The 25 Best Samuel L. Jackson Movies, Ranked

• Jackson's role: Richmond Valentine
• Director: Matthew Vaughn

If the Yankees hat tipped to the side wasn't an indicator that Jackson was going to be a villain in Kingsman: The Secret Service, then you got your reveal upon watching the film when you soon realized he was the diabolical Richmond Valentine (even that name sounds like trouble)—who has a rather interesting approach to solving the world issue of climate change—going on a worldwide killing spree. We don't get to see Jackson as a villain very often, so Kingsman was a fun one.

• Jackson's role: Frozone
• Director: Brad Bird

"It's for the greater good!" "I am your WIFE. I am the GREATEST GOOD you're ever gonna get!" Believe it or not, The Incredibles is the film on Rotten Tomatoes that holds the highest ranking for Samuel L. Jackson, which isn't totally a surprise to us because we feel confident in saying The Incredibles is truly one of the greatest animated films to ever be created, and it wouldn't have been complete with Jackson starring as Frozone. If you want to hear us ramble on and on about the greatest Pixar films, you can do so here.

• Jackson's role: Ray Arnold
• Director: Steven Spielberg

Jackson's role in Jurassic Park was small (in fact he only has four minutes of screen time), so we can understand why some may feel that it doesn't deserve a top 25 spot. For us, however, Jurassic Park is just way too iconic to leave out because it's one of those films that is still rising in terms of its cultural impact thirty years and counting. While Jackson may have only had four minutes, he tore those four minutes up, and that's exactly what you are supposed to do when you only have a few minutes to do your thing. Plus, it's Steven Spielberg—you don't turn down Steven Spielberg (especially relatively early in your career) even if you're only going to be on screen for a blink of an eye.

If you want to see our take on each Jurassic Park film so far, you can do so here.

• Jackson's role: Nelville Flynn
• Director: David R. Ellis

Oh boy. You absolutely had to be there for Snakes on a Plane in real time. If you were, then you know that this was really supposed to be a serious action film where an FBI agent (Jackson) is trapped on a flight with an on-board assassin who releases a bunch venomous snakes on a plane to kill a witness that's supposed to stand trial. What it became in the process (thanks to Jackson) is a partial comedy that had all the components to be deemed a bad movie, but wasn't because of his delivery and now iconic memorable lines in the film. This 2006 review from The Guardian's Peter Bradshaw says it best: "The awful truth is that Snakes on a Plane is pretty enjoyable: an old-fashioned airborne disaster movie with a dollop of snaky horror, a distinct resemblance to Airplane!, and an ending recalling the final twist to Flight of the Phoenix."

Bradshaw continues: "These snakes will bite everyone, including the witness. Or at the least, will foul up the plane's mechanisms so that it will, in the captain's pithy description, "go down quicker 'n a Thai hooker". A big shout-out to the fans for that line." Apparently, critics weren't given access to an early screening, so they had to buy a ticket the day before it released to see the movie—which adds to the already epic level of Snakes on a Plane.

• Jackson's role: Mace Windu
• Director: George Lucas

Don't forget that Samuel L. Jackson has been a part of the Star Wars gang as well! As usual, Jackson brought a certain toughness to his role as Mace Windu (one where you instantly feared him and obeyed his every command). He also very noticeably beheads Jango Fett, which definitely adds to the memorable moments in the film. Seeing as though Revenge of the Sith was released in 2005, it's probably been a minute since you've last seen it. That means you should grab some popcorn and get ready for rewatch (we're telling you not asking by the way).

• Jackson's role: Russell Franklin
• Director: Renny Harlin

Do you remember at the beginning when we mentioned delivering an epic rant only to be swallowed by a shark before getting to finish? That, our friends, is in reference to Jackson's legendary character Russell Franklin getting eaten alive by a shark in the 1999 film Deep Blue Sea while in the middle of a very passionate speech. Russell Franklin may not have lived a long time, but he died a hero rightfully very upset over a shark haunting him and his crew. Long live Russell Franklin.

• Jackson's role: Abel Turner
• Director: Neil LaBute

In 2008's Lakeview Terrace, Samuel L. Jackson is the neighbor from hell—literally. Starring as Abel Turner, a troubled cop who's very upset over an interracial couple who just moved next door to him to the point where he's basically terrorizing them, Jackson turns in a haunting performance that received rave reviews from critics.

"It's a challenging journey LaBute takes us on. Some will find it exciting. Some will find it an opportunity for an examination of conscience. Some will leave feeling vaguely uneasy. Some won't like it and will be absolutely sure why they don't, but their reasons will not agree. Some will hate elements that others can't even see. Some will only see a thriller. I find movies like this alive and provoking, and I'm exhilarated to have my thinking challenged at every step of the way," said Roger Ebert in a 2008 review of the film. If you want to see Jackson unlike you've ever seen him before, Lakeview Terrace deserves a watch.

• Jackson's role: Ordell Robbie
• Director: Quentin Tarantino

Quentin Tarantino and Samuel L. Jackson linked up once more in 1997's Jackie Brown in which he portrayed a drug lord. While Pam Grier is the star of the show in what you can an homage to Grier and her blaxploitation days, Jackson's Ordell Robbie is the man everyone wants put away for good. As usual, Jackson delivers tons of memorable quotes and one-liners (some of which we believe had to have been ad-libbed), and turns in another great performance where we get to see him in bad guys mode.

• Jackson's role: Doyle Gibson
• Director: Roger Michell

Starring alongside Ben Affleck, 2002's Changing Lanes is a film that deserves a visit because it's sometimes forgotten about in the filmography of Samuel L. Jackson. The plot is an interesting one—you have two men (Jackson and Affleck) who get into a minor collision on FDR Drive in New York City. While even small accidents can have both parties pissed at one another, it typically doesn't result in a situation where the parties involved embark on a quest to destroy each other's lives. That's why it's a fun watch—the accident sparks a major set of events that you didn't even think were possible.

• Jackson's role: Sam
• Director: Boaz Yoakin

Directed by Boaz Yoakin and released in 1994, Jackson takes on the role of an alcoholic speed-chess champion who's passed on his talents to his 12-year-old drug-dealing son (Sean Nelson), who decides he's going to put his gifts to use to get himself and his sister out of a bad situation. There are elements of Fresh that can make the film a heavy watch, but it's incredibly well-written, well-directed, and well-acted, making the watch one that will keep your attention all the way through.

• Jackson's role: Sam
• Director: Joss Whedon

Listen here very closely—we are absolutely not including every single Marvel/Avengers film Jackson has ever been in. Not happening. So we’re picking just one to go on this list, and we’re going with The Avengers. Why? Well, it’s the first one and the place where many got their introduction to the gang. In the decade-plus since there’s been plenty of films and cameos from Jackson as the beloved Nick Fury, but we reckon nothing will ever give us the feeling of the first time they all came together.

• Jackson's role: Major Marquis Warren
• Director: Quentin Tarantino

The Hateful 8. Another Tarantino/Samuel L. Jackson collaboration. Set immediately after the events of The Civil War, the film centers around bounty hunters responsible for bringing in felons. In it, Jackson stars as the layered and sometimes difficult to understand Major Marquis Warren. The best way to describe Warren is a man that is rather conflicted—somebody who kind of continuously contradicts himself. The Hateful 8 itself is kind on the complex side. Simply put, it’s a film that only Quentin Tarantino can make, and a film that only Samuel L. Jackson could star in.

• Jackson's role: Stacks Edwards
• Director: Martin Scorsese

Once again, Jackson didn't have the biggest role in Goodfellas, so we can understand why some choose to leave it off their lists of best Samuel L. Jackson movies. However, we personally can't forget about the infamous Stacks Edwards who literally only had one job and managed to screw it up. All Stacks had to do was get rid of the van—that's it! He didn't deliver, put himself in a situation where we was gonna probably have to snitch, and it got him killed. Dammit Stacks—you had one job man!

• Jackson's role: Dolmedes
• Director: Spike Lee

Spike Lee brought a whole gang of talented legendary folks together for 2015's Chi-Raq including: Samuel L. Jackson, Angela Bassett, John Cusack, Wesley Snipes, Teyonah Parris and more. Jackson's performance as the rappin' and rhymin' Dolmedes was one of the many standouts of the film's memorable moments. "The action periodically halts for the running commentary of Dolmedes, a one-man Greek chorus played, as he must be, by Samuel L. Jackson," says a 2015 Variety review of the film. Continuing the review adds: "His lip-smacking wordplay as colorfully varied as his sherbet-hued three-piece suits," which is the perfect description for Jackson's role in the movie.

• Jackson's role: Zeus
• Director: John McTiernan

Perhaps the biggest irony of 1995's Die Hard With a Vengeance is that is was initially lambasted by critics and given reviews that were not the greatest to say the least. However, in the nearly three decades since, this third film in the Die Hard series has proven to be the one that has the longest legs. Seven times out of ten if you ask somebody what their favorite Die Hard movie is, they're going to say Vengeance, and Jackson's performance as the smart electrician John McClane (Bruce Willis) teams up with to fight the crazy terrorist named Simon (Jeremy Irons) is one of the reasons it's so beloved to this day. 

• Jackson's role: Mister Señor Love Daddy
• Director: Spike Lee

Speaking of films that have withstood the test of time, we'd venture to say Spike Lee's Do the Right Thing is a movie that qualifies don't you think? Sure Jackson may not have been at the forefront in terms of the cast, but his portrayal of Mister Señor Love Daddy brings the joy and laughter to a film that's otherwise on the tense and heavier side. And if the name Mister Señor Love Daddy sounds like somebody who's got a lot going on, Mister Señor Love Daddy was indeed somebody who had a lot going on.

• Jackson's role: Coach Ken Carter
• Director: Thomas Carter

Some people have Coach Carter as their number one Samuel L. Jackson movie, and we're not going to knock it. Jackson was the brilliant tough Coach Ken Carter that made it clear that poor grades and attitudes weren't going to be tolerated despite how talented you were at basketball. An entertaining watch from start to finish, Jackson captivates per usual, and his performance was one noted by critics. "He walks into a gymnasium ruled by loud, arrogant, disrespectful student jocks, and commands attention with the fierceness of his attitude. He makes rules. He requires the students to sign a contract, promising to maintain a decent grade-point average as the price of being on the team," Roger Ebert said in his 2005 review

He continues: "Jackson has the usual big speeches assigned to all coaches in all sports movies, and delivers on them, big time. His passion makes familiar scenes feel new. "I see a system that's designed for you to fail," he tells his players." One thing's for certain, Jackson delivered in every way possible with Coach Carter, which is why it's considered one of his best.

• Jackson's role: "Gator" Purify
• Director: Spike Lee

Fun fact here—Jungle Fever is actually considered the breakout films for both Samuel L. Jackson and Halle Berry, which is pretty darn cool when you think about it. Neither of them had the biggest roles in the movie, but both made it a point to stand out with the screen time they had, gave memorable performances (which now get turned into memes and GIFs), and were able to have more doors opened for them in terms of the future roles they booked as a result. Like we said earlier, doing the best with what you've got always works out.

• Jackson's role: Stephen
• Director: Quentin Tarantino

Is it safe to say that Tarantino and Samuel L. Jackson like working together? Cause, ya know, they've kinda done a lot of legendary films together over the decades including this one. Make no mistake, Django Unchained is a very heavy film with very heavy subject matters, but once again Jackson brings the laughter that you know shouldn't be laughing at because of his ridiculous statements, line delivery, and one-liners. You can't even describe it, you've just got to watch him in action.

• Jackson's role: John Shaft II
• Director: John Singleton

Richard Roundtree laid the groundwork for Samuel L. Jackson to come and elevate the Shaft role to another level. A remake of the 1971 original, the 2000 version of Shaft is freaking epic as the great John Shaft takes on all of the crooked cops, drug lords, and demented rich kids of New York City. He's not afraid to kill you either. In short, John Shaft is a bad bad man (Stephen A. Smith voice).

• Jackson's role: Carl Lee Hailey
• Director: Joel Schumacher

Sandra Bullock, Matthew McConaughey and Samuel L. Jackson in a film together? Say no more. A legal drama that highlights racial tensions in Mississippi, Jackson turns in a strong performance as Carl Lee Hailey—a heartbroken man that seeks out revenge for his daughter's rape by shooting the men responsible. Now charged for the shooting, Hailey puts his trust in a rather inexperienced lawyer Jake Brigance (Matthew McConaughey) to get him acquitted. A Time to Kill is another emotional watch in the filmography of Samuel L. Jackson, but it remains a must-watch.

• Jackson's role: Mitch Hennessey
• Director: Renny Harlin

There's elements of The Long Kiss Goodnight that are very reminiscent of Captain Marvel as both lead characters have a past that they are unable to remember, and end up realizing that they are very skilled assassins/heroes that once lived totally different lives than the one they are currently living. What can we say? Apparently Samuel L. Jackson likes helping people uncover the elements of their fighting pasts.

• Jackson's role: Louis Batiste
• Director: Kasi Lemmons

Some folks have forgotten about Eve's Bayou, and that definitely shouldn't be the case! Starring alongside Lynn Whitfield, Jackson portrayed Louis Batiste—a no good, slick-talking, two-timing "husband" that contributes to the overall facade of his "perfect family." Dare we say—Jackson is kind of unlikable in this role, but that's how you know you've truly delivered a good performance as getting an audience to hate you is actually a lot harder than it sounds.

• Jackson's role: Gerald Olin
• Director: Mikael Håfström

Samuel L. Jackson may not go the indie route very often, but when he does it's with incredible films like 2007's 1408, which seems him starring as a leery hotel manager who tries warning a successful author (John Cusack) about a haunted hotel called The Dolphin. There's definitely a creep factor in Jackson's portrayal of Gerald Olin as well, which makes the haunting nature of the film even more fun to watch. Who doesn't love a good ole scary move (especially one that has Samuel L. Jackson in it).

• Jackson's role: Joe Morris
• Director: George Nolfi

This is an editor's choice right here that may or may not deserve the second spot, but it's going here. If you haven't seen The Banker you are truly missing out on a wonderful movie complete with awesome acting, imagery, and a beautiful score. In it, Jackson stars alongside his Marvel teammate Anthony Mackie as two entrepreneurs in the 1960s who make it their mission to for housing integration and equal access to the American Dream. "Jackson livens up every scene with his rascally character, an underestimated businessman in his own right and whose treatment by Bernard slightly opens up issues of socio-economic class within the Black community," says 2020 review of the film from Roger Ebert—one of many that praised Jackson's performance. Another must-watch in our book.

• Jackson's role: Jules Winnfield
• Director: Quentin Tarantino

There's nothing else really to say here other than Pulp Fiction is one of the greatest films of our time, and certainly one of the best Quentin Tarantino movies. I'm going to be saving my review for the 30th anniversary of the film next year, but just know that the chaotic craziness of Pulp Fiction, the ensemble cast, and the directorial style of Quentin Tarantino are one of the few things that contributes to this being one of the greatest ever, and frankly, we're never going to get anything quite like this ever again. The star power of Jackson, Travolta, and Thurman, this taking place in the 1990s, the shots, the music, and the overall theme of the plot—thank goodness film is immortal.