The Best Laurence Fishburne Movies

Ranker Film
Updated August 11, 2023 2.6K votes 449 voters 39.3K views
Over 400 Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of The Best Laurence Fishburne Movies
Voting Rules
Vote for your favorite movies, regardless of critic reviews or how big the role was.
Latest additions: John Wick: Chapter 4
Most divisive: Cherry 2000

More than 400 movie fans have come together to cast their votes for the best Laurence Fishburne movies. Since his iconic role as Morpheus in The Matrix, Fishburne has become a Hollywood mainstay, appearing in some of the biggest films and franchises.

No matter what kind of movie you're looking for – action-packed thrillers, heartwarming coming-of-age stories or sci-fi epics – Fishburne's impressive filmography will not disappoint. From classics like Boyz n the Hood to summer blockbusters like John Wick: Chapter 2 and Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice, he's done it all.

But which one is truly worthy of being crowned as his greatest work? That's up to you. To help decide on your favorite Laurence Fishburne flick, we've collected all his top films into this list and ranked them from best to worst according to fan voting. So take a look at our selection and make sure you vote up your favorites so they rise higher on this list.

Ranked by
  • The Matrix
    1

    The Matrix

    Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss
    103 votes
    • Released: 1999
    • Directed by: Lilly Wachowski, Lana Wachowski
    The Matrix is a groundbreaking science fiction movie that redefined the genre. Thomas Anderson (Keanu Reeves) leads a dual life - a corporate slave by day, and a computer hacker named Neo by night. Contacted by enigmatic Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne), Neo is thrust into a reality-bending journey to uncover the truth about The Matrix, an illusory world created by sentient machines. This dystopian thriller, directed by The Wachowskis, won four Academy Awards for its innovative visual effects and editing techniques. With its complex narrative and philosophical undertones, The Matrix leaves viewers questioning their perception of reality.

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  • Boyz n the Hood
    2

    Boyz n the Hood

    Laurence Fishburne, Ice Cube, Cuba Gooding
    106 votes
    • Released: 1991
    • Directed by: John Singleton
    In the heart of South Central Los Angeles, Boyz n the Hood unravels a gripping tale of urban life. Tre Styles (Cuba Gooding Jr.), under the stern guidance of his father Furious (Laurence Fishburne), navigates through the challenges of violence and poverty. His friends Doughboy (Ice Cube) and Ricky Baker (Morris Chestnut) tread contrasting paths, offering a stark portrayal of realities in this crime-ridden neighborhood. Directed by John Singleton, this 1991 drama is lauded for its authentic depiction of race relations and social issues. Garnering two Academy Award nominations, it's a pivotal piece in cinema history.

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  • What's Love Got to Do with It
    3

    What's Love Got to Do with It

    Angela Bassett, Laurence Fishburne, Vanessa Bell Calloway
    64 votes
    • Released: 1993
    • Directed by: Brian Gibson
    The biographical drama, What's Love Got to Do with It, takes us through the tumultuous life of Tina Turner (Angela Bassett). We follow her journey from a small town girl, Anna Mae Bullock, to the global superstar, Tina Turner. The film also explores her volatile relationship with Ike Turner (Laurence Fishburne), who discovers her talent but becomes her tormentor. Despite the hardships, Tina's grit and determination lead her to a successful solo career. Both Bassett and Fishburne received Academy Award nominations for their riveting performances in this gripping tale of resilience and triumph against all odds.

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  • Apocalypse Now
    4

    Apocalypse Now

    Marlon Brando, Martin Sheen, Robert Duvall
    65 votes
    • Released: 1979
    • Directed by: Francis Ford Coppola
    Apocalypse Now, a war drama directed by Francis Ford Coppola, plunges its audience into the heart of darkness that is the Vietnam War. Captain Benjamin L. Willard (Martin Sheen) receives an unorthodox mission to eliminate Colonel Walter E. Kurtz (Marlon Brando), a decorated officer who has allegedly gone rogue deep in the Cambodian jungle. Accompanied by a small crew aboard a patrol boat, Willard's journey evolves into an introspective odyssey filled with surreal encounters and moral ambiguity. The film garnered eight Academy Award nominations for its striking portrayal of war's madness, further solidifying Coppola's place among cinema's greats.

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  • The Matrix Reloaded
    5

    The Matrix Reloaded

    Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss
    61 votes
    • Released: 2003
    • Directed by: Lilly Wachowski, Lana Wachowski
    The Matrix Reloaded, a cyberpunk sequel, plunges us back into the dystopian world of Neo (Keanu Reeves), Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss), and Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne). As they continue their battle against machines enslaving humanity, an even more formidable foe emerges - Agent Smith (Hugo Weaving), now self-replicating and more powerful. This film intertwines elements of science fiction and action while exploring profound philosophical questions. With its groundbreaking visual effects, it clinched awards including the MTV Movie Award for Best Fight. The narrative unravels in a labyrinth of deception and revelation, keeping viewers on tenterhooks until the very end.

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  • The Matrix Revolutions
    6

    The Matrix Revolutions

    Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss
    64 votes
    • Released: 2003
    • Directed by: Lilly Wachowski, Lana Wachowski
    The Matrix Revolutions is the concluding chapter of the groundbreaking sci-fi trilogy. The fate of both humans and machines hinges on Neo (Keanu Reeves), who finds himself trapped in a limbo between reality and the Matrix. Meanwhile, Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne) and Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss) fight to fend off an onslaught on Zion, humanity's last bastion against machine domination. In this high-stakes finale, the Wachowskis weave mind-bending visuals with philosophical musings, culminating in an epic showdown that determines the future of their universe.

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