Denzel Washington Movies in order

Denzel Washington is an acclaimed American actor, director, and producer who has made a significant impact in the world of film and entertainment. Born on December 28, 1954, in Mount Vernon, New York, Washington has become one of the most respected and influential figures in Hollywood. He is known for his powerful performances, versatility, and ability to bring depth and complexity to his characters.

Throughout his career, Washington has garnered numerous accolades, including two Academy Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, and a Tony Award. Some of his most notable films include "Glory," "Training Day," "Malcolm X," "Remember the Titans," and "Fences." Washington has consistently delivered outstanding performances in a wide range of roles, portraying both heroic and flawed characters with equal conviction.

Now let's explore Denzel Washington's exceptional contributions to the world of cinema by his filmography in chronological order.

Denzel Washington Movies

• Carbon Copy (1981): Denzel Washington's film debut. He plays the role of Roger Porter, the illegitimate son of a wealthy white businessman who suddenly discovers his true heritage.

• A Soldier's Story (1984): Set during World War II, Washington portrays Private First Class Peterson, a black soldier who investigates the murder of a black sergeant in a racially segregated military base.

• Power (1986): Washington stars as Arnold Billings, a corrupt and ambitious politician who will stop at nothing to gain power and influence in the political arena.

• Cry Freedom (1987): Based on a true story, Washington plays the role of South African activist Steve Biko. The film follows the friendship between Biko and a white journalist as they fight against apartheid.

• For Queen and Country (1988): Washington portrays Reuben James, a British soldier who returns to civilian life in London after serving in the British Army. He faces challenges as he tries to adjust to life outside the military, dealing with racism, unemployment, and disillusionment.

• The Mighty Quinn (1989): Washington portrays Xavier Quinn, a police chief in the Caribbean who becomes the prime suspect in a murder investigation. He must clear his name and find the real killer.

• Glory (1989): This historical war drama follows the story of the first all-black volunteer company during the American Civil War. Washington plays Private Trip, a defiant and courageous soldier who faces discrimination and battles for his dignity.

• Heart Condition (1990): In this comedy film, Washington plays Detective Napoleon Stone, an African American police officer who dies while trying to solve a murder case. However, his spirit ends up inhabiting the body of Jack Moony (played by Bob Hoskins), a racist and bigoted white attorney.

• Mo' Better Blues (1990): Washington plays the role of Bleek Gilliam, a talented jazz trumpeter struggling with personal and professional challenges in this Spike Lee-directed film.

• Mississippi Masala (1991): In this romantic drama, Washington portrays Demetrius Williams, a man who falls in love with an Indian woman (played by Sarita Choudhury) in a small town in Mississippi, facing racial and cultural obstacles.

• Ricochet (1991): In this crime thriller film, Denzel Washington stars as Nick Styles, an ambitious and successful Los Angeles police officer. Styles becomes the target of a vengeful criminal named Earl Talbot Blake (played by John Lithgow) after Styles inadvertently humiliates him during an arrest.

• Malcolm X (1992): Washington delivers a powerful performance as civil rights leader Malcolm X in this biographical drama directed by Spike Lee. The film chronicles Malcolm X's journey from his early life to his transformation into an influential figure in the civil rights movement.

• Much Ado About Nothing (1993): This is a 1993 romantic comedy film directed by Kenneth Branagh, based on William Shakespeare's play of the same name. Denzel Washington stars as Don Pedro, the prince of Aragon, in this ensemble cast adaptation.

• The Pelican Brief (1993): This legal thriller film directed by Alan J. Pakula, based on the novel by John Grisham. In the film, Denzel Washington stars as Gray Grantham, an investigative journalist who becomes involved in a high-stakes conspiracy.

• Philadelphia (1993): Washington stars alongside Tom Hanks in this drama about a lawyer (Hanks) who is fired from his job after revealing he has AIDS. Washington plays Joe Miller, a homophobic lawyer who initially takes on the case reluctantly but learns to overcome his prejudices.

• Crimson Tide (1995): In this tense thriller, Washington portrays Lieutenant Commander Ron Hunter, a skilled naval officer who clashes with his commanding officer (played by Gene Hackman) during a crisis on a nuclear submarine.

• Virtuosity (1995): This is a 1995 science fiction action thriller film directed by Brett Leonard. In the movie, Denzel Washington stars as Lieutenant Parker Barnes, a former cop imprisoned for killing the notorious virtual reality serial killer, SID 6.7 (played by Russell Crowe).

• Devil in a Blue Dress (1995): Washington stars as Ezekiel "Easy" Rawlins, a World War II veteran turned private detective who gets entangled in a dangerous search for a missing woman in 1940s Los Angeles.

• Courage Under Fire (1996): Washington plays Lieutenant Colonel Nathaniel Serling, an Army officer tasked with investigating a female helicopter pilot's eligibility for a posthumous Medal of Honor.

• The Preacher's Wife (1996): Washington portrays an angel named Dudley who helps a struggling preacher (played by Courtney B. Vance) and his wife (played by Whitney Houston) rediscover their love for each other.

• Fallen (1998): Washington plays Detective John Hobbes, a police officer who becomes involved in a supernatural mystery when he investigates a series of bizarre murders.

• He Got Game (1998): This sports drama film was written and directed by Spike Lee. Denzel Washington stars as Jake Shuttlesworth, a prison inmate and former basketball star who is temporarily released on parole. The story revolves around Jake's complicated relationship with his estranged son, Jesus Shuttlesworth (played by Ray Allen), who is a highly recruited high school basketball player.

• The Siege (1998): Washington stars as FBI Special Agent Anthony Hubbard, who leads an investigation into a wave of terrorist attacks in New York City. The film explores themes of civil liberties, government surveillance, and the erosion of personal freedoms.

• The Bone Collector (1999): Washington portrays Lincoln Rhyme, a quadriplegic forensic expert, who teams up with a rookie detective (played by Angelina Jolie) to track down a serial killer.

• The Hurricane (1999): Denzel Washington delivers a powerful performance as Rubin "Hurricane" Carter, a middleweight boxer who was wrongfully convicted of murder and spent nearly 20 years in prison. This biographical sports drama film directed by Norman Jewison.

• Remember the Titans (2000): In this inspiring sports drama based on a true story, Washington plays football coach Herman Boone, who faces racial tensions while coaching a racially integrated high school football team.

• Training Day (2001): Washington delivers an Oscar-winning performance as Detective Alonzo Harris, a corrupt narcotics officer who takes a rookie cop (played by Ethan Hawke) under his wing for a day of intense and morally questionable policing.

• John Q (2002): Washington portrays John Quincy Archibald, a desperate father who takes hostages in a hospital emergency room to secure a heart transplant for his dying son.

• Antwone Fisher (2002): Washington directs and stars in this drama based on a true story. He plays Navy psychiatrist Dr. Jerome Davenport, who helps a troubled young sailor named Antwone Fisher (played by Derek Luke) confront his painful past.

• Out of Time (2003): Washington portrays a police chief who becomes embroiled in a murder investigation and finds himself in a web of deception and danger.

• Man on Fire (2004): Washington stars as a former CIA operative who becomes a bodyguard for a young girl in Mexico City. When the girl is kidnapped, he embarks on a vengeful quest to rescue her.

• The Manchurian Candidate (2004): In this political thriller, Washington plays Major Bennett Marco, a former soldier who suspects a conspiracy involving his platoon and a presidential candidate.

• Inside Man (2006): Washington portrays Detective Keith Frazier, who negotiates with a brilliant bank robber (played by Clive Owen) during a tense hostage situation in New York City.

• Déjà Vu (2006): In this sci-fi thriller, Washington plays an ATF agent who uses cutting-edge technology to investigate a terrorist attack and prevent future disasters.

• American Gangster (2007): Washington plays Frank Lucas, a real-life drug lord who becomes a powerful figure in the 1970s Harlem drug trade. The film explores his rise to power and his clash with a determined detective (played by Russell Crowe).

• The Great Debaters (2007): Washington directs and stars in this historical drama based on the true story of the Wiley College debate team in the 1930s. He plays the role of Melvin B. Tolson, the team's coach, who helps them overcome racial barriers and achieve success.

• The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 (2009): Washington portrays a New York City subway dispatcher who must negotiate with a group of hijackers demanding a ransom for hostages.

• The Book of Eli (2010): Washington stars as a lone wanderer in a post-apocalyptic world, protecting a sacred book that holds the key to humanity's survival.

• Unstoppable (2010): Washington plays a veteran train engineer who teams up with a young conductor (played by Chris Pine) to stop an unmanned, runaway train carrying hazardous materials.

• Safe House (2012): Washington portrays a rogue CIA operative who is brought in for questioning when a safe house he oversees is attacked. He must uncover the truth while protecting a valuable asset (played by Ryan Reynolds).

• Flight (2012): Washington delivers a compelling performance as Whip Whitaker, an alcoholic pilot who miraculously lands a malfunctioning plane. The film explores his personal struggles and the investigation into the crash.

• 2 Guns (2013): Washington stars as a DEA agent who teams up with a Naval Intelligence officer (played by Mark Wahlberg) for an undercover mission that goes awry.

• The Equalizer (2014): Washington portrays Robert McCall, a retired intelligence agent who uses his skills to help those in need. He takes on the Russian mafia in an attempt to protect a young woman (played by Chloë Grace Moretz).

• The Magnificent Seven (2016): Denzel Washington stars as Sam Chisolm, a warrant officer and skilled gunslinger, in this modern-day remake of the 1960 film of the same name. This western action film was directed by Antoine Fuqua.

• Fences (2016): Directed by and starring Denzel Washington, this film is an adaptation of August Wilson's Pulitzer Prize-winning play. Washington portrays Troy Maxson, a working-class African American man in the 1950s struggling with family and personal challenges.

• Roman J. Israel, Esq. (2017): Washington plays the title character, a socially awkward and idealistic lawyer who finds himself in a series of moral dilemmas while working for a prestigious law firm.

• The Equalizer 2 (2018): This is a sequel to the 2014 film "The Equalizer" directed by Antoine Fuqua. In this film, Denzel Washington reprises his role as Robert McCall, a retired intelligence operative with a strong sense of justice and a desire to help those in need.

• The Little Things (2021): Denzel Washington stars as Joe "Deke" Deacon, a Kern County deputy sheriff with a haunted past. When he is sent to Los Angeles for a routine evidence-gathering assignment, he becomes involved in a serial killer investigation led by Detective Jim Baxter (played by Rami Malek).

• The Tragedy of Macbeth (2021): This film is an adaptation of William Shakespeare's renowned play, directed by Joel Coen. Denzel Washington takes on the titular role of Macbeth, a Scottish general consumed by ambition and driven to commit ruthless acts in his quest for power.