There’s nothing like seeing yourself represented on screen.
From comedies and dramas to period pieces and biographies, there’s a Black-led movie for whatever your mood.
Black Representation in Cinema
In response, Black filmmakers started producing their own movies called “race films,” specifically for Black audiences, starting in the 1910s. By taking control of their narratives, these films reflected the nuances of the Black experience.
Movies featuring all-Black casts continued to emerge in waves from the Blaxploitation era of the 1970s to the boom of Black independent films in the 80s and 90s, to the critically-acclaimed mainstream movies of the 2000s and beyond.
Black-led cinema not only self-affirms Black audiences, but it also elevates the multidimensionality of Black people and places their experiences at the center of the story, not as a footnote.
Ultimate Black Movie List
I took on the near-impossible job of compiling a list of the top 30 must-watch Black movies. What’s your score?
Here’s the list broken down by decade.
The 1950s
Carmen Jones (1954)
One of the first major motion pictures to feature an all-Black cast. Carmen Jones is the American version of a classic opera about a beautiful woman who attracts the attention of a handsome soldier.
The 1970s
Shaft (1971)
Arguably one of the most popular films of the Blaxploitation era, “Shaft” introduces the world to the iconic, Manhattan-based Black action hero.
Uptown Saturday Night (1974)
A star-studded action comedy about two men who try to recover their stolen wallet before their wives find out it had a winning lottery ticket.
Roots (1977)
A groundbreaking TV miniseries based on the Alex Haley novel that traces a family’s multi-generational story from a West African village to enslavement in the U.S. and the end of the Civil War.
The Wiz (1978)
A musical featuring Diana Ross and Michael Jackson that reimagines “The Wizard of Oz,” with a Harlem teacher as the main character, transported to a fantasy land called Oz.
The 1980s
The Color Purple (1985)
Whoopi Goldberg and Danny Glover give career-defining performances in this emotional story based on a novel by Alice Walker about a woman’s 40 years of hardship, abuse, and triumph, starting in the early 1900s rural South.
School Daze (1988)
Spike Lee, Samuel L. Jackson, Jasmine Guy, Tisha Campbell, Giancarlo Esposito — who isn’t in this look at life at an HBCU during homecoming weekend? “School Daze” explores Black Greek organizations, colorism, self-identity, and political activism, all with a soundtrack that helped shape a generation.
Coming to America (1988)
Before we had Wakanda, we had Zamunda, home of Prince Akeem and a bevy of rose petal-throwing beauties — who Akeem has no desire to marry. And so the African prince, played by Eddie Murphy, trades palace life for working at a fast-food joint in Queens, New York, all in the hopes of finding true love.
Harlem Nights (1989)
Another all-star cast of comedic legends — Eddie Murphy, Arsenio Hall, Richard Pryor, Redd Foxx- join forces for this film set in 1930s Harlem at a popular gambling nightclub.
Do the Right Thing (1989)
From the opening scene of Rosie Perez dancing to Public Enemy’s “Fight the Power” to the shocking ending, this Spike Lee Joint — set on the hottest day of the summer in Bed-Stuy — shows us what happens when racial tensions boil over into violence.
The 1990s
The Five Heartbeats (1991)
Robert Townsend’s musical drama depicts the rise and fall of a fictional Black R&B soul group — the brotherhood, betrayal, fame, and the price of success in a music industry that gives, and takes, everything.
Boyz n the Hood (1991)
From childhood innocence to the brutalities of adulthood, John Singleton’s feature directorial debut gives us a glimpse of life through the eyes of three young Black men navigating relationships, racism, and violence in South Central Los Angeles.
New Jack City (1991)
“Am I my brother’s keeper?” Set in crack-era Harlem, Mario Van Peebles’ feature directorial debut follows a determined police detective (Ice-T) as he positions himself to take down Nino Brown (Wesley Snipes) and his gang, the Cash Money Brothers.
Boomerang (1992)
Lady Eloise (Eartha Kitt) purring “Marcus, darling” to smooth-talking ad-man Marcus Graham (Eddie Murphy) is one of the many golden moments in this Reginald Hudlin-directed comedy about a womanizer who finally learns his lesson about love when his new boss (Robin Givens) turns the tables on him. Trust us, you’ll root for Angela (Halle Berry) by the time Toni Braxton’s “Love Shoulda Brought You Home” starts playing.
Malcolm X (1992)
From Malcolm Little to Malcolm X to El Hajj Malik El Shabazz, Spike Lee’s widely praised biopic documents a life shaped by racism, faith, and political awakening — with Denzel Washington delivering a legendary performance as one of the most complex and monumental figures in American history.
Menace II Society (1993)
This Hughes Brothers classic shows what happens when a young high school graduate tries to escape the street life of his Watts, California, neighborhood.
Waiting to Exhale (1995)
“He’s a good man, Savannah!” Whitney Houston, Angela Bassett, Loretta Devine, and Lela Rochon give us an inside look at the romantic relationships of Black women and the power of their friendship.
Friday (1995)
“How the **** you gonna get fired on your day off?” A comedy where two friends (Ice Cube and Chris Tucker) juggle neighborhood arguments, bullies, love interests, and families.
Love Jones (1997)
Fall in love with Nina (Nia Long) and Darius (Larenz Tate) and watch to be sure you can complete this phrase: “They call me brother to the night and right now I am the blues in your left thigh trying to become ___________________in your right.”
The Players Club (1998)
“Make the money. Don’t let the money make you.” A college student (LisaRaye) navigates life as an exotic dancer while trying to save money and raise her son.
The Temptations (1998)
“Ain’t nobody coming to see you, Otis!” A mini-series inspired by the legendary Motown group.
The Best Man (1999)
As the wedding of his best friend looms, author Harper Stewart’s (Taye Diggs) new book challenges years-long friendships.
The Early 2000s
Love & Basketball (2000)
A coming-of-age story about two neighbors (portrayed by Sanaa Lathan and Omar Epps) balancing life, love, and the game.
Baby Boy (2001)
Jody, an immature 20-year-old (portrayed by Tyrese Gibson) struggles to grow up while living with his mom, pursuing work, and building a life with his girlfriend.
Barbershop (2002)
An all-star cast — Ice Cube, Anthony Anderson, Eve, Michael Ealy, Keith David, and Cedric the Entertainer — give us a day in the life of a Black-owned barbershop on the South Side of Chicago.
Why Did I Get Married (2007)
Four married couples travel to the Colorado mountains to connect and quickly uncover hard truths about their commitment to each other and their spouses.
Think Like a Man (2012)
An ensemble cast — featuring Kevin Hart, Meagan Good, Regina Hall, Michael Ealy, and Taraji P. Henson — turn the tables on each other after implementing advice from a relationship book written by Steve Harvey.
2014 and Beyond
Dear White People (2014)
Black students at a predominantly white institution navigate ambition, activism, and turmoil amid escalating racial tensions on campus.
Black Panther (2018)
A career-defining role for the late Chadwick Boseman who portrays the king of Wakanda, a thriving kingdom that is battling threats from outside forces.
Sinners (2025)
Ryan Coogler’s latest masterpiece follows twin brothers Stack and Smoke (Michael B. Jordan) as they return to their Mississippi hometown to open a juke joint — and end up fighting a mix of supernatural forces and racism.