Over the course of his career, Simon Pegg has become a beloved actor, with the British star being involved in several top movies and television shows. The best Simon Pegg movies and shows are a mix of comedy, drama, fantasy, action, and sci-fi. Because he has such a varied career, it isn't easy choosing Simon Pegg's 10 greatest roles. Many of these roles were played by Pegg alongside his frequent collaborators, director Edgar Wright and actor Nick Frost — but the best Simon Pegg movies go far beyond Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, and The World's End.
Notably, Simon Pegg (via Edgar Wright's Three Flavours Cornetto trilogy — was released, and it's currently unclear if and when a follow-up could actually manifest. For now, here are some of the best Simon Pegg shows and movies from the actor's stellar career.
Phineas And Ferb (2007 - 2015)
- Stream now on Disney+
Phineas And Ferb is a show that proved to be a massive hit for Disney, with 189 episodes, a film spin-off, and a Disney+ movie in the works, as well. The show was a huge success and it saw tons of celebrity guest appearances take place throughout its run. One of these guest appearances just so happened to be Simon Pegg, who was involved in four episodes over the course of the show's run, playing a variety of roles during that time. Though not exactly ed as being one of the best Simon Pegg shows, Phineas And Ferb nonetheless showcases the actor's sheer versatility.
Doctor Who: Confidential (2005 - 2011)
- Currently unavailable to stream
Something that many people may not know is that Simon Pegg is a huge fan of Doctor Who. Because of that, bringing him on board for the spin-off documentary show, Doctor Who: Confidential was a no-brainer for the BBC. This series took a deep dive into the world of Doctor Who, focusing on each episode immediately after it aired. Simon Pegg worked on the show as the narrator, providing his voice to the series, which was a dream role for the long-time Doctor Who fan.
Black Books (2000-2004)
- Stream now on Fubo
Simon Pegg guest stars in the British bookstore comedy Black Books as Evan, the caustic boss of series protagonist Manny Bianco (Bill Bailey). Though Pegg appears only in Black Books season 3, episode 1, "Manny Come Home," the character of Evan is a curious departure from Pegg's typically lovable roles. Moreover, Evan was one of the most memorable one-off characters in the cult comedy. Black Books definitely warrants a mention among the best Simon Pegg shows for the fact that it's considered by the producers to be the sister show of Spaced, which was Pegg, Edgar Wright, and Nick Frost's masterpiece. Pegg was just one of the many actors from Spaced who also appeared as guests in Black Books.
Star Trek (2009)
- Stream now on Paramount+
Simon Pegg is one of the few who has appeared in both sci-fi juggernauts, Star Wars and Star Trek. The 2009 film proved to be very popular, helping to bring Star Trek to a totally new set of audiences, all while still entertaining loyal classic Trek viewers. Simon Pegg took on the role of Scotty in the movie, who is the main engineer onboard the ship, which lands him into a lot of the action. It's a performance he clearly enjoyed and took seriously. Star Trek ranks highly among the best Simon Pegg movies for how he did justice to a classic Star Trek character.
The World's End (2013)
- Available to rent and purchase on multiple platforms
While The World's End isn't the best of the Three Flavours Cornetto trilogy, this isn't to say that it's a bad movie. In fact, it's one of the best endings to any trilogy in movie history, period. Alongside Nick Frost, Simon Pegg delivers one of the best performances of his life as an aging party animal forcing his friends to accompany him on one last pub crawl. Closing off Edgar Wright's comedic trilogy, The World's End is a synthesis of the Cornetto trilogy's style of wrapping a heavily emotional story with various genres, with the result being yet another hard-hitting dramedy that's burned into viewers' minds.
Mission: Impossible Franchise (2006 - Present)
- Available to stream in various locations depending on the specific Mission: Impossible movie
In 2006, Simon Pegg ed the Tom Cruise-led franchise as Benji Dunn. Introduced in Mission Impossible 3, IMF technician Benji lends a realistic touch of genius to a franchise most known for its tremendous action scenes. Beginning with Benji's memorable, neurotic, but calm rant about world-ending technology, Benji became a mainstay of the Mission Impossible movies after his first appearance as the ultimate IT guy. These deserve a place among the best Simon Pegg movies for giving the actor one of the funniest roles of his career — and for putting the actor in the global mainstream spotlight.
Big Train (1998 - 2002)
- Available to rent and purchase on multiple platforms
Big Train might not be one of Simon Pegg's most talked-about roles at this stage in his career, but it was certainly important as he was building his name in the comedic field at the time. Not only did Pegg act as various characters in this comedy sketch show, but he also worked as a writer. Undoubtedly one of the best Simon Pegg shows, Big Train just highlights how talented and creative Simon Pegg has always been. The series had different sketches each episode, with some being one-offs and others being long-running jokes, with the show retaining its cult status today.
Hot Fuzz (2007)
- Available to rent and purchase on multiple platforms
The second movie in the Three Flavours Of Cornetto trilogy, Hot Fuzz may be the greatest parody of buddy cop movies ever. Working alongside his friend Nick Frost, the two of them play police officers in a seemingly quiet village where the biggest problem is the wildlife escaping. However, they end up uncovering a major crime being committed by some of the villagers, which leads to some hilarious action and Edgar Wright's trademark multi-genre approach. Pegg is perfect as the dry and straight-shooting Nicholas Angel, with Hot Fuzz being a shoo-in for one of the best Simon Pegg movies.
Shaun Of The Dead (2004)
- Available to rent and purchase on multiple platforms
Shaun of the Dead was the movie that kicked off the Cornetto trilogy. When London is taken over by a zombie apocalypse, Shaun Riley (Simon Pegg) rounds up his friends, family, and loved ones, in a bid to keep everyone safe. However, Shaun isn't exactly the traditional hero, and he is no Rick Grimes, which is what makes the movie so hilarious, as his big plan is to just hide out in a pub until it all blows over. Not only does Simon Pegg play his role perfectly, Shaun of the Dead was the movie that established Edgar Wright's subversive use of movie tropes to create fantastical but highly relatable characters and worlds.
Spaced (1999 - 2001)
- Stream now on Roku and Tubi
Spaced was a massive breakout role for Pegg, and it brought together a lot of veterans that have since gone on to play big parts in many of the best Simon Pegg movies and shows. Pegg worked as a co-writer and an actor on this short-lived cult hit. The show was directed by the incredibly talented Edgar Wright - the roots of their creative partnership. Spaced focuses on Tim and Daisy, who are quick to move in together, showcasing all the pitfalls that came with the relationship and their friends in what might be the most insightful ensemble comedy from the turn of the century.
