The 100+ Best Movies With Black Female Leads

Ranker Film
Updated June 2, 2024 51.7K views 137 items
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Latest additions: The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman, Eve's Bayou, The Woman King
Most divisive: Middle of Nowhere
Over 600 Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of The 100+ Best Movies With Black Female Leads

Whether they are fictional or based on real people, some of the most engaging film characters are strong Black women. The top movies for Black women feature stories about love, careers, and survival. This is a list of Black women movies featuring everything from Waiting to Exhale to Beasts of the Southern Wild to What's Love Got to Do with It.

What movies will you find on this list of the best Black woman films? Literature fans might vote The Color Purple to the top. Based on Alice Walker's book of the same name, this Steven Spielberg film tells the tale of Celie Harris and the horrifying oppression Black women faced in the early 20th century. The movie was nominated for an incredible 10 Academy Awards. Beloved is another great movie for Black women. How Stella Got Her Groove Back is a great movie about female empowerment and embracing life. Other good films featured on this Black woman movies list include The Wiz, Coming to America, and Lady Sings the Blues.

Which of these movies for Black women is the best of the best? Give your favorites a vote up to help them reach the top of the list.

  • Hidden Figures
    1

    Hidden Figures

    Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monáe
    166 votes
    Hidden Figures is an inspiring drama that recounts the untold story of three African-American women working at NASA during the 1960s Space Race. Katherine G. Johnson (Taraji P. Henson), Dorothy Vaughan (Octavia Spencer), and Mary Jackson (Janelle Monáe) serve as the brains behind one of the greatest operations in history: the launch of astronaut John Glenn into orbit. A stirring exploration of race, gender, and scientific innovation, this film illuminates their pivotal roles in a monumental event. Having won multiple awards, Hidden Figures is a testament to these unsung heroes whose calculations helped catapult mankind into space.
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  • What's Love Got to Do with It
    2

    What's Love Got to Do with It

    Angela Bassett, Laurence Fishburne, Vanessa Bell Calloway
    121 votes
    The biographical drama, What's Love Got to Do with It, takes us through the tumultuous life of Tina Turner (Angela Bassett). We follow her journey from a small town girl, Anna Mae Bullock, to the global superstar, Tina Turner. The film also explores her volatile relationship with Ike Turner (Laurence Fishburne), who discovers her talent but becomes her tormentor. Despite the hardships, Tina's grit and determination lead her to a successful solo career. Both Bassett and Fishburne received Academy Award nominations for their riveting performances in this gripping tale of resilience and triumph against all odds.
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  • The Color Purple
    3

    The Color Purple

    Whoopi Goldberg, Danny Glover, Margaret Avery
    136 votes
    The Color Purple is a period drama, steeped in the southern atmosphere of rural Georgia. It follows the life of Celie (Whoopi Goldberg), a young African-American woman, from her childhood to adulthood. Born into poverty and subjected to severe abuse, Celie's journey is one of resilience and survival. The film is directed by Steven Spielberg and features an exceptional cast including Danny Glover and Oprah Winfrey. This poignant narrative swept the 1986 Academy Awards with eleven nominations, testifying to its cinematic brilliance. Its vivid portrayal of racial and gender issues remains relevant even today.
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  • Waiting to Exhale
    4

    Waiting to Exhale

    Whitney Houston, Angela Bassett, Lela Rochon
    125 votes
    Navigating through careers, family and romance, four friends bond over the shortcomings in their love lives -- namely, the scarcity of good men. Both as the "other woman," Savannah (Whitney Houston) and Robin (Lela Rochon) carry on relationships with married men, each believing their lovers will leave their wives for them. On the flip side, Bernadine (Angela Bassett) ends up alone when her husband divorces her for his mistress. Meanwhile, Gloria (Loretta Devine) finds love with a new neighbor.
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  • Set It Off
    5

    Set It Off

    Jada Pinkett Smith, Queen Latifah, Vivica A. Fox
    124 votes
    In the pulsing heart of urban Los Angeles, Set It Off unfolds. This gripping crime drama tells the story of four women seeking liberation from their suffocating realities. Stony (Jada Pinkett Smith), Cleo (Queen Latifah), Frankie (Vivica A. Fox), and T.T. (Kimberly Elise) find themselves ensnared in a high-stakes world of bank robberies and police chases. Director F. Gary Gray artfully weaves themes of friendship, desperation, and survival into this tense narrative, creating a movie that is as thought-provoking as it is thrilling. The film's gritty realism and standout performances make Set It Off an unforgettable exploration of life on the edge.
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  • Love & Basketball
    6

    Love & Basketball

    Sanaa Lathan, Omar Epps, Alfre Woodard
    112 votes
    Love & Basketball is a romantic drama that weaves together the worlds of love and sport. Monica Wright (Sanaa Lathan) and Quincy McCall (Omar Epps) are childhood friends who share a passion for basketball. As they grow, their relationship evolves from rivalry to romance. However, their commitment to basketball puts a strain on their connection when both pursue careers in professional sports. Directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, this film skillfully explores the intersection of personal ambition and emotional intimacy. It was honored with several awards, including an Independent Spirit Award for Best First Screenplay.
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  • Dreamgirls
    7

    Dreamgirls

    Jamie Foxx, Beyoncé, Eddie Murphy
    104 votes
    Dreamgirls is a musical drama that unfurls the rise of an all-female singing trio, the Dreams. Effie White (Jennifer Hudson), Deena Jones (Beyonce Knowles), and Lorrell Robinson (Anika Noni Rose) navigate the turbulent waters of fame, managed by Curtis Taylor Jr. (Jamie Foxx). The journey to stardom is fraught with heartbreaks and betrayals, underpinned by a captivating rhythm of Motown soul. Directed by Bill Condon, this film won two Academy Awards, including Best Supporting Actress for Hudson's powerful portrayal of Effie. Noteworthy are its dazzling costumes and unforgettable songs, anchoring the narrative in the vibrant era of 1960s music scene.
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  • Coming to America
    8

    Coming to America

    Eddie Murphy, Arsenio Hall, John Amos
    93 votes
    In the comedy film Coming to America, pampered African Prince Akeem (Eddie Murphy) rejects an arranged marriage. Disguised as a foreign student, he journeys to Queens, New York City, seeking love. His loyal servant Semmi (Arsenio Hall) accompanies him, providing comedic relief throughout their culture-shocked adventure. Directed by John Landis, this popular 1988 movie features Murphy and Hall in multiple roles, showcasing their versatility. It was nominated for two Oscars and remains a fan favorite for its humor and heart. Akeem's quest for love takes many unexpected turns, leading to a satisfying conclusion that highlights the importance of being true to oneself.
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  • How Stella Got Her Groove Back
    9

    How Stella Got Her Groove Back

    Angela Bassett, Taye Diggs, Regina King
    85 votes
    In the heartwarming film How Stella Got Her Groove Back, successful stockbroker Stella Payne (Angela Bassett) finds herself in a midlife crisis. Deciding to take a much-needed vacation, she lands in sunny Jamaica where she meets the young, charming Winston Shakespeare (Taye Diggs). Despite their age difference, an unexpected romance blossoms. This romantic drama, based on Terry McMillan's novel, explores the theme of self-discovery and love beyond societal norms. It snagged Angela Bassett an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress. The movie is a balance of light-hearted moments and profound life lessons, making it a watch worth its while.
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  • Sister Act
    10

    Sister Act

    Whoopi Goldberg, Maggie Smith, Kathy Najimy
    92 votes
    In Sister Act, Deloris Van Cartier (Whoopi Goldberg) is a flashy Reno lounge singer. After witnessing a mob crime, Deloris enters witness protection, hidden within a convent's austere walls. Disguised as Sister Mary Clarence, she disrupts the quiet life of her fellow nuns. Under her influence, the choir transforms from tone-deaf to toe-tapping, gaining unexpected fame. Meanwhile, the mob is on her trail. The movie, an engaging mix of comedy and drama with music at its heart, earned Goldberg a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress - Motion Picture Comedy or Musical in 1993.
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  • The Hate U Give
    11

    The Hate U Give

    Amandla Stenberg, Regina Hall, Russell Hornsby
    24 votes
    In The Hate U Give, a stirring drama based on the acclaimed novel, Starr Carter (Amandla Stenberg) straddles two contrasting worlds. She lives in a poor, predominantly black neighborhood but attends a wealthy, predominantly white prep school. The tragic shooting of her childhood friend Khalil (Algee Smith) at the hands of a police officer forces Starr to confront these dual realities. As the sole witness, she must navigate the pressures from all sides of her community and stand up for what's right. The film explores themes of racial injustice and identity, with Russell Hornsby delivering a notable performance as Starr's father.
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  • The Help
    12

    The Help

    Viola Davis, Emma Stone, Bryce Dallas Howard
    143 votes
    The Help, an adaptation of Kathryn Stockett's novel, is a drama set in the racially charged environment of Jackson, Mississippi in the 1960s. It introduces Skeeter Phelan (Emma Stone), an aspiring writer who decides to write a book from the perspective of African American maids. Aibileen Clark (Viola Davis) and Minny Jackson (Octavia Spencer) are two brave maids who agree to share their stories, risking job security and personal safety. The film garnered critical acclaim for its poignant narrative and strong performances, earning Octavia Spencer an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.
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  • Poetic Justice
    13

    Poetic Justice

    Janet Jackson, Tupac Shakur, Regina King
    90 votes
    Still grieving after the murder of her boyfriend, hairdresser Justice (Janet Jackson) writes poetry to deal with the pain of her loss. Unable to get to Oakland to attend a convention because of her broken-down car, Justice gets a lift with her friend, Iesha (Regina King) and Iesha's postal worker boyfriend, Chicago (Joe Torry). Along for the ride is Chicago's co-worker, Lucky (Tupac Shakur), to whom Justice grows close after some initial problems. But is she ready to open her heart again?
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  • Cinderella
    14

    Cinderella

    Whitney Houston, Whoopi Goldberg, Bernadette Peters
    31 votes
    Cinderella is a 1997 American romantic musical fantasy telefilm produced by Walt Disney Television. The film stars Brandy, Whitney Houston, Paolo Montalban, Bernadette Peters, Whoopi Goldberg, Victor Garber and Jason Alexander. It is a re-make of the Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella television movie musical, and the only one of the three versions to be shot on film. It was adapted by Robert L. Freedman and directed by Robert Iscove, with choreography by Rob Marshall, and was produced by Whitney Houston and Debra Martin Chase for Walt Disney Productions. It was part of a revival of The Wonderful World of Disney series, on Disney-owned ABC, and aired on November 2, 1997.
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  • Crooklyn
    15

    Crooklyn

    Alfre Woodard, Delroy Lindo, David Patrick Kelly
    70 votes
    As her teacher mother, Carolyn (Alfre Woodard), and her jazz musician father, Woody (Delroy Lindo), worry over monthly bills, grade-schooler student Troy Carmichael (Zelda Harris) banters and bonds with her four brothers. Against her will, Troy is sent to her aunt's southern home for a summer visit, but when she returns to her bustling Brooklyn neighborhood, she learns that a family member is gravely ill. Already mature, Troy is forced to face to some very grown-up facts about life and loss.
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  • The Secret Life of Bees
    16

    The Secret Life of Bees

    Queen Latifah, Dakota Fanning, Jennifer Hudson
    85 votes
    Haunted by memories of her late mother and abused by her father (Paul Bettany), 14-year-old Lily Owens (Dakota Fanning) runs away with her friend and caregiver Rosaleen (Jennifer Hudson) to the South Carolina town that holds the key to her mother's past. There, Lily meets the Boatwright sisters (Queen Latifah, Alicia Keys, Sophie Okonedo), who take her in and teach her about beekeeping, honey, and the Black Madonna. Lily also discovers that the truth about her mother is closer than she thinks.
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  • Love Jones
    17

    Love Jones

    Larenz Tate, Nia Long, Isaiah Washington
    69 votes
    Two urban African-Americans, Darius (Larenz Tate), an aspiring writer, and Nina (Nia Long), an aspiring photographer, share an instant connection after a chance meeting at a Chicago club. The two bond over music, photography and poetry, and eventually begin a torrid romance. However, when Nina decides to move to New York and mend her relationship with her ex-fiancé, Marvin (Khalil Kain), it leaves Darius heartbroken, and the couple's future in jeopardy.
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  • Brown Sugar
    18

    Brown Sugar

    Taye Diggs, Sanaa Lathan, Yasiin Bey
    79 votes
    Sidney (Sanaa Lathan) and Dre (Taye Diggs) can attribute their friendship and the launch of their careers to one single childhood instant ... witnessing the birth of hip-hop on a New York street corner. Now some 15 years later, she is a revered music critic and he is a successful, though unfulfilled, music executive. Both come to realize that their true life passions will only be fulfilled by remembering what they learned that day on the corner.
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  • The Photograph
    19

    The Photograph

    Issa Rae, LaKeith Stanfield, Chanté Adams
    24 votes
    When famed photographer Christina Eames dies unexpectedly, she leaves her estranged daughter, Mae, hurt, angry and full of questions. When Mae finds a photograph tucked away in a safe-deposit box, she soon finds herself delving into her mother's early life -- an investigation that leads to an unexpected romance with a rising journalist.
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  • Harriet
    20

    Harriet

    Cynthia Erivo, Janelle Monáe, Leslie Odom
    17 votes
    From her escape from slavery through the dangerous missions she led to liberate hundreds of slaves through the Underground Railroad, the story of heroic abolitionist Harriet Tubman is told.
  • Akeelah and the Bee
    21

    Akeelah and the Bee

    Laurence Fishburne, Angela Bassett, Keke Palmer
    29 votes
    Akeelah and the Bee is a drama film centered around an eleven-year-old girl, Akeelah Anderson (Keke Palmer), from South Los Angeles. Living in a neighborhood where opportunities are scarce, she unexpectedly discovers her extraordinary talent for spelling. Guided by an uncompromising yet compassionate coach, Dr. Joshua Larabee (Laurence Fishburne), Akeelah participates in a national spelling bee competition. Angela Bassett plays the role of Akeelah's supportive mother, Tanya. Despite daunting obstacles and intense pressure, Akeelah strives to outshine her competitors and redefine her destiny. The movie won the Black Reel Award for Best Actress among other accolades.
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  • The Wiz
    22

    The Wiz

    Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Richard Pryor
    71 votes
    When Harlem schoolteacher Dorothy (Diana Ross) tries to save her dog from a storm, she's miraculously whisked away to an urban fantasy land called Oz. After accidentally killing the Wicked Witch of the East upon her arrival, Dorothy is told about the Wiz (Richard Pryor), a wizard who can help her get back to Manhattan. As Dorothy goes in search of the Wiz, she's joined by the Scarecrow (Michael Jackson), the Tin Man (Nipsey Russell) and the Cowardly Lion (Ted Ross).
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  • The Incredible Jessica James
    23

    The Incredible Jessica James

    Jessica Williams, Chris O'Dowd, Noël Wells
    11 votes
    Jessica, an aspiring playwright in New York City, is trying to get over a recent break-up when she meets Boone, who's also recovering from a recent split. Together, they figure out a way to make it in a "post-relationship" world.
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  • Bessie
    24

    Bessie

    Queen Latifah, Michael Kenneth Williams, Khandi Alexander
    16 votes
    Blues singer Bessie Smith (Queen Latifah) rises to fame in the 1920s to become a musical legend.
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  • Lady Sings the Blues
    25

    Lady Sings the Blues

    Diana Ross, Billy Dee Williams, Richard Pryor
    44 votes
    Pop star Diana Ross portrays legendary jazz singer Billie Holiday in this biographical drama. Beginning with Holiday's traumatic youth, the film depicts her early attempts at a singing career and her eventual rise to stardom, as well as her difficult relationship with Louis McKay (Billy Dee Williams), her boyfriend and manager. Casting a shadow over even Holiday's brightest moments is the vocalist's severe drug addiction, which threatens to end both her career and her life.
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  • Their Eyes Were Watching God
    26

    Their Eyes Were Watching God

    Halle Berry, Terrence Howard, Michael Ealy
    51 votes
    Their Eyes Were Watching God is an American Broadcasting Company television movie aired on March 6, 2005 at 9 p.m. EDT based upon Zora Neale Hurston's 1937 novel of the same name. The film was directed by Darnell Martin and produced by Oprah Winfrey's Harpo Productions Its teleplay was by Suzan-Lori Parks, Misan Sagay, and Bobby Smith, Jr.
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  • A Raisin in the Sun
    27

    A Raisin in the Sun

    Sidney Poitier, Claudia McNeil, Ruby Dee
    47 votes
    This lauded drama follows the Youngers, an African-American family living together in an apartment in Chicago. Following the death of their patriarch, they try to determine what to do with the substantial insurance payment they'll soon receive. Opinions on what to do with the money vary. Walter Lee (Sidney Poitier) wants to make a business investment, while his mother, Lena (Claudia McNeil), is intent on buying a house for them all to live in -- two differing views of the American Dream.
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  • The United States vs. Billie Holiday
    28

    The United States vs. Billie Holiday

    Andra Day, Trevante Rhodes, Garrett Hedlund
    15 votes
    The Federal Bureau of Narcotics launches an undercover sting operation against jazz singer Billie Holiday.
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  • Billie
    29

    Billie

    Billie Holiday, Tony Bennett, Count Basie
    15 votes
    Billie is a 2019 documentary film about Billie Holliday directed by James Erskine. Based around interviews recorded on audio cassettes in the 1970s while researching a book on Billie Holiday that was never completed, the documentary tells Billie's story from the point of view of her friends, family, her band, peers in 1930s Harlem, pianists, and a pimp.
  • Something New
    30

    Something New

    Sanaa Lathan, Simon Baker, Mike Epps
    14 votes
    Career-minded Kenya McQueen is set up on a blind date with architect Brian Kelly, but backs out when she realizes that he is white. Impressed with his work on a friend's mansion, McQueen hires Kelly to design her new garden -- and he sweeps her off her feet. But, after her friends introduce her to executive Mark Harper, McQueen must choose between the type of man she always dreamed she wanted and giving in to life's little surprises.
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  • Pariah
    31

    Pariah

    Adepero Oduye, Pernell Walker, Aasha Davis
    10 votes
    Teenage Alike (Adepero Oduye) lives in Brooklyn's Fort Greene neighborhood with her parents (Charles Parnell, Kim Wayans) and younger sister (Sahra Mellesse). A lesbian, Alike quietly embraces her identity and is looking for her first lover, but she wonders how much she can truly confide in her family, especially with her parents' marriage already strained. When Alike's mother presses her to befriend a colleague's daughter (Aasha Davis), Alike finds the gal to be a pleasant companion.
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  • Queen of Katwe
    32

    Queen of Katwe

    Madina Nalwanga, David Oyelowo, Lupita Nyong'o
    9 votes
    Living in the slum of Katwe in Kampala, Uganda, is a constant struggle for 10-year-old Phiona (Madina Nalwanga) and her family. Her world changes one day when she meets Robert Katende (David Oyelowo), a missionary who teaches children how to play chess. Phiona becomes fascinated with the game and soon becomes a top player under Katende's guidance. Her success in local competitions and tournaments opens the door to a bright future and a golden chance to escape from a life of poverty.
  • Belle
    33

    Belle

    Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Tom Wilkinson, Sam Reid
    10 votes
    The illegitimate, mixed-race daughter (Gugu Mbatha-Raw) of a British admiral plays an important role in the campaign to abolish slavery in England.
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  • The Associate
    34

    The Associate

    Whoopi Goldberg, Dianne Wiest, Eli Wallach
    10 votes
    Laurel (Whoopi Goldberg) is an intelligent investment banker struggling to succeed on Wall Street. When an unqualified white man (Tim Daly) receives a promotion, she quits her job to start her own business, only to learn that, as a woman, she is not taken seriously. To fool her competitors, Laurel creates a fictitious white man named Robert S. Cutty to manage her financial deals. But as Robert's popularity grows, Laurel realizes that living two lives is harder than she thought it might be.
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  • The Josephine Baker Story
    35

    The Josephine Baker Story

    Lynn Whitfield, Rubén Blades, David Dukes
    10 votes
    Born into a poor family in St. Louis, Josephine Baker (Lynn Whitfield) struggles to make a name for herself on the vaudeville circuit. As her career progresses, so does her resentment of racial prejudice, motivating her to move to Paris -- where in a short time, her exotic dance routines make her the toast of the town. Swayed by the influence of her manager (Ruben Blades), she takes the act back to America. It fails, but Josephine perseveres, proving herself as much humanitarian as entertainer.
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  • Do the Right Thing
    36

    Do the Right Thing

    Danny Aiello, Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee
    50 votes
    Brooklyn's Bed-Stuy neighborhood, a sweltering summer day: the setting for Spike Lee's 1989 classic, Do the Right Thing. Conflict brews in this racially tense community, centering around Sal's Pizzeria, owned by Sal (Danny Aiello). Mookie (Spike Lee), a young African-American pizza delivery man, serves as our guide through this intricate urban tapestry. The narrative unfolds, exploring issues of race and prejudice with unflinching honesty. This provocative drama garnered two Academy Award nominations and remains a pivotal film in American cinema, embodying the struggle for racial harmony in an environment where doing the right thing is never black or white.
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  • Miss Juneteenth
    37

    Miss Juneteenth

    Nicole Beharie, Kendrick Sampson, Alexis Chikaeze
    21 votes
    Miss Juneteenth is a 2020 American drama film directed by Channing Godfrey Peoples. Turquoise Jones (Nicole Beharie), a single mother in a suburb of Fort Worth, Texas, enters her 15-year-old daughter, Kai (Alexis Chikaeze) in the local Miss Juneteenth pageant.
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  • The Princess and the Frog
    38

    The Princess and the Frog

    Anika Noni Rose, Bruno Campos, Keith David
    18 votes
    In the animated musical The Princess and the Frog, hardworking Tiana (Anika Noni Rose) dreams of opening her own restaurant in New Orleans. Her plans take an unexpected turn when she meets Prince Naveen (Bruno Campos), transformed into a frog by the wicked Dr. Facilier (Keith David). A fumbled attempt to break the spell lands them both in a wild adventure through Louisiana's mystical bayous. The film, a delightful blend of traditional animation and jazz-age tunes, won an Academy Award for its original song Almost There.
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  • Black Girl
    39

    Black Girl

    Anne-Marie Jelinck, Toto Bissainthe, Robert Fontaine
    8 votes
    Black Girl is a 1966 film by the Senegalese writer and director Ousmane Sembène, starring Mbissine Thérèse Diop. Its original French title is La Noire de..., which means "The black girl of...", as in "someone's black girl". The film centers on a young Senegalese woman who moves from Senegal to France to work for a rich French couple. It was the director's first feature-length film. It is often considered the first Sub-Saharan African film by an African filmmaker to receive international attention.
  • The Preacher's Wife
    40

    The Preacher's Wife

    Denzel Washington, Whitney Houston, Courtney B. Vance
    58 votes
    A cleric begins to doubt himself and is visited by an angel. The heavenly emissary is supposed to help the good reverend over his midlife crisis, but he is distracted by the cleric's lovely young wife. A remake with gospel music of the "The Bishop's Wife".
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  • Selah And The Spades
    41

    Selah And The Spades

    Lovie Simone, Jharrel Jerome, Celeste O'Connor
    16 votes
    Selah and The Spades is a 2020 drama film directed by Tayarisha Poe. Five factions run the underground life of Haldwell School, a prestigious east coast boarding school; at the head of the most powerful faction - The Spades - sits Selah Summers, walking the fine line between being feared and loved.
  • Mahogany
    42

    Mahogany

    Diana Ross, Billy Dee Williams, Anthony Perkins
    40 votes
    Struggling Chicago fashion design student Tracy (Diana Ross) goes from rags to riches when a chance meeting with hotshot fashion photographer Sean (Anthony Perkins) in the department store where she works leads to a runway life as a model in Rome. Tracy's overnight success and strong ambitions bring her professional success as a designer, but her diva antics may destroy her relationship with social activist Brian (Billy Dee Williams), as well as her respect in the fashion world.
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  • Beauty Shop
    43

    Beauty Shop

    Queen Latifah, Alicia Silverstone, Andie MacDowell
    23 votes
    Far from Chicago, hairdresser Gina Norris (Queen Latifah) has relocated to Atlanta with her daughter (Paige Hurd) and has quickly established herself as a rare talent in her profession. But after repeatedly butting heads with her shady, over-the-top boss, Jorge (Kevin Bacon), Norris sets out to create her own salon -- even snagging a few of Jorge's employees and clients, including Lynn (Alicia Silverstone) and Terri (Andie MacDowell), respectively. Now, Jorge will do anything to shut her down.
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  • For Colored Girls
    44

    For Colored Girls

    Kimberly Elise, Janet Jackson, Loretta Devine
    16 votes
    In New York, a group of black women, most of whom live in the same Harlem apartment building, faces personal crises, heartbreak and other challenges. Crystal (Kimberly Elise) faces an unhappy existence as an abused lover. Jo (Janet Jackson) is a successful magazine editor, but her husband has a secret double life. Juanita (Loretta Devine) is a relationship counselor but cannot seem to get her love life in order. These three and others become bound together by their experiences.
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  • This Christmas
    45

    This Christmas

    Delroy Lindo, Idris Elba, Loretta Devine
    15 votes
    At holiday time, family matriarch Ma'Dere Whitfield (Loretta Devine) assembles her large brood for their first reunion in four years. However, family ties show signs of strain when various secrets come to light, especially concerning Marine Claude's (Columbus Short) true military status, Quentin's (Idris Elba) debts and teenage Baby's (Chris Brown) secret plans to become a singer.
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  • Just Wright
    46

    Just Wright

    Queen Latifah, Common, Paula Patton
    12 votes
    Physical therapist Leslie Wright (Queen Latifah) lands the dream job of working with basketball superstar Scott McKnight (Common). All goes well until Leslie finds that she is falling in love with him. Scott, however, is oblivious to Leslie's romantic overtures and focuses his attention on Morgan (Paula Patton), Leslie's gorgeous friend, who would love to be the basketball player's trophy wife.
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  • Ma Rainey's Black Bottom
    47

    Ma Rainey's Black Bottom

    Viola Davis, Chadwick Boseman, Glynn Turman
    11 votes
    Ma Rainey's Black Bottom is a 2020 American drama film directed by George C. Wolfe, based on the 1982 play by August Wilson. During a recording session, tensions rise between "Mother of the Blues," Ma Rainey (Viola Davis), her ambitious horn player (Chadwick Boseman), and the white management.
  • Betty and Coretta
    48

    Betty and Coretta

    Tyler Hynes, Angela Bassett, Gloria Reuben
    12 votes
    Betty and Coretta is a 2013 biographical drama film directed by Yves Simoneau. Coretta Scott King and Dr Betty Shabazz develop a friendship after the tragic deaths of their husbands; Dr Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X and through their strength and dignity they carried on the civil rights movement becoming role models for millions of women all over the world.
  • Not Easily Broken
    49

    Not Easily Broken

    Morris Chestnut, Taraji P. Henson, Maeve Quinlan
    11 votes
    Dave Johnson (Morris Chestnut) and his wife, Clarice (Taraji P. Henson), appear to have it all, but she has ignored his needs while she pursues a real-estate career. The couple's already weakened marriage faces the ultimate test after Clarice is involved in a car accident, leaving her with a terrible leg injury. Dave finds a sympathetic ear -- and possibly more -- with the physical therapist (Maeve Quinlan) who comes to treat her.
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  • Boomerang
    50

    Boomerang

    Eddie Murphy, Halle Berry, Robin Givens
    55 votes
    A cocky ad executive, Marcus (Eddie Murphy) has a reputation as a ladies' man. However, Marcus gets a taste of his own medicine when a merger finds him working under the beautiful Jacqueline (Robin Givens), who has a similarly cavalier attitude about romance. Marcus and Jacqueline become involved, but he is put off by her noncommittal approach to their relationship. Meanwhile, Marcus also begins to develop feelings for the pretty Angela (Halle Berry), who is more thoughtful than Jacqueline.
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  • Carmen Jones
    51

    Carmen Jones

    Dorothy Dandridge, Harry Belafonte, Pearl Bailey
    36 votes
    Screen version of the musical "Carmen Jones," which adapted Bizet's opera Carmen for an African-American cast. A soldier falls for Dandridge, a seductive factory worker. The lovers flee after the soldier kills his sergeant, but Carmen's taunting faithlessness drives her lover to a crime of passion.
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  • Girl 6
    52

    Girl 6

    Theresa Randle, Isaiah Washington, Spike Lee
    10 votes
    Trying to make it in the acting world, a young black woman (Theresa Randle) resorts to working as a phone sex operator to pay the bills. Called Girl 6 by her new employer, she finds her work oddly fulfilling and starts getting attached to one caller, Bob (Peter Berg). While dealing with various personal problems -- such as her thief ex-husband (Isaiah Washington) wanting her back -- Girl 6 comes to the dangerous realization that it's easier to live in her fantasy work life than her real life.
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  • Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit
    53

    Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit

    Whoopi Goldberg, Kathy Najimy, Barnard Hughes
    22 votes
    In Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit, Deloris Van Cartier (Whoopi Goldberg) makes a triumphant return. This time, she's masquerading as Sister Mary Clarence, a nun with an unconventional teaching style. She's been tasked to revitalize a lackluster music program at St. Francis Academy, a school threatened by closure. The film, a comedy-drama, is filled with vibrant musical numbers and memorable performances from Lauryn Hill and Sheryl Lee Ralph. Despite the uphill battle and resistance from skeptical students, Sister Mary Clarence uses her unique methods to breathe new life into the school and its choir.
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  • Coffy
    54

    Coffy

    Pam Grier, Booker Bradshaw, Robert Do 'Qui
    9 votes
    As a nurse, Coffy (Pam Grier) has seen the ill effects of drugs up close, but it isn't until her little sister becomes addicted to heroin that she finally decides to wage a one-woman battle. Disguised as a prostitute, Coffy goes on a killing rampage, at first going after street dealers and pimps such as sleazy King George (Robert DoQui), then gradually working her way up to bigger honchos. She's shocked, however, when she discovers that her politician boyfriend (Booker Bradshaw) is involved.
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  • Widows
    55

    Widows

    Viola Davis, Colin Farrell, Michelle Rodriguez
    10 votes
    In the heart-stopping thriller Widows, four women, Veronica (Viola Davis), Linda (Michelle Rodriguez), Alice (Elizabeth Debicki), and Belle (Cynthia Erivo) are left in a perilous position when their criminal husbands are killed during a botched heist. With nothing but a debt left behind by their spouses' failed job, these women decide to step up and finish what their husbands started. Set in contemporary Chicago, amidst a time of political and societal turmoil, the story weaves together themes of crime, survival and unlikely alliances. Directed by Steve McQueen (12 Years a Slave) and co-written with Gillian Flynn (Gone Girl), Widows is an intense exploration of desperation and determination.
  • Foxy Brown
    56

    Foxy Brown

    Pam Grier, Antonio Fargas, Peter Brown
    9 votes
    Unable to pay back the $20,000 he owes the mob, small-time hustler Link (Antonio Fargas) instead gives up the identity of an undercover cop (Terry Carter) who happens to be dating his sister, Foxy Brown (Pam Grier). When gangsters later kill the cop, Foxy is quick to make the connection and swears vengeance. Posing as a prostitute, and with the help of a group of neighborhood vigilantes, she gradually tracks down the hit men, their Mafia bosses and her own brother.
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  • Beloved
    57

    Beloved

    Oprah Winfrey, Danny Glover, Thandie Newton
    46 votes
    In 1873 Ohio, Sethe (Oprah Winfrey) is a mother of three haunted by her horrific slavery past and her desperate actions for freedom. As a result, Sethe's home is haunted by a furious poltergeist, which drives away her two sons. Sethe and her daughter (Kimberly Elise) endure living with the spirit for 10 more years, until an old friend, Paul D. Garner (Danny Glover), arrives to run it out. After Garner moves in, a strange woman named Beloved (Thandie Newton) enters their lives, causing turmoil.
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  • A Wrinkle in Time
    58

    A Wrinkle in Time

    Storm Reid, Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon
    13 votes
    In 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.
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  • Antebellum
    59

    Antebellum

    Janelle Monáe, Jena Malone, Jack Huston
    13 votes
    Successful author Veronica Henley is finishing a book tour before she returns home to her husband and daughter. But a shocking turn of events is about to upend Veronica's existence, plunging her into a horrifying reality that forces her to confront her past, present and future -- before it's too late.
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  • Annie
    60

    Annie

    Jamie Foxx, Quvenzhané Wallis, Rose Byrne
    19 votes
    Ever since her parents left her as a baby, little Annie (Quvenzhané Wallis) has led a hard-knock life with her calculating foster mother, Miss Hannigan. However, all that changes when hard-nosed billionaire and mayoral candidate Will Stacks (Jamie Foxx) takes her in on the recommendation of his advisers (Rose Byrne, Bobby Cannavale). Stacks believes that he's Annie's guardian angel, but the plucky youngster's confidence and sunny outlook may mean that Annie will save Will instead.
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