The 10 Best Will Smith Movies, Ranked

Shark Tale tells the story of Oscar (Will Smith), a small-time fish with big dreams who takes credit for the accidental death of the son of a shark mob boss. That lie spirals out of control when Donald "Don" Lino (Robert De Niro) and his henchmen go in search of the "sharkslayer" who murdered his son. At the same time, Oscar's best friend Angie (Renée Zellweger) starts to worry about him.

Shark Tale allows Smith to turn his vibe all the way up. It's basically his early 2000s persona dropped into an animated fish, which is fun for a while. But it can also start to feel kind of exhausting. It's not a bad performance, but it's easily the least interesting showcase of what Smith can actually do, which is why it lands at 10. It's ideal for kids or anyone who enjoys animated comedies like Madagascar (2005).

Hitch follows professional matchmaker Alex Hitchens (Smith), who spends his days helping men navigate the complicated world of dating. While helping his latest client, Albert Brennaman (Kevin James), get a date with the girl of his dreams, Alex meets and falls for journalist Sara Melas (Eva Mendes), who has absolutely no romantic interest in him at all.

Hitch just kind of glides along on Smith's natural charm. Although he's clearly comfortable in the role (because the chemistry feels genuine), it does fall into predictable tropes. And you can almost see the plot twists coming from a mile away. It ranks at number nine because it never really pushes Smith beyond playing a polished version of himself. Still, it's perfect if you like relaxed rom-coms.

Set in a very technologically advanced 2035, I, Robot follows detective Del Spooner (Smith), as he investigates the suspicious death of a robotics scientist. Despite robots being programmed not to harm humans, he suspects one may be responsible. With the help of Doctor Susan Calvin (Bridget Moynahan), he uncovers a much bigger threat.

I, Robot sees Smith in one of his more serious sci-fi roles, which earns the film eighth place on the list. He gives Spooner an underlying paranoia that actually grounds the film nicely. The movie itself is a bit uneven (some great ideas, some clunky execution), but Smith keeps it watchable. It's a great choice for fans of sleek sci-fi like 2002's Minority Report.

I Am Legend follows Robert Neville (Smith), a US Army virologist who lives alone in a deserted New York City after a virus wipes out humanity. His only real companion is his dog, Sam. So Robert spends his days searching for a cure and his nights hiding from mutated survivors. This performance makes you realize just how much of a movie Smith can carry by himself.

Large chunks of the film are just him. And it works really well, mostly because he commits fully to the isolation. The third act fumbles things a little, but what comes before that is genuinely gripping. For those reasons, I Am Legend lands in seventh place on the list. The movie is perfect for anyone who enjoys a good bleak survival story.

Hancock follows the titular reckless superhero John Hancock (Smith), who has a very hard time winning people over. After saving public relations expert Ray Embrey (Jason Bateman), he agrees to start fixing his dreadful reputation. But when John meets Ray's wife, Mary (Charlize Theron), his life becomes complicated by a connection he can't explain.

Hancock is a little weird because it starts as a sharp, almost cynical view of superheroes. And Smith plays the lead character as genuinely unlikable, which is rare for him. Then it takes an unexpected turn halfway through that viewers will either love or hate. That slightly offbeat turn is the thing that earns the movie sixth place. It's also ideal for fans of superhero stories like Deadpool (2016).

Bad Boys follows detectives Mike Lowrey (Smith) and Marcus Burnett (Martin Lawrence) as they scramble to recover stolen drugs before their narcotics unit is shut down. When an important witness, Julie Mott (Téa Leoni), becomes a target, they are forced to switch identities to keep her safe. What starts out as a straightforward case slowly turns into a really complicated investigation.

Smith brings his special brand of effortless cool to Bad Boys. But since it was one of his first starring roles, he's also still a little rough around the edges. It's still fun to watch, though. And when you pair him with Lawrence, who's doing the complete opposite energy-wise, everything just clicks, which is why the film ranks at five. It's perfect for fans of fast-paced buddy cop movies.

The Pursuit of Happyness follows Chris Gardner (Smith), who is struggling to stay afloat while raising his young son Christopher (Jaden Smith). As financial pressure mounts, he takes an unpaid internship that could change everything. Along the way, their father-son bond becomes the emotional center of the story. Smith really pulls everything inward in this performance, which places the film at number four.

And it works really well because he doesn't overplay it. There's a persistence in his portrayal of Chris that makes even the smallest moments feel like a big deal, especially when things keep going wrong for him. It's not the kind of movie you casually throw on, but if you're in the right headspace, it's really worth getting into. It's ideal for fans of emotional dramas like Forrest Gump (1994).

Independence Day follows Captain Steven Hiller (Smith), a U.S. Marine who becomes one of humanity's main defenders during a massive alien invasion. With the help of David Levinson (Jeff Goldblum) and the Black Knights fighter squadron, Hiller helps execute a risky plan to fight back. As the world teeters on collapse, Hiller steps into a hero role to save the entire planet.

Independence Day was arguably the movie that turned Smith into a bona fide action-movie star. Though in this film, he brings just enough vulnerability to make Hiller feel like a real person instead of just a one-liner machine. It's one of his most defining performances in terms of global stardom, which earns the movie third place on the list. It's great for fans of large-scale disaster films.

Men in Black begins when NYPD police officer James Edwards (Smith) is recruited into a secret organization that keeps track of alien activity on Earth. Paired with the no-nonsense Agent K (Tommy Lee Jones), he becomes Agent J. Together, they investigate a dangerous extraterrestrial threat that's been hiding in plain sight the entire time.

Men in Black is the moment everything just locked in for Smith as a movie star. He's funny and confident without tipping into arrogance, which is completely in sync with the film's tone. His dynamic with Jones is very entertaining. But Smith's energy is what makes it feel fresh instead of gimmicky, which is why the film lands in second place. The movie is also perfect for fans of quirky sci-fi comedies.

Ali tells the story of boxing legend Muhammad Ali (Smith), who goes from Olympic champion to global icon. The story features key moments in Ali's life, like meeting Malcolm X (Mario Van Peebles). It also examines the cost that comes with fame and the impact it has on his private life and personal relationships.

Ali takes the number one spot because Smith is brilliant in the role and won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his efforts. His physical transformation is impressive on its own, but the way he carries Ali's presence and confidence is something really special. It is by far the clearest example of his full acting range. It's perfect for fans of intense character-driven biopics like Raging Bull (1980).