The 30 Best Denzel Washington Movies, Ranked (2024)

Warner Bros.

Published Sep 1, 2023

Denzel Hayes Washington Jr. A two-time Academy Award winner, a Tony Award winner, and three-time Golden Globe winner. An absolute legend and one of the best to ever do it. What's your favorite Denzel Washington movie? It's hard for us to make a decision over here. Training Day is what got him the Academy Award as a lead, and while he was phenomenal in the film, John Q often gets left out of the conversation when it comes to films he should have won it for. Then there's Malcolm X, which many people rightfully believe Washington was snubbed in the Academy Award department for. There's also films like Remember the Titans and He Got Game, but those are sports dramas, and sports dramas don't always get rewarded in terms of awards. Oh, and there's the highly underrated Deja Vu from 2006 as well. Similar to what we've done recently with Tom Cruise, Jamie Foxx, and Bruce Willis, we're going to be taking a look at the best Denzel Washington movies and... ranking them (cue the music) in honor of The Equalizer 3.

Let's get into it.

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• Genre: Action
• Directed by: Antoine Fuqua
• Starring: Denzel Washington, Chloë Grace Moretz, Melissia Leo
• Where to watch: Prime, Starz

The first of a three-part trilogy, Washington took to the screen to portray the mysterious assassin Robert McCall, who think's he's left his old live behind. That is until he meets a teenager named Teri(Grace Moretz), who is being held captive by Russian mobsters. Washington's performance in this was that of a stone cold killer who never loses his cool. And that's what makes this first film so great.

• Genre: Crime Thriller
• Directed by: Phillip Noyce
• Starring: Denzel Washington, Angelina Jolie, Queen Latifah, Michael Rooker
• Where to watch: Prime, Apple TV

Denzel Washington and Angelina Jolie in the same film together? Say no more! 1999's The Bone Collector centered around the pursuit of a serial killer who's M.O. is to leave behind a small shard of bone extracted from each of his victims. In this,Washington portrayed a quadriplegic forensic criminology expert using his expertise to help a policewoman (Jolie) to help track down the killer before he strikes again. An underrated movie in our opinion.

• Genre: Historical Thriller
• Directed by: Joel Coen
• Starring: Denzel Washington, Frances McDormand, Kathyrn Hunter
• Where to watch: Apple TV

Is it still too early to put The Tragedy of MacBeth on here? Screw it we're going for it. Washington put his theater roots on full display in this 2021 film, where he played the titular character MacBeth, who goes from being "one of the guys" to an absolute tyrant. Safe to say he let the power of being King get to his head. The Tragedy of MacBeth was critically praised, with Washington being nominated for an Academy Award, a Golden Globe, a Critics Choice Award, and a Screen Actors Guild Award for his performance.

• Genre: Romantic Comedy
• Directed by: Kenneth Branagh
• Starring: Denzel Washington, Kate Beckinsale, Robert Sean Leonard, Keanu Reeves
• Where to watch: Prime, YouTube

And since we're on the topic of theater (drama teacher voice), let's take it back to thirty years ago when Washington was one half of a half-brother duo with Keanu Reeves. Washington was Don Pedro, the reasonable one, and Reeves was Don John, the evil one. The dynamics between the two were fun, with this being a fun take on the original play.

• Genre: Mystery Drama
• Directed by: Charles Fuller
• Starring: Denzel Washington, Adolph Caesar, Howard Rollins, Larry Riley
• Where to watch: Prime, Apple TV

Taking it all the way back to 1984, A Soldier's Story hones in on the aftermath of a Black soldier as he's returning to his base. While Washington wasn't at the point where he was commanding big-time leading roles at this particular era of his career, this role still stands out for his portrayal of Pfc. Peterson, which is poignant and serious with just the right amount of emotion.

• Genre: Action Crime Thriller
• Directed by: Russell Mulcahy
• Starring: Denzel Washington, John Lithgow, Ice-T, Kevin Pollak
• Where to watch: Prime, Hulu

1991's Ricochet saw a young Denzel starring as rookie Los Angeles police officer Nick Styles, who seemingly has the perfect life as a city hero with a beautiful wife and family as he eventually becomes a district attorney. All is well, until somebody from Nick's past escapes from prison and comes back to haunt him. We'll leave it there.

• Genre: Sports Drama
• Directed by: Norman Jewison
• Starring: Denzel Washington, Rubin Carter, Rod Steiger, Liev Schreiber
• Where to watch: Prime, Apple TV

Washington starred as boxer Rubin "Hurricane" Carter in 1999's The Hurricane who dreams turn into an unbelievably harsh reality when he gets accused for murdering three people at a bar and sentenced to three life-terms. Does he get justice? Does he make it out? You'll have to give this movie a watch to find out how it ends.

• Genre: Legal Drama
• Directed by: Jonathan Demme
• Starring: Denzel Washington, Tom Hanks
• Where to watch: Prime, YouTube

Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington is a pretty good combination don't you think? The two teamed up for 1993's Philadelphia in which Hanks played a lawyer at a powerful firm hiding his hom*osexuality and HIV status, with Washington playing the only lawyer willing to help him when he gets wrongfully terminated for discrimination. The result is a beautifully acted film.

• Genre: Drama Film
• Directed by: Robert Zemeckis
• Starring: Denzel Washington, Kelly Reilly, Nadine Velazuez, John Goodman
• Where to watch: Prime, Apple TV

Loosely-based on the plane crash of Alaska Airlines Flight 261, Washington portrayed the drug and alcohol addicted airline pilot Whip Whitaker who manages to avoid having a plane crash become much worse than what it could have been, but winds up with his addiction being brought to light as a result. Washington earned raved reviews for his performance, which got him an Academy Award nomination in turn.

• Genre: Romantic Drama
• Directed by: Mira Nair
• Starring: Denzel Washington, Mira Nair, Sarita Choudhury
• Where to watch: N/A

Ladies man Denzel was in full effect in 1992's Mississippi Masala where he was the young carpet cleaner who fell in love with an Indian woman, which in turn sparked controversies and protests from their families and communities. Filled with love, trials, and tribulations, Mississippi Masala is a beautiful story that sometimes gets lost in the midst of Washington's amazing filmography.

• Genre: Apartheid Drama Film
• Directed by: Richard Attenborough
• Starring: Denzel Washington, Kevin Kline, Penelope Wilton
• Where to watch: Prime, YouTube

Another classic in the filmography of Mr. Denzel Washington is 1997's Cry Freedom, where he took on the role of activist Steve Biko, who's been at the frequent criticism of a chief editor at the liberal newspaper'Daily Dispatch' (Kline)for many years. When Biko dies in police custody, however, the editor sets out to write a book about the activist, illegally leaving the country in order to ensure it gets published.

• Genre: Sci-fi/Action
• Directed by: Tony Scott
• Starring: Denzel Washington, Paula Patton, Val Kilmer
• Where to watch: Prime, Apple TV

A time travel movie for the ages, Washington acts as ATF agent Doug Carlin, who uses a special technology system that allows for time to go backwards four days in the hopes of being able to stop a terrorist from executing an attack that leaves hundreds dead. While the film received mixed reviews from critics (which we disagree with wholeheartedly), it did gross $180 million worldwide while earning six nominations.

• Genre: Crime Thriller
• Directed by: Carl Franklin
• Starring: Denzel Washington, Eva Mendes, Sanaa Lathan, Dean Cain
• Where to watch: Prime, Apple TV

Police chief Matt Lee Whitlockhas a lot going on. He's getting divorced from his wife (Mendes), and while going through the divorce begins a passionate relationship with a woman named Ann (Lathan). Things get more complicated when he finds out Ann is terminally ill with cancer, and steals money from a drug bust in order to pay for her treatment. When Ann, however, dies not from cancer but from a fire that results in said money disappearing, all eyes are on Whitlock.

• Genre: Mystery Thriller
• Directed by: Carl Franklin
• Starring: Denzel Washington, Tom Sizemore, Jennifer Beals, Don Cheadle
• Where to watch: Prime, Apple TV

Set in 1940s Los Angeles, Easy Rawlins(Washington) is the smooth easy going brother that unfortunately is having a hard time finding a job. That is until he meets the mysterious DeWitt Albright (Sizemore) who's in the midst of investigating the disappearance of a young woman (Beals). Rawlins has no other choice but to take the job helping Albright, and is...way in over his head. Kinda funny, but not so funny either.

• Genre: War Drama
• Directed by: Edward Zwick
• Starring: Denzel Washington, Meg Ryan, Matt Damon, Lou Diamond Phillips
• Where to watch: Prime, Starz

So now we're in 1996, where Washington is starring as an army sergeant in Courage Under Fire. What is this about you ask, well for starters, Lieutenant Colonel Nathaniel Serling (Washington) has already got some heat on him for accidentally causing a friendly fire, and with that being brushed underneath the table, he is assigned to investigate the case of an Army Captain (Ryan) who is killed in action. Washington delivers a performance that is stoic, yet still passionate to solve the case, making this one of his finest performances.

• Genre: Sports Drama
• Directed by: Spike Lee
• Starring: Denzel Washington, Ray Allen
• Where to watch: Prime, Apple TV

We can't say that Washington's role as Jake Shuttlesworth wasn't entirely self serving as Shuttlesworth is currently in prison and gets a shorter sentence if he's able to convince his basketball superstar son Jesus Shuttlesworth (Allen) to sign with the governor's alma mater, but dammit it was a darn good performance. And a convincing one at that. He Got Game remains a legendary sports film twenty-five years after its release.

• Genre: Drama/Crime
• Directed by: Ridley Scott
• Starring: Denzel Washington, Russell Crowe, Lymari Nadal
• Where to watch: Prime, Hulu

Based on the story of Harlem drug dealer Frank Lucas (whom Washington portrayed), American Gangster was and still is an epic film that is a must-watch if you are fan of Washington, or just a movie lover period. It absolutely is a must see because it's a brilliant, with much of that brilliance coming from Mr. Washington. If you haven't seen it...you know what to do this weekend.

• Genre: Drama/Crime
• Directed by: Ridley Scott
• Starring: Denzel Washington, Russell Crowe, Lymari Nadal
• Where to watch: Prime, Disney+

Can we talk Remember the Titans for a second? Cause even though its get renowned for being an all-time great sports drama, it still doesn't feel like it gets enough attention. Washington was absolutely phenomenal as Coach Herman Boone (Oscar-worthy in our opinion), and this is a generational film that needs to be shown to your children and great-grandchildren. It's a must.

• Genre: Action/Thriller
• Directed by: Tony Scott
• Starring: Denzel Washington, Chris Pine, Rosario Dawson
• Where to watch: Prime, Apple TV

Unstoppable was very much appropriately-titled for this 2010 film that saw Washington and Chris Pine as a veteran engineer and a young conductor tasked with stopping a train on the brink of causing death and environmental disaster. You know, the fate the world being left in their hands and all that good stuff.

• Genre: Crime/Thriller
• Directed by: Carl Schenkel
• Starring: Denzel Washington, Robert Townsend, Sheryl Lee Ralph
• Where to watch: Prime, Brown Sugar

Taking on the role of Police chief Xavier Quinn, The Mighty Quinn is another elaborate crime mystery in Washington's resume, as Quinn is given the assignment of investigating the gruesome murder of a wealthy resident on a Caribbean Island. There's some talk and blame being placed around time as far as who did it, as the main suspect in the eyes of some, is a person who has been friends with Quinn since childhood. A nice little Saturday mystery.

• Genre: Biographical Drama
• Directed by: Denzel Washington
• Starring: Denzel Washington, Derek Luke, Joy Bryant
• Where to watch: Apple TV

Guess who directed Antwone Fisher? Denzel Washington. His directorial debut to be an exact. A heart-tugging story where Washington played anaval psychiatrist sent to help a sailor with a history of violent outbursts, this movie is definitely one that will make you shed a tear or two.

• Genre: Action Thriller
• Directed by: Tony Scott
• Starring: Denzel Washington, Dakota Fanning
• Where to watch: Prime, Hulu

Long before The Equalizer 3, Denzel Washington and Dakota Fanning teamed up for highly-praised and commercially successful Man on Fire in which Washington was an ex-CIA operative tasked with protecting the young girl of a businessman (Dakota Fanning). Now here we are almost twenty years later, and we've got a film with Denzel Washington being the protector, and Dakota Fanning being the one he's protecting. Full circle moment for sure.

• Genre: Crime Thriller
• Directed by: Spike Lee
• Starring: Denzel Washington, Clive Owen, Jodie Foster
• Where to watch: Prime, Apple TV

What happens when a police detective, a bank robber, and a high power broker, become engaged in bank heist turned hostage situation? Inside Man. That's what happens. It's a back and forth movie that brings about everything a bank heist movie is supposed to. Negotiations, tension, more negotiations, and more tension—but it works.

• Genre: Action Thriller
• Directed by: Tony Scott
• Starring: Denzel Washington, Gene Hackman, Viggo Mortensen, George Dzunda
• Where to watch: Prime TV, Apple TV

No this is not a sports story about Alabama Football. Alabama is, however, at the center of dealing with possible Nuclear threat situation in the 1995 film Crimson Tide, where Washington portrayed a relatively green but still skilled Lieutenant named Lt. Cmdr. Ron Hunter. There's some veteran vs newbie arguments and tons of drama, which is to be expected when dealing with, well, a nuclear threat. A different role for Washington, but still fun.

• Genre: Romance Comedy
• Directed by: Penny Marshall
• Starring: Denzel Washington, Whitney Houston
• Where to watch: Prime, Apple TV

Denzel Washington and Whitney Houston being in the same movie together should be enough to make you want to watch, but if you need anymore convincing, the cinematography is beautiful, Washington and Houston had great chemistry, and the music was excellent. Another must-watch and a gem of a film.

• Genre: Action Thriller
• Directed by: Tony Scott
• Starring: Denzel Washington, John Travolta
• Where to watch: Prime, Starz

If you're looking to see a film that has both Denzel Washington and John Travolta in it, look no further than The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3, which is a remake of the 1974 film. John Travolta is the bad guy holding the train hostage, and Denzel Washington is the good guy trying to figure out how to stop him. The usual you know?

• Genre: War/Drama
• Directed by: Edward Zwick
• Starring: Denzel Washington, Morgan Freeman, Matthew Broderick
• Where to watch: MGM+, Apple TV

The film that got Denzel his first Academy Award definitely had to be top five. Starring alongside Matthew Broderick, Cary Elwes, and Morgan Freeman, Glory tells the tale of the U.S. Civil War's first all-black volunteer company as they head to combat and deal with various different prejudices along the way. Washington's role as Trip earned him the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.

• Genre: Thriller
• Directed by: Nick Cassavetes
• Starring: Denzel Washington, Daniel E. Smith, Kimberly Elise, Anne Heche
• Where to watch: Prime, Apple TV

John Q is another one of Denzel's films that will have you in tears as he portrays a man who holds an emergency room hostage after learning medical insurance won't cover the cost of a life-saving transplant for his 9-year-old son. Denzel should have gotten an Oscar for this. We will forever stand by that.

• Genre: Crime/Thriller
• Directed by: Antoine Fuqua
• Starring: Denzel Washington, Ethan Hawke, Eva Mendes
• Where to watch: Prime, Hulu

What Washington did get an Oscar for though, is his role as Alonzo Harris in 2001's Training Day, and all we have to say is: "You disloyal fool a$$ bi$ch made punk!!" If you know, you know.

• Genre: Biographical Drama
• Directed by: Spike Lee
• Starring: Denzel Washington, Spike Lee, Angela Bassett
• Where to watch: Prime, Apple TV

They couldn't have picked a better person to play Malcolm X other than Denzel Washington, and they couldn't have picked a better director than Spike Lee. Malcolm X is nothing short of sheer brilliance from an acting and directorial standpoint, and in a long list of great performances from Washington, quite possibly remains his best.

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