Denzel Washington is inarguably one of the greatest actors ever to grace the silver screen. His career has spanned nearly five decades. It started in the 1980s with the ill-received comedy-drama “Carbon Copy” in 1981 and is still going strong today, with his most recent movie, “Highest 2 Lowest,” released last year.
But it’s that first part of Denzel’s career I want to examine here. I’ve been watching a Denzel movie a week in 2026 as part of my ongoing Denzel Watchathon, and following last week’s watch of 1989’s “Glory,” I’ve now seen every Denzel Washington movie of the 1980s. There are some genuinely great films in that early run of his career, but there are also some true duds.
7. ‘Carbon Copy’ (1981)
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Genre: Comedy drama
What’s it about: Walter (George Segal) is a well-off Jewish businessman posing as a Waspy member of high society in San Marino, California. But that all comes crashing down when Roger (Denzel) arrives at Walter’s office and reveals himself to be Walter’s son. Walter refuses to disown Roger, but then slowly has everything taken from him, including his job, wife and house.
Why it’s ranked here: “Carbon Copy” is based on a promising premise that could hold up a mirror to hateful bigotry in U.S. society. But while the movie tries to do that at times, there’s a level of blaxploitation in this movie that comes off as crude. Even worse, as offensive as people may find the mishandling of race in this movie, it’s almost as offensive just how boring it can be. I can only imagine this is Denzel’s worst movie ever made.
Final Tom’s Guide review rating: 1 out of 5 stars
Stream “Carbon Copy” free on Tubi, Pluto TV or The Roku Channel
6. ‘Power’ (1986)
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Genre: Political thriller
What’s it about: “Power” stars Richard Gere as Pete St. John, a political consultant who is the man to hire if you want to win your election. When Ohio Senator Sam Hastings (E.G. Marshall) suddenly drops out of the Ohio senate race, public relations consultant Arnold Billings (Denzel Washington) hires St. John to manage the campaign of candidate Jerome Cade (J.T. Walsh), who is backed by some shady, powerful people.
Why it’s ranked here: While this movie has a lot of potential, it has to be one of the most boring political thrillers I’ve ever watched. It’s set up as an examination of the seedy side of American politics, but is more often an examination of Gere practicing his drumming (not a euphemism; there are multiple shots of Gere practicing drums on a practice pad). The movie’s lone redeeming quality is a scene towards the end where Denzel dresses down Gere just before the Ohio senatorial debate.
Final Tom’s Guide review rating: 1 out of 5 stars
Buy or rent “Power” from Amazon, Apple TV or Fandango at Home.
5. ‘The Mighty Quinn’ (1989)
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Genre: Mystery
What’s it about: “The Mighty Quinn” stars Denzel Washington as Xavier Quinn, the chief of police of a small Caribbean island. One day, Donald Pater, a rich white resort owner, is found dead. But when Quinn arrives, there’s already a suspect: Maubee (Robert Townsend), Quinn’s childhood friend. As he starts to investigate, though, Quinn is quickly convinced that there’s far more going on here and Maubee might just be innocent after all.
Why it’s ranked here: This movie has some moments, especially when Denzel gets to turn on the charm. But this surprisingly compelling murder mystery about a dark conspiracy isn’t explored nearly deep enough, nor are most of its characters. It’s the rare example of a movie that could have stood to be longer, rather than shorter, and should have taken itself more seriously.
Final Tom’s Guide review rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars
Stream “The Mighty Quinn” on Prime Video, Tubi, Pluto TV or The Roku Channel
4. For Queen & Country’ (1988)
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Genre: Crime drama
What’s it about: Set in 1980s England, “For Queen and Country” stars Denzel Washington as Reuben, a former paratrooper trying to find honest work when he returns home after serving in the Falkland Islands. Unfortunately, this version of England doesn’t want him to find honest work. In fact, it’s eventually revealed that it might not want him around at all.
Why it’s ranked here: This movie was a flop at the box office, and most critics panned it. But I think that everyone got it wrong. Nearly 40 years later, the film’s examination of how Margaret Thatcher’s England left people behind is fairly well executed and inarguably one worthy of your time, despite its flawed, melodramatic performances.
Final Tom’s Guide review rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Buy “For Queen & Country” on DVD from Amazon (or search for it on YouTube; no judgment)
3. ‘A Soldier’s Story’ (1984)
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Genre: Mystery
What’s it about: Set in 1944, “A Soldier’s Story” centers around the death of Master Sergeant Vernon Waters (Adolph Caesar), who was found shot dead outside Fort Neal, Louisiana. The Judge Advocate General’s Corps has sent Captain Richard Davenport (Howard E. Rollins) to investigate the cause of the sergeant’s death, but there’s just one problem: he’s Black in Jim Crow Louisiana.
Why it’s ranked here: This was the first movie I considered as being possibly “great.” While I settled on it being merely “really good,” this movie is a compelling murder mystery that doubles as a poignant exploration of racism in the era of segregation. Think of it as “A Few Good Men” meets “Sinners,” even if it doesn’t manage to be as good as either of those masterpieces.
Final Tom’s Guide review rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Buy or rent “A Soldier’s Story” from Amazon, Apple TV or Fandango at home
2. ‘Cry Freedom’ (1987)
Genre: Political biopic
What’s it about: “Cry Freedom” is a deeply moving biopic about South African anti-apartheid activist Steve Biko (Denzel Washington). It’s centered around Biko’s relationship with journalist Donald Woods (Kevin Kline), who, after Steve is taken out by the apartheid government, has to escape to Botswana so he can tell Steven’s story to the world.
Why it’s ranked here: This is Denzel’s first great movie, and his first Oscar-nominated performance. It’s as relevant today as it was when this movie was released in 1987, when apartheid was still the law of the land in South Africa, and Denzel’s performance is transformative. It’d possibly be first on this list, but the movie is too focused on Woods for what should be a story about the legendary Black activist.
Final Tom’s Guide review rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Buy or rent “Cry Freedom” from Amazon, Apple TV or Fandango at Home
1. ‘Glory’ (1989)
![GLORY [1989] – Official Trailer (HD) - YouTube](https://img.youtube.com/vi/-OS-OE1EcHI/maxresdefault.jpg)
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Genre: War epic
What’s it about: “Glory” tells the story of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, the first all-Black regiment in the U.S. military. It’s an ensemble performance that features Matthew Broderick, Cary Elwes, Morgan Freeman and Andre Braugher. But the scene stealer of the movie is Denzel Washington as Trip, a former slave fighting in the 54th.
Why it’s ranked here: This movie is nearly four decades old, but still holds up visually against its modern counterparts. Denzel also wins his first Oscar for his performance as Trip, who often serves as a devil’s advocate-like figure throughout the movie, speaking on the realities of being a Black soldier fighting for a country that arguably doesn’t want you. It’s a performance that leads to some emotionally powerful moments, and feels like taking what Denzel did in “Cry Freedom” and “A Soldier’s Story” but taking it one step further.
Final Tom’s Guide review rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Stream “Glory” on Netflixnow
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