The bestPete Davidsonmovies and TV shows highlight why the comedian-turned-actor has become such a magnetic force in Hollywood. Born in 1993 on NYC’s Staten Island, Davidson first broke out onSaturday Night Liveat just 20 years old, quickly becoming one of the youngest cast members in the show’s history. His offbeat humor, self-deprecating charm, and deeply personal storytelling made him stand out, and it wasn’t long before his work on screen caught the attention of major filmmakers looking to tap into his one-of-a-kind energy.
Fans love Pete Davidson not just for his comedy skills but for his raw honesty and unfiltered personality, both on and off camera. Whether he’s playing a lovably chaotic burnout or a vulnerable man trying to get his life together, Davidson always brings a unique authenticity that’s hard to ignore. Over the years, he’s transitioned smoothly into movies and TV shows, scoring memorable roles in both indie gems and blockbuster hits. From voicing a wisecracking robot inTransformersto playinga semi-fictional version of himself inBupkis, the best Davidson movies and TV shows prove time and again that he’s not just a comic, he’s a full-fledged star.
Based on the iconic underground comicThe Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers, this adult animated series reimagines a trio of stoners who get transported from the 1960s to the modern day.Voiced by Woody Harrelson, John Goodman, and of course, Pete Davidson, the series taps into psychedelic absurdity with wild adventures and modern-day culture clashes. Davidson voices Phineas T. Phreakers, the brainy and socially conscious member of the trio, and he’s clearly having a blast.
Davidson’s vocal performance adds a fresh, manic energy to Phineas, blending intellectual weirdness with signature Pete-style sarcasm.While the show itself leans heavily into outrageous cannabis humor, Davidson’s performance anchors the chaos, offering up some of the most quotable lines.The Freak Brothersdoesn’t reach the emotional highs of Davidson’s live-action work, but it showcases his range and comedic timing in a totally different medium. He’s in the series from season one onward and holds his own against seasoned voice actors like Tiffany Haddish. It may not top the list of the best Pete Davidson movies and TV shows, but it’s a fun, bizarre detour that’s worth checking out for fans of irreverent animation.
In James Gunn’s gleefully violent reboot of DC’s misfit antihero franchise,The Suicide Squad,Pete Davidson plays Blackguard, a mercenary who’s not exactly known for his strategic genius. Davidson only appears in the explosive opening act, but his brief time on screen is unforgettable- and pure chaos in the best way.His Blackguard is cocky, dim-witted, and hilariously overconfident, setting the tone for a movie that delights in subverting expectations.Davidson makes the most of his short screentime, delivering a performance that’s both over-the-top and totally on-brand.
His comedic timing elevates what could have been a throwaway role, turning Blackguard into one of the most talked-about characters in the film’s opening. Directed by James Gunn and featuring an ensemble cast including Margot Robbie, Idris Elba, and John Cena,The Suicide Squadbalances dark humor, gore, and heart. While Davidson’s character doesn’t make it past the first act, his presence lingers thanks to the absurdity he brings. It’s a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it role, but one that adds to the legacy of the best Pete Davidson movies and TV shows by showing just how much he can stand out, even in a star-studded ensemble.
A slasher-style satire with a Gen Z twist, 2022’sBodies Bodies Bodiesdives into a party gone wrong as a group of privileged young adults gets trapped in a mansion during a hurricane- and people start dying. Directed by Halina Reijn, the A24 thriller is both a murder mystery and a biting commentary on performative wokeness, internet culture, and toxic friendships. Pete Davidson plays David, the wealthy and often obnoxious host of the gathering, whose bravado hides some serious insecurity.Davidson’s performance is razor-sharp - he delivers the film’s biting sarcasm and dry wit with an authenticity that makes David both hilarious and infuriating.
Sharing the screen with rising stars like Amandla Stenberg, Rachel Sennott, and Maria Bakalova, Davidson holds his owninBodies Bodies Bodies, adding chaotic energy to the group dynamic. While the movie doesn’t hinge on his character, his presence looms large, especially as the tension ramps up. His ability to play characters who seem like they’re in on the joke - but aren’t- shines here. It’s a great example of how Davidson’s comedic instincts elevate even the darkest of stories, earningBodies Bodies Bodiesa spot among the best Pete Davidson movies and TV shows.
Few could have guessed that Pete Davidson would steal the show in aTransformersmovie, but 2023 saw him do just that. InTransformers: Rise of the Beasts, directed by Steven Caple Jr.,Davidson voices Mirage- a wisecracking, fast-talking Autobot who quickly became a fan favorite. Set in the 1990s, the film bridges the gap between the Michael Bay era and the more groundedBumblebee, delivering high-octane action with a fresh twist. Mirage serves as the partner to Anthony Ramos’s Noah, and the chemistry between man and machine is surprisingly touching.
Pete Davidson brings heart, humor, and swagger to Mirage, injecting the franchise with a jolt of personality that critics and fans alike praised.It’s no easy feat to make a CGI robot this charming, but Davidson’s voice performance is effortlessly charismatic and surprisingly layered. While Davidson wasn’t nominated for any awards, many pointed to his role as one of the reasonsRise of the Beastsworked so well. It’s proof that his comedic style can transcend genres, earning this blockbuster a rightful place among the best Pete Davidson movies and TV shows.
Directed by Judd Apatow,The King of Staten Islandis a deeply personal and semi-autobiographical film that marked a turning point in Pete Davidson’s career. He plays Scott Carlin, a directionless 20-something dealing with the grief of losing his firefighter father - a storyline mirroring Davidson’s real-life experience.This is Davidson at his most vulnerable, raw, and emotionally honest, and the result is a performance that proved he’s capable of more than just punchlines.Davidson co-wroteThe King of Staten Islandwith Apatow and Dave Sirus, crafting a script that blends dark comedy with heartfelt introspection.
Pete Davidson stars alongside Marisa Tomei, Bill Burr, and Bel Powley in the cast ofThe King of Staten Island, all of whom help ground the film in a gritty, lived-in reality. Pete Davidson’s portrayal of Scott is funny, flawed, and incredibly human, making it one of the most powerful roles of his career. WhileThe King of State Islanddidn’t rack up a ton of awards, it was widely praised by critics, and many hailed it as a breakthrough for Davidson as a dramatic actor. It’s undeniably one of the best Pete Davidson movies and TV shows as it cemented his transition from comic to compelling leading man.
InMeet Cute, a genre-bending 2022 romantic dramedy with a time-travel twist,Pete Davidson stars opposite Kaley Cuocoin a surprisingly emotional exploration of love, trauma, and second chances. Directed by Alex Lehmann,Meet Cutefollows Sheila (Cuoco), who keeps reliving the same date with Gary (Davidson) thanks to a time machine hidden in a nail salon. What starts as a quirky rom-com slowly unfolds into something darker and more complex, with Davidson playing the unsuspecting everyman caught in a loop of someone else’s emotional spiral.
Pete Davidson’s portrayal of Gary is low-key yet deeply empathetic.He brings a gentle awkwardness to the role that makes his character instantly likable, balancing charm with a quiet melancholy. His chemistry with Cuoco is undeniable, and their interactions evolve from sweet and flirty to tense and emotionally raw. Davidson proves he can hold his own in a romantic lead role, even when the script takes unexpected turns.Meet Cutedidn’t snag major award buzz, but it did showcase another side of Pete Davidson - tender, grounded, and surprisingly soulful. It’s one of the best Pete Davidson movies and TV shows for fans who want to see him stretch beyond his usual comedic persona.
In Jason Orley’s 2019 coming-of-age dramedyBig Time Adolescence, Pete Davidson plays Zeke, a charismatic slacker who becomes an unlikely mentor to a suburban teen. Zeke is fun, reckless, and undeniably cool in the eyes of 16-year-old Monroe (played by Griffin Gluck), but as the story unfolds, the cracks in Zeke’s carefree lifestyle start to show. Davidson perfectly captures the lovable loser energy that defines the character, giving one of his most layered and memorable performances to date. Pete Davidson’s performance inBig Time Adolescencewalks a fine line between hilarious and heartbreaking, playing perfectly to both sides of him as a performer.
Zeke is the guy everyone wants to hang out with until they realize he’s stuck in perpetual adolescence. Davidson’s comedic instincts shine, but it’s the dramatic beats that really elevate his performance.He brings vulnerability and insecurity to Zeke without ever making him a cliché.The movie, which debuted at Sundance and later landed on Hulu, also stars Jon Cryer and Sydney Sweeney.Big Time Adolescencemay not have won Davidson any awards, but it was a critical turning point that helped establish him as a serious actor.
Based on the true story of the GameStop stock explosion, 2023’sDumb Moneyturns a real-life financial underdog tale into a fast-paced, sharply written dramedy. Directed by Craig Gillespie,Dumb Moneyfollows Keith Gill(Paul Dano), whose viral YouTube channel helped trigger a Wall Street-shaking stock surge. Pete Davidson plays Keith’s brother Kevin, a weed-smoking, delivery-driving everyman who couldn’t care less about the stock market - and yet,his grounded, chaotic energy provides a perfect counterbalance to the financial frenzy.Nuanced without losing its edge, Davidson’s portrayal of Kevin Gill inDumb Moneyis hilarious and authentic.
As Kevin, he brings a sense of comic relief without ever becoming cartoonish. His scenes with Paul Dano add heart to the film’s more technical beats, and Davidson nails the role of the guy on the sidelines, both amused and bewildered by the madness. He’s joined by an all-star cast that includes America Ferrera, Seth Rogen, Nick Offerman, and Shailene Woodley. Though Davidson wasn’t individually nominated,Dumb Moneyearned solid critical acclaim, with many praising its ensemble cast and razor-sharp tone. It’s easily one of the best Pete Davidson movies and TV shows, a role that once again proves he thrives in stories that mix humor with real-world grit.
WithBupkis, Pete Davidson took the most meta swing of his career, playing a fictionalized version of himself in a no-holds-barred comedy that blends absurdity with real emotion. Created by Davidson, Judah Miller, and Dave Sirus, and executive produced by Lorne Michaels, the Peacock series is wild, weird, and wonderfully self-aware. It’s partCurb Your Enthusiasm, part therapy session, and 100% Pete. The show dives into his fame, family, and inner demons, all while pulling off some of the most unfiltered comedy on TV.
Pete Davidson’s performance inBupkisis fearless.He allows the camera to linger on his insecurities, bad decisions, and chaotic lifestyle, often using humor as both a weapon and a shield.He’s surrounded by a powerhouse cast, including Edie Falco as his mom and Joe Pesci as his grandfather, both of whom ground the show’s more surreal moments. WhileBupkisdidn’t sweep major awards, it was well-received for its bold storytelling and raw honesty. It’s one of the best Pete Davidson movies and TV shows because it captures everything that makes him unique: messy, funny, vulnerable, and totally unpredictable. WatchingBupkisfeels like cracking open Davidson’s diary - if that diary also featured wild celebrity cameos and narcotics-fueled chaos.
No project has shaped Pete Davidson’s career more than his eight-year run onSaturday Night Live. Joining in 2014 as one of the youngest cast members ever, Davidson quickly became a standout thanks to his fearless “Weekend Update” monologues and deadpan delivery. He didn’t always play the wildest characters or do the most impressions, but his ability to mine his personal life for comedy - from dating headlines to his mental health struggles - made him a fan favorite.SNLhas launched countless comedy legends, and Davidson’s unique voice added a fresh, Gen Z perspective to the legendary show.
Over the years, Pete Davidson performed onSaturday Night Livealongside iconic cast members like Kate McKinnon, Kenan Thompson, and Aidy Bryant, all while carving out a lane that felt completely his own. He was never afraid to break the fourth wall or poke fun at himself, often turning real-life controversies into comedy gold. While Davidson didn’t take home an Emmy, he earned critical praise for redefining what a modernSNLcast member could be. It’s undeniably one of the best Pete Davidson movies and TV shows, and was the launchpad that took him from Staten Island kid to household name.
