The Best Chris Pratt Film Roles

Chris Pratt says playing Star Lord without James Gunn would be strange, but he’ll do it if the material is respectful but the star has appeared in films for over two decades

Chris Pratt has a number of big-time blockbusters under his belt including Guardians of the Galaxy so let’s look back on the man’s career and point out the best Chris Pratt movie performances.

Jurassic World

Following his breakout big-screen role in Guardians, Pratt landed another massive franchise in 2015’s Jurassic World. While the sequels mostly suck, Colin Trevorrow’s first foray into the land of the dinos is an enjoyable romp that delivers plenty of CGI spectacular despite a dumb script and some clunky character beats.

Pratt does his best to channel his inner Indiana Jones, but the film never gives him a chance to be the Pratt we all know and love. Regardless, the man makes for a convincing action hero and gets a few scenes to show off his natural charisma. Jurassic World is far from perfect, but this creature feature is an entertaining, goofy summer blockbuster that is one of the best Chris Pratt movies.

Guardians of the Galaxy

Guardians of the Galaxy is commonplace in modern-day pop culture. In 2014, this weird, quirky, offbeat James Gunn vehicle was far from a guaranteed success. Luckily, the terrific cast of lovable characters – led by Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Karen Gillan, and Michael Rooker (and the voices of Vin Diesel and Bradley Cooper) – lifts this early Marvel entry into a high-flying fantasy adventure, replete with a banging soundtrack, incredible effects, and endlessly quotable dialogue.

Pratt is perfectly cast as Peter Quill, aka Star-Lord, who leads this motley crew all over the galaxy. They bump into unforgettable characters and predicaments at every turn. It’s wild fun and one of the reasons the MCU attained such astronomical heights.

The Lego Movie

Loud, obnoxious, but undeniably hilarious, The Lego Movie occasionally feels like a non-stop sugar rush – and I mean that in a good way. This wildly imaginative animated flick tickles the funny bone, dazzles the eye, and – dare I say it? – touches the heart. A game voice cast consisting of Pratt, Elizabeth Banks, Morgan Freeman, and Will Ferrell have a blast with the material, while directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller bring the same zany sense of fun that made Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs and 21 Jump Street such a joy.

Unfortunately, the Lego cinematic franchise never quite took off the way many expected after this 2014 smash hit. Still, there’s no denying the original pic is an absolute blast from start to finish.  

Avengers: Infinity War

Marvel peaked with Infinity War, in which every hero from the shared universe bands together to take on the evil titan Thanos. There’s not much else to say about this extraordinary blockbuster that finds unique new ways to shock and awe throughout its massive runtime.

Pratt returns as Star-Lord, along with his fellow Guardians, and all but dooms the universe after a silly bit of rage. Yeah, it’s not a high point for the beloved character. No matter. Infinity War kicks ass and delights on so many levels that it would be impossible not to include it on this list.

Moneyball

No, Moneyball isn’t a Chris Pratt movie per se, but damn if it’s not the best movie he’s ever appeared in. Brad Pitt leads the way as Billy Beane, the Oakland A’s general manager who turns to advanced mathematics to build the perfect baseball team.

Pratt co-stars as Scott Hatteberg, a former pitcher-turned-first baseman who enjoys the film’s finest moment when he hits a crucial home run that keeps his team’s win streak alive. Directed by Bennett Miller, Moneyball ranks among the best sports films ever made. 

The Magnificent Seven (2016)

In this action Western, Pratt plays the role of Josh Faraday, a gambler and gunslinger who joins a group of seven hired to protect a town from a ruthless industrialist. Pratt’s character provides comic relief and also has some memorable action scenes, showcasing his versatility as an actor.

Passengers (2016)

In this science-fiction romance, Pratt plays Jim Preston, a passenger on a spaceship who wakes up from suspended animation 90 years too early. He falls in love with another passenger, played by Jennifer Lawrence, and they work together to save the ship from a catastrophic malfunction. Pratt’s performance is nuanced and he brings depth to the character’s ethical dilemmas.

Zero Dark Thirty (2012)

In this political thriller, Pratt plays a supporting role as a member of the US Navy SEAL Team 6 that carried out the raid on Osama bin Laden’s compound in Pakistan. Though his role is relatively small, Pratt is part of some intense and realistic action sequences that add to the film’s tension and realism