What is the best movie directed by Antoine Fuqua?

From Oscar-winning crime dramas to historical epics and blockbuster action, Fuqua's filmography spans two decades of bold, intense cinema — often anchored by unforgettable leading performances. Which one takes the top spot?

1

Training Day

A gritty 2001 crime thriller starring Denzel Washington and Ethan Hawke as LAPD narcotics officers, earning Washington an Academy Award for Best Actor.

2

The Equalizer

A 2014 action thriller starring Denzel Washington as a retired black-ops operative who uses his skills to exact justice against the Russian mob.

3

The Equalizer 2

The 2018 sequel reuniting Denzel Washington with Fuqua, marking the first time Washington starred in a sequel to one of his own films.

4

The Equalizer 3

The 2023 concluding chapter of the Equalizer trilogy, following Robert McCall as he finds peace in southern Italy before confronting the local Camorra.

5

Southpaw

A 2015 boxing drama starring Jake Gyllenhaal as a champion fighter who must rebuild his life after a personal tragedy, featuring a powerful performance and intense fight sequences.

6

Tears of the Sun

A 2003 military action film starring Bruce Willis as a Navy SEAL ordered to rescue an American doctor in war-torn Nigeria, exploring moral duty and sacrifice.

7

King Arthur

A 2004 historical epic reimagining the Arthurian legend with a more historically grounded take, starring Clive Owen and Keira Knightley.

8

Shooter

A 2007 action thriller starring Mark Wahlberg as a retired Marine sniper framed for a presidential assassination attempt, forced to go on the run.

9

Brooklyn's Finest

A 2009 crime drama following three unconnected New York City police officers whose lives intersect in the Brooklyn drug wars, starring Richard Gere, Don Cheadle, and Ethan Hawke.

10

The Magnificent Seven

A 2016 remake of the classic Western, starring Denzel Washington and Chris Pratt as a diverse group of gunslingers defending a mining town against a ruthless industrialist.

11

Emancipation

A 2022 historical drama starring Will Smith as a runaway slave navigating the dangerous Louisiana bayous to escape bondage, based on the story of the famous 'Whipped Peter' photograph.

12

Michael

A 2026 musical biopic following Michael Jackson from his rise with The Jackson 5 to his global superstardom, starring his nephew Jaafar Jackson.

13

Bait

Fuqua's 2000 action comedy debut starring Jamie Foxx as a small-time criminal used as bait by federal agents to catch a master thief.

14

The Guilty

A 2021 Netflix thriller starring Jake Gyllenhaal as a demoted 911 operator who races against time to save a caller in danger, filmed in a single location.