. Comedian Amy Schumer's breakout performance came in perhaps Apatow's most honest picture, as his vision is almost an extension of her script. All the praise and accolades this film earned for both Schumer and co-star Bill Hader were possible, in part, courtesy of Apatow.

Seth Rogen's Ben shows his growth and could be one of Apatow's most unheralded characters in any of his films. Ben's group of friends — Jason Segel, Jonah Hill, plus Paul Rudd and Leslie Mann — steal plenty of scenes and often make us forget Katherine Heigl is in the movie.

While the title screams raunchiness (and there is plenty), this is truly Apatow's most heartwarming film. It's also the most hilarious of any he has directed. Steve Carell, as the sexually shy titular character, is strong. But supporting efforts from Paul Rudd, Jane Lynch, Romany Malco, and Kat Dennings made this a surprise blockbuster that still cracks us up no matter how often it's viewed.