Deciding the best Will Smith movies of all time is not an easy task, because some Will Smith films were intended to be silly (Men in Black) while others were intended to be very serious (Seven Pounds). Thus coming up with a list of the best films starring Will Smith could be something that differs between movie fans. Here are the best Will Smith movies of all time, with links provided to purchase them online.
The Best Will Smith Movies of All Time:
Ali (2001)
2001’s Ali was a biopic of the great boxer Muhammad Ali, and in order to play the part, Will Smith had to pack on the muscle. He did a great job not only preparing for the role, but also in simply becoming Muhammad Ali in the film. It’s one of his deeper roles in movies, and one which really stands out as the best of his character acting, even though it doesn’t take advantage of his great humor.
The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)
Based on a true story, Smith is a struggling salesman who has to care for his son by himself, and finds it hard just to make ends meet. From spending time living on the street, to pulling himself up from an internship to a new career, the personal story shows the range of emotion that Smith can bring to a character. It’s a deep role that is one of the better of his acting career.
Independence Day(1996)
Though Independence Day is strongly considered an eye-candy film, and a lot of the critics hated it, it really put Will Smith on the map in regards to becoming a movie star. Bad Boys made him noticed, but Independence Day put him over the top, and started a trend where Will Smith movies would continue to be released around the 4th of July. The action packed film deals with an alien invasion and the possible destruction of the Earth, with Smith playing a pilot that could help defend the whole human race.
The Legend of Bagger Vance (2000)
In the understated role of Bagger Vance, Will Smith plays caddy to the character of Matt Damon, a golfer who is aspiring to be as good as the all time greats. Smith brings an immense confidence to the role, showing that he can handle something that isn’t action packed and full of silly one-liners. The character is extremely well written, and leaves a lot of mystery to the audience to determine how they feel about him. Will Smith fans have got to see this one.
I Am Legend(2007)
Some may not like the ending, and some may have been frustrated with the film, but I am Legend truly showed how Will Smith could carry a movie all by himself. Possibly the last human left alive without an infection, Smith plays Robert Neville, a former doctor that is struggling to stay alive in an abandoned New York City. The film is epic, and while it may stray a little at the end, truly allows Will Smith to become more than he has been in film to this point.
