Denzel Washington is an Academy Award-winning actor who has had one of the most successful careers in history. At the same time, he is an accomplished director and producer. Every role that he takes on, Washington completely transforms into his character, physically and emotionally. He has a charisma that is unmatchable, and he is a thrill to watch every minute that he is on-screen. Washington has received several awards throughout his career, including the Cecil B DeMille Lifetime Achievement Award. His career has spanned across several decades, and he had a series of great films in the 1990s.

Washington was born in Mount Vernon, New York and earned a BA in Drama and Journalism from Fordham University. His acting career began in theater, but he made his screen acting debut in the television film Wilma. He played Dr. Phillip Chandler in St. Elsewhere and continued to work in television. Washington won his first Academy Award for his brilliant supporting performance in Glory. Throughout the 1990s, Washington delivered several fine performances. Let's look at the best ones, ranked.

7 The Bone Collector

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Universal Pictures 

Phillip Noyce's The Bone Collector was an entertaining thriller starring Washington and Angelina Jolie. Washington plays a quadriplegic forensics expert named Lincoln Rhyme, who helps his partner (Jolie) track down a serial killer. Washington portrays a man who finds the will to live through his work. At the same time, he portrays the hopelessness of the situation that he is in. His chemistry with Jolie was top-notch, and Washington created an honest and highly emotional character.

Related: Best Angelina Jolie Movies from the 90s, Ranked

6 Crimson Tide

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Buena Vista Pictures

Tony Scott's Crimson Tide follows a First Officer (Washington) who clashes with his Captain (played by Gene Hackman) on a US submarine. Washington plays an educated and intelligent Commander, and his conflict with Hackman's character was thrilling to watch. Washington was completely believable as a submarine Commander, and he embodied his character from beginning to end. The conflict and tension between Hackman and Washington was brilliant and very entertaining to watch.

5 The Pelican Brief

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Warner Bros 

The Pelican Brief is a fantastic legal thriller based on the novel of the same name. The film follows a law student, played by Julia Roberts, who works to uncover the assassination of two Supreme Court justices with reporter Gray Grantham (Washington). Roberts and Washington work very well together, and Washington was completely convincing as an established reporter. He portrays the intelligence and passion of his character every minute that he is on-screen. Washington gives a fantastic dramatic performance as a careerist looking for justice.

4 He Got Game

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Buena Vista Pictures

Spike Lee wrote and directed this sports drama starring Denzel Washington and Ray Allen. He Got Game follows the incarcerated father (Washington) who is released from prison to convince his basketball prodigy son (Allen) to play for the governor's alma mater. Washington gives a brilliant performance as an intense and flawed father who takes his son's training too far. The conflict between Washington and Allen is the core of the movie, and Washington is entertaining from beginning to end. This film continued the top-notch collaboration between Lee and Washington.

Related: Here's Why We Could Watch Spike Lee’s Movies Forever

3 The Hurricane

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Universal Pictures

In the boxing drama The Hurricane, Washington plays boxer Rubin "The Hurricane" Carter, who is wrongly convicted of murder. The film follows his years of struggles to be released from prison. Washington is brilliant from beginning to end as a desperate man who refuses to give in to his situation. He delivers a very physical and emotional performance, and he took home a Golden Globe for Best Actor. His performance brings out several emotions, but he is unquestionably an inspiration.

2 Philadelphia

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TriStar Pictures

Jonathan Demme's brilliant courtroom drama Philadelphia follows an attorney, Andrew Beckett (Tom Hanks), who sues his employers after he is fired for having AIDS. Washington plays a smart and fierce attorney, Joe Miller, who helps Hanks' character get justice. Washington's chemistry with Tom Hanks was top-notch, and we watch as Miller becomes more and more sympathetic to Beckett's situation. Washington portrays an unconventional lawyer who is filled with passion and charisma. The film is brilliant and gives an honest portrayal of the tragic AIDS crisis in the 1990s.

1 Malcolm X

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Warner Bros.

Washington's performance as Malcolm X is considered by many to be his best. He completely embodies the persona and passion of Malcolm X, and he unquestionably was the perfect actor to play this iconic figure in history. Washington's performance was a complete transformation, and he proved, once again, that the collaboration between him and Lee is one of the best in Hollywood. Washington earned an Academy Award nomination for his brilliant performance.