The ’90s evokes a feeling of freedom, nostalgia and bliss for a lot of millennials and even some Gen Z. So what better thing to do on a cozy evening than to binge watch some ’90s Black movies?
The ’90s and early 2000s were perhaps the golden age of Black media. From five-plus season long sitcoms, to tens of movies centering on Black leads a year, the Black entertainment world was being fed generously during this time. This may sound like it is coming from a broken record, but “they really just don’t make movies like that anymore.” There are so many great, Black talents emerging in the industry nowadays as well, but sometimes it just feels good to turn on an old school movie and reminisce on a different time.
Here are 30 ’90s Black movies to watch when you are feeling nostalgic, ranked from one through 10 in each of their respective categories, based off of their Rotten tomatoes audience scores.
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10. The Nutty Professor (1996)
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 44%
Eddie Murphy stars in this remake of the classic Jerry Lewis film, playing multiple roles, including the overweight and lovable Professor Sherman Klump. Klump, a brilliant but morbidly obese scientist, creates a potion that transforms him into the slim, suave and obnoxious Buddy Love. The film is a hilarious and heartwarming exploration of self-acceptance, identity and the importance of inner character over outward appearance, with Eddie Murphy’s transformative performances at the forefront.
9. Mo’ Money (1992)
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 51%
Mo’ Money is a 1992 comedy film starring Damon Wayans and Marlon Wayans. The movie revolves around a con artist who lands a job at a credit card company and becomes involved in a complex scheme that leads to a series of humorous and unexpected twists.
8. Booty Call (1997)
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 59%
Booty Call is a 1997 comedy film starring Jamie Foxx and Tommy Davidson. The movie follows the misadventures of two friends who embark on a comically disastrous quest for condoms as they try to secure a romantic evening, leading to a series of outrageous and uproarious situations.
7. Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit (1993)
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 61%
Starring Whoopi Goldberg as Deloris Van Cartier/Sister Mary Clarence, the film sees her returning to her nun persona to help a struggling inner-city Catholic school. Deloris takes over as the music teacher and transforms the unruly students into a talented choir, helping them find their voices while bringing joy and hope to the school. The movie combines humor, music and a heartwarming story of the power of education and music to inspire and uplift young lives.
6. House Party 2 (1991)
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 65%
House Party 2 is a 1991 comedy film and the sequel to the original House Party. Starring Kid ‘n Play, the movie follows the two friends as they head off to college and find themselves navigating a new set of comical and party-filled adventures, including a conflict with a snobbish fraternity.
5. Sister Act (1992)
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 65%
Sister Act is a heartwarming and humorous film that combines elements of comedy and music, as Deloris (played by Whoopi Goldberg) and a convent of nuns come together to create joyful and memorable performances while facing danger from the mob. The film explores themes of friendship, redemption and the power of music to unite diverse individuals.
4. Don’t Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood (1996)
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 80%
This comedy, starring Marlon Wayans and Shawn Wayans, delivers with the laughs. The movie is a hilarious parody of the “hood” and coming-of-age films of the early 1990s. It follows Ashtray (played by Shawn Wayans) as he moves to the tough neighborhood of South Central Los Angeles to live with his father. There, he navigates a series of absurd and over-the-top situations while interacting with various colorful characters, poking fun at the clichés and stereotypes often associated with urban dramas. The film is known for its sharp humor, satirical take on the genre and its ability to both entertain and provide social commentary.
3. House Party (1990)
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 81%
Kid ‘n Play star in this comedy about a teenager’s efforts to have a wild house party while dealing with various ridiculous obstacles. The movie is known for its energetic hip-hop soundtrack, dance sequences and its portrayal of youthful exuberance. It is a coming-of-age comedy that captures the spirit of the early 1990s and has become a cult classic in the realm of teen comedies.
2. Fear of a Black Hat (1993)
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 86%
Fear of a Black Hat is a 1993 mockumentary comedy film directed by Rusty Cundieff. The movie humorously satirizes the rise of gangsta rap by following the fictional rap group N.W.H. (N****z with Hats) as they navigate the music industry, complete with hilarious parodies of real-life hip-hop personalities and controversies.
1. Friday (1995)
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 91%
Starring Ice Cube and Chris Tucker, this film follows two friends in South Central Los Angeles as they navigate a day filled with comedic misadventures. As they hang out on a front porch and navigate various misadventures, they encounter neighborhood characters, deal with drug dealers and get into comical situations. The film combines humor, social commentary and memorable one-liners, making it a classic in the comedy genre.
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10. The Preacher’s Wife (1996)
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 42%
This film follows a charismatic and dedicated preacher, played by Courtney B. Vance, who is struggling to save his church and maintain his relationship with his wife, portrayed by Whitney Houston. An angel, played by Denzel Washington, is sent to help them, leading to a touching and uplifting story of love, faith and the power of miracles during the holiday season.
9. Clockers (1995)
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 74%
Clockers is a 1995 crime drama film directed by Spike Lee. The movie, based on the novel by Richard Price, explores the lives of drug dealers, specifically a low-level drug dealer named Strike, played by Mekhi Phifer, and the moral and social issues surrounding drug addiction, violence and law enforcement in an urban setting.
8. New Jack City (1991)
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 80%
New Jack City is a 1991 crime drama film directed by Mario Van Peebles that is praised for its accurate depiction of drug use in the Black community during the ‘80s. The movie follows the rise and fall of a ruthless drug lord named Nino Brown, played by Wesley Snipes, and the efforts of a dedicated detective, played by Ice-T, to bring him to justice in New York City’s drug-infested neighborhoods.
7. The Inkwell (1994)
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 83%
The Inkwell is a 1994 coming-of-age drama film directed by Matty Rich. Set in the summer of 1976 on Martha’s Vineyard, the movie follows a young Black boy named Drew Tate as he spends time with his family and navigates the challenges of adolescence, love, and self-discovery during a vacation filled with humor, heart and nostalgia. It stars Larenz Tate and Jada Pinkett Smith.
6. The Players Club (1998)
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 85%
The Players Club is a 1998 comedy-drama film written and directed by Ice Cube. The movie follows the life of Lisa (played by LisaRaye McCoy), a young woman who turns to stripping to pay for her college education. As she navigates the world of exotic dancing at a nightclub called The Players Club, she encounters various characters and situations, including the challenges and dangers associated with the profession. The film offers a gritty and sometimes humorous look at the lives of the women working at the club while exploring themes of empowerment, exploitation and ambition.
5. What’s Love Got To Do With It (1993)
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 88%
Angela Bassett delivers an outstanding performance as Tina Turner in this biographical drama about the legendary singer’s tumultuous life and career. The film explores Turner’s journey to escape her abusive relationship with her husband, Ike Turner (played by Laurence Fishburne), her search to find her own voice and ultimately, achieve fame as a solo artist.
4. Eve’s Bayou (1997)
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 89%
Eve’s Bayou is a 1997 Southern Gothic drama film directed by Kasi Lemmons. The movie centers around Eve Batiste, a young girl growing up in a Creole family in the 1960s Louisiana bayou. As she navigates the secrets, complex relationships and mystical traditions of her family, the film offers a mesmerizing and atmospheric exploration of love, betrayal and the blurred lines between reality and mysticism in a richly textured Southern setting.
3. Set It Off (1996)
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 89%
Jada Pinkett Smith, Queen Latifah, Vivica A. Fox and Kimberly Elise star in this heist drama about a group of women who turn to crime to escape their difficult lives. As they embark on their criminal journey, the movie delves into the complexities of their friendships, the consequences of their actions and the challenges they face in a male-dominated criminal world, offering a powerful exploration of the bonds between these strong and determined women.
2. Malcolm X (1992)
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 91%
Malcolm X is a 1992 biographical drama directed by Spike Lee. The movie stars Denzel Washington as the iconic civil rights leader Malcolm X. It chronicles his transformation from a street hustler to a powerful advocate for Black rights, and his impact on the civil rights movement in America.
1. Boyz n the Hood (1991)
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 93%
Boyz n the Hood is a 1991 drama film directed by John Singleton. The movie portrays the lives of three childhood friends growing up in the violent and impoverished neighborhood of South Central Los Angeles, focusing on their struggles, dreams and the harsh realities they face, including gang violence and racial tensions. It stars Cuba Gooding Jr., Ice Cube and Laurence Fishburne.
10 Black Movies With That Good Old ’90s Love
10. Boomerang (1992)
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 59%
Boomerang is a 1992 romantic comedy film starring Eddie Murphy as a successful advertising executive who is known for his womanizing ways. When he meets his match in a confident and independent woman, played by Robin Givens, his views on love and relationships are challenged. This eventually leads to humorous and heartfelt moments of self-discovery.
9. Strictly Business (1991)
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 56%
Halle Berry and Tommy Davidson star in this romantic comedy film directed by Kevin Hooks. The movie follows the misadventures of a young man named Waymon (played by Tommy Davidson), who tries to impress his crush by getting involved in a high-stakes business deal. This leads to a series of humorous and unpredictable situations as he navigates the world of corporate America.
8. How Stella Got Her Groove Back (1998)
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 66%
How Stella Got Her Groove Back is a 1998 romantic drama directed by Kevin Rodney Sullivan. The movie stars Angela Bassett as Stella Payne, a successful but emotionally unfulfilled woman who finds love and rejuvenates her life during a vacation in Jamaica when she meets a much younger man, played by Taye Diggs.
7. A Thin Line Between Love and Hate (1996)
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 77%
A Thin Line Between Love and Hate is a 1996 dark comedy-romance directed by and starring Martin Lawrence. The film revolves around a charming womanizer who happens to be a nightclub promoter. After breaking a woman’s heart, he becomes the target of her dangerous obsession, leading to a series of comically intense and suspenseful situations.
6. Hav Plenty (1997)
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 84%
Hav Plenty is a 1997 romantic comedy film written and directed by Christopher Scott Cherot. The movie tells the story of Lee Plenty, a struggling writer, who unexpectedly spends a weekend with a wealthy and charismatic friend, Havilland Savage, leading to romantic complications and humorous situations. As Lee navigates his feelings and aspirations in the midst of Hav’s extravagant lifestyle, a comedy of errors unfolds.
5. The Best Man (1999)
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 86%
This romantic comedy-drama features an ensemble cast, including Taye Diggs and Nia Long, and revolves around a group of college friends reuniting for a wedding, leading to old flames rekindling and new connections forming, all while secrets and conflicts from their pasts come to the surface.
4. Jason’s Lyric (1994)
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 90%
Jason’s Lyric is a 1994 romantic drama directed by Doug McHenry. The movie follows the story of Jason (played by Allen Payne), a young man from a troubled family who falls in love with Lyric (played by Jada Pinkett Smith), a woman from a more stable background. The movie traces the challenges of their pasts and desire to build a better future together.
3. The Wood (1999)
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 92%
The Wood is a 1999 coming-of-age comedy-drama film directed by Rick Famuyiwa. The movie follows the adventures of three childhood friends as they reminisce about their teenage years, particularly one unforgettable night during a wedding ceremony. The movie explores themes of friendship, love and growing up in Inglewood, California.
2. Love & Basketball (2000)
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 95%
Though released in 2000, this film captures the spirit of the 1990s and stars Sanaa Lathan and Omar Epps as childhood friends and basketball players as they navigate the challenges of their careers, relationships and personal ambitions while growing up together in Los Angeles.
1. Love Jones (1997)
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 97%
Love Jones is a 1997 romantic drama film directed by Theodore Witcher. The movie follows the passionate and sometimes tumultuous love affair between two young artists, Darius (played by Larenz Tate) and Nina (played by Nia Long), as they navigate the ups and downs of romance and creativity in Chicago’s vibrant arts scene.
