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Best Films of the 21st Century: First 25 Years

Moviefone’s 25 best movies of the first 25 years of the 21st Century.

Not only is 2025 coming to an end soon, but with it the first 25 years of the 21st century!

While the last 25 years have seen the rise of Marvel Studios and the fall of big screen comedies, it has also seen advances in filmmaking technology, seminal movies from groundbreaking directors and new and returning movie stars alike.
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As we leave behind the first quester of this century, Moviefone is counting down the 25 best movies of the first 25 years of the 21st century!

Let’s begin!

Related Article: Moviefone’s 25 Best Movies of 2025: The Definitive Ranking

25. ‘A Complete Unknown‘ (2024)

Timothée Chalamet in ‘A Complete Unkown’. Photo by Macall Polay, Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures. © 2024 Searchlight Pictures All Rights Reserved.

Set in the influential New York music scene of the early 60s, ‘A Complete Unknown’ follows 19-year-old Minnesota musician Bob Dylan‘s (Timothée Chalamet) meteoric rise as a folk singer to concert halls and the top of the charts – his songs and mystique becoming a worldwide sensation – culminating in his groundbreaking electric rock and roll performance at the Newport Folk Festival in 1965.
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24. ‘The Big Short‘ (2015)

Christian Bale in ‘The Big Short’. Photo: Paramount Pictures.

The men who made millions from a global economic meltdown.
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23. ‘American Hustle‘ (2013)

(L to R) Christian Bale, Amy Adams, and Bradley Cooper in ‘American Hustle.’ Photo: Sony Pictures.

A conman (Christian Bale) and his seductive partner (Amy Adams) are forced to work for a wild FBI agent (Bradley Cooper), who pushes them into a world of Jersey power-brokers and the Mafia.
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22. ‘The Departed‘ (2006)

(L to R) Leonardo DiCaprio and Jack Nicholson in ‘The Departed’. Photo: Warner Bros.

To take down South Boston’s Irish Mafia, the police send in one of their own to infiltrate the underworld, not realizing the syndicate has done likewise. While an undercover cop (DiCaprio) curries favor with the mob kingpin (Jack Nicholson), a career criminal (Matt Damon) rises through the police ranks. But both sides soon discover there’s a mole among them.
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21. ‘Inside Llewyn Davis‘ (2013)

Oscar Isaac in ‘Inside Llewyn Davis.’ Photo: CBS Films.

In Greenwich Village in the early 1960s, gifted but volatile folk musician Llewyn Davis (Oscar Isaac) struggles with money, relationships, and his uncertain future.
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20. ‘The Martian‘ (2015)

Matt Damon in ‘The Martian’. Photo: 20th Century Fox.

During a manned mission to Mars, Astronaut Mark Watney (Matt Damon) is presumed dead after a fierce storm and left behind by his crew. But Watney has survived and finds himself stranded and alone on the hostile planet. With only meager supplies, he must draw upon his ingenuity, wit and spirit to subsist and find a way to signal to Earth that he is alive.
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19. ‘Hell or High Water‘ (2016)

(L to R) Ben Foster and Chris Pine star in ‘Hell or High Water’. Photo: Lionsgate.

A divorced dad (Chris Pine) and his ex-con brother (Ben Foster) resort to a desperate scheme in order to save their family’s farm in West Texas.
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18. ‘Sicario‘ (2015)

Benicio del Toro in ‘Sicario’. Photo: Lionsgate.

An idealistic FBI agent (Emily Blunt) is enlisted by a government task force to aid in the escalating war against drugs at the border area between the U.S. and Mexico.
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17. ‘Beirut‘ (2018)

Jon Hamm in ‘Beirut.’ Photo: Bleecker Street.

In 1980s Beirut, Mason Skiles (Jon Hamm) is a former US diplomat who is called back into service to save a colleague from the group that is possibly responsible for his own family’s death. Meanwhile a CIA field agent (Rosamund Pike) who is working under cover at the American embassy is tasked with keeping Mason alive and ensuring that the mission is a success.
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16. ‘The Gentlemen‘ (2020)

(L to R) Colin Farrell and Charlie Hunnam in ‘The Gentlemen’. Photo: STXfilms.

American expat Mickey Pearson (Matthew McConaughey) has built a highly profitable marijuana empire in London. When word gets out that he’s looking to cash out of the business forever it triggers plots, schemes, bribery and blackmail in an attempt to steal his domain out from under him.
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15. ‘The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo‘ (2011)

Rooney Mara stars in ‘The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo’. Photo: Sony Pictures Releasing.

Disgraced journalist Mikael Blomkvist (Daniel Craig) investigates the disappearance of a weary patriarch’s niece from 40 years ago. He is aided by the pierced, tattooed, punk computer hacker named Lisbeth Salander (Rooney Mara). As they work together in the investigation, Blomkvist and Salander uncover immense corruption beyond anything they have ever imagined.
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14. ‘Inherent Vice‘ (2014)

Joaquin Phoenix in ‘Inherent Vice.’ Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures.

In Los Angeles at the turn of the 1970s, drug-fueled detective Larry “Doc” Sportello (Joaquin Phoenix) investigates the disappearance of an ex-girlfriend (Katherine Waterson).
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13. ‘John Wick‘ (2014)

Keanu Reeves in ‘John Wick’. Photo: David Lee for Lionsgate.

Ex-hitman John Wick (Keanu Reeves) comes out of retirement to track down the gangsters that took everything from him.
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12. ‘Kiss Kiss Bang Bang‘ (2005)

(L to R) Val Kilmer and Robert Downey Jr. in ‘Kiss Kiss Bang Bang.’ Photo: Warner Bros.

A petty thief posing as an actor (Robert Downey Jr.) is brought to Los Angeles for an unlikely audition and finds himself in the middle of a murder investigation along with his high school dream girl (Michelle Monaghan) and a detective (Val Kilmer) who’s been training him for his upcoming role.
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11. ‘The Constant Gardener‘ (2005)

(L to R) Rachel Weisz and Ralph Finnes in ‘The Constant Gardner’. Photo: Universal Pictures.

Justin Quayle (Ralph Finnes) is a low-level British diplomat who has always gone about his work very quietly, not causing any problems. But after his radical wife Tessa (Rachel Weisz) is killed he becomes determined to find out why, thrusting himself into the middle of a very dangerous conspiracy.
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10. ‘Layer Cake‘ (2005)

Daniel Craig stars in ‘Layer Cake’. Photo: Columbia Pictures.

When a seemingly straight-forward drug deal goes awry, XXXX (Daniel Craig) has to break his die-hard rules and turn up the heat, not only to outwit the old regime and come out on top, but to save his own skin.
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9. ‘The Battered Bastards of Baseball‘ (2014)

A scene from the documentary ‘The Battered Bastards of Baseball’. Photo: Netflix.

Hollywood veteran Bing Russell creates the only independent baseball team in the country—alarming the baseball establishment and sparking the meteoric rise of the 1970s Portland Mavericks.
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8. ‘Inglourious Basterds‘ (2009)

Christoph Waltz in ‘Inglourious Basterds.’ Photo: The Weinstein Company.

In Nazi-occupied France during World War II, a group of Jewish-American soldiers known as “The Basterds” are chosen specifically to spread fear throughout the Third Reich by scalping and brutally killing Nazis. The Basterds, lead by Lt. Aldo Raine (Brad Pitt) soon cross paths with a French-Jewish teenage girl (Mélanie Laurent), who runs a movie theater in Paris which is targeted by the soldiers.
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7. ‘Moneyball‘ (2011)

Brad Pitt in ‘Moneyball’. Photo: Sony Pictures Releasing.

The story of Oakland Athletics general manager Billy Beane’s (Brad Pitt) successful attempt to put together a baseball team on a budget, by employing computer-generated analysis to draft his players.
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6. ‘Man on Fire‘ (2004)

Denzel Washington in ‘Man on Fire’. Photo: 20th Century Fox.

Jaded ex-CIA operative John Creasy (Denzel Washington) reluctantly accepts a job as the bodyguard for a 10-year-old girl (Dakota Fanning) in Mexico City. They clash at first, but eventually bond, and when she’s kidnapped he’s consumed by fury and will stop at nothing to save her life.
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5. ‘There Will Be Blood‘ (2008)

Daniel Day-Lewis in ‘There Will Be Blood’. Photo: Paramount Vantage.

Ruthless silver miner, turned oil prospector, Daniel Plainview (Daniel Day Lewis), moves to oil-rich California. Using his son to project a trustworthy, family-man image, Plainview cons local landowners into selling him their valuable properties for a pittance. However, local preacher Eli Sunday (Paul Dano) suspects Plainview’s motives and intentions, starting a slow-burning feud that threatens both their lives.
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4. ‘The Royal Tenenbaums‘ (2002)

(L to R) Luke Wilson, Gwyneth Paltrow, Gene Hackman, Ben Stiller, Anjelica Huston and Danny Glover in ‘The Royal Tenenbaums’. Photo: Buena Vista Pictures.

Royal Tenenbaum (Gene Hackman) and his wife Etheline (Anjelica Huston) had three children and then they separated. All three children are extraordinary — all geniuses. Virtually all memory of the brilliance of the young Tenenbaums was subsequently erased by two decades of betrayal, failure, and disaster. Most of this was generally considered to be their father’s fault. “The Royal Tenenbaums” is the story of the family’s sudden, unexpected reunion one recent winter.
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3. ‘The Dark Knight’ (2008)

(L to R) Heath Ledger and Christian Bale in ‘The Dark Knight’. Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures.

Batman (Christian Bale) raises the stakes in his war on crime. With the help of Lt. Jim Gordon (Gary Oldman) and District Attorney Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart), Batman sets out to dismantle the remaining criminal organizations that plague the streets. The partnership proves to be effective, but they soon find themselves prey to a reign of chaos unleashed by a rising criminal mastermind known to the terrified citizens of Gotham as the Joker (Heath Ledger).
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2. ‘Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood‘ (2019)

(L to R) Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio star in ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.’ Photo: Sony Pictures Releasing.

Los Angeles, 1969. TV star Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio), a struggling actor specializing in westerns, and stuntman Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt), his best friend, try to survive in a constantly changing movie industry. Dalton is the neighbor of the young and promising actress and model Sharon Tate (Margot Robbie), who has just married the prestigious Polish director Roman Polanski (Rafał Zawierucha).
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1. ‘Drive‘ (2011)

Ryan Gosling in ‘Drive.’ Photo: Richard Foreman Jr.

Driver (Ryan Gosling) is a skilled Hollywood stuntman who moonlights as a getaway driver for criminals. Though he projects an icy exterior, lately he’s been warming up to a pretty neighbor named Irene (Carey Mulligan) and her young son, Benicio (Kaden Leos). When Irene’s husband (Oscar Isaac) gets out of jail, he enlists Driver’s help in a million-dollar heist. The job goes horribly wrong, and Driver must risk his life to protect Irene and Benicio from the vengeful masterminds behind the robbery.
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December 29, 2025
Best Denzel Washington Movies

Denzel Washington in ‘Highest 2 Lowest’. Photo Credit: David Lee.

Denzel Washington is the most beloved and respected actor of his generation.

Practically beginning his career by winning an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor in ‘Glory,’ Washington would go on to make such movies as ‘Malcolm X,’ ‘Philadelphia,’ ‘Crimson Tide,’ ‘Devil in a Blue Dress,’ ‘The Hurricane‘ and ‘Remember the Titans‘ before winning an Academy Award for Best Actor for playing Alonzo Harris in ‘Training Day.’

Since then, the Oscar-winning actor has appeared in such films as ‘Man on Fire,’ ‘Inside Man,’ ‘American Gangster,’ ‘Unstoppable,’ ‘Safe House,’ ‘The Magnificent Seven‘ and ‘The Equalizer‘ franchise.

His new film, ‘Highest 2 Lowest‘, which reunites him with longtime collaborator director Spike Lee, opens in theaters on August 15th before being available to stream on Apple TV+ on September 5th.

In honor of ‘Highest 2 Lowest’s release, Moviefone is counting down the 45 best movies of Denzel Washington’s incredibly impressive acting career, including his latest.

Let’s begin!

45. ‘The Little Things‘ (2021)

Denzel Washington as Joe “Deke” Deacon in ‘The Little Things’ from Warner Bros. Pictures.

Deputy Sheriff Joe “Deke” Deacon (Washington) joins forces with Sgt. Jim Baxter (Rami Malek) to search for a serial killer who’s terrorizing Los Angeles. As they track the culprit, Baxter is unaware that the investigation is dredging up echoes of Deke’s past, uncovering disturbing secrets that could threaten more than his case.
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44. ‘Antwone Fisher‘ (2002)

A sailor (Derek Luke) prone to violent outbursts is sent to a naval psychiatrist for help. Refusing at first to open up, the young man eventually breaks down and reveals a horrific childhood. Through the guidance of his doctor (Washington), he confronts his painful past and begins a quest to find the family he never knew.
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43. ‘2 Guns‘ (2013)

A DEA agent (Washington) and an undercover Naval Intelligence officer (Mark Wahlberg) who have been tasked with investigating one another find they have been set up by the mob — the very organization the two men believe they have been stealing money from.
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42. ‘The Siege‘ (1998)

The secret US abduction of a suspected terrorist from his Middle East homeland leads to a wave of terrorist attacks in New York. An FBI senior agent (Washington) and his team attempt to locate and decommission the enemy cells, but must also deal with an Army General (Bruce Willis) gone rogue and a female CIA agent (Annette Bening) of uncertain loyalties.
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41. ‘Déjà Vu‘ (2006)

Called in to recover evidence in the aftermath of a horrific explosion on a New Orleans ferry, Federal agent Doug Carlin (Washington) gets pulled away from the scene and taken to a top-secret government lab that uses a time-shifting surveillance device to help prevent crime.
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40. ‘Out of Time‘ (2003)

(L to R) Denzel Washington and Eva Mendes in ‘Out of Time’. Photo: MGM.

Matt Lee Whitlock (Washington), respected chief of police in small Banyan Key, Florida, must solve a vicious double homicide before he himself falls under suspicion. Matt Lee has to stay a few steps ahead of his own police force and everyone he’s trusted in order to find out the truth.
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39. ‘Much Ado About Nothing‘ (1993)

In this Shakespearean farce, Hero (Kate Beckinsale) and her groom-to-be, Claudio (Robert Sean Leonard), team up with Claudio’s commanding officer, Don Pedro (Washington), the week before their wedding to hatch a matchmaking scheme. Their targets are sharp-witted duo Benedick (Kenneth Branagh) and Beatrice (Emma Thompson) — a tough task indeed, considering their corresponding distaste for love and each other. Meanwhile, meddling Don John (Keanu Reeves) plots to ruin the wedding.
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38. ‘Fallen‘ (1998)

Homicide detective John Hobbes (Washington) witnesses the execution of serial killer Edgar Reese (Elias Koteas). Soon after the execution the killings start again, and they are very similar to Reese’s style.
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37. ‘Mississippi Masala‘ (1991)

An Indian family is expelled from Uganda when Idi Amin takes power. They move to Mississippi and time passes. The Indian daughter (Sarita Choudhury) falls in love with a black man (Washington), and the respective families have to come to terms with it.
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36. ‘Virtuosity‘ (1995)

The Law Enforcement Technology Advancement Centre (LETAC) has developed SID version 6.7 (Russell Crowe): a Sadistic, Intelligent, and Dangerous virtual reality entity which is synthesized from the personalities of more than 150 serial killers, and only one man can stop him.
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35. ‘Roman J. Israel, Esq.‘ (2017)

Denzel Washington in ‘Roman J. Israel, Esq’. Photo: Sony Pictures.

Hard-nosed liberal lawyer Roman J. Israel (Washington) has been fighting the good fight forever while others take the credit. When his partner – the firm’s frontman – has a heart attack, Israel suddenly takes on that role. He soon discovers some unsettling truths about the firm – truths that conflict with his values of helping the poor and dispossessed – and finds himself in an existential crisis that leads to extreme actions.
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34. ‘A Soldier’s Story‘ (1984)

In a rural town in Louisiana, a black Master Sergeant is found shot to death just outside the local Army Base. Military lawyer, Captain Davenport (Howard E. Rollins Jr.)—also a black man—is sent from Washington to conduct an investigation. Facing an uncooperative chain of command and fearful black troops, Davenport must battle with deceit and prejudice in order to find out exactly who really did kill the Master Sergeant.
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33. ‘Courage Under Fire‘ (1996)

A US Army officer (Washington), who made a “friendly fire” mistake that was covered up, has been reassigned to a desk job. He is tasked to investigate a female chopper commander’s (Meg Ryan) worthiness to be awarded the Medal of Honor. At first all seems in order. But then he begins to notice inconsistencies between the testimonies of the witnesses…
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32. ‘Mo’ Better Blues‘ (1990)

Talented but self-centered trumpeter Bleek Gillian (Washington) is obsessed with his music and indecisiveness about his girlfriends Indigo (Joie Lee) and Clarke (Cynda Williams). But when he is forced to come to the aid of his manager and childhood friend (Spike Lee), Bleek finds his world more fragile that he ever imagined.
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31. ‘The Tragedy of Macbeth‘ (2021)

From Academy Award-winning filmmaker Joel Coen comes the propulsive, boldly cinematic ‘The Tragedy of Macbeth,’ starring Oscar-winners Denzel Washington and Frances McDormand as the devious, ill-fated Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. An original, striking reimagining of the classic Shakespearean tale portrayed in sumptuous black-and-white cinematography, ‘The Tragedy of Macbeth’ finds the titular general and his loyal wife older and warier, desperately striving against a merciless ticking clock as they attempt to seize upon a final opportunity for power. In the chaos that ensues, their grasp on the throne unravels, terror mounts and regret enshrouds every inch of their wretched world. Co-starring Kathryn Hunter, Corey Hawkins, Moses Ingram, Brendan Gleeson, Harry Melling and Bertie Carvel.
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30. ‘John Q‘ (2002)

Denzel Washington in ‘John Q’. Photo: New Line Cinema.

John Quincy Archibald (Washington) is a father and husband whose son is diagnosed with an enlarged heart and then finds out he cannot receive a transplant because HMO insurance will not cover it. Therefore, he decides to take a hospital full of patients hostage until the hospital puts his son’s name on the donor’s list.
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29. ‘He Got Game‘ (1998)

A basketball player’s father (Washington) must try to convince him (Ray Allen) to go to a college so he can get a shorter prison sentence.
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28. ‘The Book of Eli‘ (2010)

A post-apocalyptic tale, in which a lone man (Washington) fights his way across America in order to protect a sacred book that holds the secrets to saving humankind.
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27. ‘Ricochet‘ (1991)

An attorney (Washington) is terrorized by the criminal (John Lithgow) he put away years ago when he was a cop.
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26. ‘Flight‘ (2012)

Commercial airline pilot Whip Whitaker (Washington) has a problem with drugs and alcohol, though so far he’s managed to complete his flights safely. His luck runs out when a disastrous mechanical malfunction sends his plane hurtling toward the ground. Whip pulls off a miraculous crash-landing that results in only six lives lost. Shaken to the core, Whip vows to get sober — but when the crash investigation exposes his addiction, he finds himself in an even worse situation.
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25. ‘The Bone Collector‘ (1999)

(L to R) Denzel Washington and Angelina Jolie in ‘The Bone Collector’. Photo: Universal Pictures.

Rookie cop, Amelia Donaghy (Angelina Jolie) reluctantly teams with Lincoln Rhyme (Washington) – formerly the department’s top homicide detective but now paralyzed as a result of a spinal injury – to catch a grisly serial killer dubbed ‘The Bone Collector’. The murderer’s special signature is to leave tantalizing clues based on the grim remains of his crimes.
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24. ‘Cry Freedom‘ (1987)

A dramatic story, based on actual events, about the friendship between two men struggling against apartheid in South Africa in the 1970s. Donald Woods (Kevin Kline) is a white liberal journalist in South Africa who begins to follow the activities of Stephen Biko (Washington), a courageous and outspoken black anti-apartheid activist.
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23. ‘Gladiator II‘ (2024)

Years after witnessing the death of the revered hero Maximus (Russell Crowe) at the hands of his uncle (Joaquin Phoenix), Lucius (Paul Mescal) is forced to enter the Colosseum after his home is conquered by the tyrannical Emperors who now lead Rome with an iron fist. With rage in his heart and the future of the Empire at stake, Lucius must look to his past to find strength and honor to return the glory of Rome to its people.
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22. ‘Philadelphia‘ (1993)

Two competing lawyers (Tom Hanks and Washington) join forces to sue a prestigious law firm for AIDS discrimination. As their unlikely friendship develops their courage overcomes the prejudice and corruption of their powerful adversaries.
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21. ‘The Equalizer‘ (2014)

Robert McCall (Washington) believes he has put his mysterious past behind him and dedicated himself to beginning a new, quiet life. But when he meets Teri (Chloe Grace Moretz), a young girl under the control of ultra-violent Russian gangsters, he can’t stand idly by – he has to help her. Armed with hidden skills that allow him to serve vengeance against anyone who would brutalize the helpless, McCall comes out of his self-imposed retirement and finds his desire for justice reawakened. If someone has a problem, if the odds are stacked against them, if they have nowhere else to turn, McCall will help. He is The Equalizer.
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20. ‘The Magnificent Seven‘ (2016)

2016’s ‘The Magnificent Seven’. Photo: Sony Pictures.

Looking to mine for gold, greedy industrialist Bartholomew Bogue (Peter Sarsgaard) seizes control of the Old West town of Rose Creek. With their lives in jeopardy, Emma Cullen (Haley Bennett) and other desperate residents turn to bounty hunter Sam Chisolm (Washington) for help. Chisolm recruits an eclectic group of gunslingers to take on Bogue and his ruthless henchmen. With a deadly showdown on the horizon, the seven mercenaries soon find themselves fighting for more than just money once the bullets start to fly.
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19. ‘Unstoppable‘ (2010)

A runaway train, transporting deadly, toxic chemicals, is barreling down on Stanton, Pennsylvania, and proves to be unstoppable until a veteran engineer (Washington) and young conductor (Chris Pine) risk their lives to try and stop it with a switch engine.
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18. ‘The Pelican Brief‘ (1993)

Two Supreme Court Justices have been assassinated. One lone law student (Julia Roberts) has stumbled upon the truth. An investigative journalist (Washington) wants her story. Everybody else wants her dead.
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17. ‘Crimson Tide‘ (1995)

After the Cold War, a breakaway Russian republic with nuclear warheads becomes a possible worldwide threat. U.S. submarine Capt. Frank Ramsey (Gene Hackman) signs on a relatively green but highly recommended Lt. Cmdr. Ron Hunter (Washington) to the USS Alabama, which may be the only ship able to stop a possible Armageddon. When Ramsay insists that the Alabama must act aggressively, Hunter, fearing they will start rather than stop a disaster, leads a potential mutiny to stop him.
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16. ‘Fences‘ (2016)

In 1950s Pittsburgh, a frustrated African-American father (Washington) struggles with the constraints of poverty, racism, and his own inner demons as he tries to raise a family.
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15. ‘The Equalizer 3‘ (2023)

Denzel Washington stars as Robert McCall in Columbia Pictures ‘The Equalizer 3.’ Photo by: Stefano Montesi.

Since giving up his life as a government assassin, Robert McCall (Washington) has struggled to reconcile the horrific things he’s done in the past and finds a strange solace in serving justice on behalf of the oppressed. Finding himself surprisingly at home in Southern Italy, he discovers his new friends are under the control of local crime bosses. As events turn deadly, McCall knows what he has to do: become his friends’ protector by taking on the mafia.
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14. ‘The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3‘ (2009)

Armed men hijack a New York City subway train, holding the passengers hostage in return for a ransom, and turning an ordinary day’s work for dispatcher Walter Garber (Washington) into a face-off with the mastermind behind the crime.
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13. ‘Safe House‘ (2012)

A dangerous CIA renegade (Washington) resurfaces after a decade on the run. When the safe house he’s remanded to is attacked by mercenaries, a rookie operative (Ryan Reynolds) escapes with him. Now, the unlikely allies must stay alive long enough to uncover who wants them dead.
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12. ‘Glory‘ (1989)

Robert Gould Shaw (Matthew Broderick) leads the US Civil War’s first all-black volunteer company, fighting prejudices of both his own Union army and the Confederates.
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11. ‘Remember the Titans‘ (2000)

After leading his football team to 15 winning seasons, coach Bill Yoast (Will Patton) is demoted and replaced by Herman Boone (Washington) – who is tough, opinionated and as different from the beloved Yoast as he could be. The two men learn to overcome their differences and turn a group of hostile young men into champions.
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10. ‘Highest 2 Lowest‘ (2025)

Denzel Washington in ‘Highest 2 Lowest’. Photo Credit: David Lee.

When a titan music mogul (Washington), widely known as having the “best ears in the business”, is targeted with a ransom plot, he is jammed up in a life-or-death moral dilemma.
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9. ‘The Hurricane‘ (1999)

The story of Rubin “Hurricane” Carter (Washington), a boxer wrongly imprisoned for murder, and the people who aided in his fight to prove his innocence.
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8. ‘Devil in a Blue Dress‘ (1995)

In late 1940s Los Angeles, Easy Rawlins (Washington) is an unemployed black World War II veteran with few job prospects. At a bar, Easy meets DeWitt Albright (Tom Sizemore), a mysterious white man looking for someone to investigate the disappearance of a missing white woman named Daphne Monet (Jennifer Beals), who he suspects is hiding out in one of the city’s black jazz clubs. Strapped for money and facing house payments, Easy takes the job, but soon finds himself in over his head.
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7. ‘American Gangster‘ (2007)

Following the death of his employer and mentor, Bumpy Johnson (Clarence Williams III), Frank Lucas (Washington) establishes himself as the number one importer of heroin in the Harlem district of Manhattan. He does so by buying heroin directly from the source in South East Asia and he comes up with a unique way of importing the drugs into the United States. Partly based on a true story.
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6. ‘The Equalizer 2‘ (2018)

Robert McCall (Washington), who serves an unflinching justice for the exploited and oppressed, embarks on a relentless, globe-trotting quest for vengeance when a long-time friend (Melissa Leo) is murdered.
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5. ‘Man on Fire‘ (2004)

Denzel Washington in ‘Man on Fire’. Photo: 20th Century Fox.

Jaded ex-CIA operative John Creasy (Washington) reluctantly accepts a job as the bodyguard for a 10-year-old girl (Dakota Fanning) in Mexico City. They clash at first, but eventually bond, and when she’s kidnapped he’s consumed by fury and will stop at nothing to save her life.
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4. ‘Inside Man‘ (2006)

When an armed, masked gang (led by Clive Owen) enter a Manhattan bank, lock the doors and take hostages, the detective (Washington) assigned to effect their release enters negotiations preoccupied with corruption charges he is facing.
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3. ‘Malcolm X‘ (1992)

A tribute to the controversial black activist and leader (played by Washington) of the struggle for black liberation. He hit bottom during his imprisonment in the ’50s, he became a Black Muslim and then a leader in the Nation of Islam. His assassination in 1965 left a legacy of self-determination and racial pride.
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2. ‘The Mighty Quinn‘ (1989)

Police chief Xavier Quinn (Washington) investigates the gruesome murder of Donald Pater, one of the wealthiest residents on a Caribbean island. He was found decapitated in his Jacuzzi. Although the local political establishment, especially crooked Governor Chalk (Norman Beaton), insists that small-time thief Maubee (Robert Townsend) is responsible, Xavier has his doubts. This view is complicated by the police chief’s personal history with Maubee: The men have been friends since childhood.
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1. ‘Training Day‘ (2001)

(L to R) Denzel Washington and Ethan Hawke in ‘Training Day’. Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures.

On his first day on the job as a narcotics officer, a rookie cop (Ethan Hawke) works with a rogue detective (Washington) who isn’t what he appears.
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September 28, 2025
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II to Star in and Produce ‘Man on Fire’ Series Adaptation
(Left) Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Black Manta in Warner Bros. Pictures’ action adventure ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Courtesy Warner Bros Pictures/ ™ & © DC Comics. (Right) Denzel Washington in ‘Man on Fire’. Photo: 20th Century Fox.

Preview:
- Yahya Abdul-Mateen II is aboard to star in and produce a ‘Man on Fire’ series.
- ‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts’ director Steven Caple Jr. is also aboard.
- ‘Fear Street’s Kyle Killen is head writer and producer on the show.
If you mention the title ‘Man on Fire’, chances are most people will think of the 2004 Tony Scott action thriller that represented one of his standout collaborations with Denzel Washington.

But did you know that A) the movie was based on a book and B) was previously adapted into a 1987 movie starring Scott Glenn?

And if Netflix has its way, we’ll also all be thinking of a new series adaptations of the novels, which has been in the works for a few months. Now ‘Aquaman’ and ‘Watchmen’ actor Yahya Abdul-Mateen II is aboard to star the series, via Deadline.
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What’s the story of ‘Man on Fire’?

(L to R) Denzel Washington and Dakota Fanning in ‘Man on Fire’. Photo: 20th Century Fox.

While the books have Creasy as an American former member of the French Foreign Legion, the Scott movie updated the basics to feature him as a hard-drinking, burnt-out ex-CIA operative who has given up on life until he’s hired as a bodyguard to protect 9-year-old Pita Ramos (Dakota Fanning). Bit by bit, Creasy (Washington) begins to reclaim some of his soul, but when Pita is kidnapped, Creasy’s fiery rage is finally released, and he will stop at nothing to save her as he sets out on a dangerous, revenge-fueled rescue mission.

There is plenty material to use for the series, since Quinnell (the pen name of author Philip Nicholson) wrote four more novels –– 1992’s ‘The Perfect Kill’, 1993’s ‘The Blue Ring’, 1994’s ‘Black Horn’ and 1996’s ‘Message from Hell’, which all feature Creasy.

Denzel Washington in ‘Man on Fire’. Photo: 20th Century Fox.

The Netflix show, which has an eight-episode, straight-to-series order, will adapt ‘Man on Fire’ and ‘The Perfect Kill’.

And it won’t directly adapt the 2004 film’s plot regardless, given that –– spoiler alert! –– Creasy dies from his injuries at the end (in the book, he fakes his death). He should enjoy (though given his dour mood, “enjoy” might be a stretch) a longer life if things go his way on Netflix.

Who is making ‘Man on Fire’ as a series?

Director Steven Caple Jr. on the set of ‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts.’ Paramount Pictures and Skydance Present in association with Hasbro and New Republic Pictures, a di Bonaventura Pictures Production, a Tom Desanto /Don Murphy Production, a Bay Films Production.

Already aboard before Abdul-Mateen II was Kyle Killen, who worked on the successful horror trilogy ‘Fear Street’ for the streaming service.

Also now working on the show? Steven Caple Jr., who directed ‘Creed II’ and most recently made ‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts’.

Related Article: Netflix Adapting ‘Man on Fire’ Novel into New Thriller Series

When will ‘Man on Fire’ be on Netflix?

Since the eight-episode drama has yet to start filming, there are no details on when the show might hit Netflix. It’ll need to track down the rest of the cast first, so our guess would be a 2025 release at the earliest.

Denzel Washington in ‘Man on Fire’. Photo: 20th Century Fox.

Other Movies Similar to ‘Man on Fire’ TV series:
- ‘Man on Fire‘ (1987)
- ‘Man on Fire‘ (2004)
- ‘Vengeance Is Mine: Reinventing ‘Man on Fire‘ (2005)
- ‘The Equalizer 3‘ (2023)
Buy ‘Man on Fire’ Movies On Amazon
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June 11, 2024
Best Dakota Fanning Movies

Dakota Fanning stars in ‘The Watchers’.

We’ve all watched Dakota Fanning grow up on the big screen.

The talented actress began her career at just the age of five and quickly was starring opposite Sean Penn in the Oscar-nominated ‘I Am Sam.’ She would go on in her youth to appear in such films as ‘Man on Fire‘ opposite Denzel Washington, ‘War of the Worlds‘ opposite Tom Cruise, ‘Hide and Seek‘ opposite Robert De Niro and the big screen adaption of Dr. Seuss‘ ‘The Cat in the Hat.’

As an adult, Fanning has continued to appear in high profile movies like ‘The Runaways‘ with Kristen Stewart, ‘Ocean’s Eight,’ with Sandra Bullock, and Quentin Tarantino‘s ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood‘ playing Squeaky Fromme, as well as having a role in ‘The Twilight Saga.’ Most recently, she reunited with her ‘Man on Fire’ co-star Denzel Washington for ‘The Equalizer 3‘.

Her new film, ‘The Watchers‘ opens in theaters on June 7th and was written and directed by Ishana Night Shyamalan, the daughter of filmmaker M. Night Shyamalan.

In honor of the new film, Moviefone is counting down the 20 best movies of Dakota Fanning’s career, including her latest.

Let’s begin!

20. ‘Ocean’s Eight‘ (2018)

A scene from 2018’s ‘Ocean’s 8.’ Photo: Warner Bros.

Debbie Ocean (Sandra Bullock), a criminal mastermind, gathers a crew of female thieves to pull off the heist of the century at New York’s annual Met Gala.
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19. ‘The Secret Life of Bees‘ (2008)

Set in South Carolina in 1964, this is the tale of Lily Owens (Fanning) a 14 year-old girl who is haunted by the memory of her late mother. To escape her lonely life and troubled relationship with her father, Lily flees with Rosaleen (Jennifer Hudson), her caregiver and only friend, to a South Carolina town that holds the secret to her mother’s past.
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18. ‘Charlotte’s Web‘ (2006)

Wilbur (Dominic Scott Kay) the pig is scared of the end of the season, because he knows that come that time, he will end up on the dinner table. He hatches a plan with Charlotte (Julia Roberts), a spider that lives in his pen, to ensure that this will never happen.
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17. ‘The Twilight Saga: New Moon‘ (2009)

Forks, Washington resident Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) is reeling from the departure of her vampire love, Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson), and finds comfort in her friendship with Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner), a werewolf. But before she knows it, she’s thrust into a centuries-old conflict, and her desire to be with Edward at any cost leads her to take greater and greater risks.
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16. ‘The Benefactor‘ (2015)

A newly married couple (Fanning and Theo James) are forced to navigate the all-consuming interest of a powerful, mysterious, and possessive philanthropist.
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15. ‘War of the Worlds‘ (2005)

(L to R) Tom Cruise and Dakota Fanning in director Steven Spielberg’s ‘War of the Worlds.’ Photo: Dreamworks/Paramount.

Ray Ferrier (Tom Cruise) is a divorced dockworker and less-than-perfect father. Soon after his ex-wife (Miranda Otto) and her new husband drop off his teenage son (Justin Chatwin) and young daughter (Fanning) for a rare weekend visit, a strange and powerful lightning storm touches down.
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14. ‘The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2‘ (2012)

After the birth of Renesmee (Mackenzie Foy), the Cullens gather other vampire clans in order to protect the child from a false allegation that puts the family in front of the Volturi.
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13. ‘The Last of Robin Hood‘ (2014)

Errol Flynn (Kevin Kline), the swashbuckling Hollywood star and notorious ladies man, flouted convention all his life, but never more brazenly than in his last years when, swimming in vodka and unwilling to face his mortality, he undertook a liaison with an aspiring actress, Beverly Aadland (Fanning). The two had a high-flying affair that spanned the globe and was enabled by the girl’s fame-obsessed mother, Florence. It all came crashing to an end in October 1959, when events forced the relationship into the open, sparking an avalanche of publicity castigating Beverly and her mother (Susan Sarandon) – which only fed Florence’s need to stay in the spotlight.
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12. ‘American Pastoral‘ (2016)

Set in postwar America, a man (Ewan McGregor) watches his seemingly perfect life fall apart as his daughter’s (Fanning) new political affiliation threatens to destroy their family.
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11. ‘Uptown Girls‘ (2003)

Molly Gunn (Brittany Murphy), the freewheeling daughter of a deceased rock legend, is forced to get a job when her manager steals her money. As nanny for precocious Ray (Fanning), the oft ignored daughter of a music executive she learns what it means to be an adult while teaching Ray how to be a child.
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10. ‘The Watchers‘ (2024)

(L to R) Georgina Campbell as Ciara, Dakota Fanning as Mina, Oliver Finnegan as Daniel and Olwen Fouere as Madeline in New Line Cinema’s and Warner Bros. Pictures’ fantasy thriller ‘The Watchers’, a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures. Copyright: © 2024 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.

When 28-year-old artist Mina (Fanning) finds shelter after getting stranded in an expansive, untouched forest in western Ireland, she unknowingly becomes trapped alongside three strangers that are watched and stalked by mysterious creatures each night.
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9. ‘The Cat in the Hat‘ (2003)

During a rainy day, and while their mother is out, Conrad (Spencer Breslin) and Sally (Fanning), and their pet fish, are visited by the mischievous Cat in the Hat (Mike Myers). Fun soon turns to mayhem, and the siblings must figure out how to rid themselves of the maniacal Cat.
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8. ‘Push‘ (2009)

After his father, an assassin, is brutally murdered, Nick Gant (Chris Evans) vows revenge on Division, the covert government agency that dabbles in psychic warfare and experimental drugs. Hiding in Hong Kong’s underworld, Nick assembles a band of rogue psychics dedicated to destroying Division. Together with Cassie (Fanning), a teenage clairvoyant, Nick goes in search of a missing girl and a stolen suitcase that could be the key to accomplishing their mutual goal.
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7. ‘Hide and Seek‘ (2005)

David Callaway (Robert De Niro) tries to piece together his life in the wake of his wife’s suicide and has been left to raise his nine-year-old daughter, Emily (Fanning) on his own. David is at first amused to discover that Emily has created an imaginary friend named ‘Charlie’, but it isn’t long before ‘Charlie’ develops a sinister and violent side, and as David struggles with his daughter’s growing emotional problems, he comes to the frightening realization that ‘Charlie’ isn’t just a figment of Emily’s imagination.
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6. ‘Coraline‘ (2009)

A young girl (Fanning) discovers an idealized parallel universe behind a secret door in her new home, unaware that it contains a sinister secret.
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5. ‘The Equalizer 3‘ (2003)

Emma (Dakota Fanning) reports to Frank what is happening in Italy in Columbia Pictures ‘The Equalizer 3.’ Photo: Stefano Montesi.

Since giving up his life as a government assassin, Robert McCall (Denzel Washington) has struggled to reconcile the horrific things he’s done in the past and finds a strange solace in serving justice on behalf of the oppressed. Finding himself surprisingly at home in Southern Italy, he discovers his new friends are under the control of local crime bosses. As events turn deadly, McCall knows what he has to do: become his friends’ protector by taking on the mafia.
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4. ‘I Am Sam‘ (2001)

Sam (Sean Penn), a neurodivergent man, has a daughter with a homeless woman who abandons them when they leave the hospital, leaving Sam to raise Lucy (Fanning) on his own. But as Lucy grows up, Sam’s limitations as a parent start to become a problem and the authorities take her away. Sam convinces high-priced lawyer Rita (Michelle Pfeiffer) to take his case pro bono and in turn teaches her the value of love and family.
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3. ‘The Runaways‘ (2010)

Joan Jett (Kristen Stewart) and Cherie Currie (Fanning), two rebellious teenagers from Southern California, become the frontwomen for the Runaways — the now-legendary group that paved the way for future generations of female rockers. Under the Svengali-like influence of impresario Kim Fowley (Michael Shannon), the band becomes a huge success.
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2. ‘Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood‘ (2019)

Los Angeles, 1969. TV star Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio), a struggling actor specializing in westerns, and stuntman Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt), his best friend, try to survive in a constantly changing movie industry. Dalton is the neighbor of the young and promising actress and model Sharon Tate (Margot Robbie), who has just married the prestigious Polish director Roman Polanski (Rafał Zawierucha).
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1. ‘Man on Fire‘ (2004)

(L to R) Dakota Fanning and Denzel Washington in director Tony Scott’s ‘Man on Fire.’

Jaded ex-CIA operative John Creasy (Washington) reluctantly accepts a job as the bodyguard for a 10-year-old girl (Fanning) in Mexico City. They clash at first, but eventually bond, and when she’s kidnapped he’s consumed by fury and will stop at nothing to save her life.
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June 8, 2024
Movie Review: ‘The Equalizer 3’
Denzel Washington stars as Robert McCall in Columbia Pictures ‘The Equalizer 3.’ Photo by: Stefano Montesi.

‘The Equalizer 3,’ which is the third chapter of ‘The Equalizer’ movie franchise and was originally based on the 1980’s TV series of the same name, opens in theaters on September 1st and is once again directed by Antoine Fuqua (‘The Magnificent Seven,’ ‘Olympus Has Fallen’).

What is the plot of ‘The Equalizer 3’?

Robert McCall (Denzel Washington) moves to Southern Italy to escape from his past, but later discovers that his new friends are under the control of the Sicilian Mafia. With the help of a young CIA agent (Dakota Fanning), Robert unleashes his past self to protect his new friends.
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Who is in the cast of ‘The Equalizer 3’?
- Denzel Washington (‘Training Day,’ ‘American Gangster‘) as Robert McCall
- Dakota Fanning (‘Man on Fire‘) as Emma Collins
- Eugenio Mastrandrea (‘A.C.A.B. – All Cops Are Bastards‘) as Gio Bonucci
- David Denman (‘Emancipation‘) as Frank Conroy
- Remo Girone (‘Ford v Ferrari‘) as Enzo Arisio
- Gaia Scodellaro (‘State of Consciousness‘) as Aminah
- Andrea Scarduzio (‘Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One‘) as Vincent Quaranta
- Andrea Dodero (‘Thou Shalt Not Hate‘) as Marco Quaranta
- Sonia Ben Ammar as Chiara Bonucci
Initial Thoughts

Denzel Washington stars as Robert McCall in Columbia Pictures ‘The Equalizer 3.’ Photo by: Stefano Montesi.

Against all odds ‘The Equalizer’ franchise has become one of the most reliable action series in cinema, right up there with the ‘John Wick’ movies, and the third chapter does not disappoint. Director Antoine Fuqua adds a new tone by taking Robert McCall’s story to Italy, which breathes fresh life into the franchise without ever betraying the spirit of the popular protagonist. Denzel Washington has truly created one of his most memorable characters with McCall, and has unforgettable onscreen chemistry with co-star Dakota Fanning, reuniting with the actress for the first time since their work on the 2004 now-classic ‘Man on Fire.’

Story and Direction

(L to R) Denzel Washington and Director Antoine Fuqua between takes while filming in the Amalfi Coast on the set of Columbia Pictures ‘The Equalizer 3.’ Photo by: Stefano Montesi.

The original ‘The Equalizer’ loosely adapted the 80’s TV series by introducing us to Robert McCall (Denzel Washington), a retired CIA operative trying to live a quiet life in Boston. When outside forces threaten the small community he has created, McCall strikes back raining fire and vengeance down upon them. By the end of the first film, McCall has decided to put his skills to use helping those that can’t help themselves, which was the basic plot of the original TV series.

‘The Equalizer 2’ saw McCall in Boston making good on his promise from the first film and helping the unfortunate. But when his close friend and former CIA colleague Susan Plummer (Melissa Leo) is murdered by McCall’s former partner Dave York (Pedro Pascal), McCall releases a personal vendetta on York and his former team members.

In ‘The Equalizer 3,’ we meet an older McCall, tired from his revenge-for-hire business, on a mission in Italy to right another wrong for an American family that lost their savings to an international gangster with terrorist ties. After an injury, McCall is taken to a small Italian town and nursed back to health by a local doctor named Enzo (Remo Girone). McCall soon comes to love the town and the people in it, including a waitress named Aminah (Gaia Scodellaro), who McCall has affection for. But when the town and its people are threatened by the same family of mobsters that McCall was trying to stop in the first place, he vows to take them all down one by one to save the town and protect its people. In order to do that, he enlists the help of a CIA agent named Emma Collins (Dakota Fanning), who unbeknownst to her, has a secret connection to McCall in her past.

(L to R) Denzel Washington and director Antoine Fuqua and on the set of ‘The Equalizer 3.’ Photo: Stefano Cristiiano Montesi.

Related Article: Director Antoine Fuqua Talks ‘The Equalizer 3’

As action-packed as ‘The Equalizer’ franchise is, and as much as we all love seeing Denzel Washington systematically killing bad guys, the series is really a character study, and that has never been more apparent than in ‘Equalizer 3.’ By putting McCall in a new and foreign setting to him, it allows director Antoine Fuqua to slow the action just a bit and really explore what years of violence has done to this man that we’ve grown to love over the course of the previous films. It also doesn’t hurt that the character is portrayed by one of the most beloved actors of all time, who brings all that love and grace with him to the role, but more on that in a minute.

Fuqua wisely opens the movie with a fantastic action sequence, which was featured in the trailer and sets the pace for the film before slowing it down to explore McCall’s state of mind to great effect. While some might just be waiting for the next action sequence, they will end up captivated by McCall’s journey, meeting the town’s people and watching him find a feeling of home in this town, which will give him his motivation for the explosive second half of the film.

There is a comparison to be made between Fuqua and Washington’s collaborations and those of Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro. In addition to ‘The Equalizer’ franchise, Fuqua and Washington have made together the Oscar-winning ‘Training Day’ and the western remake ‘The Magnificent Seven.’ The director and actor clearly have a strong shorthand together that works, as it does here again with this film.
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Denzel’s Performance

Robert McCall (Denzel Washington) watches Vincent crawl down his stairs in Columbia Pictures ‘The Equalizer 3.’ Photo: Stefano Montesi.

There is no arguing that Denzel Washington is one of the greatest screen actors of all time. His body of work speaks volumes, so I won’t bother listing them all as everyone knows his resume. But in this modern age of superhero movies, a serious actor like Denzel could easily have slipped away from making box office hits but instead has embraced a franchise based on an old TV show and has turned McCall into his own version of a modern day superhero by infusing the character with his real-life integrity and gravitas. We root for McCall because we love Denzel, and we love seeing him … as the actor has said publicly, “get the guys we can’t get.”

Washington takes the opportunity in ‘Equalizer 3,’ to really explore his character’s emotions in an authentic way that the franchise has not had a chance to do previously, while never really jeopardizing the pace or the action. After four films together Washington clearly trusts Fuqua, and it shows in his performance in this movie, as Robert McCall has truly become one of Washington’s signature characters.

‘Man on Fire’ Reunion

Emma (Dakota Fanning) reports to Frank what is happening in Italy in Columbia Pictures ‘The Equalizer 3.’ Photo: Stefano Montesi.

But one of the best parts of ‘The Equalizer 3’ is seeing the ‘Man on Fire’ reunion between actress Dakota Fanning and Washington. ‘Man on Fire’ is a 2004 Tony Scott classic, and one of the best films of Washington’s long and respected career. Fanning starred opposite Washington when she was just 10 years old and the two actor’s chemistry together in that movie was unforgettable … seriously, you should watch it if you haven’t! So, seeing Dakota and Denzel together again was a real treat, and their chemistry together is as good now as it ever was. Washington clearly has a lot of affection for Fanning, and that plays well with their character’s secret connection. Fanning is also believable as a young CIA agent, and the movie benefits from her presence.

Misfires

Vincent (Andrea Scarduzio, right) comes to the church to see his brother Marco (Andrea Dodero) in Columbia Pictures ‘The Equalizer 3.’ Photo: Stefano Montesi.

While the movie is thoroughly enjoyable, both through its action-sequences and its performances, it does lag a bit in the first act, after the cold open action scene. The scenes are still enjoyable, and it establishes McCall’s connection to his new community for what is to come, but some viewers looking for non-stop action, may find these sequences tedious.

The movie also lacks any original villains, and instead gives us generic Italian mafia bad guys. The first film at least established a ‘Die Hard’ Hans Gruber-type villain in Marton Csokas’ assassin Nicolai Itchenko, and the second movie had a personal antagonist in Pedro Pascal’s Dave York. In ‘The Equalizer 3’ we are given Andrea Scarduzio’s Vincent Quaranta, a spoiled narcissist with delusions of grandeur, who could easily be swapped into any James Bond or John Wick movie as the generic villain and has no real emotional to the story.

Will there be an ‘Equalizer 4’?

(L to R) Dakota Fanning and Denzel Washington on the set of ‘The Equalizer 3.’ Photo: Stefano Cristiiano Montesi.

That’s hard to say, but neither Fuqua or Washington have said they wouldn’t be interested, and the movie certainly leaves the possibility for more stories featuring Washington’s version of Robert McCall. And now that Fanning’s Emma Collins has been established, she could make a great ally for McCall moving forward.

Also, director Antoine Fuqua has mentioned during the press tour for ‘The Equalizer 3’ that he has considered doing an ‘Equalizer’ prequel. He’s considered both the idea of de-aging Washington, similar to what was done with Harrison Ford for some scenes in ‘Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny,’ as well as the idea of casting Washington’s own son, John David Washington (‘Tenet’) as a young McCall.

Final Thoughts

Denzel Washington in ‘The Equalizer 3.’ Photo: Stefano Montesi.

‘The Equalizer 3’ is a worthy addition to the extremely enjoyable ‘Equalizer’ franchise and Denzel Washington and director Antoine Fuqua have recaptured the magic of the previous films while expanding on the emotional journey of the title character. Dakota Fanning is a delightful addition to the franchise, and seeing her reunite with Washington is a true treat for fans of the classic ‘Man on Fire.’

‘The Equalizer 3’ receives 8 out of 10 stars.

Denzel Washington in ‘The Equalizer 3.’ Photo: Stefano Montesi.

Other Movies Similar to ‘The Equalizer 3:’
- ‘Death Wish‘ (1974)
- ‘Man on Fire‘ (2004)
- ‘Salt‘ (2010)
- ‘Safe House‘ (2012)
- ‘Olympus Has Fallen‘ (2013)
- ‘The Equalizer‘ (2014)
- ‘John Wick‘ (2014)
- ‘The Accountant‘ (2016)
- ‘The Magnificent Seven‘ (2016)
- ‘John Wick: Chapter 2‘ (2017)
- ‘Atomic Blonde‘ (2017)
- ‘The Equalizer 2‘ (2018)
- ‘Peppermint‘ (2018)
- ‘Death Wish‘ (2018)
- ‘John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum‘ (2019)
- ‘John Wick: Chapter 4‘ (2023)
Buy Tickets: ‘The Equalizer 3’ Movie Showtimes

Buy Denzel Washington Movies On Amazon

‘The Equalizer 3’ is produced by Escape Artists, Columbia Pictures, Fuqua Films, and Eagle Pictures, and is scheduled for release on September 1st.
August 29, 2023
‘The Equalizer 3’ Interview: Director Antoine Fuqua
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Opening in theaters on September 1st is the third chapter of ‘The Equalizer’ movie franchise entitled ‘The Equalizer 3,’ which was loosely based on the 1980’s TV series of the same name and is once again directed by Antoine Fuqua (‘Training Day,’ ‘Olympus Has Fallen’).

What is the plot of ‘The Equalizer 3’?

Robert McCall (Denzel Washington) moves to Southern Italy to escape from his past, but later discovers that his new friends are under the control of the Sicilian Mafia. With the help of a young CIA agent (Dakota Fanning), Robert unleashes his past self to protect his new friends.
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Who is in the cast of ‘The Equalizer 3’?
- Denzel Washington (‘American Gangster,’ ‘The Magnificent Seven‘) as Robert McCall
- Dakota Fanning (‘Man on Fire‘) as Emma Collins
- Eugenio Mastrandrea (‘A.C.A.B. – All Cops Are Bastards‘) as Gio Bonucci
- David Denman (‘Emancipation‘) as Frank Conroy
- Remo Girone (‘Ford v Ferrari‘) as Enzo Arisio
- Gaia Scodellaro (‘State of Consciousness‘) as Aminah
- Andrea Scarduzio (‘Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One‘) as Vincent Quaranta
- Andrea Dodero (‘Thou Shalt Not Hate‘) as Marco Quaranta
- Sonia Ben Ammar as Chiara Bonucci
Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with director Antoine Fuqua about his work on ‘The Equalizer 3,’ what audiences should expect from the new movie, why this chapter takes place in Italy, reuniting Dakota Fanning and Denzel Washington, how his relationship with Denzel has grown over the years, and why audiences love Washington as Robert McCall.

‘The Equalizer 3’ director Antoine Fuqua.

You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our exclusive interview with Fuqua, as well as interviews with Denzel Washington and Dakota Fanning that took place before the SAG/AFTRA Strike.

Moviefone: To begin with, what would you say to fans of this franchise sitting down right now to watch the third installment to prepare them for the theatrical experience they are about to have?

Antoine Fuqua: Be prepared for McCall’s final masterpiece of not only just violence, but finding a home for himself in a spectacular setting.

Denzel Washington in ‘The Equalizer 3.’ Photo: Stefano Montesi.

MF: Why did you decide to take Robert McCall’s story to Italy for this movie?

AF: Myself, the writer and the producers have always wanted to take Robert McCall international. In my mind, in his other life, he probably lived in many different places in the world. So Italy just felt natural, because Denzel goes there quite a bit and as well as myself. I wanted a place that he felt at home and comfortable and knew the language. So, the Amalfi Coast, of course, not only is it ideal, it’s just beautiful. This place, Atrani, where we filmed, is so old world, you feel like you’ve been transported back in time, and that was important to us.

Related Article: ‘Equalizer’ Director Antoine Fuqua Could De-Age Denzel Washington for a Prequel About Robert McCall

(L to R) Denzel Washington and director Antoine Fuqua and on the set of ‘The Equalizer 3.’ Photo: Stefano Cristiiano Montesi.

MF: Obviously, you worked with Denzel Washington previously on ‘Training Day,’ but how has your friendship and your working relationship grown and changed through the course of making these three ‘Equalizer’ movies?

AF: I mean, the friendship remains the same. We’ve been friends. Our family, we know each other that way. Business wise and director-actor, it’s always been a mutual respect. Denzel has total trust in me, and of course, I have total trust in Mr. Washington. He’s never come over to look at the monitor or come to the editing bay or anything like that. He completely trusts what I do and I trust what he does, and that’s been our relationship. He knows I’m going to come to work to handle business, and I know he is. You know he’s coming, so I better be ready.

(L to R) Dakota Fanning and Denzel Washington on the set of ‘The Equalizer 3.’ Photo: Stefano Cristiiano Montesi.

MF: Can you talk about reuniting Dakota Fanning with Denzel Washington so many years after ‘Man on Fire,’ and the incredible onscreen chemistry they still have together in ‘The Equalizer 3’?

AF: It’s incredible. I mean, what an opportunity. It just doesn’t happen that often where you see a young actor or actress grow up in front of you, and see an icon like Mr. Washington in a role together. Then have the opportunity to do it again later in life in something like this. So when I got the call from Todd Black that Dakota was interested, I said, “I got to meet her right now for lunch, today.” So we met. I fell in love with her, of course. I didn’t tell Denzel I was meeting with her. I wanted to make sure she really wanted to do it. Then I called Denzel, I said, “I met with Dakota. She wants to do it.” He was like, “Absolutely.” He loved Dakota. He lit up. So I was like, “Amazing.” So every day when I was filming them, he would turn to me sometimes and smile and go like, “She’s a grownup now.” He would just laugh about it. So it was like a father-daughter relationship. Really sweet.

Denzel Washington in ‘The Equalizer 3.’ Photo: Stefano Montesi.

MF: Finally, what do you think it is about this franchise, and particularly Denzel Washington’s performance as Robert McCall that resonates so much with audiences?

AF: I think the audience resonated with him, because he’s a common man. There’s nothing fancy about him, and he’s all about helping others without recognition. He doesn’t do it for money or anything. It’s sort of a throwback to (Akira) Kurasawa, which is one of my heroes. Like the ‘Seven Samurai,’ you’re going to go help a village for a bowl of rice. Getting back to that was an important message to put out into the world. Denzel, just being a great actor and being the great person who he is, there’s no Robert McCall without Denzel Washington. So he brings all of himself to that character, and that’s why it works.

(L to R) Denzel Washington and Director Antoine Fuqua between takes while filming in the Amalfi Coast on the set of Columbia Pictures ‘The Equalizer 3.’ Photo by: Stefano Montesi.

Other Movies Similar to ‘The Equalizer 3:’
- ‘Death Wish‘ (1974)
- ‘Man on Fire‘ (2004)
- ‘Salt‘ (2010)
- ‘Safe House‘ (2012)
- ‘Olympus Has Fallen‘ (2013)
- ‘The Equalizer‘ (2014)
- ‘John Wick‘ (2014)
- ‘The Accountant‘ (2016)
- ‘The Magnificent Seven‘ (2016)
- ‘John Wick: Chapter 2‘ (2017)
- ‘Atomic Blonde‘ (2017)
- ‘The Equalizer 2‘ (2018)
- ‘Peppermint‘ (2018)
- ‘Death Wish‘ (2018)
- ‘John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum‘ (2019)
- ‘John Wick: Chapter 4‘ (2023)
Buy Tickets: ‘The Equalizer 3’ Movie Showtimes

Buy Denzel Washington Movies On Amazon

‘The Equalizer 3’ is produced by Escape Artists, Columbia Pictures, Fuqua Films, and Eagle Pictures, and is scheduled for release on September 1st.
August 28, 2023
Antoine Fuqua Considering ‘Equalizer’ Prequel
(L to R) Denzel Washington and Director Antoine Fuqua between takes while filming in the Amalfi Coast on the set of Columbia Pictures ‘The Equalizer 3.’ Photo by: Stefano Montesi.

Denzel Washington will shoot back to our screens next month as government assassin-turned-do-gooding crusader Robert McCall in ‘The Equalizer 3’.

And while it could end up being the final outing (though nothing has been said) for McCall in his present form, director Antoine Fuqua is already thinking of an idea for an ‘Equalizer’ prequel which would use de-aging technology so Washington can star as a younger version of the character.
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What has Fuqua said about an ‘Equalizer’ prequel?

Director Antoine Fuqua and Denzel Washington on the set of ‘The Equalizer 3.’ Photo by: Stefano Cristiiano Montesi.

Here’s what Fuqua told NME:

“I definitely thought about it a lot. Especially now with the new technology and the AI and all of that kind of stuff… Is there a story to be told about how [McCall] became this person — the younger version. I’ve had that conversation with [‘Equalizer’ screenwriter] Richard Wenk quite a bit.”

But don’t go booking your tickets to ‘The Equalizer: Young McCall’ just yet. Right now, it’s still only in Fuqua’s mind and he has yet to sound out Washington on the concept, which has been most recently deployed in the opening sequence of ‘Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny’, winding back the clock to show Harrison Ford looking like he did circa ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’.

As he explains:

“I haven’t talked to Denzel about that yet. It’s all so fresh and new. I’m still watching [the technology]. I’ve watched Harrison Ford’s film and I know there’s other movies coming out. I think Sony has one coming out with Tom Hanks soon [Robert Zemeckis’ ‘Here’]. And I’m hearing the technology is getting better and better and better. So, I’m kind of watching it to see where it goes.”

The notion of using AI and CG to de-age actors has been a controversial one; beyond the wider argument about AI and its impact on performers (which is a key point in the current SAG-AFTRA strike, it has been seen as a hit-and-miss idea.
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What’s the story of ‘The Equalizer 3?

Denzel Washington in ‘The Equalizer 3.’ Photo: Stefano Montesi.

Since giving up his life as a government assassin, Robert McCall has struggled to reconcile the horrific things he’s done in the past and finds a strange solace in serving justice on behalf of the oppressed.

Finding himself surprisingly at home in Southern Italy, he discovers his new friends are under the control of local crime bosses. As events turn deadly, McCall knows what he has to do: become his friends’ protector by taking on the mafia.

Related Article: Denzel Washington Back for ‘The Equalizer 3’

Who else is in ‘The Equalizer 3’?

(L to R) Dakota Fanning and Denzel Washington on the set of ‘The Equalizer 3.’ Photo: Stefano Cristiiano Montesi.

The cast also includes Dakota Fanning (for a ‘Man on Fire’ reunion), Eugenio Mastrandrea, David Denman, Gaia Scodellaro, Remo Girone, Andrea Scarduzio, Daniele Perrone and Bruno Bilotta.

Here’s Fuqua on the story:

“The first film was about [McCall] finding a purpose. And it’s very external, right? He’s helping people. The second one is more about making peace with his past. He’s betrayed by his friends and [his colleague] dies and his wife has passed away… And then this one is more of a moral dilemma because he’s a darker character… He’s struggling with the violence and brutality.”

‘The Equalizer 3’ is in theaters on September 1.

Denzel Washington in ‘The Equalizer 3.’ Photo: Stefano Montesi.

Other Movies Similar to ‘The Equalizer 3:’
- ‘Death Wish‘ (1974)
- ‘Man on Fire‘ (2004)
- ‘Salt‘ (2010)
- ‘Safe House‘ (2012)
- ‘Olympus Has Fallen‘ (2013)
- ‘The Equalizer‘ (2014)
- ‘John Wick‘ (2014)
- ‘The Accountant‘ (2016)
- ‘John Wick: Chapter 2‘ (2017)
- ‘Atomic Blonde‘ (2017)
- ‘The Equalizer 2‘ (2018)
- ‘Peppermint‘ (2018)
- ‘Death Wish‘ (2018)
- ‘John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum‘ (2019)
- ‘John Wick: Chapter 4‘ (2023)
Buy Tickets: ‘The Equalizer 3’ Movie Showtimes

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‘The Equalizer 3’ is produced by Escape Artists, Columbia Pictures, Fuqua Films, and Eagle Pictures, and is scheduled for release on September 1st.
August 24, 2023
Netflix Plans ‘Man on Fire’ Series Adaptation
(L to R) Denzel Washington and Dakota Fanning in director Tony Scott’s ‘Man on Fire.’

Action thrillers have long been a go-to genre for movie studios and TV channels and streaming services are not immune to their lure. Prime Video has the likes of ‘Reacher’ and ‘Jack Ryan’, while Netflix has seen success with the recent likes of ‘The Night Agent’.

Now, the streamer is looking for more action, planning a new adaptation of A.J. Quinnell’s novel ‘Man on Fire,’ which was published in 1980 and has been previously turned into a movie in 1987 (starring Scott Glenn) and most famously in 2004, starring Denzel Washington.

Kyle Killen, who worked on ‘Fear Street’ for the company, is on board to serve as writer, executive producer and showrunner. He also worked on Paramount+’s adaptation of game series ‘Halo’ but left the show before it began production rather than relocate.

New Regency Productions, which owns the rights to the character and produced the movie starring Washington directed by the late Tony Scott, has been in talks with the streaming service for a while, looking to lock in a writer/showrunner.
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Related Article: Denzel Washington to Reunite with Director Ridley Scott for ‘Gladiator 2’

What’s the plot of ‘Man on Fire’?

While the books have Creasy as an American former member of the French Foreign Legion, the movie updated the basics to feature him as a hard-drinking, burnt-out ex-CIA operative who has given up on life until he’s hired as a bodyguard to protect 9-year-old Pita Ramos (Dakota Fanning). Bit by bit, Creasy (Washington) begins to reclaim some of his soul, but when Pita is kidnapped, Creasy’s fiery rage is finally released and he will stop at nothing to save her as he sets out on a dangerous, revenge-fueled rescue mission.

Let’s just say that a whole lot of explosions follow, and plenty of people are stabbed/ shot/punched etc.

Killen has plenty of material to use for the series, since Quinnell (the pen name of author Philip Nicholson) wrote four more novels –– 1992’s ‘The Perfect Kill’, 1993’s ‘The Blue Ring’, 1994’s ‘Black Horn’ and 1996’s ‘Message from Hell’, which all feature Creasy.

The Netflix show, which has an eight-episode, straight-to-series order, will adapt ‘Man on Fire’ and ‘The Perfect Kill’.

And it wouldn’t directly adapt the 2004 film’s plot regardless, given that –– spoiler alert! –– Creasy dies from his injuries at the end (in the book, he fakes his death). He should enjoy (though given his dour mood, “enjoy” might be a stretch) a longer life if things go his way on Netflix.

Of course, a bigger challenge will be finding someone to play Creasy who can make the same sort of impact (in various senses of the word) that Washington managed in the movie, in which he co-starred with Dakota Fanning. That decision is still to come, so we wouldn’t expect the show to arrive before 2024.

(L to R) Dakota Fanning and Denzel Washington in director Tony Scott’s ‘Man on Fire.’

Other Movies Similar to ‘Man on Fire:’
- ‘Training Day‘ (2001)
- ‘Déjà Vu‘ (2006)
- ‘American Gangster‘ (2007)
- ‘The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3‘ (2009)
- ‘The Equalizer‘ (2014)
- ‘The Equalizer 2‘ (2018)
Buy ‘Man on Fire’ Movies On Amazon
March 29, 2023