13 Movies Every Black Person Should Watch

We know how much black people have faced discrimination in the past. Though things have changed and we have almost eradicated racism, it still exists. We need to remove the barrier of discrimination and live in harmony.

Many movies were made about their discrimination, what they have dealt with just because of their color. We have chosen the best 13 movies that not only black but everyone should see once.

Say NO to Racism!

Movies Every Black Person Should Watch

1. 12 Years a Slave (2013)

• Cast: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Kenneth Williams, Michael Fassbender.
• IMDb Ratings: 8.1/10

A true-life story of Solomon Northup (Chiwetel Ejiofor) being abducted and sold into slavery during the Pre-Civil War Era in the United States. He was tortured, drugged, and chained by his owner. He struggled to live and wanted to preserve his dignity.

In the twelfth year, he met the Canadian abolitionist (Brad Pitt), and his life changed forever. The abuse and discrimination the character endured were heartbreaking, but the salvation, at last, will surely touch your heart.

2. The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)

• Cast: Will Smith, Thandiwe Newton, Jaden Smith.
• IMDb Ratings: 8/10

Chris Gardner (Will Smith) is a talented guy but he is a mediocre salesman, unfortunately. Things went downhill when he was expelled from his apartment with his five-year-old son. But he continues to work harder in the search for happiness.

The Pursuit of Happyness captures the moments of hardship a working-class face to find a simple thing – A bit of peace and happiness.

3. Do the Right Thing (1989)

• Cast: Danny Aiello, Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee.
• IMDb Ratings: 8/10

The movie is based on how discrimination and jealousy result in violence. Sal, an Italian-American owner owns his pizza shop at Stuyvesant Avenue (which is mostly filled with black people). Sal got asked about his ‘Wall of Fame’ and a series of events follow.

One of the quotations from the film that described the theme:

Violence is never justified under any circumstances.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

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4. The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman (1974)

• Cast:  Cicely Tyson, Eric Brown, Richard Dysart.
• IMDb Ratings: 7.9/10

As the name suggests, it’s the biography of the phenomenal and strong-willed, Jane Pittman (was played by Cicely Tyson).

The story emphasized how she worked and endured her way up in an era of slavery and been a part of the civil rights movement in the 1960s. The horrors of slavery are well embarked and honestly, it’s heartwrenching.

Being an orphan and tolerating all the humiliation was really something harder than anything, people succumbed to death, but she didn’t. Her story of fighting for basic human rights will surely inspire everyone.

Recommended Read: Best movies about Women’s Rights.

5. The Color Purple (1985)

• Cast: Danny Glover, Whoopi Goldberg, Oprah Winfrey, Akosua Busia.
• IMDb Ratings: 7.8/10

The Color Purple is a story of a girl named Celie (Whoopi Goldberg), and her search for salvation throughout the story.

The story starts with Celie writing letters to God about how her father used to abuse her, rape her, and also snatched the children from her. Her only peace of mind was her younger sister, Nettie (Akosua Busia).

We are shown how much hardships she faced for almost four decades and finally finding a little peace with her sister at the end.

You can watch The Color Purple, officially here.

6. Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner (1967)

• Cast: Spencer Tracy, Sidney Poitier, Katharine Houghton.
• IMDb Ratings: 7.8/10

Joanna Drayton (Katharine Houghton) and Dr. John Prentice (Sidney Poitier) were engaged. Joanna’s parents were in a disarray knowing that John was African-American and started discussing their differences.

But the baseline of the movie was a beautiful message – It means nothing that the world says if two people deeply love each other.

7. Get Out (2017)

• Cast: Daniel Kaluuya, Allison Williams, Bradley Whitford.
• IMDb Ratings: 7.7/10

It is a spectacular thriller where Chris (Daniel Kaluuya) and his girlfriend, Rose (Allison Williams) have reached the parents-meet stage of a relationship. He was invited to her parent’s house for a weekend.

Chris has been nervous about staying in her house and bumped out by their over-caring attitude. As days pass by, we see a major turn of events.

Recommended Read: Best Psychological Thrillers on Netflix.

8. Malcolm X ( 1992)

• Cast: Denzel Washington, Angela Bassett, Delroy Lindo.
• IMDb Ratings: 7.7/10

This is the biography of the legendary African-American Malcolm X who was a gangster at first but later became ministry as a member of the Nation of Islam. His father was an activist of black rights who got killed by the Ku Klux Klan

His life was changed in the prison where he came across the writings of Elijah Muhammad. After returning to Harlem, he started preaching it to people and conveyed many speeches regarding discrimination and how it can be solved.

9. Ray (2004)

• Cast: Jamie Foxx, Regina King, Kerry Washington.
• IMDb Ratings: 7.7/10

This is also a biography of another unforgettable personality and the legendary black musician, Ray Charles (Jamie Foxx).

He lost his brother around the age of seven and soon after lost his vision as well. Inspired by her lovely mother, he found his ultimate love – singing and piano.

The struggles, his rise, and his addiction. We witness everything, and seriously, how he handled everything despite being blind will surely blow your freaking mind!

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10. Lilies of the Field (1963)

• Cast: Sidney Poitier, Lilia Skala, Lisa Mann.
• IMDb Ratings: 7.6/10

Horner Smith (Sidney Poitier), a black man, was an unemployed construction worker traveling around rural Arizona where he stopped to get water for his overheated engine. He soon met the Catholic nuns who requested him to build an unaided ‘Schapel.’

Although he mentioned his shortcomings, Mother Superior mentioned him to be the ultimate tool of God. It is a pleasing and peaceful story about a man who did a noble job of building a chapel.

The followed events and quotes are one of a kind and missing from all the new generation movies

11. Moonlight (2016)

• Cast: Mahershala Ali, Naomie Harris, Trevante Rhodes.
• IMDb Ratings: 7.4/10

Though the movie got only 7.4 in ratings, it is worth more. It’s a powerful, emotional, and agonizing story about the black teenager named who faced all sorts of problems – bullying, slurs were directed at him, mocked and what not.

The movie shows how his life went from childhood to being an adult. It is more of a touching story because what he became was not at all his fault, the circumstances drove him and he accepted that.

12. Claudine (1974)

• Cast: Diahann Carroll, James Earl Jones, Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs.
• IMDb Ratings: 7.3/10

A movie of the 1970s where Claudine (Diahann Carroll), mother of six children and a maid, falls in love with the benevolent garbageman, Rupert. Their complications arise from the poverty and handling of six children.

This is a kind of love story you don’t easily see around presently. A lot of problems arose but their love for one another didnt stop them from marrying. A cheerful Ending!

13. Coming to America (1988)

• Cast: Eddie Murphy, Paul Bates, Garcelle Beauvais.
• IMDb Ratings: 7.1/10

Ending the list with a laughable one – Coming to America is a story about Akeem Joffer (Eddie Murphy), who is the Prince of a fictitious country named Zamunda.

Deferring the norms of arranged marriage, he went to America to find his soulmate. He met an incredible girl named Lisa, who fitted right under his types.

Later, he just enrolls to win over her. A comedy love story, where the protagonist marries in a good dramatic fashion at the last.

You can watch Coming to America, officially here.

FAQs on Black Movies