Every Denzel Washington & Antoine Fuqua Movie Ranked

Denzel Washington‘s collaborations with director Antoine Fuqua rank among some of Hollywood’s best movies, and the chemistry between the actor and the director has provided audiences with some of the most unforgettable moments in cinematic history. From their 2001 classic crime thriller, Training Day to 2023’s The Equalizer 3, Washington and Fuqua have enjoyed a successful professional relationship that has lasted for over two decades. Although Washington was a well-established name in Hollywood before Training Day, Fuqua was a relatively new filmmaker whose excellent work on Training Day helped establish him as one of Hollywood’s most bankable working directors.

Although Washington’s more theatrical approach to acting as displayed in films like Mississippi Masala and Glory could have very easily clashed with the more suspenseful and action-driven sensibilities of Fuqua’s The Replacement Killers and Bait, the continued success of their work displays an acute understanding of each other’s strengths as well as their audience. some of Antoine Fuqua’s best movies don’t feature Washington, but the ones that do starkly stand out as some of his best because of the connection between the longtime collaborators. From crime thrillers to Westerns, Washington and Fuqua have successfully covered a wide range of topics in their movies.

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5 The Equalizer 2 (2018)

Washington reprises his role as Robert McCall in Fuqua’s vigilante action-thriller

The Equalizer 2 continues Robert McCall’s quest for revenge as it sees him take on Dave York, a former DIA associate and friend. Although The Equalizer 2 performed well at the box office, its relative similarity to its predecessor and bland locations make it arguably the weakest entry in The Equalizer franchise. Nevertheless, Washington’s successful portrayal of the skilled vigilante and the creative kills featured in the sequel both serve as the movie’s highlights, thus reinforcing the strong chemistry between Washington and Fuqua. Despite The Equalizer 2‘s criticisms, the movie performed well enough to set the stage for a third entry in the franchise.

4 The Equalizer 3 (2023)

Washington reunites with Man on Fire co-star Dakota Fanning in Fuqua’s latest revenge thriller

While The Equalizer 3 features much of the same violence and action seen throughout the previous two entries, Fuqua’s decision to move the action from the United States to Southern Italy proves to be one of the movie’s greatest strengths, as the new location and Italian mafia give the latest installment a fresh feeling. Additionally, Washington’s chemistry with Man on Fire co-star, Dakota Fanning, is another welcome addition to The Equalizer franchise. With Washington’s exceptional acting chops and Fuqua’s masterful direction of the complex action scenes set against Italy’s beautiful landscapes, The Equalizer 3 is miles ahead of its predecessor.

3 The Magnificent Seven (2016)

Fuqua and Washington’s remake of Seven Samurai and The Magnificent Seven marks their third collaboration

Although Denzel Washington didn’t want to make The Magnificent Seven, the movie’s script and his role as the lead in his first Western were reasons enough to get him on board. The Magnificent Seven is a remake of the 1960 Western of the same name – itself a remake of the 1954 Akira Kurosawa film, Seven Samurai, and it sees Washington leading a rag-tag group of men on a bloody quest to liberate a small town. The Magnificent Seven features one of the greatest displays of Fuqua’s action sensibilities, and with Washington’s charisma carrying the movie’s stacked cast, it remains one of the duo’s most underrated collaborations.

2 The Equalizer (2014)

Washington’s first foray as Robert McCall in Fuqua’s original Equalizer installment

The Equalizer sees Washington’s first venture into the role of Robert McCall, a former Marine and DIA officer, who works a humble job at a hardware store and intervenes when an underage sex worker is assaulted by members of organized crime. The Equalizer is loosely based on the 1980s TV series of the same name, and it serves as one of Washington’s most prominent examples of going against type. Known for portraying men of valor, Washington’s turn as a ruthless vigilante highlights the actor’s incredible range, while also lending credence to Fuqua’s talents behind the camera, considering the complexity of the movie’s many action sequences.

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Washington and Fuqua’s collaboration on The Equalizer stands out as one of their best, and it was the first movie they collaborated on since 2001’s Training Day, yet the critical and commercial success displayed that their chemistry wasn’t lost between the years. While the John Wick franchise also got its start in 2014, The Equalizer distinguishes itself in that Washington wasn’t known for action movies. Washington signing on to star in a movie in which he would have to perform many of his own stunts is impressive considering his age and reputation as a dramatic actor, and its success led to the birth of The Equalizer franchise.

1 Training Day (2001)

Washington wins his second Oscar for going against type in Fuqua’s crime thriller

Training Day‘s quotes are among the many things that make Washington and Fuqua’s first collaboration their most memorable as well as their best. Everything from the dialogue and the story to Washington’s Oscar-worthy performance to Fuqua’s masterful handling of the movie’s action, drama, and suspense, make for a truly unforgettable experience. Washington’s role as the corrupt LAPD Detective Alonzo Harris is chilling and magnetic, and Fuqua’s direction of his Academy Award-winning performance makes Fuqua explain why he is one of the best directors Denzel Washington has worked with. A timeless classic, Training Day is one of the best movies in Denzel Washington and Antoine Fuqua‘s careers.