There might be a hundred black movies 90s teenagers will easily recognize. After decades of suppression, it was time for African Americans to dominate the screens. And they came in with a bang. Black movies from the 90s marked the beginning of a new trend in Hollywood, with powerful characters and life-changing problems.
From Malcolm X to young teenagers looking for the path in life, African American movies from the 90s have a colorful array of characters. Some are fictional, and others are based on real-life figures. All of them, however, are morally broken in some way. Black 90s movies see the characters (mostly) change for the better at the end, even if society pushes them down.
Boyz N The Hood, a movie about the hood, is a perfect example. The story revolves around troubled teenagers and their struggles in a crime-dominated area. It’s movies like these that highlight the problems hitting US communities. Through these films, 90s Hollywood had room to breathe and explore new, risky avenues.
However, the importance of these movies doesn’t stop here. There is much more to learn about the best 90s black movies. We are here to guide you. Learn the importance of these movies and how they changed the careers of iconic actors and directors. Stick to the end and discover the commonly asked questions about 90s black movies.
Why Are Black Films So Important?
Hollywood is the dream of every director and actor. For decades, screens were dominated by Caucasians. However, with some of the best African American movies came boosts to careers for minority people. Spike Lee movies made the director a household name. Thanks to Malcolm X, Denzel Washington got another Oscar nomination.
Top 10 Best 90s Black Movies
So, it’s time to get to the movies themselves! These aren’t your generic 90s comedy classics. Instead, these are some of the most emotional and impactful movies ever. Before you rush to see the whole list, focus on the top ten. See the movies that Bored Panda Users think are the best.
However, if you don’t like the current distribution of movies, leave an upvote on your favorite African American film.
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The Players Club
1998 | 1h 44m | Directed by Ice Cube
Starring LisaRaye McCoy, Dick Anthony Williams and Judyann Elder
The Players Club is a black comedy-drama thriller film, marking Ice Cube’s directorial debut. It centers around the events in the life of Diana “Diamond” Armstrong - a college student trying to make ends meet. Although she works an honest job, upon meeting two girls - Ronnie and Trick - she’s convinced she’d make a better living stripping for Dollar Bill at The Players Club. Although this premise might sound a bit like Showgirls, The Players Club is by far a superior version of that, giving us a suspenseful story to follow, great performances by a talented black cast, and probably the best, most vicious catfight you’ll ever see.
The Five Heartbeats
1991 | 2h 1m | Directed by Robert Townsend
Starring Robert Townsend, Michael Wright and Leon
The Five Heartbeats is a musical drama inspired by the lives of ‘60s bands like The Temptations, The Dells, and Four Tops. This Motown-inspired soul band, The Five Heartbeats, are off to a rocky start for the music industry’s Olympus. And, although they succeed, they learn plenty of hard lessons about the real face of the industry. The Five Heartbeats will appeal to anyone in love with soul and R&B music, and even if it isn’t your favorite, it is a very engaging story nevertheless.
Menace II Society
1993 | 1h 37m | Directed by Albert Hughes and Allen Hughes
Starring Tyrin Turner, Jada Pinkett and Larenz Tate
MTV Movie Award winner for Best Movie. A young street hustler attempts to escape the temptations of the ghetto in a quest for a better life. Definitely one of the best 90s movies! Legendary rapper Tupac Shakur was initially cast to play Sharif but was then fired, which led to a physical fight with co-director Allen Hughes. For this, he was sentenced to fifteen days in jail.
Boyz N The Hood
1991 | 1h 52m | Directed by John Singleton
Starring Cuba Gooding Jr., Morris Chestnut and Ice Cube
With 12 wins and 23 nominations, Boyz N The Hood is an unmissable gem among the 90s movies. It follows the lives of three young men growing up together in the Crenshaw ghetto of Los Angeles and portrays several social issues, like racial discrimination, violence, and uncertain future prospects.
Vampire In Brooklyn
1995 | 1h 40m | Directed by Wes Craven
Starring Eddie Murphy, Angela Bassett and Allen Payne
Vampire In Brooklyn is a comedy horror film, a black answer to the vampire craze that’s still going on strongly. Here, we get to follow the story of a Caribbean vampire who travels to Brooklyn in search of one very special lady who’s half-human, half-vampire. Sounds pretty intriguing, huh? Well, although upon its release, Vampire In Brooklyn didn’t get a pat on the back from cinema critics, over the years, this movie got its fair spot in the category of cult classics. And who would ever want to miss a chance to watch a cult classic movie!
New Jack City
1991 | 1h 37m | Directed by Mario Van Peebles
Starring Wesley Snipes, Ice-T and Allen Payne
When Nino ascends to power and takes over Harlem's criminal scene, the maverick cop Scotty vows to bring him down for good. The story is based on the real-life Detroit gang The Chambers Brothers. Writer Barry Michael Cooper got the idea for the film after visiting Detroit and learning about the gang's exploits.
Fresh
1994 | 1h 54m | Directed by Boaz Yakin
Starring Sean Nelson, Giancarlo Esposito and Samuel L. Jackson
Fresh is a crime movie directed by Boaz Yakin in his directorial debut. Marketed as a hip hop ‘hood movie, it centers around the story of a preteen boy Michael, nicknamed Fresh, running drugs for gangsters. His father is an alcoholic speed-chess master, and from his lessons, Fresh gets inspired to come up with a plan to save his sister and himself from this miserable life. It’s a very emotional coming-of-age story, offering a realistic glimpse of life in the New York projects during the crack epidemic. Everything in this movie is done on purpose and in a very calculated way so as to leave its viewer shaken about the grim realities of the depicted period.
This is one of the best movies i've ever seen. Pay attention because EVERYTHING is relevant in this story.
Friday
1995 | 1h 31m | Directed by F. Gary Gray
Starring Ice Cube, Chris Tucker and Nia Long
If you're a young netizen, you certainly know this movie from the memes Daaaamn! and Bye, Felicia! Winner of a Def Movie Award, this buddy stoner film shows the misadventures of Craig and Smokey having to deal with a local bully that wants his money back. Director Quentin Tarantino included Friday as one of his 20 favorite movies from 1992 to 2009. That says a lot!
Set It Off
1996 | 2h 3m | Directed by F. Gary Gray
Starring Jada Pinkett, Queen Latifah, Vivica A. Fox and Kimberly Elise
Four desperate women start robbing banks to solve their financial and personal problems. The first attempts are a huge success, but policemen are on their trail. With every robbery, their interests begin to change and their trust in each other is on the verge of collapsing. Starring Queen Latifah in her first leading role and Kimberly Elise in her film debut.
Poetic Justice
1993 | 1h 49m | Directed by John Singleton
Starring Janet Jackson, Tupac Shakur and Regina King
After witnessing her boyfriend's murder, Justice tries to cope with it through poetry. On her way to a convention, she meets an old face she would have preferred stayed in the past. But this meeting could have been decided by fate, as she now feels she's not as lonely as before.
Some random fact? When Justice is driving in her car in the beginning, she passes Crenshaw Boulevard near the shopping center, damaged during the Los Angeles riots in 1992, which Tupac Shakur also joined.
What Was the First Black Movie?
In Old Hollywood, white actors painted black faces to portray African Americans. The first short movie with an African American cast came out in 1898. In 1909, Siegmund Lubin created the first black cast series, Sambo. The Homesteader was released in 1919 — the first movie produced by an African American, Oscar Micheaux.
It was Oscar Micheaux who pioneered the African American movie industry. Micheaux produced and released Within Our Gates in response to Birth of a Nation. The movie focuses on the dangers of white supremacy. It’s the oldest known movie directed by an African American.
What's Love Got To Do With It
1993 | 1h 58m | Directed by Brian Gibson
Starring Angela Bassett, Laurence Fishburne and RaéVen Kelly
Based on Tina Turner's autobiography I, Tina. The movie shows the real story of Tina Turner, her rise to fame, and her courage to break free from an abusive marriage. In an interview, Tina Turner stated that she wished the film had contained more truth, but the studio felt that the public would not believe everything that actually happened to her. Definitely one of the black drama movies you don't wanna miss.
When I think of Tina Turner, I think of power thighs, strong enough to crush a human skull…or so I assume
The Wood
1999 | 1h 46m | Directed by Rick Famuyiwa
Starring Omar Epps, Richard T. Jones and Taye Diggs
On his wedding day, the groom goes missing before the ceremony. During his efforts to retrieve him, his friend and writer Mike tells the story of his youth. Ever since he met his friends at a new school, they shared the ups and downs of discovering life. Some trivia facts? Malinda Williams played the younger Alicia for the movie, and Sanaa Latham played Alicia as an adult. However, Malinda is actually one year older than Sanaa.
Juice
1992 | 1h 35m | Directed by Ernest R. Dickerson
Starring Omar Epps, Tupac Shakur, Jermaine Hopkins and Khalil Kain
The lives of four Harlem teenagers take an unexpected turn after robbing a corner grocery store. Follow their story as they struggle with police harassment, rival gangs, their families and the pursuit of happiness, which they refer to as "the juice". Did you know Omar Epps learned how to spin as a DJ even before production began? A lot of what he does in the movie is authentic.
Waiting To Exhale
1995 | 2h 4m | Directed by Forest Whitaker
Starring Whitney Houston, Angela Bassett and Loretta Devine
Waiting To Exhale, an adaptation of a novel by Terry McMillan, is the directorial debut of Forest Whitaker. This romance film centers around the lives of four women living in Phoenix, Arizona. Here we get a glimpse into their romantic relationships with men and one another. The four of them are “holding their breath” until the day they can feel comfortable in a loving relationship. Waiting To Exhale is a pleasurable watch, supplemented by a great soundtrack created by mainly African American women, with one song being an exception - “Head” by Prince.
Malcolm X
1992 | 3h 22m | Directed by Spike Lee
Starring Denzel Washington, Angela Bassett and Albert Hall
With 19 wins and 24 nominations, the movie follows the epic life of Malcolm X, the influential black nationalist leader as presented in The Autobiography of Malcolm X. The movie made history as the first non-documentary film that was given permission to film in Mecca. Director Spike Lee removed all mention of Louis Farrakhan from the film after receiving direct threats from him.
A Thin Line Between Love And Hate
1996 | 1h 48m | Directed by Martin Lawrence
Starring Martin Lawrence, Lynn Whitfield and Regina King
A Thin Line Between Love And Hate is a black comedy-romance film that tells the story of ladies’ man Darnell Wright and his escapades of love. And as with any Casanova’s story, things, sure enough, turn sour for our Darnell, too. For him, it is an obsessive lover of his - an attractive, successful, yet very unstable businesswoman. And now, it is Darnell who’s played. A Thin Line Between Love And Hate is a thoroughly entertaining light watch, and if you’re looking for something that’s both funny and quite thrilling, give it a try!
House Party
1990 | 1h 40m | Directed by Reginald Hudlin
Starring Christopher Reid, Christopher Martin and Robin Harris
Two friends, Kid and Play, organize a house party, but neither can predict what's in store for them on what could be the wildest night of their lives. What's craziest is that the movie was shot at Play's real-life home in Los Angeles! House Party is considered a cult classic, highlighting the "Golden Age of Hip-Hop music" when its culture was centered around parties, fun, and consensual affairs.
The Best Man
1999 | 2h | Directed by Malcolm D. Lee
Starring Taye Diggs, Nia Long, Harold Perrineau and Morris Chestnut
The life of Harper, a Chicago writer, becomes crazy when his almost-married best friend guesses that Harper's brand new autobiographical novel is based on his own bride's past. Actresses Sanaa Lathan, Regina Hall, and Monica Calhoun were cast to work together again one year later for Love & Basketball.
The Nutty Professor
1996 | 1h 35m | Directed by Tom Shadyac
Starring Eddie Murphy, Jada Pinkett Smith and James Coburn
The Nutty Professor, a 1996 science-fiction comedy, as you might know, is a remake of a 1963 movie of the same name. What you might not know is that the original movie is itself a parody of Robert Louis Stevenson’s 1886 novella called The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. So here, Eddie Murphy is a kind-hearted, morbidly obese university professor, Sherman Klump. Sherman develops a miraculous weight-loss pharmaceutical that not only drastically changes his physique, but also alters his personality altogether. Although The Nutty Professor is full of somewhat juvenile humor, Murphy’s amazing performance will make you giggle even at the lamest jokes.
Boomerang
#20 Boomerang
1992 | 1h 57m | Directed by Reginald Hudlin
Starring Eddie Murphy, Robin Givens and Halle Berry
Boomerang, a romantic comedy, sees Eddie Murphy as Marcus Graham - a hotshot executive who’s also a womanizer and male chauvinist. Upon meeting his new boss, Jacqueline Broyer, Marcus realizes that she’s the female version of him. So, will he turn around or will the two of them make a coalition against the rest of the world? Well, why don’t you check out this movie and see it for yourself!
What is the Most Influential Black Film?
90s African American movies became some of the most influential movies in the industry. Why? Because they tried something new and exciting. Instead of focusing on overacted black characters that bring thrill and excitement to the audience, the game changed. In the 90s, characters were grounded and more “human.”
Menace II Society captures this feeling in the best possible way. Instead of going with the typical “gangsters,” the movie shows teenagers who want to escape this life. To seek something more meaningful. However (spoiler alert), things don’t go as planned. It’s an emotional teen movie that won the MTV Best Film award in 1994.
How did 90s Movies Squish the Blaxploitation Genre?
Blaxploitation movies belong to the exploitation genre of films. They try to exploit popular genres and stereotypes for financial benefits. In the 1970s, filmmakers created African American-orientated movies that pushed stereotypes that were offensive to certain communities.
The movies were, obviously, more harmful than helpful. The genre dominated the 70s and began to fade away in the 80s, but it was the 90s that put a nail in the coffin. However, producers didn’t stop making blaxploitation movies yet. With the new view of the situation came new, more “friendly” ideas.
Amistad
Crooklyn
The Preacher's Wife
What is the Black Movie Situation Today?
Today, Hollywood is full of talented African American directors and actors. Comedians like Martin Lawrence and Eddie Murphy bring hundreds of people to their movies. Action stars like Wesley Snipes and Laurence Fishburn starred in revolutionary superheroes and sci-fi movies, respectively.
We can’t forget the directors too. Spike Lee continues to release critically acclaimed movies like BlacKkKlansman. New stars like Jordan Peele dominate the horror genre with Get Out and Nope. 90s African American movies paved the way for directors like these to dominate the next few decades.
FAQ About Black Movies
What is the Golden Age of Black Cinema?
It was the 90s when black cinema entered the golden age. Not only for the movies but also for the stars. Directors and actors we know and love today started in the 90s.
How Many Black Directors Won Oscars?
Today, no black director has won an Oscar in the Best Director category. However, Spike Lee, for example, did win an Oscar in the Best Adapted Screenplay category.
Who was the First Black Actor in Hollywood?
Sam Lucas has the honor of being the first African American cast in a leading role in a mainstream movie. He portrayed Uncle Tom in the movie Uncle Tom’s Cabin.
