Denzel Washington isn’t just making movies anymore; he’s curation-mode. Honestly, if you’ve watched his recent press runs, the man sounds like someone checking off a very specific, very elite bucket list. He basically told the world he’s only got a few left in him before he hangs it up for good.
It’s a bit of a gut punch for fans.
We are talking about the guy who gave us Training Day and Malcolm X. But at 71, Denzel is pivoting toward the "unfathomable" stuff—the roles he hasn't touched yet. His recent slate is a mix of massive Roman epics, gritty New York remakes, and a literal march toward Marvel.
The Absolute Scene-Stealer in Gladiator II
If you haven't seen Gladiator II yet, you’re missing Denzel having the absolute time of his life. He plays Macrinus. He’s a power-hungry arms dealer and gladiator stable owner who is, quite frankly, the only reason the movie stays afloat when the plot gets a little shaky.
Critics and fans have been split on the accent, though. Some people were annoyed that he sounds exactly like Denzel from Mount Vernon while standing in the middle of Ancient Rome. Others? They loved it. It’s that signature swagger. He’s wearing gold rings and silk robes, but he’s talking like a guy who just stepped off a subway in Brooklyn. It’s magnetic.
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"I don't know how many more films I'm gonna make. Probably not that many. I want to do things I haven't done."
That’s what he told the press recently. It explains why he’s taking these big, swing-for-the-fences roles. In Gladiator II, he isn't the hero. He’s the guy pulling the strings, and he does it with a wicked twinkle in his eye that makes everyone else on screen look a bit dull.
Highest 2 Lowest: The Spike Lee Reunion
The Denzel Washington most recent movies list officially grew in late 2025 with the release of Highest 2 Lowest. This was a massive deal because it marked his fifth collaboration with Spike Lee. They haven't worked together since Inside Man back in 2006.
This one is a reimagining of Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 classic High and Low.
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Washington plays David King. He’s a high-level music mogul in New York—the guy with the "best ears in the business." The stakes are classic Kurosawa: King is trying to buy back his company when his son is kidnapped. Or, well, he thinks it's his son. There’s a moral twist that forces him to decide if he’s going to bankrupt himself to save a child that isn't even his.
It’s a tense, sweaty thriller. Spike Lee filmed it all over New York, and it feels lived-in. You’ve got A$AP Rocky making a surprisingly strong film debut alongside Denzel. The movie premiered at Cannes in May 2025 and hit Apple TV+ in September. If you’re looking for "Old School Denzel" drama, this is the one to stream.
The Future: Hannibal and Black Panther 3
So, what is left?
Denzel is currently working on a massive historical epic for Netflix about Hannibal, the Carthaginian general who crossed the Alps on elephants to wreck Rome. This reunites him with Antoine Fuqua. Yeah, the Training Day and Equalizer duo.
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There has been some noise online—mostly in Tunisia—about the casting. People are debating the historical accuracy of a Black actor playing Hannibal. But Denzel has wanted to play this role for twenty years. He’s finally doing it. It’s expected to drop sometime late in 2026.
And then there’s the MCU.
Ryan Coogler is reportedly writing a specific role for Denzel in Black Panther: Shadows of Wakanda (which most people are just calling Black Panther 3). Denzel confirmed it himself. He said Coogler is "writing a part for me." Imagine Denzel in the middle of Wakanda. It’s the kind of "event" casting that Marvel desperately needs right now.
Denzel’s "Retirement" Checklist:
- Gladiator II (Released 2024) - The flamboyant villain Macrinus.
- Highest 2 Lowest (Released 2025) - The music mogul David King.
- Othello (Broadway 2025) - A record-breaking run with Jake Gyllenhaal.
- Hannibal (Upcoming 2026) - The Netflix epic with Antoine Fuqua.
- Black Panther 3 (In Development) - The final MCU appearance?
- King Lear - The rumored final curtain call.
What You Should Do Next
If you want to catch up, start with Highest 2 Lowest on Apple TV+. It’s the most "human" performance he’s given in years. If you want the spectacle, Gladiator II is the move.
Keep an eye on the Hannibal production news later this year. Since it’s a Netflix original, we’ll likely see a teaser trailer by the summer of 2026. Denzel is moving fast to finish this list, so don't expect him to stay on the big screen forever. He’s making sure every last role counts.