Last updated on: October 4, 2025
Let’s be honest—David Krumholtz isn’t the kind of actor who usually grabs the spotlight. He’s not plastered on blockbuster posters or trending on gossip headlines. But here’s the thing: whenever he shows up in a movie, he sticks. You remember him. Sometimes he makes you laugh. Sometimes he makes you cry. Sometimes you just think, wow, that guy really made that scene work.
That’s why I wanted to put together this list of David Krumholtz’s top 7 movies. These aren’t just random credits from his filmography—they’re the roles where he really showed what he could do, whether it was stealing the show in a teen rom-com, holding his own in an Oscar-winning drama, or surprising everyone in a Christopher Nolan masterpiece.
By the end, you’ll see why Krumholtz might just be one of Hollywood’s most underrated gems.
Who Is David Krumholtz?
If you’re sitting there wondering, Wait, where do I know this guy from?—trust me, you’re not alone. Krumholtz has one of those careers where he’s everywhere, but people don’t always connect the dots.
He started acting as a teenager in New York and got his first big break on Broadway alongside Judd Hirsch. From there, he was the sarcastic Bernard the Elf in The Santa Clause (come on, if you grew up in the ’90s, you definitely remember him). He was also Michael, the nerdy but lovable friend in 10 Things I Hate About You. And if you watched CBS dramas in the 2000s, you probably saw him as the math genius Charlie’s brother in Numb3rs.
What I love about Krumholtz is how he refuses to be boxed in. One day he’s cracking jokes in a stoner comedy. The next, he’s standing toe-to-toe with award-winning actors in a biopic. He’s proof that sometimes the “supporting guy” is the one holding the whole story together.
David Krumholtz’s Top 7 Movies
1. Oppenheimer (2023)
Let’s start with the big one. Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer was the movie of 2023. Everyone was talking about it—Barbenheimer memes, three-hour runtime, Nolan’s obsession with IMAX. But tucked inside this sprawling epic was David Krumholtz as physicist Isidor Isaac Rabi.
Here’s the magic: while Cillian Murphy carried the weight of Oppenheimer’s tortured genius, Krumholtz gave us something else—warmth, humor, and humanity. His Rabi wasn’t just a scientist; he was a friend. In scenes that could have felt overwhelming with jargon and intensity, Krumholtz reminded us these were real people, not just names in a history book.
Watching him, I thought, this is exactly why Krumholtz is so good. He doesn’t need the spotlight—he creates it in the margins. And in a movie as massive as Oppenheimer, that’s no small feat.
2. Serenity (2005)
If you’re a sci-fi fan, you probably already know Serenity. If not, imagine Star Wars meets Firefly, but with way more quirky humor and heartbreak. Krumholtz played Mr. Universe, a reclusive hacker who literally knows everything happening in the galaxy because he’s tapped into all its data streams.
It’s such a weird, wonderful role. He lives alone with his robot companion (kind of tragic, kind of hilarious) and delivers lines with this eccentric energy that makes you both laugh and feel a little sad for him. For fans of Firefly, Mr. Universe became a cult favorite almost instantly.
Krumholtz’s character doesn’t have a ton of screen time, but like so many of his roles, he makes it count. And honestly? He’s one of the reasons Serenity is still talked about years later.
3. Superbad (2007)
Now let’s jump to comedy. Superbad was the high school movie of the 2000s. Jonah Hill, Michael Cera, McLovin—it’s basically the holy trinity of awkward teen chaos. And right in the middle of it all? David Krumholtz.
He doesn’t play a huge part, but that’s what makes it so fun. He pops up, delivers these perfectly timed lines, and then leaves you laughing harder than you expected. It’s the kind of role that makes you go, oh yeah, I love that guy.
That’s his gift. Even in a comedy packed with over-the-top performances, he brings this grounded, sharp humor that cuts through. It’s like when you’re watching a party scene and someone in the background says the funniest line of the night—that’s Krumholtz here.
4. 10 Things I Hate About You (1999)
Okay, confession: this might be my favorite David Krumholtz role. 10 Things I Hate About You is one of those late ’90s rom-coms that just never ages. You’ve got Heath Ledger singing on the bleachers, Julia Stiles rolling her eyes at everything, Joseph Gordon-Levitt being endlessly charming. And then there’s Krumholtz as Michael Eckman—the best friend who’s equal parts nerdy and hilarious.
Michael is the guy with the schemes, the advice, and the one-liners. He’s not the main character, but without him, half the plot wouldn’t even move forward. And let’s be real—don’t we all remember having that one friend in high school who knew way too much about social cliques and how to “survive” them? That’s Michael in a nutshell.
Every time I rewatch this movie, I find myself quoting Krumholtz’s lines. He nailed the role so perfectly that he basically became the blueprint for the “funny best friend” in teen movies.
5. Ray (2004)
Switching gears, let’s talk drama. In Ray, the Oscar-winning biopic about music legend Ray Charles, Krumholtz played Milt Shaw—Charles’s friend and booking agent. This wasn’t a flashy role, but it was important. Shaw was one of the people who stuck by Ray during the highs and lows of his career.
Watching Krumholtz here is like watching him grow up on screen. Gone is the goofy teenager. Instead, you get a mature, grounded performance that adds weight to the story. You believe him as someone who cares about Ray but also has to navigate the tough business side of the music industry.
And let’s not forget, Ray was Jamie Foxx’s big Oscar moment. Sharing the screen with that kind of powerhouse performance isn’t easy, but Krumholtz held his own. It proved he could do more than comedy—he could bring quiet strength to serious stories.
6. The Ballad of Buster Scruggs (2018)
If you’ve ever watched a Coen Brothers movie, you know they have a talent for creating haunting, offbeat stories. The Ballad of Buster Scruggs is no different—it’s an anthology of six weird, beautiful, and sometimes brutal Western tales. Krumholtz shows up in the “Meal Ticket” segment, and let me tell you, it’s chilling.
He plays a fur-clad impresario who manages a disabled performer. The story itself is bleak, and Krumholtz’s character is cold, pragmatic, and hauntingly real. It’s a side of him most people hadn’t seen before.
Even though his role is short, it leaves an impression. You walk away unsettled, which is exactly what the Coens want. And again—it’s proof that Krumholtz doesn’t need hours of screen time to make his mark.
7. This Is the End (2013)
Finally, let’s end with some pure chaos. This Is the End is a comedy where all the actors play themselves during the apocalypse. Seth Rogen, James Franco, Jonah Hill—it’s basically Hollywood’s funniest people partying while the world ends. And out of nowhere? David Krumholtz shows up.
He’s not in it for long, but his cameo is hilarious because he’s in on the joke. He’s poking fun at himself, leaning into the absurdity, and reminding us that he’s always been willing to have fun with his career.
It’s not his most serious work, but it’s one of those roles that makes you smile because it feels like he’s in on the same inside joke as the audience.
Other Notable Performances
Of course, this list wouldn’t be complete without mentioning a few extras:
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The Santa Clause – Childhood icon as Bernard the Elf.
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Slums of Beverly Hills – Showed his indie drama chops.
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Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle – Classic stoner comedy gold.
All of these smaller roles build the picture of Krumholtz as an actor who refuses to be pinned down. He does it all—and he does it well.
Why David Krumholtz Stands Out
Here’s the thing about David Krumholtz: he’s not chasing fame. He’s chasing good stories. That’s why you’ll see him in a summer blockbuster one year and an indie film the next. He knows how to make a role unforgettable, whether it’s through humor, heart, or quiet intensity.
He’s the actor you root for. The one who reminds you that not every great performance has to come from the guy in the spotlight. Sometimes, the real magic comes from the person who makes the scene feel real. And that’s Krumholtz every time.
FAQs About David Krumholtz
What is David Krumholtz best known for? Probably 10 Things I Hate About You, The Santa Clause, and Numb3rs.
Has he won awards? Not personally, but he’s been part of award-winning ensembles like Ray and Oppenheimer.
Does he do TV too? Absolutely. Numb3rs is his biggest TV role, but he’s also been in The Deuce and The Plot Against America.
What’s his most recent big role? His standout role in Oppenheimer as physicist Isidor Isaac Rabi.
Which movie is his most popular? It depends on who you ask—teen rom-com fans will say 10 Things I Hate About You. Drama fans will point to Oppenheimer.
Conclusion
Here’s my takeaway: David Krumholtz is one of those actors who sneaks up on you. You don’t always realize how much you love his work until you start listing all the movies he’s been in. Then it hits you—he’s been part of some of the best comedies, dramas, and cult classics of the last 25 years.
His top 7 films prove his range, humor, and heart. And the best part? He’s still going strong. So next time you’re watching a movie and David Krumholtz pops up on screen, pay attention—you’ll probably walk away remembering him more than anyone else.
Because that’s what great actors do.
