5 Highest Grossing Films Directed By Black Women

#RunTheCulture

Because representation matters. Because black women have important stories to tell. And because we have to celebrate the accomplishments of our creators for The Culture; here is the list of the top 5 highest grossing films directed by black women.

5. STELLA MEGHIE – Everything, Everything

This 2017 Romantic drama is about a teenage girl (played by Amanda Stenberg) with a rare disease that causes her to have to stay indoors 24/7 who falls in love with her next door neighbor. Based on a best-selling young adult novel (written by black author Nicola Yoon), the film helmed by Stella Meghie grossed $34 million world wide.

Stella has also directed episodes of Insecure and Grown-ish.

4. GINA PRICE-BYTHEWOOD – The Secret Life of Bees

Set in 1964, this is the tale of a 14 year-old girl fleeing her home to South Carolina looking for answers about her mother’s past. Taken in by the intelligent and independent Boatwright sisters (played by Queen Latifah, Alicia Keyes, and Sophie Okendo and also starring Jennifer Hudson), the girl finds solace in their mesmerizing world of beekeeping. The film grossed an impressive $39.9 million.

Gina served as a co-writer for the film and also directed the #CultureClassic Love & Basketball.

3. SANAA HAMRI – Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2

The sequel to one of the breakout teen comedies of the early 2000’s, SOTTP 2 is the story of four college freshmen and best friends trying to stay in touch as their lives go in different directions with the help of a sentimental pair of shared jeans. One of the few “mainstream” film to ever to be lead by a black female director, the film’s finally box office tally was $44 million.

Sanna Hamri is also an executive producer on Empire and directed the #CultureClassic Just Wright.

2. AVA DUVERNAY – Selma

The story of the impeccable Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr and his campaign to secure equal voting rights by fighting the power and organizing the iconic march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, in 1965. This was Ava’s major film directorial debut and she smashed it with critical acclaim, multiple award nominations and a worldwide gross of $66.8 million while setting the record…

Ava Duvernay was nominated for an Oscar for Best Director for Selma becoming the first black woman ever to be nominated for the award.

1. AVA DUVERNAY – A Wrinkle In Time

Based on one of the highest selling children’s books of all-time, the film stars a young girl (played by Storm Reid) looking for her father who meets three peculiar beings and is sent though time and space on an adventure to find him. Backed my Hollywood powerhouses Disney and Oprah, Ava created a visually stunning work of art that made an incredible $132.7 million at the box-office doubling her own record from Selma.

Ava followed up her historic Oscar nomination by making more Hollywood history by becoming the first black female director to helm a film with a $100 million budget.