Denzel Hayes Washington Jr. is an American actor, director, and producer. He has received two Golden Globe awards, one Tony Award and two Academy Awards: Best supporting actor for the historical war drama film Glory and Best Actor for his role as corrupt detective Alonzo Harris in the crime thriller Training Day.
Denzel Washington is no doubt, a renowned stay all over the world. His films fall nothing short of stunning and leave the audience in awe every single time. His life’s work is enough proof of this and so in this article, we will discuss 20 of Denzel Washington’s Must Watch movies! This list s in no particular order.
1. The Equalizer (2014)
Story Line:
McCall gives up violence and wishes to lead a quiet and undisturbed life. However, brutal events force him to once again take up the fight for justice.
The movie has received a 7.2/10 on IMDb and 59% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Director: Antoine Fuqua
Runtime: 2 Hours 12 Minutes
Trailer:
2. Man On Fire (2004)
Story Line:
John, an ex- CIA officer, is entrusted with the responsibility of safeguarding and entrepreneur’s daughter. When the girl gets kidnapped, John vows to seek revenge.
It stands with a 7.7/10 on IMDb and a 39% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Director: Tony Scott
Runtime: 2 Hours 27 Minutes
Trailer:
3. Training Day (2001)
Story Line:
Detective Alonzo, a senior narcotics officer, must train Jake Hoyt during the course of a day. However, Hoyt learns that Alonzo’s methods are not ethical and he soon realizes that he is being trapped. This thriller/crime movie stands at a 7.7/10 on IMDb and a 72% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Director: Antoine Fuqua
Runtime: 2 Hours 2 Minutes
Trailer:
4. American Gangster (2007)
Story Line:
Frank Lucas takes control of his boss Ellsworth Johnson’s business after the latter dies of a heart attack and expands his control to various businesses while secretly running a drug cartel. This crime/drama stands at a 7.8/10 on IMDb and an 80% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Director: Ridley Scott
Runtime: 2 Hours 56 Minutes
Trailer:
5. The Hurricane (1999)
Story Line:
The life of Rubin “Hurricane” Carter, an African- American boxer, is ruined when he is accused of murder and convicted to three life terms. This sports drama has received a 7.6/10 on IMDb and an 835 on Rotten Tomatoes.
Director: Norman Jewison
Runtime: 2 Hours 26 Minutes
Trailer:
6. Philadelphia (1993)
Story Line:
A young Philadelphia lawyer who is infected with AIDS keeps his homosexuality hidden from his employers. When he is suddenly dismissed, he hires a homophobic lawyer for a wrongful dismissal suit. This movie stands at a 7.7/10 on IMDb and an 80% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Director: Jonathan Demme
Runtime: 2 Hours 6 Minutes
Trailer:
7. Fences (2016)
Story Line:
Troy, an African- American man who once longed to be a baseball player, misses the opportunity due to racism. A dejected man, he takes out his frustration on his loved ones and ruins his son’s future. It stands at a 7.2/10 on IMDb and a 92% on Rotten Tomatoes!
Director: Denzel Washington
Runtime: 2 Hours 19 Minutes
Trailer:
8. Glory (1989)
Story Line:
Robert Shaw, a white officer, faces opposition from his fellow officers and ire from enemy soldiers for leading a battalion of black soldiers. This war drama stands at a 7.8/10 on IMDb and a 93% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Director: Edward Zwick
Runtime: 2 Hours 2 Minutes
Trailer:
9. Flight (2012)
Story Line:
Whip Whitaker, an airline pilot, saves a flight from crashing. However, the mandated investigation reveals that he was flying the plane under the influence of alcohol and cocaine. This drama/Thriller stands at a 7.3/10 on IMDb and a 77% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Director: Robert Zemeckis
Runtime: 2 Hours 18 Minutes
Trailer:
10. Remember The Titans (2000)
Story Line:
Herman Boone, an African-American, is appointed as the new coach of a high school team. The team is playing as a racially-integrated team for the first time. The movie has received a stunning 7.8 /10 on IMDb and a 73% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Director: Boaz Yakin
Runtime: 2 Hours
Trailer:
11. Inside Man (2006)
Story Line:
The mastermind behind a bank robbery in Manhattan has planned the heist in great detail. A detective tries to negotiate with him, but the involvement of a broker worsens the situation further. It stands with a 7.6/10 on IMDb and an 86% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Director: Spike Lee
Runtime: 2 Hours 9 Minutes
Trailer:
12. Malcolm X (1992)
Story Line:
A tribute to the controversial black activist and leader of the struggle for black liberation. He hit bottom during his imprisonment in the ’50s, he became a Black Muslim and then a leader in the Nation of Islam. His assassination in 1965 left a legacy of self-determination and racial pride. It stands at a 7.7/10 on IMDb and an 88% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Director: Spike Lee
Runtime: 2 Hours 22 Minutes
Trailer:
13. Crimson Tide (1995)
Story Line:
The Captain of a submarine wants to launch an attack while his deputy wants to wait for confirmation. Their conflict escalates into a mutiny with both of them fighting for the command of the ship. It has a rating of 7.3/10 on IMDb and 88% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Director: Tony Scott
Runtime: 2 Hours 3 Minutes
Trailer:
14. Out Of Time (2003)
Story Line:
A police chief entrusts his mistress with cash seized from a drug raid. When she turns up dead, evidence points to him. With the FBI hot on his trailer, he races against time to prove his innocence. It stands with a rating of 6.5/10 on IMDb and a 64% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Director: Carl Franklin
Runtime: 1 Hour 45 Minutes
Trailer:
15. Safe House (2012)
Story Line:
Matt, a CIA agent, is tasked with looking after a criminal, locked in a safe house. But when the safe house is attacked, Matt escapes with the criminal in tow. The movie is rated 6.7/10 on IMDb and 52% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Director: Daniel Espinosa
Runtime: 1 Hour 55 Minutes
Trailer:
16. He Got Game (1998)
Story Line:
A convict tries to convince his estranged star basketball player son to go to college so that the convict’s prison term can be reduced in exchange. This movie was rated a 6.9/10 on IMDb and an 81% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Director: Spike Lee
Runtime: 2 Hours 17 Minutes
Trailer:
17. Antwone Fisher (2002)
Story Line:
After a brutal flare-up with a sailor, Antwone Fisher, a Navy officer, is sent to psychiatrist Dr. Jerome Davenport. Eventually, he finds new hope in life after coming to terms with his painful past. It is rated 7.3/10 on IMDb and a 62% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Director: Denzel Washington
Runtime: 2 Hours
Trailer:
18. The Taking Of Pelham 123 (2009)
Story Line:
A subway dispatcher’s day is thrown into chaos when four armed men hijack the subway train and take the commuters as hostages. They demand USD 10 million from the mayor as ransom. This action/thriller rates at 6.4/10 on IMDb and 51% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Director: Tony Scott
Runtime: 1 Hour 46 Minutes
Trailer:
19. The Great Debaters (2007)
Story Line:
Melvin B Tolson, a professor at Wily College, motivates his students to form the first-ever debate teams. Hard work pays off when the team defeats Harvard in the national championship. This historical drama stands at a 7.5/10 on IMDb and a 79% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Director: Denzel Washington
Runtime: 2 Hours 6 Minutes
Trailer:
20. John Q. (2002)
Story Line:
John Q. Archibald lives with his wife Denise and young son Michael. But when Michael needs an emergency heart transplant that John Q cannot afford, he vows to do anything to keep his son alive. It stands with a rating of 7.1/10 on IMDb and a 23% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Director: Nick Cassavetes
Runtime: 1 Hour 58 Minutes
Trailer:
