'Gladiator II,' 'Wicked' and Other Best Black Films of 2024

Cast: Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn

Director: Ridley Scott

Synopsis: Gladiator II continues the epic saga of power, intrigue, and vengeance set in Ancient Rome. Years after witnessing the death of the revered hero Maximus at the hands of his uncle, Lucius is forced to enter the Colosseum after his home is conquered by the tyrannical Emperors who now lead Rome with an iron fist. With rage in his heart and the future of the Empire at stake, Lucius must look to his past to find strength and honor to return the glory of Rome to its people.

Cast: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey, Michelle Yeoh

Director: Jon M. Chu

Synopsis: Wicked is the untold story of the witches of Oz, as Elphaba, a young woman misunderstood because of her green skin who has yet to discover her true power, and Glinda, a popular young woman gilded by privilege who has yet to discover her true heart. The two meet as students at Shiz University in the fantastical Land of Oz and forge an unlikely but profound friendship. Following an encounter with The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, their friendship reaches a crossroads and their lives take very different paths. Their extraordinary adventures in Oz will ultimately see them fulfill their destinies as Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.

Cast: Ryan Destiny, Brian Tyree henry, Olunike Adeliyi, Idrissa Sanogo

Director: Rachel Morrison

Synopsis: The inspirational true story of Claressa Shields, arguably the greatest female boxer of all time. Claressa, a high school Junior from Flint, Michigan, aided by her tough-love coach, Jason Crutchfield, pushes past all limitations to become the first American woman to win an Olympic gold medal in boxing. But even at the pinnacle of success, Claressa has to reckon with the fact that not all dreams are created equal, and the real fight has only just begun.

Cast: Andre Holland, Andra Day, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, John Earl Jelks

Director: Titus Kaphar

Synopsis: An artist on the path to success is derailed by an unexpected visit from his estranged father, a recovering addict desperate to reconcile. Together, they struggle and learn that forgetting might be a greater challenge than forgiving.

Cast: John David Washington, Danielle Deadwyler, Samuel L. Jackson, Ray Fisher

Director: Malcolm Washington

Synopsis: A battle is brewing in the Charles household. At the center stands a prized heirloom piano tearing two siblings apart. On one side, a brother plans to build the family fortune by selling it. On the other, a sister will go to any lengths to hold onto the sole vestige of the family’s heritage. Their uncle tries to mediate, but even he can’t hold back the ghosts of the past.

Cast: Colman Domingo, Clarence Maclin, Divine G

Director: Greg Kwedar

Synopsis: Divine G, imprisoned at Sing Sing Correctional Facility for a crime he didn’t commit, finds purpose by acting in a theatre group alongside other incarcerated men in this story of resilience, humanity, and the transformative power of art.

Cast: Brandon Wilson, Ethan Herisse, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Daveed Diggs

Director: RaMell Ross

Synopsis: Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Colson Whitehead, Nickel Boys chronicles the powerful friendship between two young African American men navigating the harrowing trials of reform school together in Florida.

Cast: Naomie Ackie, Channing Tatum, Liz Caribel, Adria Arjona

Director: Zoe Kravitz

Synopsis: When tech billionaire Slater King meets cocktail waitress Frida at his fundraising gala, he invites her to join him and his friends on a dream vacation on his private island. As strange things start to happen, Frida questions her reality.

Cast: Sanaa Lathan, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Uzo Aduba, Russel Hornsby, Donna Biscoe

Director: Tina Mabry

Synopsis: Lifelong friends, three women share an unbreakable bond after decades of weathering life’s storms. Now, through new heartbreaks, the trio is put to the test as they face one of their most challenging moments.

Cast: Will Smith, Martin Lawrence, Dennis Greene, Jacob Scipio, Tasha Smith

Director: Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah

Synopsis: The world’s favorite Bad Boys are back with their iconic mix of edge-of-your seat action and outrageous comedy but this time with a twist: Miami’s finest are now on the run.

Cast: Kelvin Harrison Jr., Aaron Pierre, Tiffany Boone, Blue Ivy Carter, Donald Glover, John Kani

Director: Barry Jenkins

Synopsis: “Mufasa: The Lion King” enlists Rafiki to relay the legend of Mufasa to young lion cub Kiara, daughter of Simba and Nala, with Timon and Pumbaa lending their signature schtick. Told in flashbacks, the story introduces Mufasa as an orphaned cub, lost and alone until he meets a sympathetic lion named Taka—the heir to a royal bloodline. The chance meeting sets in motion an expansive journey of an extraordinary group of misfits searching for their destiny—their bonds will be tested as they work together to evade a threatening and deadly foe.

(OK, so yes we know this is technically not Black but the film is voiced by Black actors and it takes place in Africa and “The Lion King” has always been a Black franchise so we really don’t want to hear it. Moving on.)

Cast: Pharrell Williams, Kendrick Lamar, Snoop Dogg, Pusha T, Jay-Z

Director: Morgan Neville

Synopsis: A vibrant journey through the life of Pharrell Williams, told through the lens of LEGO animation.

Cast: Jharell Jerome, Don Cheadle, Anthony Robles, Jennifer Lopez, Bobby Cannavale

Director: William Goldenberg

Synopsis: With the unwavering love and support of his devoted mother Judy (Jennifer Lopez) and the encouragement of his coaches, Anthony Robles—who born with only one leg—fights through adversity to earn a spot on the Arizona State Wrestling team. But it will demand everything he has, physically and mentally, to achieve his ultimate quest to become an NCAA Champion. This based on a true story.

(This film is only in select theaters and doesn’t hit Prime Video until Jan. 16, 2025 so that’s why we put it so low. But trust us when we say, it’s going to be near the top of the list for best films of 2025.)

Cast: Ryan Gosling, Winston Duke, Emily Blunt, Hannah Waddingham, Aaron Taylor-Johnson

Director: David Leitch

Synopsis: A stuntman, fresh off an almost career-ending accident, has to track down a missing movie star, solve a conspiracy and try to win back the love of his life while still doing his day job. What could possibly go right?

(Winston Duke isn’t in this movie nearly as much as he should’ve been but this film was too fun—and his scenes were too good—not to acknowledge.)