“You don’t know what love is. You have to love yourself.”
— Fences (2016)
Born in 1965 in South Carolina, Viola Davis has become one of the most acclaimed actresses of her generation, winning the “Triple Crown” of acting: an Oscar, Emmy, and Tony. From intense dramas to superhero epics, she brings commanding presence to every role. Explore her full filmography below and share your top three favorites in the comments! ⬇️
🌱 1996–2002: Early Breakthrough Roles
1. The Substance of Fire (1996)
Family drama — Davis appears as a lawyer in this story of publishing power struggles.
2. Out of Sight (1998)
Stylish crime caper — she plays a sharp federal marshal in Steven Soderbergh’s thriller.
3. Traffic (2000)
Oscar-winning drug war saga — Davis is a social worker in a gripping subplot.
4. Kate & Leopold (2001)
Time-travel rom-com — she’s a social worker helping Meg Ryan’s character.
5. Ocean’s Eleven (2001)
Slick heist film — Davis has a small role in Soderbergh’s stylish ensemble.
6. The Shrink Is In (2001)
Romantic comedy — she plays a hotel staff member in a quirky love story.
7. Antwone Fisher (2002)
Biographical drama — Davis delivers a powerful moment as Antwone’s estranged mother.
8. Far from Heaven (2002)
1950s melodrama — she appears as a supportive housekeeper in Todd Haynes’ acclaimed film.
9. Solaris (2002)
Sci-fi psychological drama — Davis portrays Dr. Gordon aboard a haunted space station.
🚀 2005–2009: Critical Recognition & Key Supporting Roles
10. Syriana (2005)
Political thriller — she’s a CIA lawyer untangling oil conspiracies.
11. Get Rich or Die Tryin’ (2005)
50 Cent biopic — Davis plays his protective grandmother.
12. Life Is Not a Fairytale: The Fantasia Barrino Story (2006)
Inspirational TV biopic — she portrays Fantasia’s mother.
13. The Architect (2006)
Indie drama — Davis is a mother fighting urban housing injustices.
14. World Trade Center (2006)
9/11 drama — she plays a grieving mother awaiting rescue news.
15. Disturbia (2007)
Teen thriller — Davis is the detective skeptical of a boy spying on his neighbor.
16. Nights in Rodanthe (2008)
Romantic drama — she’s Diane Lane’s supportive best friend.
17. Doubt (2008)
Oscar-nominated role — Davis gives a gut-wrenching performance as a conflicted mother.
18. Law Abiding Citizen (2009)
Revenge thriller — Davis plays the mayor caught in a deadly legal battle.
19. Madea Goes to Jail (2009)
Tyler Perry comedy — she appears as a compassionate public defender.
20. State of Play (2009)
Political thriller — Davis plays an informant holding explosive secrets.
🌟 2010–2014: Rising to A-List Status
21. Eat Pray Love (2010)
Travel romance — she’s Julia Roberts’ wise best friend offering heartfelt advice.
22. It’s Kind of a Funny Story (2010)
Coming-of-age dramedy — Davis plays a psychiatrist guiding teens in crisis.
23. Knight and Day (2010)
Action rom-com — she portrays a CIA operative chasing Cruise and Diaz.
24. Trust (2010)
Tense drama — Davis is a counselor helping a family heal from trauma.
25. The Help (2011)
Civil rights drama — Davis earned an Oscar nomination as Aibileen Clark.
26. Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close (2011)
Post-9/11 drama — she plays a grieving mother moved by a boy’s quest.
27. Beautiful Creatures (2013)
Supernatural romance — Davis portrays Amma, a mystical librarian.
28. Prisoners (2013)
Gripping thriller — she plays a mother caught in a child abduction nightmare.
29. Ender’s Game (2013)
Sci-fi adventure — Davis is a military psychologist testing young cadets.
30. Get on Up (2014)
James Brown biopic — she plays the singer’s resilient mother.
31. The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Her (2014)
Romantic drama — Davis is the confidante in Eleanor’s story.
32. The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Him (2014)
Companion film — Davis reprises her role in the husband’s perspective.
33. The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Them (2014)
Combined cut — merging both sides into one narrative.
🚀 2015–2020: Oscar Win & Superhero Stardom
34. Lila & Eve (2015)
Revenge drama — Davis teams with Jennifer Lopez as mothers seeking justice.
35. Blackhat (2015)
Cyber thriller — she plays an FBI agent chasing an international hacker.
36. Suicide Squad (2016)
DC blockbuster — Davis debuts as Amanda Waller, ruthless Task Force X leader.
37. Fences (2016)
Pulitzer-winning drama — Davis’s Oscar-winning turn as Rose Maxson.
38. Custody (2016)
Courtroom drama — she plays a judge torn by family complexities.
39. Widows (2018)
Heist thriller — Davis leads a crew of women planning a high-stakes robbery.
40. Troop Zero (2019)
Feel-good comedy — she plays a stern troop leader in rural Georgia.
41. Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (2020)
Netflix biopic — Davis transforms into the legendary blues singer.
🌟 2021–2025: Recent Hits & Current Roles
42. The Suicide Squad (2021)
James Gunn’s reimagining — Davis returns as Amanda Waller with sharper edges.
43. The Unforgivable (2021)
Gritty drama — she plays a determined lawyer in Sandra Bullock’s redemption story.
44. Black Adam (2022)
DCEU antihero film — Davis reprises Amanda Waller in a pivotal cameo.
45. The Woman King (2022)
Epic historical drama — Davis leads as warrior general Nanisca.
46. Air (2023)
Nike origin story — she plays Deloris Jordan, pivotal in Michael Jordan’s signing.
47. The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (2023)
Prequel blockbuster — Davis is Dr. Volumnia Gaul, head gamemaker of the Capitol.
48. Kung Fu Panda 4 (2024)
Animated sequel — Davis voices a new character in Po’s latest adventure.
49. G20 (2025)
Political thriller — Davis plays the U.S. President handling a global crisis during the summit.
50. The Woman King (2022)
Historical epic — Davis’s commanding role as Nanisca cemented her as a powerhouse lead.