Samuel L. Jacksonis one of the most prominent actors in Hollywood and has made enough of an impact to gain him a star on the Walk of Fame. His skills range from the comedic to the dramatic, all of which he proves in his decades-long body of work. Well-known for his ability to sell dialogue, even his smallest of roles become iconic, like his occasional cameos throughout the seriesThe Boondocks.
Despite being in his 70s, Jackson is still cranking out film after film as director, producer, and actor. As one of the highest-grossing actors of all time, Jackson received an honorary Oscar, from Denzel Washington no less, at the awards ceremony earlier this year for his contributions to the industry. Currently, he’s working onThe Marvels, which is coming to theaters June 28, 2025. Until then, here’s a look at his best movies, ranked.
Updated July 29, 2025: If you love Samuel L. Jackson, you’ll be happy to know this article has been updated with additional content and entries byDarren Gigool.
14Die Hard with a Vengeance (1995)
Die Hard with a Vengeance, is the third installment inthe beloved action-filled series, it saw the triumphant return of Bruce Willis in his iconic role as John McClane. Based in New York City, the plot evolves where a nebulous villain known as Simon, embodied by Jeremy Irons, triggers a widespread bomb threat to mask his real intention — a high-stakes heist at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Samuel L. Jackson, assuming the character of Zeus Carver, a Harlem store owner, unexpectedly finds himself as McClane’s accomplice in this action-packed saga.
Entering the world ofDie Hard, Jackson’s portrayal of Zeus Carver presents a character divergent from McClane’s typical allies. Carver, with his street-smarts, straightforwardness, and slight abrasiveness, starkly contrasts Willis’s hard-nosed law enforcement persona. The banter between the two is infused with tension and humor, augmenting the energetic action scenes. Teetering between annoyance but also undeniably engrossed in the mission, Jackson’s portrayal of Carver has solidified him as a memorable figure in theDie Hardfranchise.
13A Time to Kill (1996)
In Joel Schumacher’s suspense-filled legal crime drama,A Time to Kill, Samuel L. Jackson assumes the role of Carl Lee Hailey, a Mississippi factory worker who takes justice into his hands following the horrifying assault on his 10-year-old daughter.This act of vigilante justicecatapults him into a critical courtroom battle challenging the boundaries of law and ethics. Samuel L. Jackson’s performance earned him praise and fame from critics and audiences alike. The movie was nominated for six renowned awards, with Jackson being nominated for a Golden Globe for his performance.
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A powerful and raw emotional display is conveyed through Jackson’s portrayal of Hailey. His performance encapsulates the desperation of a father driven to the brink, crafting a character who the audience finds concurrently sympathetic towards but also sees him being deeply flawed. This part marked a turning point in his career, showcasing his capacity to embody multifaceted characters with genuineness and profundity, hence fortifying his stature in Hollywood.
12The Hateful Eight (2015)
Quentin Tarantino’sThe Hateful Eightfeatures Jackson as Major Marquis Warren, a former Union officer who has become a bounty hunter. Confined by a snowstorm and forced to take shelter with a bunch of notorious and shady characters, Warren’s survival instincts and shrewdness are pushed to their utmost limit.
Jackson’s portrayal of Warren exemplifies restrained intensity. His skill to dominate a scene is fully exhibited in this movie, with his character serving as the moral arbiter in a world characterized by uncertainty and brutality. While this film is by no means his first collaboration with the cinematic veteran Tarantino, the part he plays in the film showcases Jackson’s versatility and his enduring relevance in contemporary cinema.
Pulling in $155 million globally at the box office, the film justified its success with its meticulously constructed narrative andTarantino’s masterful direction. However, it was Jackson’s compelling performance that stole the show, providing audiences with yet another captivating flick to catch.
11Snakes on a Plane (2006)
While not as serious as some of Jackson’s other well-known works,Snakes on a Planehas its own charms to it. Agent Neville Flynn, played by Jackson, is assigned to protect a key witness. Things go terribly wrong when thousands of exotic snakes, made hostile by a pheromone, are released onto the plane in an attempt to assassinate the witness. Agent Flynn does everything necessary to protect his witness and the innocent civilians on the plane. Jackson carries the film on his shoulders and through his strong performance, he single-handedly savesSnakes on a Planefrom being a total disaster of a film.
10Black Snake Moan (2006)
Faced with a recently abused nymphomaniac Rae, the quiet Lazarus takes her in and tries to take care of her. After numerous attempts to leave Lazarus to get her fix, Lazarus is forced to chain Rae up to try to help her with her addiction. This unusual storyline ofBlack Snake Moanhas Jackson at the forefront as a religious man of conviction with strong morals and enough of a heart to try to help someone, even though they may not want it. WithChristina Ricci by his side, Jackson releases a fatherly air from Lazarus and a strict but forgiving temperament.
9The Avengers (2012)
The MCU may have formally kicked off with 2008’sIron Man, butThe Avengersstill feels like it holds the universe’s official genesis. The beloved superhero characters have grown immensely since their first introductions to each other. In the groundbreaking 2012 film, they must come together and learn to fight as a team if they’re going to stop the mischievous Loki and his alien army from enslaving humanity. Jackson is reliably superb in his scene-stealing portrayal of head-honcho Nick Fury.
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8Do the Right Thing (1989)
Do the Right Thingfollows pizza boy Mookie in Brooklyn who goes about his business until, one day, his friend Buggin’ Out gets into an argument with Sal, the owner of the pizzeria, about the lack of Black representation on his Wall of Fame despite being in a predominantly black neighborhood. Tensions rise within the community and eventually lead to an all-out assault on the pizzeria.
Jackson has a small role as the radio host, Mister Señor Love Daddy. He acts as a bit of a narrator to what’s happening throughout the film and also adds to the more comedic aspect of the film to prevent the content from getting too heavy. This role may be small, but Jackson still shows his presence and makes a statement.
7Jurassic Park (1993)
When archeologists Alan and Ellia are brought to a remote island wheredinosaurs are being brought back, things go awry when the power goes down, and they don’t have the security to protect them from the carnivorous beasts.Jurassic Parkwas the beginning of a long series of films that eventually led to the creation of theJurassic Worldfilms. Jackson plays a minor role as Ray Arnold, a tech worker who helps maintain the park’s security. He has few lines and is quickly killed off, but still, his performance is a memorable one as his character is often quoted for “hold onto your butts." He was even memorable enough to get his own action figure immortalizing his final moments in the film.
6The Incredibles (2004)
The Incrediblesfollows Bob and Helen Parr, ex-superheroes in hiding, who are forced to live normal lives without their powers, but things change when Bob finds a new way to use his powers for good. With a small role as Mr. Incredible’s best friend, who also happens to have superpowers of his own, Jackson shines in his role. Well-known for the “Where’s my super suit?!” scene where he argues with his wife about going out to help the public rather than stay home and have dinner with her, Jackson’s Frozone is arguably one ofthe most iconic charactersto come out ofThe Incredibles.
5Jungle Fever (1991)
A story of infidelity and interracial relations,Jungle Feverfollows young, married Flipper who begins having an affair with his white secretary Angie. When he is kicked out by his wife, Flipper decides to start courting Angie only to be met by disapproval from friends, family, and strangers.
Jackson stars as Gator, Flipper’s brother who causes trouble within his family’s household, constantly badgering them for money and even resorting to stealing their television for money for drugs before eventually being shot by his own father. His character makes a strong statement about the disproportionate effects of drugs not only on the individuals themselves but on the Black community as a whole.
