My Favourite Denzel Washington Films of All-Time

Not many actors have earned appreciation of Denzel Washington. Since the 1990’s, Washington has become an icon. Whether it’s corrupt police officers, political leaders or dedicated lawyers, Washington has played several strong characters. Given the sheer number of movies that he has made, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my picks for best movies of an actor that deserves to be celebrated.

1. Malcolm X

Malcolm X is a powerful political leader that has always inspired my teacher. At an early age, I formed a strong bond with a professor that adored a politician with courage. I remember she would always love to discuss a strong political leader that changed the course of history forever. She would always speak fondly about a political leader that shaped her identity. In 1992, Denzel Washington did an extraordinary job of portraying the political leader in his movie “Malcolm X”. In the greatest role of his career, Washington embodied a legendary political leader seeking to guide a country facing despair. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most memorable role. It isn’t easy to portray a renowned icon in American history, but Washington pulled it off successfully. Washington has always been one of those actors that has a strong screen presence, and his strengths are clearly evident in “Malcolm X”. Working alongside Spike Lee who is also amazing, Washington honoured the legacy of a political leader that’s inspiring. For instance, the scene in which Malcolm X delivers an inspiring speech to the public motivating black people to stand up against injustice causing despair is one of the finest moments 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 the importance of standing up against injustice which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 60 years following assassination of an African-American leader that changed the world forever, it’s a rousing reminder of a commemorated actor that thrives playing characters with a charismatic nature whose unforgettable movies audiences treasure.

2. Training Day

Police officers putting their lives in danger have always fascinated my brother. I remember forming strong bonds with a brother that had dreams of becoming a police officer. He would often speak fondly about cops that shaped his identity. Watching cops solving crimes on the news was an offer he simply couldn’t refuse. As someone treasuring fond memories of a brother that loved seeing cops solve crimes every day, I adored “Training Day”. Released in 2001, Denzel Washington’s movie depicted cops training to solve murders. In the most corrupt role of his career, Washington embodies a conflicted cop seeking to resolve crime in a town facing despair. Washington has always had a powerful screen presence, and “Training Day” showcased his strengths as a performer. Alonzo is a larger-than-life character that gave the actor a chance to showcase his strong screen presence. For instance, the final scene in which Alonzo delivers an intense monologue comparing himself to King Kong experiencing despair is one of the greatest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Training Day” a commemorated crime classic is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about crime which would resonate with everyone. A captivating portrait of anxiety-ridden cops seeking to train, it’s a breathtaking reminder about a celebrated actor that has managed to gain a huge following through making commemorated movies that entertain.

3. Philadelphia

Gay people are rarely depicted with respect in movies today. Several years ago, I witnessed hardships faced by a gay cousin seeking acceptance in Toronto. Fond of wearing women’s attire, he was a person my entire family would admire. Unaware he was queer, I bonded with a cousin about whom I came to care. As someone treasuring joyous memories of a gay cousin enduring homophobia, I adored “Philadelphia”. Released in 1993, Denzel Washington’s movie captured hardships faced by gay men facing adversities during the AIDS crisis. In the most courageous role of his career, Washington embodies a dedicated lawyer that seeks to defend a queer man in legal cases facing despair. With “Philadelphia”, Washington took a step out of his comfort zone by making his first AIDS drama. Working alongside Tom Hanks who is also amazing, Washington honoured LGBTQ communities. For instance, the scene in which Joe Miller interrogates Andrew in court asking him to showcase lesions on his body causing despair is one of the greatest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Philadelphia” a courtroom classic is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about sexual identity which would resonate with everyone. As strong as Andrew’s desire to battle homophobia in Philadelphia, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a commemorated actor with charisma whose unforgettable movies always attract audiences to the Cinema.

4. Fences

Fathers are inspirational figures that shape children’s future. As far as I remember, I have always shared a powerful bond with my father. However, my father has often faced pressure as a caregiver. I have witnessed him facing hardships that have affected his ability to provide for my family. Few movies that I’ve ever seen have captured the fences barriers faced by parents as powerfully as “Fences”. Released in 2016, Denzel Washington’s movie honoured a Broadway play. In the most emotionally demanding role of his career, Washington embodies a father struggling to provide for his family facing despair. Washington has always had a powerful voice that projects authority, and “Fences” showcased his strengths clearly. Working alongside Viola Davis who is also amazing, Washington painted a portrait of parenting that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Troy delivers an emotional lecture to his son about being a parent facing a burden to bear is one of the greatest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Fences” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about parenting which would resonate with everyone. A beautiful adaptation of a Broadway play about African-American parents facing a price to pay, it’s a brilliant reminder of an actor whose movies are worth celebrating today.

5. Flight

Alcohol addiction is a painful process putting people under stress. Several years ago, I witnessed a close companion experience alcohol addiction causing sorrow. An alcoholic, he loved engaging in heavy drinking without concern for effects that could be tragic. Our friendship suddenly ended when I decided I could no longer bear setting him get wasted. As someone that has witnessed barriers a companion with alcohol addiction had to fight, I admired “Flight”. Released in 2012, Denzel Washington’s movie offered an engaging depiction of alcohol addiction. In the most tragic role of his career, Washington embodies an airline pilot with severe alcohol addiction that causes despair. Washington has always been one of those actors with an aptitude for conveying emotions through monologues, and “Flight” showcased his strengths as an actor. For instance, the scene in which Whip Whitaker breaks down in tears admitting that he is an alcoholic during a hearing causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Flight” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about alcohol addiction which would resonate with everyone. A fantastic portrait of the barriers that alcoholic pilots fight, it’s a fabulous reminder about an actor whose movies have fulfilled audiences’ appetite.

6. Glory

Over the past decade, the war movie genre has declined in quality.  With their loud spectacle, cardboard characters and poor storytelling, most war movies have become a chore to sit through. In a genre facing destruction, “Glory” is a glorious exception. Released in 1989, Denzel Washington’s movie honoured black soldiers in the American Civil War. In the most glorious role of his career, Washington embodied a black soldier facing despair. It gave the actor a chance to showcase his aptitude for playing powerful characters. Working alongside Morgan Freeman who is also amazing, Washington honoured black veterans in the Civil War. A glorious tribute towards courageous African-American soldiers fighting in a Civil War that was dangerous, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that has made memorable movies audiences consider precious.

7. Gladiator II

Gladiators are grand figures that my grandfather has always loved dearly. At an early age, I bonded with a grandfather that had knowledge about gladiators with courage. He would praise Rome as a place he considered home. As someone treasuring a grandfather that grew up to value gladiators making his dreams come true, I admired “Gladiator II”. Released in 2024, Denzel Washington’s most recent movie captured gladiators in history. In the most villainous role of his career, Washington embodies a political figure that guides gladiators. Washington has spent most of his career playing heroes. With “Gladiator II”, however, he showcased a villainous side to himself audiences hadn’t seen before. A grand portrait of gladiators in medieval history, it’s a great reminder of an actor that has made movies audiences love dearly.

8. The Hurricane

When it comes to the greatest boxers in American history, it’s worth discussing Rubin Carter. Known as the Hurricane, Carter sought to become a boxer with abilities to entertain. An icon in the world of boxing, Carter earned a huge following. In 1999, Denzel Washington honoured the boxer causing a hurricane in his movie “The Hurricane”. In the most athletic role of his career, Washington embodies a boxer facing despair. It’s a physically demanding role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his aptitude for playing strong athletes. Washington showcased commitment to playing a boxer undergoing a strong transformation. Nearly 40 years after Ruben Carter became a world-famous boxer causing a hurricane, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that has managed to gain a huge following making movies which entertain.

9. The Tragedy of Macbeth

It isn’t easy to adapt a beloved Shakespeare play on the big-screen today. Arguably the most celebrated author in English literature, Shakespeare changed the world forever. Making a Shakespeare adaptation often poses certain challenges for actors. However, in 2022 Denzel Washington pulled it off effortlessly in his film “The Tragedy of Macbeth”. In the first ever Shakespeare role of his career, Washington embodies a legendary literary character facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his aptitude for delivering complex monologues. Working alongside Frances McDormand who is also amazing, Washington honoured literature. As powerful as the plays of Shakespeare, it’s a poetic reminder of a movie-star that has built an impressive career whose timeless movies deserve to be cherished with care.

10. 2 Guns

Denzel Washington hasn’t always made great movies earning recognition. While most movies the actor has been have been appreciated, a few have left audiences disappointed. Unfortunately, “2 Guns” falls into the latter category of movies. Released in 2013, Baltasar Kormakur’s crime drama was a disaster. In the most forgettable role of his career, Washington embodies a criminal facing a burden to bear. Washington brought a sharp sense of humour to the role standing out as the bright spot of a bad movie. Although “2 Guns” is a disastrous movie, it proves Denzel Washington’s long-lasting legacy. As strong as guns that two gangsters love to use, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actor that hasn’t lost his abilities to use his charisma to create compelling movies which I will forever treasure for inspiring my love of writing movie reviews.