10 of the Best Will Smith Movies
The great thing about Will Smith is that he isn't just some pretty face from Instagram!
Will Smith had one of the best sitcoms ever with a great theme song to boot! The fact that he killed it on the big screen and had some songs that everyone likes, is just a plus. Having said that, let's get into 10 of his best films!
Movie/Rank:
#10- Hancock (2008)
Why, Though:
I can't help it! The whole black superhero aspect of the movie really hooks me in. I get that the movie kind of falls apart once the reveal that Charlize and Will are essentially angels but it doesn't completely sink the movie for me. I enjoyed watching Will be surly and Jason Bateman is always a welcome addition in my books.
Movie/Rank:
#9- Suicide Squad (2016)
Why, Though:
I'm not joking, this is the best Ben Affleck as Batman performance to date! But more importantly, I enjoyed the fun that Will Smith was happening in this movie that was heavily tampered with. Forget how mad you are about Joker not being the main villain, and just enjoy Will Smith not being dour! If you want ot hear more excuses for this movie, listen to this episode of Spoiled Rotten!
Movie/Rank:
#8- I Am Legend (2007)
Why, Though:
It all comes down to this being an opportunity for Will Smith to show he really can carry a movie by being the only speaking character for a huge chunk of the movie. His relationship with Sam the dog is one such example! We can all complain about the lame theatrical cut ending, but it's quite the ride up until then!
Movie/Rank:
#7- The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)
Why, Though:
I didn't think I'd care about this movie as much as I did. A Will Smith movie where he wasn't trying to make me laugh was a hard sell. But by the end of the movie I wanted to clap right along with him! Luckily this is not one of those dramatic roles Will has taken recently where he suffocates his charisma and pouts all movie. Jaden Smith also deserves some applause as his character could have very easily derailed the film for me, but I loved the relationship with his on and off screen father in this film.
Movie/Rank:
#6- Focus (2015)
Why, Though:
Maybe I like this movie more than everyone else because it featured a Will Smith who wasn't trying to suppress his charisma. He had a string of movies like that leading up to Focus and this was a breath of fresh air for me. I'm also a sucker for heist films where elaborate fleecing happens! Margot Robbie is also a great co-star for Will because you believe she could get the better of him throughout the film. Listen to my sister and I talk about this film on this episode of LDF Podcast!
Movie/Rank:
#5- Enemy of the State (1998)
Why, Though:
I didn't think I wanted to see Gene Hackman and Will Smith take on the world, and yet here we are 20 years later with me still thinking back fondly to the first time I saw this movie and how cool I still think it is. If you haven't figured it out by now, I am a big fan of Will Smith's acting ability! He isn't just great at drawing out a great chemistry with a dog, he can go toe to toe with the likes of Gene Hackman and not come off as looking like a chump!
Movie/Rank:
#4- Men in Black (1997)
Why, Though:
I mean, I gotta look at you funny if you're not feeling this movie. It's got action, comedy, and, low key, another reason why Tommy Lee Jones is dope! I've been on record as saying that 11 year old YG tried to fashion the way he dressed based on Jay before he became an agent. I still think the movie holds up
Movie/Rank:
#3- Independence Day (1996)
Why, Though:
I remember the joy I had when I thought I spotted the Fresh Prince in the trailer for ID4. You can imagine my glee when I realized it really was Will and he was going to be a big part in saving the day in this movie. Back before I needed to be up on all the juicy gossip in Hollywood for event movies, I could be surprised by things like that. I guess what I'm saying is this movie holds a special place in my heart as the movie that proved Will Smith IS A STAR!
Movie/Rank:
#2- Ali (2001)
Why, Though:
This is when Will graduated to a new level. A level that would have me writing about how other actors might get to his level on this very site. Will Smith really got to be the lead. He didn't need to share the screen with a curmudgeon of an old white man like some of the other entries on this list. And for the most part, I think people bought Will as someone other than himself. I mean it helps that Will had been unconsciously (or maybe not?) doing impressions of Muhammad Ali up until this role. Let's not forget, this movie also paired Will with the incomparable Jamie Foxx!
Movie/Rank:
#1- Six Degrees of Separation (1993)
Why, Though:
I didn't get this movie when I first saw it. Please excuse my 7-8 year old brain for not getting the subtitles of a dark comedy. I just forced my mom to rent it because Will was on the cover and I continued to force her to rent it until I understood how interesting Will's character is and how the movie really dug into white guilt like that. Maybe he shouldn't get a pat on the back for this, but I think it's cool that Will Smith played a gay man with a love scene this early on in his career with seemingly no concern of how it would make him look to his community. He clearly was more interested in the art than what the comment section would say. Good on him.
-YG