heleint marila vyckar
Marthe Bernskoetter
In recent years, we've enjoyed some of the best Black movies that go beyond Black trauma and the familiar slave narrative. And according to the Entertainment Diversity Progress Report, published by Luminate in 2022, it's all thanks to Hollywood's commitment to supporting more Black talent.
Per the report, the number of Black actors in main title film roles increased by over 20 percent that year, while the number of films released with at least one Black main character increased by 30 percent. However, films that center on Black stories actually dropped by 16.7 percent (just 35 films total). So yes, there's still some progress to be made. But this doesn't dismiss all the successful Black films that have made a cultural impact and educated viewers about the Black experience.
This timeless gem revolves around two childhood best friends and aspiring basketball players who develop feelings for each other as adults. However, their demanding careers threaten their chances of being together. Director Gina Prince-Bythewood makes female basketball fans feel seen in this semi-autobiographical romance, which raises valid questions about gender inequality in sports.
Even with all the break-ups and make-ups, Darius and Nina's love story is truly one for the ages. Love Jones chronicles their complicated romance, which starts at a Chicago club when they bond over music and poetry.
Set in 1950s New York, this swoon-worthy period drama follows an ambitious musician who falls in love with an aspiring filmmaker. Their whirlwind romance comes to a halt at the end of summer, with their lives pulling them apart. However, they get a second chance at love when they cross paths again in the future.
In this intimate, second installment of Steve McQueen's Small Axe anthology series, Martha falls for the charming Franklyn when she attends a reggae dance party. Ninety percent of this film takes place in a packed home with reggae music blasting, so viewers will likely have the floorplan of this house memorized by the time the movie ends.
Childhood friends Dre and Sidney have grown up to become successful names in the music industry. But when Dre gets engaged and Sidney starts dating an athlete, both come to realize that they have romantic feelings for each other. Hip-hop fans will appreciate this film's timeless soundtrack.
Kaluuya and Turner-Smith star as a young couple who are forced to go on the run after a heated argument with a police officer turns deadly. The film is a sobering portrait of what it's like to be Black in modern America, but it's especially fascinating to see the dynamic shift between the "Black Bonnie and Clyde."
When Tish Rivers's partner, Fonny, is wrongly convicted of a crime in 1970s New York, she enlists the help of her family to prove his innocence. This love story will have you crying one moment and swooning the next, thanks to its successful approach to heavier themes like prejudice, racial violence and mental health.
Not to be confused with Netflix's 2019 reboot, Spike Lee's comedy-drama centers on Nola Darling, a Brooklyn-based artist who juggles her relationships with three men. Thanks to the film's daring exploration of female sexuality, it turned out to be one of Lee's most groundbreaking titles during the '80s.
A poor Black family strives to build a better life in 1950s Chicago. However, when they receive a big life insurance policy after the patriarch's death, it only breeds more chaos and division. Poitier delivers one of his best performances here, and director Daniel Petrie struck the perfect balance between humor and social commentary.
This heartfelt drama tells the story of Jimmie, who, with the help of his best friend, goes to great lengths to preserve and reclaim his childhood home in San Francisco, to the dismay of the new owners. The story will deeply resonate with anyone who's seen a dramatic shift in the place they used to call home.
Waves in an emotional and thrilling ride, to say the least. Set in South Florida, it follows the complicated journey of a Black family as they deal with the aftermath of a terrible loss. It's packed with standout performances and tackles themes like grief, forgiveness and redemption.
Based on the Rwandan genocide that occurred in 1994, the movie follows hotel manager and human rights activist Paul Rusesabagina, who struggles to protect hundreds of Tutsi refugees when Hutu extremists embark on a mission to wipe them all out. All we can say is, get your tissues ready.
Washington shines as the notorious drug dealer, Frank Lucas, whose meteoric rise to power in 1970s Harlem gets the attention of Richie Roberts, a hard-working cop who's determined to track him down. Fans of Scarface and The Sopranos will appreciate this Oscar-nominated classic.
Turquoise Jones, a single mom and former winner of the local Miss Juneteenth pageant in Texas, is eager to get her 14-year-old daughter, Turquoise, involved in the competition. However, Turquoise isn't exactly thrilled to follow in her mom's footsteps. Overcoming insecurities and the complexity of mother-daughter relationships are just a few themes the movie covers.
This touching coming-of-age tale follows the life of Chiron as he grapples with challenges like emotional abuse and rejection while trying to figure out his own identity and sexuality. The critically acclaimed drama earned an Oscar for Best Picture, and Ali's powerful performance earned him a well-deserved Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.
After moving to South Central L.A., Tre Styles receives plenty of guidance and discipline from his father, who helps him stay out of trouble in a dangerous neighborhood filled with gangs. Meanwhile, his friend Doughboy resorts to a life of violence and crime, and his half-brother, a promising young athlete, works hard to land a scholarship that could be his ticket to success.
Robert Gould Shaw is tasked with leading the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, the U.S. Civil War's first all-Black regiment. With the help of Junior Officer Cabot Forbes, Shaw builds a solid unit that's ready to join the battle, although he deals with prejudice from fellow officers and Confederates along the way.
Eleven-year-old Ahmad is determined to get his family together for Sunday dinner after the family matriarch, Mother Joe, suffers a stroke. But when conflicts arise and they grow apart, he comes up with a creative plan to get them together again. Soul Food serves up plenty of laughs and soapy drama, and by the end, you'll feel like you're one of the Josephs.
If you pair two Hollywood legends with a brilliant, gut-wrenching storyline and timely themes, you'll get Fences. The drama film follows Troy Maxson, a garbage collector whose dreams of playing professional football are crushed due to the Major League color barrier. As a result, he takes his bitterness out on his family, risking his own son's football career in the process.
Loaded with social commentary about teen violence and drug use, Menace II Society follows 18-year-old Caine, who's determined to escape the projects and get a fresh start, against all odds. The film's raw drama and bleak tone will remind you of Boyz N the Hood.
Inspired by Angie Thomas's YA novel of the same name, The Hate U Give revolves around Starr Carter, whose world is turned upside down after she sees her childhood best friend get killed by a police officer. The movie expertly tackles white privilege, the Black Lives Matter movement, police brutality and conflicts within the Black community.
This riveting crime drama follows the life of William O'Neal, an FBI informant who infiltrated the Black Panther Party and betrayed Fred Hampton, the leader of the organization's Chicago chapter. The Academy Award-winning film is both unsettling and eye-opening.
We can't resist a thoughtful coming-of-age film about college life. Set during the '90s, Higher Learning follows a group of freshmen who enroll at Columbus University and struggle to adjust to the new environment, where students deal with violence, sexism and racism.
Despite getting grounded by his dad, Kid sneaks out of his house to attend his friend's party, which turns out to be one of the wildest nights of his life. This light-hearted classic features an epic hip-hop soundtrack. Plus, many of the jokes still hold up.
In Spike Lee's timeless classic, a young Black customer calls out a pizzeria owner for not including Black talent on his "Wall of Fame." However, his complaint sparks an even bigger conflict that turns into chaos and violence. Per usual, Lee smartly tackles heavy themes, like bigotry and gentrification, with humor and nuance.
Before he became "Dr. War" on A Different World, Turman was Preach, a high schooler who, with his BFF Cochise, led a carefree life in 1960s Chicago. In the film, his life takes a turn for the worse when he crosses paths with a pair of criminals.
We know it's a bold statement, but Private Detective John Shaft walked so Detective Benoit Blanc could run. In this action-packed film, the suave investigator and fearless hero is hired to rescue a young girl from a group of Italian mobsters who kidnapped her.
Whether it's Oha crooning "She's your queen to be!" or Darryl drenching his Jheri curls with Soul Glo, Coming to America never fails to keep us entertained. Join Prince Akeem and Semmi as they venture to Queens, New York to find his new bride.
In this satirical comedy, a group of white students throws a black-face Halloween party, sparking major controversy and racial tensions among the school's Black and white students. With its unapologetic tone and sharp wit, the film boldly addresses the complexity of racism.
Aside from being filled with memorable one-liners ("Bye, Felisha!"), this laugh-out-loud comedy paints a refreshingly different picture of living in the hood. Set on a Friday, the movie centers on two unemployed friends who spend their day getting high and brainstorming ideas to repay the money they owe a drug dealer.
The Netflix film follows an unlikely trio who team up to investigate a wild government conspiracy after learning that one of them was seemingly cloned. The genre-bending sci-fi comedy examines themes like identity, whitewashing and capitalism.
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