Our love affair with Denzel Washington is as deep as it is generational. Even my Gen Z sister (who’s annoyingly just turned 18) knows and recognizes his charm, charisma, and magical screen presence.
From his extraordinary transformation into civil rights leader Malcolm X to his thirst trap portrayal of Nick Styles in the 1991 film Ricochet, Denzel Washington transcends all and is undoubtedly one of the sexiest Black men in film of all time (and is it just us, or does he seem to get better with age?)
Takes a sip of cold water.
So, as we wait for his new films (Gladiator II and High & Low) to come out, we decided to take a page from Destiny @dapwashere and use our fineology degree by ranking our favorite leading man’s sexiest looks of all time.
The 10 Sexiest Denzel Washington Looks of All Time, Ranked
Ready to swoon? Got your cold water and popcorn at hand?
Let’s dive in:
10. Eli in The Book Of Eli (2010)
Now, don’t hate. There’s no need for stone-throwing! For those of us who have a soft spot for rugged men—the kind who can stride through a desert looking scruffy yet irresistibly attractive—Denzel as Eli is a dream come true.
His performance was enigmatic, and his charisma shone through Eli’s unwavering determination to survive. Plus, Denzel shed about fifty pounds for the role! That’s dedication and discipline at its finest. Meanwhile, I can’t seem to lose a single pound for my bestie’s wedding. Sigh. But Denzel as Eli? Brrr!
Another fun fact: Denzel performed all his stunts in the hand-to-hand combat scenes. He trained in martial arts under Bruce Lee’s protégé, Dan Inosanto, and absolutely nailed it!
9. Malcolm X in Malcolm X (1992)
Denzel Washington’s portrayals of real people are nothing short of mind-blowing. Despite admitting he knew little about Malcolm X before taking on the role, Denzel’s meticulous research paid off because he looked powerfully sexy. From the slicked-back hair to the geeky glasses and his powerful speeches, Denzel became the spitting image of Malcolm X.
And yes, we’re still salty about the Oscars snub. He deserved that award! Even Al Pacino said, “I’m not the only one who thinks Denzel was robbed on that one.”
8. Mathia ‘Matt’ Lee Whitlock in Out Of Time (2003)
Forget Fifty Shades of Grey, Bridgerton, and all that. I recently caught up on this movie (I’m a millennial; we tend to watch things after the hype dies down), and let me tell you, the way Denzel grabs Sanaa Lathan (Ann Merai-Harrison)? Someone grab me a cold one.
No wonder no man ever seems good enough for some of us. We’re stuck in La La Land, pining over fictional characters.
On a more serious note, this is one of the greatest modern noirs of all time, and our favorite leading man’s performance is one of the main reasons why.
7. Demetrius Williams in Mississippi And Masala (1992)
Among my top picks for the sexiest Denzel Washington performances is his role as Mr. Demetrius Williams in Mississippi Masala. In this film, Demetrius, an enterprising carpet cleaner, becomes entranced by an independent-minded Indian woman named Mina (Sarita Choudhury).
Mina radiates with feminine delicateness and desire; she puts the passion back into compassion. Denzel’s character’s transformation from being a cool, handsome, and sometimes smug entrepreneur to a hopeless romantic is captivating.
The pair’s chemistry? Magnetic! And those phone conversations? Smoldering!
6. Bleek Gilliam in Mo’ Better Blues (1990)
Denzel Washington was at his peak of fineness when he played Bleek Gilliam in Spike Lee’s 1990 Joint ‘Mo Better Blues.’
He played a troubled trumpet player who finds himself conflicted about his life passions: women and music. But honestly, all I could think about while watching was how fine Denzel looked. Like, could he get any thirst-trappier?
5. Easy Rawlins in Devil in a Blue Dress (1995)
Denzel Washington turned up the heat as Easy Rawlins in the 1995 film Devil in a Blue Dress. Playing a charismatic and sharp-witted private detective in post-war Los Angeles, Denzel’s portrayal was nothing short of magnetic. He wore that 1940s style with an effortless sexiness that left audiences swooning.
From his impeccably tailored suits to that smoldering gaze, every scene showcased Denzel’s undeniable charm and swagger, making it impossible to look away. And let’s not forget those intense moments of detective work where he made even the simplest gestures look flirtatiously suave. Did someone turn the heat up?
Denzel bodied this role so effortlessly, cementing his status as one of the sexiest leading men of the 90s.
4. Xavier Quinn in The Mighty Quinn (1989)
Denzel Washington’s role as Xavier Quinn epitomizes cool confidence while tackling corrupt authorities, brutal crimes, lustful housewives, and internal conflicts.
The gripping and unconventional sexy policier features a standout performance that Roger Ebert noted as ‘one of those roles that create a movie star overnight.’ He was spot-on!
Denzel’s portrayal is breezy, captivating, and irresistibly spicy, firmly establishing him as a top-tier leading man.
3. Nick Styles in Ricochet (1991)
When was the last time you watched this work of art? One unforgettable scene features Lindsay Wagner telling Denzel, “I don’t want you wearing anything from this point on.” Denzel indeed dominated our fantasies back then.
And who could forget the moment he distracts John Lithgow by stripping off his clothes? It’s not as suggestive as it sounds; the scene is expertly handled with crackingly good dialogue that makes me want to rewatch the movie immediately.
In fact, see you in 1 hour and 42 minutes!
Fun Fact: Denzel Washington hit the gym three hours a day, six days a week for four months, so that he wouldn’t look out of shape for his numerous shirtless scenes.
2. Don Pedro in Much Ado About Nothing (1993)
Before Shonda Rhimes, Bridgerton, and every other thirst-trap movie, Denzel Washington was the sexiest, most hopelessly romantic lead on screen. His smile, demeanor, and physique made it impossible not to rate him as the sexiest man alive.
BTW: That scene of him riding a horse wasn’t long enough. Just saying.
1. Detective Alonzo Harris in Training Day (2001)
Alonzo. Alonzo. Alonzo. Being bad never looked so fine!
Denzel Washington earned his second Academy Award for portraying the sexy, corrupt LAPD detective Alonzo Harris in this blockbuster film, and we couldn’t have asked for a better leading man.
Even Denzel has frequently said that Alonzo is his favorite character. The advanced levels of psychological warfare he uses on Ethan Hawke? For once, we’re not so opposed to gaslighting as a form of manipulation.
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Bonus: High & Low (Upcoming)
Denzel Washington and Spike Lee are reuniting for their fifth project– the first since Inside Man (2006) – High & Low. Their other films include Mo’ Better Blues (1990), Malcolm X (1992), and He Got Game (1998).
The thriller, which started production in March, is the English Language reinterpretation of Akia Kurosawa’s crime thriller of the same name.
And while we’re excited for the cast that includes A$AP Rocky, Jeffrey Wright, Ilfenesh Hadera, and Ice Spice, we’ve been more into every Denzel Washington look since the film started shooting. These are some of our favorite Denzel looks so far:
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Watch @dapwashere’s take on it:
@dapwashere My toughest case yet ???? #casestudy #denzelwashington #2000s #90s #commentary #blackmen #finemen #blackentertainment #blackculture ♬ original sound – As Told By Destiny
and
@dapwashere Replying to @l.u.n.a.17 Six more Denzels #casestudy #denzelwashington #2000s #90s #commentary #blackmen #finemen #blackentertainment #blackculture ♬ original sound – As Told By Destiny
Which Denzel Washington movie look is making you hot and bothered? Which Denzel character is your all-time favorite, finest, and yummiest?
Comment below!
