Don't Miss Out: 5 Must-See Films for Black History Month

This is the month of pride, love, and unity. Sit back, relax, and say aloud: We are black and proud.

5. The Blackening (2023)

Photo Courtesy  Headhunter Horror Wiki

Black Card Revoked!!  From Director Tim Story comes The Blackening. The Blackening follows a group of friends who go to a cabin for the weekend. They need to use their Black History knowledge to escape. One pro of the film is how it takes horror films and puts them in the different variations and tropes of black people within the film.  One of the film leads  Dewayne Perkins is an openly queer and black actor playing of the same namesake. Also, Empire alum and equally funny Grace Byers plays the headstrong Biracial Allison, who you don’t want to mess with. Critics of the film, such as Loud and Clear Reviews call it an insane horror comedy that keeps the laughs coming.  According to Box Office Mojo, the film made 17 million dollars domestically and 18 million worldwide.

4. Girls Trip (2017)

Photo Courtesy of  IMDB

Essence fest, flossy pose, and a life lesson Sign me up !!! From director Malcolm D. Lee comes the film Girls Trip.  The film follows four lifelong friends reuniting and learning after 18 years of friendship people evolve. The pros of this film are the cast.  With a hilarious cast, with leads. Regina Hall as  Ryan, Ms. Have it All, and  Dina, the down-for-a-good-time friend played by Tiffany Haddish. Critics of the film such as The Guardian hail the movie as a “raucous comedy that delivers a fresh and filthy good time”. According to Box Office  Mojo, the film grossed 115 million domestically and worldwide 140 million.

3. Moonlight (2016)

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The movie that created Oscar history in 2017 won against LaLa Land for best picture. From the director  Barry Jenkins comes the film Moonlight. The film explores the coming-of-age story of a young black man growing up in 1980s Miami. One of the pros of the film is the beauty of storytelling.  The film shows black men it’s okay to be vulnerable and explore different aspects of the self.  Another is the powerful performance of Jharrel Jerome, who plays teenage Kevin, with his opposite Ashton  Sanders, playing teenage Chiron.  Their beautiful chemistry scored them an MTV Movie Award for Best Kiss in 2017.  Critics of the film such as The Guardian hail it as, a “ Visually ravishing portrait of masculinity”.  According to Box Office Mojo, the film grossed 27 million domestically and  65 million worldwide. 

2. Selma (2014)

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Power and pain preservation are the themes of this historical drama. From director Ava DuVernay, comes the film Selma.  This film explores the revolutionary story of Martin Luther King jr and his fight for equal and fair rights from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama in 1965. One of the pros would be the powerful soundtrack to this beautiful film. The song Glory by Common and John Legend encapsulates the struggle for equality was hard but an impact was forever lasting. The tune went on to win Best Original Song at the Oscars in 2015. Critics of this film such as The Guardian hail it as, “ heartbreaking and inspiring”. According to Box Office Mojo, Selma grossed 52 million domestically and 66 million internationally.

1. Black Panther (2018)

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What way to celebrate black cinema than the number one, Black Panther? Wakanda Forever became the staple catchphrase of black children watching this film.  Directed by Ryan Coogler comes Black Panther. This film follows T’chala played by the late Chadwick Boseman has to save Wakanda and the vibranium from a vengeful yet familiar foe, Killmonger played by Micheal B Jordan. One of the pros of the film is the awesome soundtrack. Artists from SZA,  Kendrick Lamar, and The Weeknd helped bring the movie to life.  Critics of the film such as Film Festival Today, hail it as a “glorious new hero”. According to Box Office Mojo, the film grossed 700 million domestically and 1.3 billion worldwide.