By Megan Riedlinger
8:04am PST, Dec 19, 2018
Denzel Washington is a box-office phenomenon. Nearly every film he stars in brings in big money upon its release. In celebration of Denzel's 64th birthday on Dec. 29, 2018, we're taking a look back at his most successful films ever. Keep reading to find out which of Denzel's movies ended up on top!
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21. "John Q"
In "John Q," Denzel Washington's character John Quincy Archibald holds up a hospital in order to force doctors to give his son a heart transplant after his HMO insurance says it won't cover it. The 2001 film was a hit with audiences, earning $102 million at the box office worldwide.
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20. "Training Day"
Denzel Washington teamed up with Ethan Hawke for 2001's "Training Day." Between domestic and international sales, the film made $104 million and came in No. 1 when it debuted that October. It was also a critical success, earning him an Academy Award for best actor.
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19. "The Siege"
Denzel Washington starred in the 1998 thriller "The Siege," which chronicled terrorist attacks on New York City. The flick was a major success, earning $116 million at the worldwide box office. It also featured Annette Bening, Tony Shalhoub and Bruce Willis.
18. "Man on Fire"
In 2004, Denzel Washington starred alongside a young Dakota Fanning in the crime-thriller "Man on Fire." The film resonated with audiences, resulting in a $130 million worldwide gross.
17. "2 Guns"
Denzel Washington starred alongside Mark Wahlberg in 2013's "2 Guns." The film grossed $131 million worldwide and debuted at No. 1 that August, earning $27 million on opening weekend.
16. "Remember the Titans"
Worldwide, "Remember the Titans" grossed $136 million. The football flick starring Denzel Washington topped the box office during its September 2000 release.
15. "The Taking of Pelham 123"
Denzel Washington's 2009 hit "The Taking of Pelham 123" came in at No. 3 on opening weekend but proved to have staying power. The film ultimately made $150 million between domestic and international sales.
14. "The Bone Collector"
In November 1999, Denzel Washington starred alongside Angelina Jolie in "The Bone Collector." The film was successful in the States but amassed even more money internationally, bringing the worldwide box-office total to $151 million.
13. "The Book of Eli"
Denzel Washington starred in the 2010 flick "The Book of Eli," which earned $157.1 million globally that year. The post-apocalyptic flick also starred Gary Oldman and Mila Kunis, and though it received mixed reviews and opened in second place, it went on to dominate the box office in subsequent weeks.
12. "Crimson Tide"
1995's submarine thriller "Crimson Tide" starred Denzel Washington, Gene Hackman, Viggo Mortensen and James Gandolfini. It was the 11th-highest grossing film of the year, taking in $157.3 million globally.
11. "Flight"
Denzel Washington's "Flight" debuted in November 2012 and came in second place on opening weekend with $24 million. The film proved to have staying power, eventually garnering $161 globally.
10. "The Magnificent Seven"
Denzel Washington's 2016 film "The Magnificent Seven" made more than $162 million worldwide.
9. "Unstoppable"
Denzel Washington starred in 2010's "Unstoppable," which made $167 million worldwide. The disaster thriller also starred Chris Pine and Rosario Dawson and actually made more money internationally that in the United States, with $86 million to the domestic haul of $81 million.
8. "Deja Vu"
"Deja Vu," a science-fiction action film starring Denzel Washington, Val Kilmer, Paula Patton and Jim Caviezel, came out in November 2006. And while it was a success in the States, it almost doubled its box-office sales internationally, earning $64 and $116 million, respectively, for an impressive worldwide total of $180 million.
7. "Inside Man"
Denzel Washington and Jodie Foster starred in 2006's Spike Lee-directed "Inside Man," which debuted in the top spot that March with a $28 million opening haul. The film went on to make $184 million worldwide.
6. "The Equalizer 2"
In 2018, Denzel Washington starred in "The Equalizer 2," a sequel to his hit 2014 film "The Equalizer." The action flick, which also starred Pedro Pascal, Melissa Leo and Bill Pullman, grossed more than $190 million at the box office.
5. "The Equalizer"
Denzel Washington starred in 2014's "The Equalizer," which earned $192 million at the box office worldwide. The film, which was based on a television series of the same name, also starred Chloe Grace Moretz, David Harbour, Bill Pullman and Melissa Leo.
4. "The Pelican Brief"
Denzel Washington starred alongside Julia Roberts in 1994's legal thriller "The Pelican Brief." The film was a massive hit in the '90s, earning $195 million worldwide and topping the box office during its December release.
3. "Philadelphia"
Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington united in 1993's "Philadelphia," one of the first films to tackle the issue of AIDS. The movie eventually earned $206 million globally and was the 13th-highest grossing film of that year.
2. "Safe House"
Denzel Washington's 2012 film "Safe House," which co-starred Ryan Reynolds, cleaned up at the box office. The flick earned $208 million globally and debuted with a $40 million opening that February.
1. "American Gangster"
Denzel Washington's highest-grossing flick of all time? 2007's Ridley Scott-directed "American Gangster," which earned $266 million worldwide. The film, which also starred Russell Crowe and Josh Brolin, made $43 million during its opening weekend that November. It was also the 19th-highest grossing film of the year.
