You know that feeling when you're scrolling through Netflix at 11 PM and you see Denzel’s face on a thumbnail? You just click it. Doesn't matter if it’s a gritty 90s thriller or a high-budget Roman epic. There’s this unspoken rule in cinema: if Denzel Washington is in the lead, the movie is at least "watchable," and more likely, it's a masterpiece.
Most people searching for a list of movies starring Denzel Washington are looking for the classics, but his career is actually a wilder ride than just the Oscar wins. He's been a corrupt cop, a civil rights icon, a drunk pilot, and even a rap-battling CEO.
Honestly, he’s the last of the true movie stars.
The Absolute Heavy Hitters
If you haven't seen these, start here. These aren't just "good movies"—they're the reason he’s got two Academy Awards and a lifetime achievement trophy from basically every organization that hands them out.
- Training Day (2001): King Kong ain't got nothing on him. This is the one. He won Best Actor for playing Alonzo Harris, a role that proved he could be terrifying and charismatic at the exact same time.
- Gladiator II (2024): He basically walked away with this entire movie. Playing Macrinus, he brought a level of political sleaze and gravitas that made everyone else look like they were just playing dress-up.
- Malcolm X (1992): Many still argue he should have won the Oscar here. Spike Lee and Denzel created a three-hour epic that feels like five minutes.
- Glory (1989): This was his first Oscar win (Supporting Actor). That single tear during the whipping scene? Pure cinema history.
Why the Spike Lee Collaborations Matter
Denzel and Spike Lee are like Jordan and Pippen. They just get each other. Their fifth collaboration, Highest 2 Lowest (2025), just hit Apple TV+, and it's a fascinating neo-noir based on Kurosawa’s High and Low. Denzel plays David King, a record exec whose life implodes when a kidnapping goes sideways.
Before that, they gave us Inside Man (2006). It’s probably the smartest bank heist movie ever made. If you haven't seen it recently, it just landed on Starz this month (January 2026). It’s worth a rewatch just to see the back-and-forth between him and Clive Owen.
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The Action Era: From "Creasy" to "McCall"
There's a specific sub-genre of Denzel movies: "Quiet man with a past gets pushed too far." It's a trope, sure, but nobody does it better.
The Equalizer Trilogy
The first Equalizer (2014) is basically a superhero movie for adults. Robert McCall is a retired commando who just wants to read his books at a diner, but then he has to take down the Russian mob with a corkscrew. The Equalizer 3 (2023) wrapped the story up in Italy, and it's surprisingly brutal. Hulu actually just added the first film to their library on January 1st, so it's trending again.
Man on Fire (2004)
Critics kind of hated this when it came out—it’s sitting at a 39% on Rotten Tomatoes. But audiences? They love it. It’s got an 89% audience score. Watching Denzel’s John Creasy go on a rampage through Mexico City to save a young Dakota Fanning is peak 2000s action. Fun fact: Netflix is actually rebooting this as a series later this year, but the 2004 movie just hit their "top 10" list because everyone is nostalgic for it.
The Hidden Gems and "Almost" Preachers
Did you know Denzel almost didn't act at all? He seriously considered becoming a preacher. His dad was an ordained Pentecostal minister, and Denzel has always been open about his faith. You can see it in his performances—there’s always a moral weight to them, even when he’s playing a villain.
He also paid for Chadwick Boseman’s acting tuition back in the day. He didn't even know who the kid was at the time; he just wanted to give back. That’s the kind of guy he is.
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Here are a few movies that often get left off the typical list of movies starring Denzel Washington but are actually top-tier:
- Devil in a Blue Dress (1995): A gorgeous noir where he plays Easy Rawlins. Don Cheadle is also incredible in this.
- Flight (2012): He plays an alcoholic pilot who pulls off an impossible landing. The first 20 minutes are heart-pounding, but the rest is a devastating look at addiction.
- The Tragedy of Macbeth (2021): Shot in black and white by Joel Coen. It’s Shakespeare, so it’s dense, but Denzel’s voice was built for this stuff.
- He Got Game (1998): He plays a father in prison trying to convince his basketball-star son (Ray Allen) to play for a specific college so he can get a reduced sentence. It’s heartbreaking.
What’s Coming Next?
He isn't slowing down at 71. We're looking at a huge 2026. Aside from the buzz around Highest 2 Lowest, there are rumors of him joining a massive Hannibal project. He’s also been honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom recently, which basically cements his status as an American legend.
Your Denzel Watchlist Strategy
If you're overwhelmed by the sheer volume of his filmography, break it down by vibe.
The "I want to be stressed out" list:
- Crimson Tide (Submarine tension with Gene Hackman)
- The Pelican Brief (Conspiracy thriller with Julia Roberts)
- Unstoppable (A runaway train movie that is way better than it has any right to be)
The "I want to cry/feel something" list:
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- Fences (He directed this too—it’s an acting masterclass)
- Philadelphia (He plays the lawyer for Tom Hanks)
- John Q (A desperate dad takes a hospital hostage to save his son)
The "I want to see him be a badass" list:
- The Book of Eli
- 2 Guns (Great chemistry with Mark Wahlberg)
- The Magnificent Seven
The reality is, you can’t go wrong. Even his "bad" movies like Virtuosity (1995) are fun because he’s so committed to the bit.
If you're looking to catch his most recent work, go see Gladiator II or fire up Highest 2 Lowest on Apple TV+. If you want a weekend marathon, start with Glory, hit Training Day for the midday slump, and finish with American Gangster. That covers the full spectrum of why he’s the GOAT.
Check your local streaming availability, as titles like Inside Man and The Equalizer move between platforms like Starz and Hulu constantly. Happy watching.