Jamaica is regarded across the globe as the Reggae Mecca, a must-see vacation and tourist destination, and the location of some of the Western Hemisphere's best meals that have been featured in a lot of Movies about Jamaica.
With Reggae Month (February) as a focus, here are All the Best Reggae Movies to binge-watch that go beyond the perception of Jamaica.
Reggae Movies
Bob Marley: One Love
This film celebrates the life and music of an icon who inspired generations through his message of love and unity. On the big screen for the first time, discover Bob’s powerful story of overcoming adversity and the journey behind his revolutionary music. Produced in partnership with the Marley family and starring Kingsley Ben-Adir as the legendary musician and Lashana Lynch as his wife Rita, in theatres on January 12, 2024.
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- Bob Marley, Jimmy Cliff, Ziggy. Marley (Actors)
Marley
Born into poverty in rural Jamaica, Bob Marley became a prophet for the world's oppressed, preaching peace, love, and understanding with a universal language – song.
On what would have been Marley's seventy-fifth birthday, Oscar-winning filmmaker Kevin Macdonald combines unheard tracks, unseen footage, and intimate interviews to paint a definitive portrait of the legendary artist.
ReMastered: Who Shot the Sheriff
In 1976, reggae icon Bob Marley survived an assassination attempt as rival political groups battled in Jamaica. But who exactly was responsible? | Stream on Netflix
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- Sean Bones, Norah Jones, Carl Bradshaw (Actors)
Wah Do Dem
When he is dumped by his girlfriend, Max goes on a cruise alone. Upon his arrival in Jamaica, things go from bad to worse when all his stuff is stolen and the cruise ship leaves without him.
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- Brinsley Forde, Karl Howman, Trevor Laird (Actors)
Babylon
Babylon is fearless and unsentimental, yet tempered by the hazy bliss of the dancehall set to a blistering reggae and lovers rock soundtrack featuring Aswad, Johnny Clarke, Dennis Bovell, and more.
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- Steel Pulse, Jimmy Lindsay (Actors)
Reggae in a Babylon
The young, gifted, and black generation of the '70s who started the British Reggae movement is captured in this unique documentary. Groove to the smooth sounds and see rare footage.
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- Maxi Priest, Dennis Bovell, Paulette Harris-German (Actors)
The Story of Lover's Rock
Lovers Rock, often dubbed ‘romantic reggae' is a uniquely black British sound that developed in the late 70s and 80s against a backdrop of riots, racial tension and sound systems.
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- Anjela Lauren Smith, Wil Johnson, Caroline Chikezie (Actors)
Babymother
A single mother determined to make it as a singer puts together an all-girl reggae group named Neeta, Sweeta, & Nastie with her friends. Living in a housing project with little support, the odds are obviously against her. With the help of a female agent, the group starts to get some exposure and rises above their setting.
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- Leroy "Horsemouth" Wallace (Actor)
Rockers
Starring Leroy “Horsemouth” Wallace and Richard “DirtyHarry” Hall, Rockers is a story of oppressed Jamaican musicians getting even with the “mafia types” in the business.
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- Leon, Doug E. Doug, Rawle D. Lewis (Actors)
Cool Runnings
Based on a true story of four Jamaican athletes.
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- Jimmy Cliff, Janet Bartley (Actors)
The Harder They Come
Reggae legend Jimmy Cliff stars as Ivan Martin, an aspiring singer who leaves his rural village for the big city of Kingston, hoping to make a name for himself. Newly restored from the original 16mm negative.
One Love
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- Jasmine Guy, Giancarlo Esposito, Stafford Ashani (Actors)
Kla$h
Combing the hard-edged style of The Harder They Come with a sultry intrigue of film noir. Stoney, a world-weary photographer past his prime, comes to Kingston to photograph the Klash, an electrifying battle of the world's best Reggae & Dancehall performers he believes this to be a routine assignment.
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- Ky-Mani Marley, Spragga Benz, Louie Rankin (Actors)
Shottas
In the tradition of Scarface and The Harder, They Come, Shottas is an unapologetic raw urban drama about two young men, Wayne and Biggs, who grow up together on the tough and dangerous streets of Kingston, Jamaica.
Eventually moving to the U.S., they begin a ruthless climb to the top of a criminal enterprise in Miami as they aggressively take control of the Jamaican underworld.
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- Sheldon Shepherd, Sky Nicole Grey, Ricardo Orgil (Actors)
Better Mus' Come
Jamaican drama set in the late 1970s and inspired by actual events. A Kingston community leader and single father get caught up in a politically-motivated gang war while falling hopelessly in love with a girl from a rival faction.
If you want to teach your children more, check out this Jamaica Country Study Research Project.
Related Posts:
- 20 Movies About Black History to Stream on Netflix
- African-American Music Appreciation Month Movies on Netflix
- 9 Epic Music Documentaries on Netflix
- Movies about Jamaica
–
- 10 Top Iraq War Movies - April 5, 2024
- 15 Interracial Love Movies on Netflix - April 4, 2024
- Spanish-American War Movies: A Blend of History and Patriotism - April 4, 2024