If one thing is certain, it’s that some of Pedro Pascal‘s best movies and TV series are not the ones you think. While Game of Thrones fans easily recognize him as Oberyn Martell, the Viper of Dorne, there is so much more to Pascal’s acting career than what became his breakout role. In fact, he has become one of the most recognizable actors of his generation. As a result, Pascal’s career now spans blockbuster franchises, prestige television, and intimate indie projects.
Ultimately, what makes Pascal stand out is his consistent ability to bring a different, edge-of-your-seat take to every role he plays. From portraying the masked bounty hunter in The Mandalorian to delivering raw emotion as Joel in The Last of Us, fans just trust the actor will bring it. To that end, we have compiled a ranked list of Pedro Pascal’s very best Movies and TV shows. This list not only explores the performances that set him on the road to stardom but also highlights the hidden prestige gems that showcase his incredible range.
1. The Mandalorian (2019–2023) – Din Djarin
Set five years after the events of The Return of the Jedi (1983), The Mandalorian is the first live-action series to tell the story of Din Djarin, played by Pascal. At first, Djarin is a lone bounty hunter operating in the outer reaches of the galaxy. However, unexpected events lead him to give up his mercenary status, taking up the responsibility of protecting the mysterious child Grogu from the surviving imperial forces. Consequently, the major premise of the series is centered around this newfound purpose and the relationship it creates.
No surprise, Pascal absolutely killed it with his performance in this series. Notably, he conveyed deep emotion and subtlety through restrained voice work. He achieved this mostly behind a full suit of Mandalorian armor and an expressionless helmet. Fundamentally, it was a performance that firmly reaffirmed his presence on the global stage. To fully appreciate one of Pedro Pascal’s best TV series, hop on Disney+ and stream The Mandalorian.
2. The Last of Us (2023–present) – Joel Miller
The Last of Us is an HBO drama/thriller TV show adapted from the eponymous video game. The series is set in a post-apocalyptic world that has been destabilized by the deadly Cordyceps infection. This infection turns its hosts into dangerous zombie-like creatures. It’s all built on the premise of the journey of a few desperate survivors, including Pedro Pascal’s Joel Miller and Ellie, who is immune (Bella Ramsay), as they navigate the realities of the new world. Naturally, the group hopes that Ellie may be the key to finding a cure for the pandemic.
In this series, Pascal’s character draws some strong parallels to his character in The Mandalorian. Here, he’s also a father figure and protector, scarred by loss. Unsurprisingly, his performance earned him tons of praise from critics who were awed by the level of emotional weight he brought to the performance. Watch The Last of Us on HBO Max to see why this is one of Pedro Pascal’s best TV series performances.
3. Game of Thrones (2014) – Oberyn Martell
As mentioned earlier, in Game of Thrones, Pascal plays Oberyn Martell, also known as the Red Viper of Dorne. His first appearance was in the show’s fourth season in King’s Landing as a seductive, sharp-tongued warrior with a deadly vendetta. He seeks vengeance against the Lannisters for the death of his sister Ellia Martell and her children.
This is hands-down one of Pascal’s best TV characters, mostly because of the way he made Oberyn an instant fan favorite. It was all thanks to his confident and charismatic portrayal despite his short-lived time on the series. It’s safe to say that this was Pascal’s breakout role, he showcased his talent on a massive scale and proved that he could steal entire episodes of television’s biggest show. Catch his iconic breakout performance on HBO Max.
4. Narcos (2015–2017) – Javier Peña
Narcos is not your run-of-the-mill crime drama, it’s true life meets the screen, with the story itself diving into the growth and spread of cocaine drug cartels in the early 20th century. Seasons 1 and 2 focus on the escapades of late Colombian drug boss Pablo Escobar and the Medellin Cartel. Then there’s Season 3, which shifts focus to the Cali Cartel, putting Javier Peña, a determined DEA agent working in Colombia, at its center.
There’s no mistaking that Peña was Narcos‘ moral center, and Pascal embodied the character perfectly. He balanced the weariness of an agent losing faith in the system with a fierce dedication to justice. Even though he took over as lead actor in Season 3, Pascal was not fazed by the responsibility of stepping out of a supporting role and keeping the show fresh. How did he manage that? With a commanding presence that proved he could hold his own as a major TV series lead. Anyone looking to revisit the tense drama can stream Narcos on Netflix.
5. Wonder Woman 1984 (2020) – Maxwell “Max Lord” Lorenzano
Set in 1984, during the Cold War Era, and released in 2020, Wonder Woman 1984 is the sequel to the 2017 DC blockbuster Wonder Woman. Naturally, the movie took viewers back into the life of the Princess of Themyscira and her resurrected boyfriend Steve Trevor (Chris Pine), as they battled to recover “the dreamstone” from the clutches of businessman Maxwell “Max Lord” Lorenzano and Barbara Minerva, aka Cheetah.
Pascal’s flamboyant, yet grounded performance in this movie is what makes it one of his best movies to date. Wonder Woman 1984 garnered somewhat of a divided reception because of how it portrayed the titular character. However, Pascal’s masterful and emotional portrayal of the complex Max Lord helped salvage the situation. You can catch his prowess as a villain in this film on HBO Max.
6. The Equalizer 2 (2018) — Dave York
The second instalment in The Equalizer trilogy, The Equalizer 2, delves into the lives of retired DIA agent and Marine Corps veteran Robert McCall (Denzel Washington), who’s on a mission to avenge the murder of one of his closest friends. In this 2014 action-thriller, Pascal plays Dave York, McCall’s former colleague and friend from the agency. Down the line, it turns out that there’s a lot more to him than what meets the eye.
The pair end up being the yin to the other’s yang, but that dynamic sets the tone for a nail-biting finale that wrapped up the movie. The Equalizer 2 remains one of Pedro Pascal’s best movies to date. His brave portrayal of the character Dave York proved he could share the screen with other icons like Washington. Another feather in his cap as far as villainous roles are concerned, stream The Equalizer 2 on Netflix.
7. Kingsman: The Golden Circle (2017) – Agent Whiskey
Kingsman: The Golden Circle is a 2017 British spy action movie, a sequel to Kingsman: The Secret Service (2014). The movie delves into the collaboration between the members of the Kingsman organization and their American counterparts, Statesman, as they work together to bring down Poppy Adams and her drug cartel — The Golden Circle.
Pedro Pascal portrays the flamboyant, arrogant American spy Agent Whiskey in Kingsman: The Golden Circle. His mix of charismatic flair, humor, and high-octane action skills is one of the reasons he stood out in a crowded cast lineup. It undoubtedly makes this one of Pedro Pascal’s best movies, and it’s available to stream on Apple TV+.
8. Prospect (2018) – Ezra
Prospect is a 2018 Sci-Fi movie about Cee, a teenage girl and her father, Damon, who land on a poisonous forest moon to mine precious gems. It examines the betrayals, conflicts, and alliances with mercenaries and rival prospectors, which make their journey harder. In Prospect, Pascal is unveiled as the savvy but dangerous Ezra, who is also on a quest to mine valuable gems on the alien moon. This Indie Sci-fi movie is one of the hidden gems in Pedro Pascal’s filmography. The way he balances being menacing with being vulnerable reveals yet another layer of his acting abilities. Ready to uncover this hidden gem? Stream Prospect on Hulu.
9. Triple Frontier (2019) — Francisco “Catfish” Morales
At the center of the 2019 action-adventure film, Triple Frontier, are five former U.S Delta Force veterans, struggling to adjust to civilian life. So, naturally… or perhaps the very opposite, they team up. Their goal: plan and execute a daring heist, stealing several million dollars from a South American crime lord.
While it was not his flashiest role, Pascal’s calm and dependable presence added an extra layer of depth to this star-studded cast, which includes Ben Affleck and Charlie Hunnam. It’s another testament to Pascal’s range in the gritty-action genre. The movie is available to stream on Netflix.
We Can Be Heroes (2020) — Marcus Moreno
Released in December 2020, We Can Be Heroes is a superhero movie for the entire family. As the story has it, all of Earth’s superheroes are kidnapped by alien invaders, leaving the task of rescuing them and safeguarding the planet in the hands of superpowered kids. Pedro Pascal’s portrayal of Marcus Moreno, a retired superhero and devoted single father, unlocks a whole other side to his acting abilities.
Besides introducing him to a younger audience, We Can Be Heroes was proof that Pascal can be just as impactful in light-hearted settings as he is in gritty action settings. You can stream this one with the entire family on Netflix. All in all, the actor’s ability to bring emotion and depth to his characters has undoubtedly added to his screen legacy. It’ll be interesting to see what he has mapped out for the future.
