The 10 Best Chris Pratt Movies, Ranked

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Chris Pratt first gained recognition for his role as Andy Dwyer on the sitcom Parks and Recreation in 2009, and that show ultimately helped turn him into a major movie star. Though he’d acted in films before, it was Parks and Recreation that truly launched his career, and he’s even credited with delivering one of the best improvised lines in sitcom history. While he’s become a well-known actor, not all of his films have been equally successful.

Chris Pratt has become a very well-known actor over the past twenty years. He’s starred in popular animated films like The Lego Movie and The Garfield Movie, gained fame for his roles in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and appeared in several intense action movies. Though he consistently delivers good performances, a few films truly stand out as his best work.

10
‘Passengers’ (2016)


Sony Pictures Releasing

Although Chris Pratt has been in many successful films, Passengers isn’t one of his strongest performances. The movie is visually stunning and has an interesting premise, but the acting doesn’t quite live up to its potential. Pratt does a decent job as the engineer Jim, who wakes up too early on a space voyage, but his performance isn’t particularly memorable. The connection between his character and Jennifer Lawrence’s Aurora feels a bit flat, and while their interactions aren’t bad, they lack real spark.

The story’s outcome for Jim and Aurora in Passengers works thematically, but Chris Pratt and Jennifer Lawrence’s acting doesn’t quite feel believable enough to fully connect with the audience emotionally at the end. It’s not Pratt’s worst film, but it’s also far from his best.

9
‘The Magnificent Seven’ (2016)


Sony Pictures Releasing

While the 2016 version of The Magnificent Seven isn’t as good as the classic 1960 film, it’s still a fun movie to watch. Chris Pratt plays a character similar to Steve McQueen’s in the original, and though he delivers a better performance than in Passengers, it isn’t one of his strongest roles. The Magnificent Seven features a large ensemble cast, and despite a solid performance from Pratt, it’s difficult for him to truly shine alongside a star like Denzel Washington.

Though historians of the Old West might point out inaccuracies, Chris Pratt convincingly handles weapons in The Magnificent Seven. He’s typically in action films with extensive CGI, but his gunplay feels particularly natural here. It’s hard to say if Pratt truly excels as the villain, but it’s a refreshing departure from his usual roles.

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8
‘Onward’ (2020)


Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

Disney+’s Onward is a charming film that families can enjoy, though it doesn’t quite reach the heights of some of Chris Pratt’s other animated movies. Pratt voices the elf Barley Lightfoot, alongside Tom Holland as his younger brother, Ian. Together, they go on an adventure through a magical world, and the connection between Holland and Pratt – and their characters – is genuinely sweet and touching.

Barley frequently acts as both a brother and a father figure to Ian, which leads to some really good conversations. However, Chris Pratt’s performance isn’t as memorable as his work in films like The Lego Movie or The Super Mario Bros. Movie. The timing of Onward‘s release—right when the COVID-19 pandemic began—likely hurt its success, but the film might find a wider audience later on.

7
‘Her’ (2013)


Warner Bros. Pictures

Most people don’t immediately think of Her when discussing Chris Pratt’s work, but he gives a surprisingly strong performance in the film. Despite acting alongside incredibly talented performers like Joaquin Phoenix, Pratt’s role as Paul is often overlooked. Paul serves as a supportive friend and colleague to Theodore, played by Phoenix, offering a listening ear during a difficult divorce.

Pratt taking on the character of Paul is an interesting choice for him.

The actor delivers a quieter, more reserved performance, a departure from the typically confident and outgoing roles he’s known for. While Chris Pratt isn’t the central figure in the brilliant sci-fi film Her, he still makes a strong impact, demonstrating that he can shine even in a supporting role.

6
‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie’ (2023)


Universal Pictures

I was really impressed with Chris Pratt as Mario in The Super Mario Bros. Movie! It’s tough to fill the shoes of such an iconic character, but he truly brought Mario to life. At first, I was surprised he didn’t do an Italian accent, but it honestly didn’t matter. He delivered so much energy and enthusiasm that it didn’t detract from the performance at all. Even though the movie isn’t perfect, Pratt’s portrayal was definitely a highlight for me.

Given the iconic nature of the Mario games, Chris Pratt adapts surprisingly well to the world of the Mario Bros. However, while Pratt is a capable voice actor, it’s difficult to fully praise The Super Mario Bros. Movie when he’s only providing a vocal performance. This means aspects like his emotional depth and physical acting can’t be evaluated.

5
‘Moneyball’ (2011)


Sony Pictures Releasing

Although Chris Pratt plays a supporting role, Moneyball is a particularly memorable film in his career. It’s an enjoyable movie from earlier in his career where he plays baseball player Scott Hatteberg. Even with limited screen time – less than 20 minutes – Pratt’s performance is captivating and makes a real impact. Similar to his role in Her, he portrays a more subdued and understated character than audiences typically expect from him.

Chris Pratt plays Hatteburg as a more sensitive and worried character, a seasoned professional anxious about what’s next for his career. This allows Pratt to demonstrate a more vulnerable side. However, it’s difficult to focus on Pratt’s performance when sharing the screen with actors like Brad Pitt and Philip Seymour Hoffman, which prevents the film from ranking higher. Despite this, Pratt still delivers a strong performance.

4
‘Jurassic World’ (2015)


Universal Pictures

I’ve always thought Chris Pratt was a solid action lead, but Jurassic World really showed me he’s more than just a Marvel guy. He plays Owen Grady, an ex-Navy guy who understands animal behavior – especially those velociraptors! The movie is packed with special effects, of course, but Pratt is so convincing that it honestly takes a beat to remember he’s acting against a green screen and not a real dinosaur. He’s really gripping to watch.

Chris Pratt is a strong addition to the Jurassic Park franchise, offering a fresh face and a great contrast to the character of Alan Grant. He convincingly embodies the action hero role throughout the film and truly shines. While the Jurassic World sequels have been uneven, his performance in the first movie remains a standout.

3
‘The Lego Movie’ (2014)


Warner Bros. Pictures

The Lego Movie marks Chris Pratt’s debut voice performance, and he truly shines as Emmett Brickowski. As a regular construction worker from Bricksburg suddenly thrust into an extraordinary adventure against the Lego world’s leaders, Pratt perfectly captures Emmett’s reactions. Emmett is energetic and endearing, with a touch of naiveté, and Pratt’s voice is a perfect fit for the character.

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Although Chris Pratt doesn’t physically appear in The Lego Movie, his voice work is captivating. He brings incredible energy to the role of Emmett, and it’s clear he enjoyed recording the part just as much as Emmett enjoys his adventurous story. While Pratt has been in several Lego movies, his performance in the original is arguably one of his best.

2
‘Zero Dark Thirty’ (2013)


Columbia Pictures

Although it might be surprising, Zero Dark Thirty is one of Chris Pratt’s strongest films. He doesn’t play the main character, but his performance as Navy SEAL Justin Lenihan is captivating in every scene. He convincingly portrays the physical demands of the role, and it’s easy to see why he later became a major action star in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Even with limited backstory for Lenihan, Pratt delivers a subtle and layered performance that brings the character to life.

Chris Pratt plays a tough and focused Navy SEAL in this role, a departure from his typical characters, showcasing his impressive versatility as an actor. While the movie Zero Dark Thirty has faced some criticism for its depiction of the hunt for Osama Bin Laden, the actors, particularly Pratt, have consistently received high praise. Now streaming, it’s a must-see for anyone who hasn’t yet experienced Pratt in this powerful performance.

1
‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ (2014)


Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

Besides Parks and Recreation, Guardians of the Galaxy is Chris Pratt’s most prominent role. His performance as Peter Quill (Star-Lord) in the Guardians of the Galaxy films and throughout the Marvel Cinematic Universe is what truly established him as a fantastic action star. Marvel made a great choice casting Pratt as Quill, because he brings a lot of humor to the part and perfectly captures the character’s unique personality, including his love of music.

Chris Pratt is widely known for playing Star-Lord, and for good reason – he brings a captivating charm to the role. Guardians of the Galaxy is an exciting movie from beginning to end, and Pratt’s great chemistry with the rest of the cast makes it even better. It’s a truly thrilling, action-packed film, and many consider it to be Pratt’s best work.

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2026-01-26 17:13