American actor and filmmaker Denzel Washington, is undoubtedly one of the greatest actors of all time. Delivering raw and powerful performances in many gripping dramas, playing characters and real life people, such as the polarizing activist Malcolm X, a high school coach struggling with racial divisions in Remember The Titans, and real-life drug dealer and gangster, Frank Lucas, in American Gangster. Within his utterly compelling filmography, he similarly holds some equally enthralling action movies that fans of Washington surely love. With the likes of The Book of Eli, The Equalizer, and of course, Training Day being among his very best. So with that in mind, here are Denzel Washington’s best action movies.
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9 Safe House (2012)
Universal Pictures
Sporting a fairly simple story and action that is riveting but wrapped in a handful of shaky cams and disorientating editing, which was hideously synonymous at the time. However, Safe House is filled with some truly great moments, as Ryan Reynolds and Washington get to shine with their brilliant and infectious chemistry that elevates it into a more compelling action movie.
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8 The Equalizer 2 (2018)
Sony Pictures Releasing
After falling in love with Washington’s first Equalizer flick, fans were clambering for a sequel, and to witness more of Robert McCall’s vigilantism. While Equalizer 2 sadly didn’t live up to its predecessor, the film’s action, story, cast, and of course, Washington’s performance, still makes The Equalizer 2 a worthy and thrilling sequel.
7 The Magnificent Seven (2016)
This remake to the 1960 classic western of the same name, was met with its fair share of criticism on release, but to say that The Magnificent Seven isn’t a fun or action-packed thrill ride is a total lie. The action thankfully and rightfully harkens back to classic westerns of old, with more unique and modern day cinematography that kept the action traditional, yet fresh. Without a doubt, the biggest draw to this epic western is its phenomenal cast. Starring alongside Washington are the likes of Chris Pratt, Ethan Hawke, Vincent D’Onofrio, Haley Bennet, Martin Sensmeier, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, and Lee Byung-Hun.
6 The Equalizer (2014)
Columbia Pictures
Washington is undoubtedly flawless in this remake of the hit ’80s TV show of the same name, and the film’s slow-burn nature makes way for a satisfying and brutal finale. The Equalizer, like previously mentioned, sets its action aside and allows Washington to shine through in a gripping performance, which makes the film’s slow burn not only forgivable but utterly compelling. When the action finally hits, it’s brutal, well choreographed, and simply incredible. Ex-Special Forces Robert McCall slashes, stabs, and beats his opponents up with a book ala John Wick style, in many brilliant fight scenes.
5 Ricochet (1991)
Summit Entertainment
Perhaps the best way to describe 1991’s forgotten cop drama, Ricochet, is an over-the-top extravaganza, which somewhat compares to a tamer Con Air, in terms of its bonkers nature. Washington cemented himself among some of the best over-the-top performances in movie history, along with the likes of Nicolas Cage and Al Pacino, which goes to prove how nuts Ricochet actually is. Likewise, John Lithgow is enthralling as a crazed killer, which makes for many shocking and insane twists and turns.
4 The Book of Eli (2010)
Alcon Entertainment
This bleak, apocalyptic epic is filled with phenomenal, underrated action scenes, and although The Book of Eli doesn’t allow Washington to shine, due to his pretty stoic character, The Book of Eli is still a compelling, action-packed, and stylish action flick. The action scattered throughout The Book of Eli is sensational, filled with brutal choreography, brilliant cinematography (which is unique for its time), and as always, great physicality from Denzel Washington that helps with his generic and somewhat lackluster performance. Washington isn’t fully to blame for his performance, as the character is a fairly straight-laced character with a lack of layers.
3 Man on Fire (2004)
20th Century Fox
Man on Fire is one of the best and most underrated revenge movies in history, as Denzel Washington shows absolutely no mercy to his victims. Playing a broke bodyguard hired to protect the young daughter (Dakota Fanning) of a rich Mexico City businessman, Washington and Fanning share a cute and endearing relationship, and when she is taken hostage, we can feel Washington’s anger, in not just his layered performance, but also his brutal interrogation techniques. Washington tortures and slaughters countless criminals in order to find and brutally punish those responsible.
2 2 Guns (2013)
2 Guns certainly isn’t perfect, but it’s one of the most gleefully entertaining action flicks in Washington’s filmography. The action is enthralling, but nowhere near as memorable as Washington and Mark Wahlberg’s endearing and hilarious relationship, as they constantly exchange genius quips and insults at one another, as well as having many cool and intriguing moments that grow their relationship even more. As ‘buddy’ movies go, 2 Guns is undoubtedly solid.
1 Training Day (2001)
Warner Bros. Pictures
As not only one of Denzel Washington’s best action movies, but also one of his best movies in his entire filmography, Training Day is simply flawless, delivering many iconic lines and a performance from Washington that won him his second Oscar. Although Training Day does lack in the action department, its thrilling story and complex performances pave the way for one of the most iconic movies of all time. Washington, a remorselessly corrupt LAPD detective, constantly keeps Ethan Hawke’s rookie cop character, and the audience constantly questioning Washington’s true intentions in an utterly groundbreaking performance. Training Day is near perfect, and finding a single flaw is an incredibly difficult feat.
