Martin Lawrence is one of the most iconic comedic actors of the past few decades. With his signature wit, impeccable timing, and unforgettable characters, Lawrence has left an indelible mark on Hollywood. From his early days on the stand-up circuit to his breakout roles in films like Bad Boys and Big Momma’s House, Lawrence has consistently delivered laughs and entertained audiences around the world.
In this comprehensive look at Martin Lawrence’s illustrious career, we’ll count down his 20 greatest movie roles and performances. Get ready for a hilarious trip down memory lane as we celebrate one of comedy’s true legends.
20. National Security (2003)
Kicking off our list is the 2003 action-comedy National Security. Lawrence stars opposite Steve Zahn as Earl Montgomery, a police academy reject who finds himself teaming up with Zahn’s character, a disgraced cop, to take down a smuggling operation. While not Lawrence’s most critically acclaimed film, National Security still delivers plenty of laughs thanks to the chemistry between its two leads.
19. Black Knight (2001)
In Black Knight, Lawrence plays Jamal Walker, an employee at a struggling medieval-themed amusement park who is transported back in time to 14th century England. Fish-out-of-water hijinks ensue as Jamal tries to navigate the Middle Ages while teaching the locals some modern-day attitude. Lawrence’s anachronistic one-liners and flirtatious exchanges with co-star Marsha Thomason are the highlights of this lighthearted comedy.
18. Rebound (2005)
Lawrence takes on the role of a disgraced college basketball coach who gets a shot at redemption by coaching a rag-tag group of middle schoolers in Rebound. It’s a familiar underdog sports story, but Lawrence’s comedic chops and the film’s positive message make it a slam dunk for family audiences. Plus, Lawrence gets to show off some of his real-life basketball skills on the court.
17. Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins (2008)
In Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins, Lawrence plays a successful self-help guru who reluctantly returns to his Southern hometown for his parents’ 50th anniversary. Old rivalries and family drama resurface, forcing Roscoe to confront his past and reevaluate his priorities. Lawrence leads an all-star ensemble cast that includes James Earl Jones, Margaret Avery, and Cedric the Entertainer in this heartwarming comedy about the importance of family.
16. Boomerang (1992)
Lawrence has a memorable supporting role in the 1992 romantic comedy Boomerang. He plays Tyler, the wisecracking best friend and co-worker of Eddie Murphy’s womanizing ad executive Marcus Graham. Lawrence steals scenes with his quick wit and hilarious facial expressions, proving he could hold his own against a comedic powerhouse like Murphy. Boomerang was an early showcase of Lawrence’s star potential.
15. Open Season (2006)
Lawrence lent his voice talents to the 2006 animated comedy Open Season. He plays Boog, a domesticated grizzly bear who gets stranded in the woods right before the start of hunting season. Boog reluctantly teams up with a fast-talking deer named Elliot (voiced by Ashton Kutcher) to rally the other forest animals against the hunters. Lawrence brings his signature sass and attitude to the role, making Boog a lovably sarcastic hero.
14. What’s the Worst That Could Happen? (2001)
Lawrence squares off against Danny DeVito in the 2001 crime comedy What’s the Worst That Could Happen? He plays Kevin Caffrey, a professional thief who sets out for revenge after DeVito’s corrupt billionaire character Max Fairbanks steals his lucky ring. The two engage in an increasingly ridiculous game of one-upmanship, leading to plenty of slapstick humor and clever schemes. While not a critical darling, the film is worth watching for the inspired pairing of Lawrence and DeVito.
13. Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son (2011)
In the third installment of the Big Momma franchise, Lawrence reprises his role as FBI agent Malcolm Turner, who once again goes undercover as the sassy Southern granny Big Momma. This time, he’s joined by his teenage stepson Trent (Brandon T. Jackson), who also dons a fat suit and wig to pose as Big Momma’s great-niece Charmaine. While the cross-dressing gimmick may have lost some of its luster by this point, Lawrence and Jackson’s comedic interplay keeps the laughs coming.
12. A Thin Line Between Love and Hate (1996)
Lawrence co-wrote, directed, and starred in the 1996 romantic thriller A Thin Line Between Love and Hate. He plays Darnell Wright, a smooth-talking ladies’ man who meets his match in the form of obsessive ex-girlfriend Brandi Web (Lynn Whitfield). What starts as a comedic battle of the sexes takes a dark turn as Brandi’s infatuation turns dangerous. Lawrence showcases his dramatic range while still delivering his trademark humor in this underrated gem.
11. Talkin’ Dirty After Dark (1991)
Before he was a household name, Lawrence made his film debut in the 1991 comedy Talkin’ Dirty After Dark. He plays Terry Wilson, an up-and-coming comedian trying to make it big at a struggling L.A. comedy club. The film offers a glimpse into the early days of Lawrence’s stand-up career and features cameos from other comedy greats like John Witherspoon and Cedric the Entertainer. It’s a must-see for any true Martin Lawrence fan.
10. House Party (1990)
Lawrence has a small but memorable role in the classic 1990 teen comedy House Party. He plays Bilal, one of Kid’s (Christopher Reid) friends who helps him sneak out to attend Play’s (Christopher Martin) epic house party. Lawrence’s character is responsible for one of the film’s funniest moments, when he distracts Kid’s father (Robin Harris) with an excruciatingly long and awkward handshake. Even in a limited role, Lawrence’s comedic talents shine through.
9. Big Momma’s House 2 (2006)
In the sequel to his 2000 hit, Lawrence once again dons the fat suit to play FBI agent Malcolm Turner and his alter ego Big Momma. This time, Malcolm goes undercover as a nanny to investigate a possible national security threat. Big Momma’s House 2 ups the ante with even more outrageous physical comedy and sight gags. Lawrence’s commitment to the ridiculous premise is commendable, and his chemistry with co-star Nia Long is as strong as ever.
8. Nothing to Lose (1997)
Lawrence teamed up with Tim Robbins for the 1997 buddy comedy Nothing to Lose. He plays T. Paul, a down-on-his-luck petty criminal who accidentally carjacks an advertising executive (Robbins) who was already planning to kill himself. The two form an unlikely friendship as they embark on a cross-country crime spree. Lawrence and Robbins play off each other perfectly, finding both humor and heart in their characters’ desperate circumstances.
7. Wild Hogs (2007)
In Wild Hogs, Lawrence is part of an ensemble cast that includes Tim Allen, John Travolta, and William H. Macy. They play a group of middle-aged suburban men who decide to take a motorcycle road trip to break out of their daily rut. Lawrence’s character Bobby Davis is a henpecked husband and aspiring writer looking to rediscover his wild side. The film is a silly but fun adventure comedy that lets Lawrence bounce off his talented co-stars.
6. Do the Right Thing (1989)
Lawrence has a small role in Spike Lee’s groundbreaking 1989 film Do the Right Thing, but it’s an important one. He plays Cee, a young man hanging out on the streets of Brooklyn on the hottest day of the summer. Lawrence’s natural charisma is evident even in his limited screen time, and being a part of such a seminal film was a major milestone early in his career.
5. Blue Streak (1999)
In the 1999 action-comedy Blue Streak, Lawrence plays jewel thief Miles Logan, who is forced to impersonate a detective to retrieve a hidden diamond from a police station. Lawrence’s manic energy and gift for physical comedy are on full display as he tries to keep up the charade while searching for his loot. The film also features strong supporting turns from Luke Wilson and Dave Chappelle.
4. Life (1999)
Lawrence co-starred with Eddie Murphy in the 1999 prison comedy Life. They play two wrongfully convicted bootleggers who form a lifelong friendship behind bars. The film follows their characters over several decades, allowing Lawrence and Murphy to showcase their dramatic range as well as their comedic chops. Watching these two comedy giants play off each other is a true delight.
3. Big Momma’s House (2000)
The film that launched a franchise, Big Momma’s House stars Lawrence as FBI agent Malcolm Turner, who goes undercover as a Southern grandmother to catch an escaped convict. Lawrence is hilarious as he navigates the world in his Big Momma fat suit, delivering sassy one-liners and getting into all sorts of slapstick hijinks. The film was a massive box office success and cemented Lawrence’s status as a leading man.
2. Bad Boys II (2003)
Lawrence reunited with Will Smith for the 2003 sequel Bad Boys II. Once again playing Miami detectives Marcus Burnett and Mike Lowrey, the duo takes on a dangerous Cuban drug cartel. The film is bigger, louder, and more explosive than its predecessor, with Lawrence and Smith’s easy chemistry and rapid-fire banter keeping things entertaining between the over-the-top action sequences. Bad Boys II was another huge hit and further solidified Lawrence and Smith as an iconic comedic pairing.
1. Bad Boys (1995)
Was there any doubt that Bad Boys would top this list? The 1995 buddy cop classic launched Lawrence to superstardom and established his perfect comedic partnership with Will Smith. As bickering Miami detectives Marcus Burnett and Mike Lowrey, Lawrence and Smith are an absolute riot, trading quips and insults as they try to take down a dangerous heroin dealer. From the hilarious “Woooo!” scene to the climactic airport shootout, Bad Boys is non-stop fun and the ultimate showcase of Martin Lawrence’s incredible talent.
There you have it – the 20 best Martin Lawrence movies of all time. Whether he’s playing a cop, a thief, a medieval knight, or a sassy grandma, Lawrence always brings his A-game and leaves audiences in stitches. His contributions to the world of comedy are immeasurable, and his films will continue to entertain and inspire for generations to come. All hail the king of comedy, Martin Lawrence!
