The definitive ranking of The Equalizer movie franchise from worst to best is The Equalizer 2 (Worst), followed by The Equalizer 3, and topped by The Equalizer (Best). The entire trilogy is directed by Antoine Fuqua and stars Denzel Washington as the brutal vigilante Robert McCall. Here is how all three films stack up against each other. 3. The Equalizer 2 (2018) — The Weakest Link
While it is still a fun action movie, most fans and critics consider this sequel to be the least impressive entry.
The Plot: Robert McCall travels the world to save people, but things get personal when his close friend and former colleague is murdered.
Why it is ranked here: The plot feels a bit too messy and predictable compared to the others. It tries to balance too many side stories at once.
The Highlight: A thrilling final showdown that takes place right in the middle of a massive hurricane. It also features a great performance by Pedro Pascal as the main villain. 2. The Equalizer 3 (2023) — A Darker Change of Scenery
The third film bounces back by taking the character out of his normal environment and raising the stakes.
The Plot: McCall moves to a quiet, beautiful coastal town in Southern Italy to find peace. However, he soon discovers his new friends are being terrorized by the local Italian mafia.
Why it is ranked here: The gorgeous Italian scenery feels like its own character in the film. The movie has a much darker, almost horror-like tone as McCall hunts down the mob.
The Highlight: This movie features a wonderful on-screen reunion between Denzel Washington and Dakota Fanning. The two had previously starred together in the 2004 classic action film Man on Fire. 1. The Equalizer (2014) — The Ultimate Original
Nothing beats the first movie that started it all. It perfectly sets up the character and delivers the most satisfying payoffs.
The Plot: McCall is living a quiet life working at a hardware store. He decides to break his retirement to protect a young girl from ultra-violent Russian gangsters.
Why it is the best: It is a tight, focused “one-man army” thriller. It does a fantastic job showing how McCall uses everyday items around him to take down bad guys. The villain is genuinely scary, making you cheer even louder for McCall.
The Highlight: The final battle takes place entirely inside the hardware store. McCall turns the store into a brutal playground of traps using tools and hardware equipment. Quick Franchise Comparison Release Year Main Villain Primary Setting The Equalizer Russian Mafia Boston, Massachusetts The Equalizer 2 Rogue Assassins Boston / Coastal Massachusetts The Equalizer 3 Italian Camorra Mafia Southern Italy
Check out this detailed video breakdown to see how these action films rate against each other: Every Equalizer Film Ranked! Sean Chandler Talks About YouTube · Sep 6, 2023