Summary
- Chris Pratt's box office earnings as a lead star approach $6 billion, driven by his entertaining blockbuster hits.
- Films like The Electric State, The Tomorrow War, and The Magnificent Seven are enjoyable but not the strongest entries in his portfolio as a lead star.
- Pratt's standout roles in Guardians of the Galaxy, Jurassic World, and Passengers showcase his versatile charm and familiar archetype.
Chris Pratt is best known for starring in massive movie hits like the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), Jurassic World, or even the Parks and Recreation TV show for some. He has established himself as a leading blockbuster star, effortlessly combining that winning mix of a funny, down-to-earth guy who steps up and gets things done when it counts. Critics might not always love him, but audiences like his fun, entertaining flicks. That audience appeal has pushed his total box office as a lead star close to $6 billion.
With Netflix just unleashing one of its priciest originals, The Electric State, where Chris Pratt teams up with Millie Bobby Brown as a former sergeant turned robot ally named John D. Keats, it's a perfect moment to look back at his career. Below, we'll examine the best Chris Pratt films that highlight his charm, versatility, and his favorite character type.
Best Millie Bobby Brown Movies And Shows, Ranked
Looking for more films and TV series starring rising streaming star Millie Bobby Brown to watch after The Electric State? We've got you covered.
To keep the selection varied, only one appearance per specific role (like Peter Quill/Star Lord or velociraptor expert Owen Grady) makes the cut. Also, voice roles in animated hits like The Lego Movie, The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part, Onward, The Garfield Movie, and The Super Mario Bros. Movie are excluded to spotlight his live-action work.
7 The Tomorrow War
Ex-Special Forces Soldier Dan Forester
The Tomorrow War
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- July 2, 2021
WHERE TO WATCH
- Runtime
- 138 minutes
- Director
- Chris McKay
- Budget
- $200 million
Amazon's The Tomorrow War is a classic streaming blockbuster with Chris Pratt at the helm. It kicks off with a cool idea: drafting men from the past to fight in a future war against aliens because soldiers are running scarce. The visuals hold up, but the story soon slips into cliché story beats and unoriginal action. Even with talents like J.K. Simmons in the mix, actors just couldn't elevate the source material.
Pratt plays Dan Forester, an ex-Special Forces soldier now teaching biology, who gets dragged back into combat to save his daughter's future. His skills and leadership shine, and the dynamic with his dad, James Forester, adds some nuance to this otherwise standard sci-fi flick. Still, it's not enough for The Tomorrow War to break the mold of similar alien-focused movies.
6 The Magnificent Seven
Gambler, Gunslinger, & Explosives Expert Josh Faraday
The Magnificent Seven
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- September 23, 2016
- Runtime
- 132 minutes
- Director
- Antoine Fuqua
- Budget
- $90 million
The modern remake of The Magnificent Seven, a nod to the 1960 original, doesn't quite measure up. Even with a stacked cast like Chris Pratt, Denzel Washington, and Ethan Hawke, it falls short of making a big impact. The core idea — a mismatched crew teaming up for a noble cause while figuring themselves out along the way — gives it a hint of timeless charm. Nevertheless, the film just doesn't bring anything fresh to the table that hasn't been done before.
The Electric State Proves The Russo Brothers Can’t Survive Without Marvel
The Electric State flops with critics, scoring 21% on Rotten Tomatoes. Do the Russo Brothers need Marvel, or is it time for a creative reset?
In The Magnificent Seven, Pratt steps in as Josh Faraday, a slick Western gunslinger, gambler, and explosives expert. He's Pratt's usual roguish, risk-loving type, equally handy with a gun or a blast, with a penchant for theatrics. Starting off more mercenary than heroic, joining the fight just for cash, Faraday's humane side eventually shines through, lending him a spark of grudging honor.
5 Passengers
Mechanical Engineer & Colonist Jim Preston
Passengers
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- December 21, 2016
- Runtime
- 116minuntes
- Director
- Morten Tyldum
- Budget
- $110 million
Mixing sci-fi spectacle with a cozy romance in near-perfect balance, Passengers makes for a solid night in, standing out with slick style, sharp visuals, and lively performances. Chris Pratt and Jennifer Lawrence spark enough chemistry to keep their bond dynamic and engaging all the way through, though the film's big twist, laid bare from the start, might dull things a bit.
For anyone hoping to see a deeper slice of Pratt's emotional chops, Passengers might not fully deliver. His character, Jim Preston, is a skilled mechanical engineer turned colonist chasing a fresh start, fitting that classic everyman mold. He's not too inventive in tackling the loneliness of a stranded spaceship, but he's got that quiet readiness to step up when it counts. Thankfully, the film spends most of its time on the playful romance between the leads, keeping it a fun ride overall. Plus, bonus points for Pratt's bearded looks.
4 Moneyball
Professional Baseball Player Scott Hatteberg
Moneyball
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- September 23, 2011
- Runtime
- 134 minutes
- Director
- Bennett Miller
- Budget
- $50 million
Moneyball could easily climb higher as a film on this list, but as a Chris Pratt movie, it's tough to rank it above other picks. That's because Pratt plays a supporting role here, clocking in at just 10 to 15 minutes of screen time, while Brad Pitt drives the story. Based on real MLB events and people, the movie casts Pratt as Scott Hatteberg, a former catcher turned first baseman for the Oakland Athletics.
Netflix's The Electric State Ending Explained
The Electric State focuses on a world torn between robots and humans. As such, the film centers around the harm of over-reliance on technology.
Even with limited screen time, Hatteberg is integral to the plot and felt important in the film's emotional payoff. Unlike Pratt's usual bold characters, this role paints Hatteberg as a gentle, injury-worn veteran facing career uncertainty. Pratt brings every ounce of nuance he's got, nailing that everyday grit in Moneyball. Critics have generally praised the performance for its raw honesty and subtle vulnerability, proving Pratt can tackle drama just as well as blockbuster laughs.
3 Jurassic World
Velociraptor Expert & Trainer, Ex-Navy Veteran Owen Grady
Jurassic World
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- June 12, 2015
WHERE TO WATCH
- Runtime
- 124 Minutes
- Director
- Colin Trevorrow
- Budget
- $150 million
The huge love for dinosaurs is tough to beat, and the never-ending Jurassic World franchise proves that with its wild success and devoted fanbase. Later entries like Fallen Kingdom and Dominion slightly dip in quality, but the first Jurassic World strikes a solid balance, paying homage to the classic Jurassic Park films while tossing in a bit of new ideas and modernized thrills.
The film's lead, Owen Grady, an ex-US Navy soldier turned velociraptor trainer, is one such smart twist that fits Chris Pratt like a glove. Rough around the edges and pragmatic, Grady leans on his sharpened survival skills and steady command to establish a unique connection with the raptors. This special bond leads to some nail-biting scenes that feel fresh for the series. When things go sideways, Owen may not be as refined as the older protagonists played by Sam Neil and Jeff Goldblum, but he's a classic and convincing adventure hero for this type of movie.
2 Zero Dark Thirty
DEVGRU Navy SEAL Justin *Classified*
Zero Dark Thirty
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- December 19, 2012
- Runtime
- 157 Minutes
- Director
- Kathryn Bigelow
- Budget
- $40–52.5 million
Zero Dark Thirty stands out as a rare, heavy drama for Pratt, though much like Moneyball, he's not the star here. Still, Kathryn Bigelow's gripping, accurate terrorist-hunt chronicle is too powerful to rank lower. It's one of the sharpest docudramas out there, making every second of its long runtime count.
DCU: 5 Characters Chris Pratt Could Be Playing
With Chris Pratt confirmed to be appearing in James Gunn's DCU, many fans are wondering what character's shoes the famed actor will be stepping into.
Unlike Pratt's usual roles, his character, Justin, is a disciplined, no-frills member of the elite SEAL Team Six, deeply involved in field combat and tactical moves. It's mostly a physical gig, with Zero Dark Thirty's story not bothering to dig into his personality beyond the mission — his full name doesn't even come up. But Pratt's low-key, grounded take fits the film's realistic tone perfectly. Sometimes, it's just about getting it done, plain and simple.
1 Guardians Of The Galaxy
Intergalactic Outlaw & Scavenger Peter Quill (Also Known As Star-Lord)
Guardians of the Galaxy
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- August 1, 2014
WHERE TO WATCH
- Runtime
- 121 minutes
- Director
- James Gunn
Hitting the MCU scene in 2014's Guardians of the Galaxy, Chris Pratt was quickly locked in as one of Marvel's smartest casting picks, cementing himself as a key, enduring superhero in their lineup. Since then, Pratt's music-obsessed Star-Lord has popped up in seven films and specials, with his detours into other corners like The Avengers always leaving a mark — especially his hilarious duo with Chris Hemsworth's Thor.
Out of all the Marvel flicks, the first Guardians of the Galaxy might be Pratt's finest hour. He nails Peter Quill as a charming, wisecracking scavenger. James Gunn's movie blends the fresh chemistry of the soon-to-be Guardians, a tight story, and a relatable, heartfelt core. Pratt's knack for flipping from regular-guy Peter to battle-ready Star-Lord in an instant proves invaluable, and it's tough to picture anyone else in the role now. Over a decade later, the original Guardians still shines as one of the MCU's funniest, most adventurous rides.
7 Most Bittersweet Endings In Marvel Movies, Ranked
The endings in these Marvel films stand out as some of the most emotional, blending sadness and happiness in a way that hits hard.