Denzel Washington is one of the finest actors in the history of Hollywood. With two Academy Awards under his belt, as well as a string of successful blockbusters, he is one of those rare actors who can do it all. Star of stage and screen, the movie star has been in the business for nearly five decades and is showing no signs of slowing down. He has worked with some of the biggest directors, like Ridley Scott, Robert Zemeckis, and Spike Lee. He has also co-starred alongside the legendary likes of Viola Davis, Tom Hanks, and Meryl Streep.

With a legacy of unforgettable movies already ensured, Washington has chosen to fill out his filmography with a lot of versatile projects. This includes an array of action adventures and gritty dramas. His ability to command the screen is incomparable, and he can play kind and generous as well as scary and intimidating with the same astounding ease. His collection of dramas ranging from twisted psychological thrillers to historical biopics sees him shine in a variety of challenging roles that showcase his extraordinary talent in every scene.

10 Courage Under Fire (1996)

Directed By Edward Zwick

This wartime drama Courage Under Fire focuses on an investigation into whether Captain Karen Walden (Meg Ryan) deserves to be awarded a posthumous Medal of Honor. Set during the period of the Gulf War, it sees Denzel Washington playing Lt. Col. Nat Serling, who is tasked with leading this investigation. The story is compelling, and it shows how the horrors of combat can skew people's memories as well as their judgment.

Washington delivers a well-structured performance that's layered and full of restrained emotion. His own demons clearly haunt him as he grapples with this complicated case, and he plays those internal struggles in a way that connects with audiences. The film co-stars Matt Damon and Lou Diamond Phillips and was a moderate box office hit, earning over $100 million worldwide. It also did reasonably well critically, currently holding a score of 86% on Rotten Tomatoes.

9 The Tragedy Of Macbeth (2021)

Directed By Joel Coen

William Shakespeare gets the stark and atmospheric treatment in this minimalist version of the classic tale, rendered in black and white. Seeing as the story of Macbeth is so well-known, it is interesting to see a modern twist on a classic tale, with a lot of edge and darkness.

The focus on power and fate is told with conviction by Washington, who is able to deliver the tricky dialogue with ease and clarity for the audience.

The focus on power and fate is told with conviction by Washington, who is able to deliver the tricky dialogue with ease and clarity for the audience. His theatrical background is evident, as he traverses the twists and turns of the plot alongside some incredible acting talent.

s McDormand and Brendan Gleeson co-star in The Tragedy of Macbeth, an even bleaker interpretation of the Bard's famous tragedy. It earned Washington another Academy Award nomination and maintains a 92% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. More importantly, it shows just how wide a range the actor has, and that there's no role he couldn't tackle with his signature brand of elegance and strength.

8 Power (1986)

Directed By Didney Lumet

With a more ing role to Richard Gere's lead, Washington makes an impact as a counterpart and sparring partner for the main character in Power. Set in the ever-fraught world of politics, the film explores the power of image and how a successful spin campaign can change everything. As one of Washington's earlier roles, it's impressive that he keeps up on screen with the more established stars like Gere, Gene Hackman, and Julie Christie.

Serving as a bit of a moral com in a corrupt and ungenuine setting, Washington is a welcome contrast to the more cynical and heartless Pete St. John (Gere). The film is a very compelling drama with a few twists and unexpected turns and offers a glimpse into a very promising future for this (then) bright young actor.

7 Crimson Tide (1995)

Directed By Tony Scott

Set aboard a nuclear submarine, Crimson Tide is a military thriller that is gripping and dramatic. With Gene Hackman, Viggo Mortensen, and James Galdonfini also among the cast, there is a lot of tension and wordy dialogue delivered by the talented group of actors.

Yet with the fate of the world at stake, Washington again serves as a moral anchor in the story of power struggles and questionable authority. His scenes with Hackman are filled with electricity and a very specific type of chemistry.

Having earned nearly $160 million at the worldwide box office, Crimson Tide also has a score of 89% on Rotten Tomatoes, in addition to having received three Oscar nominations and a lot of critical acclaim. It was a big role for Washington as he managed to steal many of the scenes he was in, and drew a lot of attention. It put him firmly on Hollywood's radar as one of its most magnetic leading men.

6 Fences (2016)

Directed By Denzel Washington

Based on the Tony award-winning Broadway play from 1987, Washington resurrected Fences on the stage in 2010. Alongside Viola Davis, he brought to life this introspective play about a struggling married couple living in a racially volatile Pittsburgh in the 1950s. The writer of the piece, August Wilson, won multiple awards for his powerful social commentary, including the Pulitzer Prize.

Both Washington and Davis received Tonys for their raw and emotive performances. When the time came to bring the story to the big screen, Washington took it upon himself to direct the film, seeing as he was already so familiar with the ins and outs of the part as well as the staging.

The result feels as intimate and impactful as the play was, and earned the two stars many accolades and rave reviews. With Oscar nods for both Washington and Davis, as well as one for Best Picture, it's a must-see for anyone who appreciates the movie star's more serious side.

5 The Hurricane (1999)

Directed By Norman Jewison

Part sports biopic, part courtroom drama, The Hurricane sees Washington soar through a range of emotions and earned him his fourth Academy Award nomination. The hard-hitting drama focuses on racial injustice, overcoming adversity, and the power of activism, as it tells this harrowing true story.

With a commitment to the physical side as impressive as the deep-reaching emotional levels Washington had to get to, it's one of his most well-rounded performances. The movie holds a steady score of 83% on Rotten Tomatoes and was critically well-received at the time of release.

It's a true story that needed to be told, and having an artist of Washington's caliber bring it to a wider audience certainly helped spread the message. With so much despair and adversity to overcome, this film shows just how strong the real Rubin Carter had to be every day.

4 Glory (1989)

Directed By Edward Zwick

An unrivaled and compelling historical drama, Glory is an important film that highlights the brave and selfless contributions of the first all-Black volunteer company during the American Civil War. With a host of powerful performances from a star-studded cast that includes Morgan Freeman, Matthew Broderick, and Andre Braugher, it was still Washington who stood out as the fiery and independent Pvt. Trip. Filled with hope, defiance, and much trauma, this career-defining role earned Washington his first Academy Award.

It's one of the gifted actor's most iconic and celebrated roles and, like many of his characters and movies, brings attention to racial issues throughout history. Viewers are moved by this rebellious young man who ran away from a life of slavery and ended up in a new horrific reality where prejudices, blatant racism, and closed-mindedness still abound.

3 Malcolm X (1992)

Directed By Spike Lee

In one of his most famous and challenging roles, Washington portrays the infamous leader of the Black Nationalists, recounting his extraordinary and impactful life story. Malcolm X focuses on his humble roots and years of hardship, through his time in prison, conversion to Islam, and subsequent pilgrimage to Mecca, and exploring what led him to become one of the most influential figures in history.

As a civil rights activist and great disruptor, Malcolm X's influence can be felt to this day. Washington immersed himself in this complex person, giving one of his most memorable performances. With a slew of nominations, including another Academy Award nod, and an 89% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, it's one of the actor's most career-defining roles. With a great ing performance from Angela Basset, this drama offers a glimpse into the tumultuous life of a truly fascinating figure.

2 Flight (2012)

Directed By Robert Zemeckis

After a few years of focusing on more action-packed blockbusters and tough-guy roles, Washington returned to his Oscar-nominated form with this gripping drama. In Flight, he plays a pilot with a substance abuse issue who manages to miraculously save his plane from crashing while under the influence.

The scene of the airplane going through trouble is one of the most terrifying and realistic in cinema history, and Washington commands the screen throughout. The aftermath of this incident is where the actor is able to show his range and skill.

Struggling with PTSD from the accident, as well as his addiction, he tries to navigate an inquest which leaves him exposed and vulnerable. His earnestness lulls audiences into a false sense of security only to be thrown back into chaos. It was a welcome return to more complex and serious roles, earning Washington many positive reviews and the movie over $160 million at the global box office.

1 Philadelphia (1993)

Directed By Jonathan Demme

A heartbreaking story of a fight for dignity and respect, this classic drama is one of the most impactful films of the 1990s, telling the story of a gay lawyer who contracts AIDS, and subsequently gets fired from his job because of the stigma associated with the disease. It was a big topic at the time and earned Tom Hanks his first Oscar.

His work on the film shines alongside Hanks' emotional roller coaster, and the two are able to bring the audience to tears with every rewatch.

Meanwhile, Washington plays the lawyer tasked with representing Hanks's Andrew Beckett. The on-screen chemistry between Denzel Washington and Tom Hanks is one of the highlights of the film, as he shows his own internal struggles with the situation he finds himself in.

His biases and empathy are challenged in ways he'd never had to address before, and Washington's performance makes the character more relatable and human. His work on the film shines alongside Hanks' emotional roller coaster, and the two are able to bring the audience to tears with every rewatch.