From Parks & Rec to Mercy, Chris Pratt's Essential Shows & Movies, in Order

This is really where it all started for Pratt, with his role as Andy Dwyer in Parks and Rec gaining him adoration from the sitcom’s dedicated fanbase and showcasing his infectious charm and playful energy. He may be an action hero and a leading man nowadays, but back then, he was just a goofy sideshow offering comedic relief.

The show itself arguably suffered a little bit by being around at the same time as The Office, but it’s still a really funny sitcom that’s a very light, easy watch. If you’re looking for a new background comedy to get stuck into, this should be right at the top of your list.

Pratt has made lots of fun comedy movies, but he’s also been in some absolute bangers, too. Moneyball is one of the best sports movies of the 21st century, and it’s got an incredible cast surrounding Pratt, including Brad Pitt, Jonah Hill, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Robin Wright. While his role isn’t huge, it is impactful, with Pratt playing Scott Hatteberg, one of the key players in the Oakland Athletics roster.

As with any film boasting an Aaron Sorkin script, the dialogue here is razor sharp and turns a movie that is essentially just people sitting around talking about baseball into a truly scintillating story. You’ll have to pay to rent this one – costing £3.49 on Amazon Prime Video – but it’s well worth it.

For something far more intense and serious, Zero Dark Thirty will have you on the edge of the seat with your heart racing. Again, Pratt is part of a phenomenal ensemble including Joel Edgerton, Mark Strong, Kyle Chandler, and Jason Clarke, with Jessica Chastain leading them all with an outstanding performance.

This Kathryn Bigelow flick is a long and stressful experience, but much like Sicario and Fury, it’s the kind of film that rewards viewers with a satisfying and blistering conclusion. I’d recommend being in the right frame of mind to tackle a war movie before you rent this one, but at just £2.49 on YouTube, you’ll be tuning into one of the best movies of the 2010s for a bargain.

This is really the last time Pratt played a side character before he started to hit the big time, but what a movie to be a part of. Her is a meditative, bittersweet romantic story which, at the time, felt prescient and rooted in a far-off future. However, with the rapid rise of artificial intelligence, we are well and truly living in the world Spike Jonze created for this film.

Not only does this movie look sublime, with pastel tones and meticulous frame composition catching the eye, but it’s so compelling, too, thanks to Joaquin Phoenix’s vulnerable, profound performance. You can rent this film on Apple TV.

Everything about this movie is totally awesome, and I’m not just saying that because of the catchy theme tune for The Lego Movie. I love the creative way Phil Lord and Christopher Miller use Lego to bring their story to life, not just visually but narratively, too. And at the heart of it all is Chris Pratt, who knocks it out of the park with his voice work as the main character, Emmet.

Just like The Lego Batman Movie, this film is stuffed with great jokes that work for adults and children alike, but it’s also got a meaningful message underneath it all, teaching us all to embrace our creative side and not worry too much about fitting into a certain box. Check it out on Now TV Cinema.

Here’s where Pratt stepped into the spotlight for the first time, with his display as Star-Lord in Guardians of the Galaxy feeling so effortlessly cool and full of life. Indeed, this is probably one of the best casting decisions Marvel has ever made, and they’ve made some incredible ones over the years.

Even 12 years later, this still remains as one of my top five MCU movies. It’s gorgeous-looking, exceedingly funny, and is a stellar introduction to some of the most interesting characters in the franchise. It won’t surprise you that you can find this one on Disney Plus, along with the rest of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Not content with having a starring role in one of the biggest franchises in the world, Pratt was then tasked with leading the way for Jurassic World and the subsequent dino-flicks. While this film is not half as special as the original Jurassic Park movie, and Pratt obviously doesn’t quite have the gravitas of Sam Neill, there’s no denying that this is a worthy entry into the series.

Pratt and Bryce Dallas-Howard offer up a really nice chemistry, and one thing’s for sure, you can see how much fun they’re both having making this film. It’s an exciting adventure with some really cool set-pieces, and the new dinosaur creation is intriguing and innovative. I’ve even shown this movie to my five-year-old and it kept his attention, so it must be doing something right.

While Passengers is far from Pratt’s best work, it’s still an entertaining and thought-provoking sci-fi movie that is worthy of two hours of your time. It helps that Jennifer Lawrence is brilliant (as always) opposite Pratt, as the film absolutely depends on the pair’s chemistry. Indeed, Lawrence’s performance is only as effective as it is because of the juxtaposition with Pratt’s performance, which is full of surprises.

Passengers tackles pretty heavy themes of consent and gender dynamics, but it’s important not to confuse the morality of the characters with the messages the film is trying to portray. Watch it on Netflix and judge for yourself.

Pratt has been going hard on the voice work in the 2020s, and it all began with Disney-Pixar flick, Onward. It’s a story about brotherhood and grief that disguises its deeper themes for so long with slapstick comedy and fantasy-adventure vibes, before dropping an emotional bombshell in the final act that genuinely broke me when I first watched this film.

If you enjoy other Disney efforts like Up and Elio, this one will be right up your street. Pratt brings a similar oafish energy to how he portrayed Andy in Parks and Rec, which is never a bad thing. Meanwhile, Tom Holland does superb voice work opposite Pratt, giving the story a more grounded, sincere feel.

All eyes (and ears) are on Pratt once again this year with the release of the sequel to this film, but it’s worth noting just how good a job he’s done voicing such an iconic character and bringing something different to the table. The Super Mario Bros. Movie is just absolutely perfect for a family movie night – it’s just over 90 minutes long, it’s got good jokes and great music, and the story is light and fluffy with an exciting edge.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie is available on ITVX right now, so if you’re wanting to keep the kids happy or just want to rekindle the nostalgia of your own gaming childhood, you won’t find many better options.