The best Black movies are favorites that explore African American culture and themes. This list is ranked by film fans, many of whom grew up waiting for and watching good, realistic representations of what life was like for Black people in America. The top African American movies often dominate the box office when released, and this is a list of the best Black films. What are the best Black people movies of all time? Some of these films appear on other lists that you may find interesting, such as: best comedies of all time, best drama movies, and best actions movies on Netflix. You can sort by actor and director, or press "rerank" below to make your own list of the greatest African American-themed movies.
This list of top popular Black films features classic African American comedies like Friday and Coming to America, sports films like Love & Basketball, and biographical movies about Black celebrities and leaders, from Ray and Ali to Malcolm X. This list also includes great movies about slavery (both Roots and Django Unchained, for example) and films about Black life in the American South throughout history, from Glory and A Time to Kill to The Help. These and other highly acclaimed Black movies in cinema focus on African Americans, and most have surpassed the test of time among Black audiences.
This includes everything to watch from '90s Black comedy movies - comedies with a mostly Black cast and perspective - to Black crime movies, famous gang films, and action flicks. For other interesting movie lists check out Ranker's lists of well-made movies about slavery and films about racism. Also check out these lists of the best Black sitcoms, the best Black love movies, and the best cities for African Americans.
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2,785416American Gangster
Denzel Washington, Russell CroweReleased: 2007
Directed by: Ridley Scott
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4,840955Bad Boys II
Megan Fox, Will SmithReleased: 2003
Directed by: Michael Bay
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2,660470Sister Act
Whoopi Goldberg, Maggie SmithReleased: 1992
Directed by: Emile Ardolino
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7,0491,771Training Day
Eva Mendes, Snoop DoggReleased: 2001
Directed by: Antoine Fuqua
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5,6301,403The Pursuit of Happyness
Will Smith, Thandie NewtonReleased: 2006
Directed by: Gabriele Muccino
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3,592795Antwone Fisher
Denzel Washington, Viola DavisReleased: 2002
Directed by: Denzel Washington
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4,148696The Five Heartbeats
Diahann Carroll, Harry LennixReleased: 1991
Directed by: Robert Townsend
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4,108868The Players Club
Jamie Foxx, Ice CubeReleased: 1998
Directed by: Ice Cube
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2,486525Eve's Bayou
Samuel L. Jackson, Meagan GoodReleased: 1997
Directed by: Kasi Lemmons
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2,624553The Original Kings of Comedy
Steve Harvey, Cedric the EntertainerReleased: 2000
Directed by: Spike Lee
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2,752422Paid in Full
Regina Hall, Cam'ronReleased: 2002
Directed by: Charles Stone III
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2,210346Purple Rain
Prince, Apollonia KoteroReleased: 1984
Directed by: Albert Magnoli
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3,849757Love Jones
Nia Long, Isaiah WashingtonReleased: 1997
Directed by: Theodore Witcher
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2,727430The Help
Emma Stone, Jessica ChastainReleased: 2011
Directed by: Tate Taylor
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1,417141The Temptations
Smokey Robinson, Bianca LawsonReleased: 1998
Directed by: Allan Arkush
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5,4871,216Barbershop
Ice Cube, EveReleased: 2002
Directed by: Tim Story
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3,917927Boomerang
Halle Berry, Eddie MurphyReleased: 1992
Directed by: Reginald Hudlin
43
2,560475Why Did I Get Married?
Janet Jackson, Tyler PerryReleased: 2007
Directed by: Tyler Perry
44
2,332432Above the Rim
Tupac Shakur, Bernie MacReleased: 1994
Directed by: Jeff Pollack
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2,073201John Q
Denzel Washington, Robert DuvallReleased: 2002
Directed by: Nick Cassavetes
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3,268889Ali
Will Smith, Jamie FoxxReleased: 2001
Directed by: Michael Mann
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2,559526The Wiz
Michael Jackson, Diana RossReleased: 1978
Directed by: Sidney Lumet
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4,5731,289Do the Right Thing
Samuel L. Jackson, Martin LawrenceReleased: 1989
Directed by: Spike Lee
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2,874330Harlem Nights
Eddie Murphy, Richard PryorReleased: 1989
Directed by: Eddie Murphy
50
4,221957Brown Sugar
Queen Latifah, Mos DefReleased: 2002
Directed by: Rick Famuyiwa
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