The top 10 best Samuel L Jackson movies

Samuel L. Jackson is one of the most celebrated actors of the last few decades.

His presence on screen is magnetic, and his performances are always engaging and memorable regardless of what genre he appears in.

Throughout his career, Jackson has appeared in over 150 films, and has been nominated for numerous awards, including an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Pulp Fiction, a role for which he won a Bafta the same year. He was also awarded an Honorary Academy Award in 2022.

Despite a long and distinguished career already, he remains one of the hottest names in Hollywood, and his attachment to a project is a near guarantee that the film is going to be worth watching.

In this article, we’ll be exploring the top 10 movies of Samuel L. Jackson that you shouldn’t miss – so if you’re ready, we will begin.

The best Samuel L Jackson performances

Pulp Fiction (1994)

Pulp Fiction is perhaps Samuel L. Jackson’s most iconic movie. Directed by Quentin Tarantino, the movie features Jackson in a pivotal role as Jules Winnfield. His performance in the movie is simply outstanding, and his delivery of the iconic “Ezekiel 25:17” speech is still one of the most quoted in cinema history.

Jackson’s character in Pulp Fiction is a hitman who, along with his partner Vincent Vega (John Travolta), is tasked with retrieving a briefcase for their boss, Marsellus Wallace. The movie is nonlinear, and Jackson’s character goes through a significant transformation throughout the film. His portrayal of Jules is both intense and charismatic, and he steals every scene he’s in.

The Avengers (2012)

Samuel L. Jackson portrays Nick Fury in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In The Avengers, he brings together the team of superheroes to save the world from destruction. His portrayal of Fury is convincing and adds depth to the character in a world where there is a lot of change at a fast pace.

Jackson’s character in The Avengers is the director of S.H.I.E.L.D., a secret government agency that deals with threats to national security. He is responsible for recruiting the superheroes and bringing them together to fight against Loki and his army. Jackson’s performance in the movie is commanding, and he provides a sense of gravitas to the role.

Django Unchained (2012)

In Django Unchained, Samuel L. Jackson plays Stephen, a loyal slave who works for Calvin Candie, the movie’s villain. Jackson delivers a memorable performance as a complex character torn between loyalty and self-preservation.

Jackson’s character in Django Unchained is a slave who has risen through the ranks to become Candie’s right-hand man. He is fiercely loyal to Candie, but he is also aware of his own precarious position as a slave. Jackson’s performance in the movie is both nuanced and powerful.

Jackie Brown (1997)

Jackie Brown is another Quentin Tarantino movie that features Samuel L. Jackson. In the movie, he plays Ordell Robbie, a ruthless arms dealer who is in conflict with the main character, Jackie Brown. Jackson’s portrayal of Robbie is intense and commanding.

Jackson’s character in Jackie Brown is a career criminal who is always looking for his next big score. He is smart, ruthless, and utterly charming. Jackson’s performance in the movie is both charismatic and menacing, and he dominates every scene he’s in.

Unbreakable (2000)

Unbreakable is a superhero movie directed by M. Night Shyamalan. Samuel L. Jackson plays Elijah Price, a character who believes that superheroes exist in the real world.

Jackson’s character in Unbreakable is a comic book art dealer who suffers from a rare genetic disorder that makes his bones fragile and prone to breaking. He becomes obsessed with finding someone who is the opposite of him – someone who is unbreakable.

Die Hard with a Vengeance (1995)

Die Hard with a Vengeance is the third movie in the Die Hard franchise, and it features Samuel L. Jackson in a prominent role – and one that once you’ve seen you’ll struggle to forget. In the movie, Jackson plays Zeus Carver, a taxi driver who gets caught up in John McClane’s mission to stop a terrorist attack.

Jackson’s character in Die Hard with a Vengeance is a reluctant hero who is drawn into the action by McClane. He is smart, resourceful, and he adds a lot of humor to the movie.

A Time to Kill (1996)

A Time to Kill is a legal drama based on the novel of the same name by John Grisham. In the movie, Samuel L. Jackson plays Carl Lee Hailey, a black man who kills two white men who raped his daughter. Jackson’s performance in the movie is powerful and emotional.

Jackson’s character in A Time to Kill is a father who is driven to seek justice for his daughter. He is a man who has been pushed to the edge, and his performance in the movie is both heartbreaking and inspiring.

The Hateful Eight (2015)

The Hateful Eight is a Western directed by Quentin Tarantino, and it features Samuel L. Jackson in a prominent role. Jackson plays Major Marquis Warren, a bounty hunter who is stranded in a blizzard with a group of strangers.

Jackson’s character in The Hateful Eight is a former Union soldier who is now a bounty hunter. He is smart, resourceful, and he has a dark past that is slowly revealed throughout the movie.

Jurassic Park (1993)

Jurassic Park is a science fiction movie directed by Steven Spielberg, and it features Samuel L. Jackson in a supporting role. In the movie, Jackson plays Ray Arnold, a technician who works at the park. Jackson’s performance in the movie is brief, but memorable.

Jackson’s character in Jurassic Park is a no-nonsense technician who tries to keep the park’s systems running and he offers an interesting hint that things aren’t going as well as they seem at the Park before it all goes wrong.

Shaft (2000)

Shaft is an action movie directed by John Singleton, and it features Samuel L. Jackson in the titular role. Jackson plays John Shaft, a private investigator who is trying to solve a murder.

He is a tough, no-nonsense detective who doesn’t play by the rules. He is smart, resourceful, and he is always one step ahead of his enemies.

• Looking for some entertainment? Have you tried our general knowledge quiz questions and answers yet?
• Want to supercharge your streaming? Take a look at our guide to Netflix secret codes for TV and movie fans
• Love TV and movies? Try Screen OD on YouTube...