Denzel Washington is a household name and has been for decades. His illustrious career spans over four decades and includes more than 50 films.
Washington’s filmography boasts numerous box office blockbusters, ranging from gripping dramas to action-packed thrillers. This level of success makes his recent statement—that he hasn’t needed to audition for years—entirely plausible.
He has become an actor who consistently draws audiences to theaters because when Denzel Washington is in a film, it’s almost guaranteed to be exceptional. Naturally, his announcement of plans to retire sent social media into a frenzy.
Gladiator II, in which Washington plays Macrinus, is now his highest-grossing film to date, earning $326.34 million at the box office. His second-highest-grossing film, American Gangster (2007), is a critically acclaimed crime drama loosely based on the life of notorious criminal Frank Lucas.
Washington’s collaborations with director Antoine Fuqua on The Equalizer trilogy (The Equalizer, The Equalizer 2, and The Equalizer 3) have also been immensely successful, collectively grossing over $573 million worldwide.
During the press tour for Gladiator II, Washington revealed an exciting slate of future projects, including a film with acclaimed director Steve McQueen. Additionally, he confirmed his involvement in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with a role specifically written for him by Ryan Coogler in Black Panther 3.
Check out Washington’s top 10 Blockbuster films.
- Gladiator II – $326.34M
- American Gangster – $269.75M
- Safe House – $208.08M
- Philadelphia – $206.68M
- The Pelican Brief – $195.27M
- The Equalizer – $192.33M
- The Equalizer 3 – $191.07M
- The Equalizer 2 – $190.40M
- Inside Man – $186M
- Deja Vu – $180.55M