Will Smith’s 10 Best Movies, Ranked

Since transitioning from TV to film, Will Smith has become one of Hollywood’s biggest stars, with the catalog to back up his status. Smith first came to prominence as the star of The Fresh Prince of Bel Air. Few TV actors can cross over to film so easily, but Smith clearly had the talent, the charisma and the sheer intangible star power. Throughout the 1990s, he starred in a series of major box office hits.

Although Smith was initially seen as a comedic actor, with films such as Bad Boys and Men in blackhe showed more impressive range. With three Oscar nominations, Smith has proven his talent in biopics, action films and traditional dramas. This means that his best films show many sides of his acting talent, and they range from the early 1990s to the here and now.

10

Hitch (2005)

Alex “Hitch” Hitchens

Hitch is largely a product of its time, fitting neatly alongside other 2000s New York-based romantic comedies like How to lose a guy in 10 days, 27 dresses and The proposal. In this way, it may seem a little formulaic, but the formula works well and allows its actors to shine. In HitchIn this case, these stars are Will Smith, Kevin James and Eva Mendes. Smith’s dynamic with Mendes provides the romantic drama, while her chemistry with James provides many of the film’s funniest moments.

Like all 2000s romantic comedies with a quirky concept, Hitch uses its unusual premise to look at love and relationships from a different angle. He manages to create some surprisingly emotional moments while doing so. The main romantic relationship hits all the beats a romantic comedy should, but Hitch it’s even better when it focuses on the unlikely friendship between Smith’s soft-loving doctor and James’s desperate, hapless romantic. Hitch It’s cute, but it’s the best kind of cute.

9

Aladdin (2019)

Genius

Stepping into Robin Williams’ shoes would be a tall order for any comedian, especially one of Williams’ most iconic roles. Will Smith is one of the few actors with the charisma and general appeal to pull this off, as he does in the live-action remake of Aladdin. Smith makes the character his ownalthough he has the same sense of free creativity with a dash of mischief.

Disney’s live-action remakes have been a decidedly mixed bag so far. The very idea of ​​going back and reviving the studio’s most popular classics has been seen as a way to make money by many, but films like The Jungle Book and Cruella prove that it can be done tactfully. Aladdin It’s not among the best remakes, but Itheir musical numbers are gloriously creativeand updates the story in some important ways.

8

Bad Boys (1995)

Mike Lowrey

THE Bad Boys the franchise has produced some of Will Smith’s best sequels, but There’s still an undeniable charm to the original. While Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah have done a great job rebooting the franchise with the same humor and gun-toting action, Michael Bay’s mastery of chaotic action means that Bad Boys It is still considered the franchise’s best effort by many. It’s certainly not as popular with critics as Bad boys for life or Ride or diebut that doesn’t matter.

Bad Boys is a pretty typical crime comedy in many ways. While it doesn’t do much to push the boundaries of the genre, it shows an awareness that these types of films live and die by the chemistry between their two stars. In this regard, Bad Boys is impeccable, as Will Smith and Martin Lawrence are the perfect on-screen odd couple. With Michael Bay’s dizzying onslaught of explosive action and some perfectly placed one-liners, Bad Boys checks all the boxes.

7

Enemy of the State (1998)

Robert Clayton Dean

Enemy of the State is a political thriller about a lawyer who inadvertently obtains a tape that links a murder to a group of corrupt NSA agents. Will Smith stars as the lawyer, injecting some humorous quips into the proceedings whenever Enemy of the State it threatens to become too technical and complex. He’s also a great dramatic protagonistas your character is pursued by the full force of the United States government.

Lots of action in Enemy of the State is seen through surveillance footagesatellite imagery and anything else the NSA can use to track its target’s movements. While some of these specific technologies have not aged well, especially when they seem like a science fiction fantasy, the idea of ​​government surveillance remains as prevalent as ever. Enemy of the State has elements of horror mixed into the action, while the ever-watchful eye of the State hovers over the proceedings.

6

The Pursuit of Happiness (2006)

Chris Gardner

The search for happiness stars Will Smith alongside his son Jaden, although it fared much better with critics than After Earth. Smith stars as a father struggling to provide for his son. It’s a simple premise, but the script is so strong that it remains convincing throughout. Of course, the other big strength is Smith’s emotionally raw performance. It shows the desperate vulnerability of love and parenthood, as well as the pure human joy of it all.

Critics of The search for happiness often pointed to a perceived saccharine quality, but it really takes a hard heart to look past the relatable nature of the story. Mixed in with the story of triumph against all odds are some devastating subtextual lamentations about the gross inequality of the system. Smith’s Oscar-nominated performance adds this rage to the sadness, despair, and exuberance of love.

5

Six Degrees of Separation (1993)

Paul

Will Smith captures shades of Tom Ripley in Six Degrees of Separation, as he plays a charming young con artist who gradually bonds with a wealthy family and begins to bleed them dry. Six Degrees of Separation was one of Smith’s first films and his first leading role. This offered him the chance to put an ironic spin on his character since The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, as a stranger who shakes up the dynamics of a wealthy family.

Six Degrees of Separation is funny and intriguing, as the mystery of Paul’s identity is gradually pieced together like a puzzle. Surprisingly, Most of the story is based on a real-life casedown to the detail that the young man claimed to be the son of Sidney Poitier. This strange criminal case could be much more dramatic, but Six Degrees of Separation always maintains his sense of humor. The culture clash angle is a rich vein of comedy.

4

Ali (2001)

Muhammad Ali

Will Smith’s first Oscar nomination was the product of his collaboration with Michael Mann. There is a powerful biographical film that tells the story of Muhammad Ali’s exciting career against the backdrop of American social upheaval in the 1960s and 1970s. Ali was always more than just an athlete, especially when he spoke out against the Vietnam War and defended civil rights in the United States. A proper biopic would only work if it also focused on what he represented outside the ring.

There is a classic boxing film, in part because the true story of Ali’s life provided the framework for so many other sports dramas. Smith captures the essence of Ali as a public figure and wonderful artist who performs for the cameras, but Mann also delves into the man behind the myth in his private moments. The boxing scenes are remarkablewhile Mann brings the audience into the ring to experience the atmosphere.

3

King Richard (2021)

Richard Williams

Will Smith had an uneven decade in the 2010s, but he put that behind him with King Richardand finally earned him his long-awaited first Oscar win with his third nomination. Any discussion of this award will likely be tainted by the infamous slapping incident at the ceremony, but Smith’s performance certainly shouldn’t be overlooked. After years of struggling to transition from younger roles, King Richard could herald the next chapter of Smith’s career.

Smith plays Richard Williams, the father of tennis legends Venus and Serena. However, they are not yet legends in King Richard. The story focuses on his childhood and the lengths his father goes to ensure they have the access and opportunities they need in a historically white sport. King Richard For the most part, it follows the true story, from Richard’s excessive training regime to his difficult background.

2

Independence Day (1996)

Captain Steven Hiller

Independence Day It’s a near-perfect summer blockbusterdelivering jaw-dropping action, crowd-pleasing humor and a sense of spectacularity. Will Smith solidified his status as one of Hollywood’s most bankable stars with his performance as a Navy pilot fighting an alien invasion, and he’s surrounded by a brilliant cast that includes Jeff Goldblum and Bill Pullman. It’s pure popcorn entertainment from start to finish, and it’s no surprise that it was a box office success.

Some people may be cynical about the state of big-budget blockbusters, but original films like Independence Day prove that they can be an art. Anchored by a simple premise that can satisfy the human need for unity and triumph, Independence Day takes your audience into battle. Some critics took issue with the thin characterizations and simplistic plot. In fact, It’s easy to criticize Independence Day, but it will never be considered boring.

1

Men in Black (1997)

Agent J

Will Smith’s early career was defined by his comedies, and Men in black stands out as the most original, the funniest and the most emotionally resonant. Although he and Tommy Lee Jones play two government agents who keep New York City’s aliens in line, Men in black It’s essentially a buddy cop movie. The mismatched dynamic of grizzled veteran and cocky newcomer is textbook for the genre, but it’s rarely been done with such tenderness.

Smith makes the most of Men in blackJones’ funniest quotes, with Jones content to raise the occasional eyebrow as his more stoic partner. Despite all the giant insects, miniature galaxies, and invading battleships, the relationship between the two main characters is what really gives Men in black your impulse. The bittersweet ending was somewhat tainted by the sequels, but the original Men in black remains a fine sci-fi comedy worth watching again and again.