Sidney Poitier celebrates his 92nd birthday on February 20, 2019. The Oscar-winning star broke down barriers for actors of color, becoming a Hollywood leading man at a time before black Americans were even granted full civil rights. He also opened doors for black directors after stepping behind the camera for nine features. In honor of his birthday, let’s take a look back at 20 of his greatest films, ranked worst to best.

Born in 1927, Poitier made his big screen debut in “No Way Out” (1950), playing a doctor treating a racist white bigot (Richard Widmark). Just eight years later he was competing at the Oscars as Best Actor for “The Defiant Ones” (1958), which centers on two runaway fugitives chained together — one black, the other white (Tony Curtis). His bid made him the first black male performer to contend in an acting category at the Academy.

He would soon be joining the winner’s...