Veteran A-Lister Denzel Washington Voices Vehement Dislike for Movies and How He’s Completely Stopped Watching Them

Published 08/27/2025, 9:26 PM EDT

Denzel Washington is no stranger to the bright lights and roaring applause of Hollywood. After decades in the business, with countless roles and unforgettable performances, most would expect him to be glued to the screen in his downtime. Surprisingly, Washington has opinions starkly different from those of a regular Malcolm X or Equalizer enjoyer. 

When a man who has mastered the art of captivating millions suddenly admits he no longer watches movies, you know something’s up. Washington's cinematic love story has hit an unexpected intermission, one filled with candid truths and weary honesty.

Denzel Washington hits the perpetual pause button and says sayonara to the reel

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Denzel Washington hit the pause button on movie watching with a shocker: "I don’t watch movies", he revealed in his conversation alongside director Spike Lee and A$AP Rocky for GQ. After starring in over 60 films and even more TV episodes, the magician of the screen has simply grown immune to the magic flickering before his eyes, choosing instead to not " go to the movies...watch movies" after being rendered "tired of movies". His gripe? Hollywood feels like a rerun stuck on repeat, lacking fresh tales and heart, which has made him the ultimate movie spectator dropout.

Why this cinematic cold shoulder? Washington’s disdain seems to boil down to a hunger for substance in the age of formula and fluff. With rising sequels and remakes drowning originality, his standards remain sky-high, and he struggles to find movies that truly move or challenge him. This veteran’s snub revealed on GQ is less about bitterness and more a call for cinema to regain its soul, a sentiment that resonates far beyond his own weary eyes.

Denzel Washington to Bag $35 Million for His Role in Netflix’s ‘Here Comes the Flood'

Making it to Hollywood royalty requires grit, talent, and that unmistakable star power; and Denzel Washington had all three in spades. So when someone who has defined excellence on screen steps back from the very thing that built his legacy, it demands a closer look.

From Malcolm X to movie rebel—how Denzel Washington’s stardom makes his boycott a Hollywood head-scratcher

Denzel Washington’s ascent to A-list royalty was no accident. With powerhouse roles in Malcolm X and Training Day, plus a pair of well-earned Oscars, he crafted a reputation as both a fierce and nuanced performer. His collaborations with Spike Lee and a stage presence that commands every room made him a standard-bearer of acting excellence. This makes his movie boycott a real headline, someone this passionate about perfecting craft, now disenchanted with the medium itself.

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In the end, Denzel Washington's cinematic standstill despite a comeback worth a steep gamble sparks a bigger conversation: what truly makes movies worth our time? In a content-crammed age, his honest retreat reminds filmmakers and fans alike that it is authenticity, risk, and heart that create magic worth watching; otherwise, why bother clicking play? Whether a temporary breather or the start of a new chapter, Washington’s bold move reminds us that even legends can get tired of the same old show.

Is Denzel Washington Starrer 'The Equalizer 3' on Netflix? Does It Star Pedro Pascal? Where Can You Watch It in the USA in 2025?

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What do you think of Denzel Washington 's descent in his fondness for Hollywood? Let us know in the comments below.

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Adiba Nizami

594 articles

Adiba Nizami is a journalist at Netflix Junkie. Covering the Hollywood beat with a voice both sharp and stylish, she blends factual precision with a flair for wit. Her pieces often dissect celebrity narratives—both on-screen and off—through parasocial nuance and cultural relevance.

Edited By: Aliza Siddiqui

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