90's Black Movies: Our List with More Than 100 Films

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Full List Of '90s Black Movies:

The Bodyguard

Drama, Romance, Action, Music, Thriller
Black Cast
Bill Cobbs, Christopher Birt, DeVaughn Nixon, Michele Lamar Richards, Whitney Houston
Release Date
November 25, 1992
Synopsis

A former Secret Service agent grudgingly takes an assignment to protect a pop idol who's threatened by a crazed fan. At first, the safety-obsessed bodyguard and the self-indulgent diva totally clash. But before long, all that tension sparks fireworks of another sort, and the love-averse tough guy is torn between duty and romance.

The Bodyguard
Impact and Legacy of Malcolm X

Denzel Washington's role as Malcolm X is a landmark in cinema, embodying the complexity of the influential leader with profound authenticity and emotional depth. His portrayal brought Malcolm X's legacy to a new generation, showcasing his oratory prowess and personal evolution. Directed by Spike Lee, the film meticulously chronicles Malcolm's transformation from criminal to civil rights icon, combining historical fidelity with Lee's narrative skill to explore Malcolm's life, beliefs, and challenges. "Malcolm X" transcends its status as a film, serving as an enlightening resource on black history, racial tensions, and the struggle for equality. It has significantly impacted viewers' understanding of Malcolm X's fight against systemic racism, enriching the discourse on civil rights and black empowerment.

Watch The Trailer:
Malcolm X Trailer
Black Cast
Angela Bassett, Delroy Lindo, Denzel Washington, Spike Lee, Theresa Randle, Tommy Hollis, Albert Hall
Directed By Black
Spike Lee
Written By Black
Spike Lee
Release Date
November 18, 1992
Synopsis

A tribute to the controversial black activist and leader of the struggle for black liberation. He hit bottom during his imprisonment in the '50s, he became a Black Muslim and then a leader in the Nation of Islam. His assassination in 1965 left a legacy of self-determination and racial pride.

Malcolm X

Alma's Rainbow

Comedy, Drama
Watch The Trailer:
Alma's Rainbow Trailer
Black Cast
Isaiah Washington, Kim Weston-Moran, Victoria Gabrielle Platt
Directed By Black
Ayoka Chenzira
Written By Black
Ayoka Chenzira
Release Date
June 23, 1994
Synopsis

The life of teenager Rainbow Gold as she enters womanhood and navigates standards of beauty, self-image, and the rights women have over their bodies. Rainbow attends a strict parochial school, studies dance, and lives with her strait-laced mother Alma, who runs a hair salon in the parlor of their home and disapproves of her daughter’s newfound interest in boys. When Alma’s free-spirited sister Ruby returns from Paris after a ten-year absence, the sisters clash over what constitutes the “proper” direction for Rainbow’s life.

Alma's Rainbow

Beverly Hills Cop III

Comedy, Action, Crime
Watch The Trailer:
Beverly Hills Cop III Trailer
Black Cast
Eddie Murphy, Gilbert R. Hill, Theresa Randle
Release Date
May 24, 1994
Synopsis

Back in sunny southern California and on the trail of two murderers, Axel Foley again teams up with LA cop Billy Rosewood. Soon, they discover that an amusement park is being used as a front for a massive counterfeiting ring – and it's run by the same gang that shot Billy's boss.

Beverly Hills Cop III

Crooklyn

Comedy, Drama
Watch The Trailer:
Crooklyn Trailer
Black Cast
Delroy Lindo, Isaiah Washington, Alfre Woodard
Directed By Black
Spike Lee
Written By Black
Spike Lee
Release Date
May 13, 1994
Synopsis

From Spike Lee comes this vibrant semi-autobiographical portrait of a school-teacher, her stubborn jazz-musician husband and their five kids living in '70s Brooklyn.

Crooklyn

The Inkwell

Comedy, Drama, Romance
Impact and Legacy of The Inkwell

"The Inkwell" distinguishes itself in '90s black cinema as a coming-of-age tale set during a family's summer vacation at Martha's Vineyard in the 1970s, delving into the seldom-explored narrative of the African American upper class. This film skillfully navigates teenage awkwardness, family relations, and first love, presenting these universal themes within the unique context of black prosperity and identity. Its authentic and graceful treatment of these topics sets it apart, offering a nuanced look at the complexities of African American life and challenging prevailing stereotypes. Enhanced by a compelling cast, "The Inkwell" effectively captures the essence of personal growth and the search for identity against the backdrop of societal expectations, providing a distinctive and enriching perspective on black adolescence in America.

Watch The Trailer:
The Inkwell Trailer
Black Cast
Glynn Turman, Jada Pinkett Smith, Joe Morton, Larenz Tate, Morris Chestnut, Phyllis Yvonne Stickney, Suzzanne Douglas, Vanessa Bell Calloway
Directed By Black
Matty Rich
Release Date
April 22, 1994
Synopsis

The Inkwell is about a 16-year-old boy coming of age on Martha's Vineyard in the summer of 1976.

The Inkwell
Watch The Trailer:
Above the Rim Trailer
Black Cast
Bernie Mac, Byron Minns, Leon, Marlon Wayans, Tonya Pinkins, Tupac Amaru Shakur, Wood Harris
Release Date
March 23, 1994
Synopsis

Story of a promising high school basketball star and his relationships with two brothers, one a drug dealer and the other a former basketball star fallen on hard times and now employed as a security guard.

Above the Rim

Sugar Hill

Drama, Action, Thriller
Impact and Legacy of Sugar Hill

"Sugar Hill" delivers a raw look at the drug trade's toll on family and personal ethics, anchored by Wesley Snipes' compelling performance as Roemello Skuggs, a dealer grappling with desires for a better life. The film centers on Roemello's moral quandary and his complex relationships, enriching the plot beyond standard action fare to explore themes of love, redemption, and the fight against a cycle of violence. Directed by Leon Ichaso, "Sugar Hill" confronts addiction's devastating effects on communities, with Harlem's streets playing a crucial role, symbolizing despair and the lure of crime. Merging crime drama with romance, the movie invites audiences to see the humanity in those often dismissed as mere criminals, presenting a nuanced narrative that challenges conventional perspectives.

Watch The Trailer:
Sugar Hill Trailer
Black Cast
Wesley Snipes, Michael Wright, Theresa Randle, Donald Faison, O.L. Duke, Leslie Uggams, Sam Gordon, Dulé Hill, Marquise Wilson, Vondie Curtis-Hall
Release Date
February 25, 1994
Synopsis

In the Harlem neighborhood of New York City, the Mafia steps in when a drug dealer quits his partner brother to lead a straight life with his girlfriend.

Sugar Hill
Watch The Trailer:
House Party 3 Trailer
Black Cast
Bernie Mac, Chris Tucker, Christopher Martin, Christopher Reid, Khandi Alexander, Marques Houston
Release Date
January 01, 1994
Synopsis

Hip Hop duo Kid & Play return in the second follow-up to their 1990 screen debut House Party. Kid (Christopher "Kid" Reid) is taking the plunge and marrying his girlfriend Veda (Angela Means), while his friend Play (Christopher Martin) is dipping his toes into the music business, managing a roughneck female rap act called Sex as a Weapon. Play books the ladies for a concert with heavy-hitting pr

House Party 3
Watch The Trailer:
Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit Trailer
Black Cast
Bill Duke, Lauryn Hill, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Whoopi Goldberg
Release Date
December 09, 1993
Synopsis

Deloris Van Cartier is again asked to don the nun's habit to help a run-down Catholic school, presided over by Mother Superior. And if trying to reach out to a class full of uninterested students wasn't bad enough, the sisters discover that the school is due to be closed by the unscrupulous chief of a local authority.

Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit

Full Eclipse

Action, Horror, Science Fiction, Thriller
Watch The Trailer:
Full Eclipse Trailer
Black Cast
Mario Van Peebles, Victoria Rowell, Willie C. Carpenter
Release Date
November 27, 1993
Synopsis

The LA police department have a special team of officers with a talent for reducing big-time crime. The team leader has an excellent track record for crime reduction in other big cities, but his methods are unconventional, and so is he - he's a werewolf.

Full Eclipse

Cool Runnings

Comedy, History
Watch The Trailer:
Cool Runnings Trailer
Black Cast
Doug E. Doug, Leon, Malik Yoba, Rawle D. Lewis
Release Date
September 30, 1993
Synopsis

When a Jamaican sprinter is disqualified from the Olympic Games, he enlists the help of a dishonored coach to start the first Jamaican Bobsled Team.

Cool Runnings

Bopha!

Drama
Watch The Trailer:
Bopha! Trailer
Black Cast
Danny Glover, Malick Bowens, Maynard Eziashi, Morgan Freeman, Alfre Woodard
Release Date
September 16, 1993
Synopsis

In this story of a black policeman during South African apartheid, Danny Glover plays the cop, who believes he's trying to help his people, even while serving as a pawn of the racist government. When his son gets involved in the anti-apartheid movement, he finds himself torn between his family (including long-suffering wife Alfre Woodard) and what he believes is his duty.

Bopha!

The Meteor Man

Comedy, Action, Family, Science Fiction
Watch The Trailer:
The Meteor Man Trailer
Black Cast
Big Daddy Kane, Don Cheadle, Eddie Griffin, James Earl Jones, Marla Gibbs, Robert Guillaume, Roy Fegan, Sinbad
Release Date
August 06, 1993
Synopsis

One night Jefferson Reed gets hit in the chest by a souped-up chunk of meteor. So he can fly, but he's scared of heights. He can master the information in any book ... for about thirty seconds. Now his friends and family want him to protect their community from the dreaded Golden Lords.

The Meteor Man

Friday

Comedy
Impact and Legacy of Friday

"Friday" is a standout '90s black comedy that captures South Central LA life with humor and sharp commentary. It features Ice Cube and Chris Tucker as Craig and Smokey, whose on-screen chemistry and humor highlight their friendship. Set over one day, the film blends comedy with themes of friendship, family, and community, offering a resonant slice-of-life experience. Tucker's role as Smokey, marked by his timing and charisma, was a career highlight. The movie's cultural impact led to sequels and remains a reference point for '90s urban life in America.

Watch The Trailer:
Friday Trailer
Black Cast
Anna Maria Horsford, Chris Tucker, DJ Pooh, F. Gary Gray, Faizon Love, Ice Cube, John Witherspoon, Nia Long, Regina King, Tom Lister Jr.
Release Date
April 26, 1995
Synopsis

Craig and Smokey are two guys in Los Angeles hanging out on their porch on a Friday afternoon, smoking and drinking, looking for something to do.

Friday

Bad Boys

Comedy, Action, Crime, Thriller
Impact and Legacy of Bad Boys

"Bad Boys" (1995) revolutionized buddy cop movies with its perfect mix of thrilling action and hilarious comedy, thanks to the dynamic duo of Will Smith and Martin Lawrence as Miami detectives. Their on-screen chemistry is unmatched, creating a memorable partnership that's both entertaining and deeply engaging. Directed with flair, the film set a new benchmark for the genre, blending high-stakes crime-fighting with genuine laughs and heart. Its impact extended beyond the '90s Black Movies, influencing subsequent action-comedies. With significant box office success, "Bad Boys" spawned sequels, establishing a cherished franchise that continues to captivate audiences with its unique charm and excitement.

Watch The Trailer:
Bad Boys Trailer
Black Cast
Martin Lawrence, Theresa Randle, Will Smith
Release Date
April 07, 1995
Synopsis

Marcus Burnett is a hen-pecked family man. Mike Lowry is a foot-loose and fancy free ladies' man. Both are Miami policemen, and both have 72 hours to reclaim a consignment of drugs stolen from under their station's nose. To complicate matters, in order to get the assistance of the sole witness to a murder, they have to pretend to be each other.

Bad Boys

Major Payne

Comedy, Adventure, Family
Watch The Trailer:
Major Payne Trailer
Black Cast
Damon Wayans, Karyn Parsons, Leonard L. Thomas, Orlando Brown
Release Date
March 24, 1995
Synopsis

Major Benson Winifred Payne is being discharged from the Marines. Payne is a killin' machine, but the wars of the world are no longer fought on the battlefield. A career Marine, he has no idea what to do as a civilian, so his commander finds him a job - commanding officer of a local school's JROTC program, a bunch of ragtag losers with no hope.

Major Payne
Watch The Trailer:
Losing Isaiah Trailer
Black Cast
Cuba Gooding Jr., Halle Berry, Joie Lee, LaTanya Richardson Jackson, Regina Taylor, Samuel L. Jackson
Release Date
March 17, 1995
Synopsis

Khaila Richards, a crack-addicted single mother, accidentally leaves her baby in a dumpster while high and returns the next day in a panic to find he is missing. In reality, the baby has been adopted by a warm-hearted social worker, Margaret Lewin, and her husband, Charles. Years later, Khaila has gone through rehab and holds a steady job. After learning that her child is still alive, she challenges Margaret for the custody.

Losing Isaiah
Watch The Trailer:
Candyman: Farewell to the Flesh Trailer
Black Cast
Bill Nunn, Fay Hauser, Tony Todd
Release Date
March 17, 1995
Synopsis

The Candyman moves on to New Orleans and starts his horrific murders once more. This time, his intended victim is a school teacher. Her father was killed by the Candyman, and brother wrongly accused of the murders.

Candyman: Farewell to the Flesh

Higher Learning

Drama, Romance, Crime
Watch The Trailer:
Higher Learning Trailer
Black Cast
Ice Cube, Laurence Fishburne, Omar Epps, Regina King, Tyra Banks
Directed By Black
John Singleton
Release Date
January 11, 1995
Synopsis

Malik (Omar Epps) is an African-American student attending on a track scholarship; academics are not his strong suit, and he goes in thinking that his athletic abilities will earn him a free ride through college. Fudge (Ice Cube), a "professional student" who has been at Columbus for six years so far, becomes friendly with Malik and challenges his views about race and politics in America.

Higher Learning