This ranking is based on an algorithm that combines various factors, including the votes of our users and search trends on the internet.

List of Kal Penn Movies: Ranked Best To Worst

1. The Namesake (2006)
13
4
The Namesake
PG-13
13
4

Immigrant couple Ashoke and Ashima tries to adapt to the life in New York where they raise their children, Gogol and Sonia. The two generations struggle with the clash of diverse cultures, as they try to accept the other’s views. With passing years, Gogol learns more about his namesake author, grows to appreciate his heritage while trying to carve his individual identity. 

Role:
Nikhil a.k.a. Gogol
Directed By:
Mira Nair
3. Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle (2004)
39
17
Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle
R
39
17

The stoner comedy follows friends Harold Lee and Kumar Patel who decide to visit a nearby White Castle fast-food outlet after smoking marijuana. What follows is a series of comical misadventures, including encountering Neil Patrick Harris high on ecstasy, racist police officers, rednecks, before they can reach their favorite burgers.   

Role:
Kumar Patel
Directed By:
Danny Leiner
4. A Lot Like Love (2005)
17
9
A Lot Like Love
PG-13
17
9

After meeting on a plane Oliver and Emily develop an instant connection. Throughout the years they live separate lives but become close friends. However, anytime one tries to get more out of their relationship the other seems content being friends. Will the two figure out their love for each other before it’s too late?

Directed By:
Nigel Cole
5. American Desi (2001)
7
4
American Desi
7
4
Role:
Ajay Pandya
Starring:
Deep Katdare, Purva Bedi, Ronobir Lahiri, Rizwan Manji
Directed By:
Piyush Dinker Pandya
6. Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay (2008)
27
14
Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay
R
27
14

Stoners Harold and Kumar are mistakenly arrested as terrorists while trying to smuggle a bong on their flight to Amsterdam and are sent to Guantanamo Bay. After they escape and make their way back to Texas, they plan to use Colton, Harold’s friend, to clear their names. But Colton betrays them and they must plan their own exoneration. 

Role:
Kumar
Starring:
Directed By:
Jon Hurwitz, Hayden Schlossberg
7. Van Wilder (2002)
22
13
Van Wilder
R
22
13

Tired of his son’s attitude, Wilder Sr stops Van Wilder's tuition fees. Van, who has been in college for seven years, devises a way to raise money. Meanwhile Gwen, a journalist student is tasked to write a piece on Van Wilder. Spending time with her makes Van understand himself better. However, Gwen’s boyfriend does not like her spending time with Van.

Role:
Taj Mahal Badalandabad
Starring:
Directed By:
Walt Becker
8. A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas (2011)
16
10
A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas
R
16
10

The film is a sequel to Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay. The two friends have gone their separate ways since they last met six years earlier. While Harold has become rich and moved out, Kumar still lives in the same messy apartment he used to share with Harold. Then a parcel arrives at Kumar’s address with Harold’s name on it. 

Role:
Kumar
Starring:
Danny Trejo, Patton Oswalt, Jake Johnson, Neil Patrick Harris, Isabella Gielniak, Austin Bickel
Directed By:
Todd Strauss-Schulson
9. Superman Returns (2006)
45
29
Superman Returns
PG-13
45
29

The final installment in the original Superman movie series finds the man of steel returning to Earth after five years. His love Lois Lane has moved on and Lex Luthor intends to reshape the world, killing billions using Kryptonian crystal technology. Superman must stop Luthor and save the world, along with Lois and his son. 

Starring:
Directed By:
Bryan Singer
10. The Sisterhood of Night (2014)
6
4
The Sisterhood of Night
PG-13
6
4
Role:
Gordy Gambhir
Starring:
Laura Fraser, Georgie Henley, Kara Hayward, Willa Cuthrell
Directed By:
Caryn Waechter
11. Man About Town (2006)
6
5
Man About Town
R
6
5

This comedy drama film tells the story of a Hollywood talent agent, whose life turns upside down when he discovers that his wife has been having an extramarital affair. Things turn even worse, after he discovers that his diary containing client sensitive information is in the possession of a journalist.

Starring:
Adam Goldberg, John Cleese, Ben Affleck, Bai Ling, Rebecca Romijn, Sam Ball, Mike Binder
Directed By:
Mike Binder
12. Once Upon a Time in Venice (2017)
7
6
Once Upon a Time in Venice
7
6

Steve Ford is a private detective based in Los Angeles, who lives a very care-free life. After performing a favor for a friend, he gets into conflict with a local gang and its boss named Spyder. To take revenge, they steal his dog. They inform Steve that he will have to complete a few tasks, if he wants his dog back.

Starring:
Jason Momoa, David Arquette, Bruce Willis, Stephanie Sigman, Famke Janssen, Wood Harris, John Goodman
Directed By:
Mark Cullen
13. Malibu's Most Wanted (2003)
7
6
Malibu's Most Wanted
PG-13
7
6

Brad ‘B-rad,’ the son of wealthy politician and candidate for governor Bill Gluckman, aspires to be a rapper and behaves like he is from ‘hood.’ Worried that this will ruin his election chances, Bill arranges for two African-American actors to kidnap Brad and shock him out of his fantasies. But when Brad and the ‘thugs’ encounter real-life gangsters, Bill must rush to rescue. 

Starring:
Snoop Dogg, Bo Derek, Regina Hall, Taye Diggs, Nick Swardson, Jeffrey Tambor, Mike Epps
Directed By:
John Whitesell
14. Love Don't Cost a Thing (2003)
5
5
Love Don't Cost a Thing
PG-13
5
5

Love Don’t Cost a Thing is a teen comedy film which tells the story of Alvin, a nerdy boy who is extremely intelligent and is skilled at designing car engines. However, he wishes to join the popular groups at high school. He meets Paris, a pretty cheerleader, who agrees to pretend that she is dating him, in order to help him achieve his goal. Things get complicated when Paris actually begin to fall for Alvin, but Alvin rebuffs her feelings and continues to flirt with other girls.

Starring:
Christina Milian, Steve Harvey, Kenan Thompson, Nicole Scherzinger, Nick Cannon, Jordan Burg
Directed By:
Troy Byer
15. Van Wilder 2: The Rise of Taj (2006)
6
7
Van Wilder 2: The Rise of Taj
R
6
7

This comedy film revolves around Taj Badalandabad who sets off to Camford University in England, He plans to obtain his degree and also become a member of an exclusive Fraternity Club.   

Role:
Taj
Starring:
Lauren Cohan, Daniel Percival, Glen Barry, Anthony Cozens
Directed By:
Mort Nathan
16. The Layover (2017)
5
6
The Layover
R
5
6

The Layover is a comedy film which tells the story of Meg and Kate, two best friends, who find themselves fighting against each other, when they meet a handsome man, during a flight layover in St Louis, Missouri.

Role:
Anuj
Starring:
Alexandra Daddario, Kate Upton, Molly Shannon, Matt Barr, Matt Jones
Directed By:
17. The Girl in the Photographs (2015)
4
4
The Girl in the Photographs
R
4
4
Role:
Peter Hemmings
Starring:
Katharine Isabelle, Kenny Wormald, Toby Hemingway, Claudia Lee
Directed By:
Nick Simon
18. Epic Movie (2007)
7
21
Epic Movie
PG-13
7
21

In this movie, which is a parody of some of the previously released big films, four orphans with different backstory meet up at a chocolate factory. Here they accidentally enter into the fascinating world of Gnarnia which is under the malicious White Bitch. To restore peace, they must join forces with a pirate, a lion and a group of wizards.

Role:
Edward
Starring:
Katt Williams, David Carradine, Crispin Glover, Arielle Vandenberg, Darrell Hammond, Carmen Electra, Jennifer Coolidge
Directed By:
Jason Friedberg, Aaron Seltzer
19. Son of the Mask (2005)
4
13
Son of the Mask
PG
4
13

A standalone sequel to the 1994 film The Mask, the story centers on Tim Avery, a cartoonist and family man. He has been leading a peaceful life until his dog finds the Mask of Loki, which he wears to a Halloween Party.  Shortly, he conceives a child, who is born with the same power of the mask. Meanwhile, Odin has ordered Loki to find the mask. 

Starring:
Alan Cumming, Ben Stein, Steven Alexander Wright, Bob Hoskins, Traylor Howard, Magda Szubanski, Jamie Kennedy
Directed By:
Lawrence Guterman
20. Regarding Ardy (2003)
11
2
Regarding Ardy
11
2
Role:
Fred
Starring:
Andy Samberg, Brooke Shields, Akiva Schaffer, Jorma Taccone
Directed By:
21. Express: Aisle to Glory (1998)
11
2
Express: Aisle to Glory
11
2
Starring:
Brandon Quinn, Jay Michael Ferguson, Abraham Zucker, Margo Hara
Directed By:
Jonathan Buss
22. The Call (2007)
10
2
The Call
10
2
Role:
Ian
Starring:
Jodi Lyn O'Keefe, John Francis Daley, Danny Comden, Mitch Baker
Directed By:
Michael Spiller
23. Awesometown (2005)
10
3
Awesometown
10
3
Starring:
Jack Black, Andy Samberg, Akiva Schaffer, Jorma Taccone, Roxanne Arvizu
Directed By:
24. Freshmen (1999)
9
3
Freshmen
9
3
Starring:
ND Brown, Mary Chen, Richard Guiton, Tom Huang
Directed By:
Tom Huang
25. Cosmopolitan (2003)
9
3
Cosmopolitan
9
3
Starring:
Madhur Jaffrey, Carol Kane, Roshan Seth, Purva Bedi
Directed By:
Nisha Ganatra
26. Two Sisters (2008)
8
3
Two Sisters
8
3
Starring:
Margaret Cho, Tamlyn Tomita, Elaine Hendrix, Bruce Daniels
Directed By:
27. Badger (2002)
8
3
Badger
8
3
Role:
Sanjay
Starring:
Sulekha Ebelle, Kiran Rao, Ajay Vidure
Directed By:
Rajshree Ojha
28. American Made (2003)
8
3
American Made
8
3
Starring:
Bernard White, Sakina Jaffrey, Te'Amir Sweeney
Directed By:
Sharat Raju
29. The Danny Comden Project (2006)
8
3
The Danny Comden Project
8
3
Starring:
Scott Caan, Danny Comden, Joy Bisco, Sharon Brathwaite
Directed By:
Robert Duncan McNeill
30. Dancing in Twilight (2005)
6
4
Dancing in Twilight
PG-13
6
4
Role:
Sam
Starring:
Louise Fletcher, Mimi Rogers, Erick Avari, Sheetal Sheth
Directed By:
Bob Roe
31. Harold & Kumar's Yuletide Jamz (2011)
6
4
Harold & Kumar's Yuletide Jamz
6
4
Starring:
John Cho
32. Speech & Debate (2017)
6
4
Speech & Debate
PG-13
6
4
Starring:
Lucy DeVito, Janeane Garofalo, Roger Bart, Wendi McLendon-Covey
Directed By:
Dan Harris
33. Emily & Tim (2015)
5
4
Emily & Tim
5
4
Starring:
Andre Braugher, Kathleen Turner, Alexis Bledel, Cara Buono, Thomas Mann, Zosia Mamet
Directed By:
Eric Weber, Sean Devaney
34. Dementamania (2013)
5
4
Dementamania
5
4
Role:
Christian Van Burden
Starring:
John Thomson, Vincent Regan, Geoff Bell, Holly Weston
Directed By:
Kit Ryan
35. Sueño (2005)
4
4
Sueño
PG-13
4
4
Starring:
John Leguizamo, Nadine Velazquez, Ana Claudia Talancón, Elizabeth Peña
Directed By:
Renée Chabria
36. The Ashram (2018)
4
4
The Ashram
4
4
Role:
Nitin
Starring:
Radhika Apte, Sam Keeley, Hera Hilmar, Manoel Orfanaki
Directed By:
Ben Rekhi
37. Where's the Party Yaar? (2003)
4
4
Where's the Party Yaar?
PG-13
4
4
Starring:
Arun Bakshi, Diwakar Pathak, Sunil Malhotra, Indravadan Tridevi
Directed By:
Benny Mathews
38. Brookfield (1999)
3
4
Brookfield
3
4
Starring:
Amy Smart, Chad Christ, Hank Harris, Alexandra Adi
Directed By:
Arvin Brown
39. Hector (2002)
3
4
Hector
3
4
Role:
Kendal Cunningham
Starring:
Skyler Stone, Steffen Schlachtenhaufen, Omari Bobo, Wendy Cardiel
Directed By:
Steffen Schlachtenhaufen
40. Ball & Chain (2004)
3
4
Ball & Chain
PG-13
3
4
Role:
Bobby
Starring:
Asrani, Purva Bedi, Lisa Ray, Sunil Malhotra
Directed By:
Shiraz Jafri
41. Lowe's CEO Responds to the All-American Muslim Controversy (2011)
3
4
Lowe's CEO Responds to the All-American Muslim Controversy
3
4
Role:
Assistant
Starring:
Joel Spence
42. Better Off Single (2016)
3
4
Better Off Single
3
4
Role:
Brice
Starring:
Jessica Rothe, Lewis Black, Shane McRae, Aaron Tveit
Directed By:
Benjamin Cox
43. Homeland Security (2004)
3
4
Homeland Security
R
3
4
Role:
Harrison
Starring:
Tom Skerritt, Scott Glenn, Grant Show, Marisol Nichols
Directed By:
Daniel Sackheim
44. Prairie Dogs (2012)
0
0
Prairie Dogs
0
0
Role:
Neil
Starring:
Cary Elwes, Dan Fogler, Michaela Watkins, Nick Zano
Directed By:
Luke Greenfield

Special Appearance/Cameo

Deck the Halls (2006)
8
8
Deck the Halls
PG
8
8

Steve Finch is an optometrist, who is looking forward to have a great Christmas with his kids. However, his new neighbor starts decorating his house so brightly that it can be seen from outer space. This makes Steve jealous and the two begin competing with each other.

Role:
Amit Sayid - Satellite Computer Tech (uncredited)
Starring:
Danny DeVito, Kristin Chenoweth, Nicola Peltz, Cory Monteith, Kristin Davis, Matthew Broderick, Fred Armisen
Directed By:
John Whitesell

TV Shows

House M.D.
40
7
House M.D.
TV-14
40
7
Starring:
Bridgit Mendler, Marin Hinkle, Jennifer Morrison, Alanna Ubach, Meagan Good, Felicia Day, Michael B. Jordan
Directed By:
24
21
4
24
TV-14
21
4
Starring:
Leighton Meester, Anil Kapoor, Katee Sackhoff, Rami Malek, Sara Gilbert, Chris Diamantopoulos, Stana Katic
Directed By:
Jon Cassar, Brad Turner, Milan Cheylov, Bryan Spicer, Stephen Hopkins
How I Met Your Mother
49
10
How I Met Your Mother
TV-14
49
10
Starring:
Heidi Klum, Joe Manganiello, Michael York, Courtney Ford, Eva Amurri, Cobie Smulders, Seth Green
Directed By:
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
17
4
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
TV-14
17
4
Starring:
Sarah Michelle Gellar, Eliza Dushku, Julie Benz, Amy Adams, Joss Whedon, Alyson Hannigan, Alexandra Breckenridge
Directed By:
The Daily Show
11
3
The Daily Show
TV-14
11
3
Starring:
Josh Gad, Hasan Minhaj, Tom Hanks, Jon Stewart, Liev Schreiber, Christopher Guest, Patrick Stewart
Directed By:
Chuck O'Neil, Scott Preston, Andy Barsh, Paul Pennolino
Vice News
8
2
Vice News
8
2
Starring:
Ben Anderson, Danny Gold, Tim Pool, Kaj Larsen, Roy Germano
Mack & Moxy
8
2
Mack & Moxy
8
2
Starring:
Hank Azaria, Matt Lucas, Travis Turner, James Murray
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
14
3
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
TV-14
14
3
Starring:
Natasha Lyonne, Sarah Paulson, Gary Cole, Hilary Duff, Rooney Mara, Katherine McNamara, David Keith
Directed By:
Angel
12
3
Angel
12
3
Starring:
Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Adam Baldwin, Josh Holloway, David Boreanaz, Summer Glau, Joss Whedon, Eliza Dushku
ER
11
3
ER
TV-14
11
3
Starring:
Jared Padalecki, Stanley Tucci, James Cromwell, Mariska Hargitay, Chris Pine, Ed Asner, Julie Bowen
New Girl
20
6
New Girl
TV-14
20
6
Starring:
Jamie Lee Curtis, Lizzy Caplan, Demetri Martin, Chelsea Peretti, Megan Fox, Rob Reiner, Odette Annable
Directed By:
Trent O'Donnell, Erin O'Malley, Jake Kasdan, Fred Goss, Max Winkler
NYPD Blue
9
2
NYPD Blue
TV-14
9
2
Starring:
Giovanni Ribisi, Daniel Baldwin, David Schwimmer, Mahershala Ali, Danica McKellar, Anthony Michael Hall, Paula Malcomson
Directed By:
Designated Survivor
12
4
Designated Survivor
TV-14
12
4
Role:
Seth Wright (41 episodes, 2016-2018)
Starring:
Bonnie Bedelia, Kiefer Sutherland, Cariba Heine, Italia Ricci, Timothy Busfield, Maggie Q, Adan Canto
Directed By:
Tru Calling
8
3
Tru Calling
8
3
Starring:
Evangeline Lilly, Matt Bomer, Missy Peregrym, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Jason Priestley, Cobie Smulders, Jeffrey Dean Morgan
Directed By:
Michael Katleman, Paul Shapiro, Guy Norman Bee, Dan Lerner, Rick Rosenthal
Spin City
8
3
Spin City
TV-14
8
3
Starring:
Charlie Sheen, Meredith Baxter, Jenna Fischer, Nipsey Russell, Marcia Cross, Queen Latifah, Carla Gugino
Directed By:
Andy Cadiff, Ted Wass, Lee Shallat Chemel, Carl Lauten
Deadbeat
7
3
Deadbeat
TV-14
7
3
Role:
Clyde (13 episodes, 2016)
Starring:
Joe Pantoliano, James Franco, Zachary Levi, Gilbert Gottfried, Fred Armisen, Darrell Hammond, Lucy DeVito
Directed By:
Troy Miller, Heath Cullens, Todd Biermann, Adam Nix, Evan Nix
The Agency
7
3
The Agency
7
3
Starring:
Ed Begley Jr., Craig T. Nelson, George Dzundza, David Cassidy, Tom Arnold, Brian Dennehy, Tamlyn Tomita
Directed By:
Michael W. Watkins, Robert Berlinger, Paul Michael Glaser, J. Miller Tobin, Peter Markle
Battle Creek
7
3
Battle Creek
7
3
Role:
Fontanelle White (13 episodes, 2015)
Starring:
Josh Duhamel, Arielle Vandenberg, Patton Oswalt, Dean Winters
Directed By:
Andrew Bernstein
The Big Brain Theory
6
3
The Big Brain Theory
TV-PG
6
3
Role:
Himself - Host (8 episodes, 2013)
Starring:
Joe Caravella, Gui Cavalcanti, Amy Elliott, Cory Fleischer
All About the Andersons
6
3
All About the Andersons
6
3
Starring:
John Amos, Jenny McCarthy, Anthony Anderson, Roz Ryan
Harold & Kumar Go to Amsterdam (2008)
6
3
Harold & Kumar Go to Amsterdam
6
3
Role:
Kumar
Starring:
John Cho, Paula Garcés, Danneel Ackles, Marith Iedema
Directed By:
Jon Hurwitz, Hayden Schlossberg
Sabrina, the Teenage Witch
7
4
Sabrina, the Teenage Witch
TV-G
7
4
Starring:
Milo Ventimiglia, Soleil Moon Frye, Billy West, Adrienne Barbeau, Avril Lavigne, Danny Bonaduce, Kevin Nash
Directed By:
Linda Day, Jeff Melman, Leonard R. Garner Jr., Joyce Gittlin, David Grossman
Clarice
6
3
Clarice
TV-14
6
3
Role:
Shaan Tripathi
We Are Men
4
3
We Are Men
4
3
Role:
Gil Bartis (7 episodes, 2013)
Starring:
Alan Ruck, Jerry O'Connell, Dave Foley, Gia Carides
Directed By:
Adam Arkin
Vegas, Baby (2006)
3
3
Vegas, Baby
R
3
3
Role:
Z-Bob
Starring:
Kathy Griffin, Donald Faison, Andrew Bryniarski, Jonathan Bennett
Directed By:
Eric Bernt
Heads Up America (2015)
1
2
Heads Up America
1
2
Starring:
Louis C.K., Piper Perabo, Chris Rock, Hannah Simone
Directed By:
Graydon Sheppard