My Favourite Denzel Washington Films of All-Time

Few actors in Hollywood have achieved recognition of Denzel Washington. Following recognition during the 1980’s, Washington has become an icon the film industry. Whether it’s political leaders, corrupt police officers or glorious war soldiers, Washington has portrayed several memorable characters. Given the sheer number of classic movies that Washington has made, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my personal picks for the greatest movies made by an actor that deserves to be celebrated.

1. Malcolm X

When it comes to the greatest African-American icons in history, it’s worth discussing Malcolm X. A revolutionary activist, Malcolm X fought racial injustice during the 1950’s. With his larger-than-life presence, persuasive speeches and charismatic personality, Malcolm X embodied a symbol of hope for the African-American community. Malcolm X was celebrated for his heroism until 1965 when he was tragically assassinated. In 1992, Denzel Washington did an extraordinary job of portraying the African-American icon in his film “Malcolm X”. In the greatest role of his career, Washington transforms into the powerful political leader facing a burden to bear. It isn’t easy to portray a renowned icon in American history, but Washington pulled it off successfully. It’s a larger-than-life role giving the actor an opportunity to showcase his commanding presence. For instance, the scene in which Malcolm X delivers an inspirational speech about racial injustice may be the highlight of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Malcolm X” Denzel Washington’s greatest movie is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about importance of standing up against injustice. Viewers aren’t required to be familiar with history to appreciate the movie. Nearly 60 years following assassination of a powerful African-American political leader that changed the world forever, it’s a rousing reminder of an actor that thrives playing commemorated characters with a charismatic nature whose timeless movies audiences will forever treasure.

2. Training Day

Denzel Washington has always been one of those actors with a powerful presence. He’s an actor that’s gifted at commanding every film he appears in through his mere presence. Through this commanding screen presence, Washington has created characters that are compelling. Washington’s strength as an actor with abilities to blow audiences away through his strong screen presence is clearly evident in “Training Day”. Released in 2001, Antoine Fuqua’s Oscar-winning movie found the actor playing the role of a cop with a sense of authority seeking to clean up crime in his city. In the iconic role for which he won an Oscar, Washington brought a powerful presence to a corrupt police officer that isn’t afraid of danger. Alonzo is a larger-than-life character giving Washington an opportunity to command a room through his sheer presence. Whether he’s breaking up a fight between gangsters or issuing orders, Washington uses his presence to create a cop that’s compelling. For instance, the final scene in which Alonzo delivers a monologue comparing himself to King Kong is one of the greatest moments of the actor’s career. Nearly 30 years after release of a film about cops fighting crime on a training day in L.A., it’s a powerful reminder of an actor that thrives given chances to portray complex characters whose movies are worth celebrating today.

3. Philadelphia

Gay people are rarely depicted with respect in movies today. Hollywood has held a history of building barriers against LGBTQ communities. It’s rare to come across movies that capture the painful burden that queer people bear. In an industry that has always regarded LGBTQ communities with stigma, it’s worth discussing “Philadelphia”. Released in 1993, Denzel Washington’s Oscar-winning movie did an exceptional job of capturing the AIDS crisis in history. In arguably the riskiest role of his career, Washington embodies the personality of a homophobic lawyer defending a man that’s queer. It’s a challenging role that requires the actor to tackle sensitive subject matter, but he succeeds tremendously. Washington effectively uses his powerful voice to deliver inspirational speeches in courtrooms. While the film is mainly a stunning showcase for Tom Hanks who gets the showier role, Washington is equally excellent as a lawyer keeping emotions under control. Whether he’s loudly arguing with lawyers in court or silently consoling Andrew on his deathbed, Washington uses his captivating voice to create an attorney that’s compelling. 40 years following the AIDS crisis that affected queer communities facing a burden to bear, its a powerful reminder of an actor that’s built an illustrious career by playing compelling characters about whom audiences deeply care.

4. Fences

Being an effective parent can often be challenging. Whether it’s the back-breaking responsibility of taking care of children, maintaining stable employment or handling income, parents face pressure affecting abilities to be positive caregivers. Few movies that I’ve ever seen have captured the fences barriers faced by parents under pressure as powerfully as “Fences”. Released in 2016, Denzel Washington’s movie offered an engaging depiction of challenges posed by parenting. Washington did an incredible job adapting August Wilson’s stage play about parenting to the big-screen. In the most emotionally demanding role of his career, Washington embodies a strict father that struggles to raise his family in the 1950’s. Washington uses his powerful screen presence to create a poignant portrait of parenting. For instance, the scene in which Troy delivers a speech to his son about pressures of being a parent is the most emotional work of the actor’s entire career. Ultimately, what makes “Fences” stand out in Washington’s career is its meaningful message. The film delivers a powerful message about the positive roles parents play in lives of children. A phenomenal tribute to a play about parents facing fences barriers that are challenging, it’s an exhilarating reminder of an actor portraying larger-than-life characters whose movies are worth appreciating.

5. Flight

Alcohol addiction is a tough subject rarely depicted in movies with respect. Hollywood has often shied away from telling stories of substance abuse making headline news. Movies often have a tendency to glamourize alcoholism as a positive activity rather than showing its negative consequences. In an industry that has always ignored grim realities of alcohol addiction, “Flight” stands out as an exception. Released in 2012, Robert Zemeckis’ movie did an extraordinary job of capturing harsh realities posed by alcohol addiction. In the most vulnerable role of his career, Washington does an incredible job of portraying an alcoholic airline pilot facing despair. With his dazed expression, mumbled speech and messy body language, Washington paints a painfully accurate portrait of alcohol addiction. This is the movie-star unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, emotional and vulnerable in his most sensitive role. For instance, the courtroom scene where Whip Whitaker breaks down crying admitting he’s an alcoholic is the most emotional moment of the actor’s career. A powerful portrait of the painful barriers that alcohol addicts taking flight have to fight, it’s a rousing reminder of an actor that thrives when given chances to play characters that aren’t perfect shining light on serious addictions in society that are hidden in plain sight.

6. Glory

Over the past decade, the war movie genre has faced a decline in quality. With their loud spectacle, cardboard characters and poor storytelling, most war movies have become a chore to sit through. My main issue with these movies is that they emphasize spectacle over storytelling. In a genre that has faced warfare destruction, “Glory” is a glorious exception. Released in 1989, Edward Zwick’s movie did an extraordinary job of recreating the American Civil War. In the role for which he won his first ever Oscar, Washington embodies the personality of a dedicated war veteran with a strong goal. Unlike the loud characters he has played, it’s a quiet role that gives Washington a chance to communicate emotions through expressions. For instance, the scene where Private Trip is whipped in public for disobeying rules of the commandment is the most subtle work of the actor’s career. Washington uses his intense expressions to capture the pain of African-American soldiers in the Civil War. A glorious tribute towards courageous African-American soldiers fighting in a Civil War that was dangerous, it’s powerful reminder of an actor that excels playing complex characters in movies which have become classics that are precious.

7. The Hurricane

When it comes to the greatest boxers in American history, it’s worth discussing Rubin Carter. Known as ‘The Hurricane’, Carter was a brilliant boxer that overcame pain to become a champion with abilities to entertain. However, false accusations of crime brought his career to a closure. In 1999, Denzel Washington did an amazing job of capturing pain of the boxing champion in his film “The Hurricane”. In his first ever boxing role, Washington excels at capturing a boxer that faced a heavy emotional toll. It’s not easy to portray the personality of a real-life boxer in history, but Washington pulls it off successfully. Nearly 40 years following the downfall of a boxer that fell from popularity facing a hurricane of pain, it’s a riveting remainder of an actor whose movies remain celebrated classics which have never lost their abilities to entertain.

8. Crimson Tide

Stories of submarines crossing dangerous seas have made for memorable movies. In 1995, Denzel Washington captured the appeal of submarines that leave audiences terrified in his film “Crimson Tide”. A nerve-wracking suspense thriller, it found the actor playing the captain of a submarine in danger. In the most intense role of his career, Washington embodies a captain struggling to keep his vessel from spiralling out of control. The film marked the actor’s first collaboration with Gene Hackman. Watching two stars fighting in a submarine made for a movie that’s entertaining. Nearly 30 years after the release of a classic film about submarines facing a heavy tide, it’s a powerful reminder of an actor that succeeds playing leaders that guide vessels through obstacles whose timeless movies always give audiences a sense of pride.

9. The Tragedy of Macbeth

It isn’t easy to adapt a celebrated Shakespeare play on the big-screen today. Arguably the most celebrated author in English literature, Shakespeare penned timeless plays that changed the world forever. Making a Shakespeare adaptation often poses certain challenges for actors. Actors face challenging pressure of having to learn ancient poetry, rehearsing lines and portray characters that are complicated. However, Denzel Washington pulled it off effortlessly in his film “The Tragedy of Macbeth”. In the first ever Shakespeare role of his career, Washington embodies personality of a legendary literary character facing despair. As powerful as the plays of Shakespeare, it’s a poetic reminder of a movie-star that thrives at playing legendary literary heroes throughout his career whose timeless movies deserve to be cherished with care.

10. Unstoppable

Denzel Washington has built a reputation for playing heroes on a mission. Since his career began years ago, Washington has excelled at playing a hero. Washington’s strength for playing invincible heroes that are unstoppable is showcased in his film “Unstoppable”. Released in 2010, Washington’s most underrated movie finds the actor on a mission to rescue passengers on a train that’s unstoppable. Despite the ridiculous nature of the plot, it’s entertaining to watch the actor attempt to save a train in danger. In his most heroic role of his career, Washington excels at portraying a hero seeking to rescue a train that’s catastrophic. Like powerful freight trains that are unstoppable, it’s a remarkable reminder of an actor that always excels at playing inspirational heroes whose movies will forever hold a place in my heart that’s special.