In this article, we will be ranking Denzel Washington’s movies in order from best to worst, considering factors such as ticket office success, vital honor, and personal preference.
Whether you’re a die-hard Denzel fan or simply trying to find a brand-new motion picture to watch, this list of Denzel Washington movies in order has something for everyone. So, let’s have a look at Denzel Washington’s filmography and see how his films compare to one another.
30 Denzel Washington Movies in Order
Denzel Washington is a renowned star with a profession spanning over four decades. His filmography consists of a wide variety of roles in both remarkable and action-packed films. Washington has many awards to his name, consisting of 2 Academy Awards and 3 Golden World Awards. He is extensively considered among the greatest stars of his generation.
Here is a highlight of 30 of Denzel Washington’s motion pictures in order, from finest to worst.
1. “Eyes on the Reward” (1987 )
Topping this list of Denzel Washington motion pictures in order is the documentary series “Eyes on the Prize.” In the movie, Washington tells the story of the civil rights motion in the United States from 1954 to 1985. The series got favorable reviews and won several awards, consisting of 3 Emmys. It has a 100% approval ranking on Rotten Tomatoes.
2. “The Moon and the Son: An Imagined Discussion” (2005 )
In this animated short movie, Denzel Washington voices the character of the son, who has a conversation with his departed father (John Turturro) about their relationship. The movie got favorable reviews and won the Academy Award for Finest Animated Brief Movie. It has a 100% approval ranking on Rotten Tomatoes.
3. “Malcolm X” (1992 )
With a 98% approval ranking on Rotten Tomatoes and a 9.0 rating on IMDb, “Malcolm X” is widely considered one of the best Denzel Washington films. In this biographical drama, Washington plays civil liberties leader Malcolm X, tracing his life from his struggling youth to his assassination in 1965. The film received important recognition and Washington was nominated for an Academy Award for his efficiency.
4. “St. Somewhere Else” (1982 )
In this medical drama, Denzel Washington plays Dr. Phil Reed, a local at the fictional St. Eligius medical facility in Boston. The program aired for 6 seasons and got positive evaluations, winning 13 Emmy Awards. It has a 95% approval score on Rotten Tomatoes and an 8.0 rating on IMDb.
5. “Fences” (2016 )
With a 95% approval score on Rotten Tomatoes and a 7.2 rating on IMDb, “Fences” is another extremely regarded film in Denzel Washington’s filmography. In this drama, Washington plays Troy Maxson, a former Negro League baseball player having a hard time to provide for his family in 1950s Pittsburgh. The motion picture was adapted from a play of the same name, and Washington received important acclaim for his efficiency, winning a Tony Award for his function on Broadway and an Academy Award for his function in the movie.
6. “Splendor” (1989 )
With a 95% approval score on Rotten Tomatoes and a 7.9 rating on IMDb, “Glory” is another extremely related to motion picture in Denzel Washington’s filmography. In this historical drama, Washington plays Pvt. Journey, a slave who joins the Union Army during the Civil War. The film tells the story of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Program, the first all-black regiment in the Union Army, and the bravery and sacrifices they made throughout the war. Washington got an Academy Award election for his performance.
7. “A Soldier’s Story” (1984 )
In this drama, Denzel Washington plays Pvt. Peterson, a soldier who is examining the murder of a sergeant at a training school for black soldiers in 1944. The movie is based upon a play of the very same name, and it received favorable evaluations. It has a 92% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 7.3 rating on IMDb.
8. “Training Day” (2001 )
With a 77% approval score on Rotten Tomatoes and a 7.7 rating on IMDb, “Training Day” is a well-regarded criminal activity thriller in Denzel Washington’s filmography. In the film, Washington plays Investigator Alonzo Harris, a corrupt LAPD officer who takes a young, optimistic policeman (Ethan Hawke) on a day-long ride-along through the city’s drug-infested communities. Washington won the Academy Award for Finest Star for his role.
9. “Cry Liberty” (1987 )
In this historic drama, Denzel Washington plays Steve Biko, a South African anti-apartheid activist who was arrested and tortured by the government in 1977. Kevin Kline co-stars as Donald Woods, a white South African journalist who assists bring attention to Biko’s predicament. The motion picture got positive reviews and has a 74% approval ranking on Rotten Tomatoes and a 7.4 rating on IMDb.
10. “Unstoppable” (2010 )
With a 73% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 6.9 ranking on IMDb, “Unstoppable” is a well-regarded action motion picture in Denzel Washington’s filmography. In the film, Washington plays Frank Barnes, a veteran train engineer who coordinate with a young conductor (Chris Pine) to stop a runaway train bring hazardous chemicals. The film received positive reviews for its fast-paced action and strong efficiencies by Washington and Pine.
11. “Flight” (2012 )
With a 73% approval score on Rotten Tomatoes and a 7.0 score on IMDb, “Flight” is another well-regarded motion picture in Denzel Washington’s filmography. In this drama, Washington plays Captain William “Whip” Whitaker, an airline pilot who astonishingly lands his damaged aircraft after a mid-air catastrophe, saving the lives of practically everybody on board. However, an investigation into the crash exposes unpleasant info about Whip’s actions leading up to the occurrence. The movie received favorable evaluations for Washington’s performance and the compelling plot.
12. “The Great Debaters” (2007 )
In this drama, Denzel Washington plays Teacher Melvin B. Tolson, a poet and political activist who coaches a small African-American college’s argument group in their quest to beat Harvard University in a nationwide competitors. The movie received favorable evaluations and has a 73% approval score on Rotten Tomatoes and a 7.2 score on IMDb.
13. “The Equalizer” (2014 )
With a 62% approval ranking on Rotten Tomatoes and a 7.1 score on IMDb, “The Equalizer” is a strong action motion picture in Denzel Washington’s filmography. In the film, Washington plays Robert McCall, a former hidden operative who comes out of retirement to save a young girl from being trafficked by a group of Russian gangsters. The motion picture got favorable evaluations for its action scenes and Washington’s efficiency, and it spawned a follow up in 2018.
14. “Safe House” (2012 )
Denzel Washington plays Tobin Frost, a former CIA operative who is caught by the company after years on the run. Ryan Reynolds plays Matt Weston, a young and unskilled representative who is tasked with transferring Frost to a safe home for interrogation. The motion picture received combined evaluations and has a 58% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 6.5 ranking on IMDb.
15. “The Little Things” (2021 )
“The Little Things” is a 2021 criminal offense thriller movie starring Denzel Washington as a burned-out detective helping on a serial killer case. The film also stars Jared Leto and Rami Malek. On Rotten Tomatoes, it has a ranking of 58% and a typical ranking of 6/10. On IMDb, it has a rating of 6.3/ 10.
16. “Deja Vu” (2006 )
In this sci-fi thriller, Denzel Washington plays Representative Doug Carlin, an FBI investigator who is brought in to assist resolve a terrorist attack on a ferryboat in New Orleans. Carlin finds that he has the ability to travel back in time, and he uses this power to try and prevent the attack from taking place. The motion picture got mixed evaluations and has a 51% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 6.7 score on IMDb.
17. “The Book of Eli” (2010 )
In this post-apocalyptic action film, Denzel Washington plays Eli, a lone wanderer who is charged with delivering a mysterious book throughout a desolate landscape. Gary Oldman plays Carnegie, a ruthless warlord who will stop at absolutely nothing to get his hands on the book. The movie received mixed evaluations and has a 53% approval score on Rotten Tomatoes and a 6.6 ranking on IMDb.
18. “The Magnificent Seven” (2016 )
In this western action movie, Denzel Washington plays Sam Chisolm, a fugitive hunter who is recruited by a group of townsfolk to safeguard their village from a group of outlaws. Chris Pratt and Ethan Hawke co-star in this remake of the traditional 1960 movie. The film received blended evaluations and has a 52% approval score on Rotten Tomatoes and a 6.5 ranking on IMDb.
19. “The Equalizer 2” (2018 )
In this sequel to “The Equalizer,” Denzel Washington reprises his function as Robert McCall, a former covert operative who comes out of retirement to secure a girl from being trafficked by a group of Russian gangsters. The movie received combined evaluations and has a 51% approval score on Rotten Tomatoes and a 6.3 ranking on IMDb.
20. “The George McKenna Story” (1986 )
In this biographical drama, Denzel Washington plays George McKenna, a high school principal in Los Angeles who fights to turn around a distressed school. The film received blended evaluations and has a 50% approval ranking on Rotten Tomatoes and a 6.3 score on IMDb.
21. “Power” (1986 )
In this drama, Denzel Washington plays Clay, an effective entrepreneur who is required to face his past when his estranged bro (Jim Brown) comes back into his life. The motion picture got combined reviews and has a 50% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 6.3 ranking on IMDb.
22. “2 Weapons” (2013 )
“2 Weapons” is a 2013 action comedy film starring Denzel Washington as Bobby Trench, a DEA representative, and Mark Wahlberg as Michael Stigman, a naval intelligence officer. In the film, the 2 males collaborate to remove a corrupt CIA after they are established on a mission to penetrate a drug cartel. On Rotten Tomatoes, the movie has a score of 53% and an average ranking of 5.7/ 10. On IMDb, it has a rating of 6.6/ 10.
23. “The Tic Code” (1999 )
In this drama, Denzel Washington plays Calvin, a jazz artist who has Tourette’s syndrome. Polly Draper co-stars as his ex-wife, and Gregory Hines plays a jazz pianist who becomes Calvin’s pal and mentor. The movie got mixed reviews and has a 50% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 6.3 score on IMDb.
24. “The Last Countdown” (1980 )
In this science fiction film, Denzel Washington plays a sailor who is aboard a warship that travels through time to the day prior to the attack on Pearl Harbor. Kirk Douglas co-stars as the provider’s commander, and Martin Sheen plays a pilot who becomes stranded on the carrier. The motion picture received mixed evaluations and has a 50% approval ranking on Rotten Tomatoes and a 6.3 ranking on IMDb.
25. “For Queen and Country” (1988 )
In this drama, Denzel Washington plays Reuben James, a Vietnam veteran who goes back to his native England and ends up being associated with the struggle for civil liberties. The movie received mixed reviews and has a 50% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 6.3 ranking on IMDb.
26. “Out of Time” (2003 )
In this mystery-thriller, Denzel Washington plays Chief Matt Lee Whitlock, a small-town cops chief who ends up being a suspect in the murder of his mistress. The motion picture received combined evaluations and has a 33% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 6.1 score on IMDb.
27. “The Manchurian Prospect” (2004 )
In this political thriller, Denzel Washington plays Significant Bennett Marco, a Gulf War veteran who begins to think that his unit was brainwashed throughout their release. The motion picture is a remake of the 1962 film of the very same name, and it received mixed reviews. It has a 32% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 6.0 rating on IMDb.
28. “Carbon Copy” (1981 )
In this comedy, Denzel Washington plays Roger Porter. Porter is a young man who discovers that he has a white father (George Segal) after his mom passes away. The film received combined reviews. It goes down as one of Washington’s worst motion pictures.
29. “Ricochet” (1991 )
In this action film, Denzel Washington plays Nick Styles, a detective who is targeted for death by a drug dealer (John Lithgow) he put in prison years previously. The motion picture received mixed reviews and has a 28% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 5.8 rating on IMDb.
30. “Heart Disease” (1990 )
In this comedy-drama, Denzel Washington plays Bob, an attorney who is paired with the ghost of his heart donor (Bob Hoskins) to resolve his own murder. The motion picture received negative evaluations and has a 13% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 5.1 rating on IMDb.
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Overall, the order of Denzel Washington’s films showcases his range as a star and his ability to bring depth and nuance to a wide array of functions. If you discovered this list of Denzel Washington motion pictures in order to be intriguing, make sure to have a look at BuddyTV for other listicles including actors like him.