Whether they are fictional or based on real people, some of the most engaging film characters are strong Black women. The top movies for Black women feature stories about love, careers, and survival. This is a list of black women movies featuring everything from Waiting to Exhale to Beasts of the Southern Wild to What's Love Got to Do with It.
What movies will you find on this list of the best Black woman films? Literature fans might vote The Color Purple to the top. Based on Alice Walker's book of the same name, this Steven Spielberg film tells the tale of Celie Harris and the horrifying oppression Black women faced in the early 20th century. The movie was nominated for an incredible 10 Academy Awards. Beloved is another great movie for Black women. How Stella Got Her Groove Back is a great movie about female empowerment and embracing life. Other good films featured on this Black woman movies list include The Wiz, Coming to America, and Lady Sings the Blues.
Which of these movies for Black women is the best of the best? Give your favorites a thumbs up and get in on the conversation in the comments section.
1
17220Hidden 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... more on WikipediaTaraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer and Janelle Monáe
2
14328The 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... more on Wikipedia3
13021Waiting 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... more on Wikipedia4
11414What'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,... more on Wikipedia5
12522Love & 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.... more on Wikipedia6
14132The 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... more on Wikipedia7
11922Set 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... more on Wikipedia8
9113Poetic 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... more on Wikipedia9
10122Dreamgirls
Beyoncé Knowles, Eddie MurphyReleased: 2006
Directed by: Bill Condon
Dreamgirls is a 2006 American musical drama film, directed by Bill Condon and jointly produced... more on Wikipedia10
9318Coming to America
Eddie Murphy, Samuel L. JacksonReleased: 1988
Directed by: John Landis
Coming to America is a 1988 American comedy film directed by John Landis, and based on a story... more on Wikipedia11
8617How 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... more on Wikipedia12
8718Sister Act
Whoopi Goldberg, Maggie SmithReleased: 1992
Directed by: Emile Ardolino
Sister Act is a 1992 American musical comedy film directed by Emile Ardolino and written by... more on Wikipedia13
8818The Secret Life of Bees
Alicia Keys, Dakota FanningReleased: 2008
Directed by: Gina Prince-Bythewood
The Secret Life of Bees is a 2008 American drama film, adapted from the novel of the same name... more on Wikipedia14
8921Crash
Sandra Bullock, Brendan FraserReleased: 2004
Directed by: Paul Haggis
This movie is a 2004 ensemble drama film co-written, produced, and directed by Paul Haggis.... more on Wikipedia15
7720Brown Sugar
Queen Latifah, Mos DefReleased: 2002
Directed by: Rick Famuyiwa
Brown Sugar is a 2002 American romantic comedy film written by Michael Elliott and Rick... more on Wikipedia16
6619The Wiz
Michael Jackson, Diana RossReleased: 1978
Directed by: Sidney Lumet
The Wiz is a 1978 American musical adventure film produced in collaboration between Motown... more on Wikipedia17
5916Love Jones
Nia Long, Isaiah WashingtonReleased: 1997
Directed by: Theodore Witcher
Love Jones is a 1997 American romantic drama film written and directed by Theodore Witcher, in... more on Wikipedia18
5817Cleopatra Jones
Shelley Winters, Esther RolleReleased: 1973
Directed by: Jack Starrett
Cleopatra Jones is a 1973 blaxploitation action film starring Tamara Dobson.19
5212Boomerang
Halle Berry, Eddie MurphyReleased: 1992
Directed by: Reginald Hudlin
Boomerang is a 1992 American romantic comedy film directed by Reginald Hudlin. The film stars... more on Wikipedia20
652612 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... more on Wikipedia21
5013Their Eyes Were Watching God
Halle Berry, Terrence HowardReleased: 2005
Directed by: Darnell Martin
Their Eyes Were Watching God is an American Broadcasting Company television movie aired on... more on Wikipedia22
6124The Preacher's Wife
Whitney Houston, Denzel WashingtonReleased: 1996
Directed by: Penny Marshall
The Preacher's Wife is a 1996 Christmas romantic comedy-drama family film directed by Penny... more on Wikipedia23
40Selah And The Spades
Lovie Simone, Jharrel JeromeReleased: 2020
Directed by: Tayarisha Poe
Selah and The Spades is a 2020 drama film directed by Tayarisha Poe. Five factions run the... more on Wikipedia24
7336Crooklyn
RuPaul, Spike LeeReleased: 1994
Directed by: Spike Lee
Crooklyn is a 1994 semi-autobiographical film co-written and directed by Spike Lee. The film... more on Wikipedia25
40Miss Juneteenth
Nicole Beharie, Kendrick SampsonReleased: 2020
Directed by: Channing Godfrey Peoples
Miss Juneteenth is a 2020 American drama film directed by Channing Godfrey Peoples. Turquoise... more on Wikipedia