Robert McCall (Denzel Washington) watches Vincent crawl down his stairs in Columbia Pictures ‘The Equalizer 3.’ Photo: Stefano Montesi.
Denzel Washington is the most beloved and respected actor of his generation.
Practically beginning his career by winning an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor in ‘Glory,’ Washington would go on to make such movies as ‘Malcolm X,’ ‘Philadelphia,’ ‘Crimson Tide,’ ‘Devil in a Blue Dress,’ ‘The Hurricane‘ and ‘Remember the Titans‘ before winning an Academy Award for Best Actor for playing Alonzo Harris in ‘Training Day.’
Since then, the Oscar-winning actor has appeared in such films as ‘Man on Fire,’ ‘Inside Man,’ ‘American Gangster,’ ‘Unstoppable,’ ‘Safe House,’ ‘The Magnificent Seven‘ and ‘The Equalizer‘ franchise, the third of which entitled ‘The Equalizer 3,’ opens in theaters on September 1st.
In honor of ‘The Equalizer 3’s release, Moviefone is counting down the 45 best movies of Denzel Washington’s incredibly impressive acting career.
Let’s begin!
Denzel Washington as Joe “Deke” Deacon in ‘The Little Things’ from Warner Bros. Pictures.
Deputy Sheriff Joe “Deke” Deacon (Washington) joins forces with Sgt. Jim Baxter (Rami Malek) to search for a serial killer who’s terrorizing Los Angeles. As they track the culprit, Baxter is unaware that the investigation is dredging up echoes of Deke’s past, uncovering disturbing secrets that could threaten more than his case.
“Some things never let us go.”
63
2 hr 8 minJan 29th, 2021
Good natured Reverend Henry Biggs (Courtney B. Vance) finds that his marriage to choir mistress Julia (Whitney Houston) is flagging, due to his constant absence caring for the deprived neighborhood they live in. On top of all this, his church is coming under threat from property developer Joe Hamilton (Gregory Hines). In desperation, Rev. Biggs prays to God for help – and help arrives in the form of an angel named Dudley (Washington).
“They needed help. What they got was a miracle.”
58
2 hr 4 minDec 13th, 1996
A sailor (Derek Luke) prone to violent outbursts is sent to a naval psychiatrist for help. Refusing at first to open up, the young man eventually breaks down and reveals a horrific childhood. Through the guidance of his doctor (Washington), he confronts his painful past and begins a quest to find the family he never knew.
“Antwone Fisher is at war… with himself.”
Years after his squad was ambushed during the Gulf War, Major Ben Marco (Washington) finds himself having terrible nightmares. He begins to doubt that his fellow squad-mate Sergeant Raymond Shaw (Liev Schreiber), now a vice-presidential candidate, is the hero he remembers him being. As Marco’s doubts deepen, Shaw’s political power grows, and, when Marco finds a mysterious implant embedded in his back, the memory of what really happened begins to return.
The secret US abduction of a suspected terrorist from his Middle East homeland leads to a wave of terrorist attacks in New York. An FBI senior agent (Washington) and his team attempt to locate and decommission the enemy cells, but must also deal with an Army General (Bruce Willis) gone rogue and a female CIA agent (Annette Bening) of uncertain loyalties.
“On November 6th our freedom is history”
63
1 hr 56 minNov 6th, 1998
Denzel Washington stars in ‘Déjà Vu’ from Buena Vista Pictures.
Called in to recover evidence in the aftermath of a horrific explosion on a New Orleans ferry, Federal agent Doug Carlin (Washington) gets pulled away from the scene and taken to a top-secret government lab that uses a time-shifting surveillance device to help prevent crime.
“If you think it’s just a feeling, go back… and look again.”
68
2 hr 6 minNov 20th, 2006
Matt Lee Whitlock (Washington), respected chief of police in small Banyan Key, Florida, must solve a vicious double homicide before he himself falls under suspicion. Matt Lee has to stay a few steps ahead of his own police force and everyone he’s trusted in order to find out the truth.
“The Clock Is Ticking…”
63
1 hr 45 minOct 3rd, 2003
In this Shakespearean farce, Hero (Kate Beckinsale) and her groom-to-be, Claudio (Robert Sean Leonard), team up with Claudio’s commanding officer, Don Pedro (Washington), the week before their wedding to hatch a matchmaking scheme. Their targets are sharp-witted duo Benedick (Kenneth Branagh) and Beatrice (Emma Thompson) — a tough task indeed, considering their corresponding distaste for love and each other. Meanwhile, meddling Don John (Keanu Reeves) plots to ruin the wedding.
“Romance. Mischief. Seduction. Revenge. Remarkable.”
70
1 hr 51 minMay 7th, 1993
37. ‘Fallen‘ (1998)
Homicide detective John Hobbes (Washington) witnesses the execution of serial killer Edgar Reese (Elias Koteas). Soon after the execution the killings start again, and they are very similar to Reese’s style.
“Detective John Hobbes is searching for a criminal he’s already met… already caught… and already killed”
67
2 hr 4 minJan 16th, 1998
An Indian family is expelled from Uganda when Idi Amin takes power. They move to Mississippi and time passes. The Indian daughter (Sarita Choudhury) falls in love with a black man (Washington), and the respective families have to come to terms with it.
Denzel Washington as Roman J. Israel in ‘Roman J. Israel, Esq.’ from Sony Pictures.
Hard-nosed liberal lawyer Roman J. Israel (Washington) has been fighting the good fight forever while others take the credit. When his partner – the firm’s frontman – has a heart attack, Israel suddenly takes on that role. He soon discovers some unsettling truths about the firm – truths that conflict with his values of helping the poor and dispossessed – and finds himself in an existential crisis that leads to extreme actions.
“All rise.”
63
2 hr 2 minNov 17th, 2017
The Law Enforcement Technology Advancement Centre (LETAC) has developed SID version 6.7 (Russell Crowe): a Sadistic, Intelligent, and Dangerous virtual reality entity which is synthesized from the personalities of more than 150 serial killers, and only one man can stop him.
“Justice needs a new program.”
55
1 hr 46 minAug 4th, 1995
In a rural town in Louisiana, a black Master Sergeant is found shot to death just outside the local Army Base. Military lawyer, Captain Davenport (Howard E. Rollins Jr.)—also a black man—is sent from Washington to conduct an investigation. Facing an uncooperative chain of command and fearful black troops, Davenport must battle with deceit and prejudice in order to find out exactly who really did kill the Master Sergeant.
“Alone, far from home, and far from justice, he has three days to learn the truth about a murder… and the truth is a story you won’t forget.”
68
1 hr 41 minSep 14th, 1984
A US Army officer (Washington), who made a “friendly fire” mistake that was covered up, has been reassigned to a desk job. He is tasked to investigate a female chopper commander’s (Meg Ryan) worthiness to be awarded the Medal of Honor. At first all seems in order. But then he begins to notice inconsistencies between the testimonies of the witnesses…
“A medal for honor. A search for justice. A battle for truth.”
65
1 hr 56 minJul 4th, 1996
Talented but self-centered trumpeter Bleek Gillian (Washington) is obsessed with his music and indecisiveness about his girlfriends Indigo (Joie Lee) and Clarke (Cynda Williams). But when he is forced to come to the aid of his manager and childhood friend (Spike Lee), Bleek finds his world more fragile that he ever imagined.
65
2 hr 9 minAug 3rd, 1990
Denzel Washington in ‘The Tragedy of Macbeth.’
From Academy Award-winning filmmaker Joel Coen comes the propulsive, boldly cinematic ‘The Tragedy of Macbeth,’ starring Oscar-winners Denzel Washington and Frances McDormand as the devious, ill-fated Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. An original, striking reimagining of the classic Shakespearean tale portrayed in sumptuous black-and-white cinematography, ‘The Tragedy of Macbeth’ finds the titular general and his loyal wife older and warier, desperately striving against a merciless ticking clock as they attempt to seize upon a final opportunity for power. In the chaos that ensues, their grasp on the throne unravels, terror mounts and regret enshrouds every inch of their wretched world. Co-starring Kathryn Hunter, Corey Hawkins, Moses Ingram, Brendan Gleeson, Harry Melling and Bertie Carvel.
29. ‘John Q‘ (2002)
John Quincy Archibald (Washington) is a father and husband whose son is diagnosed with an enlarged heart and then finds out he cannot receive a transplant because HMO insurance will not cover it. Therefore, he decides to take a hospital full of patients hostage until the hospital puts his son’s name on the donor’s list.
“Give a father no options and you leave him no choice.”
71
1 hr 56 minFeb 15th, 2002
A basketball player’s father (Washington) must try to convince him (Ray Allen) to go to a college so he can get a shorter prison sentence.
“The father, the son and the holy game.”
68
2 hr 16 minApr 25th, 1998
A post-apocalyptic tale, in which a lone man (Washington) fights his way across America in order to protect a sacred book that holds the secrets to saving humankind.
“Some will kill to have it. He will kill to protect it.”
68
1 hr 58 minJan 11th, 2010
An attorney (Washington) is terrorized by the criminal (John Lithgow) he put away years ago when he was a cop.
“He’s a cop accused of murder. And the only man who knows he’s innocent is the killer who framed him.”
60
1 hr 49 minOct 4th, 1991
25. ‘Flight‘ (2012)
Denzel Washington as Captain William “Whip” Whitaker in ‘Flight’ from Paramount Pictures.
Commercial airline pilot Whip Whitaker (Washington) has a problem with drugs and alcohol, though so far he’s managed to complete his flights safely. His luck runs out when a disastrous mechanical malfunction sends his plane hurtling toward the ground. Whip pulls off a miraculous crash-landing that results in only six lives lost. Shaken to the core, Whip vows to get sober — but when the crash investigation exposes his addiction, he finds himself in an even worse situation.
68
2 hr 18 minOct 14th, 2012
Rookie cop, Amelia Donaghy (Angelina Jolie) reluctantly teams with Lincoln Rhyme (Washington) – formerly the department’s top homicide detective but now paralyzed as a result of a spinal injury – to catch a grisly serial killer dubbed ‘The Bone Collector’. The murderer’s special signature is to leave tantalizing clues based on the grim remains of his crimes.
“Two cops on the trail of a serial killer. They must see as one… They must act as one… They must think as one… Before another victim falls.”
68
1 hr 58 minNov 2nd, 1999
23. ‘2 Guns‘ (2013)
A DEA agent (Washington) and an undercover Naval Intelligence officer (Mark Wahlberg) who have been tasked with investigating one another find they have been set up by the mob — the very organization the two men believe they have been stealing money from.
“2 Guns, 1 Bank.”
65
1 hr 49 minAug 2nd, 2013
A dramatic story, based on actual events, about the friendship between two men struggling against apartheid in South Africa in the 1970s. Donald Woods (Kevin Kline) is a white liberal journalist in South Africa who begins to follow the activities of Stephen Biko (Washington), a courageous and outspoken black anti-apartheid activist.
71
2 hr 37 minNov 5th, 1987
Two competing lawyers (Tom Hanks and Washington) join forces to sue a prestigious law firm for AIDS discrimination. As their unlikely friendship develops their courage overcomes the prejudice and corruption of their powerful adversaries.
“No one would take on his case… until one man was willing to take on the system.”
77
2 hr 6 minDec 14th, 1993
Denzel Washington in ‘The Equalizer 3.’ Photo: Stefano Montesi.
Since giving up his life as a government assassin, Robert McCall (Washington) has struggled to reconcile the horrific things he’s done in the past and finds a strange solace in serving justice on behalf of the oppressed. Finding himself surprisingly at home in Southern Italy, he discovers his new friends are under the control of local crime bosses. As events turn deadly, McCall knows what he has to do: become his friends’ protector by taking on the mafia.
“Justice knows no borders.”
Since giving up his life as a government assassin, Robert McCall (Denzel Washington) has struggled to reconcile the horrific things he’s done in the past and finds… Read the Plot
Looking to mine for gold, greedy industrialist Bartholomew Bogue (Peter Sarsgaard) seizes control of the Old West town of Rose Creek. With their lives in jeopardy, Emma Cullen (Haley Bennett) and other desperate residents turn to bounty hunter Sam Chisolm (Washington) for help. Chisolm recruits an eclectic group of gunslingers to take on Bogue and his ruthless henchmen. With a deadly showdown on the horizon, the seven mercenaries soon find themselves fighting for more than just money once the bullets start to fly.
“Justice has a number.”
64
2 hr 12 minSep 19th, 2016
A runaway train, transporting deadly, toxic chemicals, is barreling down on Stanton, Pennsylvania, and proves to be unstoppable until a veteran engineer (Washington) and young conductor (Chris Pine) risk their lives to try and stop it with a switch engine.
“1,000,000 Tons. 100,000 Lives. 100 Minutes.”
65
1 hr 38 minNov 12th, 2010
Two Supreme Court Justices have been assassinated. One lone law student (Julia Roberts) has stumbled upon the truth. An investigative journalist (Washington) wants her story. Everybody else wants her dead.
66
2 hr 21 minDec 13th, 1993
After the Cold War, a breakaway Russian republic with nuclear warheads becomes a possible worldwide threat. U.S. submarine Capt. Frank Ramsey (Gene Hackman) signs on a relatively green but highly recommended Lt. Cmdr. Ron Hunter (Washington) to the USS Alabama, which may be the only ship able to stop a possible Armageddon. When Ramsay insists that the Alabama must act aggressively, Hunter, fearing they will start rather than stop a disaster, leads a potential mutiny to stop him.
“Danger runs deep.”
72
1 hr 56 minMay 12th, 1995
15. ‘Fences‘ (2016)
(L to R) Denzel Washington plays Troy Maxson and Viola Davis plays Rose Maxson in ‘Fences’ from Paramount Pictures.
In 1950s Pittsburgh, a frustrated African-American father (Washington) struggles with the constraints of poverty, racism, and his own inner demons as he tries to raise a family.
“Some people build fences to keep people out, and other people build fences to keep people in.”
69
2 hr 19 minDec 16th, 2016
Robert McCall (Washington), who serves an unflinching justice for the exploited and oppressed, embarks on a relentless, globe-trotting quest for vengeance when a long-time friend (Melissa Leo) is murdered.
Armed men hijack a New York City subway train, holding the passengers hostage in return for a ransom, and turning an ordinary day’s work for dispatcher Walter Garber (Washington) into a face-off with the mastermind behind the crime.
“I can’t get it out of my head. I’m gonna die today.”
63
1 hr 46 minJun 4th, 2009
A dangerous CIA renegade (Washington) resurfaces after a decade on the run. When the safe house he’s remanded to is attacked by mercenaries, a rookie operative (Ryan Reynolds) escapes with him. Now, the unlikely allies must stay alive long enough to uncover who wants them dead.
“No one is safe”
64
1 hr 55 minFeb 7th, 2012
11. ‘Glory‘ (1989)
Robert Gould Shaw (Matthew Broderick) leads the US Civil War’s first all-black volunteer company, fighting prejudices of both his own Union army and the Confederates.
“Their innocence. Their heritage. Their lives.”
75
2 hr 2 minDec 15th, 1989
(Right) Denzel Washington as Herman Boone in ‘Remember the Titans.’
After leading his football team to 15 winning seasons, coach Bill Yoast (Will Patton) is demoted and replaced by Herman Boone (Washington) – who is tough, opinionated and as different from the beloved Yoast as he could be. The two men learn to overcome their differences and turn a group of hostile young men into champions.
“History is written by the winners.”
76
1 hr 53 minSep 23rd, 2000
In late 1940s Los Angeles, Easy Rawlins (Washington) is an unemployed black World War II veteran with few job prospects. At a bar, Easy meets DeWitt Albright (Tom Sizemore), a mysterious white man looking for someone to investigate the disappearance of a missing white woman named Daphne Monet (Jennifer Beals), who he suspects is hiding out in one of the city’s black jazz clubs. Strapped for money and facing house payments, Easy takes the job, but soon finds himself in over his head.
“Private detective Easy Rawlins has been caught on the wrong side of the most dangerous secret in town.”
63
1 hr 42 minSep 15th, 1995
Following the death of his employer and mentor, Bumpy Johnson (Clarence Williams III), Frank Lucas (Washington) establishes himself as the number one importer of heroin in the Harlem district of Manhattan. He does so by buying heroin directly from the source in South East Asia and he comes up with a unique way of importing the drugs into the United States. Partly based on a true story.
“There are two sides to the American dream”
76
2 hr 37 minOct 19th, 2007
When an armed, masked gang (led by Clive Owen) enter a Manhattan bank, lock the doors and take hostages, the detective (Washington) assigned to effect their release enters negotiations preoccupied with corruption charges he is facing.
“It looked like the perfect bank robbery. But you can’t judge a crime by its cover.”
74
2 hr 9 minMar 20th, 2006
The story of Rubin “Hurricane” Carter (Washington), a boxer wrongly imprisoned for murder, and the people who aided in his fight to prove his innocence.
“His greatest fight was for justice.”
74
2 hr 26 minDec 29th, 1999
(L to R) Denzel Washington and Dakota Fanning in director Tony Scott’s ‘Man on Fire.’
Jaded ex-CIA operative John Creasy (Washington) reluctantly accepts a job as the bodyguard for a 10-year-old girl (Dakota Fanning) in Mexico City. They clash at first, but eventually bond, and when she’s kidnapped he’s consumed by fury and will stop at nothing to save her life.
“Creasy’s art is death, and he is about to paint his masterpiece.”
74
2 hr 26 minApr 21st, 2004
Robert McCall (Washington) believes he has put his mysterious past behind him and dedicated himself to beginning a new, quiet life. But when he meets Teri (Chloe Grace Moretz), a young girl under the control of ultra-violent Russian gangsters, he can’t stand idly by – he has to help her. Armed with hidden skills that allow him to serve vengeance against anyone who would brutalize the helpless, McCall comes out of his self-imposed retirement and finds his desire for justice reawakened. If someone has a problem, if the odds are stacked against them, if they have nowhere else to turn, McCall will help. He is The Equalizer.
A tribute to the controversial black activist and leader (played by Washington) of the struggle for black liberation. He hit bottom during his imprisonment in the ’50s, he became a Black Muslim and then a leader in the Nation of Islam. His assassination in 1965 left a legacy of self-determination and racial pride.
Police chief Xavier Quinn (Washington) investigates the gruesome murder of Donald Pater, one of the wealthiest residents on a Caribbean island. He was found decapitated in his Jacuzzi. Although the local political establishment, especially crooked Governor Chalk (Norman Beaton), insists that small-time thief Maubee (Robert Townsend) is responsible, Xavier has his doubts. This view is complicated by the police chief’s personal history with Maubee: The men have been friends since childhood.
“The chief of police and the chief suspect know each other too well to let a little thing like murder get in their way.”
62
1 hr 38 minFeb 17th, 1989
Denzel Washington as Detective Alonzo Harris in ‘Training Day.’
Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures.
On his first day on the job as a narcotics officer, a rookie cop (Ethan Hawke) works with a rogue detective (Washington) who isn’t what he appears.
“The only thing more dangerous than the line being crossed, is the cop who will cross it.”
75
2 hr 2 minOct 5th, 2001
