TL;DR: The Chris Pratt Parent Cheat Sheet
If you’re looking for a quick win for movie night, here is the "too long; didn't read" breakdown of Chris Pratt’s family-friendly catalog:
- The "Safe for Everyone" Tier: The Super Mario Bros. Movie and The LEGO Movie. These are gold standard, high-rewatchability films that won't make you want to scroll on your phone the whole time.
- The "Emotional Prep Needed" Tier: Onward. It’s a beautiful Pixar story about brotherhood, but if your family has dealt with the loss of a parent, have the tissues ready.
- The "Middle School & Up" Tier: Guardians of the Galaxy and Jurassic World. These have some language and "scary" intensity that might be too much for the under-10 crowd.
- The "Wait for Streaming" Tier: The Garfield Movie. It’s fine, but it’s definitely more "distract the kids while I fold laundry" than "cinematic masterpiece."
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Whether he’s a plastic construction worker, a space outlaw, or a plumber with a questionable Brooklyn accent, Chris Pratt is currently the undisputed king of the "Dad-approved" blockbuster. He has a specific brand of "bumbling but capable" energy that kids find hilarious and parents find relatable.
But just because his face (or voice) is on the poster doesn't mean it's a fit for your specific living room. Some of his projects are pure, sugary fun; others deal with heavy themes like animal cruelty, grief, and the existential dread of being a "Chosen One."
Here is how to navigate the Pratt-verse through 2026.
This is where Pratt does his best work for the younger demographic. He’s mastered the art of voicing characters that feel like big kids.
This is arguably one of the best family movies of the last 20 years. Pratt plays Emmet, an ordinary guy who thinks he’s special. It’s fast-paced, genuinely funny for adults, and carries a great message about creativity over following the instructions.
- Parent Note: It’s very high-energy. If your kid is prone to overstimulation, the "Everything is Awesome" song might be your villain origin story.
- The Sequel: The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part is also great and deals with sibling dynamics—perfect if your kids are constantly fighting over Minecraft or Roblox builds.
Despite the internet's initial panic about his voice acting, Pratt’s Mario is totally fine. The movie is a visual feast. It’s essentially a 90-minute commercial for Nintendo, but it’s a fun one.
- Safety Check: There are some "scary" moments with Bowser and the Dark Lands that might spook very young toddlers (ages 3-4), but most 5-year-olds will be too busy pointing out the Mario Kart references to care.
Pratt plays Barley, the chaotic older brother to Tom Holland’s Ian. This is a "quest" movie set in a modern fantasy world.
- The "Big" Conversation: The plot centers on two brothers trying to bring their deceased father back to life for one day. It is heavy on the themes of fatherless homes and grief. If you’re looking for "brain rot" entertainment, this isn't it. This is a "let's talk about our feelings afterward" movie.
Look, I’ll be honest: this isn't Toy Story. It’s a standard heist movie that happens to feature a cat who likes lasagna. It’s safe, it’s colorful, and it’ll keep them occupied for an hour and a half.
- Community Data: Our Screenwise community notes that while kids enjoy it, it doesn't have the "heart" of Pratt's other animated work. It’s a "B-" at best.
Check out our guide on how to spot "brain rot" vs. quality content
As kids get older, they’ll naturally want to move from the animated stuff to "Real Chris Pratt." This is where things get a bit more complicated.
Pratt is Peter Quill (Star-Lord). These movies are fantastic, but they are firmly PG-13.
- Volume 1 & 2: Expect some "A-hole" jokes, middle fingers (mostly in the first one), and stylized sci-fi violence.
- Volume 3: Warning. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is significantly darker. It focuses on animal experimentation and features some pretty disturbing imagery of CGI animals in distress. Many parents in our community found it too intense for kids under 12.
- The Holiday Special: If you want the Guardians vibe without the trauma, The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special is a much lighter, shorter entry.
If your kid is obsessed with dinosaurs, they’ve probably already begged to see these. Pratt plays Owen Grady, the "raptor whisperer."
- The Intensity Factor: These movies are essentially monster movies. People are eaten, there’s a fair amount of blood (though not "slasher movie" levels), and the jump scares are frequent.
- Age Recommendation: Most parents find 10+ is the sweet spot, but if your 8-year-old can handle the original Jurassic Park, they can handle these.
Pratt isn't slowing down. There are two major projects on the horizon that parents should have on their radar.
The Electric State (2025)
This is a big-budget Netflix movie from the Russo Brothers (who did the Avengers movies). It’s based on a beautiful but haunting graphic novel. It’s a retro-futuristic adventure about a girl and a robot looking for her brother.
- What to expect: Likely a PG-13 rating. It looks to be in the vein of "Stranger Things" meets "Star Wars." It’ll be a major talking point in 2026.
Nintendo has already confirmed a sequel. Given the success of the first one, expect more of the same: family-safe, Easter-egg-heavy fun that will dominate the box office and the YouTube Kids algorithm for months.
When deciding if a Chris Pratt movie is right for your kid, keep these three things in mind:
- Sarcasm and Attitude: Pratt’s characters are often "lovable jerks." They use sarcasm as a primary language. If you’re currently struggling with a 9-year-old who has a "tone" problem, Peter Quill might give them some new material you don’t want them to have.
- The "Scare" Threshold: His live-action movies rely heavily on "peril." Whether it's a T-Rex or a space monster, the threat feels real. If your child has nightmares easily, stick to his voice-acting roles.
- The Humor: There’s often a "wink-wink" humor for parents in his movies. In The LEGO Movie, it’s brilliant. In Guardians of the Galaxy, it can occasionally veer into "did they just say that?" territory.
Learn more about navigating PG-13 ratings for "tween" viewers
If you’re watching these movies with your kids, use them as a bridge to other digital wellness topics:
- On Creativity: After watching The LEGO Movie, talk about why Emmet was "The Special." Is it better to follow the instructions or build something new? This is a great lead-in to talking about how they use Scratch or Minecraft.
- On Responsibility: In Jurassic World, Owen has a bond with the raptors. Talk about the responsibility of taking care of animals (or even digital pets!).
- On Grief: If you watch Onward, check in on how they felt about the brothers' journey. It’s a low-stakes way to open the door to bigger emotional conversations.
Chris Pratt is a reliable bet for family entertainment, but he’s not a "one size fits all" actor.
If you have little kids (under 8), stick to the animated hits like The LEGO Movie and The Super Mario Bros. Movie.
If you have tweens and teens, the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise offers some of the best storytelling in the Marvel universe, provided you're okay with a little "space-swearing" and some intense emotional beats.
- Planning a movie night? Check our guide on the best movies for family movie night 2025
- Worried about screen time? Take our survey to see how your family's habits compare to your community
- Curious about a specific movie? Ask our chatbot for a "Wise Score" on any film