10 Best Black Movies of 2021 - Creators For The Culture

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The best black movies of 2021 run the gambit. From documentaries about historical black figures, to horror, to science fiction. Check out our list of the 10 best films starring, written, directed, and/or produced by a black person.

Blood Brothers: Malcolm X & Muhammad Ali

Blood Brothers: Malcolm X & Muhammad Ali is a Netflix documentary directed by Marcus A. Clarke. From a chance meeting to a tragic fallout, Malcolm X and Muhammad Ali’s extraordinary bond cracks under the weight of distrust and shifting ideals. Full of rarely, if-ever seen or heard before clips and anecdotes, it’s a fascinating look at a complicated relationship.

Candyman

The 2021 reboot to a horror classic. For decades, the housing projects of Chicago’s Cabrini-Green were terrorized by a ghost story about a supernatural, hook-handed killer. In present day, an artist begins to explore the macabre history of Candyman, not knowing it would unravel his sanity and unleash a terrifying wave of violence that puts him on a collision course with destiny.

Coming 2 America

Coming 2 America is the sequel to a comedy classic. Directed by Craig Brewer, the film features most of the original cast reprising their roles. Prince Akeem (Eddie Murphy) is set to become King of Zamunda when he discovers he has a son he never knew about in America, so honoring his royal father’s dying wish, Akeem and Semmi (Arsenio Hall) set off to America once again.

Fatherhood

Fatherhood is a Netflix drama film directed by Paul Weitz, based on the memoir of “Two Kisses for Maddy: A Memoir of Loss and Love by Matthew Logelin”. A father (Kevin Hart) brings up his baby girl as a single dad after the unexpected death of his wife who died a day after their daughter’s birth.

The Harder They Fall

The Harder They Fall is a Western from Netflix directed by Jeymes Samuel, who co-wrote the screenplay with Boaz Yakin. The film stars Jonathan Majors, Idris Elba, Zazie Beetz, Regina King, Delroy Lindo, Lakeith Stanfield, RJ Cyler, Danielle Deadwyler, Edi Gathegi, and Deon Cole. It is one of few Westerns whose principal cast members are all Black. Although a fictional film, its characters are based on real cowboys, lawmen, and outlaws of the 19th-century American West.

Judas and the Black Messiah

Judas and the Black Messiah is a biographical drama film directed by Shaka King. William O’Neal (LaKeith Stanfield) is a petty criminal in the 1960s who agrees to work as an informant for the FBI in order to take down Black Panther Party chairman Fred Hampton (Daniel Kaluuya). The film was nominated for 6 Oscars wining 2 (Kaluuya for best supporting actor and HER for best original song.

King Richard

King Richard is a 2021 American biopic directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green and written by Zach Baylin that follows the life of Richard Williams, the father and coach of famed tennis players Venus and Serena Williams, who serve as executive producers of the film. It stars Will Smith in the title role, Aunjanue Ellis and Saniyya Sidney as the Williams sisters.

Malcom and Marie

Malcolm & Marie is a Netflix drama directed by Sam Levinson (who shoots the entire film in black and white0. After the successful premiere of a his latest movie, a filmmaker (John David Washington) and his girlfriend (Zendaya) test their relationship by discussing past romances.

Summer of Soul

Summer of Soul (…Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised) is a music documentary film directed by Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson of The Roots. Over the course of six weeks during the summer of 1969, thousands of people attend the Harlem Cultural Festival to celebrate Black history, culture, music and fashion. It was filmed but kept locked away for 50 years but is seeing the light of day now finally.

Swan Song

Swan Song is a sci-fi drama from AppleTV broaching a heady subject. Produced by and starring 2x Oscar winner Mahershala Ali and costarring Naomi Harris, the film is set in the near future. Ali portrays a husband and father who is diagnosed with terminal illness but is given a controversial solution: to replace himself with a clone.