The 20 essential Denzel Washington movie performances of all time, ranked

Over 40 years, Denzel Washington has built one of the most impressive careers in Hollywood.

With two Oscar wins and seven nominations, he’s delivered performances in dramas like “Training Day” and “Malcolm X” and thrillers like “The Equalizer” and “The Bone Collector.”

Surprisingly, he’s done all of this without playing the franchise game — outside of “The Equalizer,” he’s never made a sequel to any of his movies.

Here are the 20 essential Denzel Washington roles.

20. “Gladiator II” (2024)

It’s not often that Washington will do an over-the-top, scenery-chewing performance, which is perhaps why this role has become so beloved by his fans.

Washington plays the evil Macrinus, a former slave who worked his way to becoming one of the biggest slave owners in Rome. As a conniving opportunist who uses his latest prized slave Lucius (Paul Mescal) to become the right hand of the emperors, Washington gives the character flair, intensity, and an unforgettable thirst for power.

19. “The Bone Collector” (1999)

In this tense thriller — also starring a then-up-and-coming Angelina Jolie — Washington delivers as a quadriplegic ex-homicide detective. He must share all his knowledge and instincts with a new recruit (Jolie) who, after discovering a gruesome murder, realizes a serial killer is on the loose.

Even from a hospital bed, Washington can deliver dramatic chops.

18. “Crimson Tide” (1995)

In the first of what would be numerous collaborations with director Tony Scott, Washington goes up against Gene Hackman in one of the best thrillers of 1995.

Set inside a submarine, Washington plays a by-the-book first officer who stages a mutiny after the ship’s captain (Hackman) is prepared to launch its nuclear missiles following a hard-to-authenticate message from headquarters.

17. “Highest 2 Lowest” (2025)

In Washington’s latest collaboration with director Spike Lee, the duo reimagine one of Akira Kurosawa’s greatest movies, “High and Low.”

Washington plays a music mogul caught in the middle of a ransom and goes to extreme lengths to get everything back that’s his.

Playing a man pushed to the brink, Washington delivers an emotionally charged performance that is equally riveting and playful, and sometimes even comedic.

16. “The Equalizer” (2014)

This marks the only movie franchise Washington has been involved in (so far).

In the original and two sequels, Washington plays a former Marine who reluctantly uses his special skills to protect those in need.

15. “Roman J. Israel, Esq.” (2017)

Washington plays a defense attorney who has to make some dramatic decisions, both personal and professional, in this powerful performance which netted him an Oscar nomination.

Though set around dry legal jargon, Washington once again proves that he can make any material engaging to watch.

14. “American Gangster” (2007)

Playing notorious crime boss Frank Lucas, Washington is the perfect adversary opposite Russell Crowe as a New York City cop tasked with bringing down Lucas’ drug empire.

Washington delivers a layered performance as Lucas, a gangster who is cold-blooded but also shows signs of good-heartedness towards family and the impoverished in Harlem.

13. “Mo’ Better Blues” (1990)

One of Washington’s most unappreciated performances, “Mo’ Better Blues” marks his first time working with Lee. In the film, he plays a jazz trumpeter who must deal with the fallout from a series of bad decisions.

12. “He Got Game” (1998)

In another Lee movie, Washington plays the father of a high school basketball phenom (played by real-life NBA star Ray Allen) who’s temporarily released from prison to convince his son to go to play ball at a certain college.

11. “Courage Under Fire” (1996)

This drama stars Washington as an Army officer who must investigate if the acts of a chopper commander (Meg Ryan) are worthy of the Medal of Honor.

Washington’s character must deal with his own personal troubles while he’s investigating, which builds the drama.

10. “The Hurricane” (1999)

Washington was nominated for an Oscar for his portrayal of real-life boxer Rubin “Hurricane” Carter, who spent almost 20 years in prison after being wrongfully convicted of murder.

Set mostly in prison, the film follows Carter as he goes from rage to submission as prison life brings him down — that is, until a young man makes it his quest to get him out.

9. “Cry Freedom” (1987)

Marking Washington’s first Oscar nomination and the role that would launch his career to star status, he plays Steve Biko, a South African anti-apartheid activist.

8. “Flight” (2012)

In this Robert Zemeckis drama, Washington plays an airline pilot who is able to save most of the passengers after an incredible plane crash. However, as media attention builds on him and an internal investigation is conducted, it’s revealed that Washington’s character is an alcoholic and drug addict.

Washington’s performance earned him an Oscar nomination.

7. “Remember the Titans” (2000)

In this movie based on a true story, Washington shows his authoritative side playing Coach Herman Boone, who coaches an integrated football team in Alexandria, Virginia, in 1971.

6. “Fences” (2016)

After playing the same role on Broadway, Washington took August Wilson’s play to the screen. He didn’t just star in it — he also directed.

The movie follows a working-class father (Washington) raising his family in the 1950s while also dealing with his own demons.

The role would lead to, you guessed it, an Oscar nomination.

5. “Devil in a Blue Dress” (1995)

This is the best Denzel Washington role you’ve never seen (but should). Based on the pulpy 1990 Walter Mosley novel of the same name, Washington plays Ezekiel “Easy” Rawlins. Rawlins is looking for work in late-1940s Los Angeles when he finds himself embroiled in a political scandal after he’s hired to find a woman.

4. “Philadelphia” (1993)

This classic from director Jonathan Demme stars Washington as a lawyer who decides to help a fellow lawyer (Tom Hanks) who has been fired by his firm after they learn he is HIV positive.

3. “Glory” (1989)

In a role that would make Washington one of the standout actors of his era, he plays one of the soldiers of the first all-black volunteer company in the Union Army during the Civil War.

As the troubled Private Trip, Washington delivers a rage-filled performance that by the end becomes heartbreakingly inspiring.

Washington would win his first-ever Oscar for best supporting actor for the role.

2. “Training Day” (2001)

In this gritty police drama, Washington would win the best actor Oscar playing a crooked cop.

Rarely ever playing the villain up to this point in his career, he shocked audiences with this performance.

1. “Malcolm X” (1992)

Under the direction of Lee, Washington delivers an epic performance as he chronicles the life of Malcolm Little, who would go on to be known as Malcolm X.

The movie showcases Malcolm X’s youth as a small-time crook who completely changes his life while in prison after joining the Nation of Islam. Washington gives a master class in acting as we watch him transform into the controversial civil rights leader. 

The role is unlike anything he’s done before or since.

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