The 55 Best Black Movies on Netflix Right Now (2023)

This hit trilogy began with rap duo Kid 'n Play's acting debut as two best friends who embark on a night of adventure, dance, and romance in efforts to attend and pull-off an epic house party.

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Do the Right Thing is one of the most critically acclaimed"Spike Lee Joints" in the famed director's filmography. On the hottest day of the year in Brooklyn, escalating racial tensions build amongst residents, leading to tragedy. The film earned Lee his first Oscar nomination for original screenplay.

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In this remake of 1987's Can't Buy Me Love, nerdy Alvin (Nick Cannon) convinces his school's most popular girl, Paris (Christina Milian), to date him for two weeks in exchange for him repairing her mother's totaled car.

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After the rigid Maj. Benson Payne (Damon Wayans) is honorably discharged from the Marines, he takes a job leading a misfit group of young cadets in a junior ROTC competition.

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In these blockbuster comedies, Eddie Murphy is Sherman Klump (and a handful of other hilarious characters), a scientist who creates a miracle weight-loss solution that results in his obnoxious, ladies man alter ego: Buddy Love.

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The once awkward teen, Roscoe Jenkins (Martin Lawrence) has transformed himself into a mega-successful talk show host. He heads back to his Southern hometown for his parents' anniversary, hoping to show off how far he's come, but his relatives and friends quickly humble him.

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Adapted from the YA novel Ghetto Cowboy, this drama takes inspiration from the very real Fletcher Street Riders. It tells the story of a rebellious teen boy, who's sent to live with his father in Philadelphia for the summer, uncovering the city's community of Black cowboys.

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In one of Larenz Tate's and Nia Long's earliest projects, they're Darius and Nina in this sexy '90s romance. After a chance meeting at a club, an aspiring writer and photographer form an instant, passionate connection. But past relationships—and their own fears of true love—threaten their budding relationship.

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Despite trying to live a better life after being released from prison, O2 must toe the lines of the law when he's forced to save his son from a violent crime lord.

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A detective is tasked with going undercover to take down a powerful and ultra-secretive crime ring. But he slowly becomes charmed by the gang's charismatic leader.

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In a film adapted from August Wilson's play of the same name, the acclaimed Ma Rainey's Black Bottom follows legendary blues singer Ma Rainey (Viola Davis) and her band as they settle in for a tense recording session in 1927 Chicago. The movie marks the late Chadwick Boseman's last role.

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After returning home from the premiere of his debut movie, filmmaker Malcolm (John David Washington) and his girlfriend Marie (Zendaya) await the critical response. But an exciting night gives way to revelations and tension in their relationship.

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In this short animated film that clocks in at nine minutes, a grieving grandfather fights to find his inspiration to paint again.

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In this dramedy, playwright Radha has yet to have her big break despite years in the game. Her solution? Become a rapper at 40.

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As a butler at the White House for three decades, Cecil Gaines has seen eight presidents come and go as he's had an exclusive up-close look at American history. But despite his remarkable job, his home and family life suffers.

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Forest Whitaker, Keegan-Michael Key, and Phylicia Rashad star in this festive Netflix original Christmas movie in which an eccentric toymaker's granddaughter attempts to lift her grandpa's holiday spirit by recovering a lost invention.

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In this documentary, we get a behind-the-scenes look at Debbie Allen's Dance Academy in L.A., as the company prepares for their most celebrated show, The Hot Chocolate Nutcracker.

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Based on a true story, this heartbreaking drama follows Oscar Grant during the final hours of his life before he's shot and killed by San Francisco transit police. The movie marks Michael B. Jordan's first starring film role.

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The true story of Richard and Mildred Loving is chronicled in this drama, as we see the couple ultimately win a Supreme Court Case to legalize interracial marriage in the United States.

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Denzel Washington plays George McKenna, a man who accepts a job as principal at a tough L.A. high school in an effort to reverse its bad reputation.

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In the latest Spike Lee Joint, four war veterans return to Vietnam to recover the remains of their fallen squad leader, along with gold they all buried years before.

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Inspired by the unfinished James Baldwin book of the same name, I Am Not Your Negro uses his words to examine racism in America through the stories of Malcolm X and Medgar Evers.

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This sports documentary takes a look at the life and career of former NBA player Stephon Marbury, who is currently the head coach of the Beijing Royal Fighters of the Chinese Basketball Association.

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Nia Long and Omar Epps reunite for this thriller that tells the oh-so-familiar (but irresistible) story of a woman who encounters a seemingly innocent man from her past who turns out to be much more dangerous than he appears.

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A Netflix original documentary chronicles the life and mysterious death of celebrated LGBTQ rights activist Marsha P. Johnson, who was a pioneer of the gay liberation movement and held a leading role in the 1969 Stonewall Riots.

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This exclusive documentary follows former first lady Michelle Obama on her sold out book tour Becoming, inspired by her best-selling memoir. Not only does it bring the words of her inspiring story to life, but we also get a few cameos from her hubby President Barack Obama and daughters Malia and Sasha.

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Ava DuVernay holds nothing back in this eye-opening documentary about institutionalized racism in the United States, which focuses on the disproportionate placement of African Americans in prison. Along with a slew of activists and scholars, featured contributors include Van Jones, Cory Booker, and Angela Davis.

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While serving life in prison in the same corrections facility as his father, a young man reflects on the life choices that led him there.

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A Memphis man is determined to fulfill his dream of becoming a master sommelier, but he's at odds with his unsupportive father, who'd much rather him take over the family barbecue business.

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In Tyler Perry's first film for Netflix, a woman named Grace works to overcome her woes in life when she meets a charming younger man. She falls in love and marries him, but he soon reveals his true, sinister intentions. Grace snaps, and soon finds herself on trial for his murder.

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