Whenever fans talk about the best and most charismatic actors working today, Jamie Foxx is always on that list. Foxx had his big break back in 1991 in the show In Living in Color. His career really took off in 1996 when The Jamie Foxx Show started. Ever since then, Foxx has not looked back. It is impressive that Foxx has been able to maintain this level of acting ability while also maintaining a rap career that lasted from the 1990s to 2015. The fact that he has been able to successfully juggle two different careers at the same time and excel at them both is quite an accomplishment and speaks to how amazing and talented he is.

Updated June 11, 2023: If you enjoy watching movies from the best talents in Hollywood, you'll be happy to know this article which features some of the best work of actor Jamie Foxx has been updated with additional content.

Foxx has been highly regarded for his box office hits that just seem to keep on coming in. The actor has garnered our attention and respect over his career for being one of the most versatile and best-known actors in Hollywood. He has the ability to go from action to comedy at the snap of a finger. Over the years, Foxx has been in multiple box office hits. The actor was recently hospitalized but has since been in recovery and has plenty of upcoming films set for release, including the comedy film Strays opposite Will Ferrell and has been long attached to a reboot of Spawn. Here are Jamie Foxx's best movies.

10 Any Given Sunday (1999)

Foxx, Pacino, and Quaid in Any Given Sunday (1999)
Warner Bros.

In the hard-hitting sports drama, Any Given Sunday, Foxx fills the shoes of 'Steamin' Willie Beamen, a third-string quarterback unexpectedly thrown into prominence. Beamen grapples with fame's pressures and professional football's complexities as the narrative unfolds. Beamen, an athlete embroiled in inner and outer conflicts, is poignantly brought to life through Foxx's multifaceted performance.

While portraying this character, Foxx showcased his talents in a different role than his previous work and established his dramatic chops. Despite initial mixed reviews, Any Given Sunday garnered a dedicated fan base over the years. Its realistic portrayal of the arduous realities of professional sports, combined with Foxx's riveting performance, has left a lasting impact on subsequent sports films.

9 White House Down (2013)

Jamie Foxx and Channing Tatum in White House Down
Sony Pictures Releasing

Thrillingly captivating, White House Down sees Jamie Foxx taking on the role of President James Sawyer. A perilous scheme forms the film's core, necessitating Foxx's character to join forces with a Capitol Police officer to fend off a malevolent group infiltrating the White House. Foxx impeccably embodies President Sawyer, weaving seriousness and humor with dexterity.

Intense action scenes punctuate the film, yet his comedic timing injects essential brevity. The movie's success was largely accredited to its fiery action and top-notch lead performances. Foxx's depiction of President Sawyer resonated with audiences, further cementing his versatile prowess and influential status in Hollywood.

8 Dreamgirls (2006)

Jamie Foxx in Dreamgirls
Paramount Pictures
DreamWorks Pictures

Dreamgirls, a musical drama set in Detroit, offers a glimpse into the cutthroat music scene of the '60s and '70s. Curtis Taylor Jr., a fiercely ambitious manager portrayed by Jamie Foxx, ushers the girl group, The Dreams into the limelight, all while navigating intricate personal ties and unforgiving business choices. Foxx embodies Curtis with a harmonious blend of potent acting and vocal skills in Dreamgirls. He impressively exercises rhythmic control and emotive nuances in songs like Steppin' to the Bad Side and Family. His portrayal infuses Curtis with a rich depth, marking him as a man torn between personal ambitions and professional commitments.

Related: Every Movie Musical to Ever Win Best Picture, Ranked

Earning widespread acclaim upon release, Dreamgirls captivated audiences and critics alike. The film, greatly elevated by Foxx's nuanced performance, garnered eight nominations for different prestigious awards. His portrayal of Curtis significantly contributed to the film's timeless legacy, painting a heartfelt narrative of music, fame, and affection.

7 Ray (2004)

Jamie Foxx as Ray Charles Robinson in Ray (2004)
Universal Pictures

Trying to tell the story of one of the most influential and amazing musicians of all time is one thing, but doing it so amazingly and with such grace is a whole different animal. That was what Foxx was tasked with as he took on the role of the man himself, Ray Charles, in Ray. The story of Charles' life is one of the more amazing stories that doesn't get talked about enough. From growing up in poverty in Florida to not being allowed to play in Georgia due to refusing to play in a segregated venue while also dealing with a heroin addiction, Charles still became one of the most successful and legendary musicians in history.

Foxx was able to capture all of this in his performance, eventually winning the Academy Award for Best Actor. It goes to show how great the actor's career is that even the movie in which he won an Oscar ranks behind six other films.

6 Miami Vice (2006)

Jamie Foxx and Colin Farrell in Miami Vice 
Universal Pictures
United International Pictures

Thrilling and fast-paced, Miami Vice originates from the directing prowess of Michael Mann. This crime thriller splashed onto cinema screens in July 2006. This movie is a chic reinterpretation of the 80's television classic of the same name, soaked in neon-noir hues, injecting fresh momentum into the police drama genre.

Detective Ricardo Tubbs was brought to life by Jamie Foxx. The undercover agent navigates Miami's drug trafficking vortex, personifying a character imbued with resilience and tenacity. Tubbs was played with poised intensity by Foxx, skillfully treading the perilous dangers of his line of work, all the while exuding an effortless aloofness. Foxx's portrayal in Miami Vice enriches the film with credibility and seriousness. Tubbs' complex character represented by Foxx heightened the overall cinematic impact, his performance lured audiences further into the high-stakes world of undercover operations, making it an intensely captivating film to watch.

5 Baby Driver (2017)

Jon Hamm, Jamie Foxx, Eiza González  and Ansel Elgort standing in an elevator in Baby Driver.
Sony Pictures Releasing

Foxx channels his inner henchman in this role as Bats in the thrilling movie Baby Driver by acclaimed director Edgar Wright. While Foxx isn't the main character of this movie, fans remember how intense and scary his character was throughout the movie. Bats is working for a man nicknamed Doc, who runs a criminal crew that tries to commit as many robberies as possible. Foxx's character is terrifying, charming, and all-around cool. Foxx's role shows there is no such thing as a small part.

4 Collateral (2004)

Tom Cruise and Jamie Foxx in Collateral (2004)
DreamWorks Pictures
Paramount Pictures

Engrossing audiences in 2004, Collateral is another noteworthy thriller directed by Michael Mann. An absorbing narrative and sterling performances characterize the film. Mainly based in the city of Los Angeles, starring Tom Cruise as a villain, the narrative unwraps over a single night, unearthing the city's darkest aspects and bleakest corners. Foxx steps into the shoes of Max, a mild-mannered cab driver propelled into a lethal situation.

Max's overnight odyssey is fraught with suspense and drama, Foxx masterfully painting a vivid portrait of an average individual stuck in an extraordinary predicament. Max's depiction by Foxx showcases his adaptable acting flair. Foxx infuses his character with an impactful sense of realism, inviting viewers to resonate profoundly with Max's tribulations. His adeptness in infusing depth and realism into his character is a strong indicator of Foxx's standing as one of Hollywood's finest actors.

3 Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)

Jamie Foxx as Electro in Spider-Man: No Way Home
Sony Pictures Releasing

The biggest box office hit of 2021 brought Foxx’s role of Maxwell Dillon/ Electro back from The Amazing Spider-Man 2, as the MCU sought to bring back some characters from movies in past Spider-Man franchises for Spider-Man: No Way Home. With the help of Doctor Strange, Peter Parker accidentally opened up his world to the Multiverse. Thus, Foxx's Electro and several other villains were back.

Related: Every Live Action Spider-Man Villain, Ranked

Spider-Man: No Way Home is a great Spider-Man film that celebrates the characters' rich cinematic history by not only bringing back many classic villains but also both Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield to reprise their roles as previous Peter Parker. It was a movie that took the world by storm, and it was great to see Foxx get the chance to really shine as Electro, as fans always knew he could.

2 Soul (2020)

Jamie Foxx as Joe Gardner in Soul (2020)
Walt Disney Studios
 

Foxx takes on the voice role of Joe Gardner in Pixar's Soul, a pianist and music teacher in New York City who feels unfulfilled in his life up until this point. Throughout the film, Joe is trying to feel fulfilled while also helping 22 realize that she wants to be on Earth. The movie shows Joe that even after his big break into the music industry, he still isn’t as fulfilled and happy as he thought he would be. This feeling came from helping 22 realize her purpose and desire to be on Earth.

Soul is a heartwarming film and is currently Foxx's highest-rated film on Rotten Tomatoes. It is an example that Pixar still has not lost its magic touch and that Foxx is as great a voice actor as he is a screen performer.

1 Django Unchained (2012)

Jamie Foxx smoking a cigarette in Django Unchained
The Weinstein Company
Columbia Pictures

No list of Foxx’s top movies would be complete without adding his titular role in Quentin Tarantino's Django Unchained. In a star-studded cast, Foxx was still able to stand out as a formerly enslaved man who is searching for his wife, Broomhilda (Kerry Washington), after she is sold off. Django is assisted by bounty hunter King Schultz. Once Foxx is able to get his wife back, Django frees all the other enslaved people that were being held captive at the home where Broomhilda was forced to serve.

Foxx really shows off his versatility in this movie in what has become one of his most legendary performances. The fact that fans remember his performance, particularly when the ensemble cast features the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio and Samuel L. Jackson, is remarkable and speaks to the talent that Foxx has.