The Best Will Smith Movies Ever

Jason Bancroft
Updated August 11, 2023 26.9K votes 4.6K voters 297.8K views
Over 4.6K Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of The Best Will Smith Movies Ever
Voting Rules
Vote for your favorite Will Smith movies, regardless of critic reviews or how big the role was.

Over 4,500 movie fans have come together to cast their votes for the best Will Smith movies. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is one of the most beloved sitcoms in television history, and it's no surprise that many people are looking back to appreciate his big screen successes as well. With a career spanning decades, Will Smith has been involved in some truly incredible films such as Independence Day and Men In Black which have become classic action blockbusters. His more recent performances in Focus or Aladdin demonstrate his immense talent for bringing characters to life with humor, wit, and charm.

It's no easy feat creating a list of the best Will Smith movies when there are so many great ones out there! From drama like Pursuit Of Happyness and I Am Legend to comedy hits like Hitch and Bad Boys II, you can find something for everyone on this ultimate ranking of Will Smith's greatest performances. Check out our top picks below and make sure you vote up your favorites so they can reach the top spot!

Most divisive: Made in America
Ranked by
  • Independence Day
    1

    Independence Day

    Will Smith, Bill Pullman, Jeff Goldblum
    1,652 votes
    • Released: 1996
    • Directed by: Roland Emmerich

    Character: Captain Steven "Steve" Hiller, USMC

    In the groundbreaking sci-fi action film Independence Day, mankind faces the threat of global destruction at the hands of malevolent extraterrestrials. As cities crumble under colossal alien ships, a disparate group of survivors emerges. Among them is President Thomas J. Whitmore (Bill Pullman), hotshot pilot Captain Steven Hiller (Will Smith), and eccentric scientist David Levinson (Jeff Goldblum). Together, they devise a risky plan to repel the invaders and save humanity. Directed by Roland Emmerich, this 1996 blockbuster was applauded for its impressive special effects and won an Academy Award for Best Visual Effects.

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  • I Am Legend
    2

    I Am Legend

    Will Smith, Alice Braga, Dash Mihok
    1,858 votes
    • Released: 2007
    • Directed by: Francis Lawrence

    Character: Dr. Robert Neville

    In I Am Legend, Robert Neville (Will Smith) finds himself the lone survivor in a post-apocalyptic world devastated by a man-made virus. As a military virologist, Neville's immunity becomes both his curse and potential salvation. He navigates through desolate New York City, his only companions being his loyal dog, Sam, and haunting memories of his family. Striving to reverse the effects of the virus with his own blood, he battles with isolation and relentless nocturnal mutants. His hope persists though as he relentlessly broadcasts radio messages, seeking other survivors. Despite its bleak landscape, this sci-fi thriller encapsulates a gripping tale of survival, resilience, and unyielding hope.

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  • The Pursuit of Happyness
    3

    The Pursuit of Happyness

    Will Smith, Jaden Smith, Thandie Newton
    1,666 votes
    • Released: 2006
    • Directed by: Gabriele Muccino

    Character: Christopher Gardner

    In The Pursuit of Happyness, Chris Gardner (Will Smith) is a struggling salesman in San Francisco. With his son Christopher (Jaden Smith), he faces the harsh reality of homelessness after an unfortunate series of events. Amidst this, Gardner lands an unpaid internship at a prestigious brokerage firm. The film, based on a true story, follows their journey as Gardner, with unwavering determination and resilience, fights against all odds for a better future. The movie earned Will Smith an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor.

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  • Men in Black
    4

    Men in Black

    Tommy Lee Jones, Will Smith, Linda Fiorentino
    1,880 votes
    • Released: 1997
    • Directed by: Barry Sonnenfeld

    Character: Agent J

    In the sci-fi comedy flick, Men in Black, we meet Jay (Will Smith), a New York City cop, and Kay (Tommy Lee Jones), a seasoned agent from a covert organization. This clandestine outfit, known as Men in Black, silently guards Earth from extraterrestrial threats. Jay is recruited into this secretive world after an alien encounter. The duo's mission? Safeguard our planet from an intergalactic terrorist (Vincent D'Onofrio). With clever gadgets and sharp wit, they tackle cosmic challenges. Directed by Barry Sonnenfeld, this film won an Academy Award for Best Makeup. A blend of humor and action that keeps viewers enthralled without revealing too much of the universe's mysteries.

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  • Bad Boys
    5

    Bad Boys

    Martin Lawrence, Will Smith, Téa Leoni
    1,450 votes
    • Released: 1995
    • Directed by: Michael Bay

    Character: Detective Mike Lowrey

    In the explosive action-comedy Bad Boys, Miami detectives Mike Lowrey (Will Smith) and Marcus Burnett (Martin Lawrence) form an unlikely duo. The pair are tasked with recovering stolen drugs from their precinct's secure vault, navigating a world of deadly cartels and internal corruption. Amidst high-speed car chases and intense shootouts, their distinct personalities clash, adding a layer of humor to the suspenseful narrative. Directed by Michael Bay, this film successfully merges crime drama with comedy, making it a unique entry in its genre. Despite the danger, their loyalty to each other remains unshakeable, underpinning the core theme of brotherhood.

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  • I, Robot
    6

    I, Robot

    Will Smith, Bridget Moynahan, Bruce Greenwood
    1,476 votes
    • Released: 2004
    • Directed by: Alex Proyas

    Character: Detective Del Spooner

    In the tech-laden world of I, Robot, Detective Del Spooner (Will Smith) is an analog man in a digital age. A staunch skeptic of the rapidly evolving realm of robotics, Spooner's worst fears come alive when he investigates a crime that points to a robot, defying its primary function of never harming humans. Dr. Susan Calvin (Bridget Moynahan), a robot psychologist, joins him to unravel this intricate web of mystery. This thrilling sci-fi spectacle, directed by Alex Proyas, explores the blurred lines between artificial intelligence and human consciousness, raising profound questions about what it means to be alive.

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