There are so many talented Black directors making films — and with more movies coming out than ever before, it can be hard to keep track of everything you need to see. Here's a list of films from Black directors spanning a variety of genres that are well worth your time:
1. The African Desperate
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Directed by: Martine Syms
Syms' feature debut captures the final 24 hours of grad school for aspiring artist Palace Bryant, resulting in a funny and astoundingly trippy journey bolstered by Syms' visual arts background.
2. Nope
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Directed by: Jordan Peele
Nope is one of the grandest and most terrifying sci-fi horror films in years, as Peele's unique vision expands like never before. With standout performances by Daniel Kaluuya and Keke Palmer, Nope will leave you with plenty to chew on after it's finished — just try to go in knowing as little about the plot as possible.
3. The Woman King
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Directed by: Gina Prince-Bythewood
Prince-Bythewood's latest might be her best film yet — and that's saying something, since her career includes classics like Love and Basketball and Beyond the Lights. The Woman King is a powerful and action-packed historical epic packed with unforgettable performances — the kind of film that has you asking at the end, "Wait, that really didn't get nominated for any Oscars?"
4. On the Count of Three
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Directed by: Jerrod Carmichael
You already know Jerrod Carmichael as a comedy trailblazer, from his critically acclaimed HBO stand-up special Rothaniel to his take-no-prisoners gig hosting this year's Golden Globes. His directorial debut is hilarious and devastating at the same time, but fair warning — it's heavy and intense, with a plot that features discussion of suicide and abuse.
5. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
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Directed by: Ryan Coogler
I mean, if you haven't seen this already...Ryan Coogler's career speaks for itself at this point, and both critics and audiences agree that Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is a fitting and emotional send-off to late actor Chadwick Boseman. Plus, Angela Bassett did the thing.
6. Master
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Directed by: Mariama Diallo
Diallo's feature-length directorial debut follows her work on Terence Nance's critically beloved HBO surreal comedy Random Acts of Flyness. Featuring an excellent performance from the always dependable Regina Hall, Master is haunting and thought-provoking, leaving the viewer with as many questions as there are answers when the credits roll.
7. Attica [Traci A. Curry and Stanley Nelson Jr.; 2021]
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Directed by: Traci A. Curry and Stanley Nelson Jr.
Curry Nelson Jr.'s searing document of the deadly Attica prison riot — in which 43 people died, making for the deadliest prison uprising in US history — was nominated for an Oscar, and for good reason. Attica is absolutely essential viewing for anyone looking to more deeply understand the history of anti-Black police violence in America and the urgent need to abolish the carceral state. The footage it collects is graphic and deeply upsetting, but it's taken directly from our recent history, which deserves to be remembered for all its ugliness.
8. Emergency [Carey Williams; 2022]
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Directed by: Carey Williams
Williams' second feature film expands on his 2018 short of the same name, which won prizes at Sundance and SXSW at the time of release. Emergency made a sorta-return to the former fest in 2021 and took home a screenwriting award too — so you know it's worth checking out.
9. Small Axe: A Collection of Five Films
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Directed by: Steve McQueen
OK, this is cheating a little, since Small Axe, as its subtitle suggests, is actually five movies — but they all deserve to be taken in as a piece, from the tragicomic Alex Wheatle and the compelling Education to Lovers Rock's sensual, nocturnal sway. As a whole, they reaffirm the undeniable talent of Steve McQueen, who's known for titanic dramas like 12 Years a Slave, Widows, and Hunger.
10. Creed III
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Directed by: Michael B. Jordan
Jordan's directorial debut isn't actually out for a little while longer — it hits theaters March 3, to be specific — but you know it's been one of the most anticipated films of the year for a minute now. We can't wait, and we're sure you feel the same way.
11. Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul.
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Directed by: Adamma Ebo
Jordan Peele's Monkeypaw production company had a hand in bringing Adamma Ebo's feature-length directorial debut to life, and the result is one of the most painfully uncomfortable dark comedies in recent years. Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul. is anchored by amazing performances from Regina Hall and Sterling K. Brown, and it's also an unflinching examination of power and abuse in faith-based institutions — not an easy watch, but a thought-provoking one.
12. Zola
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Directed by: Janicza Bravo
Quite possibly the best movie to ever be based on a Twitter thread, Janicza Bravo's second feature ups the comic abrasiveness of her 2017 bow Lemon while maintaining an iridescent sense of menace. It's a film that's impossible to forget, made all the more memorable by standout turns from Taylour Paige and Colman Domingo.
13. The United States vs. Billie Holiday
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Directed by: Lee Daniels
Daniels often puts forth a challenging and vital representation of US history, and his biopic on late singer Billie Holiday and the persecution she faced by the US government is no different. Andra Day was nominated for an Oscar for her unflinching portrayal of Holiday, and after you see the film, you'll understand why.
14. Ma Rainey's Black Bottom
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Directed by: George C. Wolfe
Ma Rainey's Black Bottom will forever be memorialized in history as the last performance from the late, great Chadwick Boseman, and George C. Wolfe's powerful adaptation of the August Wilson play is worth seeing for that and many other reasons, including yet another star turn by Viola Davis as the titular Ma Rainey.
15. Bruiser
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Directed by: Miles Warren
Warren's feature-length debut just recently hit Hulu, and its documentation of a toxic male friendship seems particularly intriguing. You might recognize Trevante Rhodes from Barry Jenkins' 2016 Oscar winner Moonlight, and he's already been nominated for an Independent Spirit Award for his performance in this one.
16. Judas and the Black Messiah
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Directed by: Shaka King
King's biopic of late Black Panthers chairman Fred Hampton was critically acclaimed upon release, garnering six Oscar nominations in 2021 and taking home two: Best Original Song for H.E.R.'s "Fight For You," and Best Actor for Daniel Kaluuya's turn as Hampton.
17. Candyman
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Directed by: Nia DaCosta
With a script co-penned by Jordan Peele and incredible performances from Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Colman Domingo, and Vanessa Williams, Nia DaCosta's sequel to the 1992 horror classic practically oozes style while offering plenty of thought-provoking material to chew on. Her visual style is so impressive that it's no surprise she's been tapped to direct the upcoming MCU film The Marvels (and she's the first Black woman to helm a MCU film, too).
18. Saint Omer
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Directed by: Alice Diop
After years of documentary work, Alice Diop's feature-length narrative debut draws inspiration from the true story of French woman Fabienne Kabou, who was convicted of killing her daughter in 2016. Prior to its recent theatrical release, Saint Omer was one of the most critically celebrated films of the last year, taking home the Grand Jury Prize at the Venice Film Festival in 2022.
19. Till
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Directed by: Chinonye Chukwu
Clemency director Chukwu's film about the brutal murder of Emmett Till, and his mother Mamie Till-Bradley's fight for justice, was one of the most highly acclaimed films of last year, especially due to Danielle Deadwyler's portrayal of Mamie. When Till was completely snubbed at this year's Oscar nominations, Chukwu passionately spoke out about the Academy "perpetuating an unabashed misogyny toward Black women."
20. Nanny
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Directed by: Nikyatu Jusu
And finally — Jusu's feature-length debut made history at Sundance last year, becoming the first horror film ever to win the fest's Grand Jury Prize. You'll probably recognize the film's lead, Anna Diop, from her turns in Us and 24: Legacy — and she also won raves for her performance in this unsettling thriller.
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