Best and worst Will Smith movies

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March 9, 2022
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Best and worst Will Smith movies

Will Smith started as a rapper in the duo DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince, winning a Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance. He got his first major film role in "Bad Boys" while starring on the hit TV sitcom "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air." Shortly after, "Independence Day" and "Men in Black" made him a superstar and one of the most bankable Hollywood actors of all time. Smith epitomizes the successful crossover artist who dominates television, music, and movies with a celebrity persona that combines distinct charisma with undeniable talent. Smith's not known for acting as much as he is for inhabiting characters and imbuing them with the winning attributes of the Smith personality: wit and affability, even within tension and hardship.

Smith has been nominated for Best Actor at the Academy Awards three times, and has walked away empty-handed twice. He was nominated in 2002 for his depiction as the greatest boxer of all time in "Ali" but lost the trophy to Denzel Washington, who won for "Training Day." He was nominated a second time in 2007 for "The Pursuit of Happyness," losing the Academy Award to Forest Whitaker, who claimed the Oscar for "The Last King of Scotland." Both of these nominations were for roles where he played real-life characters: the legendary Muhammad Ali and entrepreneur Chris Gardner. Whether he wins his third nomination, for his eponymous role as the father of tennis superstars Venus and Serena Williams in "King Richard," will be determined at the 2022 Oscars ceremony.

Smith doesn't always win with critics. He often appears in formulaic genre films, and when he branches into dramas as with "Concussion" or "Collateral Beauty," he takes a hit in reviews. Smith's movies are known for their huge box office receipts, and sometimes dismal reviews, as with "Hancock," the superhero film popular with fans, but panned by critics. Smith's likability and humor seem to transcend critical opinion. Fans flock to franchises like "Men in Black" and "Bad Boys," and science fiction action films like Netflix's "Bright," which was popular despite its bad reviews. Occasionally, Smith's appeared in notable flops, like "Wild Wild West" (which ") and "After Earth." However, both films were profitable worldwide, though still considered financial disappointments. Nevertheless, Smith's effortless charisma shows up onscreen in a warmth that conveys depth and goodness, and humor with soul.

麻豆原创 compiled data on feature films starring Will Smith and ranked these films according to their IMDb user rating, with ties broken by the number of votes. Cameos, uncredited roles, and production credits without acting roles were not considered.

Read on to find out the best and worst Will Smith movies.

#31. After Earth (2013)

- Director: M. Night Shyamalan
- 麻豆原创 score: 56.3
- Metascore: 33
- IMDb user rating: 4.8
- Runtime: 100 minutes

鈥淎fter Earth鈥 wasn鈥檛 a financial disaster, but it was considered under-performing. Critics skewered M. Night Shyamalan鈥檚 sci-fi adventure, which pairs Smith with son Jaden in their second film together鈥攁gain, as a father-son duo鈥攁s they crash land on a harsh and inhospitable Earth. Smith called 鈥淎fter Earth鈥 the and 鈥渆xcruciating鈥 even more so because it involved his son.

#30. Wild Wild West (1999)

- Director: Barry Sonnenfeld
- 麻豆原创 score: 60.4
- Metascore: 38
- IMDb user rating: 4.9
- Runtime: 106 minutes

This adaptation of a 1960s television series remains one of the most expensive flops of all time and is still considered a major disappointment despite garnering a meager profit worldwide. 鈥淲ild Wild West鈥 seemed a brazen attempt to repeat the blockbuster formula that succeeded with 鈥淢en in Black.鈥 This steampunk action Western featured the same director and the same movie star. Smith produced an original rap song for the movie just as he had for 鈥淢en in Black.鈥 The song 鈥淲ild Wild West鈥 was a pop chart hit, but Smith鈥檚 cowboy charm couldn鈥檛 elevate the film.

#29. Collateral Beauty (2016)

- Director: David Frankel
- 麻豆原创 score: 63.2
- Metascore: 23
- IMDb user rating: 6.8
- Runtime: 97 minutes

Critics flayed this drama that personifies Love, Death, and Time, but audiences responded positively. Smith plays a grieving father who interacts with the archetypes after they鈥檙e deployed in a scheme to mark him as an unfit exec. Instead, he鈥檚 healed. Smith鈥檚 performance recalls his role in the earlier 鈥淪even Pounds,鈥 another film about extreme grief where audiences connected to Smith鈥檚 rendition of sorrow and redemption despite an implausible plot.

#28. Bright (2017)

- Director: David Ayer
- 麻豆原创 score: 63.9
- Metascore: 29
- IMDb user rating: 6.3
- Runtime: 117 minutes

鈥淏right鈥 was one of Netflix鈥檚 most expensive films, , and starting the streaming service鈥檚 trend toward huge budget films starring major movie stars. Critics weren鈥檛 impressed, but Netflix execs suggested that 鈥.鈥 Audiences were undoubtedly drawn in by Smith鈥檚 celebrity.

#27. Gemini Man (2019)

- Director: Ang Lee
- 麻豆原创 score: 66.0
- Metascore: 38
- IMDb user rating: 5.7
- Runtime: 117 minutes

"Gemini Man" uses the digital process known as "de-aging" to present Smith's character at his real age, and also at the age of his younger clone, Junior. Smith portrays both characters, with the young clone performed via motion capture. Visually, Junior has a startling look, both surreal and bizarre. "Gemini Man" was a massive critical and financial flop, grossing , and garnering a reported loss .

#26. Spies in Disguise (2019)

- Directors: Nick Bruno, Troy Quane
- 麻豆原创 score: 68.5
- Metascore: 54
- IMDb user rating: 6.8
- Runtime: 102 minutes

From the animation studio responsible for the 鈥淚ce Age鈥 franchise comes this animated film, which packs an all-star voice-acting cast alongside Smith including Tom Holland, Rashida Jones, Ben Mendelsohn, Reba McEntire, Rachel Brosnahan, and DJ Khaled. Smith stars as a secret agent who inadvertently gets transformed into a pigeon and must work with a young scientist to foil an evil tech mastermind鈥檚 plans and recover his human body. 鈥淪pies in Disguise鈥 received lukewarm reviews from critics and audiences alike, but generally .

#25. Suicide Squad (2016)

- Director: David Ayer
- 麻豆原创 score: 68.8
- Metascore: 40
- IMDb user rating: 5.9
- Runtime: 123 minutes

Smith plays the assassin Deadshot and brings characteristic charm to the role in this action-packed film, managing to be a cold-blooded killer and wisecracking good dad at the same time. Smith tentpole film over an offer to do the 鈥淚ndependence Day鈥 redux, explaining that he wanted to go forward and do something new.

#24. Made in America (1993)

- Director: Richard Benjamin
- 麻豆原创 score: 69.4
- Metascore: 49
- IMDb user rating: 5.1
- Runtime: 111 minutes

Smith has a small part in this comedy about artificial insemination starring Whoopi Goldberg as the mom of a young Black woman (Nia Long) who discovers her sperm donor dad is a white guy (Ted Danson). Smith provides scene-stealing comic relief in this supporting role early in his film career.

#23. Bad Boys for Life (2020)

- Directors: Adil El Arbi, Bilall Fallah
- 麻豆原创 score: 69.7
- Metascore: 59
- IMDb user rating: 6.5
- Runtime: 124 minutes

The third installment in the 鈥淏ad Boys鈥 franchise starring Smith and Martin Lawrence came 17 years after the second, and smashed box office records, grossing over  worldwide and becoming the highest-grossing film in the series. The critical and box office success of 鈥淏ad Boys for Life鈥 has paved the way for a , which is reportedly already in the works.

#22. Bad Boys II (2003)

- Director: Michael Bay
- 麻豆原创 score: 72.2
- Metascore: 38
- IMDb user rating: 6.6
- Runtime: 147 minutes

By the release of this sequel, Smith and director Michael Bay were huge Hollywood names, and the first "Bad Boys" had started their launch to superstardom. This movie follows the first one's formula: drug dealers run explosively amok in Miami and bad boy cops, Smith and Martin Lawrence, bust them. Critics hated it, but the sequel what the first made worldwide, despite seeming a rote imitation.

#21. Shark Tale (2004)

- Directors: Bibo Bergeron, Vicky Jenson, Rob Letterman
- 麻豆原创 score: 75.0
- Metascore: 48
- IMDb user rating: 6.0
- Runtime: 90 minutes

Smith voices a little fish, Oscar, who falsely claims to have slain a shark in this animated family film. Oscar appears with Smith鈥檚 signatures: jutting ears and a tendency for one-liners. The story takes place in an undersea land that seems a market nod to an audience鈥檚 taste for 鈥淔inding Nemo鈥-style universes. Like many films in Smith鈥檚 canon, 鈥淪hark Tale鈥 was both a hit with audiences and a dud with critics.

#20. Bad Boys (1995)

- Director: Michael Bay
- 麻豆原创 score: 75.7
- Metascore: 41
- IMDb user rating: 6.8
- Runtime: 119 minutes

The action film 鈥淏ad Boys鈥 was director Michael Bay鈥檚 first film, and his lavish, kinetic film style is on full tilt. The Miami cop, Mike, was also Smith鈥檚 first leading role, with Martin Lawrence as his buddy cop partner as they face off with drug dealers. Smith鈥檚 talent shines as a part of Bay鈥檚 elaborate, bombastic action style of slow motion, extreme angles, gliding camerawork, where explosions punctuate wisecracks.

#19. Men in Black II (2002)

- Director: Barry Sonnenfeld
- 麻豆原创 score: 76.4
- Metascore: 49
- IMDb user rating: 6.1
- Runtime: 88 minutes

Critics weren鈥檛 impressed with this franchise sequel, but the formula worked for fans, who made it a box office success. The second 鈥淢en in Black鈥 film reunites the major players in familiar scenarios. Smith鈥檚 comic riffs play off Tommy Lee Jones鈥 stoniness alongside the customary spectacle of CGI aliens.

#18. Seven Pounds (2008)

- Director: Gabriele Muccino
- 麻豆原创 score: 77.8
- Metascore: 36
- IMDb user rating: 7.6
- Runtime: 123 minutes

this redemption drama for its implausible sentimentality, but fans fell for it. The film grossed over , making it a winning box office performance for Smith. 鈥淪even Pounds鈥 opens with Smith鈥檚 character announcing his suicide to a 911 operator, and continues in flashbacks moving toward the mushy, unpleasant, death-by-jellyfish finale. Smith鈥檚 appeal emerges in dramatic scenes that show the actor鈥檚 charm moves beyond comedy and action.

#17. Hancock (2008)

- Director: Peter Berg
- 麻豆原创 score: 78.5
- Metascore: 49
- IMDb user rating: 6.4
- Runtime: 92 minutes

Smith's affable persona goes against that of his as the superhero Hancock. Here, he's a depressed alcoholic convict in a role that still displays the actor's charm, despite the premise that he's an immortal with special powers who needs help with his image鈥攄etails that contribute to an "." Charlize Theron plays his ex-wife and fellow immortal, but the potential progress of an interracial relationship gets thwarted by obstacles in the couple's path, such as losing superpowers if they're together and the fact that her husband, Jason Bateman, is his PR guy. As with many Smith action vehicles, "Hancock" was a box office success and critical flop.

#16. The Legend of Bagger Vance (2000)

- Director: Robert Redford
- 麻豆原创 score: 79.2
- Metascore: 47
- IMDb user rating: 6.7
- Runtime: 126 minutes

This film鈥檚 starkly offensive representational politics have not aged well鈥攊t鈥檚 become a benchmark example of the 鈥溾 trope. Robert Redford directed this sentimental sports film that stars Matt Damon as a white golfer and Smith as the mystical figure who offers him advice on the game without need for credit or compensation.

#15. Focus (2015)

- Directors: Glenn Ficarra, John Requa
- 麻豆原创 score: 84.7
- Metascore: 56
- IMDb user rating: 6.6
- Runtime: 105 minutes

鈥淔ocus鈥 notably cast Smith opposite white actress Margot Robbie in a love story that didn鈥檛 openly address race in its story of an outlaw and his prot茅g茅. The film  but garnered results while being one of the .

#14. Aladdin (2019)

- Director: Guy Ritchie
- 麻豆原创 score: 84.7
- Metascore: 53
- IMDb user rating: 6.9
- Runtime: 128 minutes

Smith was able to win over audiences in the role of the genie, made famously beloved by Robin Williams in the animated feature. Smith manages to charm, as usual, despite his blue body makeup and genie-fied features. Smith brings a sweet festivity to the part, and the film鈥檚 highlight is his lengthy, colorful musical number, which starts with the actor sporting a delightfully enormous turban. The credit sequence features a 鈥溾 rendition of 鈥淔riend Like Me.鈥

#13. King Richard (2021)

- Director: Reinaldo Marcus Green
- 麻豆原创 score: 84.8
- Metascore: 76
- IMDb user rating: 7.5
- Runtime: 144 minutes

鈥淜ing Richard鈥 is a biopic centering around legendary sisters Venus and Serena Williams鈥 early tennis careers and their relationship with their father and coach, Richard Williams, played by Smith. Serena and Venus were on the film, while Smith both produced and starred. The film was nominated for five Oscars, including a Best Actor nod for Smith, as well as Best Picture and Best Supporting Actress (for Aunjanue Ellis, who plays the mother of Serena and Venus).

#12. Hitch (2005)

- Director: Andy Tennant
- 麻豆原创 score: 86.8
- Metascore: 58
- IMDb user rating: 6.7
- Runtime: 118 minutes

As Hitch, Smith is a love guru talking to the camera, directly addressing the audience as a smooth talker who knows romance. Smith pairs with actress Eva Mendes, a Cuban American, reportedly cast due to producer fears around the race of the leading man's love interest. Smith commented on the "" that audiences don't want to see two Black actors in a mainstream rom-com.

#11. Concussion (2015)

- Director: Peter Landesman
- 麻豆原创 score: 87.5
- Metascore: 55
- IMDb user rating: 7.1
- Runtime: 123 minutes

Considered a flop for barely recouping its budget, 鈥淐oncussion鈥 stars Smith as real-life Dr. Bennet Omalu, who discovered the effects of concussions sustained playing football. Smith sported to transform into the Nigerian scientist. He also studied dialect, though his . Still, Smith manages to infuse the performance with convincing gravitas.

#10. Men in Black 3 (2012)

- Director: Barry Sonnenfeld
- 麻豆原创 score: 87.5
- Metascore: 58
- IMDb user rating: 6.8
- Runtime: 106 minutes

Director Barry Sonnenfeld while filming the second installment. In the third movie, Smith鈥檚 Agent J travels back in time to save his partner (Tommy Lee Jones). 鈥淢IB3鈥 was , nearly matching the returns of the first two films. The familiar, easy chemistry between Smith鈥檚 quipster and Jones鈥 straight man kept the franchise audience entertained, though a decade had passed between entries.

#9. Independence Day (1996)

- Director: Roland Emmerich
- 麻豆原创 score: 89.6
- Metascore: 59
- IMDb user rating: 7.0
- Runtime: 145 minutes

鈥淚ndependence Day鈥 inaugurated a new era of tentpole summer blockbusters, films where audiences reliably flock to opening day screenings across the nation. 鈥淚ndependence Day鈥 premiered on the holiday weekend in which it is set, setting in motion a collectively experienced cultural event in which going to the movie was linked to patriotism. In a supporting role, Smith gave a major star turn as a marine fighter pilot who, in a memorable scene, clocks an alien and then quips, 鈥淲elcome to Earth.鈥

#8. Where the Day Takes You (1992)

- Director: Marc Rocco
- 麻豆原创 score: 90.3
- Metascore: 64
- IMDb user rating: 6.6
- Runtime: 105 minutes

This little-known arthouse film features an all-star cast. Most of the actors in this drama about street teens in gritty Los Angeles became famous. Smith was already a Grammy winner with a hit sitcom, 鈥淭he Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,鈥 who鈥檚 joined by Dermot Mulroney, Lara Flynn Boyle, Sean Astin, James LeGros, Ricki Lake, an uncredited Christian Slater, and others.

#7. I, Robot (2004)

- Director: Alex Proyas
- 麻豆原创 score: 90.3
- Metascore: 59
- IMDb user rating: 7.1
- Runtime: 115 minutes

Smith's in "I, Robot" appears in several shirtless weightlifting sequences. Director Alex Proyas, known for striking neo-noir visuals, gives gritty familiarity to this futuristic sci-fi story about a cop (who has cyborg parts himself) prejudiced against robots. The artificial intelligence plot lacked depth, despite Smith's popcorn-ready heroics.

#6. Ali (2001)

- Director: Michael Mann
- 麻豆原创 score: 91.7
- Metascore: 65
- IMDb user rating: 6.7
- Runtime: 157 minutes

Smith鈥檚 physique underwent to embody legendary boxer Muhammad Ali. His celebrity persona as a comedic action star also transformed into serious actor status鈥攖his was Smith鈥檚 first dramatic leading role after a series of action films and blockbusters. He was nominated for a Best Actor Oscar, but lost to Denzel Washington in 鈥淭raining Day.鈥 This was the two Black actors were nominated for the Best Actor Oscar in the same year.

#5. I Am Legend (2007)

- Director: Francis Lawrence
- 麻豆原创 score: 95.1
- Metascore: 65
- IMDb user rating: 7.2
- Runtime: 101 minutes

Smith plays the last man on Earth in this mega-blockbuster that seemed to . Released just prior to President Barack Obama鈥檚 election, Smith plays a scientist who finds the cure for a virus that turned the bulk of humanity into zombies.

#4. Six Degrees of Separation (1993)

- Director: Fred Schepisi
- 麻豆原创 score: 97.2
- Metascore: 72
- IMDb user rating: 6.8
- Runtime: 112 minutes

In this arthouse hit, Smith plays a young, gay scam artist who tricks wealthy white people into believing he鈥檚 Sidney Poitier鈥檚 son and an Ivy League friend of their children. Arguably, Smith was a 鈥渟on鈥 to Poitier鈥檚 legacy as a . The film was released during Smith鈥檚 stretch on the TV sitcom 鈥淭he Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.鈥 鈥淪ix Degrees of Separation鈥 calls attention to widespread implicit racial bias around the identities of Black men. While the character Paul cannot transcend social injustice, Smith emerged as a cultural force, a representative of Black masculinity who refuses and belies stereotypes while working within one of their most overt systems鈥攖he entertainment industry.

#3. Enemy of the State (1998)

- Director: Tony Scott
- 麻豆原创 score: 97.2
- Metascore: 67
- IMDb user rating: 7.3
- Runtime: 132 minutes

This turn-of-the-millennium action drama about surveillance in the digital age co-stars Gene Hackman in a role that hearkens back to his iconic turn as analog surveillance expert Harry Caul in 1974鈥檚 鈥淭he Conversation.鈥 Smith plays a framed patsy whose life gets destroyed when an old friend plants an incriminating disc on him. The film follows a high-stakes game of cat-and-mouse as the mafia and NSA agents descend upon the two. Smith is an everyman (cracking one-liners when it gets tense) who just wants to clear his name.

#2. The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)

- Director: Gabriele Muccino
- 麻豆原创 score: 100
- Metascore: 64
- IMDb user rating: 8.0
- Runtime: 117 minutes

Smith stars with his son Jaden in the younger Smith's first film role in this drama about a down-on-his-luck salesman struggling to land a coveted stockbroker position while homeless. Smith was nominated for a Best Actor Oscar for his earnest performance as the poverty-stricken single dad in this tearjerker. Smith performs with heartbreaking sincerity in a true story that presents the idea that hard work pays off鈥攚hich comes across as fantastical and sentimental despite the film's realistic bent.

#1. Men in Black (1997)

- Director: Barry Sonnenfeld
- 麻豆原创 score: 100
- Metascore: 71
- IMDb user rating: 7.3
- Runtime: 98 minutes

Smith stars (with Tommy Lee Jones as his sidekick) in this worldwide blockbuster that catapulted the actor and rapper to superstardom. Smith also performed the film鈥檚 theme song, 鈥淢en in Black,鈥 which won a Grammy for Best Rap Solo Performance. Madcap visuals of alien mayhem give the film wit, upheld by the 鈥済alaxy defenders,鈥 and Smith鈥檚 effortless feel-good brand of cool.

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