Listmania!
25 FILMS BLACK PEOPLE MUST SEE
By an Amazon.com customer
Malcolm XMalcolm X
Buy new: $5.79 / Used from: $3.80
Perhaps flawed in truth like many biographies brought to screen. But this is still a stellar must see film. Spike Lee's great cinematic achievement in directing. Denzel delivers with brilliance.
Killer of Sheep: The Charles Burnett CollectionKiller of Sheep: The Charles Burnett Collection
Buy new: $39.95 / Used from: $19.99
An existential masterpiece and moving portrait of black family life.
Do The Right Thing - Criterion CollectionDo The Right Thing - Criterion Collection
Buy new: $35.99 / Used from: $5.71
Spike Lee's racial commentary masterpiece. Just an incredibly entertaining and powerful film.
A Raisin in the SunA Raisin in the Sun
Buy new: $21.49 / Used from: $14.43
Lorraine Hansberry's remarkable play turned into a fascinating film about the struggles of a Black American family and the complexity of the American dream.
The Color PurpleThe Color Purple
Buy used from: $4.92
Celie! An emotionally stirring film that plays like a blues song. It's probably the most quoted black film ever but its a film that is very moving. Very controversial when it was first released.
Boyz 'N the HoodBoyz 'N the Hood
Buy new: $14.94 / Used from: $3.04
An eye-opening and powerful movie about the crumbling black community (the ghetto) and fatherhood.
Claudine (1974)Claudine (1974)
Buy new: $9.49 / Used from: $4.97
A raw, passionate love story with enormous soul. Diahann Carroll is phenomenal.
Sparkle [VHS]Sparkle [VHS]
Buy used from: $2.25
A coming of age drama about a talented girl group and the dangers of fame that tear them apart.
Lady Sings the BluesLady Sings the Blues
Buy new: $12.49 / Used from: $3.98
Dianna Ross was terrific in this film. Its a riveting movie about another fallen legend.
New Jack City (Two-Disc Special Edition)New Jack City (Two-Disc Special Edition)
Buy new: $5.79 / Used from: $7.24
Riveting. It got inside the crack epidemic with unflinching realism.
Cooley HighCooley High
Buy used from: $3.88
One of soul cinema's classics. An emotionally entertaining film about youth and friendship.
Landlord [VHS]Landlord [VHS]
Buy used from: $8.25
This is a hard to find film. It was artistic, original and bold about a white man who connects with two black women. The superior, but unknown actress Diana Sands gives an incredible performance.
Eve's BayouEve's Bayou
Buy used from: $2.88
Haunting, brilliantly acted, and amazingly scripted. A treasure.
Ray (Widescreen Edition)Ray (Widescreen Edition)
Buy new: $13.49 / Used from: $0.01
Jamie Foxx, Regina King, and Kerry Washington were equally amazing.
To Kill a Mockingbird (Universal Legacy Series)To Kill a Mockingbird (Universal Legacy Series)
Buy new: $22.99 / Used from: $11.90
In light of the racial courtroom dramas in our real life contemporary culture especially among black men and white women, this is still a powerful, relevant film.
A Piece of the Action / Uptown Saturday NightA Piece of the Action / Uptown Saturday Night
Buy new: $12.49 / Used from: $7.72
Fun, entertaining capers from our finest actors. It's always great to see Sidney Poitier having fun.
When We Were KingsWhen We Were Kings
Buy new: $13.49 / Used from: $5.65
Phenomenal. Muhammad Ali is not only a champion boxer but a politically intellectual force who believed in the greatness of his people.
What's Love Got To Do With It?What's Love Got To Do With It?
Buy new: $12.49 / Used from: $4.34
Incredible! Angela Bassett captured Tina Turner's heart, soul, and fiery passion.
Hotel RwandaHotel Rwanda
Buy new: $12.49 / Used from: $1.50
This is one of the most terrifying and inspiring films released in the past few years.
SounderSounder
Buy used from: $6.95
One of the great, powerful films about fathers, sons, and survival.
RootsRoots
Buy used from: $14.25
The must-see black film of all time. Know your history.
Bamboozled (New Line Platinum Series)Bamboozled (New Line Platinum Series)
Buy new: $23.49 / Used from: $2.69
The reason so many hate it, is the reason you must see it. Spike is painfully honest about the media's portrayal of black people.
Carmen JonesCarmen Jones
Buy new: $8.99 / Used from: $5.65
Dorothy Dandridge was a black screen goddess! She understood glamour in a way her white contemporaries only dreamed of. She had an undeniable presence.
Nothing But a ManNothing But a Man
Buy new: $24.49 / Used from: $3.99
This turbulent and tender romance captures the black experience and relationships like nothing ever on screen. It's a masterful and painful portrait of black love.
Akeelah and the Bee (Widescreen Edition)Akeelah and the Bee (Widescreen Edition)
Buy new: $7.99 / Used from: $2.93
A moving and very inspiring story about a young black girl with a brilliant mind trying to break from out of the 'hood and take the world by storm with her love of words. A necessary feel good movie.