Close Menu
    Trending
    Film/Tv

    Denzel Washington’s 10 Lowest-Grossing Movies At The Box Office

    Team_The Industry Highlighter MagazineBy No Comments19 Mins Read


    Denzel Washington is likely one of the most profitable actors of recent instances, though even a performer of his stature has had some duds on the field workplace. With an extended and fruitful profession that’s included two Academy Award wins and numerous iconic roles, Washington can rely himself among the many most enduring and beloved stars in modern Hollywood. Whereas Washington’s recent role in Gladiator II has quick turn into his highest-grossing endeavor, it’s vital to look again on the underappreciated releases and questionable roles that make up his least commercially profitable motion pictures.

    The best Washington movies all supply one thing distinctive, as he persistently imbues his roles with an urgency that makes them eternally memorable. From his ongoing collaboration with director Spike Lee to an clever interpretation of a Shakespeare basic, even Washington’s lowest-grossing movies all had one thing to supply. Whereas these movies might not have hit it large on the field workplace, they nonetheless stay an vital facet of Washington’s unmatched legacy.

    10

    Mo’ Higher Blues (1990)

    $16,153,000

    One director that Denzel Washington would proceed working with repeatedly was Spike Lee, who, collectively, made up a cinematic pairing as pressing and thrilling as De Niro and Scorsese. Regardless of being a match made in heaven creatively, the duo’s first film collectively, Mo’ Higher Blues, was not so profitable commercially, though their spark was on show proper from the start. Because the story of a fictional jazz trumpeter, Bleek Gilliam, Washington gave his all on this exploration of artistry, friendship, and salvation.

    Whereas Mo’ Higher Blues lacked the political urgency of Washington and Lee’s biggest work, reminiscent of Malcolm X, it was nonetheless an achieved and fascinating love letter to jazz music. With Spike as director, author, and co-star enjoying Bleek’s supervisor, Large, audiences bought to know the varied influences and relationships impacting the participant’s life. With Bleek’s romantic choices having a devastating impression on his private {and professional} life, Mo’ Higher Blues was a glimpse behind the scenes into the unpredictable and chaotic world of jazz.

    9

    Satan In A Blue Costume (1995)

    $16,030,096

    Denzel Washington introduced a novel vitality to the well-worn, hard-boiled detective style within the criminally underseen Satan in a Blue Costume. As an adaptation of the thriller novel of the identical title by Walter Mosley, Washington excelled enjoying Ezekiel “Simple” Rawlins, a veteran in determined want of a job who was drawn right into a conspiratorial story of a lacking lady. Set in 1948, this neo-noir thriller had loads of visible aptitude because it addressed crime, prejudices, and race.

    Whereas Washington’s Simple led the investigation, it was Don Cheadle as Mouse, a mysterious man from the detective’s previous who steals each scene. Satan in a Blue Costume could also be a lesser-known entry in Washington’s filmography, however it’s a surprising showcase of his rising standing throughout the Nineteen Nineties, a time when he powerfully balanced mainstream hits with much less commercially profitable creative triumphs like this. Regardless of noir detective tales being fashionable because the Nineteen Forties, Washington managed so as to add one thing distinctive to this crime-based style.

    8

    Roman J. Israel, Esq. (2017)

    $12,967,012

    It’s astounding how a few of Denzel Washington’s most fascinating performances have been additionally a few of his least profitable movies commercially. This was actually the case for Roman J. Israel, Esq., a thought-provoking authorized thriller for which Washington was nominated for an Academy Award for Greatest Actor. As a glimpse into the lifetime of an autistic civil rights advocate and protection lawyer, the function of Roman J. Israel acted as considered one of Washington’s most layered, nuanced, and three-dimensional characters.

    Roman J. Israel, Esq. bombed on the field workplace and took in just below $13 million in opposition to its $20 million price range, though Washington acquired widespread reward for his function. It’s a testomony to Washington’s iconic legacy that he’s in a position to take large possibilities on attention-grabbing roles like this, and his profession just isn’t severely negatively impacted by its field workplace failings. Whereas Roman J. Israel, Esq. misplaced cash, anybody who did see it was solely reminded why Washington stays one of many biggest actors working right this moment.

    7

    Carbon Copy (1981)

    $8,400,000

    Whereas Denzel Washington has explored racial matters his whole profession, the long run two-time Academy Award winner’s appearing debut didn’t have fairly the identical nuance as a lot of his later work. Carbon Copy was an outrageous comedy-drama that starred Washington as a 17-year-old African American who instantly turns up within the lifetime of a rich white enterprise government performed by George Segal. Because the illegitimate son that he by no means knew he had, Carbon Copy used its comedic presence to unpack society’s relationship with race and wealth throughout the Nineteen Eighties.

    Whereas Carbon Copy had its humorous moments, it additionally felt woefully dated and solely merely hinted on the extraordinary appearing profession Washington would have within the subsequent years and many years. Regardless of its mismatched premise, Carbon Copy was not successful on the field workplace, and the insensitive manner wherein it addresses race might rub some viewers the flawed manner. Nevertheless, as Washington’s debut film, it’s nonetheless a chunk of cinematic historical past and the start of an extended and fruitful profession.

    6

    Mississippi Masala (1991)

    $7,332,515

    As some of the attention-grabbing explorations of racial and cultural identification in Denzel Washington’s profession, it’s a disgrace that Mississippi Masala wasn’t successful on the field workplace. This romantic drama from Indian filmmaker Mira Nair and screenwriter Sooni Taraporevala explores an interracial romance between African Individuals and Indian Individuals in Mississippi. With Washington as a self-employed carpet cleaner named Demetrius Williams, cultures conflict when he falls for a younger Indian lady named Mina.

    As an R-rated exploration of tradition and identification, Mississippi Masala handled matters of race, heritage, and social expectations in a thought-provoking manner. Whereas most movies that discover matters reminiscent of these are categorized by racism, in Mississippi Masala, the battle was extra nuanced because the couple struggled to search out acceptance from both of their communities. Though Mississippi Masala wasn’t a mainstream success, it was an enchanting addition to Washington’s filmography and considered one of his most underrated motion pictures.

    5

    Coronary heart Situation (1990)

    $4,134,992

    Though Denzel Washington’s filmography options numerous considerate and resonating explorations of race relations, Coronary heart Situation was undoubtedly not considered one of them. This misjudged comedy starred Bob Hoskins as a racist cop who, after receiving a life-saving coronary heart transplant, is haunted by the ghost of an African American lawyer. The 2 begin working collectively to unravel a homicide in addition to Hoskins’ haphazard love life in a lowbrow, bordering on offensive, film.

    Coronary heart Situation flopped on the field workplace, and fortunately Washington would make his first film with Spike Lee later the identical yr, opening the door to him enjoying roles that handled race in way more thought-provoking and fascinating methods than this film. With overwhelming unfavorable critiques from critics, Coronary heart Situation boasts a measly 10% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. This disappointing launch signaled considered one of Washington’s final motion pictures earlier than he had the clout and connections to be extra conscious with the roles he selected.

    4

    The Mighty Quinn (1989)

    $3,992,420

    Denzel Washington performed Chief of Police Xavier Quinn in The Mighty Quinn, a narrative a couple of lawman making an attempt to assist his childhood pal after he turns into a homicide suspect. Set on a small US territory within the Caribbean, The Mighty Quinn was a sensible mix of espionage, comedy, and music that hinted at Washington’s standing as a future main film star. With a case involving a uncommon $10,000 invoice and a mysterious homicide, this launch was an instance of Washington’s willingness to go outdoors his consolation zone with a Jamaican accent and even some singing.

    The Mighty Quinn took its title from the Bob Dylan track “Quinn the Eskimo (The Mighty Quinn)”, which he first recorded throughout The Basement Tapes classes in 1967.

    Whereas The Mighty Quinn was sadly not a business hit, it did obtain widespread essential acclaim. Famed movie critic Roger Ebert was a notable supporter of the film and even referred to as it among the best releases of 1989. Describing it as “a spy thriller, a buddy film, a musical, a comedy and an image that’s smart about human nature,” Ebert’s seal of approval was a robust indication of The Mighty Quinn’s high quality, regardless of its lack of field workplace success.

    3

    Energy (1986)

    $3,800,000

    Denzel Washington adopted up his acclaimed breakout efficiency in A Soldier’s Story with an attractive supporting function in Sidney Lumet’s political drama Energy. This was a significant launch in signaling Washington as an up-and-coming star, even when it didn’t hit large on the field workplace. Starring Richard Gere because the ruthless media marketing consultant Pete St. John, Washington performed the general public relations knowledgeable Arnold Billings, who Gere’s character comes into battle with.

    With themes across the interior workings of political energy and the ruthless nature of marketing campaign trails, Energy was an insightful examination of corruption and deceit throughout the political system. The methods and techniques employed by these crafty characters gave a practical glimpse behind the scenes of politics in America. Whereas Energy was not an ideal movie, it did acquire Washington the NAACP Picture Award for Excellent Supporting Actor in a Movement Image.

    2

    For Queen & Nation (1988)

    $191,051

    It might take some time for Denzel Washington to construct his motion film credentials, and throughout the Nineteen Eighties he was a far cry away from the long run Equalizer franchise star he would turn into. Washington’s first foray into the world of motion motion pictures was For Queen & Nation, a criminal offense drama the place he performed a Black British former paratrooper who joined the British military to flee poverty. With some political relevance towards the Thatcherite period out of which it was produced, a lot of the social commentary right here falls flat on its toes.

    With Washington as Reuben James, a soldier who society leaves behind after his time within the Falklands Conflict, For Queen & Nation was a field workplace bomb. The low-budget feeling and unconvincing narrative made this considered one of Washington’s greatest flops in his whole profession. The premise of For Queen & Nation had potential, however the film simply by no means got here collectively in a manner that was participating sufficient to attract in viewers.

    1

    The Tragedy Of Macbeth (2021)

    $176,248

    Contemplating the standard of Denzel Washington’s total filmography, it’s solely applicable that his lowest-grossing film was additionally considered one of his most spectacular performances. In an adaptation from Joel Coen, Washington supplied viewers together with his highly effective tackle considered one of William Shakespeare’s most enduring protagonists in The Tragedy of Macbeth. It’s no shock that such a difficult function struggled to search out mainstream success, though this bare-bones retelling of a basic narrative captured the essence of why Shakespeare has remained such a related author greater than 4 hundred years after he first wrote this play.

    The Tragedy of Macbeth was an pressing and compelling interpretation by Joel Coen in his first directorial effort with out his brother Ethan’s help. With a restricted theatrical launch, the low field workplace earnings of The Tragedy of Macbeth make sense, contemplating it was distributed through streaming on Apple TV+ shortly after its preliminary launch. Whereas Denzel Washington can’t rely this film amongst his most commercially profitable movies, it was yet one more unimaginable addition to some of the spectacular filmographies of any actor working right this moment.

    Sources: *All field workplace figures come from the metrics acknowledged on The Numbers; these might differ from different web sites metrics, Roger Ebert



    Source link

    Share.

    Related Posts

    Leave A Reply