Denzel Washington's more underrated movies stand the test of time, showing he rarely has a miss in of quality.

seven for Best Actor, Denzel Washington stands as the most-nominated Black actor in Oscars history. Yet despite this remarkable achievement, many of his roles deserved even more recognition. As Washington celebrates his 70th birthday, his legacy as one of the all-time greats is firmly intact.

20 Gladiator II (2024)

As Macrinus

It’s still too fresh to know exactly where the most recent of Denzel Washington's movies will ultimately sit in his career highlight reel, but one thing is certain – it will be included. Gladiator II is the long-awaited sequel that returns audiences to Ancient Rome in the story of Lucius (Paul Mescal), whose land was raided by the Roman army. After being sold into slavery as a gladiator, he begins to use his fame in the arena to seek his revenge.

Though a rare ing role for Washington, he absolutely commands the movie and takes it over at times.

As sly businessman and Roman power broker Macrinus, Washington sinks his teeth into Ridley Scott’s grand epic with glee and relish to spare. His commanding presence on screen steals every scene he’s in, delivering lines with the precision and weight of his decades of movie star-dom. Though a rare ing role for Washington, he absolutely commands the movie and takes it over at times.

19 The Mighty Quinn (1989)

As Xavier Quinn

Fans haven’t always gotten a lot of fun, breezy Denzel across his filmography – which is part of why his turn as a romantic leading man in this underrated early-career gem is such a welcome counterpoint to all his weightier, more brooding performances later. Washington skillfully captures the nuances of a local police chief torn between his duty to uphold the law and his loyalty to childhood friend Maubee (Robert Townsend), the prime suspect in a high-profile murder case.

Washington’s charisma fuels this Caribbean-set murder mystery that deserves a wider audience. While it could have only been a serviceable little crime movie, Washington elevates it to something special with a performance that helped to announce him, not just as a skilled actor who could deliver strong performances, but as an actor who was more than ready to be a star in Hollywood.

18 He Got Game (1998)

As Jake Shuttlesworth

Washington delivers one of his most nuanced performances as Jake Shuttlesworth, a convict who is briefly released from prison by the corrupt warden so that he can convince his estranged basketball-prodigy son, Jesus (Ray Allen), to attend the warden's old alma mater. While the premise might make it sound like the setup for a wacky madcap comedy, it is actually a brilliant premise to tell one of the best basketball movies of all time, as well as a powerful story between a father and son.

Directed by Spike Lee, it’s Washington's restrained portrayal that anchors the emotional weight of this story about family, ambition, and forgiveness. Jake is a deeply flawed man, but also someone who wants to change. His chemistry with Allen, an all-star NBA shooting guard who’d never acted before Lee gave him the role, proves that Washington can work with virtually any co-star and make it soar.

17 Roman J. Israel, Esq. (2017)

As Roman J. Israel

Roman J. Israel, Esq. is a movie that gives Washington a chance to play into his underused comedic skills as an eccentric character while also being able to switch to the more powerful moments. Washington stars as the lead character a brilliant lawyer whose unpopular tactics have made him unsuccessful in his professional life. When he becomes fed up with the system and takes steps to make it work for himself, the result is not what he expected.

Washington presents Roman’s unwavering dedication to justice as both a strength and a flaw, showing how his idealism isolates him from others but also defines his identity.

While it earned him an Oscar nomination, Washington’s performance isn’t often cited as one of his best. That’s probably because Israel’s eccentric mannerisms and moral rigidity make him a tough character to love. Yet, Washington presents Roman’s unwavering dedication to justice as both a strength and a flaw, showing how his idealism isolates him from others but also defines his identity. It’s a tricky, nuanced role that only an actor of Washington’s skill could likely get right.

16 Mo’ Better Blues (1990)

As Bleek Gilliam

In his first collaboration with Spike Lee, Washington showcased his willingness to play flawed and fascinating characters. The actor shines as a talented but flawed jazz trumpeter torn between his love for music and his tumultuous personal relationships. The film provides Washington with a rich, character-driven story for exploring ion, ambition, and vulnerability with a combination of charisma and introspection, making him both magnetic and deeply human.

Bleek is dedicated to the artistry and authenticity of his craft with a trumpet in his hand, but he struggles with love, friendship, and self-discovery in his romantic relationships. That duality of strength and crippling self-sabotage make Mo’ Better Blues an incredible showcase for what draws us to Washington on screen so often. While not always regarded as one of the best collaborations between Washington and Lee, it has gained more appreciation over the years.

15 The Titans (2000)

As Coach Herman Boone

Despite stepping into a Disney movie for the first time, Washington loses known of his power as a performance with his rousing performance in the true sports story of the Titans. The movie tells the story of a formally segregated high school that becomes integrated while doing the same for its football team, with its first Black coach at the helm. Tasked with uniting a racially divided high school football team in 1971 Virginia, Washington’s Coach Boone is a refined blend of authority, comion, and resilience, bringing a complex and deeply human character to life.

He captures Boone’s determination to instill discipline and teamwork while balancing the weight of societal expectations and personal struggles. This inspiring sports drama about unity and leadership is elevated by Washington’s commanding central performance. Few Washington performances are more finely calibrated to have viewers leaping out of their seats and pumping their fists in the air quite like this rousing crowd pleaser.

14 John Q. (2002)

As John Quincy Archibald

While many of Washington’s best-ed performances center around his inherent coolly measured control, the heart-wrenching story pushes the actor way out of that comfort zone. John Q stars Washington as a working man and family man who is left at a loss when his young son needs a heart transplant, but he cannot get him to the top of the recipient list. Running out of options, he takes hostages at a local hospital in the hopes of forcing the doctors to save his son's life.

The premise could have led to a heavy-handed and ridiculous thriller, but it is Washington's powerful performance that keeps things grounded. He continues to infuse the performance with subtle and effective human moments that keep the audience engaged on a personal level with this man's struggles. Along with being a thrilling commentary on the healthcare system and what it pushes people to do, it is also a deeply emotional exploration of love, sacrifice, and systemic injustice.

13 Flight (2012)

As Whip Whitaker

Washington earned another Oscar nomination for his amazing performance in the story of Flight. Washington stars as Whip Whitaker, a veteran commercial airplane pilot who, while flying a routine flight, experiences massive failure with the aircraft only for his quick thinking and skills to save nearly every enger on board. However, in the aftermath of his heroics, Whip's alcoholism threatens to be exposed as he battles his long-held demons.

Washington is a live wire in Flight, constantly toggling between the confident pilot who saves lives and the man sinking under the weight of his own moral failings.

Balancing his natural charm and skill with the darker, self-destructive aspects of his character, Washington is a live wire in Flight, constantly toggling between the confident pilot who saves lives and the man sinking under the weight of his own moral failings. The film’s dramatic centerpiece, the harrowing crash sequence, is a masterclass in Washington’s ability to convey calm authority under pressure, making the sequence even more captivating.

12 Inside Man (2006)

As Det. Keith Frazier

Ahead of their new movie, Highest 2 Lowest, Inside Man marks the most recent collaboration between Washington and Spike Lee. As Frazier, Washington brings wit and determination to this taut heist thriller directed by Spike Lee. While Inside Man is arguably a greater showcase for Lee’s deft camerawork and pacing than Washington’s performance, it’s still the viewer’s journey with Washington's sharp, determined NYPD hostage negotiator unraveling the complex inner workers of the bank job that holds the film together.

His quick wit and calm demeanor highlight his resourcefulness, while the chemistry between Washington and the ensemble cast — particularly his tense exchanges with Clive Owen’s enigmatic bank robber – truly crackle in a genre film that rises well above its humble origins. It is a lot of fun to see Washington and Lee working together on a more mainstream project which results in one of the most entertaining projects of their shared careers.

11 American Gangster (2007)

As Frank Lucas

While he has played complex protagonists before, the true-crime story of American Gangster gives Washington one of the most ruthless characters of his career. Washington’s portrayal of real-life drug kingpin Frank Lucas combines charisma and menace, adding complexity to this crime saga. Directed by Ridley Scott, the film again spotlights Washington’s affinity for imbuing complex, morally ambiguous characters with depth and magnetism.

Lucas is a commanding presence with a disciplined, businesslike approach to the drug trade, contrasted with a violent enforcement of loyalty and control. Whether delivering chilling ultimatums or tender moments with his family, Washington captures the duality of Lucas as both a ruthless criminal and a man shaped by his environment. Despite facing off with fellow Oscar winner Russell Crowe as the determined and honest cop out to take Lucas down, this is Washington's movie and he completely owns it.