The Best Black Sci-Fi Movies
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Vote up your favorite Black sci-fi movies.
Did you know that Francis Ford Coppola directed a movie that George Lucas produced and starred Michael Jackson called Captain EO? That is just one of the best Black sci-fi films on this list that should be watched immediately. What are the greatest Black sci-fi films of all time? That’s up to you to decide.
In his essay, “Black to the Future,” author Mark Dery coined the term “Afrofuturism.” According to HuffPost, Afrofuturism is the “re-imagining of a future filled with arts, science, and technology seen through a Black lens.” Many of the new Black sci-fi films on this list reflect Afrofuturism, which differs from traditional science fiction, because of how immersed the movie is in ancient African culture combined with technology.
Certainly some of these films are just straight up science fiction movies. However, a film like Black Panther for example, is thematically filled with the ideals of Afrofuturism. Social commentary and even political satire seem to find a nice home within the science fiction genre.
Which do you think are the top Black sci-fi films? Vote up all your favorites.
Most divisive: Born in Flames
Over 100 Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of The Best Black Sci-Fi Movies
- 1Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong'oIn the groundbreaking Marvel movie Black Panther, T'Challa (Chadwick Boseman) grapples with his new role as king of Wakanda, a technologically advanced, unseen African nation. The death of his father thrusts him into this position, and he must navigate political strife and treachery within his kingdom. His adversary, Erik Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan), presents an ideological challenge that threatens Wakanda's isolationist policies. Boasting an impressive cast, including Lupita Nyong'o and Danai Gurira, this film deftly explores themes of power, identity, and heritage. It clinched three Oscars for its remarkable costume design, production design, and original score.
- 2Tommy Lee Jones, Will Smith, Linda FiorentinoIn the sci-fi comedy flick, Men in Black, we meet Jay (Will Smith), a New York City cop, and Kay (Tommy Lee Jones), a seasoned agent from a covert organization. This clandestine outfit, known as Men in Black, silently guards Earth from extraterrestrial threats. Jay is recruited into this secretive world after an alien encounter. The duo's mission? Safeguard our planet from an intergalactic terrorist (Vincent D'Onofrio). With clever gadgets and sharp wit, they tackle cosmic challenges. Directed by Barry Sonnenfeld, this film won an Academy Award for Best Makeup. A blend of humor and action that keeps viewers enthralled without revealing too much of the universe's mysteries.More Men in Black
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- 3Wesley Snipes, Kris Kristofferson, Ron PerlmanIn Blade II, Blade (Wesley Snipes), a half-vampire, half-mortal man, returns to defend humanity from an ominous threat. The film introduces a new breed of vampires, the Reapers, who pose a danger to both humans and their vampire counterparts. Blade teams up with the Bloodpack, an elite group of vampires originally trained to kill him. Directed by Guillermo del Toro, this sequel ventures deeper into the dark underworld of vampires. As Blade battles these formidable foes alongside his former enemies, he grapples with alliances, treacheries and explosive confrontations. The movie garnered acclaim for its action sequences and special effects.More Blade II
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- 4Wesley Snipes, Stephen Dorff, Kris KristoffersonIn the grim darkness of a vampire-infested world, Blade tells the tale of a hybrid hero. Blade (Wesley Snipes), half human, half vampire, is an enigmatic warrior on a relentless mission to cleanse the world of these nightmarish creatures. With his unique physiology, he possesses all their strengths but none of their weaknesses. The film skates through the edgy realms of horror and action, blending them into a cinematic cocktail that's as gripping as it is gruesome. Aided by mentor Whistler (Kris Kristofferson), Blade battles against Deacon Frost (Stephen Dorff), a power-hungry vampire hell-bent on unleashing chaos upon humanity. This 1998 movie adeptly explores themes of identity and purpose amidst its intensely captivating narrative.More Blade
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- 5
Brown Girl Begins
Mouna Traoré, Nigel Shawn Williams, Shakura S'Aida - 6LaKeith Stanfield, Tessa Thompson, Jermaine FowlerIn Sorry to Bother You, Cassius Green (Lakeith Stanfield), a struggling telemarketer, discovers a magical key to professional success. Guided by his uncle (Terry Crews) and a mysterious coworker (Danny Glover), he propels himself into the upper echelons of the business world. However, as his career skyrockets, he is drawn into an alarming corporate conspiracy led by Steve Lift (Armie Hammer), that challenges his morality and humanity. This dystopian comedy-drama, directed by Boots Riley, received critical acclaim for its unique blend of satire and social commentary.
- 7Radha Mitchell, Vin Diesel, Cole HauserWhen their ship crashes on an unexplored planet, the survivors of the crash soon discover that this planet that is normally always day is going to soon be in a state of eclipse that will bring out deadly nocturnal creatures. Will a prison convict (Vin Diesel) being transported on the ship end up being the one man who can lead the survivors off the planet?More Pitch Black
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- 8Joe Morton, Daryl Edwards, Steve James"The Brother" (Joe Morton) is an alien and escaped slave on the run from his home planet. After he lands in New York City, he tries to adapt to life on the streets of Harlem. Although the Brother is mute, he does have great abilities at fixing machines, and he gets a job. As the Brother tries to blend in with his new culture, he finds an apartment and gradually makes friends. Meanwhile, he is pursued by two agents from his home world who are intent on returning there with him.
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- 9Sun Ra, John Bailey, Raymond JohnsonSpace Is the Place is an 85-minute blaxploitation science fiction film made in 1972 and released in 1974. It was directed by John Coney, written by Sun Ra and Joshua Smith, and features Sun Ra and his Arkestra. A soundtrack was released on Evidence Records.
- 10
Afronauts
Yolonda Ross, Hoji Fortuna, Diandra ForrestAfronauts is a 2014 short film written and directed by Frances Bodomo. - 11Michael Jackson, Anjelica Huston, Tony CoxCaptain EO is a 1986 American 3D science fiction film starring Michael Jackson and directed by Francis Coppola that was shown at Disney theme parks from 1986 through 1996. The attraction returned to the Disney Parks in 2010, as a tribute after Jackson's death, but as of 2015, the show is no longer playing at any of the Disney parks. The film's executive producer was George Lucas. The film was choreographed by Jeffrey Hornaday and Michael Jackson, photographed by Peter Anderson, produced by Rusty Lemorande and written by Lemorande, Lucas and Coppola, from a story idea by the artists of Walt Disney Imagineering. Lemorande also initially designed and created two of the creatures, and was an editor of the film. The score was written by James Horner, and featured two songs, both written and performed by Michael Jackson. The Supreme Leader was played by Anjelica Huston. Cinematographer Vittorio Storaro was the lighting director during much of the principal photography. Captain EO is regarded as one of the first "4D" films.
- 12Laurence Fishburne, Sam Neill, Kathleen QuinlanIn the sci-fi horror film Event Horizon, a rescue mission in 2047 takes an eerie turn. Captain Miller (Laurence Fishburne) and his crew, aboard the Lewis and Clark, are sent to investigate a distress signal from the Event Horizon, a ship long thought lost. Dr. Weir (Sam Neill), creator of the missing vessel, accompanies them. As they delve into the cold void of space, they uncover not only the fate of the Event Horizon's original crew but also an unholy terror that defies human comprehension. Despite its technological marvels, this journey reveals a chilling truth: some boundaries are better left unbroken.
- 13Jacob Latimore, Seychelle Gabriel, Sasheer ZamataSleight is a 2016 American drama film directed by J.D. Dillard. A young street magician (Jacob Latimore) is left to care for his little sister after their parents' death and turns to illegal activities to keep a roof over their heads. When he gets in too deep, his sister is kidnapped and he is forced to use his magic and brilliant mind to save her.
- 14Vin Diesel, Colm Feore, Thandiwe NewtonJourney into the farthest reaches of space with The Chronicles of Riddick. This action-packed, sci-fi thriller follows the story of Riddick (Vin Diesel), an escaped convict with a bounty on his head. Pursued by mercenaries and bounty hunters, he finds himself in the middle of two opposing forces in a battle for universal domination. The Necromongers, led by Lord Marshal (Colm Feore), are hell-bent on converting all human life to their cause. With stunning visual effects and intense combat scenes, this film won the 2005 World Stunt Awards for Best Fight. Intrigue, conflict, and suspense - The Chronicles of Riddick has it all.
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- 15Wesley Snipes, Kris Kristofferson, Jessica BielIn Blade: Trinity, the third installment of the Blade franchise, vampire hunter Blade (Wesley Snipes) finds himself in a precarious position. The authorities have painted him as a public enemy, while an old nemesis, Dracula (Dominic Purcell), is resurrected by the vampires to extinguish humanity. Teaming up with a group of vampire hunters known as the Nightstalkers, led by Hannibal King (Ryan Reynolds) and Abigail Whistler (Jessica Biel), Blade faces his most daunting battle yet. This action-packed horror film culminates in a gripping showdown between good and evil, blending elements of suspense with high-octane fight sequences.More Blade: Trinity
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- 16Storm Reid, Oprah Winfrey, Reese WitherspoonIn the fantastical adventure movie A Wrinkle in Time, young Meg Murry (Storm Reid) embarks on an epic quest through space and time. Guided by three celestial beings, Mrs. Which (Oprah Winfrey), Mrs. Whatsit (Reese Witherspoon), and Mrs. Who (Mindy Kaling), Meg seeks her missing father, Dr. Alex Murry (Chris Pine). The journey takes them across strange dimensions and alien worlds, confronting a malevolent force known as the IT. Directed by Ava DuVernay, this 2018 film is based on Madeleine L'Engle's classic novel, weaving science fiction with themes of love and self-discovery.More A Wrinkle in Time
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- 17Terence Nance, Namik Minter, Talibah Lateefah NewmanAfter a woman fails to show up for their date, an artist (Terence Nance) ponders the divide between romantic and platonic love, and why his past relationships have failed.
- 18Robert Townsend, Marla Gibbs, Eddie GriffinAn unassuming teacher, Jefferson Reed (Robert Townsend) lives and works in an urban area plagued by a tough gang. When a falling meteor hits Jefferson, he discovers that he has gained numerous superpowers. Encouraged by his father (Robert Guillaume) and mother (Marla Gibbs), Jefferson sets out, somewhat awkwardly, to become a crime-fighting hero. While he manages to improve his community, he finds out that his powers aren't limitless, making his efforts more challenging.More The Meteor Man
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- 19
The Last Angel of History
The Last Angel of History, directed in 1996 by John Akomfrah and written and researched by Edward George of Black Audio Film Collective, is a 45-minute documentary that deals with concepts of Afrofuturism as a metaphor for the displacement of black culture and roots. The film is a hybrid documentary and fictional narrative. Documentary segments include traditional talking-head clips from musicians, writers, and social critics, as well as archival video footage and photographs. Described as "A truly masterful film essay about Black aesthetics that traces the deployments of science fiction within pan-African culture", it has also been called "one of the most influential video-essays of the 1990s, influencing filmmakers and inspiring conferences, novels and exhibitions". The fictional story follows the journey of the "data thief" who must travel across time and space in search of a crossroads where he makes archaeological digs for fragments of history and technology in search of the code that holds the key to his future. The structure of the film makes it a meta-narrative commenting on while also becoming part of the genre of Afrofuturism. - 20Vin Diesel, Karl Urban, Jordi MollàLeft for dead on a sun-scorched planet, fugitive Riddick (Vin Diesel) fights for survival against alien predators more lethal than any human he has yet encountered. His only hope for escape is to activate an emergency beacon, but that brings with it a different problem: mercenaries. The first ship carries an especially violent and lethal group; the second is led by a man from Riddick's past. With time running out, Riddick realizes that neither group will leave without his head as trophy.More Riddick
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- 21
Son of Ingagi
Spencer Williams, Daisy Bufford, Jesse GravesSon of Ingagi is a 1940 American film directed by Richard C. Kahn. Son of Ingagi is the first science fiction-horror film to feature an all-black cast. The film is about Elanor and Bob Lindsay inheriting the house of the doctor Helen Jackson who had just returned from her trip to Africa. Jackson also had returned with a missing link monster named N'Gina as well as African gold. When N'Gina drinks the doctor's potion, it puts him into a rage that makes him murder Dr.Jackson. The Lindsay family inherits Jackson's house where they soon find the presence of the monster. Son of Ingagi was written by Spencer Williams based on his own short story House of Horror. The production company was impressed with Williams' script and allowed him to direct and write his own feature film The Blood of Jesus in 1941. - 22Eddie Murphy, Alec Baldwin, Rosario DawsonThe Adventures of Pluto Nash is a 2002 Australian-American science fiction comedy film directed by Ron Underwood and starring Eddie Murphy.
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- 23Breno Mello, Marpessa Dawn, Lourdes de OliveiraYoung lovers Orfeu (Breno Mello) and Eurydice (Marpessa Dawn) run through the favelas of Rio during Carnaval, on the lam from a hitman dressed like Death (Ademar Da Silva) and Orfeu's vengeful fiancée Mira (Lourdes de Oliveira) and passing between moments of fantasy and stark reality. This impressionistic retelling of the Greek legend of Orpheus and Eurydice introduced bossa nova to the world with its soundtrack by young Brazilian composers Luiz Bonfá and Antonio Carlos Jobim.More Black Orpheus
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- 24Kathryn Bigelow, Eric Bogosian, Ron VawterBorn in Flames is a 1983 documentary-style feminist science fiction film by Lizzie Borden that explores racism, classism, sexism and heterosexism in an alternative United States socialist democracy.
- 25Vin Diesel, Keith David, Dwight SchultzThe Chronicles of Riddick: Dark Fury is a 2004 made-for-DVD animated science fiction film. It was directed by the Korean-American animator Peter Chung, and features Vin Diesel reprising his role of Richard B. Riddick.
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- 26Vin Diesel, Michelle Yeoh, Mélanie ThierryIn a post-apocalyptic wasteland, a battle-hardened mercenary, Toorop (Vin Diesel), lives by his own code and the credo kill or be killed. His latest assignment is to escort a young woman named Aurora (Mélanie Thierry) and her guardian, Sister Rebeka (Michelle Yeoh), from Kazakhstan to New York. Facing danger at each turn, Toorop begins to realize that Aurora represents the last hope for mankind's survival.
