Ranker FilmList RulesVote up your favorite drama movies that feature people of color in prominent roles.
There are several Academy Award-winning movies on this impressive list of the greatest Black drama films. Heavy-hitting tales like Selma and 12 Years a Slave not only told important true stories from our nation’s past, but they also helped to enlighten present-day audiences. What other Black drama films made the list?
In 1989, Spike Lee released Do the Right Thing, a movie that takes place on the streets of Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn over the course of one of the hottest days of the year. The movie explores deep-seated racism, from every angle, and offers no easy answers, just more questions about how society ever even got to this point of hatred. John Singleton’s directorial debut Boyz n the Hood, an equally important look at racism in inner cities, came out two years later and features some of the most talented Black actors of their generation.
There are also stories with diverse casts that show characters teaming up to overcome the narrow minded masses such as BlacKkKlansman which won the Academy Award for best adapted screenplay. If you don't see your favorite new Black drama movie feel free to add it to the list.
Those are just a few of the top Black drama movies. It is going to be really tough, but you'll decide the film that makes it to the top by voting up good African American drama movies on this list.
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15423Boyz n the Hood
Ice Cube, Angela BassettReleased: 1991
Directed by: John Singleton
Boyz n the Hood is a 1991 American hood drama film directed by John Singleton. Three young men... more
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12824Set It Off
Queen Latifah, Dr. DreReleased: 1996
Directed by: F. Gary Gray
Set It Off is a 1996 American action film directed by F. Gary Gray, and written by Kate Lanier... more3
13127Love & Basketball
Tyra Banks, Gabrielle UnionReleased: 2000
Directed by: Gina Prince-Bythewood
Love & Basketball is a 2000 American romantic drama film starring Omar Epps and Sanaa Lathan.... more4
10813Waiting to Exhale
Whitney Houston, Angela BassettReleased: 1995
Directed by: Forest Whitaker
Waiting to Exhale is a 1995 American romantic drama film directed by Forest Whitaker, based on... more5
12926Poetic Justice
Janet Jackson, Keanu ReevesReleased: 1993
Directed by: John Singleton
Poetic Justice is a 1993 drama/romance film starring Janet Jackson and Tupac Shakur with... more6
11016What's Love Got to Do with It
Angela Bassett, Laurence FishburneReleased: 1993
Directed by: Brian Gibson
What's Love Got to Do with It is a 1993 American biographical film directed by Brian Gibson,... more7
10414Lean on Me
Morgan Freeman, Tony ToddReleased: 1989
Directed by: John G. Avildsen
Lean on Me is a 1989 dramatized biographical film written by Michael Schiffer, directed by... more8
9913Ray
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... more9
11925The Color Purple
Oprah Winfrey, Whoopi GoldbergReleased: 1985
Directed by: Steven Spielberg
The Color Purple is a 1985 American period drama film directed by Steven Spielberg, based on... more10
9816Malcolm X
Denzel Washington, Al SharptonReleased: 1992
Directed by: Spike Lee
Malcolm X is a 1992 American biographical drama film about the African-American activist... more11
10119Soul Food
Vivica A. Fox, Nia LongReleased: 1997
Directed by: George Tillman, Jr.
Soul Food is a 1997 American comedy-drama film, produced by Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, Tracey... more12
9213Remember the Titans
Hayden Panettiere, Ryan GoslingReleased: 2000
Directed by: Boaz Yakin
Remember the Titans is a 2000 American sports drama film produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and... more13
9319Antwone Fisher
Denzel Washington, Viola DavisReleased: 2002
Directed by: Denzel Washington
Antwone Fisher is a 2002 American biographical drama film directed by and starring Denzel... more14
9320Hidden 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... more15
9623The Wood
Christina Milian, Sanaa LathanReleased: 1999
Directed by: Rick Famuyiwa
The Wood is a 1999 romantic comedy, written by Rick Famuyiwa and Todd Boyd. Famuyiwa also... more16
9221Dreamgirls
Beyoncé Knowles, Eddie MurphyReleased: 2006
Directed by: Bill Condon
Dreamgirls is a 2006 American musical drama film, directed by Bill Condon and jointly produced... more17
8920The Help
Emma Stone, Jessica ChastainReleased: 2011
Directed by: Tate Taylor
The Help is a 2011 American period drama film directed and written by Tate Taylor, and adapted... more18
9123The Pursuit of Happyness
Will Smith, Thandie NewtonReleased: 2006
Directed by: Gabriele Muccino
The Pursuit of Happyness is a 2006 American biographical drama film based on Chris Gardner's... more19
832112 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... more20
8627Do the Right Thing
Samuel L. Jackson, Martin LawrenceReleased: 1989
Directed by: Spike Lee
Do the Right Thing is a 1989 American comedy-drama hood film produced, written, and directed... more21
7824Fruitvale Station
Michael B. Jordan, Melonie DiazReleased: 2013
Directed by: Ryan Coogler
Fruitvale Station is a 2013 American biographical drama film directed by Ryan Coogler, based... more22
7120Ali
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... more23
7725How Stella Got Her Groove Back
Whoopi Goldberg, Angela BassettReleased: 1998
Directed by: Kevin Rodney Sullivan
How Stella Got Her Groove Back is a 1998 romantic comedy film directed by Kevin Rodney... more24
7323Hustle & Flow
Taraji P. Henson, LudacrisReleased: 2005
Directed by: Craig Brewer
Hustle & Flow is a 2005 American independent drama film written and directed by Craig Brewer... more25
6115Glory
Morgan Freeman, Denzel WashingtonReleased: 1989
Directed by: Edward Zwick
Glory is a 1989 American drama film directed by Edward Zwick and starring Matthew Broderick,... more
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