Skip to content

Top Navigation

EW.com EW.com
    • All TV
    • TV Reviews
    • TV Reunions
    • Recaps
    • What to Watch
    • Winter TV
    • Comedy
    • Crime
    • Drama
    • Family
    • Horror
    • Reality
    • Sci-fi
    • Thriller
    • All Movies
    • Movie Reviews
    • Trailers
    • Film Festivals
    • Movie Reunions
    • Movie Previews
    • All Music
    • Music Reviews
    • All What to Watch
    • What to Watch Podcast Episodes
    • TV Reviews
    • Movie Reviews
    • All BINGE
    • EW's Binge Podcast Episodes
    • Recaps
    • Survivor
    • This is Us
    • RuPaul's Drag Race
    • Stranger Things
    • The Boys
    • The Blacklist
    • The Walking Dead
    • Better Call Saul
    • All The Awardist
    • The Awardist Podcast Episodes
    • Oscars
    • Emmys
    • Golden Globes
    • SAG Awards
    • Grammys
    • Tony Awards
    • All Books
    • Book Reviews
    • Author Interviews
    • All Theater
    • Theater Reviews
  • Podcasts
  • Gaming
    • All Events
    • Comic-Con
  • Celebrity
  • Streaming

Profile Menu

Your Profile

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Logout
Login
Subscribe

Explore EW.com

EW.com EW.com
  • Explore

    Explore

    • The 10 best songs of 2022

      The 10 best songs of 2022

      From disco-trap to deconstructed techno to Dolly-style country, we rank our favorite tracks this year. Read More
    • The 10 best movies of 2022 (and 5 worst)

      The 10 best movies of 2022 (and 5 worst)

      Let there be Mavericks, Bollywood magic, and a Cate Blanchett maestro on the loose. Read More
    • The true story of the g-strings and murders behind Welcome to Chippendales

      The true story of the g-strings and murders behind Welcome to Chippendales

      A look back at the crazy true story of Chippendales founder Somen "Steve" Banerjee and the murder and murder-for-hire plots at the center of the Hulu series. Read More
  • TV

    TV

    See All TV
    • TV Reviews
    • TV Reunions
    • Recaps
    • What to Watch
    • Winter TV
    • Comedy
    • Crime
    • Drama
    • Family
    • Horror
    • Reality
    • Sci-fi
    • Thriller
  • Movies

    Movies

    See All Movies
    • Movie Reviews
    • Trailers
    • Film Festivals
    • Movie Reunions
    • Movie Previews
  • Music

    Music

    See All Music
    • Music Reviews
  • What to Watch

    What to Watch

    See All What to Watch
    • What to Watch Podcast Episodes
    • TV Reviews
    • Movie Reviews
  • BINGE

    BINGE

    See All BINGE
    • EW's Binge Podcast Episodes
    • Recaps
    • Survivor
    • This is Us
    • RuPaul's Drag Race
    • Stranger Things
    • The Boys
    • The Blacklist
    • The Walking Dead
    • Better Call Saul
  • The Awardist

    The Awardist

    See All The Awardist
    • The Awardist Podcast Episodes
    • Oscars
    • Emmys
    • Golden Globes
    • SAG Awards
    • Grammys
    • Tony Awards
  • Books

    Books

    See All Books
    • Book Reviews
    • Author Interviews
  • Theater

    Theater

    See All Theater
    • Theater Reviews
  • Podcasts
  • Gaming
  • Events

    Events

    See All Events
    • Comic-Con
  • Celebrity
  • Streaming

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Your Profile

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Logout
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. Home
  2. Movies
  3. Every Will Smith film performance, ranked

Every Will Smith film performance, ranked

derek_160
By Derek Lawrence Updated August 08, 2022 at 07:26 AM EDT
Skip gallery slides
FB

1 of 35

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message

A ranked look back at the film career of this Oscar winner

Will Smith in Bad Boys, Ali and King Richard
Credit: Everett Collection (2); Chiabella James/Warner Bros.

How do you rank the performances of a man who has done it all? Played the devil? Check. Played a rapping fish? Check. Played a superhero? Check. Played a cop/government agent? A lot of checks. As the King Richard star earned his first Oscar, we've taken on the wild, wild task of going through all of his film roles (sorry, Fresh Prince) and coming up with the definitive ranking of Will Smith's cameos, awards nominations, and franchises. Let the pursuit begin.

1 of 35

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 35

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message

34. After Earth (2013)

After Earth (2013)Jaden Smith, left, and WIll SmithFrank Masi/Columbia/Sony
Credit: Frank Masi/Columbia/Sony

What else could be last? The actor himself has called the out-of-this-world flop the "most painful failure" of his career. In M. Night Shyamalan's sci-fi film, Smith literally takes a backseat to his son Jaden, considering he's basically just sitting immobilized throughout. The elder Smith doesn't have to utilize his patented charm in every film, but his performance here is next level flat, almost robot-like (He, Robot might be have been a better title).

2 of 35

3 of 35

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message

33. Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues (2013)

anchorman-2
Credit: Paramount Pictures

On paper, Will Smith playing an ESPN reporter in an Anchorman film sounds like something I dreamed up. In reality, be careful what you wish for. Not that Smith is bad, it's just a wasted opportunity, just like the entire Anchorman 2 fight scene.

3 of 35

Advertisement
Continued on next slide.
Advertisement

4 of 35

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message

32. Where the Day Takes You (1992)

WHERE THE DAY TAKES YOU, Smith, LeGros, Lake, Getty, Mulroney, Boyle, 1992, wheelchair
Credit: Everett Collection

Despite Smith already being a Grammy winner and TV star, he's barely in his film debut, which stars the likes of Dermot Mulroney, Sean Astin, and Ricki Lake. Smith is fine in his very brief screen time as a legless, unhoused teen, but if it wasn't him in the role, you wouldn't look or think twice about the character.

4 of 35

Advertisement

5 of 35

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message

31. The Legend of Bagger Vance (2000)

06188
Credit: David James/Dreamworks

Smith's impressive run to end the 20th century comes to a screeching halt in 2000 (don't blame Willennium) thanks to his first big screen swing and miss. While Smith is the title character in Robert Redford's golf drama, he plays second fiddle to Matt Damon, not even showing up until 33 minutes in. The film has been criticized for its use of Smith as the "magical negro" and, unfortunately, he isn't able to help raise the material above the stereotype.

5 of 35

6 of 35

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message

30. Shark Tale (2004)

Shark Tale (2004)Will Smith
Credit: DreamWorks Animation

For his sole foray into animation, Smith voices a scheming, rapping fish named Oscar (too bad the film was only nominated for an Oscar). There's really not much else to say as it's exactly what you would think Will Smith voicing a rapping fish would be like.

6 of 35

Advertisement
Advertisement
Continued on next slide.
Advertisement

7 of 35

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message

29. Made in America (1993)

MADE IN AMERICA, Ted Danson, Whoopi Goldberg, Will Smith, 1993, cowboy hat
Credit: Everett Collection

Smith's second go-around on the big screen finds him playing fifth banana to Whoopi Goldberg, Ted Danson, Ted Danson's cowboy hat, and Nia Long. And maybe for the only time in his life, Mr. Suave is a nerd, which he really dives into during a very awkward sperm donor scene where he literally does a Scooby Doo, "Huh?" The best thing to come out of this movie is setting up Long's Fresh Prince run as Will's girlfriend. (The worst thing: Ted Danson in blackface.)

7 of 35

Advertisement
Advertisement

8 of 35

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message

28. Hancock (2008)

HANCOCK
Credit: Frank Masi/Columbia Pictures

Easily the biggest disappointment on this list. Even though it was released pre-superhero film boom (two months after Iron Man), it's unlikely that Hancock would have succeeded at any time, because it just isn't that good. Don't get me wrong, the concept is great. Will Smith as an alcoholic superhero is a winning idea. The execution, however, leaves a lot to be desired. And for once, the biggest problem might be Smith, who doesn't get to showcase any of the reasons that we love him, instead being saddled with a bland, blank slate.

8 of 35

Advertisement

9 of 35

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message

27. Suicide Squad (2016)

SUICIDE SQUAD
Credit: Clay Enos

Smith's second entry into the world of superheroes was about as successful as the first, as in it made a lot of money and wasn't well-received by critics. A quick summary of Smith in Suicide Squad: He's ripped, he continues to have good chemistry with Margot Robbie (their first pairing is still to come), and he's tasked with delivering the often-mocked line, "So we're some sort suicide squad?" Other than that, nothing Smith or the movie did had anyone anticipating the sequel.

9 of 35

Advertisement
Advertisement
Continued on next slide.
Advertisement

10 of 35

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message

26. Men in Black II (2002)

Men in Black II (2002)Will Smith
Credit: Melinda Sue Gordon/Columbia Pictures

The weakest of the three Men in Black films suffers for many reasons, including becoming too cartoonish (did we really need Nick Cannon, Martha Stewart, and Michael Jackson cameos?) and, more importantly for our purposes, not giving Smith and his character Agent J anything interesting to do. A lot of the fun of the first film was Smith as the new guy and his shock and awe to the discovery of alien life, but with that gone, there's no interesting trait to replace it. We wouldn't mind if they neuralyzed our memories of MIIB.

10 of 35

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

11 of 35

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message

25. I, Robot (2004)

I, ROBOT, Bridget Moynahan, Sonny the Robot, Will Smith, 2004, TM & Copyright (c) 20th Century Fox F
Credit: Everett Collection

After fighting Miami drug dealers, aliens, more aliens, the government, cowboys, George Foreman, more aliens, and more Miami drug dealers, Smith took on the next logical opponent: robots. In the sci-fi film I, Robot, he plays Del Spooner (top five Smith character name), a sideways beanie-wearing cop who hates robots. That's not ideal when his most crucial relationships are with a robot and a cat. Smith gets to be angry and frustrated, but it's one of his most forgettable roles and films.

11 of 35

Advertisement
Advertisement

12 of 35

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message

24. Seven Pounds (2008)

SEVEN POUNDS
Credit: Merrick Morton/Columbia

When a film starts with the main character calling to report his own suicide, it's unlikely that you're in for an uplifting ride. And that's definitely the case in Seven Pounds, which finds Smith moping his way through it until he kills himself via jellyfish (yes, really). The No. 1 takeaway might actually be that for one of the few times in his career, Smith is outshined, with his Men in Black II costar Rosario Dawson doing the honors here.

12 of 35

Advertisement
Advertisement
Continued on next slide.
Advertisement

13 of 35

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message

23. Collateral Beauty (2016)

CB43644.DNG
Credit: Barry Wetcher/Warner Bros.

Don't let this photo fool you — take away the first two minutes and Smith is almost entirely sad, depressed, and silent during this poorly-received drama. Until the film's last 30 minutes or so, Smith is more of a plot device for the star-studded supporting cast. But, the appearances of "Love," "Time," and "Death" eventually bring him alive, leading to some strong emotional moments that come a little too late to help Collateral Beauty sneak into the top half of Smith's performances.

13 of 35

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

14 of 35

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message

22. Wild Wild West (1999)

WILD WILD WEST, Will Smith, Salma Hayek, Kevin Kline, 1999, (c) Warner Brothers/courtesy Everett Col
Credit: Everett Collection

Hot take: Smith isn't bad in Wild Wild West. Let's be clear, Wild Wild West is bad, like really bad, but its star isn't. While Kevin Kline, Kenneth Branagh, and Salma Hayek all scored Razzie noms for their performances, Smith didn't (I'm blaming Kline for Worst Screen Couple) and that's because he was far from the problem, coasting on his charisma and ability to pull off a cowboy hat, cowboy boots, and a jacket with no shirt. And if I'm being honest, I'm definitely giving extra points for the "Wild Wild West" theme song and the memorable MTV Movie Awards performance. A horse! Sisqo! Stevie Wonder! On second thought, maybe those should have been Smith's costars.

14 of 35

Advertisement
Advertisement

15 of 35

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message

21. Jersey Girl (2004)

Jersey-Girl
Credit: Miramax

It turns out that Will Smith is really good at playing Will Smith. In 2004, he took a break from blockbusters to cameo in Kevin Smith's critical and commercial disappointment. Smith's sole scene finds him navigating between comedy and drama, both saying he's "ridiculously" hung and giving the sentimental parenting speech that inspires Ben Affleck's character to give up the fast-paced corporate lifestyle in order to be a better father. Bonus points for Smith's amazing 2004 movie star outfit!

15 of 35

Advertisement
Advertisement
Continued on next slide.
Advertisement

16 of 35

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message

20. Winter's Tale (2014)

winter's-tale
Credit: Warner Bros.

Another cameo, another critical and commercial failure. But in Akiva Goldsman's film, the actor plays the complete opposite of Will Smith: Lucifer. For the only time so far in his career, Smith takes on the role of a true evil person/being (a hitman with a heart of gold in Suicide Squad doesn't count) and it was nice to see him briefly deviate from his movie star formula. The face-off with Russell Crowe's demon is initially unremarkable, until Lucifer launches into a fierce and scary tirade that is unlike anything Smith has ever done.

16 of 35

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

17 of 35

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message

19. Men in Black 3 (2012)

Men in Black 3 (2012)Josh Brolin (L) and Will Smith
Credit: Wilson Webb/Columbia Pictures

After being good for at least one movie every year during his peak, Smith's four-year absence from the big screen for some reason comes to an end with Men in Black 3. It's unclear who wanted or needed this film, but it's still an improvement on its predecessor for a few reasons, all of which are related to Smith. There's a fresh dynamic for Smith to play with as Josh Brolin stars as young Agent K (Tommy Lee Jones); Agent J's amusing bewilderment is back; and the big final reveal gives Smith a nice emotional moment that neither of the first two films had.

17 of 35

Advertisement
Advertisement

18 of 35

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message

18. Bright (2017)

MK1_3348.CR2
Credit: Matt Kennedy/Netflix

Another instance where the execution doesn't live up to the promise. Smith playing a grizzled, mustached veteran cop in a film from the writer behind Training Day sounds like a home run. And yet, the only thing knocked out of the park is a fairy ("Fairy lives don't matter," apparently). While the script and Joel Edgerton's makeup do Smith no favors, he comes out mostly unscathed, doing his best to ground a story about orcs, elves, and a magic wand.

18 of 35

Advertisement
Advertisement
Continued on next slide.
Advertisement

19 of 35

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message

17. Gemini Man (2019)

Will Smith
Credit: Paramount Pictures

A for effort? Smith pulls double duty in Ang Lee's thriller, playing both Henry, an aging assassin, and his younger clone Junior, who is sent to kill him. Unfortunately, the script doesn't live up to the promise and mostly impressive CGI (the final scene is laughably distracting). But, Smith, like in many of his recent films, does what he can, bringing a real weariness and fatigue to Henry, while delivering an innocence to Junior that we've rarely seen from the actor.

19 of 35

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

20 of 35

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message

16. Spies in Disguise (2019)

Spies in Disguise
Credit: Blue Sky Studios

What a busy 2019 for Smith! In a total coincidence, his three roles from the year land in a row, with the delightful Spies in Disguise taking the spot between Gemini Man and Aladdin. And as much as I loved Smith being a suave super spy in this underrated animated film, getting to watch and hear him as a super spy trapped in a pigeon's body was everything I wanted and needed.

20 of 35

Advertisement
Advertisement

21 of 35

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message

15. Aladdin (2019)

Aladdin5c60d65d98d1c
Credit: Courtesy of Disney

"A little Fresh Prince, little Hitch, and a whole lot of attitude." That is how Will Smith's take on Genie was described more than a year before the film came out. And, honestly, the only thing that could have gotten me more excited was if you threw in "a little Bad Boys." But, even without some Mike Lowrey, Smith put his own spin on Robin Williams' iconic character and made Aladdin fun and entertaining for every second he was onscreen. And, more importantly, Will Smith is rapping again!!

21 of 35

Advertisement
Advertisement
Continued on next slide.
Advertisement

22 of 35

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message

14. Bad Boys II (2003)

BAD BOYS 2, Martin Lawrence, Will Smith, 2003, (c) Columbia/courtesy Everett Collection
Credit: Columbia/Everett Collection

Eight years after first riding and dying together, Smith reunited with Martin Lawrence for Michael Bay's high-octane sequel. Once again, Lawrence gets to be the real comedic star, while Smith is the movie star. The nonstop action doesn't leave much room for Smith to stretch his acting muscles, but the back-and-forth between the two actors is a high point and maybe the most rapport that Smith has ever had with a costar (sorry, Tommy Lee Jones and Jada Pinkett Smith).

22 of 35

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

23 of 35

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message

13. Concussion (2015)

1286100 - Concussion
Credit: Melinda Sue Gordon/Columbia Pictures

"Tell the truth!" Smith's character Bennet Omalu memorably demands of an NFL employee who is denying football's effects on the brain. Well, the truth is that Concussion is a bad movie full of reported inaccuracies that is only watchable because of Smith's understated performance. For once, he isn't sad, funny, or cool; he's determined. And like his past portrayals of real-life figures, the actor earned a Golden Globe nomination for the role.

23 of 35

Advertisement
Advertisement

24 of 35

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message

12. Bad Boys for Life (2020)

Will Smith and Martin Lawrence in 'Bad Boys for Life'
Credit: Ben Rothstein/Columbia

It turns out that Smith is not too old for this s---. Seventeen years after Bad Boys II, Smith finally reunites with Lawrence, as both the actors and characters are forced to face their own mortality. As playboy cop Mike Lowrey, Smith is still as smooth as ever, but multiple twists add new dramatic layers to the performance that weren't present in the first two installments.

24 of 35

Advertisement
Advertisement
Continued on next slide.
Advertisement

25 of 35

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message

11. Six Degrees of Separation (1993)

MSDSIDE EC008
Credit: Everett Collection

Just before Smith catapulted to movie stardom in summer blockbusters, the rapper surprised audiences (and Hollywood!) in a truly dramatic turn, taking on the role of a young, gay con artist. Starring as the shady Paul, Smith plays a character playing a character and he more than holds his own against Ian McKellen, Donald Sutherland, and Stockard Channing, who he says he fell in love with after getting too into character. The one knock against Smith here is his reported refusal to kiss Anthony Michael Hall, on the advice of Denzel Washington, so as to not damage his movie star appeal. (C'mon, 1993.)

25 of 35

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

26 of 35

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message

10. Focus (2015)

Will Smith and Margot Robbie in Focus
Credit: Frank Masi

The return of cool Will Smith! For some reason, after building a career on his charisma and charm, Smith went away from it for basically a decade, opting instead to be sad (Seven Pounds), dark (Winter's Tale), or just straight boring (After Earth). But with Focus, at least very temporarily, Smith became cool again. (Following up with Concussion, Suicide Squad, Collateral Beauty, and Bright is why I say "very temporarily.") Over the years, Smith has had hit-or-miss chemistry with his love interests, but the pairing with Margot Robbie is definitely a hit and initially gave one reason to be optimistic about Suicide Squad.

26 of 35

Advertisement
Advertisement

27 of 35

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message

9. Men in Black (1997)

MEN IN BLACK, Tommy Lee Jones, Will Smith, 1997. (c) Columbia Pictures/ Courtesy: Everett Collection
Credit: Everett Collection

While Bad Boys and Independence Day had Smith trending up, Men in Black is when he officially became a movie star. After Chris O'Donnell and David Schwimmer passed on playing NYPD cop-turned-rookie Agent J, Smith was somehow the next logical choice, turning in a character and performance that neither of the first two choices could have. Whether he's cracking jokes or shouting in both fear and amazement about the presence of aliens, Smith shines bright.

27 of 35

Advertisement
Advertisement
Continued on next slide.
Advertisement

28 of 35

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message

8. Bad Boys (1995)

Martin Lawrence and Will Smith in 'Bad Boys'
Credit: Moviestore/REX/Shutterstock

Arsenio Hall's hilarious mistake is Will Smith's gain as the Fresh Prince gets his first chance to be a big screen leading man. And he makes the most of the opportunity, oozing with swagger as ladies man Detective Mike Lowrey. But just like in the previously discussed sequel, Michael Bay's buddy cop vehicle sets up Martin Lawrence, who was headlining his own sitcom, to be the real star. Don't worry, though, because Smith got the last laugh with Bad Boys kicking off an epic four-year run and setting him up to soon become Hollywood's most bankable star.

28 of 35

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

29 of 35

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message

7. Independence Day (1996)

INDEPENDENCE DAY, Will Smith, 1996, TM and Copyright (c) 20th Century Fox Film Corp. All rights rese
Credit: Everett Collection

No offense to Bill Pullman, Jeff Goldblum, and Randy Quaid, but we kept wishing to go back to Smith, who doesn't show up until 25 minutes into Roland Emmerich's sci-fi classic. While the role of pilot Steven Hiller is just part of an ensemble, Smith is no doubt the true star, dominating every scene he's in and nailing one-liners. "Welcome to Earth," he says after punching an alien. "Now that's what I call a close encounter." Now that's what I call a movie star-making performance.

29 of 35

Advertisement
Advertisement

30 of 35

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message

6. Ali (2001)

Ali (2001)Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith
Credit: Frank Connor/Columbia Pictures

Maybe the greatest compliment that can be paid to Smith's performance as Muhammad Ali is that I can't imagine anyone else playing the boxer. In many of his films, it's hard to see past Will Smith. "Oh, that's just Will Smith with a badge." But here, you just see Ali. And the Academy agreed, giving Smith his first Oscar nomination.

30 of 35

Advertisement
Advertisement
Continued on next slide.
Advertisement

31 of 35

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message

5. King Richard (2021)

KING RICHARD
Credit: Chiabella James/Warner Bros.

For most mega-stars, it's never their best performance that wins them that long-awaited first Oscar (we're looking at you, The Revenant). With King Richard, though, Smith finally took home the Best Actor trophy, thanks to a strong narrative (the Academy loves a narrative!) and a stirring performance as Richard Williams — the undeterred and controversial father of tennis icons Venus and Serena — that raises this film above the traditional sports biopic. Bonus points for pulling off the short shorts!

31 of 35

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

32 of 35

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message

4. Enemy of the State (1998)

Enemy of the StateWILL SMITHCR: LINDA R. CHEN
Credit: Linda R. Chen

It's not often that Smith plays an everyman. His first three lead roles featured him as a badass cop, a badass pilot fighting aliens, and a badass secret agent investigating alien activity. Here, in the underrated gem from director Tony Scott, he's a lawyer who just happened to be at the wrong lingerie store at the wrong time. Not able to just skate on his charisma, Smith excels at being overwhelmed and out of his element. It might seem strange that a performance like this is above Ali, but often times pulling off a smart, action-packed thriller is even tougher than a biopic.

32 of 35

Advertisement
Advertisement

33 of 35

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message

3. I Am Legend (2007)

I Am Legend
Credit: Barry Wetcher/Warner Bros.

Smith has had great chemistry with costars over the years, whether it's Martin Lawrence or Tommy Lee Jones or Margot Robbie, and that streak continues in I Am Legend, even if the chemistry is with a dog and a mannequin. The magnetic actor has given heartbreaking perfomances before, but none like Dr. Robert Neville, who very might be the last man on Earth. During one 10-minute stretch, Smith shows enormous range as he is forced to put his dog down, and then emotionally unleashing on a female mannequin. It's quite possibly the best work of his entire career. Legendary, indeed.

33 of 35

Advertisement
Advertisement
Continued on next slide.
Advertisement

34 of 35

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message

2. Hitch (2005)

HITCH
Credit: Barry Wetcher/Sony Pictures

Disclaimer: I've been accused a time or two of talking too much about Hitch, a.k.a. the greatest rom-com ever made. But it's for good reason! The only full-on rom-com of Smith's career came a few years after the peak of his powers, but still in the midst of his prime, and he gets to perfectly play many versions of the date doctor: charming Hitch, allergic reaction Hitch, flustered Hitch, embarrassed Hitch, nerd Hitch. And it's almost impossible to pick just one scene to highlight; it could be meeting Sara (Eva Mendes) for the first time, or teaching Albert (Kevin James) how to dance, or Hitch and Albert kissing, or the speed dating confrontation. You know what, just go watch the whole movie and fall in love all over again.

34 of 35

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

35 of 35

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message

1. The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)

THE PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS
Credit: Zade Rosenthal/Columbia

It seems fitting that Smith's best and worst performances featured him acting alongside his son, Jaden. As you've noticed, I'm not a big fan of sad Will Smith, but this is the exception to the rule. Throughout the film, he wears his pain on his sleeve, constantly breaking your heart, whether he's giving away his character's last $5 or locked inside a subway bathroom, crying and holding on tight to his sleeping son. The emotional portrayal of unhoused salesperson/aspiring stockbroker Chris Gardner earned Smith his second Oscar nomination.

35 of 35

Advertisement
Advertisement
Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Derek Lawrence

    Share the Gallery

    Pinterest Facebook
    Trending Videos
    Advertisement
    Skip slide summaries

    Everything in This Slideshow

    Advertisement

    View All

    1 of 35 A ranked look back at the film career of this Oscar winner
    2 of 35 34. After Earth (2013)
    3 of 35 33. Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues (2013)
    4 of 35 32. Where the Day Takes You (1992)
    5 of 35 31. The Legend of Bagger Vance (2000)
    6 of 35 30. Shark Tale (2004)
    7 of 35 29. Made in America (1993)
    8 of 35 28. Hancock (2008)
    9 of 35 27. Suicide Squad (2016)
    10 of 35 26. Men in Black II (2002)
    11 of 35 25. I, Robot (2004)
    12 of 35 24. Seven Pounds (2008)
    13 of 35 23. Collateral Beauty (2016)
    14 of 35 22. Wild Wild West (1999)
    15 of 35 21. Jersey Girl (2004)
    16 of 35 20. Winter's Tale (2014)
    17 of 35 19. Men in Black 3 (2012)
    18 of 35 18. Bright (2017)
    19 of 35 17. Gemini Man (2019)
    20 of 35 16. Spies in Disguise (2019)
    21 of 35 15. Aladdin (2019)
    22 of 35 14. Bad Boys II (2003)
    23 of 35 13. Concussion (2015)
    24 of 35 12. Bad Boys for Life (2020)
    25 of 35 11. Six Degrees of Separation (1993)
    26 of 35 10. Focus (2015)
    27 of 35 9. Men in Black (1997)
    28 of 35 8. Bad Boys (1995)
    29 of 35 7. Independence Day (1996)
    30 of 35 6. Ali (2001)
    31 of 35 5. King Richard (2021)
    32 of 35 4. Enemy of the State (1998)
    33 of 35 3. I Am Legend (2007)
    34 of 35 2. Hitch (2005)
    35 of 35 1. The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)

    Share & More

    Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message
    EW.com

    Magazines & More

    Learn More

    • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
    • Advertise this link opens in a new tab
    • Content Licensing this link opens in a new tab
    • Accolades this link opens in a new tab

    Connect

    Subscribe to Our Newsletter
    Meredith© Copyright 2023 Meredith Corporation. Entertainment Weekly is a registered trademark of Meredith Corporation All Rights Reserved. Entertainment Weekly may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
    © Copyright EW.com. All rights reserved. Printed from https://ew.com

    View image

    Every Will Smith film performance, ranked
    this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.