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Already, it’s been a great year for black films and television series (The Roots remake, Underground, The Breaks). But, we have to admit, some of the most anticipated black movie projects are just around the corner.
So schedule your date night, and support these black films. Remember, we can’t complain about representation when we don’t show up.
13 Black Films to Watch
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You might already have this on your radar, but here’s your reminder. The John Legend-produced Southside with You movie debuts August 26, 2016. And it looks kind of cute. The film depicts a young, pre-presidential version of POTUS Barack Obama on his first date with FLOTUS Michelle Obama, who is played by Tika Sumpter.
Disney brings us a tear jerker with Queen of Katwe, which stars David Oyelowo and Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o. The story is about a young Ugandan girl who becomes an international chess champion. It hits theaters this September 2016.
This film has been buzzing since its well-received showing at this year’s Sundance Festival. The biopic from writer/producer/actor Nate Parker follows the story of the Nat Turner slave rebellion. The Birth of a Nation, which stars Parker, Aunjanue Ellis and Gabrielle Union will hit theaters in October 2016 and is expected to be on the award season radar for best picture.
Directed by famed music video director Benny Boom, All Eyez on Me is sure to hit the Twitterverse upon its release in November 2016. Of course, the story chronicles the life of rapper Tupac Shakur and shines at light on the well-known highlights and low notes of his life.
Did you guys know this? Several African American women mathematicians played pivotal roles in the NASA space race of the 1950s-60s. Well, this story will be detailed in the new movie Hidden Figures, which follows the tale of Katherine Johnson, an African American physicist, space scientist, and mathematician. Executive produced by Pharrell Williams, the film stars Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer and Janelle Monáe. The book, Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race by author Margot Lee Shetterly will be released September 2016. The movie is expected to release Christmas Day 2016.
It must be the year for black biopics, as this is another film based on a true story. Loving tells the story of Richard Loving, a white man, and Mildred, his African American wife, who were arrested for marrying in 1958. The couple takes their battle to the Supreme Court, where in 1967, they made history, changing America’s stance on interracial marriage. The film hits theaters in early November.
Other films to keep on your radar:
7. Marshall, starring Chadwick Boseman, who plays Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall. Boseman is no stranger to biopics; he’s played Jackie Robinson in 42 and James Brown in Get On Up. Though no release date has been made, the film is expected in theaters by late December.
8. Based on the play In Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue by Tarell Alvin McCraney, the film Moonlight depicts the story of a young black boy in Miami, who struggles with his identity, sexuality and family life. Notable cast include Naomie Harris (Moneypenny from the James Bond franchise), Mahershala Ali (Remy from House of Cards) and Janelle Monaé. This film hits theaters Oct. 21.
9. Halle Berry stars in Kidnapped about a women desperate to find her son. The thriller is slated to be released on Dec. 2.
10. In the film adaptation of August Wilson’s award-winning drama Fences, Denzel Washington plays a garbage worker in the 1950s who struggles with a dream deferred. Viola Davis stars alongside Washington. The project is rumored to be released Christmas Day 2016.
11. Also scheduled to premiere in December 2016, Will Smith stars in Collateral Beauty as a top advertising executive who meets tragedy and chooses to run away from life. The project also stars Naomie Harris.
12. Singer Usher Raymond dips back into the acting world again in the biopic Hands of Stone, which details the epic showdown between boxers Roberto Duran and playing Sugar Ray Leonard, who is played by Raymond (this film is in theaters August 26).
13. Morris Chestnut and Regina Hall play a couple who invite a mysterious young woman (Jaz Sinclair) to be their surrogate in When the Bough Breaks (In theaters Sept 9).
14. Almost Christmas has a star-studded cast, including Danny Glover, Nicole Ari Parker, Omar Epps, J.B. Smoove, Mo’Nique, Kimberly Elise and more (in theaters Nov. 11)
[tps_footer]BMWK, what films are you most looking forward to? Did we miss one?[/tps_footer]