February marks the start of Black History Month, a month of observance as well as celebration for African Americans. With it being Black History Month, it’s the perfect time to indulge in Black media, from music to art. In Black media, Black struggle as well as Black pain and trauma takes the center stage in many cases. While learning about Black struggle is important for educating and understanding Black history, Black joy is equally or maybe even more important.
From romance to animation, here are some Black movie recommendations that feature something for everyone to enjoy!
DREAMGIRLS (2006)
Written and directed by Bill Condon, Dreamgirls is a black musical movie with a packed ensemble. The movie musical is an adaptation of the Broadway musical, Dreamgirls, with music by Henry Krieger and lyrics and book by Tom Eyen.
The story begins with Black girl group known as “The Dreamettes”, consisting of lead singer Effie White (Jennifer Hudson) and backup singers Deena Jones (Beyonce) and Lorrell Robinson (Anika Noni Rose). The movie follows the trio of the rookie black female soul singers as they cross over to the charts in the early 1960s, facing their own personal struggles along the way. The story also follows the history and evolution of American R&B music during the 1960s and 1970s.
Dreamgirls is jam-packed with emotion and amazing songs, making it a fantastical musical and watch over all.
JUMP IN (2007)
Released in 2007, Jump In is a Disney Channel Original Movie, following African American teenager, Izzy Daniels, a boxer who wishes to follow in his father’s footsteps but everything changes when his friend, Mary introduces him to the very different sport of rope-jumping.
A movie of Black joy and youth, Jump In is a perfect family-friendly fun watch that everyone is capable of enjoying.
MOONLIGHT (2016)
With an entirely Black cast, Moonlight is an Academy Award-winning movie, winning ‘Best Picture’ in 2017 — the first movie with a gay protagonist to do so.
Moonlight is a coming-of-age movie that takes viewers on a journey through the main character’s childhood, adolescence, and early adulthood.
Starting in Miami in the 1980s, Chiron navigates daily life as he is confronted with the impacts of drug addiction and poverty. The protagonist also struggles to understand his sexuality and identity throughout his life, making it a crucial element of the film’s storyline.
Moonlight is a movie that not only highlights the Black experience and struggle but is also a movie of Black gay love and sexuality.
WENDELL AND WILD (2022)
Written by Black horror director, Jordan Peele, as well as filmmaker and clay director, Henry Selick, Wendell and Wild is a combination of both writers and what they are known for: horror and animation, creating an American adult stop motion-animated horror comedy film.
The movie follows two scheming demons as they strike a deal with a punk rock-loving teen, Kat Elliot, so they can leave the Underworld and live out their dreams in the Land of the Living.
