Christmas movies are seemingly endless (with more coming out every holiday), but what are the about Black-led holiday movies?
Black representation in Christmas flicks is slowly rising.
Now we have streaming originals like Netflix’s Jingle Jangle and a growing arsenal of Hallmark flicks.
But with all these available options and little time, what Black-led holiday movies should you watch?
Don’t worry; this list breaks down all the essential flicks.
Friday After Next
Release Year: 2002
Genre: Comedy
Cast: Ice Cube, John Witherspoon, Mike Epps, Don “D.C.” Curry, Anna Maria Horsford, Clifton Powell
Let’s kick things off with something more naughty than nice.
Friday After Next is the third film in Ice Cube’s cult trilogy.
The film follows Craig and Day-Day (played by Ice Cube and Mike Epps, respectively) as they hunt a Santa who’s broken into their store and stolen all their gifts and rent money.
The cousins take extreme measures to recover their rent money.
The Best Man Holiday
Release Year: 2013
Platform: Tubi
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Cast: Morris Chestnut, Taye Diggs, Regina Hall, Terrence Howard, Sanaa Lathan, Nia Long, Melissa De Sousa, Harold Perrineau
It’s hard to believe that The Best Man Holiday is already a decade old–the film still feels fresh.
The sequel to 1999’s classic The Best Man, it’s perfect in almost every way.
The main cast returns, and though they are older, they still grapple with old and new issues–all taking place during the holidays.
The Best Man Holiday is among the sweetest Black-led holiday movies if you like laughing and don’t mind shedding a tear or two.
The Preacher’s Wife
Release Year: 1996
Platform: Tubi
Genre: Romance, Comedy
Cast: Whitney Houston, Denzel Washington, Courtney B. Vance, Justin Pierre Edmund, Gregory Hines, Jenifer Lewis, Loretta Devine
The Preacher’s Wife is one of the greatest Black-led holiday movies from the 90s.
With a stellar cast that includes Denzel Washington and the late Whitney Houston, the film follows an angel called Dudley who’s sent to Earth to help Rev. Henry Biggs revive his church and his marriage.
However, something unexpected happens: he falls for Biggs’ wife, Julia.
The Preacher’s Wife is a sweetly uplifting film with a moving soundtrack that went three times platinum and remains the best-selling gospel album ever.
Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey
Release Year: 2020
Platform: Netflix
Genre: Comedy, Musical, Fantasy
Cast: Forest Whitaker, Madalen Mills, Keegan-Michael Key, Hugh Bonneville, Anika Noni Rose, Phylicia Rashad, Lisa Davina Phillip, Ricky Martin
Jingle Jangle is a modern Christmas classic and one of the must-watch Christmas holiday movies for the whole family.
It follows toymaker Jeronicus Jangle, who loses joy when his apprentice steals his favorite invention.
Years later, Jeronicus teams up with his granddaughter to retrieve the invention, embarking on a magical adventure that will bring back his Christmas spirit.
This Christmas
Release Year: 2007
Platform: Peacock
Genre: Comedy
Cast: Idris Elba, Chris Brown, Delroy Lindo, Loretta Devine, Columbus Short, Regina King, Keith Robinson, Laz Alonso, Sharon Leal, Lauren London, Mekhi Phifer
This Christmas is among the most star-studded Black-led holiday movies, with a cast that includes Idris Elba, Chris Brown, Regina King, and more.
The movie follows the Whitfield family, who meet for Christmas for the first time in four years.
These Black-Led Holiday Movies Are Fantastic
Watch these incredible Black-led holiday movies this Christmas, and you’ll have a good time.
From magical adventures to family comedies, they will make your holiday season much more special.
