Though we tend to get the most entertainment out of action-packed thrillers, sci-fi flicks, and comedies, a good biopic every now and then can be just as captivating. Not only that, but these biographical films can span a range of genres—no matter the subject at hand. Some of the most moving and interesting of them all, however, are African American biopics. As you can imagine, these typically fall within dramas and period pieces, but they're incredible movies nonetheless. Whether you're talking about breakthrough athlete biopics, notable figures in history, or the greatest musicians, Black biopics are aplenty.
It's no secret: racial tension has long been a problem in our world and instead of sitting idly by, a great deal of African Americans have made great strides in such difficult circumstances. Considering this, such is often the topic of biopics. From being the first Black baseball player to becoming a leading political rights activist, these moving stories were rightfully made into biopics, and some are simply the greatest biographical films of all time. Jackie Robinson, Malcolm X, Winnie Mandela, and Ray Charles are just a few wonderful subjects of top African American biopics and there are plenty more where that came from. What's your favorite?
Check out the list of African American biopics below and vote up those you think are the best—whether that be the most influential, inspiring, or downright impactful films. Of course, feel free to add any others that may be missing from the list.
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12812Malcolm X
Denzel Washington, Al SharptonReleased: 1992
Directed by: Spike Lee
Malcolm X is a 1992 American biographical drama film about the African-American activist... more2
11713Ray
Kerry Washington, Jamie FoxxReleased: 2004
Directed by: Taylor Hackford
Ray is a biographical film focusing on 30 years in the life of rhythm and blues musician Ray... more3
9626Straight Outta Compton
O'Shea Jackson Jr., Corey HawkinsReleased: 2015
Directed by: F. Gary Gray
Straight Outta Compton is a 2015 American biographical film directed by F. Gary Gray. The... more4
8421Hidden Figures
Taraji P. Henson, Octavia SpencerReleased: 2016
Directed by: Theodore Melfi
Hidden Figures is a 2016 American biographical drama film directed by Theodore Melfi, based on... more5
751612 Years a Slave
Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael FassbenderReleased: 2013
Directed by: Steve McQueen
12 Years a Slave is a 2013 period drama film directed by Steve McQueen, based on the 1853... more6
6711Glory
Morgan Freeman, Denzel WashingtonReleased: 1989
Directed by: Edward Zwick
Glory is a 1989 American drama film directed by Edward Zwick and starring Matthew Broderick,... more7
6916Get on Up
Dan Aykroyd, Viola DavisReleased: 2014
Directed by: Tate Taylor
Get on Up is a 2014 American biographical drama film about the life of singer James Brown... more8
6616Ali
Will Smith, Jamie FoxxReleased: 2001
Directed by: Michael Mann
Ali is a 2001 American biographical film directed by Michael Mann. The film tells the story of... more9
6316American Gangster
Denzel Washington, Russell CroweReleased: 2007
Directed by: Ridley Scott
American Gangster is a 2007 American biographical crime film directed by Ridley Scott, based... more10
641942
Chadwick Boseman, Nicole BeharieReleased: 2013
Directed by: Brian Helgeland
42 is a 2013 American biographical sports film directed by Brian Helgeland. The powerful story... more11
518Antwone Fisher
Denzel Washington, Viola DavisReleased: 2002
Directed by: Denzel Washington
Antwone Fisher is a 2002 American biographical drama film directed by and starring Denzel... more12
5415The Butler
Mariah Carey, Robin WilliamsReleased: 2013
Directed by: Lee Daniels
The Butler is a 2013 American historical drama film directed and produced by Lee Daniels and... more13
5213The Tuskegee Airmen
John Lithgow, Cuba Gooding Jr.Released: 1995
Directed by: Robert Markowitz
The Tuskegee Airmen is a 1995 HBO television movie based on the exploits of an actual... more14
5013Rosewood
Jon Voight, Don CheadleReleased: 1997
Directed by: John Singleton
Rosewood is a 1997 film directed by John Singleton. While based on historic events of the 1923... more15
406Introducing Dorothy Dandridge
Halle Berry, Tamara TaylorReleased: 1999
Directed by: Martha Coolidge
Introducing Dorothy Dandridge is a television film directed by Martha Coolidge. Filmed over a... more16
4816Notorious
Angela Bassett, Anthony MackieReleased: 2009
Directed by: George Tillman, Jr.
Notorious is a 2009 American biographical film about the life of Christopher Wallace, an... more17
4614Selma
Oprah Winfrey, CommonReleased: 2014
Directed by: Ava DuVernay
Selma is a 2014 historical drama film directed by Ava DuVernay and written by Paul Webb. It is... more18
408Red Tails
Daniela Ruah, Bryan CranstonReleased: 2012
Directed by: Anthony Hemingway
Red Tails is a 2012 American film directed by Anthony Hemingway in his feature film... more19
3910The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman
Cicely Tyson, Katherine HelmondReleased: 1973
Directed by: John Korty
The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman is a 1974 television movie directed by John Korty,... more20
4217All Eyez On Me
Demetrius Shipp Jr., Kat GrahamReleased: 2017
Directed by: Benny Boom
All Eyez on Me is a 2017 American biographical drama film about hip-hop artist Tupac Shakur,... more21
3915Bird
Forest Whitaker, Keith DavidReleased: 1988
Directed by: Clint Eastwood
Bird is a 1988 American biographical film, produced and directed by Clint Eastwood of a... more22
4520The Hurricane
Denzel Washington, Liev SchreiberReleased: 1999
Directed by: Norman Jewison
The Hurricane is a 1999 biographical film directed by Norman Jewison, and starring Denzel... more23
242The New Edition Story
Keith Powers, Algee SmithDirected by: Chris Robinson
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3821The Great Debaters
Denzel Washington, Forest WhitakerReleased: 2007
Directed by: Denzel Washington
The Great Debaters is a 2007 American biopic period drama film directed by and starring Denzel... more25
2718The Jackie Robinson Story
Jackie Robinson, Ruby DeeReleased: 1950
Directed by: Alfred E. Green
The Jackie Robinson Story is a 1950 biographical film directed by Alfred E. Green and starring... more
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