As streaming services continue to dominate the entertainment industry, Hulu stands out with its diverse selection of black movies. From classic dramas to modern comedies, Hulu has a plethora of films that showcase the talent and creativity of black actors, directors, and writers. In this article, we will take a closer look at some of the best black movies on Hulu and why they are worth watching.
Here are the 30 Best Black Movies on Hulu
Courtesy: The Hollywood Reeporter
Do The Right Thing (1989)
Directed by Spike Lee, Do The Right Thing is a powerful drama that explores race relations in Brooklyn. The film stars Lee, alongside Danny Aiello, John Turturro, and Ossie Davis. With its gripping storyline and iconic visuals, Do The Right Thing is a must-watch for anyone interested in the intersection of race and culture.
Courtesy: IMDb
Moonlight (2016)
Moonlight is a coming-of-age drama that follows a young black man as he navigates his identity and sexuality in Miami. Directed by Barry Jenkins and starring Trevante Rhodes, Mahershala Ali, and Naomie Harris, Moonlight received critical acclaim for its raw portrayal of black masculinity and the complexities of personal growth.
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Courtesy: NPR
Fences (2016)
Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning play by August Wilson, Fences is a powerful family drama that explores themes of love, responsibility, and sacrifice. The film stars Denzel Washington, Viola Davis, and Jovan Adepo, and is directed by Washington himself. With its poignant performances and rich dialogue, Fences is a masterpiece of contemporary American cinema.
Courtesy: Cinema Blend
Get Out (2017)
Get Out is a satirical horror film that follows a black man as he visits his white girlfriend’s family in a wealthy suburb. Directed by Jordan Peele and starring Daniel Kaluuya and Allison Williams, Get Out is a clever commentary on racism and cultural appropriation that has earned widespread praise for its unique blend of humor and horror.
Courtesy: IMDb
The Color Purple (1985)
Directed by Steven Spielberg and based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker, The Color Purple is a moving drama that explores the lives of black women in the rural South. Starring Whoopi Goldberg, Oprah Winfrey, and Danny Glover, The Color Purple is a timeless classic that has been praised for its powerful storytelling and exceptional performances.
Courtesy: The Hollywood Reporter
Coming to America (1988)
Directed by John Landis and starring Eddie Murphy, Coming to America is a comedy classic that follows an African prince as he travels to Queens, New York in search of true love. With its hilarious script and memorable characters, Coming to America is a must-watch for anyone in need of a good laugh.
Courtesy: HBO
Harriet (2019)
Harriet is a biographical drama that follows the life of Harriet Tubman, the legendary abolitionist and political activist. Starring Cynthia Erivo in a career-defining performance, Harriet is a stirring tribute to Tubman’s legacy and the ongoing fight for racial justice in America.
Courtesy: Roger Ebert
BlacKkKlansman (2018)
BlacKkKlansman is a satirical crime drama that follows an African American detective as he infiltrates the Ku Klux Klan in the 1970s. Directed by Spike Lee and starring John David Washington and Adam Driver, BlacKkKlansman is a bold and incisive commentary on the legacy of white supremacy in America.
Courtesy: The Movie Database
The Best Man (1999)
Starring Taye Diggs, Morris Chestnut, and Nia Long, The Best Man is a romantic comedy-drama that follows a group of college friends who reunite years later for a wedding. The film explores themes of love, friendship, and loyalty, and features an all-star cast with excellent chemistry. The Best Man was a critical and commercial success and spawned a sequel, The Best Man Holiday, which is also available on Hulu.
Courtesy: IMDb
Poetic Justice (1993)
Poetic Justice is a romantic drama film that stars Janet Jackson and Tupac Shakur. The movie tells the story of a young woman named Justice who uses poetry to cope with the pain of losing her boyfriend in a shooting. She meets a postal worker named Lucky on a road trip to Oakland, and they begin a journey of healing and self-discovery. Poetic Justice is a powerful film that explores themes of love, loss, and healing, and features excellent performances from its lead actors.
Courtesy: IMDb
Boyz n the Hood (1991)
Boyz n the Hood is a coming-of-age drama film that follows the lives of three young men growing up in South Central Los Angeles. Starring Cuba Gooding Jr., Ice Cube, and Laurence Fishburne, the movie explores themes of racism, poverty, and violence, and is a powerful commentary on the experiences of black youth in urban America. Boyz n the Hood was a critical and commercial success and has since become a cultural touchstone.
Courtesy: The Spool
Love & Basketball (2000)
Love & Basketball is a romantic sports drama that stars Omar Epps and Sanaa Lathan. The film tells the story of two childhood friends who fall in love and pursue their dreams of playing professional basketball. The movie is a celebration of love, ambition, and perseverance, and features excellent performances from its lead actors. Love & Basketball has become a beloved classic since its release and is a must-watch for fans of sports and romance films.
Courtesy: IMDb
Hustle & Flow (2005)
Hustle & Flow is a drama film that stars Terrence Howard as a Memphis pimp who aspires to become a rapper. The movie explores themes of poverty, desperation, and redemption, and features excellent performances from its lead actors, including Taraji P. Henson and Anthony Anderson. Hustle & Flow was a critical and commercial success and won the Academy Award for Best Original Song for It’s Hard Out Here for a Pimp.
Courtesy: MUBI
The Wood (1999)
The Wood is a coming-of-age movie that centers around the life of a young man named Roland who is about to get married. His two childhood friends, Mike and Slim, take him on a wild adventure to help him relive his youth before he ties the knot. This film takes place in Inglewood, California, and is a nostalgic look at growing up in the 1980s and 1990s.
Courtesy: Vice
Soul Food (1997)
Soul Food is a drama film that tells the story of the Joseph family, who come together every Sunday for a soul food dinner at their matriarch’s home. However, their bond is tested when a tragedy strikes, and they must learn to work together to overcome it. The movie stars Vanessa Williams, Vivica A. Fox, and Nia Long.
Courtesy: IMDb
Drumline (2002)
Drumline is a musical drama film that tells the story of a talented drummer named Devon Miles, who joins a college marching band and clashes with the band’s leader. The movie features impressive drumming performances and stars Nick Cannon and Zoe Saldana.
Courtesy: The Hollywood Reporter
Barbershop (2002)
Barbershop is a comedy film that centers around a barbershop on the South Side of Chicago, where a group of barbers and customers share their daily experiences and opinions. The movie stars Ice Cube, Anthony Anderson, and Cedric the Entertainer.
Courtesy: IMDb
The Princess and the Frog (2009)
The Princess and the Frog is an animated musical film that follows the story of Tiana, a hardworking waitress who dreams of opening her own restaurant. When she kisses a prince who has been turned into a frog, she finds herself transformed into one too and must embark on a journey to break the curse. The movie features the voices of Anika Noni Rose and Bruno Campos.
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Courtesy: Reddit
Fruitvale Station (2013)
Fruitvale Station is a drama film that tells the true story of Oscar Grant, a young black man who was fatally shot by a police officer at the Fruitvale BART station in Oakland, California. The movie stars Michael B. Jordan and Octavia Spencer.
Courtesy: Medium
Dear White People (2014)
Dear White People is a comedy-drama film that follows the lives of several black students at a predominantly white Ivy League college. The movie explores issues of identity, racism, and cultural appropriation. The film stars Tyler James Williams, Tessa Thompson, and Brandon P. Bell.
Courtesy: IMDb
Selma (2014)
Selma is a historical drama film that chronicles the 1965 Selma to Montgomery voting rights marches led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The movie highlights the struggles and sacrifices of the civil rights movement and stars David Oyelowo, Carmen Ejogo, and Oprah Winfrey.
Courtesy: Movies Anywhere
The Best Man Holiday (2013)
The Best Man Holiday is a comedy-drama film that serves as a sequel to the 1999 film The Best Man. The movie follows a group of college friends who reunite during the holidays and must navigate the challenges of their relationships and personal lives. The movie stars Taye Diggs, Nia Long, and Morris Chestnut.
Courtesy: Into Films
Black Panther (2018)
Black Panther is a superhero film that tells the story of T’Challa, the king of Wakanda, who must defend his nation and people from threats both internal and external. The movie features a predominantly black cast and crew, and has been praised for its representation and celebration of African culture. With an all-star cast including Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, and Letitia Wright, Black Panther became a cultural phenomenon upon its release in 2018.
Courtesy: The New Yorker
The Hate U Give (2018)
The Hate U Give is a drama film based on the novel by Angie Thomas, and stars Amandla Stenberg as Starr Carter, a young black girl who witnesses the police shooting of her unarmed friend. The movie explores themes of police brutality, racism, and the Black Lives Matter movement, and has been praised for its timely and impactful message.
cast and crew, and has been praised for its representation and celebration of African culture. With an all-star cast including Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, and Letitia Wright, Black Panther became a cultural phenomenon upon its release in 2018.
Courtesy: BFI
Sorry to Bother You (2018)
Sorry to Bother You is a dark comedy film written and directed by Boots Riley, and stars Lakeith Stanfield as a telemarketer who rises up the ranks using a white voice. The movie explores themes of race, capitalism, and exploitation, and has been praised for its originality and boldness.
Courtesy: The New York Times
Us (2019)
Us is a horror film written and directed by Jordan Peele, and stars Lupita Nyong’o and Winston Duke as a family confronted by their doppelgangers. The movie explores themes of identity, duality, and societal divisions, and has been praised for its inventive storytelling and powerful performances.
Courtesy: Screen Daily
Queen & Slim (2019)
Queen & Slim is a romantic drama film directed by Melina Matsoukas and written by Lena Waithe, and stars Jodie Turner-Smith and Daniel Kaluuya as a couple on the run after killing a police officer in self-defense. The movie explores themes of police brutality, systemic racism, and the complexities of black love, and has been praised for its powerful message and visual storytelling.
Courtesy: IMDb
Bad Hair (2020)
Bad Hair is a horror-comedy film written and directed by Justin Simien, and stars Elle Lorraine as a young woman who gets a weave to succeed in the image-obsessed world of music television. The movie explores themes of beauty standards, cultural assimilation, and the dangers of conformity, and has been praised for its satirical commentary and social relevance.
Courtesy: Vulture
Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (2020)
Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom is a biographical drama film based on the play by August Wilson, and stars Viola Davis as blues singer Ma Rainey and Chadwick Boseman in his final role as ambitious trumpeter Levee. The movie explores themes of racism, exploitation, and artistic integrity, and has been praised for its powerful performances and insightful commentary on black art and culture.
Courtesy: The Guardian
The Photograph (2020)
The Photograph is a romantic drama film written and directed by Stella Meghie, and stars Issa Rae and Lakeith Stanfield in the lead roles. The story follows the lives of Mae Morton (Issa Rae), a curator at a museum in New York, and Michael Block (Lakeith Stanfield), a journalist who is working on a story about a photographer named Christina Eames, who happens to be Mae’s estranged mother.
Conclusion
Hulu provides a diverse selection of black movies that showcase the talent and creativity of black actors, directors, and writers. The streaming service is a great platform for movie enthusiasts who want to explore the intersection of race and culture.
Hulu’s collection of black movies includes Do The Right Thing, Moonlight, Fences, Get Out, The Color Purple, Coming to America, Harriet, BlacKkKlansman, The Best Man, Poetic Justice, Boyz n the Hood, Love & Basketball, Hustle & Flow, and The Wood. Each of these films offers a unique perspective on black life and experiences, and they are all worth watching. Whether you are in the mood for a drama, a comedy, a romance, or a thriller, Hulu has something for everyone.
