A star of blockbuster hits, Will Smith has always ridden the wave of success. Transitioning from a successful hip-hop artist to an actor, he quickly earned his first Oscar nomination for the film Ali. From there, his resume filled with blockbusters boasting mind-blowing special effects and heart-wrenching dramas. If you enjoy movies like these, this list of the 10 best films starring Will Smith is sure to delight you.
Content
- The Pursuit of Happyness
- Seven Pounds
- King Richard
- Men in Black
- Enemy of the State
- I Am Legend
- I, Robot
- Concussion
- Independence Day
- Aladdin
The Pursuit of Happyness
IMDb: 8.0/10
2006, Biography, Drama
USA, PG-13
Director: Gabriele Muccino
Top Cast: Will Smith, Thandiwe Newton, Jaden Smith
The story of Chris Gardner is familiar to many: he is a single father raising his five-year-old son, striving to make him happy while working as a struggling salesman. Things aren’t going well — Chris can’t pay the rent, and they are evicted. Left homeless, the two refuse to give up. Chris lands an internship at a brokerage firm. A great opportunity, but for the six months of the internship, he won’t earn a penny.
Seven Pounds
IMDb: 7.6/10
2008, Drama, Mystery, Thriller
USA, PG-13
Director: Gabriele Muccino
Top Cast: Will Smith, Rosario Dawson, Woody Harrelson
The boring life of engineer Ben came to an end when he turned everything around in just 7 seconds. Now, he embarks on an unusual journey to meet seven strangers and bring them together for one singular purpose. One of these strangers is Emily, who is terminally ill. Unexpectedly, Ben falls in love with her, complicating his original plan.
King Richard
IMDb: 7.5/10
2021, Biography, Drama, Sport
USA, Australia, PG-13
Director: Reinaldo Marcus Green
Top Cast: Will Smith, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Jon Bernthal
Richard Williams has five daughters, but he is determined to make only two of them global tennis stars. With no money for professional training, Richard and his wife Brandy take it upon themselves to coach Venus and Serena. When Venus's talent begins to shine, world-renowned coach Paul Cohen agrees to give free lessons to the budding star. However, Richard has a well-thought-out plan to ensure Serena doesn’t miss out on a professional education either.
Men in Black
IMDb: 7.3/10
1997, Action, Adventure, Comedy, Sci-Fi
USA, PG-13
Director: Barry Sonnenfeld
Top Cast: Tommy Lee Jones, Will Smith, Linda Fiorentino
Men in Black are secret agents working for an unofficial government agency. They aren’t concerned with human conflicts, as they have a much larger mission: regulating alien activity on Earth. They are the only ones capable of protecting the planet, with their work shrouded in secrecy, their weapons unmatched, and no one to rival their skills.
Enemy of the State
IMDb: 7.3/10
1998, Action, Thriller
USA, R
Director: Tony Scott
Top Cast: Will Smith, Gene Hackman, Jon Voight
Successful lawyer Robert Dean stumbles upon evidence that exposes a high-ranking official. Before he can fully comprehend the situation, a secret service agency discovers what he knows and takes action. Now, Dean has gone from a law-abiding citizen to a dangerous criminal hunted by the powerful elite. However, if Robert can find allies, the authorities will face a serious challenge — if he manages to do it in time.
I Am Legend
IMDb: 7.2/10
2007, Action, Drama, Horror, Sci-Fi, Thriller
USA, UK, PG-13
Director: Francis Lawrence
Top Cast: Will Smith, Alice Braga, Charlie Tahan
In post-apocalyptic New York, devastated by a deadly virus, there is only one man left – Robert Neville. Surrounded by hordes of bloodthirsty mutants, he leads a lonely struggle for survival. Every day becomes a test, because he has not only to defend himself from night attacks, but also to preserve his humanity in total isolation. The film I Am Legend is a poignant story about the strength of spirit and hope for a better future.
I, Robot
IMDb: 7.1/10
2004, Action, Mystery, Sci-Fi, Thriller
USA, Germany, PG-13
Director: Alex Proyas
Top Cast: Will Smith, Bridget Moynahan, Bruce Greenwood
'You're just a machine. An imitation of life. Can a robot compose a symphony? Can a robot turn a canvas into a masterpiece?' This popular meme comes from I, Robot. In 2035, robots will be everyday companions to humans. However, skeptics remain distrustful of their new neighbors, including Detective Del Spooner. Doubting the legitimacy of an alleged accident, he begins an investigation and discovers a robot that defies human orders.
Concussion
IMDb: 7.1/10
2015, Biography, Drama, Sport
UK, Australia, USA, PG-13
Director: Peter Landesman
Top Cast: Will Smith, Alec Baldwin, Albert Brooks
In the film Concussion, we are treated to a gripping story of one man's fight against the system. Pathologist Bennet Omel witnesses the terrible truth about the deadly danger lurking in concussions in American football players. His attempts to bring this information to the public face stiff resistance from sports leagues and powerful people. The film is a gripping thriller that makes you think about the price of fame and how far people are willing to go for money.
Independence Day
IMDb: 7.0/10
1996, Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
USA, PG-13
Director: Roland Emmerich
Top Cast: Will Smith, Bill Pullman, Jeff Goldblum
In the cult film Independence Day, humanity faces the most serious threat in its history. Unexpectedly, giant alien ships approach Earth, ready to destroy all life. The planet is plunged into chaos as megacities turn into ruins under alien fire. The film is a gripping story of how the people of the world unite to confront a powerful alien threat.
Aladdin
IMDb: 6.9/10
2019, Adventure, Comedy, Family, Fantasy, Musical, Romance
USA, UK, Singapore, Canada, Czech Republic, Serbia, China, PG
Director: Guy Ritchie
Top Cast: Will Smith, Mena Massoud, Naomi Scott
Aladdin, worn down by poverty, is forced to steal to survive. However, he dreams of becoming a prince and marrying Princess Jasmine. Meanwhile, Agrabah’s vizier, Jafar, has other plans — he seeks to seize power in the city by obtaining a magic lamp hidden in the Cave of Wonders. The catch? Only someone known as the 'diamond in the rough' can enter the cave. That someone turns out to be Aladdin.