Denzel Washington is one of those rare actors who are identified and recognized by their first name alone. Just as there is only one Leo, one Meryl, and one Keanu, there is only one Denzel, and since the mid-1970s Washington has captivated audiences with his infectious charisma, earnestness, and strong commitment to each role. Washington has been called the best actor of the 21st century and has won one Tony Award, two Academy Awards, three Golden Globes, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

At 68, Washington has been active in Hollywood, most recently reprising his role as Robert McCall in "The Equalizer 3." Reflecting on his illustrious career, which shows no signs of slowing down, we've narrowed down Denzel Washington's seven best movies. Let the discussion begin.

Washington has been nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor seven times and won once for his role in Antoine Fuqua's crime drama Training Day. Washington stars as Detective Alonso Harris, a corrupt LAPD narcotics officer tasked with evaluating rookie cop Jake Hoyt (Ethan Hawke), who has ambitions to become a good detective.

Over the course of a day, Alonzo takes Jake to a crime-ridden part of Los Angeles, where the two experience the drug war firsthand. Alonzo's shady ways are unethical, much to Jake's dismay. At the end of the day, Jake must decide whether to put his career on the line and enforce the law, or to shut up and watch Alonzo continue his illegal activities. Washington, who played the bad cop to great effect, became the first African-American to win Best Actor since Sidney Poitier won the award for "Lilies of the Field" in 1963.

Stream on Max

Washington, who collaborated on Mo' Better Blues, reunited with screenwriter-director Spike Lee for Malcolm X, a major biopic about the famous African American activist who rose to power in the civil rights movement. Washington plays the titular activist and portrays Malcolm Little's life from his early criminal days in the 1940s to his incarceration in the early 1950s. Washington's Malcolm X is his magnum opus and is considered one of the best depictions of a historical figure on film in the past 50 years. Legendary director Martin Scorsese and influential film critic Roger Ebert named Malcolm X one of the 10 best films of the 1990s.

Streaming on Tubi

In 1995, Gene Hackman was one of the five greatest working actors in Hollywood. This was just three years after winning the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for Unforgiven. As acting royalty, Hackman's co-stars had to be strong actors, or risk being blown off the screen by the legendary actor. Washington not only held his own against Hackman, he outshone the legendary actor in the multiple scenes in which the two shared the screen.

Tony Scott's Crimson Tide depicts life on a nuclear missile submarine during the Cold War. Experienced Major Frank Ramsey (Gene Hackman) chooses Commander Ron Hunter (Washington) as his second-in-command. When the submarine receives conflicting missile launch orders, Ramsey tries to act immediately, while Hunter preaches patience. Their differing styles cause a split in the submarine, and Ramsey and Hunter are at odds over leadership. Crimson Tide is a dialogue-driven suspense-action thriller that was only possible because of Hackman and Washington's excellent performances.

Rent/Stream Buy on Amazon or Apple TV

"He Got Game" is not your typical sports movie. Most sports dramas are underdog stories in which the protagonist must overcome adversity in order to compete in a championship game or match. Spike Lee's "He Got Game" is not about winning. The film focuses on the exploitative nature of college basketball and explores the fractured relationship between father and son.

Jake Shuttlesworth (Washington) has been in prison for six years after accidentally killing his wife. While incarcerated, Jake receives an interesting offer from the warden. He convinces his son Jesus (Ray Allen), a top high school basketball player, to sign with Big State, the governor's alma mater. Jake can stay out of jail for a week, and if he succeeds, the governor will reduce his sentence. The only problem is that Jesus despises his father. As expected, Washington is great as the uptight father, but Allen's performance is one of the best I've ever seen from a professional athlete and one I'll never forget.

Rent/buy streaming on Amazon or Apple TV

After a successful television career in the 1980s with "St. Elsewhere," Washington turned to film acting. He portrayed one of the Union Army's first black regiments in Edward Zwick's Civil War drama. Matthew Broderick stars as Colonel Robert Gould Shaw, leader of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment. African American soldiers in Shaw's unit include Cyrus Tripp (Washington), John Rawlins (Morgan Freeman), and Thomas Searles (Andre Braugher).

Tripp is accused of desertion and is whipped in front of the entire company. Trip takes off his shirt, revealing a vicious scar on his back. The powerful image of a single tear streaming down Trip's face as he glares at Shaw was a career-making performance for Washington, who later won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.

Rent/Buy on Amazon or Apple TV

Captain Whip Whitaker (Washington) is an alcoholic pilot who turns to drugs to help him sleep. However, Whip's morning hangover is exacerbated after a malfunction causes the plane to free fall. Whip manages to regain control of the aircraft and crash-lands it. Despite being praised for his heroic actions, Whip breaks down, forcing him to confront his demons in the ensuing investigation.

Despite his sobriety efforts, Whip is unable to break his addiction and turns to alcohol to deal with his problems. Flight is best known for its wonderful and terrifying crash scene. But it is Washington's harrowing performance as a pilot struggling with addiction that gives the film a reason to be seen.

View in Max

Washington, whose on-screen presence is immeasurable, gives a brilliant performance as a disciplined football coach in "Remember the Titans. "In 1971, Alexandria, Virginia, experiences the integration of black and white high schools. Herman Boone (Washington) is hired to coach the high school football team, a decision that divides the community.

After convincing former head coach Bill Yost (Will Patton) to join his staff, Boone faces the impossible task of putting together a cohesive team despite racial tensions that tear his players apart. Boone succeeds, but the town rejects the idea of a unified team. Although the film takes liberties with actual events, "Remember the Titans" is an inspiring film that moves audiences primarily through Washington's authenticity as a football coach and his dedication to the role.

View on Disney Plus