The 25 Best Black Movies on Netflix Right Now (2023)

Making an African-American film is not an easy task. Since racism was still rampant in the United States and parts of the West in the 1960s, one must take into account the explosiveness and sensitivity of the subject. While racism can be traced back to direct references to one's skin color or origin and there were separate public institutions for whites and people of color, many things sound different today and racism, even if it is widespread today, often be of a subtle tone. nature.

Netflix usually has a wide range of movies, but finding a movie that suits your mood can be quite difficult. From documentaries to rom-coms, these African-American movies are not only interesting, but captivating. While Netflix may not haveDielargest collection of African-American films (many of the major ones are sadly missing), relevant not just for Black History Month but for every month of the year. Here is the list of really good noir movies on Netflix currently available to stream.

25. Ma Rainey's Black Booty (2020)

Inspired by August Wilson's 1982 play of the same name, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom is a drama starring talented actors such as Viola Davis, Chadwick Boseman and Glynn Turman. Directed by George C. Wolfe, it focuses on the events that follow when legendary American blues singer Ma Rainey and her band meet in Chicago on a muggy afternoon to record a song. When the Mother of the Blues is late for the set, she heightens the tension between her teammates as difficult secrets are exposed. In the moments that follow, Ma recognizes the challenge that lies ahead of her and vows to use her knowledge of historical black oppression to make her voice heard.

24. What happened Miss Simone? (2015)

Directed by Liz Garbus, What Happened, Miss Simone? is a documentary focused on the inspiring story of Nina Simone as she bravely faced the challenges of her life and pursued her seemingly impossible dreams. Using archival footage and interviews with Simone's loved ones, the film attempts to familiarize viewers with the piano prodigy's rise to musical stardom. What Happened, Miss Simone? it also sheds light on Nina's involvement in activism and her subsequent decision to move to Liberia in light of the civil wars of the 1960s.

23. Coach Carter (2005)

Coach Carter, starring Samuel L. Jackson, Rob Brown, Robert Richard and Rick Gonzalez, is a biographical teen sports drama written by Mark Schwahn and John Gatins. The Management of Thomas Carter follows Ken Carter, the coach of the Richmond High School basketball team, who manages to set the team on the path to success with his strict rules. However, when his grades begin to suffer, he makes unexpected decisions to force students to excel not only in the field but also in their studies.

22. Quincy (2018)

Quincy Jones is one of the greatest music producers in the history of the business, and it's about time someone documented the legend's life on film. Thanks to Alan Hicks and Rashida Jones (who wrote and directed this documentary), that dream has now come true. Jones is the man behind some of the most iconic pop songs of all time. He has won an incredible 27 Grammy Awards in his lifetime, produced over 2,900 songs, and is one of only 18 people in the world to have been honored with an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony. Jones is also the producer of the best-selling album of all time, Michael Jackson's "Thriller." This documentary honors the man's life and also includes interviews with some of the best artists he has worked with over the years.

21. Aficionado (2018)

The title may derive from amateur basketball, if you know what I mean. "Amateur (2018)" follows Terron, a 14-year-old aspiring basketball player who, in the eighth grade, receives offers to attend an elite prep school designed to train amateur basketball players. When he joins Liberty Prep, he is amazed at the level of commercialization the sport has achieved, with private companies sponsoring sports equipment and so on. As he learns the tricks of the trade, he is faced with an ethical dilemma when his father joins the team as an assistant coach: should he play along with his flashy lifestyle as an aspiring player, or should he involve his father? a lifestyle similar to yours. The questionable ethics of corporate ethics in the face of teenage curiosity was aptly portrayed in this African-American sports drama.

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20. Deidra and Laney rob a train (2017)

This is an African American independent film starring Rachel Crow and Ashleigh Murray. It is about two teenagers who start robbing trains to support their family. With their mother in prison, they must find ways to survive. Deidra & Laney Rob a Train is an entertaining movie about family, bullying, and self-esteem. The story quickly captivates you and allows you to root for the main characters. It's worth a watch.

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19. Roxana Roxana (2017)

The biopic of '80s hip-hop singer Roxanne Shante, Roxanne Roxanne, begins more at a time when she didn't aspire to be a hip-hop artist. Shante is an independent woman trying in vain to make a living amid the oppressive patriarchal mentality of a society. Seeing no respite from her financial woes and abandoning her financial obligations to her family, more importantly her mother and her little sister Peggy, Shante turns to rapping and he is quickly gaining ground as an aspiring artist. Although moments of her accomplishments—namely performances, record labels, and commercials—are fleeting in the film and the focus is primarily on breaking free from the grip of her stereotypical inhibitions, "Roxanne Roxanne" has one despite its small amounts of budget hit and lack of bigger, more popular names in the all-star cast. An inspired story of a rapper lost in translation.

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18. Fifty (2015)

If you've never seen a Nigerian movie, this might be a good choice. Fifty follows four Nigerian women at the top of their careers. Tola, Elizabeth, Maria and Kate juggle family and work in one of Africa's largest and most vibrant cities. It could be said that it falls into the category of soap operas. However, this is an interesting look at a side of Nigeria that often goes unreported.

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17. Homecoming (2019)

Beyoncé is undoubtedly one of the biggest names in music today. Her fans are scattered all over the world, and it goes without saying that a concert movie of the superstar will be watched by millions when it premieres on Netflix. Beyonce has teamed up with the streaming giants to do just that. Her performance at the 2018 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, one of the most popular music festivals in the world today, was adapted into a documentary written, directed and produced by the musician herself. Interestingly, several colleges with a majority of African-American students were able to see screenings of the film at their own colleges before it was released on Netflix.

16. Beton-cowboy (2020)

Directed and co-written by Ricky Staub, Concrete Cowboy is a western drama inspired by Greg Neri's book, Ghetto Cowboy, father in North Philadelphia, unaware of the implications of life-changing decisions. There he learns about the region's cowboy subculture and somehow finds kinship in the community ravaged by violence and poverty.

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15. First Game (2018)

"First Match" is the story of Monique, who had a difficult childhood and her adoptive family is about to end. She is fed up with her adoptive mother, who despised her during her childhood, but she wants to reconcile with her biological father, Darrel. By the way, Darrel was a wrestling champion during his formative years and in order to get closer to him, Monique decides to join the high school wrestling team. While Darrel initially shows no interest, he later relents as a bystander as he struggles to understand Monique's feelings for him. Throughout the film, we witness Monique struggling with the desperate goal of achieving perfectionism amid visually compelling cinematography. "First Match" is a rare gem that clearly shows the difficulty of choosing and the loneliness of making the right decision.

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14. Until Yesterday (2019)

HeScience fictionComedy movie may be purely for entertainment, but its subtextual meaning is of great importance in today's society. Produced byskewer readsDirected by Stefon Bristol, See You Yesterday follows two African-American teenage scientific prodigies as we watch them use their superior mental acumen to save one of their brothers from death. And how do the two teenagers do it? Making time machines that look like backpacks! One could immediately argue that the premise itself is a bit over the top, but when we consider the fact that the film fulfills a very important task in portraying African-American characters with genius intellect, we can understand the cultural significance of the film.

13. The Incredible Jessica James (2017)

Written and directed by Jim Strouse, The Incredible Jessica James follows an aspiring playwright living in New York City shortly after experiencing a breakup. One of the best things about this movie is the perfect balance between drama and real comedy. The comedic side of The Incredible Jessica Jones shines through in the performances of Jessica Williams and Chris O'Dowd. On the other hand, the drama keeps it captivating and interesting. It is an original take on the romantic comedy genre.

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12. Pride: The Willy T. Ribbs Story (2020)

Uppity: The Willy T. Ribbs Story is a documentary chronicling the life of the legendary Willy T. Ribbs, a black racer who transformed the sport through his extraordinary achievements. Featuring interviews with his loved ones, sports stars, historians and racing team owners, the film focuses on the historic moment when Willy completely broke the color barrier in professional auto racing.

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11. Heartbeats (2019)

Directed by Chri Robinson, this Netflix original movie is aGrowDrama about a boy who pursues his dream of becoming a famous musician after inspiration and encouragement come from an unlikely source. August, an African-American teenager, is the central character of this film. He suffers from PTSD after witnessing his sister's murder firsthand, and the incident affected him so much that he even stopped going to school. Romelo, the security guard at August's school, is the husband of the soon-to-be separated principal, and it was he who first discovered the boy's talent. Romelo has also been in the music business and believes that he can return there with August's talents. However, the duo's dream of making it big encounters several obstacles. The film raises many questions about the rise in gun violence in America and even about mental illness and its impact on a teenager.

10. Imperial Dreams (2014)

John Boyega plays Bambi in this African-American drama. The film opens with 21-year-old Bambi being released from prison. Bambi, who has nothing but love for his family, especially his son, and who has vowed never to return to the criminal underworld that landed him in prison in the first place, finds himself once again at a crossroads when no one employ a criminal With a little Dayton who has no one to look up to because Bambi's girlfriend is also in prison, he decides to write a novel about his life and the kind of people he met, good or bad, who inspired him to get into trouble and into trouble. prison. -of all things. Featuring a relentless Bambi seeking justice amid bad influence and drug abuse, Imperial Dreams reminds us of the dark days when all you wanted was a beacon of hope.

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9. Hell (2017)

This 2017 Netflix Original Movie is set in an alternate universe where humans have learned to coexist with other magical creatures like orcs, elves, fairies, etc. The film has two protagonists: Daryl (Will Smith) and Nick (Joel Edgerton), two police officers who work for the LAPD. The two are tasked with protecting an elven woman whose survival is essential to the survival of the world as we know it. In addition to being a very packed action thriller, the film speaks to important issues like race and discrimination that we also see in today's world. Surprisingly, "Bright" was unanimously rejected by critics, but gained great popularity among the public.

8. The Black Godfather (2019)

While Clarence Avant's name may not be familiar to the average audience, he is a legend when it comes to the music industry. Some of the greatest African-American artists of all time have collaborated over the years with Avant, whose life is nothing more than one fascinating journey to the top of the music world. He started out as a manager for pianist Lalo Schifrin, went on to found several record companies and also put on some big concerts and events with black artists. Avant's influence in the world of music is so extensive that his peers nickname him "The Black Godfather." This documentary features interviews with Barack Obama, P. Diddy, Quincey Jones, Bill Clinton, Snoop Dogg, Kamala Harris, David Geffen, and others. Only the list of celebrities who love the man shows his influence in the world of music.

7. Muddy (2017)

Nominated for four Oscars, Mudbound follows two families: the Jacksons and the McAllans who are forced to share land. As they struggle against poverty and adversity, prejudice and racism begin to shake their lives. With an incredible and talented cast, Mudbound is a gripping drama about relevant issues like racism, violence, and female solidarity. Director Dee Rees did a great job creating an amazingly powerful and beautiful film that will stay with you for a long time.

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6. My Name Is Dolemite (2019)

si mirasteexploitationIf you are into or interested in movies, you probably came across the name of the movie "Dolemite". The main character of the film of the same name is played by Rudy Ray Moore. Moore reprized the character in several other films and even used him to perform stand-up comedy. The Netflix Original Movie'dolemite is my name' is a biographical comedy about the life of Moore.Eddie Murphy, the legendary comedian, plays Moore in this film. Here we see how Moore accidentally came up with the idea for this character and then convinced a playwright to write a blaxploitation movie about it. Funny, daring and close to the aesthetic of blaxploitation movies, Dolemite is My Name is a movie that you cannot miss.

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5, I'm Not Your Black (2017)

Written by James Baldwin and Raoul Peck, I Am Not Your Negro is a socio-critical documentary and film essay. Inspired by James Baldwin's unfinished manuscript Remember This House, the film exposes systemic racism in the United States by taking an in-depth look into the lives of Medgar Evers, Malcolm X, and Martin Luther King. It also includes moving interviews with Baldwin as he reflects on the fate of his people in his home country and the reasons for his disillusionment with the political system.

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4. Capturing Feelings (2017)

Set in Johannesburg, Catching Feelings is essentially a dark comedy that begins with Max, a former author in his late thirties who wrote a best-selling book in his mid-twenties, earning him the name and fame he needed to become in a... get a college job teaching creative writing. He lives with his wife Sam in a Johannesburg suburb. He enters Heiner, a fairly successful and accomplished writer seeking a residency program at the university. Due to Heiner's flamboyant nature and his penchant for girls, drug abuse and late-night parties, he suffers a mild heart attack forcing Max to drive him home. The only challenge for Max now: keep Heiner away from his wife Sam. "Catching Feelings" has an aura of its own and definitely captured the pulse of the audience with a compelling style of storytelling. Seen?

3. Beasts Without a Nation (2015)

A harrowing experience at first, Beasts of No Nation hits the audience where it hurts the most. The film opens with a boy named Agu, a young armed soldier fighting a civil war in an African nation. Agu, like everyone else in his band of child soldiers, fears his commander (known as Commander, played by Idris Elba) and faces ambushes, ammunition transport, and small arms combat training. On his first street ambush mission, Agu is asked to kill a man with a machete, which he reluctantly complies after joining other kids his age. As the war escalates and the Commander's regiment finds itself on the losing side after being taken over by UN forces, Agu and his other friends are taken to a beach house, where they spend their time playing soccer and making up, like teenagers do. Unrelenting, painful yet true to its heart, Beasts of No Nation illuminates the ordeals of war in an honest and direct way.

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2. 13. (2016)

"13th" takes an in-depth look at the US prison system and how it reveals the nation's history of racial inequality. The documentary touches on slavery, the civil rights movement, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Richard M. Nixon, Reagan's declaration of war on drugs and much more. This documentary is an excellent summary of American history. Although he interviews many experts and provides you with a wealth of data and statistics, it never feels like a lecture. It is not only very informative but also entertaining and inspiring storytelling. Regardless of your political opinion or nationality, this documentary is a must watch for everyone.

1. The death and life of Marsha P. Johnson (2017)

Marsha P. Johnson was one of the leading figures in the LGBTQ movement in New York in the 1980s, and this Netflix Original documentary tells us about her life and the mysterious circumstances under which she died. Johnson was a famous drag queen who rose to popularity after arriving in New York with just $15 in her pocket. The central character of this documentary is Victoria Cruz, who is also a trans activist and worked closely with Johnson before his death in 1992. Johnson's body was found floating in the Hudson River and although the death was ruled a suicide, many were not convinced and some still believe that the trans icon was murdered. After discovering some important information about her death, Cruz began the process of reopening the case. Johnson is one of the most recognizable icons of the LGBTQ movement, and this documentary is a must-read for those who are passionate about the cause and want to learn about one of its biggest activists.

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