What Are The Top 10 Black Films Of The 21st Century?

Hey readers, I hope you are all well! We’re coming up to the end of the year, and before we do our TV show wrap-up, we thought we’d discuss a topic that has been trending for years. What are the top black films of the 21st century? Now I obviously can’t mention every single excellent black film, so please bear with me. There will be a mix of comedies, rom-coms, horror, dramas - basically all the genres. DISCLAIMER: This list is personal to me, so don’t fight me - I can’t talk about films I haven’t watched.

So, let’s get started with some honourable mentions: The Fighting Temptations, Beyond the Lights, Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins, Just Wright, Akeelah and the Bee, Fruitvale Station, For Colored Girls & Moonlight.

Love and Basketball (2000)

Arguably the most loved Black Romance film of the early 2000s, Love and Basketball follows the complicated love story of Quincy (Omar Epps) and Monica (Sanaa Lathan). They began as childhood friends with a shared deep love of basketball, and experienced life together. The film explores themes of love, heartbreak, ambition, and drive, offering an insight into the messy yet tender nature of love. The acting, paired with the brilliant soundtrack (specifically Maxwell’s - This Woman’s Work), has caused this film to be a staple black romance film for the black community. Some may say it’s a classic (not me though), what do you guys think?

Paid in Full (2002)

Does this film really require any sort of introduction? Possibly the most quoted film in this entire blog post. ‘A n**** like me man, I love the game. I love the hustle, ‘But if I leave….the fans still gon’ love me man?’, ‘N***** get shot every day b, you’ll be alright n****...you tough right?’ and of course ‘I’m broke baby, I ain’t got no money’.

Starring Wood Harris, Mekhi Phifer, and Cam’ron, Paid in Full is set in 1980s Harlem and focuses on the lives of 3 drug dealers. Ace (Wood Harris) actually started as a hardworking young man, but got roped into the drug-selling life after seeing how quickly the money changed his life. The film does a brilliant job at balancing the risk and allure of street life, gang culture and drug dealing. It is said to have a massive influence on urban and Hip-Hop culture, largely due to its themes and excellent storytelling. The performances from the main 3 actors keep you hooked while watching it, and make the themes of loyalty and betrayal mean so much more. 

Coach Carter (2005)

Dare I say one of the greatest sports films ever? Coach Carter tells the true story of Ken Carter (played by Samuel L Jackson) - a high-school basketball coach who prioritises education and discipline over winning at all costs. When his team fail academically, he forces them to focus on their studies by locking the gym. 20 years on, the film is still inspiring audiences worldwide due to its ability to highlight the challenges young Black men face, while also showcasing how determination and focus can pay off. The film shows that to become a winner, one must have a winner’s mindset. Legendary!

Are We There Yet? (2005)

I’d have to say ‘Are We There Yet?’ is easily one of my favourite black family films. The story is about Nick (Ice Cube) trying to impress a single mother by escorting her children on a trip. It’s a chaotic, hilarious journey, and Nick eventually steps into a father-figure role by the end of the film. The comedic timing and writing throughout the film are really enjoyable, and it’s one of those feel-good films that you can keep rewatching no matter how old you are. Out of all the family-friendly black films there are, I think ‘Are We There Yet?’ is definitely a classic. 

Dreamgirls (2006)

One of (if not) THE best black musicals of all time. Beyonce. Anika Noni Rose, Jennifer Hudson, Jamie Foxx and Eddie Murphy. Did you know that this role earned Jennifer Hudson an Oscar? That should tell you everything you need to know about the acting performances in this film. The film is an accurate depiction of the challenges black artists face(d) in the entertainment industry, while exploring themes of loyalty, self-worth and identity. The film is based on the musical of the same name and uses the same musical numbers. The vocal performances in this film are spectacular, and say what you want about Jennifer Hudson - she sang, ‘And I am telling you I’m not going’ with so much emotion and soul that you’d genuinely think there was an eviction notice waiting for her at home. 

Madea Goes to Jail (2009)

This is absolutely a personal favourite of mine. I remember watching it in 2010 in America with my family, and it was absolutely hilarious. It was also my first encounter with Madea as a character. This film is definitely a comedy, but there are also themes of redemption, drug use, forgiveness and second chances. In every Madea film, Madea is a character who is hilarious yet wise and often gives the other characters wisdom exactly when they need it. The film is what it sounds like: Madea literally goes to jail and is behind bars. This may not be for everybody, but if you haven’t watched it, I really suggest you do!

Think Like a Man (2012)

BABY, TONIGHT’S THE NIGHT I’LL LET YOU KNOW. *Clears throat and finds some composure*. My apologies readers, but as soon as I think of ‘Think Like a Man’, John Legend - Tonight (Best You Ever Had) starts playing in my head. That’s a testament to the quality of the film’s soundtrack. If you’re reading this and you haven’t watched this film, I suggest you do something about that immediately. Think Like a Man is inspired by the 2009 book ‘Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man’, written by Steve Harvey, who also makes a cameo in the film. It is a star-studded cast featuring Taraji P Henson, Kevin Hart, Regina Hall, Terrence J, Romany Malco, Gabrielle Union, and Michael Ealy. There are actually a lot of celebrity cameos in the film, you’ll spend the whole time saying ‘omg that’s xyz’. The film follows the love stories of different couples (that are all connected), and we see both the men and women trying to get the upper hand using the Steve Harvey book. 

This film perfectly balances romance and comedy, and dare I say it’s the best black rom-com to come out of the 21st century? Am I losing it? I don’t even care - I love it!  

The Best Man Holiday (2013)

Can I even say this is a comedy when it had heart-wrenching scenes like the funeral scene? Sorry if you haven’t watched this film, you will have to start with ‘The Best Man - 1999’ as the movie I am discussing is the sequel. The Best Man Holiday is both hilarious and incredibly emotional. Its writing allows it to tackle themes of love, friendship, grief, forgiveness and the complexities of lifelong friendships all at the same time. The cast from the first film returns, and as the films are 14 years apart, we see their growth physically as well as emotionally and mentally. The Best Man film franchise is universally loved and appreciated by all (I haven’t seen otherwise). The group gather for the Christmas holidays, and sees if they can resolve old tensions, wounds, and connect as a family. 

Black Panther (2018)

Guys, let’s be very frank with each other. Do I need to write anything here? Because what can I even say that will accurately encapsulate the brilliance of Black Panther and the cultural importance of the film for black people across the diaspora? A film that marked a groundbreaking moment by giving us a superhero story rooted in African identity and culture. A film that had the definition of a morally grey villain (Michael B Jordan’s Killmonger). A film that references those who chose the sea over slavery. How do I justly write about a man who inspired countless black children across the world, who we lost far too early? Black Panther was a cultural shift and incredibly iconic, as it showed the importance of representation. The soundtrack, costume design and acting performances made the inclusion of black stories within the Marvel universe that much more special. RIP to Chadwick Boseman, our one and only King T’Challa.

Sinners (2025)

Our final film for this post has to be Sinners. I could probably write a dissertation on Sinner’s alone, but don’t worry, I won’t! 

The creative partnership between Ryan Coogler and Michael B Jordan has proven time and time again to be incredibly lucrative. From Fruitvale Station to Creed to Black Panther and now Sinners, Coogler has likened their relationship to Jordan and Pippen. Basically, the two of them have a legendary and effective partnership (for those who may not have gotten the basketball reference). I would categorise Sinners as a thriller/horror film due to its vampirism theme. The acting performances in this film are amazing, and we were introduced to the incredible talent that is Miles Caton. Sinners was his first film role, and he learned how to play the guitar specifically for the role. Michael B Jordan played twins Smoke and Stack, and it was a stellar performance showcasing his acting abilities and his range. Both Wunmi Mosaku and Jayme Lawson were incredible, with the latter giving an amazing performance of the now Grammy-nominated song ‘Pale, Pale Moon’. Speaking of Grammy-nominated, Sinners has been nominated for 6 Grammys, including Best score soundtrack album for visual media. 

Apologies all, I said I *wasn’t* going to write a dissertation! The use of imagery, storytelling and indirect storytelling in Sinners was second to none. The use of music in film is always appreciated, but Sinners took it to another level with Ludwig Göransson’s score and the sequencing of the songs. The amount of thought and research that went into this film? It is easily one of the greatest black films to ever exist. *mic drop*

Thank you for reading everyone, I hope you enjoyed and let me know what you think

-MNIA