- 1When Madea (Tyler Perry) catches three young siblings raiding her home, she takes matters into her own hands and delivers the children to their only relative: Aunt April (Taraji P. Henson). At first, April, a boozy nightclub singer who leeches off her married boyfriend, wants nothing to do with them, but when a Mexican immigrant named Sandino (Adam Rodriguez) rents a room in her basement, April begins to realize that life may hold more possibilities.
- Released: 2009
- Directed by: Tyler Perry
- 2The story of Jody (Tyrese Gibson), a misguided, 20-year-old African-American who is really just a baby boy finally forced-kicking and screaming to face the commitments of real life. Streetwise and jobless, he has not only fathered two children by two different women-Yvette (Taraji P. Henson) and Peanut (Tamara LaSeon Bass) but still lives with his own mother. He can't seem to strike a balance or find direction in his chaotic life.
- Released: 2001
- Directed by: John Singleton
- 3DJay (Terrence Howard) is a pimp living day to day on the tough streets of Memphis, Tennessee. Pushing 40, he's tired of the life he's living and dreams of something greater. When he meets up with an old friend who is now in the recording industry, he's inspired to turn his life around and uses his criminal life as an inspiration to create rap music. When he hears that a rap superstar is coming to town, Djay works a hustle to gain the rapper's attention and hopefully get signed by a label.
- Released: 2005
- Directed by: Craig Brewer
- 4For one reason or another, friends Dominic (Michael Ealy), Jeremy (Jerry Ferrara), Michael (Terrence J) and Zeke (Romany Malco) just can't seem to seal the deal with the women in their lives. When their lovely ladies buy a book by comic Steve Harvey and start to apply its advice to their relationships, this band of brothers gets all shook up. Learning that they have been betrayed by one of their own, Dominic and his friends conspire to use the book's teachings to turn the tables.
- Released: 2012
- Directed by: Tim Story
- 5In Four Brothers, the Mercer siblings, namely Bobby (Mark Wahlberg), Angel (Tyrese Gibson), Jeremiah (André Benjamin), and Jack Mercer (Garrett Hedlund) converge upon Detroit after their adoptive mother, Evelyn Mercer (Fionnula Flanagan) is slain in a convenience store robbery. Stricken by her unexpected death, the brothers unite to unravel the mystery behind their mother's murder. Their journey of vengeance takes them deep into the city's underbelly, exposing a web of corruption and deceit. The film, directed by John Singleton, deftly combines elements of action and crime drama with an underlying theme of familial bonds and retribution.
- Released: 2005
- Directed by: John Singleton
- 6Three brilliant African American women at NASA -- Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson -- serve as the brains behind one of the greatest operations in history: the launch of astronaut John Glenn into orbit, a stunning achievement that restored the nation's confidence, turned around the Space Race and galvanized the world.
- Released: 2016
- Directed by: Theodore Melfi
- 7Schoolteacher Tiffany Rubin (Taraji P. Henson) flies to South Korea to reunite with her 7-year-old son (Drew Davis), who was kidnapped by his biological father.
- Released: 2011
- Directed by: Gary Harvey
- 8Despite their differences in social class, Charlotte (Kathy Bates) and Alice (Alfre Woodard) are good friends for many years. Then secrets, greed and scandal surrounding both their families throw the women's lives into turmoil. Charlotte and Alice set out on a road trip across the country, hoping to gain perspective and save the situation from ruin.
- Released: 2008
- Directed by: Tyler Perry
- 9Dave Johnson (Morris Chestnut) and his wife, Clarice (Taraji P. Henson), appear to have it all, but she has ignored his needs while she pursues a real-estate career. The couple's already weakened marriage faces the ultimate test after Clarice is involved in a car accident, leaving her with a terrible leg injury. Dave finds a sympathetic ear -- and possibly more -- with the physical therapist (Maeve Quinlan) who comes to treat her.
- Released: 2009
- Directed by: Bill Duke
- 10One year after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, high-school basketball coach Al Collins (Forest Whitaker) gathers displaced students and rebuilds the school team, the Patriots. Though the young athletes originally hailed from five different schools, Collins builds them into a cohesive unit and takes aim at the high-school basketball championship.
- Released: 2009
- Directed by: Tim Story
- 11Mary is a professional assassin who works for Benny, a ruthless gangster who heads an organized crime family in Boston. Her life gets completely turned around when she crosses paths with a 12-year-old boy named Danny during her latest hit. Mary's desire to save Danny from the streets and a sadistic drug dealer soon causes an all-out turf war that forces her to do what she does best -- and take down whoever stands in her way.
- Released: 2018
- Directed by: Babak Najafi
- 12When his mother's career results in a move to China, 12-year-old Dre Parker (Jaden Smith) finds that he is a stranger in a strange land. Though he knows a little karate, his fighting skills are no match for Cheng, the school bully. Dre finds a friend in Mr. Han (Jackie Chan), a maintenance man who is also a martial-arts master. Mr. Han teaches Dre all about kung fu in the hope that Dre will be able to face down Cheng and perhaps win the heart of a pretty classmate named Mei Ying.
- Released: 2010
- Directed by: Harald Zwart
- 13Passed up for a well-deserved promotion, sports agent Ali Davis wonders what else she needs to do to succeed in a man's world. Hoping to find answers from a psychic, Ali drinks a weird concoction that suddenly allows her to hear what men are thinking. Using her newfound ability, Ali starts to turn the tables on her obnoxious male colleagues while racing to sign the next basketball superstar.
- Released: 2019
- Directed by: Adam Shankman
- 14Career-minded Kenya McQueen is set up on a blind date with architect Brian Kelly, but backs out when she realizes that he is white. Impressed with his work on a friend's mansion, McQueen hires Kelly to design her new garden -- and he sweeps her off her feet. But, after her friends introduce her to executive Mark Harper, McQueen must choose between the type of man she always dreamed she wanted and giving in to life's little surprises.
- Released: 2006
- Directed by: Sanaa Hamri
- 15Born under unusual circumstances, Benjamin Button (Brad Pitt) springs into being as an elderly man in a New Orleans nursing home and ages in reverse. Twelve years after his birth, he meets Daisy, a child who flickers in and out of his life as she grows up to be a dancer (Cate Blanchett). Though he has all sorts of unusual adventures over the course of his life, it is his relationship with Daisy, and the hope that they will come together at the right time, that drives Benjamin forward.
- Released: 2008
- Directed by: David Fincher
- 16In Date Night, a comedy film full of intrigue and action, Phil Foster (Steve Carell) and Claire Foster (Tina Fey) are a typical suburban couple stuck in a marital rut. To reignite the spark, they plan an exciting date night in New York City's trendy downtown dining scene. However, when mistaken for thieves by mobsters, their evening out turns into a wild goose chase through the city. Amidst the chaos and danger, the Fosters rediscover their shared love and commitment. Directed by Shawn Levy, this frolicsome adventure tests the strength of marriage against a backdrop of crime and comedy.
- Released: 2010
- Directed by: Shawn Levy
- 17
From the Rough
Taraji P. Henson, Michael Clarke Duncan, Tom FeltonFrom the Rough is a sports drama film based on the true story of Catana Starks, a former Tennessee State Tigers swim coach, who became the first woman ever to coach a college men’s golf team. With drive, passion, and guts, she took an unruly group of mismatched kids from around the world and guided them to an all-time record at the PGA National Collegiate Minority Championship. Tasked with building Tennessee State’s first golf team and finding only one available African American golfer – Craig, a former caddy with plenty of talent but no confidence – Catana Starks pushes outside TSU’s Historically Black context, and, against huge resistance, opens up the roster to underprivileged kids from around the world. The film stars Taraji P. Henson as Coach Starks, as well as Tom Felton, Michael Clarke Duncan and LeToya Luckett. The film was co-written by Michael A. Critelli and Pierre Bagley and directed by Bagley.- Released: 2011
- Directed by: Pierre Bagley
- 18Outspoken ex-convict Ralph "Petey" Greene (Don Cheadle) talks his way onto the air at a white-owned radio station in 1960s Washington, D.C. Fueled by the new music and social upheaval of the times, he courts controversy while becoming the voice of the black movement.
- Released: 2007
- Directed by: Kasi Lemmons
- 19Once well-respected at his company, Larry Crowne (Tom Hanks) finds himself on the unemployment line after a wave of corporate downsizing. Drowning in debt and unsure of what to do with his life, Larry enrolls in college, where he becomes part of a community of misfits who are all trying to carve out a better future. The possibility of romance enters the picture when Larry meets Mercedes Tainot (Julia Roberts), an instructor who has lost her passion for both teaching and her marriage.
- Released: 2011
- Directed by: Tom Hanks
- 20Once Fallen is a 2010 crime film starring Brian Presley, Taraji P. Henson, and Ed Harris. Filming took place in Los Angeles, California.
- Released: 2010
- Directed by: Ash Adams
- 21In "Think Like a Man," a group of close friends applied relationship advice from a book by Steve Harvey to their own romantic entanglements. In the end, Dominic (Michael Ealy) and the rest of his "band of brothers" were well on their way to everlasting love with the women in their lives. However, when all of the couples reunite in Las Vegas for one's wedding, a series of compromising situations threatens to derail not only the big event but also the survival of everyone else's love affair.
- Released: 2014
- Directed by: Tim Story
- 22Sleazy entertainer Buddy "Aces" Israel (Jeremy Piven) incurs the wrath of crime boss Primo Sparazza when he agrees to testify against the Las Vegas mob. Two FBI agents (Ray Liotta, Ryan Reynolds) have the difficult task of protecting him from a motley assortment of bounty hunters, hit men and nefarious vixens who are converging on his Lake Tahoe encampment to rub him out and collect a hefty reward.
- Released: 2007
- Directed by: Joe Carnahan
- 23A young physician (Orlando Bloom) becomes dangerously obsessed with a teenage patient (Riley Keough) and falls into an illicit romance. Things quickly spin out of control when an orderly finds out and blackmails the doctor.
- Released: 2011
- Directed by: Lance Daly
- 24When dangerous street thug James "Animal" Allen (Ving Rhames) is sent to prison, he continues his violent ways working for fellow inmate Kassada (Chazz Palminteri). This changes after Animal encounters Berwell (Jim Brown), a revolutionary who introduces him to the writings of Malcolm X. Animal reforms, realizing that murder and crime are destroying his community. After Animal is released, he goes home to find his son, Darius (Terrence Dashon Howard), involved in gang activity just like he was.
- Released: 2005
- Directed by: David J. Burke
- 25Peep World is a 2010 American comedy-drama film directed by Barry W. Blaustein and starring an ensemble cast, including Ron Rifkin, Lesley Ann Warren, Ben Schwartz, Michael C. Hall, Sarah Silverman, Rainn Wilson, Kate Mara, Judy Greer, Stephen Tobolowsky, Taraji P. Henson, and Alicia Witt.
- Released: 2011
- Directed by: Barry W. Blaustein
- 26
Hair Show
Mo'Nique, Kellita Smith, Gina TorresRunning from the IRS due to back taxes, Baltimore hairdresser and salon owner Peaches (Mo'Nique) reunites with her more successful sister, Angela (Kellita Smith), a fellow stylist, in Los Angeles. Angela is burdened by her sister's financial woes, and Peaches' rival, Marcella (Gina Torres), threatens to take over the salon back in Baltimore. While Angela helps her sister get back on her feet, Peaches enters a hairstyling competition in hopes of winning a big cash prize and saving her salon.- Released: 2004
- Directed by: Leslie Small
- 27
Streetwise
Tim Taylor, Kurt Matthews, Jerry CummingsStreetwise (originally titled as 24/7) is a 1998 hood-action-crime thriller film directed by Bruce Brown. Three brothers pursue different methods trying to make it out of their drug-infested neighborhood that's surrounded by poverty, neglect, and drug-related violence.- Released: 1998
- Directed by: Bruce Brown
- 28An unsuspecting Atlanta woman (Taraji P. Henson) lets in a charming stranger (Idris Elba) to use her phone and soon believes the adage "no good deed goes unpunished" when he takes over her home and terrorizes her family.
- Released: 2014
- Directed by: Sam Miller
- 29Popular cartoon characters Rocky and Bullwinkle make their big-screen debut in this adventure tale that combines animation with live action. Years after their television show was canceled, Rocky and Bullwinkle are still living off the residuals. This time, when three cartoon villains enter the real world as real people, they decide to take over the United States.
- Released: 2000
- Directed by: Des McAnuff
- 30A 12-year-old's scheme to scare away his mom's new boyfriend, police officer James Coffee, backfires, exposing his family to a secret network of criminal activity.
- Released: 2020
- Directed by: Michael Dowse
- 31
Term Life
Vince Vaughn, Hailee Steinfeld, Bill PaxtonA vengeful drug lord (Jordi Mollà) and three corrupt cops pursue a thief (Vince Vaughn) and his estranged daughter (Hailee Steinfeld).- Released: 2016
- Directed by: Peter Billingsley
- 32Torn apart from her sister and her children, Celie faces many hardships in life, including an abusive husband. With support from a sultry singer named Shug Avery, as well as her stand-her-ground stepdaughter, Celie ultimately finds extraordinary strength in the unbreakable bonds of a new kind of sisterhood.
- Released: 2023
- Directed by: Blitz Bazawule
- 33The true story of the unlikely relationship between Ann Atwater, an outspoken civil rights activist, and C.P. Ellis, a local Ku Klux Klan leader. During the racially charged summer of 1971, Atwater and Ellis come together to co-chair a community summit on the desegregation of schools in Durham, N.C. The ensuing debate and battle soon lead to surprising revelations that change both of their lives forever.
- Released: 2019
- Directed by: Robin Bissell
- 34Though he began in stand-up comedy, Andre Allen (Chris Rock) hit the big-time as the star of a trilogy of action-comedies about a talking bear. Andre is forced to spend the day with Chelsea (Rosario Dawson) a profile writer for the New York Times, whose film critic has just panned Andre's passion project about the Haitian Revolution. Unexpectedly, Andre opens up to Chelsea, and as they wind their way across New York, Andre tries to get back in touch with his comedic roots.
- Released: 2014
- Directed by: Chris Rock
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The Best Actors and ActressesLists that rank the greatest performers to hit the large and small screens.
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