10 Underrated Chris Pine Movies You Must See

Chris Pine’s career includes big franchise leads and a wide range of smaller projects that explore different genres. Beyond the well known blockbusters, he has taken on independent dramas, animated adventures, historical epics, and modern thrillers that show how often he chooses varied material and formats.

This list highlights ten films that many viewers miss on first pass and gives you the basics you need to find what suits your mood. You will see directors, key co stars, source material, release paths, and production notes that help explain where each title fits in his filmography.

‘Bottle Shock’ (2008)

This independent drama recounts the 1976 Judgment of Paris wine tasting and follows the rise of California wine on the world stage. Chris Pine plays Bo Barrett of Chateau Montelena alongside Bill Pullman and Alan Rickman in a story drawn from real events that reshaped the industry. The film was directed by Randall Miller and premiered at Sundance before a wider rollout.

Production took place in Napa Valley locations that match the setting of the period story. The film focuses on the logistics of winemaking, the preparation for the tasting, and the cross Atlantic context that influenced the outcome. It presents the competition that put California bottles against established French labels and shows the steps that led to the historic result.

‘Carriers’ (2009)

This pandemic road thriller was written and directed by Alex and David Pastor and was released in the wake of a larger spotlight on Chris Pine after his breakout year. The story follows a small group traveling across the American Southwest while navigating infection rules they impose on themselves. The cast includes Emily VanCamp, Lou Taylor Pucci, and Piper Perabo.

The production filmed in New Mexico and used remote highways and desert towns to build its sense of isolation. Distribution arrived as a limited theatrical run with a focus on video and cable platforms soon after, which helped the film find an audience outside major theaters. Practical effects and location work keep the focus on procedure and survival choices.

‘Small Town Saturday Night’ (2010)

This independent ensemble piece is set in a rural community over the course of a weekend and tracks intersecting storylines that revolve around a musician weighing a move to pursue a career. Chris Pine plays the musician at the center of those choices while the film explores family ties, work obligations, and the pull of opportunity.

The project was produced outside the studio system and reached viewers through home release and cable rather than a wide theatrical push. The story structure follows multiple locals across the same timeframe, which gives attention to law enforcement, relationships, and small business life in a single setting. The focus on one weekend gives the film a contained timeline.

‘People Like Us’ (2012)

This drama was directed by Alex Kurtzman and is inspired by personal family experiences that informed the script. Chris Pine plays a New York salesman who is directed to deliver funds to a sister he did not know he had, played by Elizabeth Banks. Michelle Pfeiffer appears as their mother, and the film centers on estate matters, trust issues, and family records.

The production took place in Los Angeles locations that match the story’s homes, bars, and offices. The film was released by DreamWorks through a mainstream distributor and leaned on its cast to reach audiences looking for personal stories. It uses a mix of legal documents, audio tapes, and everyday logistics to move the plot forward.

‘Rise of the Guardians’ (2012)

This animated feature from DreamWorks Animation adapts William Joyce’s book series into a mythic team up that brings several folkloric figures into one story. Chris Pine voices Jack Frost and joins a cast that includes Alec Baldwin, Hugh Jackman, Isla Fisher, and Jude Law. Peter Ramsey directed the film and the story follows a conflict with a villain named Pitch.

Production used a full voice recording process with motion reference and DreamWorks’ rendering tools to craft large scale set pieces. The film received a global theatrical release and later built a long tail through home media and seasonal cable runs. The world building covers tools, transport methods, and regional traditions that connect the characters.

‘Stretch’ (2014)

This Los Angeles set dark comedy thriller was directed by Joe Carnahan and stars Patrick Wilson as a limo driver trying to close one high stakes fare before a deadline. Chris Pine appears as an eccentric billionaire client whose requests send the driver across the city through a sequence of stunts and pickups. The supporting cast includes Jessica Alba, Ed Helms, and David Hasselhoff.

The film shifted from a planned theatrical release to a video on demand strategy that placed it on digital platforms first. Carnahan uses real locations, stunt driving, and practical gags to stage night time chases and oddball encounters. The change in distribution strategy makes this one easy to miss, even though it connects several recognizable faces in a compact runtime.

‘Z for Zachariah’ (2015)

This post apocalyptic drama adapts Robert C O’Brien’s novel into a three character story set in a valley that remains livable after a global catastrophe. Chris Pine joins Margot Robbie and Chiwetel Ejiofor in a film directed by Craig Zobel that studies how new arrivals disrupt a fragile balance. The film premiered at Sundance with a focus on its intimate scale.

New Zealand locations provide the farmland, water systems, and shelter that sustain the characters. Production emphasizes the use of practical farming, radiation precautions, and improvised power sources. The film keeps attention on resource management and the social agreements that form under stress rather than large action scenes.

‘The Finest Hours’ (2016)

This historical rescue drama is based on the true story of the 1952 Pendleton disaster off the coast of Massachusetts. Chris Pine plays Coast Guard coxswain Bernie Webber, with Casey Affleck, Ben Foster, Holliday Grainger, and Eric Bana in key roles. Craig Gillespie directed the film and the narrative follows the launch of a small lifeboat into extreme conditions.

The production used large water tanks, gimbal mounted ship sets, and a mix of practical and digital effects to simulate winter seas and a broken tanker. The release included 3D and IMAX formats and the film was backed by a major studio. Maritime procedures, radio protocols, and period equipment receive detailed attention from scene to scene.

‘Outlaw King’ (2018)

This historical epic marks a reunion between Chris Pine and director David Mackenzie and centers on Robert the Bruce during the Wars of Scottish Independence. The cast includes Florence Pugh and Aaron Taylor-Johnson with an emphasis on the years following the death of William Wallace. The film covers alliances, sieges, and the road to the Battle of Loudoun Hill.

The production filmed across Scotland with extensive use of practical armor, cavalry coordination, and mud heavy battlefield conditions. The film premiered at a major festival, then moved to a global streaming release after an edit that trimmed the runtime. Location choices include castles, glens, and coastal areas that match recorded historical sites.

‘All the Old Knives’ (2022)

This modern espionage drama adapts the novel by Olen Steinhauer and brings the author onto the screenplay. Chris Pine plays a CIA officer who meets a former colleague, played by Thandiwe Newton, to reexamine a hijacking case with fatal consequences. The cast also features Laurence Fishburne and Jonathan Pryce, and Janus Metz directs.

The film was released with a limited theatrical run alongside a streaming premiere that placed it on a major platform on the same date. The storytelling uses timelines that alternate between present day interviews and past events in Vienna station settings. Restaurant staging, phone intercepts, and case files anchor the procedural detail.

Share your favorite under the radar Chris Pine film in the comments and tell everyone what you plan to watch next.