All Samuel L. Jackson Movies Ranked

Critics Consensus: Bringing loads of wit and tons of fun to the animated superhero genre, The Incredibles easily lives up to its name.

Synopsis: In this lauded Pixar animated film, married superheroes Mr. Incredible (Craig T. Nelson) and Elastigirl (Holly Hunter) are forced to assume mundane lives as Bob... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Craig T. Nelson, Holly Hunter, Samuel L. Jackson, Jason Lee

Directed By: Brad Bird

Critics Consensus: Hard-hitting and stylish, GoodFellas is a gangster classic -- and arguably the high point of Martin Scorsese's career.

Synopsis: Henry Hill, a poor Irish-Italian growing up in the 1950s New York City, rises through the ranks of his neighborhood's organized crime branch; he ends... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta, Joe Pesci, Lorraine Bracco

Directed By: Martin Scorsese

Critics Consensus: Incredibles 2 reunites Pixar's family crimefighting team for a long-awaited follow-up that may not quite live up to the original, but comes close enough to earn its name.

Synopsis: Telecommunications guru Winston Deavor enlists Elastigirl to fight crime and make the public fall in love with superheroes once again. That leaves Mr. Incredible with... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Craig T. Nelson, Holly Hunter, Sarah Vowell, Huck Milner

Directed By: Brad Bird

Critics Consensus: Fueled by Quentin Tarantino's savvy screenplay and a gallery of oddball performances, Tony Scott's True Romance is a funny and violent action jaunt in the best sense.

Synopsis: A comic-book nerd and Elvis fanatic Clarence (Christian Slater) and a prostitute named Alabama (Patricia Arquette) fall in love. Clarence breaks the news to her... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Christian Slater, Patricia Arquette, Dennis Hopper, Val Kilmer

Directed By: Tony Scott

Critics Consensus: Injecting its compendium of crime tales with the patois of everyday conversation, Pulp Fiction is a cinematic shot of adrenaline that cements writer-director Quentin Tarantino as an audacious purveyor of killer kino.

Synopsis: Vincent Vega (John Travolta) and Jules Winnfield (Samuel L. Jackson) are hitmen with a penchant for philosophical discussions. In this ultra-hip, multi-strand crime movie, their... View Full Synopsis

Starring: John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson, Uma Thurman, Harvey Keitel

Directed By: Quentin Tarantino

Critics Consensus: Thanks to a script that emphasizes its heroes' humanity and a wealth of superpowered set pieces, The Avengers lives up to its hype and raises the bar for Marvel at the movies.

Synopsis: When Thor's evil brother, Loki (Tom Hiddleston), gains access to the unlimited power of the energy cube called the Tesseract, Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson),... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth

Directed By: Joss Whedon

Critics Consensus: Jurassic Park is a spectacle of special effects and life-like animatronics, with some of Spielberg's best sequences of sustained awe and sheer terror since Jaws.

Synopsis: In Steven Spielberg's massive blockbuster, paleontologists Alan Grant (Sam Neill) and Ellie Sattler (Laura Dern) and mathematician Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum) are among a select... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Sam Neill, Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum, Richard Attenborough

Directed By: Steven Spielberg

Critics Consensus: Smart, vibrant, and urgent without being didactic, Do the Right Thing is one of Spike Lee's most fully realized efforts -- and one of the most important films of the 1980s.

Synopsis: Salvatore "Sal" Fragione (Danny Aiello) is the Italian owner of a pizzeria in Brooklyn. A neighborhood local, Buggin' Out (Giancarlo Esposito), becomes upset when he... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Danny Aiello, Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee, Richard Edson

Directed By: Spike Lee

Critics Consensus: A breezily unpredictable blend of teen romance and superhero action, Spider-Man: Far from Home stylishly sets the stage for the next era of the MCU.

Synopsis: Peter Parker's relaxing European vacation takes an unexpected turn when Nick Fury shows up in his hotel room to recruit him for a mission. The... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Tom Holland, Samuel L. Jackson, Jake Gyllenhaal, Marisa Tomei

Directed By: Jon Watts

Critics Consensus: Suspenseful and politically astute, Captain America: The Winter Soldier is a superior entry in the Avengers canon and is sure to thrill Marvel diehards.

Synopsis: After the cataclysmic events in New York with his fellow Avengers, Steve Rogers, aka Captain America (Chris Evans), lives in the nation's capital as he... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Samuel L. Jackson, Sebastian Stan

Directed By: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo

Critics Consensus: Well cast and sharply directed, Fresh serves as an attention-getting calling card for writer-director Boaz Yakin as well as a gripping urban drama.

Synopsis: Fresh (Sean Nelson) is a 12-year-old drug dealer who finds himself trapped in a web of poverty, corruption and racial tension in Brooklyn, New York.... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Sean Nelson, Giancarlo Esposito, Samuel L. Jackson, N'Bushe Wright

Directed By: Boaz Yakin

Critics Consensus: Bold, bloody, and stylistically daring, Django Unchained is another incendiary masterpiece from Quentin Tarantino.

Synopsis: Two years before the Civil War, Django (Jamie Foxx), a slave, finds himself accompanying an unorthodox German bounty hunter named Dr. King Schultz (Christoph Waltz)... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz, Leonardo DiCaprio, Samuel L. Jackson

Directed By: Quentin Tarantino

Critics Consensus: Although somewhat lackadaisical in pace, Jackie Brown proves to be an effective star-vehicle for Pam Grier while offering the usual Tarantino wit and charm.

Synopsis: When flight attendant Jackie Brown (Pam Grier) is busted smuggling money for her arms dealer boss, Ordell Robbie (Samuel L. Jackson), agent Ray Nicolette (Michael... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Pam Grier, Samuel L. Jackson, Robert Forster, Bridget Fonda

Directed By: Quentin Tarantino

Critics Consensus: Avengers: Infinity War ably juggles a dizzying array of MCU heroes in the fight against their gravest threat yet, and the result is a thrilling, emotionally resonant blockbuster that (mostly) realizes its gargantuan ambitions.

Synopsis: Iron Man, Thor, the Hulk and the rest of the Avengers unite to battle their most powerful enemy yet -- the evil Thanos. On a... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Josh Brolin, Chadwick Boseman

Directed By: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo

Critics Consensus: Kill Bill is admittedly little more than a stylish revenge thriller -- albeit one that benefits from a wildly inventive surfeit of style.

Synopsis: A former assassin, known simply as The Bride (Uma Thurman), wakes from a coma four years after her jealous ex-lover Bill (David Carradine) attempts to... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Uma Thurman, Lucy Liu, Vivica A. Fox, Michael Madsen

Directed By: Quentin Tarantino

Critics Consensus: Kill Bill: Volume 2 adds extra plot and dialogue to the action-heavy exploits of its predecessor, while still managing to deliver a suitably hard-hitting sequel.

Synopsis: The Bride (Uma Thurman) picks up where she left off in volume one with her quest to finish the hit list she has composed of... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Uma Thurman, David Carradine, Michael Madsen, Daryl Hannah

Directed By: Quentin Tarantino

Critics Consensus: Eve's Bayou marks a striking feature debut for director Kasi Lemmons, layering terrific performances and Southern mysticism into a measured meditation on disillusionment and forgiveness.

Synopsis: Over the course of a long, hot Louisiana summer, a 10-year-old black girl, Eve Batiste (Jurnee Smollett), discovers that her family's affluent existence is merely... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Samuel L. Jackson, Lynn Whitfield, Debbi Morgan, Vondie Curtis-Hall

Directed By: Kasi Lemmons

Critics Consensus: Told with grit and verve by the Hughes brothers in their feature debut, Menace II Society is a gangland epic that breathes with authenticity while steeped in style.

Synopsis: After growing up in the gang lifestyle of the Los Angeles projects, 18-year-old Caine Lawson (Tyrin Turner) wants a way out. Everyone around him, including... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Tyrin Turner, Jada Pinkett Smith, Vonte Sweet, Larenz Tate

Directed By: Allen Hughes, Albert Hughes

Critics Consensus: Chi-Raq is as urgently topical and satisfyingly ambitious as it is wildly uneven -- and it contains some of Spike Lee's smartest, sharpest, and all-around entertaining late-period work.

Synopsis: The girlfriend (Teyonah Parris) of a Chicago gang leader (Nick Cannon) persuades other frustrated women to abstain from sex until their men agree to end... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Nick Cannon, Wesley Snipes, Teyonah Parris, Jennifer Hudson

Directed By: Spike Lee

Critics Consensus: An absorbing showcase for Philip Baker Hall, Paul Thomas Anderson's feature debut is a gamble that pays off handsomely.

Synopsis: A stranger (Philip Baker Hall) mentors a young Reno gambler (John C. Reilly) who weds a hooker (Gwyneth Paltrow) and befriends a vulgar casino regular.

Starring: Philip Baker Hall, John C. Reilly, Gwyneth Paltrow, Samuel L. Jackson

Directed By: Paul Thomas Anderson

Critics Consensus: Jungle Fever finds Spike Lee tackling timely sociopolitical themes in typically provocative style, even if the result is sometimes ambitious to a fault.

Synopsis: A married black lawyer named Flipper (Wesley Snipes) begins an affair with Angie (Annabella Sciorra), his white secretary. When the news is leaked through an... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Wesley Snipes, Annabella Sciorra, Ossie Davis, Spike Lee

Directed By: Spike Lee

Critics Consensus: Packed with action, humor, and visual thrills, Captain Marvel introduces the MCU's latest hero with an origin story that makes effective use of the franchise's signature formula.

Synopsis: Captain Marvel is an extraterrestrial Kree warrior who finds herself caught in the middle of an intergalactic battle between her people and the Skrulls. Living... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Brie Larson, Samuel L. Jackson, Ben Mendelsohn, Djimon Hounsou

Directed By: Anna Boden, Ryan Fleck

Critics Consensus: With Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, George Lucas brings his second Star Wars trilogy to a suitably thrilling and often poignant -- if still a bit uneven -- conclusion.

Synopsis: It has been three years since the Clone Wars began. Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) and Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen) rescue Chancellor... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, Hayden Christensen, Ian McDiarmid

Directed By: George Lucas

Critics Consensus: With plenty of pulpy action, a pleasantly retro vibe, and a handful of fine performances, Captain America is solidly old-fashioned blockbuster entertainment.

Synopsis: It is 1941 and the world is in the throes of war. Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) wants to do his part and join America's armed... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Chris Evans, Hayley Atwell, Sebastian Stan, Tommy Lee Jones

Directed By: Joe Johnston

Critics Consensus: Relying on psychological tension rather than overt violence and gore, 1408 is a genuinely creepy thriller with a strong lead performance by John Cusack.

Synopsis: Mike Enslin is a successful author who enjoys worldwide acclaim debunking supernatural phenomena -- before he checks into the Dolphin Hotel, that is. Ignoring the... View Full Synopsis

Starring: John Cusack, Samuel L. Jackson, Mary McCormack, Jasmine Anthony

Directed By: Mikael Håfström

Critics Consensus: The Banker's timid approach to dramatizing its fact-based story is often outweighed by the trio of strong performances at its core.

Synopsis: In the 1960s, two entrepreneurs hatch an ingenious business plan to fight for housing integration and equal access to the American Dream.

Starring: Anthony Mackie, Samuel L. Jackson, Nicholas Hoult, Nia Long

Directed By: George Nolfi

Critics Consensus: A clever parody of cop-buddy action-comedies, The Other Guys delivers several impressive action set pieces and lots of big laughs, thanks to the assured comic chemistry between Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg.

Synopsis: Unlike their heroic counterparts on the force, desk-bound NYPD detectives Gamble and Hoitz garner no headlines as they work day to day. Gamble relishes his... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg, Eva Mendes, Michael Keaton

Directed By: Adam McKay

Critics Consensus: Though it occasionally veers into unnecessary melodrama, Mother and Child benefits from a stellar cast and writer-director Rodrigo Garcia's finely detailed, bravely unsentimental script.

Synopsis: The lives of three women have a commonality: adoption. Karen (Annette Bening) is a physical therapist who regrets that, as a teenager, she gave up... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Naomi Watts, Annette Bening, Kerry Washington, Jimmy Smits

Directed By: Rodrigo Garcia

Critics Consensus: Big Game's enthusiastic throwback vibe will appeal to fans of low-budget '80s action movies, but co-writer/director Jalmari Helander adds a level of smarts and skill that make it more than just an homage.

Synopsis: The U.S. president (Samuel L. Jackson) must rely on a 13-year-old boy (Onni Tommila) to get him out alive after Air Force One is shot... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Samuel L. Jackson, Onni Tommila, Ray Stevenson, Mehmet Kurtuluş

Directed By: Jalmari Helander

Critics Consensus: A dazzling blockbuster that tempers its sweeping scope with wit, humor, and human drama, Thor is mighty Marvel entertainment.

Synopsis: As the son of Odin (Anthony Hopkins), king of the Norse gods, Thor (Chris Hemsworth) will soon inherit the throne of Asgard from his aging... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Anthony Hopkins, Tom Hiddleston

Directed By: Kenneth Branagh

Critics Consensus: Though some may find its conclusion unsatisfying, Changing Lanes is a tense, well-crafted exploration of meaty ethical dilemmas.

Synopsis: A rush-hour fender-bender on New York City's crowded FDR Drive, under most circumstances, wouldn't set off a chain reaction that could decimate two people's lives.... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Ben Affleck, Samuel L. Jackson, Toni Collette, Sydney Pollack

Directed By: Roger Michell

Critics Consensus: Exuberant and eye-popping, Avengers: Age of Ultron serves as an overstuffed but mostly satisfying sequel, reuniting its predecessor's unwieldy cast with a few new additions and a worthy foe.

Synopsis: When Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) jump-starts a dormant peacekeeping program, things go terribly awry, forcing him, Thor (Chris Hemsworth), the Incredible Hulk (Mark Ruffalo)... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Evans

Directed By: Joss Whedon

Critics Consensus: Offering exhilarating eye candy, solid acting, and a fast-paced story, Kong: Skull Island earns its spot in the movie monster's mythos without ever matching up to the classic original.

Synopsis: Scientists, soldiers and adventurers unite to explore a mythical, uncharted island in the Pacific Ocean. Cut off from everything they know, they venture into the... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Tom Hiddleston, Samuel L. Jackson, Brie Larson, John C. Reilly

Directed By: Jordan Vogt-Roberts

Critics Consensus: Stylish, subversive, and above all fun, Kingsman: The Secret Service finds director Matthew Vaughn sending up the spy genre with gleeful abandon.

Synopsis: Gary "Eggsy" Unwin (Taron Egerton), whose late father secretly worked for a spy organization, lives in a South London housing estate and seems headed for... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Colin Firth, Michael Caine, Taron Egerton, Samuel L. Jackson

Directed By: Matthew Vaughn

Critics Consensus: The Hateful Eight offers another well-aimed round from Quentin Tarantino's signature blend of action, humor, and over-the-top violence -- all while demonstrating an even stronger grip on his filmmaking craft.

Synopsis: While racing toward the town of Red Rock in post-Civil War Wyoming, bounty hunter John "The Hangman" Ruth (Kurt Russell) and his fugitive prisoner (Jennifer... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Samuel L. Jackson, Kurt Russell, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Walton Goggins

Directed By: Quentin Tarantino

Critics Consensus: The Negotiator's battle of wits doesn't wholly justify its excessive length, but confident direction by F. Gary Gray and formidable performances makes this a situation audiences won't mind being hostage to.

Synopsis: Danny Roman (Samuel L. Jackson) is considered the best police hostage negotiator in Chicago. After a friend warns him that someone is embezzling from a... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Samuel L. Jackson, Kevin Spacey, David Morse, Ron Rifkin

Directed By: F. Gary Gray

Critics Consensus: It isn't quite the breath of fresh air that Iron Man was, but this sequel comes close with solid performances and an action-packed plot.

Synopsis: With the world now aware that he is Iron Man, billionaire inventor Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) faces pressure from all sides to share his... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle, Scarlett Johansson

Directed By: Jon Favreau

Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.

Synopsis: Long Island loser Tommy (Steve Buscemi) is a hopeless alcoholic who loses his job for stealing from his boss, Rob (Anthony LaPaglia), who's now dating... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Steve Buscemi, Mark Boone Junior, Chloë Sevigny, Michael Buscemi

Directed By: Steve Buscemi

Critics Consensus: A symphony of storytelling whose lulls lead to satisfying crescendos, The Red Violin weaves a centuries-long saga with the journey of a single instrument.

Synopsis: The intricate history of a beautiful antique violin is traced from its creation in Cremona, Italy, in 1681, where a legendary violin maker (Carlo Cecchi)... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Samuel L. Jackson, Don McKellar, Carlo Cecchi, Irene Grazioli

Directed By: François Girard

Critics Consensus: Mo' Better Blues is rich with vibrant hues and Denzel Washington's impassioned performance, although its straightforward telling lacks the political punch fans expect from a Spike Lee joint.

Synopsis: Financially irresponsible Giant (Spike Lee) manages a jazz group, but his sax player, Shadow (Wesley Snipes), wants to replace him with a better businessman. Bleak... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Denzel Washington, Spike Lee, Wesley Snipes, Joie Lee

Directed By: Spike Lee

Critics Consensus: With a weaker ending, Unbreakable is not as a good as The Sixth Sense. However, it is a quietly suspenseful film that intrigues and engages, taking the audience through unpredictable twists and turns along the way.

Synopsis: David Dunn (Bruce Willis) is the sole survivor of a devastating train wreck. Elijah Price (Samuel L. Jackson) is a mysterious stranger who offers a... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Bruce Willis, Samuel L. Jackson, Robin Wright, Charlayne Woodard

Directed By: M. Night Shyamalan

Critics Consensus: Snakes on a Plane lives up to its title, featuring snakes on a plane. It isn't perfect, but then again, it doesn't need to be.

Synopsis: FBI agent Neville Flynn (Samuel L. Jackson) boards a flight from Hawaii to Los Angeles, escorting a witness to trial. An on-board assassin releases a... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Samuel L. Jackson, Kenan Thompson, Julianna Margulies, Nathan Phillips

Directed By: David R. Ellis

Critics Consensus: Overlong and superficial, A Time to Kill nonetheless succeeds on the strength of its skillful craftsmanship and top-notch performances.

Synopsis: Carl Lee Hailey (Samuel L. Jackson) is a heartbroken black father who avenges his daughter's brutal rape by shooting the bigoted men responsible for the... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Sandra Bullock, Samuel L. Jackson, Matthew McConaughey, Kevin Spacey

Directed By: Joel Schumacher

Critics Consensus: Smart, sharp-witted, and fueled by enjoyably over-the-top action, The Long Kiss Goodnight makes up in impact what it lacks in consistent aim.

Synopsis: Schoolteacher and single mother Samantha Caine (Geena Davis) lives an average suburban life -- until she begins having strange memories of unexplained violence and discovers... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Geena Davis, Samuel L. Jackson, Patrick Malahide, Craig Bierko

Directed By: Renny Harlin

Critics Consensus: An outstanding ensemble cast propels Kiss of Death, a noir-ish crime thriller that's slick and big on atmosphere, even if its script may only provide sporadic bursts of tension.

Synopsis: After his time in prison, Jimmy Kilmartin (David Caruso) keeps his head down and provides for his wife and kids, until his cousin Ronnie (Michael... View Full Synopsis

Starring: David Caruso, Nicolas Cage, Samuel L. Jackson, Helen Hunt

Directed By: Barbet Schroeder

Critics Consensus: With a charismatic lead, this new Shaft knows how to push the right buttons.

Synopsis: Crooked cops on the take -- small-time drug lords -- sleazy informers and sadistic rich kids ready to kill --- for police detective John Shaft,... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Samuel L. Jackson, Vanessa Williams, Jeffrey Wright, Christian Bale

Directed By: John Singleton

Critics Consensus: It's nowhere near as inventive as its off-the-wall premise might suggest, but Turbo boasts just enough colorful visual thrills and sharp voice acting to recommend as undemanding family-friendly fare.

Synopsis: Turbo is a speed-obsessed snail with an unusual dream: to become the world's greatest racer. This odd snail gets a chance to leave his slow-paced... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Paul Giamatti, Michael Peña, Samuel L. Jackson

Directed By: David Soren

Critics Consensus: Uninhibited performances, skillful direction, and a killer blues soundtrack elevate Black Snake Moan beyond its outlandish premise.

Synopsis: After her lover (Justin Timberlake) leaves to serve in the military, Rae (Christina Ricci) gives in to her raging libido and leaps into a life... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Samuel L. Jackson, Christina Ricci, Justin Timberlake, S. Epatha Merkerson

Directed By: Craig Brewer

Critics Consensus: Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones benefits from an increased emphasis on thrilling action, although it's undercut by ponderous plot points and underdeveloped characters.

Synopsis: Set ten years after the events of "The Phantom Menace," the Republic continues to be mired in strife and chaos. A separatist movement encompassing hundreds... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, Hayden Christensen, Christopher Lee

Directed By: George Lucas

Critics Consensus: Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children proves a suitable match for Tim Burton's distinctive style, even if it's on stronger footing as a visual experience than a narrative one.

Synopsis: When his beloved grandfather leaves Jake clues to a mystery that spans different worlds and times, he finds a magical place known as Miss Peregrine's... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Eva Green, Asa Butterfield, Samuel L. Jackson, Judi Dench

Directed By: Tim Burton

Critics Consensus: Even though it's based on a true story, Coach Carter is pretty formulaic stuff, but it's effective and energetic, thanks to a strong central performance from Samuel L. Jackson.

Synopsis: In 1999, Ken Carter (Samuel L. Jackson) returns to his old high school in Richmond, California, to get the basketball team into shape. With tough... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Samuel L. Jackson, Robert Ri'chard, Rob Brown, Ashanti

Directed By: Thomas Carter

Critics Consensus: Maggie Q's still waiting for the action movie that really deserves her -- but until then, The Protégé hits just hard enough to satisfy.

Synopsis: Rescued as a child by the legendary assassin Moody (Samuel L. Jackson) and trained in the family business, Anna (Maggie Q) is the world's most... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Michael Keaton, Maggie Q, Samuel L. Jackson, David Rintoul

Directed By: Martin Campbell

Critics Consensus: While sluggish in spots, Resurrecting the Champ is a sports/newsroom drama elevated by high-caliber performances by Samuel Jackson, Josh Hartnett, and Alan Alda.

Synopsis: Things are not going well for Erik Kernan (Josh Hartnett). Erik, a sports reporter, is stuck covering the bush leagues because his editor (Alan Alda)... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Samuel L. Jackson, Josh Hartnett, Kathryn Morris, Alan Alda

Directed By: Rod Lurie

Critics Consensus: Deep Blue Sea is no Jaws, but action fans seeking some toothy action can certainly do -- and almost certainly have done -- far worse for B-movie thrills.

Synopsis: On an island research facility, Dr. Susan McAlester is harvesting the brain tissue of DNA-altered sharks as a possible cure for Alzheimer's disease. When the... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Thomas Jane, Saffron Burrows, Samuel L. Jackson, Jacqueline McKenzie

Directed By: Renny Harlin

Critics Consensus: The Last Full Measure struggles to capture the incidents that inspired it, but ultimately prevails thanks to strong performances in service of a remarkable true story.

Synopsis: Airman William H. Pitsenbarger Jr. is awarded the Medal of Honor for his service and actions on the battlefield.

Starring: Sebastian Stan, Christopher Plummer, William Hurt, Ed Harris

Directed By: Todd Robinson

Critics Consensus: Die Hard with a Vengeance benefits from Bruce Willis and Samuel L. Jackson's barbed interplay, but clatters to a bombastic finish in a vain effort to cover for an overall lack of fresh ideas.

Synopsis: Detective John McClane (Bruce Willis) is now divorced, alcoholic and jobless after getting fired for his reckless behavior and bad attitude. He is called back... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Bruce Willis, Jeremy Irons, Samuel L. Jackson, Graham Greene

Directed By: John McTiernan

Critics Consensus: While it might be intriguing for Mel Brooks completists, Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank is an often ungainly blend of kid-friendly animation and grown-up gags.

Synopsis: A down-on-his-luck hound finds himself in a town full of cats who need a hero to defend them from a ruthless villain's evil plot to... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Michael Cera, Samuel L. Jackson, Ricky Gervais, Mel Brooks

Directed By: Mark Koetsier, Chris Bailey, Rob Minkoff

Critics Consensus: Burdened by exposition and populated with stock characters, The Phantom Menace gets the Star Wars prequels off to a bumpy -- albeit visually dazzling -- start.

Synopsis: Experience the heroic action and unforgettable adventures of Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace. See the first fateful steps in the journey of... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Liam Neeson, Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, Jake Lloyd

Directed By: George Lucas

Critics Consensus: While it isn't terribly original, and it seems to have a political agenda that may rankle some viewers, Astro Boy boasts enough visual thrills to please its target demographic.

Synopsis: In futuristic Metro City, a brilliant scientist named Tenma builds Astro Boy (Freddie Highmore), a robotic child with superstrength, X-ray vision and the ability to... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Freddie Highmore, Kristen Bell, Nathan Lane, Eugene Levy

Directed By: David Bowers

Critics Consensus: While it's far better than it could have been, José Padilha's RoboCop remake fails to offer a significant improvement over the original.

Synopsis: In 2028, OmniCorp is at the center of robot technology. While its drones have long been used by the military overseas, their use is forbidden... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Joel Kinnaman, Gary Oldman, Samuel L. Jackson, Michael Keaton

Directed By: José Padilha

Critics Consensus: It has an endearing lack of seriousness, and Vin Diesel has more than enough muscle for the starring role, but ultimately, XXX is a missed opportunity to breathe new life into the spy thriller genre.

Synopsis: Vin Diesel stars as former extreme sports athlete Xander "XXX" Cage, notorious for his death-defying public stunts. Betting he can succeed where other conventional spies... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Vin Diesel, Asia Argento, Marton Csokas, Samuel L. Jackson

Directed By: Rob Cohen

Critics Consensus: A competent, but routine police thriller.

Synopsis: Hondo Harrelson (Samuel L. Jackson) recruits Jim Street (Colin Farrell) to join an elite unit of the Los Angeles Police Department. Together they seek out... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Samuel L. Jackson, Colin Farrell, Michelle Rodriguez, LL Cool J

Directed By: Clark Johnson

Critics Consensus: xXx: Return of Xander Cage should satisfy fans of the first two installments, but its preponderance of set pieces can't quite make up for a tired storyline that fails to take the franchise -- or action fans -- anywhere new.

Synopsis: After coming out of self-imposed exile, daredevil operative Xander Cage (Vin Diesel) must race against time to recover a sinister weapon known as Pandora's Box,... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Vin Diesel, Donnie Yen, Deepika Padukone, Kris Wu

Directed By: D.J. Caruso

Critics Consensus: Soul Men features lively performances from Bernie Mac and Samuel L. Jackson and some hilarious moments, but ultimately suffers from an unoriginal script.

Synopsis: Louis (Samuel L. Jackson) and Floyd (Bernie Mac) used to be one of the country's top musical duos, until they broke up and never spoke... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Samuel L. Jackson, Bernie Mac, Sharon Leal, Adam Herschman

Directed By: Malcolm D. Lee

Critics Consensus: The Caveman's Valentine has an intriguing premise, but the film falls flat under the weight of its ambition.

Synopsis: Romulus is a homeless man who dwells in a cave in one of New York City's parks, but was once a promising composer. When a... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Samuel L. Jackson, Colm Feore, Ann Magnuson, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor

Directed By: Kasi Lemmons

Critics Consensus: This thriller about a menacing cop wreaking havoc on his neighbors is tense enough but threatens absurdity when it enters into excessive potboiler territory.

Synopsis: An uptight cop (Samuel L. Jackson), the self-appointed watchdog of his neighborhood, strongly disapproves of the interracial newlyweds (Patrick Wilson, Kerry Washington) who just moved... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Samuel L. Jackson, Patrick Wilson, Kerry Washington, Jay Hernandez

Directed By: Neil LaBute

Critics Consensus: The Hitman's Bodyguard coasts on Samuel L. Jackson and Ryan Reynolds' banter -- but doesn't get enough mileage to power past an overabundance of action-comedy clichés.

Synopsis: The world's top protection agent is called upon to guard the life of his mortal enemy, one of the world's most notorious hit men. The... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Samuel L. Jackson, Gary Oldman, Salma Hayek

Directed By: Patrick Hughes

Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.

Synopsis: 2020: A year so [insert adjective of choice here], even the creators of Black Mirror couldn't make it up... but that doesn't mean they don't... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Samuel L. Jackson, Hugh Grant, Lisa Kudrow, Kumail Nanjiani

Directed By: Al Campbell, Alice Mathias

Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.

Synopsis: Boxing promoter the Rev. Fred Sultan (Samuel L. Jackson) decides the best way to revive public interest in his top client's matches is to create... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Samuel L. Jackson, Jeff Goldblum, Peter Berg, Jon Lovitz

Directed By: Reginald Hudlin

Critics Consensus: Suitably grim and bloody yet disappointingly safe and shallow, Spike Lee's Oldboy remake neither surpasses the original nor adds anything new to its impressive legacy.

Synopsis: Although his life is already in a downward spiral, things get much worse for advertising executive Joe Doucett; while drunk one night, Joe is kidnapped... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Josh Brolin, Elizabeth Olsen, Sharlto Copley, Michael Imperioli

Directed By: Spike Lee

Critics Consensus: Spiral: From the Book of Saw suggests an interesting new direction for the Saw franchise, even if the gory sum is rather less than its parts.

Synopsis: A criminal mastermind unleashes a twisted form of justice in Spiral, the terrifying new chapter from the book of Saw. Working in the shadow of... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Chris Rock, Max Minghella, Samuel L. Jackson, Marisol Nichols

Directed By: Darren Bousman

Critics Consensus: The script is unconvincing and the courtroom action is unegaging.

Synopsis: Col. Terry Childers (Samuel L. Jackson) is a 30-year Marine veteran: a decorated officer with combat experience in Vietnam, Beirut and Desert Storm -- a... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Tommy Lee Jones, Samuel L. Jackson, Guy Pearce, Bruce Greenwood

Directed By: William Friedkin

Critics Consensus: The Legend of Tarzan has more on its mind than many movies starring the classic character, but that isn't enough to make up for its generic plot or sluggish pace.

Synopsis: It's been nearly a decade since Tarzan (Alexander Skarsgård), also known as John Clayton III, left Africa to live in Victorian England with his wife... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Alexander Skarsgård, Christoph Waltz, Samuel L. Jackson, Margot Robbie

Directed By: David Yates

Critics Consensus: Decades removed from the original, this multi-generational Shaft struggles to keep its characters interesting -- or anything other than uncomfortably outdated.

Synopsis: John Shaft Jr. may be an FBI cybersecurity expert, but to uncover the truth behind his best friend's untimely death, he needs an education that... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Samuel L. Jackson, Jessie T. Usher, Richard Roundtree, Regina Hall

Directed By: Tim Story

Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.

Synopsis: When a student writes the police code for homicide, 187, inside a textbook owned by teacher Trevor Garfield (Samuel L. Jackson), he feels threatened. The... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Samuel L. Jackson, John Heard, Kelly Rowan, Clifton Collins Jr.

Directed By: Kevin Reynolds

Critics Consensus: Despite the charms of its ensemble, The Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard fails to protect the audience from repetitive and tired genre tropes.

Synopsis: The world's most lethal odd couple -- bodyguard Michael Bryce (Ryan Reynolds) and hitman Darius Kincaid (Samuel L. Jackson) -- are back on another life-threatening... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Samuel L. Jackson, Salma Hayek, Antonio Banderas

Directed By: Patrick Hughes

Critics Consensus: Just like its underserved protagonist, Barely Lethal is in disguise -- it wants you to think it's smarter than it is but it fails by falling prey to all the clichés it mocks.

Synopsis: Seeking a normal adolescence, a special-operations agent (Hailee Steinfeld) fakes her own death and enrolls in high school as an exchange student.

Starring: Hailee Steinfeld, Jessica Alba, Samuel L. Jackson, Sophie Turner

Directed By: Kyle Newman

Critics Consensus: The Samaritan is a ludicrous neo-noir starring a seemingly bored Samuel L. Jackson.

Synopsis: After many years in prison, a former grifter (Samuel L. Jackson) tries to go straight, but the son (Luke Kirby) of his former partner insists... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Samuel L. Jackson, Luke Kirby, Ruth Negga, Tom Wilkinson

Directed By: David Weaver

Critics Consensus: Filled with profanities, Formula 51 is a stylized and incoherent mess that doesn't add up to much.

Synopsis: The 51st State is the story of Elmo McElroy (Samuel L. Jackson), a streetwise American master chemist, who heads to England to set up his... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Samuel L. Jackson, Robert Carlyle, Emily Mortimer, Rhys Ifans

Directed By: Ronnie Yu

Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.

Synopsis: Police Detective Jack Friar (Samuel L. Jackson) is searching for a runaway teen when he's taken hostage by a band of thieves. Tyrone (Stellan Skarsgard),... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Samuel L. Jackson, Milla Jovovich, Stellan Skarsgård, Doug Hutchison

Directed By: Bob Rafelson

Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.

Synopsis: Workaholic Thomas P. Johnson (Matthew Modine) has achieved professional success at the expense of his family life, having neglected his wife, Carol (Nancy Travis), and... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Matthew Modine, Nancy Travis, Eric Stoltz, Max Pomeranc

Directed By: Carlo Carlei

Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.

Synopsis: Kai (Jeremy Suarez), a high-spirited falcon, travels to the bird city of Zambezia and discovers the truth about his origins.

Starring: Jeremy Suarez, Abigail Breslin, Jeff Goldblum, Jamal Mixon

Directed By: Wayne Thornley

Critics Consensus: Poorly directed and overacted, Freedomland attempts to address sensitive race and class issues but its overzealousness misses the mark.

Synopsis: A mother blames the disappearance of her child on a black man from the projects after she reports a carjacking. A detective (Samuel L. Jackson)... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Samuel L. Jackson, Julianne Moore, Edie Falco, Ron Eldard

Directed By: Joe Roth

Critics Consensus: A well-intentioned but melodramatic look at post-Apartheid South Africa.

Synopsis: An American reporter (Samuel L. Jackson) and an Afrikaans poet (Juliette Binoche) meet and fall in love while covering South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Samuel L. Jackson, Juliette Binoche, Brendan Gleeson, Menzi Ngubane

Directed By: John Boorman

Critics Consensus: The ensemble cast works hard, but hammy direction and a script lacking in nuance ruins this movie's noble intentions.

Synopsis: Following a lengthy tour of duty in Iraq, three soldiers find that readjusting to life at home is not as easy as they originally thought.... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Samuel L. Jackson, Jessica Biel, Brian Presley, 50 Cent

Directed By: Irwin Winkler

Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.

Synopsis: A prosecutor (Dominic Cooper) commits a fatal hit-and-run, then manipulates the case so that the man who was arrested for the crime is acquitted. After... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Dominic Cooper, Samuel L. Jackson, Gloria Reuben, Erin Karpluk

Directed By: Peter Howitt

Critics Consensus: Basic gets so needlessly convoluted in its plot twists that the viewer eventually loses interest.

Synopsis: During special operations training mission in Panama, four U.S. soldiers are killed mysteriously, and their leader, Sgt. Nathan West, goes missing. A military investigator, Capt.... View Full Synopsis

Starring: John Travolta, Connie Nielsen, Samuel L. Jackson, Giovanni Ribisi

Directed By: John McTiernan

Critics Consensus: Mechanical animation and a less-than stellar script make The Clone Wars a pale shadow of George Lucas' once great franchise.

Synopsis: As more star systems get swept into the Clone Wars, the valiant Jedi knights struggle to maintain order. Anakin Skywalker and his Padawan learner Ahsoka... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Matt Lanter, Ashley Eckstein, James Arnold Taylor, Dee Bradley Baker

Directed By: Dave Filoni

Critics Consensus: Loaded Weapon 1 hits all the routine targets with soft squibs, yielding a tired parody that cycles through its laundry list of references with little comedic verve.

Synopsis: This "Lethal Weapon" spoof follows Los Angeles police officers Wes Luger (Samuel L. Jackson) and Jack Colt (Emilio Estevez) as they investigate the killing of... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Emilio Estevez, Samuel L. Jackson, Jon Lovitz, Tim Curry

Directed By: Gene Quintano

Critics Consensus: Even more absurd and implausible than the first XXX movie, State of the Union is less inspired and technically competent than its predecessor.

Synopsis: When the government finds out that a group of terrorists has infiltrated its ranks, and the group is being trained by high-ranking official George Deckert... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Ice Cube, Willem Dafoe, Scott Speedman, Peter Strauss

Directed By: Lee Tamahori

Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.

Synopsis: When erudite black playwright Andrew Sterling (Samuel L. Jackson) moves to a predominantly white suburb, the buffoonish local police surround his home, assuming he's a... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Nicolas Cage, Samuel L. Jackson, Dabney Coleman, Brad Dourif

Directed By: E. Max Frye

Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.

Synopsis: Retired policeman Tom Cutler (Samuel L. Jackson) works as a crime-scene cleaner to support his young daughter. Cutler's quiet life is thrown into turmoil when... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Samuel L. Jackson, Ed Harris, Eva Mendes, Luis Guzmán

Directed By: Renny Harlin

Critics Consensus: Featuring uninvolving characters and loose narrative, Jumper is an erratic action pic with little coherence and lackluster special effects.

Synopsis: Aimless David Rice (Hayden Christensen) has the ability to instantly transport himself to any place he can imagine. He uses that gift to globe-trot, living... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Hayden Christensen, Jamie Bell, Samuel L. Jackson, Rachel Bilson

Directed By: Doug Liman

Critics Consensus: Though its visuals are unique, The Spirit's plot is almost incomprehensible, the dialogue is ludicrously mannered, and the characters are unmemorable.

Synopsis: Apparently murdered cop Denny Colt (Gabriel Macht) returns as the Spirit, dedicated to protecting Central City from crime. His archenemy, the Octopus (Samuel L. Jackson),... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Gabriel Macht, Samuel L. Jackson, Sarah Paulson, Eva Mendes

Directed By: Frank Miller

Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.

Synopsis: An unwitting family man takes a joyride from hell with an insane killer.

Starring: Samuel L. Jackson, Luke Wilson, Leslie Bibb, Peyton List

Directed By: Chris Fisher

Critics Consensus: Shoddily crafted and devoid of suspense, Cell squanders a capable cast and Stephen King's once-prescient source material on a bland rehash of zombie cliches.

Synopsis: In a Boston airport, a character named Clay, played by Cusack, observes an electronic signal that causes cellphone users to commit acts of violence. Clay... View Full Synopsis

Starring: John Cusack, Samuel L. Jackson, Isabelle Fuhrman, Owen Teague

Directed By: Tod Williams

Critics Consensus: Sphere features an A-level cast working with B-grade material, with a story seen previously in superior science-fiction films.

Synopsis: When psychologist Norman Goodman (Dustin Hoffman) wrote a report for the government on how to deal with extraterrestrial life forces, he didn't expect his recommendations... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Dustin Hoffman, Sharon Stone, Samuel L. Jackson, Peter Coyote

Directed By: Barry Levinson

Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.

Synopsis: Waymon (Joseph C. Phillips) has a great job in real estate and a promising future, but he's also trapped in a loveless long-term relationship. He... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Tommy Davidson, Joseph C. Phillips, Anne-Marie Johnson, David Marshall Grant

Directed By: Kevin Hooks

Critics Consensus: An implausible, overheated potboiler that squanders a stellar cast, Twisted is a clichéd, risible whodunit.

Synopsis: Recently promoted and transferred to the homicide division, Inspector Jessica Shepard (Ashley Judd) feels pressure to prove herself -- and what better way than by... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Ashley Judd, Samuel L. Jackson, Andy Garcia, David Strathairn

Directed By: Philip Kaufman

Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.

Synopsis: With the help of her father's ex-partner (Samuel L. Jackson) and a friend (Callan McAuliffe) from her past, an orphaned teen (India Eisley) mercilessly blasts... View Full Synopsis

Starring: India Eisley, Callan McAuliffe, Samuel L. Jackson, Deon Lotz

Directed By: Ralph Ziman