The 2010s stand out as a remarkable era in Black movie history. During this decade, many films were created for and by the Black community, challenging established norms and celebrating diverse stories. This list showcases black films released in the 2010s, generally associated with people from the African diaspora.
This guide highlights some of the most incredible voices working in movies today, and some of the most game-changing, industry-shaking films to hit theaters in decades. Alongside the work of longtime industry veterans like Spike Lee, you’ll find incredible debut features, like Dee Rees’ Pariah, Justin Simien’s Dear White People, Boots Riley’s Sorry to Bother You, and Jordan Peele’s Oscar-winning social thriller Get Out and his follow-up, Us.
Here are some of the noteworthy films that made the 2010s a memorable decade for Black cinema:
Black Panther premiere.
2010
- Night Catches Us: A drama film set in 1976, starring Anthony Mackie as a former Black Panther returning to Philadelphia.
- For Colored Girls: A tragedy film directed by Tyler Perry, adapted from Ntozake Shange's play about black women.
- Why Did I Get Married Too?: A comedy-drama film produced and directed by Tyler Perry, serving as a sequel to Why Did I Get Married?.
- Brooklyn's Finest: A crime film directed by Antoine Fuqua, starring Don Cheadle and Wesley Snipes.
2011
- Pariah: This touching semi-autobiographical film centers around a young Black woman (Adepero Oduye) at the cusp of making many difficult decisions: college, coming out, and stepping into her own identity.
- I Will Follow: A drama film.
2014
- Dear White People: A comedy-drama film directed by Justin Simien.
- Selma: Fueled by a gripping performance from David Oyelowo, Selma draws inspiration and dramatic power from the life and death of Martin Luther King, Jr.
2015
- Straight Outta Compton: An engrossing chronicle of the rise of NWA.
- Dope: Life changes for Malcolm, a geek who's surviving life in a tough neighborhood, after a chance invitation to an underground party leads him and his friends into a Los Angeles adventure.
2016
- Moonlight: A look at three defining chapters in the life of Chiron, a young black man growing up in Miami.
- Fences: Director-star Denzel Washington’s gut-wrenching adaptation of August Wilson’s seminal work is undeniably great, with tremendous performances throughout (including Viola Davis’ Oscar turn).
- Hidden Figures: An inspiring tribute to real-life NASA mathematicians (Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer and Janelle Monáe).
- Loving: Interracial couple Richard and Mildred Loving fell in love and were married in 1958.
- 13th: A documentary that stirred the national conversation.
2017
- Get Out: A subversive scary movie, stars Daniel Kaluuya as an unsuspecting Black man as he’s introduced to his girlfriend’s (Allison Williams) racist family at their home in the suburbs.
- Mudbound: An astounding drama uproots that taboo in a story about two men (Jason Mitchell and Garrett Hedlund) who return home from WWII and struggle to reacclimate themselves to the racism and lack of opportunities that impede them.
- Strong Island: A horrifying documentary examining how race impacts the criminal justice system.
2018
- Black Panther: A groundbreaking superhero film that boasts as many fascinating and impeccably portrayed subplots: immigration, brotherhood, romance, and Black power.
- Sorry to Bother You: A quirky film that helped introduce White audiences to the art of code-switching.
- The Hate U Give: A film equal parts coming-of-age drama and Black Lives Matter primer.
2019
- Queen & Slim: A film about a young couple on the run after a first date gone wrong.
- Luce: A movie that uproots our own biases, much like Luce’s teacher (Octavia Spencer).
This list represents just a fraction of the impactful Black films released during the 2010s. These movies have not only entertained audiences but have also sparked important conversations about race, identity, and social justice.
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Table of Selected African American Films (2010-2019)
| Year | Title | Director | Genre | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | For Colored Girls | Tyler Perry | Tragedy, Drama | Adaptation of Ntozake Shange's play about black women. |
| 2016 | Moonlight | Barry Jenkins | Drama | Three defining chapters in the life of a young black man. |
| 2017 | Get Out | Jordan Peele | Horror, Thriller | A black man visits his white girlfriend's family and uncovers a disturbing secret. |
| 2018 | Black Panther | Ryan Coogler | Superhero, Action | A groundbreaking superhero film with themes of immigration, brotherhood, and Black power. |
| 2019 | Queen & Slim | Melina Matsoukas | Drama, Romance | A young couple's lives take an unexpected turn after a fateful first date. |
Queen & Slim.
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