Denzel Washington’s Highest-Rated Equalizer Sequel Has Become a Global Streaming Champion

Denzel Washington’s new movie with Spike Lee is tearing up Apple TV+ streaming charts. But, long before he ever starred as David King in Highest 2 Lowest, he capped off a legendary action franchise with a beloved thriller that’s still dominating streaming charts. Washington stars alongside Dakota Fanning (Man on Fire) and David Denman (Peacemaker) in The Equalizer 3, the 2023 R-rated action thriller following Robert McCall in Southern Italy as he’s tasked with protecting his closest friends. The Equalizer 3 is streaming on Hulu in America and both Prime Video and Starz globally, where it’s in the top 10 in more than 15 countries worldwide.

The Equalizer 3 was well-liked by both critics and audiences, enough for the film to earn a Certified Fresh 76% from the former and a Verified Hot 94% from the latter on the aggregate site Rotten Tomatoes. It also nearly tripled its $70 million budget at the box office by grossing $190 million, making it the third Equalizer movie starring Denzel Washington to safely turn a profit. After Pedro Pascal (The Mandalorian & Grogu) starred in The Equalizer 2, he did not return for a role in the threequel.

The same writing/directing crew of Richard Wenk and Antoine Fuqua returned alongside Washington to write and direct his third (and likely final) Equalizer film. Fuqua famously worked with Washington in 2001 on Training Day, which won Washington his second Oscar after his first came with Glory. Fuqua hasn’t directed anything in the two years since The Equalizer 3, but he’s been hard at work on the troubled Michael Jackson biopic that has been delayed several times. The film is currently scheduled for release on April 24, 2026.

‘The Equalizer 3’ Is a Major ‘Man on Fire’ Reunion

The Equalizer 3 reunited Denzel Washington with Dakota Fanning, who starred as young Lupita Ramos in the 2004 kidnapping thriller, Man on Fire. Washington was famously enamored with Fanning’s brilliant performance in the film, often going back and watching scenes to critique his own performance, and completely forgetting he was in them due to Fanning overpowering the screen. Fanning recently earned her first nomination from the Television Academy for her work on Ripley, and she also recently had roles in both The Watchers and The Perfect Couple.

Check out The Equalizer 3 on Hulu in America, Prime Video and Starz globally, and stay tuned to Collider for more streaming updates.