Offering a list of “most promising Black movies” is kinda quirky. “Promising” is a word that suggests these movies are slightly under the radar and may very well be worth your investment of time and/or money. And that’s exactly what this list is. Because it’s not just listing those blockbuster flicks that get all the press. You may have heard of some of these. But I’m sure there are several you’ll be reading about for the first time right here.
Additionally, this list doesn’t officially include movies, blockbusters or sleepers that have already been released this year… movies that may also demand that you check them out if you haven’t already. But we did include some of them in the “also check out” section.
So, check out our list of “promising Black movies” releasing this month or later, and that have Blackness involved in some way.
American Society of Imaginary Negroes
Aren (Justice Smith of “The Get Down”) is an idealistic young brother who’s recruited by veteran agent Roger (David Alan Grier) into the American Society of Magical Negroes. Aren finds that working for this ancient, secret, magical organization dedicated to making white people’s lives easier, is the most challenging and unexpected journey of his life. This movie, whose title alone calls out that tired Hollywood trope of a Black friend (maid, golf coach, etc.) whose sole purpose is to help the main white character become their best self, is either going to be a masterpiece of gripping social commentary or something that’s cringe-worthy. I’m not even gonna front. I can’t wait to find out.
Imaginary
When Jessica (DeWanda Wise of the “She’s Gotta Have It” remake) moves back into her childhood home with her family, her youngest stepdaughter Alice develops an eerie attachment to a stuffed bear named Chauncey she finds in the basement. Alice starts playing games with Chauncey that begin playful yet become bizarre and sinister. When Jessica intervenes to deal with Alice’s concerning behavior changes, they all realize Chauncey is much more than a stuffed toy bear.
Lovely, Dark, and Deep
Lennon, a new back-country ranger, travels alone through the dangerous wilderness, hoping to uncover the origins of a tragedy that has haunted her since childhood.
Magazine Dreams
Killian Maddox (Jonathan Majors), who lives with his ailing veteran grandfather, works out obsessively between court-mandated therapy sessions and his part-time J-O-B at a grocery store where he’s crushing on one of the cashiers. Though Killian’s volatile temper and sense of disconnection amid a hostile, racist world makes life a daily battle, he presses on toward his dream of becoming a bodybuilding superstar, ignoring warnings from doctors about the permanent damage his quest is causing his body. With Majors’ legal woes, many aren’t sure if the movie will be released or not. But if it is, 2024 will be the year.
Mufasa: The Lion King
Barry Jenkins, Academy Award-winning director of “Moonlight” and “If Beale Street Could Talk,” is bringing his talented to the animated side of the tracks with this December’s prequel to “The Lion King” – “Mufasa: The Lion King.” Reprising their roles from that 2019 live-action version will be Seth Rogen, Billy Eichner, and John Kani, with “Genius: MLK/X” stars Aaron Pierre and Kelvin Harrison Jr. cast as younger versions of Mufasa and his brother Scar, respectively. This will most certainly be high on the Black Christmas movie viewing things to check out.
Outlaw Posse
It’s 1908, and Chief (Mario Van Peeples) has returned from years of hiding in Mexico to claim stolen reparations gold hidden in the hills of Montana. Chief, however, is being chased by Angel, whose lust for that same gold leaves a trail of dead bodies. And with powers and principalities aligned against him, Chief lives by the code, “When the laws are unjust, the just become outlaws.”
Parallel
This sister who starred in “Till” (Danielle Deadwyler) takes center stage in this movie as Vanessa, a mother grief-stricken after the loss of her child. Vanessa takes refuge at a lake house only to be met with an aberration of herself from a parallel universe and realizes the multiverse gates hold the key to releasing her grief or trapping her forever.
The Piano Lessons
Like father, like son. John David Washington takes the lead in “The Piano Lesson,” a movie adaptation of August Wilson’s 1987 play of the same name. You may recall Washington’s father (Denzel) starred in another film adaptation of an August Wilson work “Fences” in 2016. This moie is truly a family affair ad Denzel is one of the producers, and his son Malcolm Washington is making his directorial and screenwriting debut with this movie which also stars Samuel L. Jackson, Danielle Deadwyler, Ray Fisher, Erykah Badu, and Corey Hawkins — a few of whom are reprising roles from the 2022 stage production.
Shirley
Coming to Netflix in March is the biopic Shirley. Regina King stars in this one as Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman to be elected to congress, and first Black person to make a serious run for POTUS in 1972, the run that this film covers. Other cast members include Terrence Howard, André Holland, Lucas Hedges and the late Lance Reddick in one of his final roles. In this political season when more and more young sisters and brothers are questioning the validity of voting, this film may be right on time.
We Grown Now
Two young Black boys, best friends Malik and Eric, discover the joys and hardships of growing up in the sprawling Cabrini-Green public housing complex in 1992 Chicago.
Wait, there’s more…
Here are some other movies to check out: “The Kitchen,” “I.S.S.,” “Exhibiting Forgiveness,” “The Book of Clarence,” “The Color Purple,” “Flint Strong,” “Kemba,” “Beverly Hills Cop: Alex F,” “Wicked,” “American Dream: The 21 Savge Story,” “A Quiet Place: Day One,” and “Bad Boys 4.”
