Every Denzel Washington Movie Ranked Worst To Best

In 2020, film critics A.O. Scott and Manolha Dargis, writing for the New York Times, ranked Denzel Washington as the greatest actor of the 21st century. There were few complaints regarding their decision.

Since his debut in 1981, Washington has seemingly done it all, starring in explosive action flicks, winning praise for his work in prestige dramas, and headlining bracing thrillers with charisma, integrity, and star power to spare.

Simultaneously an enticing movie titan able to anchor even the most simplistic of blockbusters and a classically trained performer who can effortlessly embody even the most complex of characters, Washington makes acting look cool and easy, and particularly soars when bringing lawmen and criminals to life.

A beacon of authority and control whenever he's on-screen, Denzel Washington has two Oscars from nine nominations to his name, as well as a Tony, three Golden Globes, a colossally loyal fanbase, and an impressive box office total that's even more astounding when you remember he only has one sequel to his name.

With his recent triumph The Tragedy of Macbeth sure to net him an astonishing tenth Oscar nod, here are all 49 of Denzel Washington's movies - from the early misfires to the beloved classics - ranked worst to best.

The biggest crime that Heart Condition commits is that it finds a way to waste both Bob Hoskins and Denzel Washington, both of whom seem totally lost amongst the film's heavy-handed drama and tasteless comedy.

Somehow the first film Washington starred in after his landmark Oscar win the year before, Heart Condition follows a viciously racist cop (Hoskins) who receives a heart transplant from a lawyer (Washington), whose spirit comes with the organ.

Tactless and sloppy in its ill-advised stabs at social commentary, the film is the lowest Washington ever stooped. Luckily, the rest of the decade would, for the most part, be very good to him.