2025 proved that Black storytellers are not just showing up—they’re delivering. From gripping thrillers to laugh-out-loud comedies and genre-bending experiments, Black directors are giving us stories that deserve to be seen, discussed, and supported.
READ: Saying Goodbye: TV Shows Canceled or Ending in 2025
This list isn’t just a roundup of what’s “buzzing”—it’s a reminder. A reminder to show up for the work being made by Black filmmakers. Watch these films. Sit with them. Talk about them. Share what you loved—or what didn’t land for you. But give them that chance. Give them your eyes, your thoughts, your conversations.
Because community support means more than just clapping at the premiere. It’s about being part of the ecosystem that allows these stories to keep getting made. So here’s your watchlist: movies from Black directors and released in 2025 that deserve your time and attention. At least once.
Let’s keep the conversation (and support) going.
Hedda
A modern reimagining of Henrik Ibsen’s classic play, Hedda Gabler, it follows Hedda Tesman as she grapples with a stifling marriage and repressed desires, which lead to manipulation and betrayal over the course of one night.
Director/Writer: Nia DaCosta
Cast: Tessa Thompson, Imogen Poots, Tom Bateman, Nicholas Pinnock, Nina Hoss
Love, Brooklyn
Love, Brooklyn follows Roger, a writer struggling with both his personal relationships and the rapid changes in his Brooklyn neighborhood. He is caught between his ex, an art gallery owner, and his new love, a widowed-single mother named Nicole. The film explores modern romance, friendship, and the complex feelings of gentrification as the characters grapple with their pasts and futures.
Director: Rachel Abigail Holder
Writer: Paul Zimmerman
Cast: André Holland, Nicole Beharie, DeWanda Wise, Roy Wood Jr.
Ruth & Boaz
Ruth Moably (Serayah McNeill), a rising Atlanta hip-hop artist, retreats from fame after losing her boyfriend and moves to rural Tennessee to care for her surrogate mother-in-law, Naomi (Phylicia Rashad). There, she bonds with vineyard owner Bo Astra (Tyler Lepley), and their friendship grows into a healing love—until her past threatens their happiness.
Director: Alanna Brown
Writer: Michael Elliot, Cory Tynan
Cast: Serayah McNeill, Tyler Lepley, Phylicia Rashad
40 Acres
A post-apocalyptic thriller that follows a former soldier who defends her family’s inherited farm in a world devastated by plague, facing cannibalistic raiders.
Director: R.T. Thorne
Writers: R.T. Thorne, Glenn Taylor, and Lora Campbell
Cast: Danielle Deadwyler, Michael Greyeyes, Kataem O’Connor, Jaeda LeBlanc, Milcania Diaz-Rojas, Leenah Robinson
The Knife
Chris, a Black construction worker, is building a stable life for his family until a mysterious woman is found unconscious in their home with a knife. As Detective Carlsen’s investigation casts suspicion on them, the family must protect their secrets, with devastating consequences.
Director: Nnamdi Asomugha
Writer: Nnamdi Asomugha/Mark Duplass
Cast: Nnamdi Asomugha, Melissa Leo, Aja Naomi King, Manny Jacinto
Highest 2 Lowest
The film is about a powerful music mogul who is the target of a ransom plot, forcing him to confront a life-or-death moral decision. The story is a modern retelling of Akira Kurosawa’s High and Low, set on the streets of New York City.
Director: Spike Lee
Writer: Alan Fox
Cast: Denzel Washington, Jeffrey Wright, Ilfenesh Hadera, ASAP Rocky
The Man in My Basement
A psychological thriller about Charles Blakey, who is about to lose his ancestral home when a mysterious businessman, Anniston Bennet, offers him a lucrative deal to rent his basement. The mysterious arrangement forces Blakey to confront his family’s past and delve into a dark psychological mystery
Director: Nadia Latif
Writer: Nadia Latif, Walter Mosley
Cast: Corey Hawkins, Willem Dafoe, Anna Diop, Tamara Lawrance
Finding Joy
Joy, a New York fashion designer, feels overshadowed at work and unlucky in love. Following her crush Colton to Colorado for the holidays, she hopes for a romantic breakthrough, but instead faces a shocking betrayal. A snowstorm leaves her stranded, leading to a chance encounter with a local man named Ridge, which transforms her perspective on life and love. The story explores themes of resilience, faith, and discovering joy in unexpected places.
Director/Writer: Tyler Perry
Cast: Shannon Thornton, Tosin Morohunfola, Brittany S. Hall, Inayah, Aaron O’Connell
The Pickup
A routine cash pickup goes haywire for armored truck drivers Russell (Eddie Murphy) and Travis (Pete Davidson) when they’re ambushed by criminal mastermind Zoe (Keke Palmer), forcing the mismatched duo into a chaotic chase filled with danger and clashing personalities.
Director: Tim Story
Writer: Matt Mider, Kevin Burrows
Cast: Eddie Murphy, Pete Davidson, Eva Longoria, Jack Kesy, Roman Reigns, Marshawn Lynch, Andrew Dice Clay, Keke Palmer
Trouble Man
Jaxen (Michael Jai White), a former cop who now works as an Atlanta private investigator, is hired to find the missing R&B star, Jahari. As he investigates her disappearance, he uncovers a larger conspiracy that forces him to question those around him and his own past.
Director: Michael Jai White
Writer: Michael Stradford
Cast: Michael Jai White, Method Man, Mike Epps, Gillian White, Orlando Jones, La La Anthony
To Live and Die and Live
The film centers on Muhammad (Amin Joseph), a Hollywood director who returns to his hometown of Detroit to attend the funeral for his stepfather. While there, he navigates the funeral’s Islamic rituals, settles his stepfather’s affairs, and is forced to confront his own issues with addiction and mental health. He reconnects with old relationships and must contend with the emotional and psychological toll of his past and the city’s underbelly.
Director: Qasim Basir
Writer: Qasim Basir
Cast: Amin Joseph, Skye P. Marshall, Omari Hardwick, Cory Hardrict, Dana Gourrier, Maryam Basir, Samantha Tanner
The Old Guard 2
The film picks up after the events of the first movie, with the team of immortal warriors continuing their mission to protect humanity. Andy (Charlize Theron) is grappling with her newfound mortality when a mysterious and formidable threat emerges in the form of the first-ever immortal, Discord (Uma Thurman). Meanwhile, the long-lost Quynh (Veronica Van) has escaped her underwater prison and is out for revenge. The team must also deal with Booker’s (Matthias Schoenaerts) betrayal and enlist the help of Tuah (Henry Golding), an old friend who might hold the key to understanding the nature of their existence.
Director: Victoria Mahoney
Writers: Greg Rucka and Sarah L. Walker, based on the graphic novel series written by Rucka and illustrated by Leandro Fernández.
Cast: Charlize Theron, KiKi Layne, Matthias Schoenaerts, Marwan Kenzari, Luca Marinelli, Vân Veronica Ngô, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Uma Thurman, Henry Golding
Mya’s House
Mya buys her first home and, during a housewarming party, invites an old high school friend, Nicholas “Nick” Thomas. This seemingly innocent gesture rekindles Nick’s fixation on Mya and brings her deepest, long-buried secrets to light. As Nick insidiously infiltrates her life, Mya finds herself in a terrifying fight for survival, forced to choose between her past and her present while confronting her lies. The film is described as a blend of suspense, mystery, and shocking twists.
Director/Writer: Jahmar Hill
Cast: Yahne Coleman, Nick Mangino, Jahmar Hill, Heidy Javier
Straw
The film follows Janiyah Wiltkinson, a single mother with a chronically ill daughter, who is pushed to her breaking point over 24 hours. After a series of unfortunate events, she finds herself under suspicion for a crime she never meant to commit. The story explores themes of survival, sacrifice, motherhood, and the harsh judgment of society, particularly for those on the margins.
Director/Writer: Tyler Perry
Cast: Taraji P. Henson, Sherri Shepherd, Teyana Taylor, Sinbad, Glynn Turman, Rockmond Dunbar, Mike Merrill
Hierarchy
Two adoptive brothers, Stone and Reach, who become entangled in a dangerous heist while being pursued by a foreign mafia and law enforcement.
Director: Russell K. Reed
Writer: Chiderah Uzowulu
Cast: Chiderah Uzowulu, Xavier Alvarado, Jenny Frame, Dylan Winters, and Ruben Javier Caballero
Sinners
Trying to leave their troubled lives behind, twin brothers return to their Mississippi hometown to start again, only to discover that an even greater evil is waiting to welcome them back.
Director: Ryan Coogler
Writer: Ryan Coogler
Cast: Michael B. Jordan, Delroy Lindo, Hailee Steinfield, Miles Caton, Jayme Lawson, Wunmi Mosaku, Jack O’Connell, Omar Benson Miller, and more
Sneaks
An animated heist adventure that follows a group of lost sneakers who band together on a mission to find their missing “sole-mate.” Set in the streets of New York, it’s a heart-filled and stylish story about identity, friendship, and finding your path.
Director: Rob Edwards, Chris Jenkins
Writer: Rob Edwards
Cast: Anthony Mackie, Laurence Fishburne, Chloe Bailey, Martin Lawrence, Lil Rel Howery, and more
Desire: A Temptations Story
It follows Kendra, a high-profile talk show host who seems to have it all—until life hits her with the sudden loss of her mother. Encouraged to take time off to heal, Kendra escapes on a solo vacation… but instead of rest, she finds romance in the form of Malcolm
Director: Robert Adetuyi
Writer: Kate Green
Cast: Tasha Smith, Adrian Holmes, Jamall Johnson, Millan Tesfazgi, Miranda Edwards, Everick Golding, Requell Jodeah, and Diana Pavlovská,
Give Me Back My Daughter
Gabourey Sidibe stars as Renee, a single mother doing her best to stay afloat. After losing her job, she and her daughter Imani (played by newcomer Cadence Reese) are evicted and left homeless. Determined to stay independent, Renee refuses public assistance—but when she leaves Imani in the car during a job interview, things spiral fast. She’s arrested, and Child Protective Services takes her daughter.
The story follows Renee’s harrowing journey through the family court system as she fights to get Imani back, learns to lean on others, and discovers that strength doesn’t always mean doing everything alone.
Director: Kelley Kali
Writer: Xavier Burgin
Cast: Cadence Reese, Walnette Santiago, Sean Anthony Baker, and Myles Truitt
Not My Family: The Monique Smith Story
Monique Smith always felt like something was off. Raised in an abusive household, she spent her childhood longing for love and safety. But when she became a mother herself, those lingering feelings of displacement turned into an urgent need for answers.
Her search for official documents—like a birth certificate and social security card—only deepened the mystery. Determined to uncover the truth, Monique embarked on a decades-long journey, turning to DNA testing, questioning relatives, and piecing together a reality more shocking than she ever imagined.
Director: Tailiah Breon
Writer: Sylvia Jones
Cast: Yaya DaCosta, Robert Hamilton III, Solace Kimbro Jones, Kadeem Isaiah, Morgan-Rose Jordan, and Djassi DaCosta Johnson
Single Black Female 3: The Final Chapter
After being wrongfully convicted of murder, Monica (Raven Goodwin) has finally been exonerated—but freedom comes at a price. Though the charges against her have been dropped, the stain of suspicion lingers, and reclaiming her life, her career, and the trust of those around her is proving to be an uphill battle. Meanwhile, the real threat has yet to vanish. Simone (Amber Riley), now a fugitive, has fled to a convent in Mexico, having no choice but to abandon Houston, along with the one thing she truly cared about—her daughter, Joy (Kennedy Chanel). When a terrifying nightmare shakes her to the core, Simone becomes convinced Joy is in danger and returns to Houston, for a final reckoning between the estranged half-sisters. It’s only a matter of time before old grudges resurface and Monica and Simone come face-to-face. K. Michelle reprises her role as Monica’s best friend Bebe.
Director: Keena Ferguson
Writer: Sa’Rah Jones, Sarah L. Jones, Tessa Evelyn Scott
Magazine Dreams
Magazine Dreams follows aspiring bodybuilder Killian Maddox (Majors), who struggles to find human connection in this exploration of celebrity and violence. Nothing deters him from his fiercely protected dream of superstardom, not even the doctors who warn him of the permanent damage he causes to himself with his quest.
Director/Writer: Elijah Bynum
Cast:Jonathan Majors, Haley Bennett, Taylour Paige, Mike O’Hearn, Harrison Page, Harriet Sansom Harris
On Becoming a Guinea Fowl
A woman stumbles across the body of her uncle on an empty road in the middle of the night. As funeral proceedings begin, secrets of her middle-class Zambian family soon come to light.
Director: Rungano Nyoni
Writer: Rungano Nyoni
Cast: Susan Chardy, Elizabeth Chisela, Henry B.J. Phiri, Roy Chisha, and Blessings Bhamjee
Opus
A young writer (Ayo Edebiri) is invited to the remote compound of a legendary pop star (John Malkovich) who mysteriously disappeared thirty years ago. Surrounded by the star’s cult of sycophants and intoxicated journalists, she finds herself in the middle of his twisted plan.
Director: Mark Anthony Green
Writer: Mark Anthony Green
Cast: Ayo Edebiri, John Malkovich, Juliette Lewis, Murray Bartlett, Amber Midthunder, Stephanie Suganami, Young Mazino, Tatanka Means
Darwin
A group of thieves, that prey on the affluent millennial society, gets more than they bargained for, when they encounter an adversary more formidable than they could’ve imagined.
Director: Aaron Abdin, Ali Abdin
Writer: Aaron Abdin, Ali Abdin
Cast: Danielle LaRoach, Keraun Harris, Martin Bats Bradford
Ash
On a distant planet, an astronaut wakes up to find the entire crew of her space station has been killed. Riya has no memory of herself or of the situation in which she finds herself, jogged by only quick, nightmarish flashes of her partners and their mission. Feeling paranoid, she must decide if she can trust the man, whom she supposedly knows, sent to rescue her after he received a distress signal from her location.
Director: Flying Lotus
Writer: Jonni Remmler
Cast: Flying Lotus, Eiza González, Aaron Paul, Iko Uwais, Beulah Koale, Kate Elliott
Terry McMillan Presents: His, Hers, and Ours
Blending love, family, and second chances, His, Hers, and Ours follows a couple navigating the challenges of building a life together while balancing the dynamics of a blended family. With Terry McMillan’s signature wit and heartfelt storytelling, the film explores how love endures through compromise, connection, and resilience.
DIrector: Patricia Cuffie-Jones
Cast: Taye Diggs, Lesley-Ann Brandt, Aimee Garcia
Madea’s Destination Wedding
Madea’s nephew Brian and his ex-wife Debrah are shocked when their daughter Tiffany gets engaged to rapper Zavier after just two weeks. The Bahamas wedding draws Madea in with the promise of an open bar, but once the family arrives, strange behavior and a suspicious cash gift raise doubts about the rushed marriage, leading to comedic chaos and family drama.
Director/Writer: Tyler Perry
Cast: Tyler Perry, Cassi Davis Patton, David Mann, Tamela Mann, Taja V. Simpson, Diamond White
Fame: A Temptations Story
The film follows superstar sisters Cherish and Roxy Jordan, whose glamorous life hides a simmering rivalry. When their penthouse is targeted in a jewel heist—and investigators suspect an inside job—trust between them unravels. As paranoia and ambition rise, the sisters must confront whether fame will keep them together or tear them apart.
Director: Robert Adetuyi
Writer: Andrea Shawcross, Annmarie Morais, and Jane Espenson
Cast: Keri Hilson, Keshia Chanté, Romeo Miller, Ecstasia Sanders, Nathan Witte, Veronica Long, Reese Alexander, and Sophie Carriere
Eric Jerome Dickey’s Friends and Lovers (Two-Part Event)
Based on Eric Jerome Dickey’s bestselling novel, this two-part drama follows Debra (Naturi Naughton), a driven doctor, and Shelby (Simone Missick), her free-spirited best friend, whose lives become intertwined with Leonard (Kendrick Sampson), a rising comedian, and Tyrese (RonReaco Lee), his loyal best friend. As love blossoms and passions flare, tragedy strikes, forcing the four to confront betrayal, forgiveness, and the meaning of chosen family.
Cast: Naturi Naughton, Simone Missick, Kendrick Sampson, RonReaco Lee
Director: D’Angela Proctor
Tyler Perry’s Duplicity
High-powered attorney Marley (Kat Graham) tackles her most personal case when she investigates the shooting of her best friend Fela’s (Meagan Tandy) husband (Joshua Adeyeye). With help from her boyfriend (Tyler Lepley), a former cop turned private investigator, Marley navigates a dangerous web of deception and betrayal.
Director: Tyler Perry
Writer: Tyler Perry
Cast: Kat Graham, RonReaco Lee, Meagan Tandy, Tyler Lepley, Joshua Adeyeye
Captain America: Brave New World | Feb 14
Director: Julius Onah
Writer: Julius Onah, Peter Glanz, Matthew Orton
Cast:Anthony Mackie, Danny Ramirez, Shira Haas, Carl Lumbly, Xosha Roquemore, Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson, Giancarlo Esposito, Tim Blake Nelson, Harrison
Following the election of Thaddeus Ross as the president of the United States, Sam Wilson finds himself at the center of an international incident and must work to stop the true masterminds behind it.
One of Them Days
When best friends and roommates Dreux and Alyssa discover Alyssa’s boyfriend has blown their rent money, the duo finds themselves going to extremes in a race against the clock to avoid eviction and keep their friendship intact.
Director: Lawrence Lamont
Writer:
Cast:Keke Palmer, SZA, Vanessa Bell Calloway, Katt Williams, Joshua Neal, Aziza Scott, Patrick Cage, Dewayne Perkins, Amin Joseph, Gabrielle Dennis, Dominque Perry, Lil Rel Howery, Janelle James, Keyla Monterroso Mejia, Maude Apatow,
Memes & Nightmares
The mockumentary follows Josiah Johnson, the “king” of NBA Twitter, and Jamel Johnson, no relation, for a “buddy cop” investigative premise that is as silly as it is hilarious: what would happen if one of the most popular memes from NBA Twitter, aptly named “J.R. Smith squints,” disappeared from the internet?
Director: Charles Todd, Matt Mitchener
Both Eyes Open
Both Eyes Open follows Ally (played by Bean), a woman seeking a fresh start after leaving an abusive relationship. Her recovery is disrupted by hallucinations of her abuser and mysterious messages that hint he may still be nearby. As the cryptic signs intensify, Ally’s reality begins to unravel, leading her to a shocking revelation much closer to home.
Director/Writer: Ariel Julia Hairston
Cast: Gail Bean, Taye Diggs, Joy Brunson, Christie Leverette, Mack Wilds, Michael Oloyede, Carla Fisher
Meet the Khumalos
Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned! Meet Grace Khumalo – her perfect world is thrown off balance when her high school arch rival, Bongi Sithole moves into her elite Umhlanga suburb, right next door! The two arch-enemies are forced to work together as they discover their children have fallen in love! They must move quickly to break them up!
Director: Jayan Moodley
Writer: Wendy Gumede, Gillian Breslin
Cast: Ayanda Borotho, Bonga Dlamini, Nandipa Khubone, Connie Chiume, Khosi Ngema, Khanyi Mbau, J-Flo
Star Trek: Section 31
Emperor Philippa Georgiou joins Section 31, a secret division of Starfleet tasked with protecting the United Federation of Planets, and must face the sins of her past.
Director: Olatunde Osunsanmi
Writer:Craig Sweeny
Cast: Michelle Yeoh, Omari Hardwick, Kacey Rohl, Sam Richardson, Sven Ruygrok, Robert Kazinsky, Humberly Gonzalez, James Hiroyuki Liao
Black Heat
One night, two parents, out of options, infiltrate a top level drug dealer/pimp’s apartment complex to rescue their teenage daughter.
Director: Wes Miller
Writer: Wes Miller
Cast: Jason Mitchell, NLE Choppa, Johnny Messner, Dreamdoll
Mary J. Blige’s Family Affair
The story follows Kendra (Ajiona Alexus) and Ben (Da’Vinchi) as they move out of the city, facing challenges with family tensions, fertility issues, and Kendra’s relationship with Ben’s son, Miles. The movie premiered on January 25, 2025, and is the third installment inspired by Mary J. Blige’s music.
Director: Troy Scott
Writer: Rachel Ingram
Sugar Baby
It follows Jade (Christina Cooper), a young woman struggling to stay afloat after her boyfriend and primary support system, Anthony (Lance Gross), is sent to prison. To regain stability, she enters a relationship with an older, wealthy man who provides financial security. However, when Anthony is unexpectedly released, Jade is forced to make a difficult decision between the life she once had and the one she has built for herself.
Director: Jamal Hill
Writer: Shaun Sinclair
Cast: Lance Gross, Christina Cooper, T.J. Atoms, Teresa Celeste, Trey Dawson, J. Barrett Cooper, Lawrence Clark-Bey, Ciera Angelia, Maui Kai Malone, Efrangeliz Medina, Hauke Bahr, Alina Williams, Nikki Dixon, Pierce Lackey, Veon Selman
Operation: Aunties
After an attempted trafficking incident affects her family, blockchain expert Dr. Carol Cleavers discovers a dark web trafficking ring that targets women through a rideshare app. When the authorities move too slowly, Cleavers recruits her retired detective friend, Sharon O’Hara, and her hacker-genius niece, Aminah, to become cyber-age vigilantes and bring the criminals to justice.
Director: Wendy Raquel Robinson
Cast: Melissa De Sousa, Tisha Campbell, Amiyah Scott, Kaye Singleton, Maurice “Thor” Johnson, Matt Medrano, Drea Kelly, Alexey Vladimir del Castillo, Tony DeMil