The Best Movies And Series Directed By Spike Lee

Over 300 Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of The Best Movies And Series Directed By Spike Lee
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Vote up the best movies and shows directed by Spike Lee.

Over 300 passionate movie aficionados have gathered to cast their votes on the ultimate list of Spike Lee’s movies and shows, sifting through his extensive filmography to rank them from top-notch to bottom-of-the-barrel. Renowned for his daring and thought-provoking style, Lee has cemented himself as one of the most influential directors in American cinema. His films and documentaries delve into themes such as race, identity, and social justice with an unapologetic approach that challenges viewers to confront inconvenient truths.

From his trailblazing indie hit She’s Gotta Have It to his recent Oscar-winning masterpiece BlacKkKlansman, Lee has created a body of work that is as distinctive as it is diverse; each title representing a new facet of his exceptional talent behind the camera - whether it's capturing raw emotions or crafting powerful visual imagery.

As you browse through this definitive ranking, be sure not only to seek out celebrated classics like Do The Right Thing and Malcolm X, but also unearth lesser-known treasures such as Mo’ Better Blues and Crooklyn. No matter where they fall on the list, every single title sheds light on what makes Spike Lee one of America's greatest filmmakers.

So come along for the ride. Dive straight into our meticulously curated rankings below and see if your favorite Spike Lee flick made it onto this prestigious roster. And while you're at it, don't forget to vote up your personal favorites.

Most divisive: She's Gotta Have It
Ranked by
  • Do the Right Thing
    1
    94 votes
    • Actors: Danny Aiello, Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee, Richard Edson, Giancarlo Esposito
    • Released: 1989
    • Directed by: Spike Lee
    Brooklyn's Bed-Stuy neighborhood, a sweltering summer day: the setting for Spike Lee's 1989 classic, Do the Right Thing. Conflict brews in this racially tense community, centering around Sal's Pizzeria, owned by Sal (Danny Aiello). Mookie (Spike Lee), a young African-American pizza delivery man, serves as our guide through this intricate urban tapestry. The narrative unfolds, exploring issues of race and prejudice with unflinching honesty. This provocative drama garnered two Academy Award nominations and remains a pivotal film in American cinema, embodying the struggle for racial harmony in an environment where doing the right thing is never black or white.

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  • Malcolm X
    2
    Film (1992)
    87 votes
    • Actors: Denzel Washington, Angela Bassett, Albert Hall, Al Freeman, Delroy Lindo
    • Released: 1992
    • Directed by: Spike Lee
    Malcolm X, a biographical drama, chronicles the life of one of America's most influential African American leaders. Malcolm X (Denzel Washington), born Malcolm Little, evolves from a petty criminal to a fervent advocate for the rights of blacks. Director Spike Lee depicts Malcolm's transformation through his experiences - including his conversion to Islam during imprisonment, his subsequent rise to power within the Nation of Islam, and his eventual break with the organization. Culminating with his assassination in 1965, the film provides an intense exploration of Malcolm X's personal development and ideological journey. The movie received numerous accolades, including an Oscar nomination for Denzel Washington's powerful performance.

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  • 25th Hour
    3
    Film (2002)
    52 votes
    • Actors: Ed Norton, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Barry Pepper, Rosario Dawson, Anna Paquin
    • Released: 2002
    • Directed by: Spike Lee
    In New York City in the days following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, Monty Brogan (Edward Norton) steels himself for a lengthy jail term. Brogan is a convicted drug dealer about to start a seven-year prison sentence, and his final hours of freedom are devoted to hanging out with his closest buddies (Philip Seymour Hoffman, Barry Pepper) and trying to prepare his girlfriend, Naturelle Riviera (Rosario Dawson), for his extended absence.

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  • Crooklyn
    4
    Film (1994)
    43 votes
    • Actors: Alfre Woodard, Delroy Lindo, David Patrick Kelly, Zelda Harris, Carlton Williams
    • Released: 1994
    • Directed by: Spike Lee
    As her teacher mother, Carolyn (Alfre Woodard), and her jazz musician father, Woody (Delroy Lindo), worry over monthly bills, grade-schooler student Troy Carmichael (Zelda Harris) banters and bonds with her four brothers. Against her will, Troy is sent to her aunt's southern home for a summer visit, but when she returns to her bustling Brooklyn neighborhood, she learns that a family member is gravely ill. Already mature, Troy is forced to face to some very grown-up facts about life and loss.

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  • Inside Man
    5
    Film (2006)
    72 votes
    • Actors: Denzel Washington, Clive Owen, Jodie Foster, Willem Dafoe, Chiwetel Ejiofor
    • Released: 2006
    • Directed by: Spike Lee
    In the heart of New York, a meticulously planned bank heist takes an unexpected turn in Inside Man. Dalton Russell (Clive Owen) is the enigmatic mastermind behind the operation. Smooth-talking Detective Keith Frazier (Denzel Washington) steps up to negotiate, but finds himself entangled in a web of deceit. The plot thickens with the entrance of Madeline White (Jodie Foster), a power broker with hidden agendas. This riveting crime thriller, directed by Spike Lee, weaves together tension, intrigue and unexpected alliances, keeping viewers on the edge until the very end.

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  • BlacKkKlansman
    6
    Film (2018)
    51 votes
    • Actors: John David Washington, Adam Driver, Laura Harrier, Topher Grace, Jasper Pääkkönen
    • Released: 2018
    • Directed by: Spike Lee
    In the 2018 drama film BlacKkKlansman, Ron Stallworth (John David Washington), Colorado Springs's first black detective, embarks on an audacious mission to infiltrate and expose the Ku Klux Klan. Aided by his partner Flip Zimmerman (Adam Driver), they delve into the dangerous underworld of white supremacy. Directed by Spike Lee, this true story deftly navigates themes of race and identity. The film won the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival and was nominated for six Academy Awards, winning Best Adapted Screenplay. With a captivating plot and strong performances, it stands as a bold statement against racism.

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