20 movies with primarily Black casts

We all know this one. Wakanda Forever.

I'll always recommend Hidden Figures . It tells the story of three Black women who worked for NASA during the 20th-century Space Race in the '60s. Although more than qualified to help work on essential projects, the film's leads (Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Monáe) struggle to gain the respect and recognition of their white peers (mostly men). Together, they work to navigate the many obstacles to prove they deserve to be there like everybody else. 

When you see Regina King's name on the cast list, there's a 100% chance the movie will slap.

Moonlight is one of the more serious films on this list. It stars André Holland and Janelle Monáe and touches on topics that some may still consider taboo in the Black community, like sexuality, abuse, and addiction.

I love a Black love story, and Love & Basketball is one of the best.

Precious isn't a comedy or a feel-good movie, but it does feature many Black legends, like Mo'Nique, Mariah Carey, and Sherri Shepherd. Plus, it was directed by Lee Daniels and produced by Oprah! Blackness is all around this film.

The 2014 historical drama Selma (featuring Cuba Gooding Jr. and Oprah) tells the story of the 1965 Selma to Montgomery march, in which nonviolent protesters marched to ensure Black people could exercise their right to vote. If you haven't seen this film yet, it might make you a little emotional. I'm writing from experience.

I'm getting to the point in my life where original movies that were considered classics are starting to be remade. So, if you're interested in watching The Color Purple , you could watch the 1985 film with Oprah and Whoopi Goldberg or the 2023 remake with Taraji P. Henson, H.E.R., and Halle Bailey.

Like Selma, the 2019 historical film Harriet might make one a little heated; however, the story is an integral part of history, and Cynthia Erivo does one hell of a job.

Even though this movie is about a Black detective going undercover to expose the local KKK chapter in his hometown, it is a comedy. Consequently, it may be easier to watch than others on this list, like Selma and Harriet. 

Any time you put Academy Award winners Viola Davis and Denzel Washington in a film together, you can bet your bottom dollar it's going to be a hit, and that's exactly what Paramount Pictures 2016 film Fences turned out to be.

The title of this 2014 film might trip you up. However, I can assure you that the majority of this production's cast is Black, including the popular Tyler James Williams from Everybody Hates Chris and Abbott Elementary. The story follows several Black students who struggle with race and identity at a predominantly white institution. For any of my college-aged readers, this one is for you.

In the 2019 movie Just Mercy , a Harvard law graduate, Bryan Stevenson, moved to Alabama in 1989 to help represent poor Black people in the legal system who couldn't afford an attorney. During his time there, he worked to fight for many, including Walter "Johnny D." McMillan, a Black man who was wrongfully convicted of a white woman's murder years earlier. After trials, tribulations, and many appeals, Stevenson's (played by Michael B. Jordan) hard work paid off when McMillan was finally freed and reunited with his family.

The Friday franchise is too iconic to be left off of this list. And if you haven't seen this movie yet, do yourself a favor and add it to your weekend's streaming list.

Ice Cube did his big one alongside Eve, Anthony Anderson, and Michael Ealy in the 2002 film Barbershop. The production was so loved by audience members that MGM Studios created a sequel, Back In Business, and a third film in 2014, The Next Cut.

Another love story that'll always pull at my heartstrings is Poetic Justice . It stars the popular musicians Janet Jackson and Tupac Shakur and explores many themes, including love, loss, grief, trauma, and healing.

Jennifer Hudson and Beyoncé blew us all away in the 2006 film Dreamgirls . It's based on the 1981 Broadway musical of the same name and features many A-list actors, including Jamie Foxx, Eddie Murphy, and Danny Glover.

You should already know that leaving Michael B. Jordan and his franchise Creed off of this list would be the last thing I'd do.

Will Smith outdid himself in King Richard , a 2021 movie about Richard Williams, the father of Serena and Venus Williams. The film features the Oscar-nominated original song, "Be Alive," by Beyoncé. It's available to stream on Max. 

Now that I'm looking back on it, Ice Cube has really had one heck of a career. From Friday to Barbershop to Are We There Yet?, his performances are part of the essential Black movie playlist.