Will Smith’s Surprising Pick for His All-Time Favorite Film
Will Smith stuns fans by naming a classic war epic as his favorite movie ever, bypassing modern blockbusters and revealing his deep respect for Hollywood legends like Humphrey Bogart and the film Casablanca.
Few stars have experienced a career as unpredictable as Will Smith’s. From his early days as a chart-topping rapper to his breakout on television and eventual reign as a Hollywood heavyweight, Smith’s journey has been anything but ordinary. He first made waves in music, clinching a Grammy at just 21 for ‘Parents Just Don’t Understand,’ only to find himself nearly broke that same year. The need for a paycheck led him to the sitcom that would make him a household name, but his ambitions always stretched far beyond the small screen.
Smith’s rise to the top of the box office was meteoric. He quickly became one of the most bankable stars of his era, often trading places with Tom Cruise for the title of Hollywood’s biggest draw. Between 1995 and 2013, he starred in a string of hits, with sixteen out of eighteen films grossing over $100 million worldwide. His relentless drive to dominate mainstream entertainment can be traced back to a childhood moment that changed everything: seeing Star Wars for the first time in 1977. Like countless others, the film left a lasting impression, but it didn’t claim the top spot in his heart.
Hollywood Icons and Lasting Influences
While Star Wars and Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller ’ video were major influences on a young Smith, his greatest inspiration came from a different era. Speaking at the Cannes Film Festival, he revealed,
“In terms of film, probably Humphrey Bogart.”
He went on to say,
“The amount of movies he made. The film that I’ve studied most is Casablanca. That’s close to being a perfect movie. Even with the quick ending.”
Despite his admiration for Bogart and Casablanca, Smith’s ultimate favorite lies elsewhere.
A Wartime Classic Takes the Crown
When it comes to naming his all-time favorite, Smith points to a legendary director and a film that swept the Oscars.
“The Bridge Over the River Kwai is my favorite movie,”
he declared, referencing David Lean’s 1957 epic that won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director. For a star known for blockbuster action and special effects, Smith’s choice of a classic war drama as the pinnacle of cinematic achievement is as unexpected as it is revealing.