Samuel L. Jackson has been a pivotal force in the industry. Born in Washington, he turns 76 this December 21. Starting his career with theatre, today he is counted amongst Hollywood’s most successful actors. His screen presence is extraordinary and his dialogue delivery is sharp. He can do intense dramatic roles and at the same moment nail comic ones too. His legacy in Hollywood was rightfully honored in the 2022 Oscars with an Honorary Academy Award. With a long successful career, he has left an impact on the film business.
Here is a list of 20 Samuel L. Jackson movies you can not miss as he turns 76 -
**Disclaimer: This article is based on the writer's perspective.**
20) Lakeview Terrace
Lakeview Terrace is a movie delving into the themes of racism and abuse of power. The plot revolves around an interracial couple and the struggles they face in their new neighborhood. In the movie, Samuel L. Jackson plays the role of Abel Turner, an officer with a controlling nature. This psychological thriller is quite a thought-provoking watch.
19) Snakes on a Plane
Snakes on a Plane has become a cult classic over the years and rightly so. The story is about an FBI agent tasked with transferring a witness in a crucial case. But many people don’t want that testimony to happen and will go to any length to stop the transfer from happening. In fact, they will fill the planes with snakes leaving the flight in utter chaos.
18) Fresh
Fresh is a crime movie released in 1994. It is about a young boy who works as a drug seller to support his family. Samuel L. Jackson plays his father who has taught him chess and this boy applies chess strategies to pass tricky situations in life. It's a movie about survival and how your brain is your biggest power and can lead to empowerment.
17) Jungle Fever
Jungle Fever is a movie majorly revolving around an affair that was made public. Samuel Jackson plays the role of a drug addict man who is not only self-destructive but also makes the life of those around him a living hell. The movie bordering on the issues of racism and addiction features one of Samuel Jackson’s best performances.
16) The Banker
The Banker released in 2020 is about two African entrepreneurs who in order to make a business empire need to disguise themselves as a chauffeur and a janitor to curb racism. They hire a white man to pose as the owner of their business. This movie highlights the racial inequalities prevalent in society to this day and has received wide appreciation. In fact, it is a real-life story, based on the life of Bernard Garrett and Joe Morris.
15) 1408
The movie 1408 is an adaptation of a novel by Stephen King. It is about an author who doesn’t believe in paranormal activity. He is interested in learning and researching about haunted places so that he can prove they are nothing but fiction. His passion leads him to Dolphin Hotel’s Room 1408, notorious for demonic activities. The things he encounters there challenge his beliefs about the supernatural.
14) Die Hard With a Vengeance
The successful Die Hard Franchise’s third installment is called Die Hard with a Vengeance. It's about two people trying to stop a terrorist from bombing New York. This thriller is witty and filled with plot twists, and the performances by Bruce Willis and Samuel L. Jackson are extraordinary. Its iconic action sequences have successfully made it a fan favorite.
13) Kong: Skull Island
Kong: Skull Island is part of the successful franchise MonsterVerse. This installment is about an expedition to Skull Island. It is discovered that the Island is home to Kong, a gigantic ape who is territorial about it. Thus begins a battle not for simply dominance over the Island but for mere survival. Tom Hiddleston and Brie Larson, alongside Samuel L. Jackson, have delivered an exemplary performance.
12) Jackie Brown
In the movie - Jackie Brown, Samuel L. Jackson plays a powerful and dangerous arms dealer who gets into trouble when a woman smuggling his money gets caught. It's a movie about loyalty and betrayal in business and portrays a powerful intelligent female character. It has a certain emotional depth to it and makes for a great watch.
11) The Hateful Eight
The Hateful Eight is one of the many collaborations between Director Quentin Tarantino and Samuel L. Jackson. Set against the rural background of Wyoming, it's a story about 8 strangers who get trapped in a cabin. All of these strangers are from diverse backgrounds which includes a former Union soldier who is a bounty hunter and is there on a purpose. It is quite a paranoia-inducing watch.
10) The Hitman's Bodyguard
Partnering with Ryan Reynolds, The Hitman’s Bodyguard is another of Samuel L. Jackson’s master performances. It's a movie about a protection agent who has to safeguard a hitman who has to deliver testimony. With its riveting plot and constant banter, this film is a blend of humor and action and has proved to be a commercial success.
9) Glass
Directed by M. Night Shyamalan, Glass is a psychological thriller. It is a movie about multiple personality disorder and its integration into the superhero genre. Alongside Bruce Willis and James McAvoy, this is another superhit movie featuring Samuel L. Jackson. The cinematography of this movie is excellent and so are the plot twists.
8) Unbreakable
A prequel to Glass, Unbreakable is about a man who possesses superhuman strength and the unique power of identifying evil through touch. This movie is about what a superhero is and how strength and fragility have equal parts in making one. M. Night Shyamalan has used a unique blend of symbolism throughout the movie with the use of colors and of course ends in a mind-blowing twist.
7) The Incredibles
The Incredibles is an animated movie about a family of superheroes and focuses on themes of family unity, heroism, responsibility, and the necessity of balance in life. Samuel L. Jackson voices the character of Lucius Best, a superhero with ice powers. It has grown to become one of the most loved movies worldwide and has received several awards for its unique concept and engaging plot line.
6) Kingsman: The Secret Service
Kingsman: The Secret Service features Samuel L. Jackson as a villain. It is a movie about an independent secret spy service known as Kingsman which works day and night to save the world. Samuel L. Jackson’s character wants to save the world from the perils caused by climate change by wiping out half the population. It's a movie about the good vs. the bad and combined with elements of espionage has managed to perform outstandingly well.
5) Jurassic Park
Jurassic Park is an iconic film. It's about a park with genetically engineered dinosaurs designed for the amusement of humans. But things take a turn for the worse when the park’s groundbreaking security system gets sabotaged and the dinosaurs are unleashed on the humans. It's a movie about man vs. nature and poses questions on the ethics of science. It's one of the highest-grossing movies of all time and comes under the category of must-watch classics.
4) Django Unchained
Django Unchained starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Jamie Foxx, and Christoph Waltz alongside Samuel L. Jackson is a dark comedy set in 1858. It's a movie about slavery and a freed slave trying to save his wife from the clutches of a wealthy plantation owner. This movie cleverly portrays the oppression and dehumanization of slaves in America. It has won an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay.
3) Kill Bill: Volume 2
Quentin Tarantino and Samuel L. Jackson have collaborated on numerous hit projects, one of them being Kill Bill: Volume 2. A sequel to Kill Bill: Volume 1, Volume 2 is about the plan of revenge of ‘The Bride’ against ‘Budd’ who killed the leader of the squad - Bill. Featuring the iconic Coffin Escape scene, this movie has been a commercial success and has been quite impactful culturally.
2) Marvel's Avengers
The Marvel’s Avengers is by far one of the most successful superhero films. It has made a whole cinematic universe with its characters. Samuel L. Jackson plays the role of Nick Fury in the movie. Nick Fury is the director of S.H.I.E.L.D., a secret organization working to save the world from extraterrestrial threats by recruiting superheroes.
1) Pulp Fiction
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Pulp Fiction is the movie responsible for launching Samuel L. Jackson’s career. It's a neo-noir crime movie about two mobsters living in L.A. and how they find their lives intertwined through a mishap. It's an iconic movie about redemption and the consequences of life. With a record-breaking soundtrack collection, this movie is considered a legacy and is definitely a must-watch.
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