When people talk about movies with Jada Pinkett Smith, the conversation usually derails into "the slap" or some "entanglement" joke from Red Table Talk. It’s a bit of a shame. Honestly, if you actually look at her filmography, she has spent three decades playing characters that basically define the "tough but vulnerable" archetype in Black cinema and big-budget sci-fi. She isn't just a celebrity spouse; she’s an actor who built her own lane through grit.
Think back to the early 90s. Jada didn't start at the top. She fought for roles that had actual meat on the bone, often in films that were raw and unapologetically urban. She’s got this specific energy—a mix of Baltimore street smarts and high-end elegance—that makes her believable whether she’s robbing a bank or piloting a hovercraft through a swarm of Sentinels.
The Roles That Built the Icon
Everyone points to The Matrix, but the real ones know it started with Menace II Society in 1993. She played Ronnie. It was her feature film debut, and she was only about 21 years old. In a movie filled with nihilism and violence, she was the "moral center."
Then came 1996. That was a monster year for her. You’ve got The Nutty Professor, where she played the sweetheart Carla Purty opposite Eddie Murphy. It was a massive commercial hit. But the movie that truly cemented her as a legend was Set It Off.
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If you haven't seen Set It Off, you're missing out on one of the best heist movies of the 90s. Period. Jada played Stony, a woman driven to desperation after her brother is killed by police. It’s a heartbreaking performance. She wasn't just "the girl" in the group; she was the emotional anchor. The chemistry between her, Queen Latifah, Vivica A. Fox, and Kimberly Elise is something most modern ensembles can't even touch.
When the Matrix Wrote a Role Just for Her
Here is a fun fact: Jada actually auditioned for Trinity in the first Matrix movie. She didn't get it (obviously, Carrie-Anne Moss was perfect), but the Wachowskis liked her so much they literally wrote the character of Niobe specifically for her in the sequels.
Niobe is arguably the most "badass" character Jada has ever played. She’s the captain of the Logos, a pilot who can do things with a ship that nobody else can. She doesn't even believe in the "Prophecy of the One" for most of the story, which makes her a great foil to Morpheus. By the time The Matrix Resurrections came out in 2021, she was playing an aged-up, retired version of the character, showing a totally different side of Niobe’s leadership.
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- The Matrix Reloaded (2003): Introduction of Niobe.
- The Matrix Revolutions (2003): That insane flight through the mechanical lines.
- Enter the Matrix (2003): She actually filmed hours of exclusive footage just for this video game.
- The Matrix Resurrections (2021): The return of a wiser, more cynical Niobe.
The Range You Probably Forgot About
It's easy to pigeonhole her into "tough girl" roles, but she’s done a lot of voice work and comedy that people overlook. She’s the voice of Gloria the Hippo in the Madagascar franchise. That’s billions of dollars in box office revenue right there.
Then there’s Girls Trip (2017). People went into that movie for Tiffany Haddish, but they stayed for the dynamic of the whole group. Jada played Lisa, the uptight, overprotective mom who finally lets loose. It reminded everyone that she has actual comedic timing. She can be the "straight man" in a comedy and still be hilarious.
And don't sleep on Collateral (2004). She plays a federal prosecutor caught in a nightmare night with Jamie Foxx and Tom Cruise. It’s a quiet, intense role that requires her to do a lot with just her eyes. Working with Michael Mann isn't easy, but she held her own against Cruise at the height of his "scary villain" era.
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Why Her Impact Still Matters in 2026
As of 2026, Jada has largely shifted into producing through her company, Westbrook Inc. They recently signed a massive first-look deal with Paramount. While she’s keeping a lower profile in front of the camera lately—her last major role being Niobe in 2021—her influence is everywhere.
She helped pave the way for Black women in action and sci-fi long before it was "trendy." She wasn't waiting for permission; she was out there doing her own stunts and demanding characters with depth. Whether you love her or find the public drama exhausting, you can't deny that the history of 90s and 2000s cinema would look very different without her.
If you want to revisit her best work, start with Set It Off and Menace II Society. They are the foundation. Then, jump into The Matrix sequels to see her at her most iconic.
To dive deeper into her filmography, check out these specific titles on streaming:
- Set It Off (Available on most major platforms) – For the raw emotional depth.
- Girls Trip (Amazon/Hulu) – For a good laugh and great ensemble chemistry.
- Collateral (Netflix/Paramount+) – For a masterclass in tension-building.
- Demon Knight (HBO Max) – If you want to see her in a cult-classic horror flick.
Check your local streaming listings as availability often shifts month to month.