Get ready for a trip down memory lane as we take a look at the career of one of Hollywood’s most beloved actors, Will Smith. From the streets of West Philadelphia to the bright lights of Hollywood, he has proven to be a versatile and talented actor, with a diverse range of films on his Will Smith movies list.
In this article, we’ll be ranking Will Smith’s top 10 best movies based on their reception and his performances. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just discovering Will Smith’s work, this guide is for you. So, grab some popcorn, and let’s dive into the Will Smith movies list and discover the best movies of his career.
Top 10 Grossing Will Smith Movies
Will Smith is one of Hollywood’s most bankable stars and it’s no surprise that many of his movies have grossed big numbers at the box office. In this section, we’ll take a look at the Top 10 Grossing Will Smith movies based on worldwide box office figures.
Movies | Box Office Gross (Worldwide) |
---|---|
“Aladdin” (2019) | $1.05 billion |
“Men in Black 3” (2012) | $624 million |
“Hancock” (2008) | $624 million |
“I Am Legend” (2007) | $585 million |
“Men in Black II” (2002) | $441 million |
“Bad Boys for Life” (2020) | $426 million |
“Independence Day: Resurgence” (2016) | $389 million |
“Men in Black: International” (2019) | $254 million |
“Enemy of the State” (1998) | $250 million |
“Wild Wild West” (1999) | $222 million |
Top 10 Will Smith Movies
1. “The Pursuit of Happyness” (2006)
Will Smith stars as Chris Gardner, a struggling salesman who becomes homeless with his young son. The film, which is based on a true story, follows Chris as he fights to make a better life for himself and his son, despite the many obstacles he faces.
Will Smith’s performance as the determined and loving father was widely praised, earning him an Academy Award nomination. “The Pursuit of Happyness” is a heart-wrenching and uplifting story of perseverance and the American Dream that will leave a lasting impact on anyone who watches it.
IMDb rating: 8.0
Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 74%
2. “Men in Black” (1997)
“Men in Black” is a classic film in Will Smith’s movies list and one of the most iconic movies of the 90s. Will Smith stars as Agent J, a street-smart cop who is recruited by a secret government agency known as the Men in Black to monitor and control extra-terrestrial activity on Earth. Alongside Tommy Lee Jones’ Agent K, the pair must stop an alien invasion and save the planet.
The film was a massive box-office success, and Will Smith’s performance as the cool and charismatic Agent J established him as a leading action star. “Men in Black” is a hilarious and entertaining sci-fi adventure that is still as enjoyable today as it was back in 1997.
IMDb rating: 7.3
Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 92%
3. “Enemy of the State” (1998)
“Enemy of the State” is an action-thriller film directed by Tony Scott, starring Will Smith as Robert Clayton Dean, a successful Washington D.C. lawyer and family man who gets caught up in a high-stakes conspiracy involving government surveillance and murder.
Smith’s portrayal of Dean is intense and believable, and he delivers an action-packed performance that showcases his versatility as an actor.
IMDb rating: 7.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 78%
4. “Ali” (2001)
“Ali” is a powerful and nuanced biographical drama that is worth watching for Will Smith’s performance alone. Will Smith stars as Muhammad Ali, one of the most iconic and legendary boxers of all time, known for his skill in the ring, his political activism, and his larger-than-life personality.
The film covers Ali’s life from 1964 to 1974, including his conversion to Islam, his suspension from boxing for refusing to serve in the Vietnam War, and his legendary fights against George Foreman and Joe Frazier. Will Smith’s performance in this film was widely considered to be one of his best and earned him an Academy Award nomination.
IMDb rating: 7.2
Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 76%
5. “I Am Legend” (2007)
“I Am Legend” is a must-see film in Will Smith’s movies list for fans of post-apocalyptic thrillers. Will Smith stars as Robert Neville, the last surviving human in New York City after a virus wipes out most of humanity. As he searches for a cure and fights for survival, he must also confront the infected “Darkseekers” who have become monstrous and aggressive.
Will Smith’s performance as the lone survivor is powerful and emotional, and the film’s visual effects and action sequences are top-notch. Doubtlessly, “I Am Legend” is a thought-provoking and emotional sci-fi thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
IMDb rating: 7.2
Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 65%
6. “Independence Day” (1996)
A classic film in Will Smith’s movies list and one of the most iconic movies of the 90s. Will Smith stars as Captain Steven Hiller, a Marine pilot who joins the fight against an alien invasion of Earth. Alongside an all-star cast, Will Smith’s character brings in the right amount of humor, action, and heroic moments as they work to save the planet.
The film was a massive box-office success, and Will Smith’s performance as the charismatic and heroic Captain Hiller established him as a leading action star. It’s definitely a must-watch in Will Smith’s movies list.
IMDb rating: 6.9
Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 57%
7. “Hitch” (2005)
If you’re looking for a romantic comedy to watch on a lazy Sunday afternoon, you can’t go wrong with “Hitch” in Will Smith movies list. “Hitch” is a feel-good romantic comedy that will have you rooting for love to win in the end.
Will Smith stars as Alex “Hitch” Hitchens, a professional “date doctor” who helps men win over the women of their dreams. But when he tries to help a shy accountant (played by Kevin James) win over a celebrity gossip columnist (played by Eva Mendes), he finds himself falling for her.
The film was a commercial success, and Will Smith’s performance was widely praised for his charming and charismatic portrayal of Hitch.
IMDb rating: 6.7
Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 70%
8. “Concussion” (2015)
Will Smith stars as Dr. Bennet Omalu, a forensic neuropathologist who discovers and fights against the NFL’s cover-up of the dangers of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in its players. The film was praised for its performances, particularly Smith’s, and its handling of a socially relevant and important topic.
IMDb rating: 7.0
Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 64%
9. “Gemini Man” (2019)
“Gemini Man” is an action-packed and thrilling sci-fi adventure that is part of Will Smith’s movies list. Will Smith plays Henry Brogan, an aging assassin who is targeted by a younger, cloned version of himself. The film is directed by Ang Lee and features cutting-edge visual effects that showcase the technology of de-aging and motion capture.
Will Smith plays both versions of the characters, and his performance was praised for its depth and nuance. However, the film received mixed reviews and was criticized for its lack of originality and weak story.
IMDb rating: 5.6
Rotten Tomatoes audience score: 30%
10. “Focus” (2015)
Last on this Will Smith movies list is “Focus,” a stylish and entertaining crime comedy-drama. In this movie, Will Smith stars as Nicky, a seasoned con artist who takes a novice con artist (played by Margot Robbie) under his wing. The pair quickly become romantically involved, but their relationship is put to the test when Nicky’s past comes back to haunt him.
The film was praised for its performances and chemistry between Smith and Robbie but criticized for its lack of originality. With an IMDb rating of 6.5 and a Rotten Tomatoes score of 54%, “Focus” is a fun and enjoyable film that showcases Will Smith’s charismatic and charming acting skills.
Will Smith Movies List (Other notable mentions)
- “Wild Wild West” (1999)
- “Jersey Girl” (2004)
- “Hancock” (2008)
- “Collateral Beauty” (2016)
- “Bright” (2017)
- “King Richard” (2021)
- “Bagger Vance” (2000)
- “The Legend of Bagger Vance” (2000)
- “Men in Black 3” (2012)
- “Winter’s Tale” (2014)
- “After Earth” (2013)
- “Suicide Squad” (2016)
- “Aladdin” (2019) (voice)
- “Spies in Disguise” (2019) (voice)
- “King Richard” (2021)
- “Emancipation” (2021)
More BuddyTV Movie Suggestions
We hope you enjoyed reading about our picks for Will Smith’s top 10 best movies and that this article has helped you to appreciate the actor’s impressive body of work. If you’re looking for more movie suggestions about your favorite actor, be sure to check out other content on BuddyTV.
- Megan Fox Movies List (Ranked by Popularity and Critics’ Rating)
- Morgan Freeman Movies List: Ranked Best to Worst
- Samuel L. Jackson Movies Ranked: Best to Worst
Senior Writer, BuddyTV
Professional SEO writer & editor with 8+ years of print journalism and writing experience across different platforms — blogs, website, eBooks and social media. His writing experience also cuts across industries like IT, fashion, education management, real estate, consulting and entertainment.