The star of “Training Day” and “Fences”, Denzel Washington, says he has stopped watching movies. Not just in theaters. At home too. Done. Tapped out. During a recent GQ interview with director Spike Lee and rapper-turned-actor A$AP Rocky, Washington didn’t sugarcoat it.

“I don’t watch movies, man. I really don’t. I’m just being honest with you!” he said.

The icon, now 70, started acting in the early 80s with “Carbon Copy” and has since starred in over 50 films. That is a lot of scripts, cameras, and red carpets.

Watching films feels like work now. For someone who lives inside movie sets for months at a time, sitting through more screen time at home just feels like an overload.

Awards don’t impress him. At all! Denzel Washington has two Oscars. He’s been nominated several more times. But trophies aren’t what drive him. In the same interview, he said, “I don’t do it for Oscars. I don’t care about that kind of stuff… Man gives the award. God gives the reward.”

Denzel Washington Still Loves Making Movies

Denzel FP / IG / When asked how many movies he has been in, Washington didn’t even bother counting. “Too many,” he said.

Even though he doesn’t watch films anymore, the “American Gangster” actor still makes them. His latest movie, “Highest 2 Lowest,” was released in 2025. Spike Lee directed it, their fifth time working together. The movie first hit select theaters and is now streaming on Apple TV+.

So, what keeps him going? It is the craft, the teamwork, the act of building something from nothing. Watching movies feels passive. Making them, on the other hand, still fuels him. That is where his fire is.

Washington doesn’t need to be entertained by movies. He builds them. That is his role. Once a film is done, it is behind him. No need to rewatch it or study others. He is already deep into the next project.

The Industry Wears You Down

Hollywood is intense. Long shoots. Public attention. Constant promotion. It’s no surprise that even legends like Denzel Washington feel drained. Watching movies becomes part of the job, not a break from it.

Denzel / IG / The 70-year-old star actor has earned the right to step back from the noise. Saying “I’m tired of movies” makes sense!

Many celebrities keep things polished. Denzel Washington doesn’t. He says what he feels, even when it sounds strange coming from a movie icon. His bluntness is refreshing in a world full of press-trained answers and fake excitement.

Now, Denzel seems more interested in mentoring, directing, and choosing meaningful work. He is no longer chasing the next big blockbuster. He is chasing depth, purpose, and something that matters.

His choices reflect that. “Roman J. Israel, Esq.”, “The Tragedy of Macbeth,” and now “Highest 2 Lowest” are all very different from his early action-heavy hits. They are slower, sharper, and thoughtful. They show an actor who is still growing.

However, just because Denzel Washington doesn’t watch movies doesn’t mean he is out of touch. He is still a giant in the game. Younger actors look up to him. Directors still call him. Audiences still show up.

This move away from movie-watching might even help him. It keeps his creative tank full and his perspective clear. He is not copying anyone. The icon is doing things his way, and that is probably why he has lasted so long.

Sven Kramer

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