Top Ten: Denzel Washington Films

Denzel Washington - Official Fences Trailer

Quarantine is a great time to enjoy films and Denzel Washington has been a huge Hollywood contributor throughout the years. Here are the top ten best Denzel Washington movies to watch.  

 10. The Preacher’s Wife (1996): If you are someone who enjoys the Christmas spirit all year round, you will love the classic holiday film The Preachers Wife. Denzel stars as Dudley, an angel sent from heaven to answer a struggling preacher’s prayers to help his struggling Church. Dudley ends up falling in love with the preacher’s wife, played by a delightful Whitney Houston.   

The seasonal tale shows Denzel in a goofy, innocent light not normally scene in his intense dramas or action-packed thrillers. Dudley is a sweetheart through and through. It is a performance that really warms your heart. The screen lights up whenever Whitney appears and her chemistry with Washington is undeniable. A wonderful gospel soundtrack produced by Houston plus standout comedic performances by legends Jenifer Lewis and Loretta Devine make The Preachers Wife the perfect light-hearted watch.  

9. Malcolm X (1992): The biographical story of the famous human rights activist is a must-see for lovers of historical films. The Spike Lee directed film is colorful, full of life and brings home a strong message. It it’s a powerful piece on the racial injustice in America and the lives of African Americans at the time.  

Washington shows off the humanity in such a prominent historical figure. Through Denzel’s performance, you can really see Malcolm’s journey. He treats each moment of Malcolm’s life with a gravitas only he can pull off. Angela Bassett and Spike Lee also star with Nelson Mandela, Bobby Seale and Rev. Al Sharpton popping in for cameos.  

8. Philadelphia (1993): Philadelphia was one of the first mainstream movies to tackle homosexuality and the AIDS crisis in Hollywood. Denzel plays a lawyer who ends up representing a gay man in court in a suit fighting workplace discrimination. It’s a powerful story about how people can come together and realize similarities instead of differences.  

Denzel’s performance as Joe Miller is amazing to watch. He starts off homophobic and fearful of those suffering from the AIDS epidemic to realizing Beckett, played by an inspiring Tom Hanks, is a human being deserving of compassion and respect.  

7. American Gangster (2007): American Gangster is certainly long, but it has an old-school to it that fans of classic, crime dramas will love. Denzel shows off a wide range of acting abilities as Frank Lucas, the driver of a recently deceased Harlem crime boss. Following the death of his mentor, Lucas slowly begins to take over the drug market in New York City.  

Denzel’s performance is at times calculated and at others bashful and out of control. He perfectly captures both the rise and the fall of the extremely smart gangster. The movie has a colorful array of characters and subplots all coming together to create this wonderful world of organized crime. Ruby Dee delivers an amazing performance as Lucas’ mother while Idris Elba and Cuba Gooding Jr. Have supporting roles.  

6. Déjà Vu (2006): This action-packed science-fiction thriller is a wild ride. Denzel stars as Douglas Carlin, an ATF agent investigating a terrorist attack killing over 500 people on a ferryboat in New Orleans. He is recruited to a special investigative team that is prepared to use a special program allowing them to see into the past. Using this time defying technology, Carlin has to solve the mystery and find the bomber.  

Déjà Vu is a movie that thrives off its fascinating concept. The time-travel is interesting, and the limitations put on the special technology provides the perfect amount of conflict. Denzel plays the expert detective with a heart of gold perfectly. Denzel is always easy to root for in these types of roles and elevates the material by making the audience invested in the journey. Its ending is super satisfying and a little trippy. It is an ending that is endlessly enjoyable.  

5. Fences (2016): The film adaptation of August Wilson’s classic play finds Washington and Viola Davis reprising their roles from the 2010 Broadway revival. The classic story of Troy and Rose is boosted by the leading pair’s familiarity with the roles. Washington and Davis perform with such fluidity and ease. Dialogue flies off their tongues too quickly to be scripted and emotion too nuanced to be acting. They were born to play these roles.  

In addition to starring, Denzel directed the project which makes it must see for Denzel Washington fans. Stephen McKinley Henderson, Jovan Adepo, Russell Hornsby and Mykelti Williamson round out the cast and all contribute great performances to an overall great movie.  

4. Flight (2012): Denzel plays such an interesting character in this tale of a pilot struggling with personal demons after a devastating plane crash. Whit Whitaker is a very intriguing anti-hero. The film begins with an amazing showcase of Whit’s epic piloting skills, but he soon becomes an obnoxious monster every time he picks up the bottle. He is selfish beyond words, but cares about people too.  

Flight is very enjoyable. It’s a real powerful story about how crippling addiction can be and the ramifications it has on every aspect of your life.  

3. The Pelican Brief (1993): Denzel stars alongside Julia Roberts in this political conspiracy thriller made to keep anyone on the edge of their seat. When her whimsical hunch about a recent assassination of two Supreme Court justices gets leaked, people start dying and law student Darby Shaw is on the run from the government. The only person she can trust is Gray Grantham, a journalist for the Washington Herald played by Washington.  

Denzel is great as a smart, justice-seeking journalist who acts a rock for the young and vulnerable Darby. While Darby is certainly the star, Grantham is a critical part of the duo and Washington plays him with ease. The script is fast paced without feeling rushed. It is filled with twists, turns, heartbreak and joy. The Pelican Brief is an intriguing film that shows Washington’s ability to stand behind a strong female lead with a strong and steady performance.  

2. Remember the Titans (2000): A classic, fan-favorite film that shows Denzel Washington in all his glory. When I think Denzel Washington, I think Coach Herman Boone. The sports drama about the real-life integration of a Virginian high-school football team is the definition of a feel-good, tearjerker. It tackles racial relationships and the true definition of teamwork and family. It has something for everyone which has allowed to withstand the test of time as a classic.  

Denzel is the heart of the movie. His performance as Coach Boone exudes passion. Every word spoken is backed with conviction and power that puts Denzel on a pedestal amongst the rest of the film’s cast of characters.  

1. Training Day (2001): The story of an officer’s first day on the job in the LAPD’s narcotics unit is the definition of thrilling from start to finish. Ethan Hawke’s by the books officer Jake Hoyt undergoes a whirlwind evaluation day with Denzel’s Alonzo Harris, a boisterous seasoned narcotics officer. Training Day is exciting from the jump with Alonso coming in hot with kick-ass dialogue and presence. The script is both funny as hell and seriously thought provoking. The plot starts at a steady simmer but quickly goes into a captivating boil. The ending is straight fire!  

Washington’s performance is triumphant, and it is electric to watch. Alonso Harris grabs your attention the minute he pops on screen in a hilarious diner scene and never loosens his grip. There is no denying how the role won Washington an Academy Award for best actor. It is a role that truly showcases the range of his acting abilities. Alonso’s final monologue is glorious. The movie is a fun, thrill ride for any film fanatic or lover of crime and drug related stories.