10 Best Pedro Pascal Movies and TV Shows, Ranked From Worst to Best

2025 seems to be Pedro Pascal’s shining moment as the actor continues to skyrocket in Hollywood. He’s become a versatile star, gracing both big-budget and independent productions with his captivating and lasting impact. His performances range from intense dramas to lighthearted comedies, even dabbling in sci-fi, demonstrating his ability to bring nuance to any character he embodies. Recently, Pascal has been leaving an indelible mark on every project he’s involved with, captivating audiences with his standout performances, carrying shows singlehandedly, and adding depth through subtle actions and thoughtful decisions.

Highlighting Pedro Pascal’s Top 10 Movies and TV Shows, Celebrating His Remarkable Performances

This list showcases the top projects featuring Pedro Pascal, focusing not only on their production quality but particularly his outstanding performances. Beyond being a beloved actor, Pascal consistently demonstrates an uncanny ability to metamorphose into any character he’s portrayed, and this collection delves into how and why that is so effective.

10) Eddington

As a cinephile, I have to admit that Pascal’s effort in Eddington is commendable, yet unfortunately, the movie as a whole falls short of expectations. Portraying Mayor Ted Garcia in an over-the-top political satire, Pascal delivers a polished and contained performance, which ironically becomes a drawback considering the extreme circumstances surrounding his character.

The film, in essence, presents one of those situations where the acting is solid, but the script, direction, or overall mood undermines its potential success. Despite Pascal’s best attempts to maintain a semblance of grace amidst the chaos, he finds himself trapped in a role lacking a compelling arc and without opportunities to truly shine.

Beyond this, the audience seemed to overlook Eddington. While a few reviews were published, they lacked sufficient intensity to create any significant excitement (even under Ari Aster’s direction). Contrary to his other roles where Pascal manages to captivate even with minimal screen time, here he merely appears, without making much of an impact at all. The effect is virtually insignificant.

9) Prospect

One less-recognized work by Pascal is the independent sci-fi film “Prospect“. Some viewers discovered this movie after learning that he was part of its cast. In the movie, he portrays Ezra, a mercenary with opportunistic tendencies, and delivers a compelling performance despite the film’s low budget and minimalist production style. He skillfully combines an imposing presence with a hint of vulnerability, making his character neither strictly villainous nor purely an ally. However, the role requires subtlety, and it lacks grand dramatic moments or memorable lines that typically draw attention.

In essence, Pascal’s character in ‘Prospect’ isn’t the main focal point because attention primarily remains on the lead character. Consequently, he assumes a secondary role. While many viewers appreciated his performance, it didn’t generate the buzz that could have boosted his career or become a memorable highlight in his acting resume. It’s still worth watching for those intrigued by his versatility, but it doesn’t stand out as one of his defining roles.

8) Materialists

In a somewhat unexpected turn, the film “Materialists” didn’t quite achieve its intended success. However, Pascal’s casting in this production is truly noteworthy as it showcases an ability that often goes unnoticed: his versatility. Instead of sticking to the usual script, he ventures into a contemporary romantic comedy genre (as advertised), replete with rapid-fire dialogue and an enigmatic leading man who strikes just the right balance of charm and mystery. In this role as billionaire Harry, entangled in a love triangle, Pascal maintains an effortless and appealing demeanor throughout. Moreover, he stands out among the cast as the only actor who appears comfortable, particularly when others falter amidst lengthy soliloquies and unnecessary plot twists.

The reaction towards the Materialists was rather tepid, which somewhat hindered the movie’s success. However, Pascal emerged unscathed from this lukewarm response. Although many found the film lackluster, nearly everyone concurred that he was the only one who seemed to understand his character well. While not a demanding role by any stretch of the imagination, it showcases once again how he can perfectly capture a tone and make it stand out, even if the material isn’t exceptional. In terms of Pascal’s filmography, it represents a competent, versatile, yet somewhat forgettable performance – entertaining, engaging, but not particularly memorable.

7) The Fantastic Four: First Steps

Playing Reed Richards in The Fantastic Four: First Steps was no walk in the park. The pressure was immense due to hardcore fans, the rich history of the franchise, and the risk of creating a one-dimensional, bland portrayal of the character. However, Pascal skillfully navigated these challenges by offering a more down-to-earth and emotionally mature interpretation of Reed, departing significantly from the generic “brilliant but cold” scientist stereotype seen in previous adaptations. His performance has a subtle vulnerability, particularly in scenes depicting Reed’s internal struggles with doubt, although the script could have delved deeper into these aspects, particularly compared to Vanessa Kirby’s nuanced portrayal of Sue Storm.

The reason First Steps ranks lower is due to Pascal’s portrayal of Reed not resonating strongly with audiences. While his performance is decent and safe, it lacks a memorable standout moment or unique charm that makes it the iconic interpretation. Although he delivers well, the movie seems more concerned with laying groundwork for future MCU narratives rather than showcasing these characters in their current glory. It fulfills its purpose effectively, but it’s unlikely to be the role people first think of when discussing Pascal’s best performances.

6) The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent

In the movie “The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent”, Pascal truly shines and steals the limelight. Despite being alongside a flamboyant and self-aware Nicolas Cage, he effortlessly manages to capture attention. His character, Javi, could have easily devolved into a walking stereotype as the wealthy and reckless superfan, but Pascal infuses him with warmth and complexity. He avoids excessive humor and instead portrays the role with an endearing oddness that makes Javi more appealing than Cage’s exaggerated depiction of himself.

The strong camaraderie between them significantly contributes to the movie’s success and its wide appeal among audiences. Their friendship provided ample material for internet memes, yet it also underscored Pascal’s hidden comedic prowess, suggesting that he deserves more comic roles in his career. The character he portrayed may not require deep emotional depth or dramatic intensity, but it demonstrates his ability to convincingly bring a quirky concept to life and make it feel authentic. In the film The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, Pascal perfectly captured the unique energy required – a factor that contributed significantly to its success.

5) Gladiator II

In a potential scenario, “Gladiator II” could have succumbed to the temptation of extravagant actions devoid of emotional substance. However, Pascal skillfully sidesteps this pitfall. Portraying Marcus Acacius, a general haunted by trauma and torn between allegiances, he imbues the film with a subtle yet profound gravitas. His acting is restrained, bordering on understated, yet impactful. In most scenes, Pascal employs the power of silence and posture rather than relying on dialogue. Instead of seeking the limelight, Pascal complements the narrative, creating tension through nuanced decisions and a consistent air of internal struggle that anchors the spectacle.

In a notable shift, the screenplay predominantly emphasizes the younger characters and grand production scenes, leaving Pascal’s character with a more utilitarian rather than fully developed narrative arc. Despite this, Pascal manages to leave an indelible impression in his relatively limited screen time. Critics acknowledged his presence, elevating his role as one of the most acclaimed aspects of “Gladiator II”. While it may not rank among his most memorable performances, it underscores his ability to excel even within the confines of large-scale studio productions.

4) Narcos

Pedro Pascal’s portrayal of Javier Peña was instrumental in making the latter seasons of Narcos captivating. His acting skills shone through as he gradually transformed his character from a hardened agent into a complex figure dealing with weariness, remorse, and exasperation. It’s a performance that unfolds subtly over time, with each episode contributing to the gradual erosion of the character’s facade, making his decisions more intricate. Among the many robust characters in the show, Peña stands out as one of the few given true emotional complexity.

Among the TV series, it’s likely that “Narcos” significantly advanced Pascal’s career, offering him greater exposure and resonating deeply with viewers through his character. In the latter seasons, he took on a significant role in driving the plot, but beyond that, the production marked a pivotal shift for him, transitioning him from a supporting actor to a leading star. Much of his current success in Hollywood can be attributed to his time on this program. Although it wasn’t his most dramatic part, it played a crucial role in demonstrating his abilities and propelling him to where he is today.

3) Game of Thrones

How does a minor character like Oberyn Martell from Game of Thrones, who appeared only in one season, manage to make such a lasting impact amidst a strong main cast? Pedro Pascal’s performance as Oberyn was so captivating that it remains one of the most memorable introductions in the entire series. With a blend of arrogance, sensuality, and self-righteousness, Pascal dominated every scene he was in. From the very beginning, it seemed as if he was born to play the role; and his intense physical and emotional performance during the fight with The Mountain (Hafthór Júlíus Björnsson) created one of the show’s most indelible moments.

With minimal on-screen presence, Pascal crafted a multidimensional character whose influence resonated profoundly in both the narrative and among fans. If Narcos initially propelled him into prominence, it was Game of Thrones that established him as an international sensation – deservedly so. The enigmatic Oberyn captivates due to Pascal’s intense, stylish, and impeccably timed portrayal. Scarcely any characters in the series were introduced, developed, then phased out with such impact that discussions about them continue years afterwards.

2) The Mandalorian

In this stage, Pedro Pascal’s role in “The Mandalorian” stands out as one of the most distinctive projects in his career. His portrayal of Din Djarin showcases an exceptional actor who excels even under restrictive conditions. Most notably, for much of the series, he is concealed behind a helmet that limits facial expressions (though some stunt scenes were performed by a double), but still manages to convey intricate emotions through his voice and body language alone. This character has become an icon within Star Wars not only due to Baby Yoda, but also because Pascal infused genuine humanity into a role that could have easily been just another lifeless action figure with mechanical dialogue. Such versatility is quite rare.

In every extended television series, there are periods of highs and lows, and The Mandalorian is no exception. However, Pedro Pascal has been a consistent standout in the show. Despite some script inconsistencies, he delivered a powerful performance that was both silent and deeply emotive, adding depth to his character. His role in The Mandalorian displayed a previously unseen acting range and made him recognizable to a vast new audience. It’s undoubtedly one of the most memorable performances in his career to date.

1) The Last of Us

As a devoted cinephile, I wholeheartedly claim that “The Last of Us” reigns supreme in my book. Elliot Pascal’s portrayal of Joel in this series stands as his most profound and emotive performance to date. From the opening episode, he breathes life into the character with a gripping blend of raw pain, chilling detachment, and hidden affection that is utterly captivating.

Although Bella Ramsey’s chemistry plays a crucial role in holding the narrative together, it’s Pascal’s silent moments of introspection that truly steal the show. His performance is so compelling that it resonates deeply even when the second season sparks debates among viewers.

Critics are right in saying that Pascal’s performance on TV in recent years has been incredibly powerful. Unlike some of his previous roles where he relied more on charm, in this one, Pascal brings a genuine vulnerability to Joel. The character is difficult because he’s complex, morally ambiguous, and emotionally sensitive, but Pascal portrays him so authentically that it seems like the role was tailored for him. It’s fair to assume that his role in The Last of Us represents the pinnacle of his career and a part he will likely be remembered for long into the future.

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2025-08-16 19:23