Denzel Washington is more than just a Hollywood legend—he is a cultural icon whose work has transcended entertainment to leave a lasting impact on society. With a career spanning over four decades, Washington has consistently delivered powerhouse performances while also dedicating his life to philanthropy and mentoring the next generation. As we celebrate Black History Month, we look at some of his most defining roles and his contributions beyond the screen.
It's hard to believe by looking at my list below that this isn't the entirety of Denzel Washington's career. Not even close. These are just my favorites that have stuck with me through the years. Why? Some are because of his memorable individual performances, others are because he went toe-to-toe with other legends of the industry to bring out their best, and of course there are just those that kept me thinking long after I left the theater.
My Favorite Performances
(in no particular order)
Malcolm X (1992)
Washington’s portrayal of the iconic civil rights leader in Spike Lee’s Malcolm X is widely regarded as one of the greatest performances in film history. His commitment to the role—from physical transformation to channeling Malcolm X’s fiery speeches—earned him an Academy Award nomination and cemented his place as one of Hollywood’s top actors. This also marks the second time Washington and Spike Lee teamed up. Luckily for us, they are still working together on movies with a new one currently in production!
Glory (1989)
Winning his first Oscar for Best Supporting Actor, Washington played Private Trip, a runaway slave-turned-Union soldier in Glory. His emotional performance, especially in the film’s unforgettable whipping scene, was both heartbreaking and powerful. If your parents weren't huge fans of the television show St. Elsewhere, this was probably your introduction to the main man. His turn as Private Trip is gut wrenching and humanizing to a very difficult topic to talk about in this country (slavery is illegal, but racism is accepted).
Training Day (2001)
In a career-defining turn, Washington took on the role of corrupt detective Alonzo Harris in Training Day, which won him the Academy Award for Best Actor. His portrayal of a morally complex antihero showcased his versatility and commanding screen presence. His onscreen intimidation of Ethan Hawke's character Jake is one of the most impressive showcases of through the looking glass that I've ever seen. It's also an incredible look at a character's downward spiral as we see the last vestiges of his dominance as he free falls from a very bad decision. It also marks the first wonderful collaboration between Denzel and Antoine Fuqua!
Remember the Titans (2000)
In this inspiring sports drama, Washington played Coach Herman Boone, a football coach working to unite a racially divided high school team. His performance made the film a classic and an essential part of conversations about leadership and racial unity. This is definitely a cliched sports movie, but who cares because it's so wonderfully endearing. The supporting cast is great too, with an unknown Hayden Panettiere, Donald Faison, Ethan Suplee, Ryan Hurst, and Will Patton. I know Patton is not a household name, but he plays an incredible foil to Washington as they not only challenge societal norms, but are also forced to work together with two different coaching styles.
Philadelphia (1993)
Opposite Tom Hanks, Washington played lawyer Joe Miller, who overcomes his prejudices to defend a man with AIDS. This powerful legal drama highlighted Washington’s ability to balance intensity with subtlety. I haven't seen this film in years, so I'm not sure how well it stands up in that AIDS has become a lot scary with the advancements of medicine. BUT when it was released, it was a real eye-opener for a naive kid from a small town in Ohio. The pairing of Washington and Hanks brought great empathy and education to an incredibly divisive subject. These two titans of acting shine every time they dominate the screen.
The Hurricane (1999)
Washington delivered a gripping performance as Rubin "Hurricane" Carter, a boxer wrongly convicted of murder. His portrayal of Carter’s resilience and fight for justice earned him a Golden Globe and an Academy Award nomination. It's hard to say any of Washington's films are underrated, but I feel like this is one such example. Once again he reaches into history to portray a famous character that fell victim to racism on a deadly level. His portrayal of Rubin Carter is both heartwarming and heartbreaking as we see the injustices the Hurricane had to endure while he saw his career and life waste away.
American Gangster (2007)
As Frank Lucas, a Harlem drug kingpin, Washington captivated audiences with his smooth yet ruthless portrayal of a man who built an empire in 1970s New York City. His commanding presence elevated this crime drama to iconic status. I don't remember the specific details, but I do remember this film was a long time coming. There were several stops and gos, with my honest opinion being that it would never get made. Finally, with the addition of Russell Crowe as the foil and Ridley Scott as the director, the movie was made and showcased Washington's ability to portray a historically badass gangster from the 70s.
Flight (2012)
In this gripping drama, Washington played a commercial airline pilot battling addiction and accountability. His layered performance as a flawed hero earned him yet another Oscar nomination. This is definitely one of those films I enjoyed at the time, but didn't realize it would keep my thinking about it for years to come. It was also a very interesting departure for filmmaker Robert Zemeckis. When you hope to move away from time travel and motion capture movies, including Denzel Washington as your lead is the way to go.
The Equalizer (2014)
As Robert McCall, a retired intelligence operative with a strong moral code and lethal skills, Washington proved his star power transcends genres, making The Equalizer a modern action favorite. If this one is on television, I am stopping what I'm doing and watching. The scene where McCall takes down the first round of Russian thugs is one of the best action sequences in film history. Personally, it also brings back nice memories of watching the original television show with my dad way back in the day. And finally, it's yet another great team up between Washington and director Antoine Fuqua. Love when these two work together!
The Book of Eli (2010)
A drifter fights his way across a ravaged, post-apocalyptic America while protecting a sacred book that holds the secrets to humanity's salvation. This entry is an unjustly under appreciated flick that deserves to be seen. At the heart of it all, you guessed it, Denzel Washington. It certainly doesn't hurt that he gets to act opposite Gary Oldman. There's also a nice twist that isn't necessary, but definitely takes the ante to the next level. It doesn't hurt that it was written by Gary Whitta, who worked on Star Wars entries like Rogue One and Rebels!
Man on Fire (2004)
In Mexico City, a former CIA operative swears vengeance on those who committed an unspeakable act against the family he was hired to protect. Man on Fire is a classic revenge tale that showcases Washington at his finest in this action flick. I love that he created a long lasting protective relationship with Dakota Fanning because the chemistry definitely shows onscreen. It doesn't hurt he also shares screen time with Christopher Walken. It also shows that directors love to work with the legend as he once again teamed up with Tony Scott for this one.
Fallen (1998)
Homicide detective John Hobbes witnesses the execution of serial killer Edgar Reese. Soon after the execution, the killings start again, and they are very similar to Reese's style. Once again, Denzel Washington carried a criminally under seen movie. This suspenseful thriller takes on preconceived notices of death and religion and turns it on its head. Once again, some of the greats accompany Washington on this ride with Donald Sutherland, John Goodman, James Gandolfini, and Elias Koteas co-starring. To this day, I still think about the wonderful ending and the fantastic twist.
Heart Condition (1990)
A racist cop receives a heart transplant from a black lawyer he hates, who returns as a ghost to ask the cop to help take down the men who murdered him. Why is this on the list? Because it's one of the few comedies that Denzel took on and he gets to co-star with the wonderful Bob Hoskins. It's a great concept and these two have a great chemistry. Clearly it's a bit dated with some of the humor and circumstances, but it still showcases fun performances and I find it entertaining. Although, one could argue that maybe it's not all that dated as we still have racial tension, not to mention cops and lawyers don't exactly have a great relationship. Regardless, if you can find it, give it a watch.
Ricochet (1991)
A vengeful hitman seeks revenge on a police officer turned District Attorney that put him behind bars. Once again, Denzel teams up with an amazing actor in John Lithgow. We don't see him this way much nowadays, but Lithgow's ability to play evil is tremendous. This film in particular showcases his acting genius as he plays games with Washington's character, Nick Styles, in order to disgrace him and even put him behind bars. Ricochet is most definitely dated as a 90s film, but that doesn't make it a bad story. It's highly entertaining. Oh yeah, we also see the early days of Ice T as an actor.
Crimson Tide (1995)
On a U.S. nuclear missile sub, a young First Officer stages a mutiny to prevent his trigger-happy Captain from launching his missiles before confirming his orders to do so. Once again, Washington showcases his amazing ability to team up with great talent and take the film to the next level. In this case, he is pitted again the legend Gene Hackman. And boy oh boy, it does not disappoint. Add the fact that they are sparring in a submarine over nuclear retaliation, you cannot get much better tension than this. This is one of those films that I will watch any time I come across it on tv.
He Got Game (1998)
A basketball player's father must try to convince him to go to a college so he can get a shorter sentence. This is not a commentary on the level of talent surrounding Denzel, but rather his ability to carry a film. His co-star, basketball Hall of Fame star Ray Allen. Granted, he wasn't quite there when this film was made, mainly because he was still playing. Washington once again teams up with Spike Lee for a great drama that shows the failure, regret, pride, and disappointment of being a father (and son). It's definitely a must watch, but, for me, it's not a frequent rewatch because it's not one of those happy happy joy joy films. But it does have a fantastic remake of Buffalo Springfield's For "What It's Worth", sung by Public Enemy.
Inside Man (2006)
A police detective, a bank robber, and a high-power broker enter high-stakes negotiations after the criminal's brilliant heist spirals into a hostage situation. This was a surprise one for me. I truly enjoy all the actors in it, but I didn't feel the need to run to the theaters to see it. I had heard great things, so I finally rented it (yes, we rented things back in the early 2000s). This flick has one of the greatest twists of all time. And that's only part of it as Washington goes head to head with the likes of Jodie Foster, Willem Dafoe, Clive Owen, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and the legend Christopher Plummer. It's also a great departure for director Spike Lee as he tackles this bank heist dramatic thriller with expertise. Highly recommend this slow burn with a fantastic payoff.
Beyond acting, Washington has dedicated much of his life to uplifting young Black artists. He has mentored actors like Chadwick Boseman, even funding a scholarship that allowed Boseman to attend a prestigious acting program. His contributions to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, where he has served as a spokesperson for decades, have helped shape countless young lives.
Washington has also consistently used his platform to advocate for education and racial equality. His generous donations to historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and various social justice causes demonstrate his commitment to empowering future generations.
Denzel Washington’s influence goes far beyond his incredible filmography. He is a symbol of excellence, resilience, and dedication, both in his craft and in his commitment to helping others. As he transitions away from acting, his impact on film and society remains undeniable.
Do you have a favorite Denzel Washington flick (or twenty)? Let us know what you think.
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