The Most Woke Movies of All Time
- 1Tyler James Williams, Tessa Thompson, Kyle Gallner
This provocative satire follows a diverse group of students navigating racial tensions at an Ivy League college campus. Through humor and biting wit, it exposes the microaggressions faced by people of color on a daily basis while challenging preconceived notions about race and privilege in higher education settings.
More Dear White People
- #55 of 121 onThe 100+ Best Movies With Black Female Leads
- #32 of 58 onThe Best Movies About Millennials (So Far)
- #47 of 52 onThe Best Directorial Debuts Since 2010, Ranked
- 2Mahershala Ali, Alex R. Hibbert, Ashton Sanders
This intimate coming-of-age drama follows the life of a young Black man as he grapples with his identity and sexuality in a rough Miami neighborhood. Told in three distinct chapters, the film explores themes of masculinity, vulnerability, and self-discovery while providing a rare glimpse into the lives of those who are often marginalized.
More Moonlight - 3Amandla Stenberg, Regina Hall, Russell Hornsby
Based on Angie Thomas' bestselling novel, this gripping drama centers on Starr Carter—a teenage girl who witnesses her unarmed best friend being fatally shot by a police officer—and how she navigates her two worlds: her low-income neighborhood and her elite prep school. Tackling themes such as police brutality, systemic racism, and the power of activism, this film encourages viewers to stand up for what's right, even when it's difficult.
More The Hate U Give- #112 of 133 onThe Most Utterly Depressing Movies Ever Made
- #199 of 468 onThe Best Black Movies Ever Made, Ranked
- #162 of 165 onThe Best Political Films Of All Time
- 4John David Washington, Adam Driver, Laura Harrier
Based on an incredible true story, this electrifying crime drama follows Ron Stallworth—an African-American police officer who infiltrates the Ku Klux Klan by posing as a white supremacist over the phone. Directed by Spike Lee, this film serves as both an entertaining thriller and a searing indictment of America's dark history with racism.
More BlacKkKlansman- Dig Deeper...Every Oscar Winning Film Ever
- #150 of 228 onThe 200+ Best Movies Based On A True Story
- #34 of 89 onThe Greatest African American Biopics
- 5Daniel Kaluuya, Allison Williams, Catherine Keener
This thrilling horror flick delves into the terrifying depths of racism in America. The protagonist, a young Black man visiting his white girlfriend's family for the first time, quickly realizes that something sinister lurks beneath their seemingly welcoming facade. Through its unique blend of social commentary and spine-chilling scares, this film forces viewers to confront uncomfortable truths about race relations in modern society.
More Get Out- #31 of 253 onThe 200+ Best Psychological Thrillers Of All Time
- #27 of 108 onThe Best Intelligent Horror Movies
- #48 of 396 onThe Best Horror Movies Of All Time
- 6Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong'o
Marvel's groundbreaking superhero blockbuster transports audiences to the technologically advanced African nation of Wakanda. As its newly crowned king faces internal conflict and external threats, he must navigate what it means to be a leader in an ever-changing world. This visually stunning film not only shatters stereotypes about Africa but also explores themes of responsibility, power, and identity within a predominantly Black cast.
- 7Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monáe
A powerful tale of three brilliant African-American women working behind the scenes at NASA during the 1960s, this film showcases their incredible contributions to the space race. Battling racial and gender discrimination, these trailblazers prove that intelligence and perseverance can overcome even the most deeply ingrained societal barriers. With a phenomenal cast and an inspiring story, this movie serves as a reminder that history is often shaped by those whose stories remain untold.
More Hidden Figures- #13 of 240 onThe 200+ Best Movies Based On A True Story
- #3 of 89 onThe Greatest African American Biopics
- #51 of 468 onThe Best Black Movies Ever Made, Ranked
- 8Heath Ledger, Jake Gyllenhaal, Linda Cardellini
This poignant romantic drama depicts the complex relationship between two cowboys who fall in love during a summer herding sheep in the Wyoming mountains. Overcoming societal expectations and their own internal struggles, the film's protagonists navigate a world that is often hostile to those who dare defy traditional gender norms.
More Brokeback Mountain- #757 of 772 onThe Most Rewatchable Movies
- #36 of 143 onThe Best Movies of 2005
- #29 of 99 onThe Best Period Movies Set in the '80s
- 9Lupita Nyong'o, Winston Duke, Elisabeth Moss
Jordan Peele's second foray into horror blends chilling scares with biting social commentary as it follows a family whose vacation turns into a nightmare when they are confronted by their doppelgängers. With themes of identity, privilege, and the consequences of societal neglect, this film serves as an unsettling reminder that our greatest enemy may be ourselves.
More Us- Dig Deeper...Compelling 'Us' Fan Theories
- And Deeper...All The Horror Inspirations And Easter Eggs Hidden Throughout 'Us'
- #67 of 108 onThe Best Intelligent Horror Movies
- 10Danny Aiello, Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee
Set on one sweltering summer day in Brooklyn, Spike Lee's groundbreaking masterpiece captures racial tensions simmering beneath the surface of a diverse neighborhood. As tempers flare and conflicts escalate, characters are forced to confront their own prejudices while grappling with what it truly means to "do the right thing" amid such turmoil.
More Do the Right Thing- #293 of 399 onThe Best Movies Of The 1980s, Ranked
- #30 of 83 onThe Best Movies Of 1989, Ranked
- #95 of 468 onThe Best Black Movies Ever Made, Ranked
- 11Sean Penn, Emile Hirsch, Josh Brolin
This stirring biopic tells the inspiring story of Harvey Milk—the first openly gay elected official in California—who fought tirelessly for LGBTQ+ rights during his tragically short political career. Through its exploration of Milk's life and legacy, this film underscores the importance of standing up against discrimination and advocating for equality, even when faced with seemingly insurmountable odds.
More Milk- #161 of 240 onThe 200+ Best Movies Based On A True Story
- #221 of 675 onThe Best Movies Roger Ebert Gave Four Stars
- #27 of 55 onThe Best Oscar-Nominated Movies of the 2000s
- 12David Oyelowo, Tom Wilkinson, Carmen Ejogo
This gripping historical drama centers on Martin Luther King Jr.'s pivotal role in leading the 1965 voting rights marches from Selma to Montgomery—a turning point in America's Civil Rights Movement. With its unflinching portrayal of racial injustice and inspiring message of perseverance against all odds, this film is an important reminder that progress often comes at great personal sacrifice.
More Selma- #10 of 80 onGreat Historical Black Movies Based On True Stories
- #123 of 165 onThe Best Political Films Of All Time
- #59 of 106 onGreat Movies That Take Place In The '60s
- 13KiKi Layne, Stephan James, Regina King
This visually stunning adaptation of James Baldwin's novel follows Tish—a young African-American woman in 1970s Harlem—as she fights to prove her fiancé's innocence after he is wrongfully imprisoned for a crime he did not commit. Through its tender love story and exploration of systemic racism, this film offers a poignant look at the resilience of those who must navigate an unjust world.
- #340 of 369 onThe Best Movies Based On Books
- #66 of 80 onThe Best Period Romance Movies
- #137 of 468 onThe Best Black Movies Ever Made, Ranked
- 14Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender, Benedict Cumberbatch
Adapted from Solomon Northup's harrowing memoir, this gut-wrenching historical drama chronicles his life after being kidnapped and sold into slavery in antebellum Louisiana. With its unflinching portrayal of the brutal realities faced by enslaved individuals during this era, this movie is an essential reminder that we must never forget our past if we hope to create a more just future.
More 12 Years a Slave- Dig Deeper...Movies That Won Best Picture at the Oscars and Golden Globes
- #32 of 96 onThe Very Best Oscar-Winning Movies For Best Picture
- #17 of 126 onThe 100+ Grossest Movies Ever
- 15Denzel Washington, Angela Bassett, Albert Hall
Spike Lee's powerful biopic delves into the life of civil rights icon Malcolm X, exploring his transformation from a troubled youth to an influential leader fighting for racial justice. With an unforgettable performance by Denzel Washington, this film offers an insightful look at one of America's most important—and often misunderstood—historical figures.
More Malcolm X- #199 of 379 onThe Best Movies Of The 1990s
- #254 of 279 on'Old' Movies Every Young Person Needs To Watch In Their Lifetime
- #95 of 240 onThe 200+ Best Movies Based On A True Story
- 16Tom Hanks, Denzel Washington, Jason Robards
This groundbreaking legal drama centers on Andrew Beckett—a gay man with AIDS who sues his former law firm after being wrongfully terminated due to his illness. Released at the height of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, this movie not only tackles issues related to sexuality and discrimination but also raises awareness about an issue that was largely ignored by mainstream society at the time.
More Philadelphia- #52 of 126 onThe 100+ Grossest Movies Ever
- #100 of 379 onThe Best Movies Of The 1990s
- #17 of 240 onThe 200+ Best Movies Based On A True Story
- 17Michael B. Jordan, Octavia Spencer, Melonie Diaz
Based on a tragic true story, this heart-wrenching drama recounts the final hours of Oscar Grant III, a young Black man who was fatally shot by a transit officer on New Year's Day in 2009. By humanizing Grant and showing his life beyond headlines and statistics, this movie forces viewers to confront the devastating impact of police violence on communities of color.
- 18Whoopi Goldberg, Danny Glover, Margaret Avery
Adapted from Alice Walker's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, this powerful drama chronicles the life of Celie, an African-American woman struggling to overcome poverty, abuse, and discrimination in rural Georgia during the early 20th century. Through its exploration of sisterhood, resilience, and self-discovery, this movie offers hope even in the face of unimaginable adversity.
More The Color Purple- #180 of 399 onThe Best Movies Of The 1980s, Ranked
- #177 of 279 on'Old' Movies Every Young Person Needs To Watch In Their Lifetime
- #74 of 369 onThe Best Movies Based On Books
- 19LaKeith Stanfield, Tessa Thompson, Jermaine Fowler
This wildly inventive satire follows Cassius Green, a telemarketer who discovers that using his "white voice" can catapult him to success within his company. As he climbs the corporate ladder, however, he becomes increasingly entangled in a twisted world where greed and exploitation run rampant. Blending humor with biting social commentary, this film challenges viewers to question their own complicity in perpetuating systems of inequality.
- 20Viola Davis, Emma Stone, Bryce Dallas Howard
Set in 1960s Mississippi, this drama follows a young white woman who decides to write a book about the experiences of Black maids working for white families during the Civil Rights Movement. Although it has faced criticism for its portrayal of race relations, this film does provide some insight into the hardships endured by domestic workers during a tumultuous period in American history.
More The Help- #111 of 126 onThe 100+ Grossest Movies Ever
- #29 of 369 onThe Best Movies Based On Books
- #33 of 468 onThe Best Black Movies Ever Made, Ranked
- 21
Captain Marvel
Brie Larson, Samuel L. Jackson, Ben MendelsohnMarvel's first female-led superhero blockbuster follows Carol Danvers as she discovers her true identity and harnesses her extraordinary powers to save Earth from a galactic war. With its strong female protagonist and themes of empowerment and self-discovery, this film serves as an inspiring example for young girls and women everywhere that they too can be heroes.
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- #139 of 178 onThe 150+ Best Movies With Aliens
- 22Sidney Poitier, Rod Steiger, Warren Oates
This classic crime thriller follows Virgil Tibbs, a Black police detective from Philadelphia who becomes entangled in a murder investigation while visiting a small Mississippi town. As he faces overt racism and hostility from the local community, Tibbs works tirelessly to solve the case, proving that competence and integrity know no color.
- Dig Deeper...Movies That Won Best Picture at the Oscars and Golden Globes
- #38 of 96 onThe Very Best Oscar-Winning Movies For Best Picture
- #10 of 167 onThe Greatest '60s Movies, Ranked
- 23O'Shea Jackson, Corey Hawkins, Jason Mitchell
Chronicling the rise and fall of groundbreaking hip-hop group N.W.A., this biopic delves into the lives of its members as they navigate fame, controversy, and personal struggles amid racial tensions in 1980s Los Angeles. With its unapologetic portrayal of the realities faced by young Black men during this tumultuous period, this movie serves as both a tribute to their music and an indictment of a society that often vilified them.
- #33 of 99 onThe Best Period Movies Set in the '80s
- #110 of 240 onThe 200+ Best Movies Based On A True Story
- #5 of 89 onThe Greatest African American Biopics
- 24Nick Robinson, Josh Duhamel, Jennifer Garner
This heartwarming coming-of-age story centers on Simon, a closeted high school student who grapples with his identity while navigating friendships, family dynamics, and an anonymous online romance with another male classmate. By exploring themes of acceptance, self-discovery, and the universal desire for love and belonging, this film breaks new ground in mainstream LGBTQ+ representation.
More Love, Simon- #86 of 113 onThe 100+ Best Movies About High School
- #352 of 369 onThe Best Movies Based On Books
- #33 of 168 onThe 150+ Best Teen Romance Movies, Ranked
- 25Daniel Kaluuya, Jodie Turner-Smith, Bokeem Woodbine
This modern-day Bonnie and Clyde tale follows two African-American strangers whose lives are forever changed after a traffic stop turns deadly. As they go on the run from the law, they become symbols of resistance against systemic racism and police brutality. With its electrifying performances and timely message, this movie serves as both an entertaining thriller and a searing commentary on contemporary race relations.
More Queen & Slim- #52 of 55 onThe Saddest Romance Movies That Will Make You Cry
- #163 of 165 onThe Best Political Films Of All Time
- #28 of 79 onThe 75 Best Black Romance Movies
- 26Laurence Fishburne, Ice Cube, Cuba Gooding
Set against the backdrop of gang violence in South Central Los Angeles, this gritty coming-of-age drama follows three friends as they navigate adolescence amid difficult circumstances. Through its honest depiction of life in an underserved community, this powerful film highlights the importance of friendship, family, and hope even when faced with seemingly insurmountable obstacles.
More Boyz n the Hood- #1 of 9 onJohn Singleton: Movies Directed By John Singleton
- #101 of 379 onThe Best Movies Of The 1990s
- #11 of 468 onThe Best Black Movies Ever Made, Ranked
- 27Ben Burtt, Elissa Knight, Jeff Garlin
In Pixar's beloved animated feature set far into Earth's future—where humans have abandoned their polluted home planet for life aboard luxurious spaceships—an endearing waste-collecting robot named WALL-E embarks on a journey that could ultimately save humanity from itself. Touching on themes of environmentalism, consumerism, and the power of love to transcend all barriers, this film is a wake-up call for viewers to take better care of our planet before it's too late.
More WALL-E- Dig Deeper...The Most Fascinating Facts You Didn't Know About WALL-E
- #143 of 772 onThe Most Rewatchable Movies
- #11 of 165 onThe 150+ Best Futuristic Dystopian Movies
- 28Denzel Washington, Will Patton, Donald Faison
Based on a true story, this uplifting sports drama chronicles the integration of a high school football team in Virginia during the early 1970s. As players and coaches from different racial backgrounds learn to work together toward a common goal, they demonstrate that unity can be achieved even in times of great adversity.
More Remember the Titans- #26 of 113 onThe 100+ Best Movies About High School
- #504 of 772 onThe Most Rewatchable Movies
- #95 of 279 on'Old' Movies Every Young Person Needs To Watch In Their Lifetime
- 29Don Cheadle, Sophie Okonedo, Joaquin Phoenix
Based on the true story of Paul Rusesabagina, this gripping drama chronicles his efforts to save over a thousand refugees during the Rwandan genocide by sheltering them in the hotel he managed. As the world turned a blind eye to the atrocities occurring in Rwanda, Rusesabagina's courage and resourcefulness became a beacon of hope amid unspeakable horror. This film serves as an important reminder of our collective responsibility to stand up against injustice wherever it may be found.
More Hotel Rwanda- #138 of 264 onThe 200+ Best War Movies Of All Time
- #15 of 126 onThe 100+ Grossest Movies Ever
- #37 of 240 onThe 200+ Best Movies Based On A True Story
- 30Lindsay Lohan, Rachel McAdams, Tina Fey
While often remembered for its quotable lines and comedic moments, this teen classic also provides insightful commentary on social hierarchies, bullying, and the pressure young women face to conform to societal norms. Through its satirical portrayal of high school cliques and power struggles among friends, this film encourages viewers to question why we so often tear each other down instead of lifting each other up.
More Mean Girls- Dig Deeper...Behind-The-Scenes Secrets Of 'Mean Girls'
- #6 of 113 onThe 100+ Best Movies About High School
- #161 of 772 onThe Most Rewatchable Movies
