There is no order to this list, they all hold their own and have a place at the table,as well as the few mini-series that are included. This list isn’t my black joy list,with a few exceptions, a lot of these I can’t watch more than once. This list is important because the truth and history of the Black experience is very important,it’s often amazing but it’s not always Black Joy.
Once Upon A Time When We Were Colored(1995)
This one starts my list because it’s’ the first Black movie I remember.The strongest scene from my young memory is seeing the main character’s Grandpa (shown above) stare down KKK member at a parade. Strong, proud, and beautiful, despite the time period it depicts.
Eve’s Bayou(1997)
We watch from the eyes of our young of ten year as her family falls apart, depending on the person it’s often considered a drama or a horror movie.
They Gotta Have Us(2018)
A series giving us the history of Black film from all over gives us the trials that many of the actors and creators went through.
Get Out(2017)
When Blackness is wanted at all cost, what can you do to escape?
Malcolm X(1992)
Follow the life of Malcolm Little as he finds himself and a reason to fight for his people.
Boyz N The Hood (1991)
John Singleton’s iconic script about the lives of youths in South Central.It one of those that you just have to watch for yourself.
Selma(2014)
A cinematic view of the Selma marches of 1965 to secure voting rights in Alabama.
Menace II Society(1993)
When writing the the screenwriter, Tyger Williams said that “We wanted to make the antithesis to Boyz n the Hood”.This movie is monumental as Boyz N the Hood. It paints a gritty picture but for many that is life.
Hidden Figures(2016)
Follow the journey of three Black women who despite the thoughts on their gender and race were as the U.S. wages to win the Space Race.
Roots(1977)
Many remember him from Reading Rainbow and Star Trek, but this was his first time on the big screen. This story tells the life of Kunta Kinte a teenager stolen into slavery and his descendants, based on a book by the same title.
Do The Right Thing(1989)
Spike Lee does with this Joint what he does with all of his films.Forces you to take a strong look at yourself.And the question will always be , did he do the right thing?
Good Hair(2009)
When his daughter ask him why she doesn’t have “good hair” Christ Rock goes on a journey to investigate what hair means to people in the Black community.
When They See Us(2019)
The heartbreaking story of how the “central park five” four black and one latino teens were forced into confessions and convicted for the rape of white women . Each spending 8-13 for a crime they didn’t commit.
Juice(1992)
American Gangster(2007)
The loosely based story of Frank Lucas a gangster who criminal enterprise is so big that even rivaled the mob.
If Beale Street Could Talk(2018)
What would you do if the person you love was convicted of a crime you know they didn’t commit.
Cleopatra Jones(1973)
A well know known Blaxplotation movie that gives you everything you want from an action movie. A suave main character, fast car chases, and the over the topness that made Blaxplotation movies great.
Just Mercy(2019)
Can a recent Harvard grad, with a heart for justice help exonerate a man on death row for a crime he claims he didn’t commit.
Fruitvale Station(2013)
A cinematic retelling of the last day of Oscar Grant life before he being unarmed and on the grown was shot in the back of the head by a police officer.
The Colored Purple
A heartbreaking tale of the life of Celle. A story that honestly would need an whole article or two just to impact all of the things that happen in it.
The Butler(2013)
A cinematic retelling of the story of Eugene Allen who was a butler the house for multiple decades.
Carmen Jones(1954)
Based on the opera Carmen this Black musical retelling. It had a an all Black cast and the whole film was shot in less than three months.
New Jack City(1991)
To stop a rising drug kingpin from taking over Harlem two cops go undercover to try to take him down.But everything is a bit more difficult when you’re playing by someone else’s rules.
13th(2016)
A star, look at the 13th amendment and what it did and didn’t do for Black America.Not to mention the ways in which is was bent to still get free slave labor, to the way prisons still negatively effect Black people.
A Raisin in the Sun(1961)
When the Younger family are set to recieve a $10,000 lump sum. Buy a house ,finish med-school, invest? Tempers flair and questions are raised as the family argues and fights to figure out what the best thing to do.
One Night In Miami(2020)
A pivotal night when four the biggest people in Black history meet and have an open honest discussion about their stances on life and Blackness.
12 Years a Slave(2013)
When a freed man is sold into slavery,he must do whatever it takes so that he can survive and get back to his family, based on a true story.
See You Yesterday(2019)
I finish of the list with the one fantasy movie on it.What would you do if you had the opportunity to save the person that you loved.How many times would you rewind time if you could?
BlackGirlsLikeWhat?!? 