Whether they were quietly released, overshadowed at the box office, or just ahead of their time, these films deserve more discussion. Here are five black-led movies that are definitely worth adding to your watchlist.
1. Girl 6 (1996) directed by Spike Lee
20th Century Fox Film Corp. All rights reserved. Courtesy: Everett Collection.
Girl 6 follows an aspiring actress living in New York City named Judy. She struggles to land acting roles and grows frustrated with rejection and uncomfortable audition experiences. She eventually takes a job as a phone sex operator under the anonymous alias “Girl 6.” What starts as a temporary solution slowly pulls her deeper into a reality where fantasy, vulnerability, and identity blur. Although this movie didn’t receive the hype it deserved, there are a handful of memorable faces that appear throughout scenes, including Naomi Campbell, Jenifer Lewis, and even Madonna.
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2. The Watermelon Woman (1996) dir. Cheryl Dunye
First Run Features / Courtesy Everett Collection
The Watermelon Woman follows Cheryl, a young Black lesbian filmmaker working at a video store in Philadelphia. She becomes obsessed with researching a Black actress from the 1930s credited only as “The Watermelon Woman.” After becoming frustrated by the lack of recognition for Black actresses, Cheryl sets out to discover the truth about the woman’s life.
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3. Eve’s Bayou (1997) dir. Kasi Lemmons
Trimark Pictures
Set in Louisiana during the 1960s, we’re introduced to 10-year-old Eve Batiste as the truth about her seemingly charming father and secrets within her close-knit family begin to unfold. After witnessing something that warps her perception of him, she becomes increasingly unsure of what’s real and what’s been hidden. The Southern Gothic atmosphere, paired with the haunting cinematography and layered performances, makes this film a powerful coming-of-age story that shows how perspective can shape and distort the truth.
4. B.A.P.S. (1997) dir. Robert Townsend
©New Line Cinema/Courtesy Everett Collection
Nisi and Mickey are two best friends from Atlanta who travel to Beverly Hills after being invited by a wealthy older man who claims he wants to invest in their dream restaurant. As soon as they arrive, they’re thrown into an unfamiliar world of luxury, social expectations, and opportunistic relatives who don’t quite know what to make of them. Although critics initially overlooked it, B.A.P.S. has since gained cult status for its unapologetic style, heart, and celebration of Black womanhood.
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5. They Cloned Tyrone (2023) dir. Juel Taylor
Parrish Lewis / © Netflix / Courtesy Everett Collection
What starts as a strange encounter in a quiet neighborhood quickly unravels into something much bigger: a government cloning conspiracy happening in plain sight. A drug dealer, a flashy pimp, and an observant sex worker team up to figure out what’s really going on. They Cloned Tyrone stands out for its classic retro aesthetic and sharp social commentary. Although it gained traction online, it never really dominated mainstream conversations as many had expected.
What films do you think would appreciate a little more love?
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