The 18 essential Denzel Washington movie performances of all time, ranked

Jason GuerrasioDec 29, 2020, 03:24 IST

Denzel Washington.Christopher Polk/Getty Images

Denzel Washington's career is one of the all-time best.
We highlight 18 of his essential performances, including his best role.
Movies like "Glory," "Training Day," and "Malcolm X" all made the list.

Over 40 years, Denzel Washington has built one of the best careers in Hollywood.

With two Oscar wins and six nominations, he's delivered performances that will never be forgotten. There are the dramas like "Training Day" and "Malcolm X," to the thrillers like "The Equalizer" and "The Bone Collector."

And surprisingly, he's done all of this without playing the franchise game - outside of "The Equalizer," he's never made a sequel to any of his movies.

Here are the 18 essential Denzel Washington roles, ranked to the all-time best of his career.

18. "The Bone Collector" (1999)

Denzel Washington and Angelia Jolie in "The Bone Collector." Universal

17. "Crimson Tide" (1995)

(L-R) Denzel Washington and Gene Hackman in "Crimson Tide." Buena Vista Pictures

16. “The Equalizer” (2014)

Denzel Washington in "The Equalizer." Sony Pictures

15. "Roman J. Israel, Esq." (2017)

Denzel Washington in "Roman J. Israel, Esq." Sony Pictures

14. "American Gangster" (2007)

Ridley Scott's "American Gangster." Universal Pictures

13. "Mo' Better Blues" (1990)

Denzel Washington in "Mo' Better Blues." Universal

12. "He Got Game" (1998)

(L-R) Denzel Washington and Ray Allen in "He Got Game." Buena Vista

11. "Courage Under Fire" (1996)

Denzel Washington in "Courage Under Fire." Fox

10. "The Hurricane" (1999)

Norman Jewison's "The Hurricane." Photo courtesy of Universal Pictures

9. "Cry Freedom" (1987)

Denzel Washington in "Cry Freedom." Universal

8. “Flight” (2012)

Denzel Washington in "Flight." Paramount

7. "Remember the Titans" (2000)

Denzel Washington in "Remember the Titans." Disney/Buena Vista Pictures

6. "Fences" (2016)

Denzel Washington in "Fences." Paramount

5. "Devil in a Blue Dress" (1995)

Denzel Washington in "Devil in a Blue Dress." TriStar Pictures

4. "Philadelphia" (1993)

(L-R) Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington in "Philadelphia." TriStar Pictures

3. "Glory" (1989)

Denzel Washington in "Glory." TriStar Pictures

2. "Training Day" (2001)

Denzel Washington in "Training Day." screenshot/Training day

1. "Malcolm X" (1992)

Denzel Washington in "Malcolm X." Warner Bros.

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