Denzel Washington Best Movies (Top Movies Ranked)

Denzel Washington has been a star in movies for many years, playing all kinds of roles like cops, lawyers, doctors, and even mobsters. He’s won Academy Awards and his movies have made over a billion dollars. He’s got lots of great reviews for films like Glory, Training Day, and Philadelphia, and has worked with director Spike Lee on movies like Malcolm X.

Now, we’re going to take a close look at his career, checking out both the best and the not-so-great Denzel Washington movies. Let’s dive into top best Denzel Washington movies, and answering some frequently asked questions.

Who Is Denzel Washington?

Denzel Hayes Washington Jr., born in 1954, is an American acting powerhouse who has captivated audiences for over four decades. He’s not just an actor, but also a director and producer, amassing an impressive collection of awards throughout his career. Two Academy Awards, three Golden Globes, a Tony Award, and a Presidential Medal of Freedom solidify his place as one of the greatest actors of our time.

Denzel Washington

Washington’s talent shines through in a vast and diverse filmography with the best Denzel Washington movies. He’s equally adept at portraying real-life figures like Malcolm X and Rubin “Hurricane” Carter, bringing them to life with depth and nuance. He’s also a leading man who can command the screen in action thrillers like “The Equalizer” or deliver powerful performances in dramas like “Fences,” a film he also directed. 

Washington has consistently broken barriers, becoming a top box office draw and proving that African American actors can lead major Hollywood films. He’s not only an entertainer, but an inspiration for aspiring actors everywhere.

The 10 Best Denzel Washington Movies

Denzel Washington is a titan of the silver screen, delivering iconic performances across genres for over four decades. Choosing just top 10 best Denzel Washington movies is a near-impossible task, but here’s a breakdown of some of his most critically acclaimed and audience-beloved films, along with a table summarizing the top 10.

Top 10 best Denzel Washington Movies:

Rank	Movie Title (Year)	Genre	Director	Accolades
1	Malcolm X (1992)	Biography, Drama, History	Spike Lee	Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor
2	Training Day (2001)	Crime, Drama, Thriller	Antoine Fuqua	Academy Award for Best Actor
3	Glory (1989)	Drama, History, War	Edward Zwick	Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor
4	American Gangster (2007)	Biography, Crime, Drama	Ridley Scott	Nominated for 2 Academy Awards
5	Man on Fire (2004)	Action, Crime, Drama	Tony Scott	Powerful revenge story
6	Philadelphia (1993)	Drama, Legal Thriller	Jonathan Demme	Tom Hanks co-stars
7	Inside Man (2006)	Crime, Drama, Mystery	Spike Lee	Heist film with a stellar cast
8	Fences (2016)	Drama	Denzel Washington	Adapted from August Wilson’s play
9	Remember the Titans (2000)	Biography, Drama, Sport	Boaz Yakin	Uplifting story of racial unity
10	The Tragedy of Macbeth (2021)	Drama	Joel Coen	Shakespearean adaptation with Frances McDorman

Malcolm X (1992)

This powerful biopic chronicles the life of Malcolm X, a revolutionary figure in the fight for racial justice and become of the top best Denzel Washington movies. Washington delivers a tour-de-force performance, capturing Malcolm’s anger, eloquence, and eventual evolution.

• Genre: Biography, Drama, History
• Director: Spike Lee
• Accolades: Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor

Training Day (2001)

Ethan Hawke stars as a rookie cop paired with a rogue narcotics detective played by Washington in this gritty crime thriller. Washington’s morally ambiguous character earned him a well-deserved Academy Award.

• Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller
• Director: Antoine Fuqua
• Accolades: Academy Award for Best Actor

Glory (1989)

Washington portrays Private Trip, a defiant soldier fighting for the Union Army in the American Civil War. This historical drama earned him his first Academy Award, for Best Supporting Actor and became one of the best Denzel Washington movies.

• Genre: Drama, History, War
• Director: Edward Zwick
• Accolades: Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor

American Gangster (2007)

This sprawling epic tells the true story of Frank Lucas, a Harlem drug kingpin. Washington shines as the complex and ruthless gangster, opposite Russell Crowe’s dedicated cop.

• Genre: Biography, Crime, Drama
• Director: Ridley Scott
• Accolades: Nominated for 2 Academy Awards

Man on Fire (2004)

A revenge thriller unlike any other, Washington plays a former special ops soldier seeking retribution after a young girl is kidnapped.

• Genre: Action, Crime, Drama
• Director: Tony Scott
• Accolades: Powerful revenge story

Philadelphia (1993)

Tom Hanks stars as a lawyer with AIDS suing his former firm for discrimination. Washington plays his reluctant attorney, forced to confront his own prejudices and this become one of the best Denzel Washington movies.

• Genre: Drama, Legal Thriller
• Director: Jonathan Demme
• Accolades: Tom Hanks co-stars

Inside Man (2006)

A complex heist film with a stellar cast, including Washington, Clive Owen, and Jodie Foster. Spike Lee directs this intricate game of cat and mouse between a bank robber and a hostage negotiator.

• Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery
• Director: Spike Lee
• Accolades: Heist film with a stellar cast

Fences (2016)

Washington also directed this adaptation of August Wilson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play. He delivers a powerful performance as a troubled father struggling to connect with his family in 1950s Pittsburgh.

• Genre: Drama
• Director: Denzel Washington
• Accolades: Adapted from August Wilson’s play

Remember the Titans (2000)

Based on a true story, this inspirational film follows a high school football team forced to integrate after a merger. Washington portrays the tough but fair coach who unites the team.

• Genre: Biography, Drama, History
• Director: Boaz Yakin
• Accolades: Uplifting story of racial unity

The Tragedy of Macbeth (2021)

Washington takes on Shakespeare in this stark black-and-white adaptation of Macbeth, co-starring Frances McDormand. His portrayal of the ambitious Scottish lord adds another layer to his impressive filmography and becomes one of the best Denzel Washington movies.

• Genre: Drama
• Director: Joel Coen
• Accolades: Shakespearean adaptation with Frances McDormand

This list is just a starting point for exploring Denzel Washington’s incredible career. Each film showcases his exceptional range and undeniable screen presence.

Denzel Washington Net Worth

Denzel Washington’s net worth is around $300 million (approximately Rs 1050 crore). This comes from his successful career in acting, directing, and producing in Hollywood, where he has been a part of numerous hit films and has received several awards for his performances. This makes him one of the most successful and wealthiest actors in the world.

Conclusion

 Denzel Washington has delivered iconic performances throughout his career, making it difficult to definitively rank best Denzel Washington movies. This list offers a selection of his critically acclaimed and audience favourites across various genres. Whether you seek a historical drama, a suspenseful thriller, or an inspiring true story, there’s a Denzel Washington movie out there for you. Dive in and explore the filmography of one of Hollywood’s most treasured actors.

Best Denzel Washington Movies – FAQs

What is Denzel Washington best film?

Best Denzel Washington movies are :

• Training Day (2001)
• Malcolm X (1992)
• Glory (1989)
• American Gangster (2007)
• Man on Fire (2004)
• Philadelphia (1993)
• Inside Man (2006)
• Fences (2016)
• Remember the Titans (2000)
• The Tragedy of Macbeth (2021)

What is Denzel Washington’s best selling movie?

Denzel Washington’s highest-grossing movie worldwide is American Gangster (2007). This biographical crime drama, directed by Ridley Scott, raked in a whopping $269,755,430 at the global box office.

Why is Denzel so popular?

Denzel Washington is popular because he’s a great actor who plays many different roles really well. He’s been in lots of movies, from action to drama, and has won awards for his acting. People like him because he seems real and brings his characters to life in a way that feels true and powerful.

What are Denzel Washington’s most acclaimed movies?

 Denzel Washington has a long and storied career with many great films. Some of his most critically acclaimed works include Glory, Malcolm X, Philadelphia, Training Day, and American Gangster.

Are there any recent Denzel Washington movies I should watch?

Absolutely! Denzel continues to deliver strong performances. Consider checking out The Tragedy of Macbeth (2021) for a unique Shakespearean take on his talents.

 Where can I find a full list of Denzel Washington’s movies?

 Many resources online offer comprehensive filmographies for actors, including Denzel Washington. You can find them through a web search.

 What are some of Denzel Washington’s most diverse roles?

 Throughout his career, Denzel Washington has tackled a wide range of characters. He’s played historical figures like Malcolm X and Rubin “Hurricane” Carter (The Hurricane, 1999), cops (Training Day) and lawyers (Philadelphia), and even a Shakespearean king (The Tragedy of Macbeth, 2021).