80+ Great Movies About Black Teens

Ranker Film
Updated September 26, 2023 2.8K votes 565 voters 35.6K views
Over 500 Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of 80+ Great Movies About Black Teens

Black teen movies amplify all of the struggles of adolescence with the added pressure of a sometimes unpredictable environment. The top black teen movies feature stories about friendship, relationships, and becoming adults. This is a list of the top movies about black teenagers, featuring everything from Do the Right Thing to Kids to Save the Last Dance.

What movies will you find on this list of films focusing on black teens? You might vote Boyz n the Hood up to the very top. John Singleton's 1991 classic follows a group of friends growing up in South Central Los Angeles as they make plans for their futures. Cuba Gooding, Jr., Lawrence Fishburne, Nia Long, Ice Cube, and many more talented actors appeared in this groundbreaking movie. Dope is another good film featuring black teenagers.

Young men are often the stars of black teen films, but in The Hate U Give, Amandla Stenberg takes the spotlight. Other good movies featured on this list of films about black teenagers include Pariah, See You Yesterday, Menace II Society, and Higher Learning.

Which black teen movie deserves the top spot on this list? Decide by giving your favorites a thumbs up and get in on the conversation in the comments section.

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  • Love & Basketball
    1

    Love & Basketball

    Sanaa Lathan, Omar Epps, Alfre Woodard
    123 votes
    • Released: 2000
    • Directed by: Gina Prince-Bythewood
    Love & Basketball is a romantic drama that weaves together the worlds of love and sport. Monica Wright (Sanaa Lathan) and Quincy McCall (Omar Epps) are childhood friends who share a passion for basketball. As they grow, their relationship evolves from rivalry to romance. However, their commitment to basketball puts a strain on their connection when both pursue careers in professional sports. Directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, this film skillfully explores the intersection of personal ambition and emotional intimacy. It was honored with several awards, including an Independent Spirit Award for Best First Screenplay.

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  • The Hate U Give
    2

    The Hate U Give

    Amandla Stenberg, Regina Hall, Anthony Mackie
    118 votes
    • Released: 2018
    • Directed by: George Tillman
    In The Hate U Give, a stirring drama based on the acclaimed novel, Starr Carter (Amandla Stenberg) straddles two contrasting worlds. She lives in a poor, predominantly black neighborhood but attends a wealthy, predominantly white prep school. The tragic shooting of her childhood friend Khalil (Algee Smith) at the hands of a police officer forces Starr to confront these dual realities. As the sole witness, she must navigate the pressures from all sides of her community and stand up for what's right. The film explores themes of racial injustice and identity, with Russell Hornsby delivering a notable performance as Starr's father.

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  • Boyz n the Hood
    3

    Boyz n the Hood

    Ice Cube, Angela Bassett, Cuba Gooding
    156 votes
    • Released: 1991
    • Directed by: John Singleton
    In the heart of South Central Los Angeles, Boyz n the Hood unravels a gripping tale of urban life. Tre Styles (Cuba Gooding Jr.), under the stern guidance of his father Furious (Laurence Fishburne), navigates through the challenges of violence and poverty. His friends Doughboy (Ice Cube) and Ricky Baker (Morris Chestnut) tread contrasting paths, offering a stark portrayal of realities in this crime-ridden neighborhood. Directed by John Singleton, this 1991 drama is lauded for its authentic depiction of race relations and social issues. Garnering two Academy Award nominations, it's a pivotal piece in cinema history.

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  • Akeelah and the Bee
    4

    Akeelah and the Bee

    Laurence Fishburne, Angela Bassett, Keke Palmer
    62 votes
    • Released: 2006
    • Directed by: Doug Atchison
    Akeelah and the Bee is a drama film centered around an eleven-year-old girl, Akeelah Anderson (Keke Palmer), from South Los Angeles. Living in a neighborhood where opportunities are scarce, she unexpectedly discovers her extraordinary talent for spelling. Guided by an uncompromising yet compassionate coach, Dr. Joshua Larabee (Laurence Fishburne), Akeelah participates in a national spelling bee competition. Angela Bassett plays the role of Akeelah's supportive mother, Tanya. Despite daunting obstacles and intense pressure, Akeelah strives to outshine her competitors and redefine her destiny. The movie won the Black Reel Award for Best Actress among other accolades.

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  • Juice
    5

    Juice

    Omar Epps, Tupac Shakur, Jermaine "Huggy" Hopkins
    91 votes
    • Released: 1992
    • Directed by: Ernest R. Dickerson
    Four Harlem friends -- Bishop (Tupac Shakur), Q (Omar Epps), Steel (Jermaine Hopkins) and Raheem (Khalil Kain) -- dabble in petty crime, but they decide to go big by knocking off a convenience store. Bishop, the magnetic leader of the group, has the gun. But Q has different aspirations. He wants to be a DJ and happens to have a gig the night of the robbery. Unfortunately for him, Bishop isn't willing to take no for answer in a game where everything's for keeps.

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  • Menace II Society
    6

    Menace II Society

    Tyrin Turner, Jada Pinkett Smith, Vonte Sweet
    88 votes
    • Released: 1993
    • Directed by: Allen Hughes, Albert Hughes
    Menace II Society, a gritty urban crime drama, follows the life of Caine Lawson (Tyrin Turner), a young man immersed in the violent culture of South Central Los Angeles. Raised by his grandparents after his parents' demise, Caine's existence is marked by drugs, guns, and inevitable violence, with his best friend O-Dog (Larenz Tate) always by his side. The film paints an unflinchingly honest picture of inner-city life and the choices one must make to survive. Directed by the Hughes brothers, this critically acclaimed movie has been acknowledged for its realistic portrayal of a world rarely seen on screen.

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