Denzel Washington has been doing a lot of promo for Spike Lee’s Highest 2 Lowest, which I still haven’t seen. Sidenote: I find Spike Lee’s late-career work fascinating, but one of two extremes – either he’s making one of the best movies in his filmography, or one of the worst. Y’all will have to let me know which one H2L is. In any case, Denzel is doing a lot, and I think that’s out of respect for Spike, because otherwise, he probably wouldn’t bother at this point. In the past year especially, Denzel has sounded “over it,” to put it politely. He’s over the industry, he’s over the awards seasons, he’s over the hustling. As it turns out, he’s even over watching movies.
Denzel Washington joined GQ for a video interview with his “Highest 2 Lowest” director Spike Lee and co-star A$AP Rocky and made the surprising revelation that he no longer watches movies. The two-time Oscar winner admitted it may be because he’s just made too many of them. Washington has well over 40 film credits under his belt after starting his career in 1981’s “Carbon Copy.”
“I don’t watch movies, man. I really don’t,” Washington said. “I’m just being honest with you! I don’t watch movies! I don’t go to the movies. I don’t watch movies. … I’m tired of movies. Yeah.”
When Lee asked Washington how many movies he’s made, the actor responded: “Too many. I think 50!”
It might be the situation of “I do this all day, I don’t want to do it during my off-hours.” Which is sort of who I’ve become too, in a much smaller way than Denzel. I write and read about pop culture, royals and celebrities all day for my job – on my off-hours, I just want to watch tennis and decompress, not slog my way through a new movie or show every other night. It’s bad, I know. I do watch new stuff, btw, but I’ve become more fickle. In Denzel’s case… he’s been in so many movies, he’s directed and produced, he’s done it all and worked with so many people. I can totally see how he’s reached an age where he just doesn’t care anymore.
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Cover Images.
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- Denzel Washington attend the “Highest 2 Lowest” red carpet at the 78th annual Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals on May 19, 2025 in Cannes, France.,Image: 1001042684, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: Olivier Sanchez/Avalon
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- Los Angeles Netflix Premiere Of ‘The Piano Lesson’ At The Egyptian Theatre Featuring: Denzel Washington Where: Los Angeles, California, United States When: 19 Nov 2024 Credit: Faye’s Vision/Cover Images
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- Denzel Washington receives the Honorary Palme d’Or ahead of the screening of the film ‘Highest 2 Lowest’ at the 78th edition of the Cannes Film Festival Featuring: Denzel Washington When: 19 May 2025 Credit: Starface Photo/Cover Images **UK AND USA RIGHTS ONLY**
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- ‘Highest 2 Lowest’ premiere at Brooklyn Academy of Music Featuring: Denzel Washington Where: Brooklyn, New York, United States When: 11 Aug 2025 Credit: Walik Goshorn/MediaPunch/INSTARimages
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- Red carpet for the New York premiere of ‘Highest 2 Lowest’ at Brooklyn Academy of Music Featuring: denzel washington Where: New York, United States When: 11 Aug 2025 Credit: M10s/TheNews2/Cover Images
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- Red carpet for the New York premiere of ‘Highest 2 Lowest’ at Brooklyn Academy of Music Featuring: Pauletta Washington, Denzel Washington Where: New York, United States When: 11 Aug 2025 Credit: M10s/TheNews2/Cover Images
the best part of his interview was not that he doesn’t watch movies, but what he does watch! Our man loves his British Murder Mysteries: Poirot, Miss Marple, Vera. A man after my own heart
So … movies? LOL
No, in the interview he specifically talks about how he watches TV, and likes British TV series on BritBox. They even get into a funny back and forth about Agatha Christie. It’s fun
Oh, he so needs to guest-star on Midsomer Murders…😂
My crush is now sealed for eternity!
We’ve complained here before about academy award voters not watching the movies. I’ve read that comment many times. I guess we’re assuming he’s not watching the screeners for award season? Does that mean he doesn’t vote?
I feel he probably watches what is necessary. I think he just doesn’t consider it a religious experience” like Winona Ryder does, though. She’s invested in an unrealistic way, imo.
I suspect he doesn’t want to be asked who his favourite Gen Z actor is. Like the rest of us, he probably isn’t interested in having an opinion about it. Jacob Elordi? Whoever Natalie Portman or Nicole Kidman have starred with lately? I’ll pretend I’ve never seen them in anything. Im making a guess he’s pretending he doesn’t watch anything whatsoever to avoid the question.
When he was promoting Gladiator 2 he admitted he doesn’t watch the screeners. His wife watches them all and votes for him, because he just don’t care and she still does.
There’s too much content — it’s overwhelming. I kind of wonder if that’s part of the fatigue…
You have to wade through a lot to get to something good.
And just dealing with industry politics as long as he has…that’s like living 50 lifetimes in one. 😳😳
I think it’s just a sign of his professional maturity. After years of experience you do start to develop a longer-range vision of your industry, so you don’t react as much to every little development. For Denzel it’s show biz, for me it’s software.
This is… a weird take. I’m trying to imagine a scientist saying, “I’ve done so much science, I’m over it!” The politics of it, yes—but the science? No.
Denzel’s comment made me wonder how many times his work has been ruined by bad editors, bad directors, bad producers. Or projects he wanted but were never given a green light. David Zaslav and others like him are controlling the industry, stifling creativity and look, here’s another 8 superhero movies!
I can see that.
I could see a scientist in academia getting sick of science.
Actors are asked their opinions so we hear about their fatigue with things more often.
That said, I do think people in the creative arts are more likely to complain for some reason. Or possibly even mature out of their own industry as they start to see the long view of life. There is a practicality to real life that is sometimes at odds with how artists at a younger age see life.
I think Denzel is in his Cranky Old Man era.
That said, I hate 99% of movies coming out now, so either I’m also a cranky old man, or the movies suck.
Yo, Denzel— please guest-star on Midsomer Murders!!!
Not surprising. I bet if we asked Daniel Day Lewis the same question we’d find out how he doesn’t want to watch movies too. Denzel’s job was never about watching all the movies, what he does is plenty as it is. He’s earned retirement, saying he should go to work in TV for a small paycheck is still just demanding him to work more. Let the man be.
I loved while during an interview with Spike Lee and ASAP Rocky, Denzel casually “stole” Rocky’s very expensive watch. Lee deadpanned, “That’s gone, bro,” or something like that. Hilarious. I especially love Spike Lee. He’s been killing it with his movies and documentaries for DECADES. And he only got one Oscar for a screenplay. I guess only a white guy can get the accolades and awe and multiple Oscars. In my opinion, Spike Lee is a damn genius who should be honored much more than he is. He is a visionary (unlike dumb Willy who’ll do anything to escape work).
I think it makes sense when considering how toxic the industry can be and the likelihood of AI causing a whole new boatload of problems. He’s older and probably tired and probably put in enough good performances to earn retirement. I think he’s wise to pull back and only show when necessary. Might as well end your career doing only things you’re passionate about. Not like he needs the money at this point.