We wouldn’t be overstating it to say that Samuel L. Jackson is one of the most recognizable actors in Hollywood. With his striking looks, charisma, and deep voice, he has become a legend in global cinema, with a career spanning several decades. We’ve compiled a list of the ten best Samuel L. Jackson films that are sure to appeal to any movie enthusiast.
Content
- Pulp Fiction
- A West Wing Special to Benefit When We All Vote
- The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey
- The Hateful Eight
- Kingsman: The Secret Service
- Captain America: The Winter Soldier
- Die Hard with a Vengeance
- Jackie Brown
- A Time to Kill
- Fresh
Pulp Fiction
IMDb: 8.9/10
1994, Crime, Drama
USA, R
Director: Quentin Tarantino
Top Cast: John Travolta, Uma Thurman, Samuel L. Jackson
The iconic film by Quentin Tarantino stuns with its action and thought-provoking dialogues. Two gangsters, Vincent Vega and Jules Winnfield (Samuel L. Jackson), ponder the meaning of existence during brief breaks from collecting debts for their boss. The storyline is divided into several parts: in the first, Vincent spends an unforgettable evening with Marcellus’s wife, Mia; in the second, Marcellus hires boxer Butch Coolidge to serve his interests; and in the third, the partners find themselves in serious trouble.
A West Wing Special to Benefit When We All Vote
IMDb: 8.5/10
2020, Drama
USA, TV Special
Director: Thomas Schlamme
Top Cast: Samuel L. Jackson, Allison Janney, Bradley Whitford
A West Wing Special to Benefit When We All Vote is not a full-fledged movie but a special episode of the series The West Wing. It is also not a new episode, but a theatrical production based on the events of one of the episodes from the show’s third season. This special episode was released with a single goal: to encourage citizens to vote in the elections.
The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey
IMDb: 7.8/10
2022, Drama
USA, TV-MA
Director: Ramin Bahrani, Debbie Allen
Top Cast: Samuel L. Jackson, Dominique Fishback, Cynthia Kaye McWilliams
“Ptolemy Grey” is living a life many fear. At 90 years old, he has been forgotten by both family and friends. To make matters worse, he doesn’t even have a guardian to take care of him. One day, the elderly man meets Robin, a teenage orphan who ends up caring for him. The fortunate coincidences don’t stop there. Later, Grey is offered an experimental treatment that could temporarily restore his lost memories. Ptolemy immediately agrees, hoping to investigate the mysterious death of his nephew.
The Hateful Eight
IMDb: 7.8/10
2015, Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller, Western
USA, R
Director: Quentin Tarantino
Top Cast: Samuel L. Jackson, Kurt Russell, Jennifer Jason Leigh
The Hateful Eight takes us to post-Civil War America. The brutal and bloodthirsty John Ruth is escorting a prisoner. Along the long journey, two other travelers join them. Due to an unexpected snowstorm, they are forced to find shelter. They take refuge in a haberdashery, where a general, a Mexican, and a cowboy are already present. However, one of them is not who they claims to be.
Kingsman: The Secret Service
IMDb: 7.7/10
2014, Action, Adventure, Comedy, Thriller
UK, USA, R
Director: Matthew Vaughn
Top Cast: Colin Firth, Taron Egerton, Samuel L. Jackson
Eggsy is highly intelligent and has strong nerves, proven by his successful service in the Marine Corps. With such qualities, he could have achieved a lot, but he chose a different path and became a petty criminal. Fate brings him together with Harry Hart, an agent of a secret independent organization. The agent offers Eggsy a chance to train and become a new member of their team. In this film, Samuel L. Jackson plays an eccentric billionaire and the main antagonist.
Captain America: The Winter Soldier
IMDb: 7.7/10
2014, Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi, Thriller
USA, PG-13
Director: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo
Top Cast: Chris Evans, Samuel L. Jackson, Scarlett Johansson
Captain America achieves the impossible — he brings together a team of superheroes. Just as the Avengers manage to unite, Nick Fury, played by Samuel L. Jackson, needs their help. Moreover, events are unfolding that threaten a global catastrophe.
Die Hard with a Vengeance
IMDb: 7.6/10
1995, Action, Adventure, Thriller
USA, R
Director: John McTiernan
Top Cast: Bruce Willis, Jeremy Irons, Samuel L. Jackson
In the heart of New York City, a bomb explodes. It was set off by a terrorist who neither demands money nor makes political statements. His sole aim is to play a game with former police officer John McClane. Moreover, he has already prepared another bomb. The character played by Samuel L. Jackson is Zeus Carver, an electronics store owner from Harlem who is accidentally drawn into this dangerous game.
Jackie Brown
IMDb: 7.5/10
1997, Crime, Drama, Thriller
USA, R
Director: Quentin Tarantino
Top Cast: Pam Grier, Samuel L. Jackson, Robert Forster
Jackie Brown lives a double life. While working as a flight attendant, she smuggles cash for an arms dealer, played by Samuel L. Jackson. Everything was going smoothly until she was arrested by federal agents. The price of freedom is high — Jackie will have to reveal details about the dealer. Used to taking risks, Jackie makes another bold move, aiming to pocket half a million dollars and rid herself of her troublesome boss.
A Time to Kill
IMDb: 7.5/10
1996, Crime, Drama, Thriller
USA, R
Director: Joel Schumacher
Top Cast: Matthew McConaughey, Sandra Bullock, Samuel L. Jackson
The entire state of Mississippi is shocked by a high-profile court case. A criminal brutally assaulted a 10-year-old girl. Her father (Samuel L. Jackson) guns down those who hurt his daughter. For this act of vengeance, he faces the gas chamber. A young and ambitious lawyer, Jake Brigance, decides to defend the grieving father in court. Brigance has never lost a case in his career. Will he be able to secure a verdict of innocence this time?
Fresh
IMDb: 7.5/10
1994, Crime, Drama, Thriller
USA, France, R
Director: Boaz Yakin
Top Cast: Sean Nelson, Giancarlo Esposito, Samuel L. Jackson
This is a dark crime drama about a clever 12-year-old boy nicknamed Fresh. At such a young age, he was forced to work as a drug courier for local crime bosses to support his family. Fortunately, he manages to break out of the vicious cycle of crime, drugs, violence, and poverty. However, to do so, he had to betray and outsmart everyone who stood in his way. Samuel L. Jackson played the role of Fresh’s father.
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