Samuel L. Jackson’s 10 Best Movies, Ranked

In his long and varied career, Samuel L. Jackson has appeared in some of the best movies of all time. From working with acclaimed auteurs to the biggest blockbusters in Hollywood, Jackson has tried his hand at action, comedy, drama, science fiction, and more, and stands as one of the highest-grossing actors who ever lived. After struggling to find success in his early years, Jackson was already in his 40s by the time he gained prominence and once the opportunity was available to him, he quickly became a household name and one of the biggest stars in the world.

With a long-running working relationship with director Quentin Tarantino, Jackson has also played major roles in the Star Wars franchise as Jedi master Mace Windu, as well as being a regular fixture of the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Nick Fury, the man who assembled The Avengers. Along with his success in blockbuster franchises, Jackson has also tackled nuanced dramatic roles and boasts a filmography that includes deeply challenging parts exploring class, prejudice, and race. A mammoth figure in the world of movies, Jackson is a highly prolific actor who has appeared in more than 150 roles to date.

10 Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005)

Samuel L. Jackson as Mace Windu

Samuel L. Jackson had a significant role in the Star Wars prequel trilogy as Jedi master Mace Windu, the purple lightsaber-wielding warrior regarded as one of the most powerful Jedi ever, second only to Yoda. While Windu appeared in The Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones, it was in Revenge of the Sith that he truly showcased his power when he faced off against Palpatine and Jackson proved his skill in one of the best lightsaber duels in Star Wars. A popular character, despite his death, Jackson has voiced his desire to return as Windu in a future film.

9 Captain America: The Winter Solider (2014)

Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury

Across Nick Fury’s many appearances in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Samuel L. Jackson has had plenty of moments to shine, but his best has to be in Captain America: The Winter Solider. The spy-thriller tone of Captain America: The Winter Solider allowed Jackson to truly show off his badass nature while his espionage intentions were shrouded in mystery for much of the film. With Fury seemingly dying and then shockingly being resurrected, Jackson’s performance, the writing of his character, and the many twists and turns made this his most essential MCU appearance.

8 Unbreakable (2000)

Samuel L. Jackson as Elijah Price/Mr. Glass

In M. Night Shyamalan’s Unbreakable, Samuel L. Jackson delivered one of his most unusual performances as Elijah Price, also known as Mr. Glass, the comic book theorist and deranged domestic terrorist with brittle bone disease. Believing he was the polar opposite of invulnerable David Dunn, Jackson’s character became a sort of eccentric mentor of Dunn and guided him toward his journey to becoming a superhero. Jackson would return to the role 16 years later with a cameo appearance the Shyamalan’s stand-alone sequel Split.

7 Django Unchained (2012)

Samuel L. Jackson as Stephen Warren

As Stephen Warren in Django Unchained, Samuel L. Jackson took on a villainous role of the head house slave with a distain for his own people. A controversial performance, it was a part that only an actor of Jackson’s calibre would be brave enough to attempt as he put a satirical spin on notions of loyalty. Jackson missed out on an Academy Award nomination for his performance but said (via Variety) it was the closest he’s been to getting an Oscar as “it’s the most evil character I’ve ever played and they generally reward Black people for playing horrendous shit.”

6 Jackie Brown (1997)

Samuel L. Jackson as Ordell Robbie

Samuel L. Jackson proved he had the acting chops to stack up against the best actors of all time when he played off Robert De Nero’s character as Ordell Robbie in Jackie Brown. Like in all of Jackson’s appearances in Quentin Tarantino movies, Jackson delivered some of his best one-liners, witty quips, and exceptional dialogue as the illegal gunrunner of De Nero’s Louis Gara. While Jackie Brown may have been a star vehicle for Pam Grier, Jackson truly shined in his part and even named Ordell Robbie one of his five favorite performances ever (via The Tonight Show.)

5 The Incredibles (2004)

Samuel L. Jackson as Lucius Best / Frozone

While Samuel L. Jackson may not be readily associated with the world of kids’ animation he was perfectly cast as Lucius Best, also known as Frozone, in The Incredibles. As the best friend of Mr. Incredible, Frozone could create ice out of humidity and Jackson’s recognizable booming voice and impeccable delivery helped solidify Frozone as one of Pixar’s best characters. While Jackson has not done a lot of voice work, whenever he does, it is always a treat and he even returned as Frozone for The Incredibles 2.

4 Lakeview Terrace (2008)

Samuel L. Jackson as Officer Abel Turner

Samuel L. Jackson delivered a woefully underrated performance as Officer Abel Turner in the 2008 crime thriller Lakeview Terrace. As a troubled LAPD police officer, Turner was a bigoted cop who would stop at nothing to force an interracial couple, played by Kerry Washington and Patrick Wilson, out of his neighborhood where they just moved in next door. A tense thriller, Lakeview Terrace explored issues relating to bigotry, harassment, and racism as Jackson delivered one of his most menacing and unnerving performances.

3 A Time to Kill (1996)

Samuel L. Jackson as Carl Lee Hailey

As Carl Lee Hailey in A Time to Kill, Samuel L. Jackson delivered one his most impassioned and powerful performances. The father of a man whose 10-year-old daughter was raped and murdered by white supremacists, when Hailey realized the men might get away with it, he takes the law into his own hands and murders the two culprits. Jackson gave his all to this John Grisham adaptation that tackled themes of hypocrisy, justice, and the failures of the legal system. Jackson captured the hopeless heartbreak of Hailey as he was tried for a crime that he truly felt was justified.

2 Jungle Fever (1991)

Samuel L. Jackson as Gator Purify

Samuel L. Jackson delivered his breakout performance as the crack-addicted brother Gator Purify in Spike Lee’s Jungle Fever. A convincing and effective performance, Jackson brought his personal experience to the role of Gator as he had recently dealt with his own addiction issues and had left rehab just two weeks before filming started (via Esquire.) Gator’s drug problems led to his own father disowning him, and viewers watched with heartbreak as he pestered his mother for money. Jackson brought an air of believability to Jungle Fever as it explored class, drugs, race, and romance.

1 Pulp Fiction (1994)

Samuel L. Jackson as Jules Winnfield

The absolute pinnacle of Samuel L. Jackson’s movie roles and the part for which he has most readily been associated has to be Jules Winnfield in Pulp Fiction. The first in a long-running collaboration between Jackson and director Quentin Tarantino, Jules delivered some of the most iconic lines ever committed to the big screen, as, along with John Travolta, he showcased both the extraordinary and everyday circumstances of life as a hitman. Jules was a supercool, pop culture savant, and Jackson’s performance helped solidify his tough-guy reputation and cemented Samuel L. Jackson’s standing as a major figure in mainstream cinema.

Sources: Variety, The Tonight Show, Esquire