Also known as the Fresh Prince, Will Smith is one of the most popular and highest-paid actors in the world. When he starred in the renowned tv show The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air in 1990, his fame skyrocketed. Smith has had a long and successful career in television, cinema, and music, but he's not without his controversial moments, such as becoming one of the highlights of the 2022 Oscars.
Among the upcoming movies that Will Smith stars in is Emancipation, set to be released later this year. However, as there are no trailers and hardly any news about the film is released, fans have little knowledge about what to expect in the film. Not counting films still in development, Smith has starred in many great films over the course of his career, and Letterboxd users have voted for their favorites.
Concussion- 3.2/5
Stream on VUDU
Concussion is a film set in the 2000s and is about a forensic pathologist who battles the National Football League over his research on chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) brain degeneration undergone by football players. The doctor resolves to educate the public about the hazards of football-related head trauma.
Will Smith takes on the role of Dr. Bennet Omalu, the doctor seeking to spread awareness about CTE after observing the frequent deaths of healthy athletes. Critics find Will Smith's performance as Omalu beautiful, because while it is small-scaled, it is precise, and infused with virtue.
Independence Day- 3.3/5
Stream on HBO Max
Independence Day is about diverse elements of people who come together in the aftermath of a global attack by aliens. On July 4, the U.S. Independence Day, they launch a counterattack with people from all over the globe.
The air force pilot Captain Steven Hiller's role is taken by Will Smith. After helping destroy the alien mothership, he was recognized as a war hero. While some critics believe the storyline and characterization are lacking, Independence Day succeeds as a thrilling film. Independence Day is Will Smith's 2nd highest-grossing movie and the highest-grossing movie of 1996, which goes to show how Smith helped make the movie successful.
I Am Legend- 3.3
Stream on HBO Max
I am Legend is set in New York City after a vaccine designed to cure cancer has annihilated most of humanity and turned some into cannibals, leaving a virologist as the only human in NYC aside from cannibalistic mutants. He works on creating a treatment while defending himself against cannibalistic mutants.
Will Smith's character, Dr. Robert Neville, is a virologist who spent years creating a cure after losing his family in a helicopter crash. Because he is immune to the disease, he uses his own blood to complete the treatment. The film's stunning moments, hefty narrative, and Smith's smooth and seamless acting have been commended by fans.
Seven Pounds- 3.3
Stream on VUDU
Seven Pounds is the story of a former aeronautical engineer who ends up killing seven people, including his fiancee, after texting while driving. He then intends to make a difference in the lives of seven people in various ways.
Tim Smit's character, who took his brother's identity Ben Smith, is played by Will Smith. He is compelled to commit acts of kindness due to his guilt over killing people in the accident. He does so by donating his organs and his home to people after a planned suicide. Critics didn't receive the movie well, as some of them think that it is illogical, and the film received generally negative reviews, despite Smith making the movie more emotional.
Enemy of the State- 3.3
Stream on Hulu
Enemy of the State tells the story of National Security Agency (NSA) agents plotting to assassinate a congressman and the subsequent cover-up after a tape of the killing ends up in the hands of an unexpected lawyer.
Will Smith plays Robert Clayton 'Bobby' Dean, a lawyer who unintentionally receives a video of the murder of a congressman who opposed a law proposed by the NSA official Thomas Brian Reynolds. Several characters in the film were killed and Bobby was framed for various crimes due to Reynolds' attempts in covering up the murder. Fans love how thrilling and entertaining the film's plot is, particularly the chase scenes done by Will Smith's character
Six Degrees of Separation- 3.4
Stream on HBO Max
The plot of Six Degrees of Separation was influenced by the true story of David Hampton, a con artist, and burglar who persuaded numerous people in the 1980s that he was Sidney Poitier's son. Hampton visited an NYC family's apartment in1983, and they allowed him to stay. After discovering the fraud, the family told the story to the writer John Guare, who wrote the play years later that inspired the film.
Will Smith takes on the role of Paul, the con artist whose character was inspired by David Hampton. Like his real-life counterpart, he took opportunities to trick and scam people who he thinks are vulnerable to his schemes and managed to charm them without getting suspected until he did. Despite the movie being a box office bomb, fans praise Smith for his wonderful performance, great dialogue, and charisma in the film.
Ali- 3.4
Stream on Apple TV
The film Ali is based on the life of Muhammad Ali, a world-renowned boxer who lived from 1964 to 1974. Viewers will be able to view Muhammad Ali's victories, accomplishments, and controversial occurrences during his career. Despite several fans loving the movie, Ali ended up being a box office bomb, grossing only $87.7 million from a $107–118 million budget.
Will Smith plays the role of Cassius Clay Jr., who later changes his name to Cassius X, and eventually. the one we know today as Muhammad Ali. Smith's performance is what makes the movie good, according to critics, as he was able to accurately convey Muhammad Ali's personality in the film.
Men in Black- 3.6
Stream on VUDU
Based on the comic of the same title, Men in Black's story follows two operatives of a secret organization known as the Men in Black, who govern aliens taking residence on Earth and keep their presence hidden from regular humans. They eventually ended up having to prevent Earth's destruction in less than an hour.
Will Smith takes on the role of James Darrell Edwards III / Agent J, a former NYPD cop who was recently enlisted in the MIB. Men in Black became the 3rd highest-grossing film in 1997. Fans of Smith remember him most for the role in the MIB films, with several saying that it was among, if not, the best role he performed. Interestingly, Smith himself said that he didn't like the film's sequel, according to Insider.
King Richard- 3.7
Stream on HBO Max
The story of Richard Williams, who is eager to make his daughters famous, is chronicled in King Richard. Richard molds the girls' unwavering commitment and sharp intuition on tennis courts in Compton, California. The Williams family defies seemingly insurmountable difficulties and the expectations that have been placed before them.
Richard Williams is played by Will Smith. It was being well-received by critics and Will Smith won Best Actor in the Oscars 2022 due to the role. In his speech after winning the Oscar for the role, he mentions “I look like the crazy father, just like they said about Richard Williams, but love will make you do crazy things.” (per Screen Rant)
The Pursuit of Happyness- 3.8
Stream on VUDU
A heart-wrenching film based on the true tale of businessman Chris Gardner and his year-long struggle with homelessness, The Pursuit of Happyness shows how Chris and his son are forced to live in shelters and face numerous struggles. Nevertheless, Chris refuses to give up hope as he works to make a better life for his family
Chris Gardner is played by Will Smith. After becoming a single parent, he struggles to make a living and experiences being homeless in San Francisco. After several difficulties, he finally built a multimillion-dollar brokerage operation on his own. The film garnered mostly favorable reviews, with universal praise for Smith's acting and the emotional weight of the plot. As a result, Will Smith won a slew of prizes for his performance.