The Equalizer, a remake of the 1980s television series that starred Edward Woodward, gave Denzel Washington and director Antoine Fuqua a chance to reunite after Training Day to bring the story of Robert McCall to the big screen — this article provides 10 similar movies we’d highly recommend.
A former government agent, McCall uses his considerable skills to help those in need and equalize the odds in their favor. With bruising action sequences, considerable amounts of violence, and a very tough atmosphere, right from its first installment, the series proved to be a commercial success, giving Washington one of his most iconic characters in an already impressive list of credits.
10 Movies like The Equalizer
Man on Fire (2004)
The recent third installment of The Equalizer series saw Denzel Washington reunite with his Man on Fire co-star, Dakota Fanning. Their first collaboration was in Tony Scott’s stylishly brutal adaptation of A.J Quinnell’s novel, itself previously made into a film in 1987.
Like The Equalizer, Man on Fire sees Washington in charismatically brutal form, but Scott never loses sight of the emotion at the heart of the story, even amongst scenes of frequent brutality and violence. Remember, the gunshot holds no fear.
John Wick (2014)
In comparison to its sequels, the first John Wick looks positively restrained, but it’s still a masterclass in action filmmaking. A comeback for Keanu Reeves, and with a story that deals with revenge and bereavement, Chad Stahelski and David Leitch’s film didn’t just launch an iconic new series.
It helped to reinvent the action film itself. Not bad going for a movie that very nearly went straight to video-on-demand.
Taken (2008)
While its famous telephone scene has been much copied and spoofed, it’s easy to forget just how much of an impact the first Taken made upon its release.
While its sequels were something of a mixed bag, and it also led to a short-lived television series, the first installment of the series is punchy, brutal, full of energy, and invigorated by a superb performance by Liam Neeson, reinventing himself as an action star in the process.
Leon (1994)
Luc Besson’s first feature-length film in the English language, the director brought a similar sense of style and impact to his hit-man and protege thriller as he had done with his French-language work, such as La Femme Nikita.
The work that brought Jean Reno to the attention of English-speaking audiences and launched the career of Natalie Portman, Leon is elevated by a sense of tenderness amongst the carnage and the magnificent over-the-top villainous performance from Gary Oldman.
Shooter (2007)
While Shooter didn’t quite launch the franchise expected of it for star Mark Wahlberg, Antoine Fuqua’s 2007 action thriller is a must-watch for those who enjoy the director’s films and his ability to combine pulpy material to A-list casts and great character actors as he has done with so many of his best films.
The character of Bob Lee Swagger (yes, that is the protagonist’s name) would find a longer life on the television series of the same name.
Nobody (2021)
Ilya Naishuller’s 2021 action thriller would make a great triple bill with The Equalizer and John Wick. The fact that it turns Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul’s Bob Odenkirk into something of an action star is the icing on the cake.
Plot-wise, it’s nothing you haven’t seen before, but it feels so energetic and original in its action sequences, not to mention its tone, that the audience can’t help but be swept along with it.
Jack Reacher (2012)
The first attempt at bringing Lee Child’s famous character to the screen. The choice of Tom Cruise was somewhat controversial due to what can only be described as height issues, but there’s no denying that director Christopher McQuarrie nails the tone of the character and the stories, combining brutalist action with investigative mystery smarts.
Cruise himself also makes for a great Reacher.
Salt (2012)
A hugely entertaining slab of espionage action from director Philip Noyce, sadly, this didn’t turn into the series expected from it, as evidenced by its cliffhanger ending.
With a magnificent central turn from Angelina Jolie, Salt goes from what so easily could have been just another spy-fy actioner into something with more meat on the bone, especially with Jolie’s character going into vengeance mode in the second half.
The Bourne Identity (2002)
It’s easy to forget just how impactful The Bourne Identity proved to be on action cinema in the 2000s. With a grittier charge to its atmosphere, Doug Liman’s adaptation of Robert Ludlum’s novel would gain several sequels, all of which would expand upon the brilliance of its successor. It also proved that thrillers with central characters from the spy world could prove commercially successful in stories with a grittier and more violent tone.
Training Day (2003)
It would be remiss not to include the first collaboration between Denzel Washington and Antoine Fuqua on this list. While not as action-packed as their later collaborations, Training Day has pace and style to burn, not least in Washington’s lead performance, which netted him a well-deserved Academy Award.
Do you have any other recommendations for movies like The Equalizer? Let us know in the comments.
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