Denzel Washingtonis one of the most successful actors of modern times, although even a performer of his stature has had some duds at the box office. With a long and fruitful career that’s included two Academy Award wins and countless iconic roles, Washington can count himself among the most enduring and beloved stars in contemporary Hollywood. WhileWashington’s recent role inGladiator IIhas fast become his highest-grossing endeavor, it’s important to look back on the underappreciated releases and questionable roles that make up his least commercially successful movies.
Thebest Washington moviesall offer something unique, as he consistently imbues his roles with an urgency that makes them eternally memorable. From his ongoingcollaboration with director Spike Leeto an artful interpretation of a Shakespeare classic,even Washington’s lowest-grossing films all had something to offer. While these films may not have hit it big at the box office, they still remain an important aspect of Washington’s unmatched legacy.
Mo' Better Blues
Cast
Mo' Better Blues: A Spike Lee film featuring Denzel Washington as Bleek Gilliam, a talented but self-centered trumpeter. The 1990 release follows Bleek as he navigates his intense commitment to music and relationships with two women. His world is challenged when he aids his manager, adding unexpected turmoil.
One director thatDenzel Washington would continue working with repeatedly was Spike Lee, who, together, made up a cinematic pairing as urgent and exciting as De Niro and Scorsese. Despite being a match made in heaven creatively, the duo’s first movie together,Mo’ Better Blues, was not so successful commercially, although their spark was on display right from the beginning. As the story of a fictional jazz trumpeter, Bleek Gilliam, Washington gave his all in this exploration of artistry, friendship, and salvation.
WhileMo’ Better Blueslacked the political urgency of Washington and Lee’s greatest work, such asMalcolm X, it was still an accomplished and engaging love letter to jazz music. With Spike as director, writer, and co-star playing Bleek’s manager, Giant, audiences got to know the various influences and relationships impacting the player’s life. With Bleek’s romantic decisions having a devastating impact on his personal and professional life,Mo’ Better Blueswas a glimpse behind the curtain into the unpredictable and chaotic world of jazz.
Devil in a Blue Dress
Devil in a Blue Dress, directed by Carl Franklin, is set in late 1940s Los Angeles and follows Easy Rawlins, an unemployed black World War II veteran, who is hired to locate a missing white woman, Daphne Monet. The investigation draws him into the dangerous undercurrents of the city’s jazz club scene.
Denzel Washington brought a unique energy to the well-worn, hard-boiled detective genre in the criminally underseenDevil in a Blue Dress. As an adaptation of the mystery novel of the same name by Walter Mosley, Washington excelled playing Ezekiel “Easy” Rawlins, a veteran in desperate need of a job who was drawn into a conspiratorial story of a missing woman. Set in 1948, this neo-noir mystery had plenty of visual flair as it addressed crime, prejudices, and race.
WhileWashington’s Easy led the investigation, it was Don Cheadle as Mouse, a mysterious man from the detective’s past who steals every scene.Devil in a Blue Dressmay be a lesser-known entry in Washington’s filmography, but it’s a stunning showcase of his growing status during the 1990s, a time when he powerfully balanced mainstream hits with less commercially successful artistic triumphs like this. Despite noir detective stories being popular since the 1940s, Washington managed to add something unique to this crime-based genre.
Roman J. Israel, Esq.
Roman J. Israel, Esq. is an Oscar-nominated film starring Denzel Washington. Washington plays Roman J. Israel, Esq, who abandons his idealistic beliefs as a defense attorney to take extreme action as a civil rights advocate. The film was released in 2017 and directed by Dan Gilroy, who previously helmed Nightcrawler starring Jake Gyllenhaal.
It’s astounding how some of Denzel Washington’s most fascinating performances were also some of his least successful films commercially. This was certainly the case forRoman J. Israel, Esq., a thought-provoking legal thriller for whichWashington was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor. As a glimpse into the life of an autistic civil rights advocate and defense lawyer, the role of Roman J. Israel acted as one of Washington’s most layered, nuanced, and three-dimensional characters.
Roman J. Israel, Esq.bombed at the box office and took in just under $13 million against its $20 million budget, although Washington received widespread praise for his role. It’s a testament to Washington’s iconic legacy that he’s able to take big chances on interesting roles like this, and his career is not severely negatively impacted by its box office failings. WhileRoman J. Israel, Esq.lost money, anyone who did see it was only reminded why Washington remains one of the greatest actors working today.
Carbon Copy
Carbon Copy is a 1981 film where a wealthy corporate executive discovers he has a teenage son from a previous relationship. This revelation challenges his position within the predominantly white, upper-middle-class community of San Marino, California.
While Denzel Washington has explored racial topics his entire career, the future two-time Academy Award winner’s acting debut did not have quite the same nuance as much of his later work.Carbon Copywas an outrageous comedy-drama that starred Washington as a 17-year-old African American who suddenly turns up in the life of a wealthy white business executive played by George Segal. As the illegitimate son that he never knew he had,Carbon Copyused its comedic presence to unpack society’s relationship with race and wealth during the 1980s.
WhileCarbon Copyhad its funny moments, it also felt woefully dated and only merely hinted at the extraordinary acting career Washington would have in the subsequent years and decades. Despite its mismatched premise,Carbon Copywas not a hit at the box office, and the insensitive way in which it addresses race may rub some viewers the wrong way. However, as Washington’s debut movie, it’s still a piece of cinematic history and the beginning of a long and fruitful career.
Mississippi Masala
Mississippi Masala is a romantic drama directed by Mira Nair that explores cultural diversity and identity. The film follows the lives of an Indian family expelled from Uganda, relocating to Mississippi, where their daughter, Mina (Sarita Choudhury), falls in love with Demetrius (Denzel Washington), an African American man. The narrative delves into the complexities of interracial relationships and the challenges faced by immigrants in a racially segregated environment.
As one of the most interesting explorations of racial and cultural identity in Denzel Washington’s career, it’s a shame thatMississippi Masalawasn’t a hit at the box office. This romantic drama from Indian filmmaker Mira Nair and screenwriter Sooni Taraporevalaexplores an interracial romance between African Americans and Indian Americans in Mississippi. With Washington as a self-employed carpet cleaner named Demetrius Williams, cultures clash when he falls for a young Indian woman named Mina.
As an R-rated exploration of culture and identity,Mississippi Masaladealt with topics of race, heritage, and social expectations in a thought-provoking way. While most films that explore topics such as these are categorized by racism, inMississippi Masala, the conflict was more nuanced as the couple struggled to find acceptance from either of their communities. AlthoughMississippi Masalawasn’t a mainstream success, it was a fascinating addition to Washington’s filmography and one of his most underrated movies.
Heart Condition
Heart Condition is a 1990 film featuring a racist police officer, Jack Moony, who receives a heart transplant from his deceased rival, Napoleon Stone. The ghost of Stone accompanies Moony, offering advice on his personal and professional life, challenging Moony’s views and prejudices.
Although Denzel Washington’s filmography features countless thoughtful and resonating explorations of race relations,Heart Conditionwas definitely not one of them. This misjudged comedy starred Bob Hoskins as a racist cop who, after receiving a life-saving heart transplant, is haunted by the ghost of an African American lawyer. The two start working together to solve a murder as well as Hoskins’ haphazard love life in a lowbrow, bordering on offensive, movie.
Heart Conditionflopped at the box office, and thankfully Washington would make his first movie with Spike Lee later the same year, opening the door to him playing roles that dealt with race in far more thought-provoking and engaging ways than this movie. With overwhelming negative reviews from critics,Heart Conditionboasts a measly 10% score on Rotten Tomatoes. This disappointing release signaled one of Washington’s last movies before he had the clout and connections to be more mindful with the roles he chose.
The Mighty Quinn
The Mighty Quinn follows police chief Xavier Quinn as he probes the murder of a wealthy resident on a Caribbean island. Despite pressure from a corrupt governor, Quinn questions the guilt of suspect Maubee, a childhood friend, challenging the local political establishment’s narrative.
Denzel Washington played Chief of Police Xavier Quinn inThe Mighty Quinn, a story about a lawman trying to help his childhood friend after he becomes a murder suspect. Set on a small US territory in the Caribbean,The Mighty Quinnwas a smart blend of espionage, comedy, and music that hinted at Washington’s status as a future major movie star. With a case involving a rare $10,000 bill and a mysterious murder, this release was an example of Washington’s willingness to go outside his comfort zone with a Jamaican accent and even some singing.
The Mighty Quinntook its title from the Bob Dylan song “Quinn the Eskimo (The Mighty Quinn)”, which he first recorded duringThe Basement Tapessessions in 1967.
WhileThe Mighty Quinnwas sadly not a commercial hit, it did receive widespread critical acclaim. Famed film criticRoger Ebertwas a notable supporter of the movie and even called it one of the best releases of 1989. Describing it as “a spy thriller, a buddy movie, a musical, a comedy and a picture that is wise about human nature,” Ebert’s seal of approval was a strong indication ofThe Mighty Quinn’squality, despite its lack of box office success.
Power
Power, released in 1986, follows political consultant Pete St. John as he navigates the complexities of American politics. When his friend, Senator Sam Hastings, retires, St. John works on the campaign for Jerome Cade, an enigmatic businessman, revealing the intricate interplay of influence and ambition in political campaigns.
Denzel Washington followed up his acclaimed breakout performance inA Soldier’s Storywith an engaging supporting role in Sidney Lumet’s political dramaPower. This was a major release in signaling Washington as an up-and-coming star, even if it did not hit big at the box office. Starring Richard Gere as the ruthless media consultant Pete St. John,Washington played the public relations expert Arnold Billings, who Gere’s character comes into conflict with.
With themes around the inner workings of political power and the ruthless nature of campaign trails,Powerwas an insightful examination of corruption and deceit within the political system. The strategies and tactics employed by these cunning characters gave a realistic glimpse behind the curtain of politics in America. WhilePowerwas not a perfect film, it did gain Washington the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture.
For Queen & Country
For Queen & Country follows a retired British soldier, played by Denzel Washington, as he struggles to adapt to civilian life after his service. Released in 1988, the film explores themes of disenchantment and the challenges faced by veterans in reintegrating into society.
It would take a while for Denzel Washington to build his action movie credentials, and during the 1980s he was a far cry away from the futureEqualizerfranchise star he would become. Washington’s first foray into the world of action movies wasFor Queen & Country, a crime drama where he played a Black British former paratrooper who joined the British army to escape poverty. With some political relevance toward the Thatcherite era out of which it was produced, much of the social commentary here falls flat on its feet.
With Washington as Reuben James, a soldier who society leaves behind after his time in the Falklands War,For Queen & Countrywas a box office bomb. The low-budget feeling and unconvincing narrative made this one of Washington’s biggest flops in his entire career. The premise ofFor Queen & Countryhad potential, but the movie just never came together in a way that was engaging enough to draw in viewers.
The Tragedy of Macbeth
The Tragedy of Macbeth is a cinematic adaptation of William Shakespeare’s classic play, following Macbeth, the Thane of Glamis, who is driven by prophecy and ambition. Influenced by his wife, he murders King Duncan to seize the throne of Scotland, setting off a chain of power struggles and guilt.
Considering the quality of Denzel Washington’s overall filmography, it’s only appropriate that his lowest-grossing movie was also one of his most impressive performances. In an adaptation from Joel Coen, Washington provided viewers with his powerful take on one of William Shakespeare’s most enduring protagonists inThe Tragedy of Macbeth. It’s no surprise that such a challenging role struggled to find mainstream success, althoughthis bare-bones retelling of a classic narrative captured the essence of why Shakespeare has remained such a relevant writermore than four hundred years after he first wrote this play.
The Tragedy of Macbethwas an urgent and compelling interpretation by Joel Coen in his first directorial effort without his brother Ethan’s assistance. With a limited theatrical release, the low box office earnings ofThe Tragedy of Macbethmake sense, considering it was distributed via streaming on Apple TV+ shortly after its initial release. WhileDenzel Washingtoncan’t count this movie among his most commercially successful films, it was yet another incredible addition to one of the most impressive filmographies of any actor working today.
Sources: *All box office figures come from the metrics stated onThe Numbers; these may differ from other websites metrics,Roger Ebert
