Nationwide — Denzel Washington’s latest movie, Gladiator II, has officially broken a career record, becoming his highest-grossing film worldwide. The film continues to perform strongly at the box office, surpassing $325 million globally.
Washington’s decades-long career includes blockbuster hits like The Equalizer trilogy, each earning around $190 million worldwide. Even his less critically acclaimed films, like Safe House (2012), have performed well, grossing $208.1 million against an $85 million budget.
The actor’s versatility is a key part of his success. While known for his action roles, he has also tackled complex characters, such as Macbeth in The Tragedy of Macbeth (2021), earning him Oscar and Golden Globe nominations.
In Gladiator II, Washington plays Macrinus, a former slave turned gladiator trainer with secret plans to control the Roman Empire. His performance of the character, which plays a key role in the plot, has earned rave reviews and praise. This role marks Washington’s return to working with director Ridley Scott, their first collaboration since American Gangster in 2007.
According to Screen Rant, with its growing success, Gladiator II has already raked in $111.4 million domestically, potentially overtaking American Gangster‘s $130.1 million domestic total. Internationally, Gladiator II has already earned over $325 million, surpassing Washington’s previous record set by American Gangster, which grossed $267.9 million.
