Denzel Washington Says He’s “Tired of Movies,” Opens Up About Oscars, Cinema, and His Long Career

Two-time Oscar-winning actor Denzel Washington admits he doesn’t watch movies anymore, shares candid thoughts on fame, awards, and his 50+ film journey.

Hollywood icon Denzel Washington, widely regarded as one of the greatest actors of his generation, has made a surprising confession — he’s “tired” of movies.

In a candid conversation with GQ alongside longtime collaborator Spike Lee and co-star A$AP Rocky, the two-time Academy Award winner reflected on his decades in cinema, admitting he no longer has the appetite to watch films, not even his own.

“I don’t watch movies, man. I really don’t,” Washington said, drawing laughter from Lee and A$AP Rocky. “I’m just being honest with you! I don’t go to the movies. I don’t watch movies.”

When Rocky asked if it was because he has made so many himself, the Gladiator II star replied bluntly: “Probably. You know, I’m tired of movies.”

Washington, who has appeared in more than 50 films, shrugged off the weight of his legendary career. “Too many. I think 50!” he joked when Spike Lee asked about his total number of credits.

This unfiltered honesty isn’t new for the veteran actor. Earlier this month, Washington also dismissed the importance of collecting more trophies after his Oscar wins for Glory (1990) and Training Day (2002).

“I’ve been at this a long time,” he reflected. “There are times I won when I probably shouldn’t have, times I didn’t win when maybe I should have. Man gives the award, God gives the award. I’m not that interested in Oscars anymore.”

When asked where he keeps his Academy Awards, Washington quipped: “Next to the other one.”

Despite his comments, Washington isn’t slowing down professionally. He stars in Gladiator II and appears in Spike Lee’s Highest 2 Lowest, which released in select theaters on August 15 and will arrive on Apple TV+ September 5.

For fans, his words may sound like a farewell to cinema, but for Washington, it’s simply another chapter in a legendary journey that continues to inspire.