Denzel Washington‘s career is filled with great original movies, but the actor has also starred in a considerable number of remakes over the years. Despite Washington’s more recent willingness to make sequels, he has proven himself one of the few huge stars in Hollywood who has maintained decades of popularity and acclaim while largely avoiding franchises. However, Washington has been part of several remakes, taking on some iconic roles and also giving new approaches to some underrated gems.

Washington’s upcoming reunion with Spike Lee on Highest 2 Lowest is also the actor’s latest remake, taking a modern American look at Akira Kurosawa’s High and Low. As fans wait for that anticipated movie to arrive, there are plenty of other Denzel Washington remakes to choose from. As with most movie remakes, there are some that fall short of the original, as well as some that actually improve on what came before. However, even with a penchant for remakes, Washington proves himself a versatile actor in each of these roles.

8

The Taking Of Pelham 123 (2009)

As Walter Garber

Similar to his relationship with Spike Lee, Denzel Washington and Tony Scott formed a long-lasting creative partnership over the years, making five movies together before Scott’s death in 2012. The Taking of Pelham 123 was their penultimate movie together and, sadly, their worst collaboration. The film is a remake of the classic 1970s crime movie of the same name, based on the novel by John Godey. It centers around a group of criminals who hijack a New York City subway car, holding the pᴀssengers hostage and demanding a steep ransom.

The problem with the remake is that it completely loses all of the humor from the original movie, which was as funny as it was thrilling. Washington’s performance as Walter, a dispatcher who is forced to become the negotiator, is solid, but not nearly as entertaining as Walter Matthau’s slobbish hero in the original. Likewise, while John Travolta has fun with his villain performance, it is more effective in the 1974 version with Robert Shaw’s chilling calmness. The remake removes the fun of the movie and replaces it with brutal violence, which feels unnecessary.

7

The Preacher’s Wife (1996)

As Dudley

The 1947 comedy The Bishop’s Wife is a black-and-white Christmas classic that provides an ideal, charming leading man role for Cary Grant. The Bishop’s Wife is a modern update that offers the same type of role for the modern movie star, Denzel Washington. He plays Dudley, an angel who is tasked with going to Earth in order to help a struggling preacher (Courtney B. Vance) find the right path. However, while on his mission, Dudley finds himself bonding with the preacher’s wife, played by Whitney Houston.

While the original is a charming Old Hollywood classic, the remake doesn’t offer a lot new to set itself apart. However, the highlight of the movie is Washington’s performance, which allows him to be more comedic than he typically gets to do, and he more than delivers. With the film embracing the fish-out-of-water antics of Dudley more than the original, Washington has a lot of fun with it. The fact that the movie also gives Houston an excuse to sing is an added bonus.

6

The Magnificent Seven (2016)

As Sam Chisolm

Not only is Antoine Fuqua’s The Magnificent Seven a remake, but it is actually a remake of a remake. The Western version of The Magnificent Seven was first released in 1960, and featured a star-studded cast that included Yul Brenner, Steven McQueen, and Charles Bronson as a group of gunslingers who are hired by the townspeople of a small village being taken advantage of by a merciless gang of bandits. The classic Western is a remake of the iconic Akira Kurosawa movie, Seven Samurai.

Washington leads the new cast, which is similarly star-studded, with the likes of Chris Pratt, Vincent D’Onofrio, and even Washington’s Training Day costar Ethan Hawke. The action is solid and the ensemble has a lot of fun together, but it doesn’t come close to capturing the fun energy of the 1960s Western. Washington’s heroic lead is also one of his more forgettable protagonists, with the reserved character not giving the actor much to do.

5

Much Ado About Nothing (1993)

As Don Pedro

While Much Ado About Nothing is not a direct remake of any specific previous movie, it is a story that has already been told many times before in movies. Based on William Shakespeare’s play, the romantic-comedy was one of many adaptations by Kenneth Branagh and remains one of his most enjoyable. It follows a large ensemble of characters surrounding an impending wedding of two lovers, only for the friends to plot a way to turn the bickering Benedick (Branagh) and Beatrice (Emma Thompson) from enemies to lovers.

While Branagh has made more epic Shakespearean adaptations in the past, his version of Much Ado About Nothing is one of the best as it perfectly plays on the comedy, romance, and adventure of the story. Washington is also exceptional as the commanding Don Pedro, giving him a character with power that also allows the actors some comedic moments. The rest of the cast is also exceptional, with the likes of Michael Keaton and Keanu Reeves also involved.

4

The Manchurian Candidate (2004)

As Ben Marco

One of Denzel Washington’s most underrated movies to date, The Manchurian Candidate may not be on the same level as the classic political thriller it is based on, but it is a worthwhile version in its own right. Washington plays a troubled ex-officer in the military who watches as a soldier he served with (Liev Schreiber) becomes a contender for Vice President of the United States. However, Washington soon begins to suspect a conspiracy by dark forces looking to place their own brainwashed operative in the highest position of power in the country.

The original, starring Frank Sinatra, is a brilliant thriller that cannot quite be topped. However, director Jonathan Demme crafts an engrossing thriller with this remake, cleverly bringing the movie into the modern era with the story being less about the enemies of America and more about the enemies within America. Washington is excellent at playing this more vulnerable hero, a man shaken by his experiences who is trying to put the pieces of the puzzle together.

3

The Equalizer Trilogy (2014-2023)

As Robert McCall

While most of Denzel Washington’s remakes have been of other movies, The Equalizer movies see him bringing a popular television series to the big screen in a new way. The Equalizer was a 1980s crime series starring Edward Woodward as Robert McCall, a former special operative who now lives a life outside of the military, serving as a guardian to those who are in need and taking on the villains who seek to abuse the vulnerable.

The Equalizer trilogy has followed a similar premise with Washington’s McCall using his considerable skills to protect everyday people he has come to care about. While the movies are not as deep as some of Washington’s other projects, he makes for an effective action star while elevating the material with his performance. It also makes for a very solid trilogy with all three movies delivering on just what they promise.

2

The Tragedy Of Macbeth (2021)

As Macbeth

Another Shakespeare adaptation, The Tragedy of Macbeth sees Denzel Washington take on one of the most complex protagonists in history. Joel Coen marks his first solo directorial effort with this black-and-white retelling of the classic story, with Washington starring as the ambitious lord who becomes obsessed with the prophecy that he will become king and goes on a bloody mission to ensure it becomes a reality, at any cost. He is encouraged along the way by his loyal and equally ambitious wife, Lady Macbeth (Frances McDormand).

Though the story has been told many times before, Coen finds an interesting new perspective, especially with the casting. While Macbeth is usually depicted as a younger man, having Washington in the role gives his ambition a compelling note of desperation. Washington’s layered performance earned him his most recent Oscar nomination.

1

Man On Fire (2004)

As Creasy

Man on Fire is perhaps one of the movies from Denzel Washington’s career that fans might not have realized was a remake. The 1987 original film starred Scott Glenn as a former CIA operative who becomes a bodyguard for a young girl in Italy, forming a bond with her that opens up his dark world. However, when she is taken, he goes on a warpath of revenge against those who were responsible. Washington took on the lead role in another collaboration with Tony Scott.

Man on Fire was largely dismissed by critics when it was first released, but it has since gained a cult following that has turned it into one of Washington’s most popular movies. While he excels at playing this kind of stoic and determined protagonist, Washington also brings layers to the character of Creasy, showing him as a deeply troubled man fighting his own demons but finding a light in the form of his young girl. He also has great chemistry with young Dakota Fanning as the girl, Pita.