The biggest actors in the entertainment industry today are names that we know very well. From being the star of the biggest films of the year to having a known reputation for years, an actor’s filmography says a lot about not just their talent but their ability to remain relevant throughout their careers. Especially in recent years,Will Smithhas been in the public eye for both his acting chops and his actions off the big screen.
Update August 10, 2025: This article has been updated with even more great performances by Will Smith and where each title can be streamed.
Smith is easily one of the most recognizable and charismatic actors out there. Despite the controversy surrounding theincident with Chris Rockat the 94th Academy Awards that is thankfully slowly fading away, there is no denying that Smith is a very gifted actor. He has been in some of the most popular and beloeved films of all time. Here is howRotten Tomatoeshas Smith’s filmography ranked.
10The Pursuit of Happyness — 67%
The Pursuit of Happyness
Based on the true story of entrepreneur Chris Gardner, as he struggles with a sinking economy while caring for his son,The Pursuit of Happyness, brings the Smith family together (Will Smith and his son Jaden) in a moving tale of survival. Will Smith skillfully reflects Chris Gardner’s harsh start after a failing investment that cost him all his money. He went through one unsuccessful interview after another before finally securing a job as an intern stockbroker. Chris lived in a shelter with his son, went to jail for not being able to pay parking tickets, and welcomed all types of challenges with a strong and unbending will.
What Makes It Great?
The Pursuit of Happynesstakes its audience on an emotional rollercoaster, bringing the main character to bankruptcy and near ruin, then, out of nowhere, throwing him a ray of hope. It’s the kind of movie you watch when things get tough, as it teaches valuable lessons about not giving up and finding the strength to carry on despite challenging times. Smith keeps his performance so real that the movie feels like a documentary at times. It’s the right movie to turn on to see what an excellent actor Smith is.
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9Ali — 68%
The Michael Mann-directed biopic,Ali,is one of the greatest tributes to the most influential and celebrated boxer of his time, Muhammad Ali. The movie brilliantly portrays Ali’s innate talent, his self-confidence, and his golden fists in the most challenging fights. Mann does not only focus on Ali as an athlete but also brings out the thinker in him, communicating his political views and religious orientation. This riveting biotic greatly mimics the character’s unconventional and exceptional destiny, making it a delightful watch.
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The movie uses Ali’s historical context and the politically charged events that changed the athlete’s perspective and personality, like Malcolm X and Martin Luther King, Jr.’s assassinations, making it easier to understand this compellingly complex historical figure whose influence and reach went far beyond the ring. Will Smith’s unmatched performance reflects that he studied the character well enough to emerge as his literal double.
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8I Am Legend — 68%
I Am Legend
Smith plays the role of a scientist (Robert Neville) who survives one of the deadliest man-made viruses that transform humans into vampiric creatures. In this compelling post-apocalyptic drama, the audience is first introduced to Robert as the sole survivor, but we then learn that the scientist is not alone. He takes on the responsibility of getting all the survivors to safety in a thrilling race against the bloodthirsty monsters.
Smith spends the first part ofI Am Legendalone (with his dog) against a scrutinizing camera and an audience to keep them entertained. Nonetheless, he is able to keep them interested through his outstanding acting skills. Smith could have carried the whole movie by himself, as well as he carried the first part. In fact, some even consider that the isolation part of the movie is the best one. The beautifully chilling shots of empty streets and abandoned cars and the well-studied camera movements reflecting the character’s fluctuating emotions made this movie a box office hit and received positive reviews among critics.
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7Hitch — 69%
Hitchis a romantic comedy that made the concept of dating coaches into one of the coolest go-to plots for rom-coms. Will Smith plays the role of Alex “Hitch” Hitchens, a dating expert who agrees to help Albert win the heart of his beloved Allegra Cole. While the couple achieves considerable progress, a tabloid reporter called Sarah threatens to ruin everything. She challenges Alex’s dating strategies that seem not to work on her, bringing a hilarious twist into the expert’s reality.
Although rom-coms in general tend to fall into conventional plots and expected endings, thanks to Will Smith’s charm and chemistry with both his male and female co-stars,Hitchis considered a success. Its box office returns made it the tenth-highest-grossing film of 2005 and the third-highest-grossing rom-com. Thanks to Smith’s delightful performance and the box office numbers,Hitcheffortlessly secured a 68% score on Rotten Tomatoes.
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6Enemy Of The State — 71%
Enemy Of The State
The suspenseful political thrillerEnemy of The Statetells the story of a national security agency official called Thomas Reynolds, who assassinated a congressman to pass the new surveillance legislation. The murder was videotaped and ended up being used against the honest lawyer and family man Robert Dean, who must now strive to prove his innocence and expose the real corrupt and responsible party.
The movie’s concern with sensitive topics such as national security and its reverberations on personal privacy and freedom made it one of Smith’smost serious and influential movies. His performance alongside his co-star Gene Hackman to bring down a corrupt man of influence, provided the audience with a beautiful onscreen alliance and a rare charismatic comradeship. For his dedication in this role, Smith won Favorite Actor in the Blockbuster Entertainment Award. The movie was a success in general, as it won several awards and nominations.
Rent on AppleTV
5Spies in Disguise — 77%
Spies in Disguise
What great actor doesn’t have at least one animated film under their belt? Now, those can be a hit or miss, but luckily for Smith, this one hits all the right marks. In 2019, the family-animated comedy filmSpies in Disguisecame out and currently has a solid 77% on the Tomatometer. Smith voices the suave spy Lance Sterling that ends up having to rely heavily on his sort of partner, the brainy scientist Walter Beckett, voiced by the one and only Tom Holland.
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Will Smith’s humorous and skillful spirit travels through his voice performance which perfectly reflects Agent Lance’s peculiar attitude, inflated ego, and proclivity for violence. Besides being an amazing family entertainment flick to watch during the holidays, where people turn into talking pigeons, the movie actually addresses the deeply fractured reality of global violence and guilty politics. The secret agent Sterling and his pacifist scientist friend Walter ultimately find a solution to save the world withouttoo much violence. The open discussions between these two, about whether to throw stones or to turn the other cheek, make the movie a real starting point for political and ideological transformation.Spies in Disguiseis a beautiful blend of comedy, adventure, and serious themes. In other words, this movie is entirely wholesome and a pretty good watch.
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4Where the Day Takes You — 80%
Smith plays Manny inWhere the Day Takes You, an indie drama film that came out in 1992. The film follows the lives of a crew of people runaways in the streets of Los Angeles. When a girl from Chicago comes into the mix, the entire dynamic of the group shifts as they navigate their already dangerous lives.
Roger Ebert’s review calls the movie: “effective, well-acted and convincing.” The movie’s portrayal of the Hollywood runaway teens looking for a better life and seeking reassurance and stability touches on the big bubble of fantasy surrounding the life of aspiring actors flocking to Hollywood.Where the Day Takes Youis one of the earliest projects in Smith’s acting career and rightfully deserves the 80% it has on Rotten Tomatoes.
Stream on Tubi
3Six Degrees of Separation — 88%
Are you looking for a film that will keep you on the edge of your seat?Six Degrees of Separationis a drama mystery film starring Smith as Paul, a young man who makes an appearance at a fancy dinner party hosted by two art dealers. Interestingly enough, he is covered in blood when he shows up. The film includes other notable names, including Stockard Channing, Donald Sutherland, Ian McKellen, and J.J. Abrams.Six Degrees of Separationhas an 88% on Rotten Tomatoes.
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The movie is loaded with fun moments, humorous scenes, and social satire that adds meaning to the light comedy tone of the film. Will Smith’s talent as an actor shines especially brighter in this movie which is considered one of his major works. It’s a dive into society’s hypocritical tendencies and presents a smooth way of tackling serious matters like the place of homosexuality in society. The intellectual discussions spark the right kind of curiosity and is definitely anything but boring.
Rent on Apple TV
2King Richard — 90%
King Richard
King Richardis one of the most recognized films in recent entertainment and in the entirety of Smith’s career. With a 90% on the Tomatometer,King Richardis a groundbreakingbiographical sports dramathat has Smith starring as Richard Williams, a father ready to do all it takes to have his daughters Venus and Serena make history on the tennis court.
Smith’s performance is absolutely jaw-dropping in this film, and if you are to watch anything in this man’s filmography,King Richardhas to be on the top of the list. If you want to see Will Smith at his best, look no further than this one right here. Despite the controversy surrounding the infamous “Oscar Slap,” we do have to note that Smith received theAcademy Award for Best Actorin a Leading Role for this film.
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1Men in Black — 91%
Men In Black
Who could forget aboutMen in Black, which rightfully has a 91% on Rotten Tomatoes? The sci-fi action film has Smith starring as Agent J alongside Tommy Lee Jones as Agent K. Together, they are the Men in Black who handle anything and everything that has to do with aliens and their presence on Earth. Both Jay and Kay are faced with unprecedented circumstances that could threaten the safety of the people of Earth.Men in Blackis pretty iconic with how much it affects pop culture and the film industry as a whole.
This science fiction comedy triumph, as described by many, is among the highest-rated Smith movies because of its intelligent storytelling and creative production. The opening scene alone sets the tone for the whole movie and gives the audience a glimpse into the different motives that drive the MIB agents and the aliens. The show-not-tell technique gives an authentic and realistic feel to something completely imaginative and fictional.
