Denzel Washington's 'The Equalizer' Leads Box Office With $35m Weekend

September 28, 2014 11:55 AM EDT

Denzel Washington’s The Equalizer led the box office this weekend with a $35 million debut, proving that the veteran of Malcolm X and Remember the Titans is as popular as ever in the United States.

The thriller reunites Training Day director Antoine Fuqua with Washington, who saw the third-best debut of his career Friday and Saturday, following American Gangster ($43.6 million) in 2007, and Safe House ($40.2 million) in 2012, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

The film, which earned strong reviews — including a positive one from TIME’s Richard Corliss—stars Washington as a former special forces member who comes out of a quiet life to battle violent Russian gangsters. It didn’t hurt that The Equalizer played in Imax theaters and and large-format screens, and also featured Eminem’s new single “Guts Over Fear.”

The second-biggest box office debut of the weekend, the 3D family film Boxtrolls, earned $17.3 million.

[The Hollywood Reporter]

Denzel Washington’s Carbon Copy Action Films: A Retrospective

Out Of Time — Out of Time (2003) marked Denzel Washington's first 21st century foray into the pure action genre.MGM

Man on Fire (2004) was an excellent movie. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.20th Century Fox

Deja Vu (2006) began Washington's trend toward less inspired action roles that might have been better suited for a less talented actor.Touchstone Pictures

Taking of the Pelham 1 2 3 — The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 (2009) marked the first time that Washington would have to stop a train-related crisis. Regrettably, it would not be the last.Columbia

THE BOOK OF ELI — The Book of Eli (2010) looked like it had some potential and co-starred Mila Kunis. It was not very good.Warner Bros.

UNSTOPPABLE — Unstoppable (2010) was Washington's second train movie in as many years, but also provided us with a wonderful SNL parody starring Jay Pharoah and Taran Killam.20th Century Fox

In theory a movie starring Washington and Ryan Reynolds could have been a major hit. Safe House (2012) was not.Universal

2 Guns (2013) starred Washington and Mark Wahlberg. It might be worth watching the next time you're on a plane if you like action films and/or Washington and/or Wahlberg.Universal

Denzel Washington Rules Box Office With The Equalizer

Denzel Washington’s Carbon Copy Action Films: A Retrospective

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