Every James Franco and Seth Rogen Movie, Ranked Worst to Best

Seth Rogen and James Franco were once one of modern comedy’s most familiar creative pairings, which is why Rogen’s latest comments have brought their shared filmography back into the conversation. From their early bond on Freaks and Geeks to films such as Pineapple Express, This Is the End, The Interview, and The Disaster Artist, the two built a screen partnership around awkward loyalty, juvenile bravado, and surprisingly sharp comic timing.

That partnership, however, changed after Franco faced multiple sexual misconduct allegations in 2018. In a recent interview with The New York Times, Rogen said the personal side of his relationship with Franco is too complicated to discuss fully, but he made his public position clear: “I have not worked with him in years.” He also added, 

Nothing has changed since the last time I talked about all this, and I haven’t worked with him in a really long time and I have no plans to.

Since Rogen has now reaffirmed that another collaboration is unlikely, this feels like the right moment to revisit every major Franco-Rogen movie and rank them from worst to best.

8 Zeroville (2019)

IMDb Rating: 4.6/10

Based on Steve Erickson’s acclaimed novel, Zeroville follows an eccentric film obsessive trying to find his place in 1970s Hollywood. On paper, it sounded like a passion project but in execution, it became a confusing and often exhausting experience. Franco directs and stars, while Rogen appears in a supporting role. The film never discovers a clear identity and struggles to balance satire, drama, and industry commentary.

Although its ambition deserves some credit, this remains the weakest collaboration between the two.

7. Sausage Party (2016)

IMDb Rating: 6.1/10

Technically an animated film, Sausage Party features both actors as voice performers. The premise is undeniably original. Grocery store products discover the horrifying truth about what happens after customers purchase them. Rogen helped write and produce the film, while Franco voices Druggie. The movie deserves praise for taking creative risks, but many jokes wear thin after the novelty fades. It remains entertaining, although it lacks the emotional core that elevated their best projects.

6 Why Him? (2016)

IMDb Rating: 6.2/10

Although Franco only appears briefly, his cameo is memorable enough to warrant inclusion. The film belongs primarily to Bryan Cranston and James Franco, but Rogen’s appearance contributes to the movie’s playful energy. While not a defining collaboration, it reflects the comfortable chemistry that always existed whenever these performers shared a scene. The film itself is uneven but enjoyable.

5 The Night Before (2015)

IMDb Rating: 6.4/10

This Christmas comedy deserves far more appreciation than it usually receives. Rogen, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Anthony Mackie form the central trio, while Franco’s role is limited. However, his presence still contributes to the film’s larger comedic ecosystem. What separates The Night Before from many modern comedies is its sincerity. Beneath the outrageous humor sits a thoughtful story about adulthood, friendship, and growing apart.

It ages surprisingly well!

4 The Interview (2014)

IMDb Rating: 6.5/10

This political comedy became more famous for its real-world controversy than for the film itself. Franco plays celebrity interviewer Dave Skylark, while Rogen portrays his producer Aaron Rapoport. Together, they become entangled in a CIA mission involving North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

Franco delivers one of the funniest performances of his career, leaning completely into Dave’s cheerful stupidity. The film occasionally sacrifices sharp comedy for shock value, yet it remains consistently amusing and historically significant.

3 This Is the End (2013)

IMDb Rating: 6.6/10

Very few comedies have ever been this self-aware. Franco and Rogen play exaggerated versions of themselves during the apocalypse. The supporting cast includes a remarkable collection of comedians willing to mock their own public images. The film should not work as well as it does. Yet its absurdity never overshadows the relationships at its center. Franco’s self-important version of himself is hilarious, while Rogen grounds the madness with genuine emotional reactions.

This remains one of the funniest studio comedies of the 2010s.

2 Pineapple Express (2008)

IMDb Rating: 6.9/10

Many readers will likely expect this to rank higher and that alone speaks volumes about the quality of the partnership. Pineapple Express follows process server Dale Denton and his marijuana dealer Saul Silver as they become targets after witnessing a murder. The film combined action and stoner comedy in ways mainstream audiences had rarely seen before. It earned over $100 million worldwide and developed a strong cult following.

Franco earned a Golden Globe nomination for Saul Silver, and his chemistry with Rogen remains the film’s strongest asset. The only reason it falls outside the top three is that later collaborations became even more ambitious.

1 The Disaster Artist (2017)

IMDb Rating: 7.3/10

No collaboration better showcases what made this partnership special. Based on the making of The Room, the film chronicles the friendship between Tommy Wiseau and Greg Sestero. Franco delivers arguably the finest performance of his career as Wiseau, while Rogen provides essential support behind and in front of the camera. Unlike many of their earlier projects, The Disaster Artist balances comedy with genuine empathy. It understands that failure, ambition, and friendship often exist side by side.

The film earned widespread critical acclaim, won Franco a Golden Globe, and proved that the duo could succeed outside their established comedic comfort zone. For that reason, it stands as the best James Franco and Seth Rogen collaboration. The James Franco and Seth Rogen partnership produced far more than stoner comedies. At their best, these films explored friendship, insecurity, ambition, and the strange ways people find connection. Some projects missed the mark, while others became modern comedy staples.

Even though their collaboration appears permanently finished, the filmography remains surprisingly varied and consistently influential. Which movie tops your list? Is Pineapple Express still the king, or does The Disaster Artist deserve the crown? Let us know in the comments, and follow FandomWire for more rankings, retrospectives, and entertainment features.