It’s the season of love, and what better way to enjoy it than with Black romantic movies?
Whether single or in a relationship, these movies celebrate Black love and will make your Valentine’s Day special by pulling at your heartstrings.
The Best Man (1999)
Cast: Taye Diggs, Morris Chestnut, Nia Long, Regina Hall
When “The Best Man” came out, no one thought it would become a trilogy, with each part as good as the others.
In 1999, “The Best Man” made us laugh, cry, and fall in love.
The movie follows college friends who plan a reunion when one of them, Lance, marries his fiance Mia.
However, drama ensues when his best man Harper realizes his upcoming novel–about his tryst with Mia–will endanger their friendship and Lance’s marriage.
Love And Basketball (2000)
Cast: Sanaa Lathan, Omar Epps, Regina Hall, Gabrielle Union
“Love And Basketball” features a legendary cast who were still rising stars.
The movie follows Monica and Quincy, childhood friends who dreamed of becoming pro basketball players.
They fall in love and start dating, but their time at USC strains their relationship.
Later, the pair drift apart.
But will their love of each other and basketball bring them back together?
Boomerang (1992)
Cast: Eddie Murphy, Halle Berry, Robin Givens, Chris Rock
Marcus is a successful ad executive and a notorious playboy, chauvinist, and womanizer.
He has more women than he can handle and is proud of it.
However, he meets his new boss Jacqueline and falls for her.
There’s one problem: Jacqueline is more of a player than he is, and she treats Marcus the way he treats women.
To add to the complications, Marcus also sees his coworker Angela in a new light and starts falling for her.
What Men Want (2019)
Cast: Taraji P. Henson, Aldis Hodge, Erykah Badu, Tracy Morgan
A gender-swapped remake of “What Women Want,” this movie follows Taraji P. Henson’s character, sports agent Ali Davis.
Navigating a male-dominated industry is not easy, and she constantly feels the crushing weight of sexism and discrimination.
Ali visits a shaman who makes her a concoction that changes her life: she can hear men’s thoughts.
With this gift, Ali outwits the men in her industry and starts a romance with the local bartender she has a crush on, Will.
However, will things remain rosy, or is there trouble ahead for Ali?
Queen & Slim (2019)
Cast: Daniel Kaluuya, Jodie Turner-Smith
If you’re in the mood for a darker romantic tale to watch on Valentine’s Day, “Queen & Slim” is among the most intense Black romantic movies.
It follows Queen and Slim, who are on a first date that’s going well.
That is until the cops stop them.
They have an altercation and kill the cop in self-defense.
However, they know how bad this looks–a Black couple killing a white cop.
So, they go on the run, becoming outlaws.
The movie is romantic, intense, dramatic, and tear-jerking.
Bring your Kleenex for this one.
Love Jones (1997)
Cast: Nia Long, Larenz Tate, Bernadette L. Clarke
Nina is an aspiring photographer who meets poet and screenwriter Darius at a nightclub.
They have instant chemistry and start dating.
However, trouble comes in the form of an ex: Nina’s old flame wants them to patch things up.
Things go from bad to worse in a whirlwind of a romantic comedy-drama.
“Love Jones” is among the most real Black romantic movies, offering an unusually mature look at relationships and forgoing the stereotypical happy ending for something honest.
Spice Up Your Valentine’s Day With These Black Romantic Movies
Black romantic movies come out each year and are plentiful.
However, the great ones stand the test of time.
You should mark those movies for this Valentine’s Day, whether you’re watching them alone, with friends, or with someone special.
