Although he has been in the movie industry for more than three decades, Will Smith is still one of the most successful actors of his time. He is fearless in trying new things that only he is able to make happen. TechTrends made a list of the best Will Smith movies of all time.
At the age of 53, Will Smith is still one of the most well-known and successful actors of his generation. He famously won his first Oscar recently for his portrayal of Reinaldo Marcus Green in King Richard, where he performed as a diligent father/coach for prodigies Venus and Serena Williams. Notwithstanding the controversies that happened at the Oscar ceremony, he still got the award for his impressive work. The incident did take a toll on his public image, however. Nonetheless, his movies stay among the best ones in the industry. Smith has played in many different genres of movies, from comedies to sci-fi blockbusters to emotional dramas. TechTrends, therefore, decided to put together a list of the best must see Will Smith performances.
Best Will Smith Movies of All Time
It is nearly impossible not to have seen one of the movies Will Smith stars in, as he has played in many different genres over the years. He is one of the most popular actors among critics and movie lovers. His most recent award came at the Oscars ceremony, where there a controversial incident took place. Therefore, his winning an Oscar was shadowed by his impulsive actions of slapping Chris Rock for his joke about his wife Jada Pinkett Smith’s autoimmune disease. Without further ado, let’s get to the list of the best Will Smith movies of all time. Note that the list is in reverse chronological order. Here we go.
King Richard 2021
- Genre: Sport/Drama
- Director: Reinaldo Marcus Green
- Stars: Will Smith, Jon Bernthal, Aunjanue Ellis
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 90%, IMDb 7.5
King Richard, one of the best Will Smith movies ever, is a hard-hitting tale of a father who is keen on helping his girls reach their maximum potential and gain confidence in their abilities. On the tennis courts in Compton, Calif., Richard helps his girls build commitment and intuition. They go from being teen superstars to icons of tennis, crediting their father for being their driving force to success. Regarding the humane aspect of their family, the movie shows how they fought their way through poverty in a neighborhood that is crime-infested. When Will Smith’s character Richard Williams is larger than life, and the outstanding actor is able to carry that story of Black fatherhood quite well.
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Aladdin 2019
- Genre: Musical/Fantasy
- Director: Guy Ritchie
- Stars: Will Smith, Mena Massoud, Naomi Scott, Marwan Kenzari, Nasim Pedrad,
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 57%, IMDb 6.9
In this live-action remake of an animated classic for children, Will Smith plays the role of Mariner. With his charm, Smith alongside a diverse and amazing cast made the movie quite entertaining to watch. He owned the role, showed off his vocal chops, and helped make this movie the ninth highest grossing one of 2019. Aladdin pulled in $1.05 billion and proved that Will Smith is still one of the most bankable actors ever. Moreover, it shows how capable he is of playing any role handed to him. Aladdin is one of the best Will Smith movies of all time, so make sure to add it to your watchlist.
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Focus 2015
- Genre: Romance/Crime
- Directors: Glenn Ficarra, John Requa
- Stars: Will Smith, Margot Robbie, Rodrigo Santoro
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 56%, IMDb 6.6
Will Smith and Margot Robbie teamed up in the movie Focus, which is a story of career con artist Nicky Spurgeon. He takes Robbie’s character Jesse Barrett under his wing and teaches her how to do what he does. She learns how to pickpocket from him. Although the movie received mixed reviews regarding the dramedy itself, the two actors’ performance and chemistry were appreciated by critics. The two once again worked together in the Suicide Squad in 2016. Smith is confident, charming, and witty in the movie. Focus is one of the best Will Smith movies of all time. Moreover, if you are interested, we also made a list of the best Margot Robbie movies of all time; you might want to check it out.
I Am Legend 2007
- Genre: Sci-fi/Horror
- Directors: Francis Lawrence
- Stars: Will Smith, Alice Braga, Charlie Tahan, Dash Mihok, Salli Richardson
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 68%, IMDb 7.2
The movie I Am Legend takes place in New York City after a virus wipes out most of mankind. Robert Neville, a brilliant scientist, is among the last people in New York. Neville is immune to the virus and starts to look for a cure while defending himself from bloodsuckers. This is one of the best Will Smith movies of all time and he goes on to occupy just about every scene. I Am Legend is Will Smith’s fourth highest grossing movie ever. You don’t want to miss it.
Read more: Best Horror Movies of All Time
The Pursuit of Happyness 2006
- Genre: Drama
- Directors: Gabriele Muccino
- Stars: Will Smith, Jaden Smith, Thandiwe Newton, Brian Howe, Dan Castellaneta
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 67%, IMDb 8
Known as one of the best Will Smith movies of all time, The Pursuit of Happyness was way ahead of its time. Smith played the role of a single father and homeless salesman. He received his second Oscar nomination for best actor in this movie, and he also introduced his son Jaden Smith to the movie industry. After being evicted from his house, Chris Gardner and his son endure many hardships for him to pursue his dream of making a better life for them both. The movie is based on a real-life person with the same name who struggles with homelessness. Critics praised the movie, and it is still one of Will Smith greatest movie roles.
Hitch 2005
- Genre: Romance/Comedy
- Directors: Andy Tennant
- Stars: Will Smith, Eva Mendes, Kevin James, Amber Valletta, Julie Ann Emery
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 69%, IMDb 6.6
As a New York love doctor, Alex Hitchens, played by Will Smith, teaches Shy Albert (Kevin James) how to win Allegra Cole’s (Amber Valletta) love while also wooing Sara Melas (Eva Mendes), who is immune to his ways. Following a lot of action/adventure movies, Will Smith decided to play in a romance/comedy. Therefore, this was the transitional period of his career. Moreover, with these excellent actors by his side, he was able to bring his role to life quite effortlessly. Hitch is the third-highest domestic grossing rom-com of all time. In addition, it is one of the best Will Smith films ever.
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Bad Boy II 2003
- Genre: Action/Comedy
- Directors: Michael Bay
- Stars: Will Smith, Michael Bay, Gabrielle Union, Theresa Randle, Joe Pantoliano
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 23%, IMDb 6.6
It was really fun to see Will Smith and Martin Lawrence working together as partners. With drug ecstasy flowing into Miami, the police force is keen on putting an end to it. Mike Lowrey (Will Smith) and Marcus Burnett (Martin Lawrence) are the ones capable of doing it. So, they track the drugs and find a smuggler named Johnny Tapia (Jordi Molla). Moreover, tension builds between the two partners as Lowrey is involved with Burnett’s sister Syd. This is one of the best Will Smith films of all time.
I, Robot 2004
- Genre: Sci-fi/Action
- Directors: Alex Proyas
- Stars: Will Smith, Alan Tudyk, Bridget Moynahan, Shia LaBeouf, James Cromwell
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 56%, IMDb 7.1
Another one of the best Will Smith movies of all time is I, Robot, in which he plays the role of Del Spooner. He investigates a murder case using the help of a ‘robopsychologist’ named Sonny. The movie also shows a lot of interesting questions as to what a robot should or should not be permitted to do. It is a very interesting story that keeps the audience at the edge of their seat. In addition to being very entertaining, this movie is also extremely insightful. The visuals of I, Robot were great, and it was nominated for Best Visual Effects at the Academy Awards in 2005.
Read more: Best Sci-fi Movies of All Time
Ali 2001
- Genre: Drama/Historical Drama
- Directors: Michael Mann
- Stars: Will Smith, Jamie Foxx, Jada Pinkett Smith, Jon Voight, Mario Van Peebles,
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 68%, IMDb 6.7
The life of famous boxer Muhammad Ali is put to life in the movie Ali directed by visionary director Michael Mann. Will Smith plays the role of the boxer and goes on to prove what a talented actor he is. Critics praised the movie, and it brought Smith his first nomination for an Oscar. However, he lost to Denzel Washington. It was really hard and perhaps impossible to do cinematic justice to Ali’s amazing life and personality; however, with great direction and the outstanding performance of Smith, it was worthwhile. Ali is one of the best Will Smith movies of all time that brought him a lot of praise.
Enemy of the State 1998
- Genre: Action/Thriller
- Directors: Tony Scott
- Stars: Will Smith, Gene Hackman, Jon Voight, Regina King, Lisa Bonet, Jack Black
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 72%, IMDb 7.3
Robert Clayton Dean (Will Smith) finds out that his life is being threatened when he becomes the target of NSA’s following a mysterious videotape being planted on him. The movie Enemy of the State showed a different type of movie for the 53-year-old as he adopted a more intricate role in this thriller/action movie. There are many unpredictable twists and turns at every moment of the movie, and Smith leads the movie impressively. He goes on to show all emotions and anxieties of the character as the movie continues. This is one of the best Will Smith movies of all time.
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Men in Black 1997, 2002, 2012
- Genre: Sci-fi/Action
- Directors: Barry Sonnenfeld
- Stars: Will Smith, Tommy Lee Jones, Rip Torn, Emma Thompson
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 92%, IMDb 7.3 (1997), Rotten Tomatoes 39%, IMDb 6.1 (2002), Rotten Tomatoes 68%, IMDb 6.8 (2012)
1997
One of the best Will Smith movies of all time, and perhaps the one he became the most synonymous with over the years, is Men in Black. Smith plays the role of Agent J, who has to save the world with the help of Tommy Lee Jones’ Agent K. This film is known to be one of the most iconic of the sci-fi genre.
2002
Another film that was highly anticipated by Will Smith fans with an amazing cast and cameo appearances was Men in Black II. Kay and Jay reunite once again to defend against a seductress who challenges them. This is yet another one of Will Smith greatest movie roles you do not want to miss.
2012
As interesting as the other two movies were, the third one was on top of them in terms of success. It grossed $624 million worldwide. The movie earned praise from critics and movie lovers, and Will Smith went on to perform as excellently as ever.
Independence Day 1996
- Genre: Sci-fi/Action
- Directors: Roland Emmerich
- Stars: Will Smith, Jeff Goldblum, Bill Pullman, Vivica A. Fox, Margaret Colin, Randy Quaid
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 67%, IMDb 7
Roland Emmerich’s iconic film Independence Day was the director’s most successful movie and one of the best Will Smith movies of all time. Smith, alongside other amazing cast members, shone in this entertaining movie. The movie has many tense set pieces and exciting narratives that make it a great film. Smith is funny, fearless, and heroic in the movie and watching him kill the aliens was fascinating.
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Bad Boys 1995
- Genre: Action/Comedy
- Directors: Michael Bay
- Stars: Will Smith, Téa Leoni, Theresa Randle, Joe Pantoliano, Nestor Serrano, Marg Helgenberger
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 42%, IMDb 6.8
Mike Lowrey (Will Smith) and Marcus Burnett (Martin Lawrence) are Miami cops who search for stolen drugs. Their pursuit puts them under the radar of French drug lord Fouchet. He killed many people, with one of them surviving, Julie Mott (Tea Leoni). She goes on to team up with the two police officers. The strength of the movie is the relationship and the chemistry the two cops share. Bad Boys is one of the best Will Smith movies of all time.
Six Degrees of Separation 1993
- Genre: Drama/Mystery
- Directors: Fred Schepisi
- Stars: Will Smith, Stockard Channing, Donald Sutherland, Ian McKellen, J.J. Abrams
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 88%, IMDb 6.8
Art dealers Flan and Ouisa Kittredge, played by Donald Sutherland and Stockard Channing, take in Paul (Will Smith), who is a very intelligent and charming man. After that, their world turns upside down, and the plot of the movie was inspired by David Hampton’s real-life story. He was a con man who told many that he was actor Sidney Poitier’s son. Young Smith performed astonishingly, which contributed to the success of the movie. Six Degrees of Separation is one of the best must see Will Smith performances.