There are so many absolutely stunning films with amazing performances by black actors that don't get the recognition they deserve. With a mindset of always celebrating yourself and empowering others, this is the perfect list to incorporate into your movie binge nights.
Black Brilliance Challenge
All these films star some of your favorite actors and every single one is just as impactful as the last. What's wonderful about this list is the variety of main plot points: racism, romance, education, discrimination, self-love, and so on.
There's a movie for just about any occasion so there's always a chance to come back to this list!
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- Taraji P. Henson, Janelle Monae, Kevin Costner (Actors)
Hidden Figures
To continue this unit study, check out the Hidden Figures Movie Guide.
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- Mo'Nique, Paula Patton, Mariah Carey (Actors)
Precious
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- O'Shea Jackson, Jr., Corey Hawkins, Jason Mitchell (Actors)
Straight Outta Compton
In the mid-1980s, rap group N.W.A. bursts from the mean streets of Compton, revolutionizing hip-hop culture with its raw, provocative authenticity. | Stream on Netflix
Homecoming
This intimate, in-depth look at Beyoncé's celebrated 2018 Coachella performance reveals the emotional road from creative concept to a cultural movement. | Stream on Netflix
The Color Purple
A Southern woman's correspondence with her sister in Africa and friendship with a singer help her escape an abusive husband and a hardscrabble life. | Stream on Netflix
- Madina Nalwanga, David Oyelowo, Lupita Nyong'o (Actors)
- Mira Nair (Director) - Screenplay by William Wheeler (Writer)
Queen of Katwe
Disney presents Queen of Katwe, based on a vibrant true story and starring Lupita Nyong'o and David Oyelowo. A Ugandan girl’s life changes forever when she discovers she has an amazing talent for chess, in this celebration of the human spirit. | Stream on Disney+
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- Emma Stone, Viola Davis, Bryce Dallas Howard (Actors)
The help
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- Ice Cube, Anthony Anderson, Cedric The Entertainer (Actors)
Barbershop
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- Denzel Washington, Viola Davis, Stephen McKinley Henderson (Actors)
Fences
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Get Out
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- Amandla Stenberg, Regina Hall, Russell Hornsby (Actors)
The Hate U give
In this powerful drama based on the best-selling novel, when a teenager witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood friend, she must find her voice and stand up for what’s right.
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- Lakeith Stanfield, Tessa Thompson, Jermaine Fowler (Actors)
Sorry To Bother You
Telemarketer Cassius Green discovers an alluring method toward success. However, owing to his greed, he ends up fading away from his family and friends.| Stream on Hulu
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- Trevante Rhodes, Andre Holland, Janelle Monáe (Actors)
Moonlight
Chiron, a young African-American boy, finds guidance in Juan, a drug dealer, who teaches him to carve his own path. As he grows up in Miami, Juan's advice leaves a lasting impression on him.
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- Cynthia Erivo, Jr.,Leslie Odom, Janelle Monae (Actors)
Harriet
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- Angela Bassett, Laurence Fishburne, Keke Palmer (Actors)
Akeelah & the Bee
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- Angela Bassett, Laurence Fishburne, Keke Palmer (Actors)
Selma
In the face of violent racist attacks, Martin Luther King Jr. leads a protest in Alabama that culminates in a historic march from Selma to Montgomery. | Stream on Netflix
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- Tom Wilkinson, Carmen Ejogo, Giovanni Ribisi (Actors)
BlacKkKlansman
The first black detective of the Colorado Springs Police Department teams up with a Jewish colleague to infiltrate a group of white supremacists. | Stream on Netflix
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- KiKi Layne, Stephan James, Teyonah Parris (Actors)
If Beale Street Could Talk
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- Jada Pinkett Smith, Queen Latifah, Vivica A. Fox (Actors)
Set It Off
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- Angela Bassett, Laurence Fishburne (Actors)
What's Love Got To Do With It?
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- Ice Cube, Chris Tucker, Nia Long (Actors)
Friday
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- Daniel Kaluuya, Lakeith Stanfield, Jesse Plemons (Actors)
Judas and the Black Messiah
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- Will Smith, Thandiwe Newton, Jaden Smith (Actors)
The Pursuit of Happyness
To continue this unit study, check out The Pursuit of Happyness Movie Study.
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- Jamie Foxx, Kerry Washington, Clifton Powell (Actors)
Ray
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- Omar Epps, Sanaa Lathan, Alfre Woodard (Actors)
Love & Basketball
Hair Love
“Hair Love” is a heartfelt animated short film that centers around the relationship between an African-American father, his daughter Zuri, and the most daunting task a father could ever come across – doing his daughter’s hair for the first time.
Winner of the Academy Award® for Best Animated Short.| Stream on Sony Pictures Animation
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong'o (Actors)
Black Panther
1-5: You're missing out! – You need to pick up some more of these films!
6-10: Only the classics – Newer films are just as amazing, so give one a try
11-15: Loving the diversity – Some of these are on your “Fav Movies” list
16-20: Positively in love – These are your go-to films every weekend
20+: Absolutely brilliant! – You practically live off these films!
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