I, like many others, am a sucker for a good romance and love story around Valentine’s Day season, especially when it comes to films about Black love. There is something about watching a romantic comedy or drama centered on Black people finding and falling in love. From timeless classics to modern-day gems, these films capture the unique nuances of being Black while trying to find the right one. This article spotlights essential films that center on Black people finding love.
Although there have been many films about Black people falling in love, this list of movies represents Black people loving themselves and loving one another without being attached to some heavy trauma or hardships. Each of these films centers on Black people in their own love stories, fostering love with one another, self-care, or their community. From heartwarming meet-cute, a story about childhood friends falling in love, to the magnetic pull of opposites attracting, each film captures the richness of Black stories, bonds, and relationships.
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10. Southside with You
Southside with You is a biographical romance drama about Barack Obama and Michelle Robinson’s first date in Southside Chicago in 1989. The film not only offers a charming and insightful retelling of the Obamas’ relationship and their aspirations before becoming President and First Lady of the United States. The film takes some liberties, but it still feels like a time capsule that allows audiences to peek into a more vulnerable part of Barack and Michelle’s lives. I also appreciated the filmmakers’ approach to portraying Chicago in a beautiful and charming light. Plus, the ice cream scene at the end melted my heart and made me believe in love again.
9. Jumping the Broom
Two Black families from vastly different backgrounds clash when their children prepare to tie the knot. Hilarity ensues as tensions between the families’ matriarchs rise and secrets get revealed. Jumping the Broom feels essential as a Black love story because it touches on examining classism from a Black lens and how Black people can hold prejudice towards one another. The film also focuses on the cultural clashes and family dynamics within the Black community.
8. Rye Lane
Rye Lane is a British romantic comedy that follows two young twenty-somethings, Dom and Yas, who cross paths at an art exhibit and form a connection. Both have been through bad breakups and connected over an eventful, fun day in South London. While relatively recent, this film is a refreshing addition to Black love stories as a heartwarming and witty tale about moving on and being open to new beginnings. With charming and relatable leading characters, captivating cinematography, and a bold original story, this movie is perfect for anyone seeking inspiration after a breakup or needing to feel reinvigorated about love again.
7. The Photograph
The Photograph, starring LaKeith Stanfield and Issa Rae, is a tale that intertwines two love stories, one in the present day and the other in the past. Mae and Michael cross paths after a photograph from Mae’s recently deceased mother’s past connects them. This film explores the complexities of family, ambition, and vulnerability. The Photograph is an excellent film for its beautiful cinematography. It’s an example of how love can go beyond distances.
6. Entergalactic
The adult animation rom-com tells the story of Jabari and Meadow as they progress from neighbors and friends to lovers, all while balancing space for a new relationship while opening themselves to love. Entergalactic captures the nuances of being Black and falling in love while trying to navigate and balance a relationship within current societal expectations. This film also represents Black romantic narratives and explores themes relevant to Black experiences like identity. Not to mention, the beautiful animation and character designs make this film stand out.
5. Last Holiday
Last Holiday centers on Georgia Byrd (played by Queen Latifah), a shy woman who, after learning that she has a terminal illness, decides she wants to start living her life to the fullest. Georgia takes the holiday of her dreams and finds adventure and unexpected love. Although the romance in this film is secondary, Georgia’s decision to start living her life for herself is an excellent example of self-love. It is also beautiful that this film features a plus-sized Black woman in the leading role, being pursued and desired without making her weight the butt of the joke.
4. Deliver Us from Eva
Three men pay a “master player” $5,000 to date and distract their controlling, nagging sister-in-law, Eva. Their plan has a rough start at first. Unbeknownst to them, they have set Eva up with her perfect match. Unfortunately, Eva’s budding relationship brings more stress and trouble into the men’s lives as their significant others compare their relationships to Eva’s. Watching Eva’s character let down her guard and soften her approach as she fell in love was endearing and sweet. I also love how the film is essential for its comedic take on relationships, family dynamics, and being open to love.
3. Brown Sugar
In Brown Sugar, childhood friends Sidney and Dre, played by Sanaa Lathan and Taye Diggs, have always shared a special bond over their love for hip-hop music. Later in life, they start to realize their feelings for one another. Unfortunately, their timing can’t be worse as Dre is about to get married. This film touches on the beauty and celebration of Black music and explores how platonic friendships can evolve into romantic love.
2. Love Jones
In this romantic comedy, Darius (played by Larenz Tate) is a poet who falls for Nina (played by Nia Long), a skilled photographer. The film’s soundtrack also adds an extra touch that makes this film one of the most iconic Black romance stories. Love Jones resonates with me and many others because it was one of the few films of its time centered on two young Black people falling in love. Making this film incredibly refreshing, given that in 1997, it was not all that common to see a Black-centered love story in theaters.
1. The Wood
This coming-of-age comedy centers on three childhood friends, Mike, Roland, and Slim (played by Omar Epps, Richard T. Jones, and Taye Diggs), as they reminisce on growing up together in Inglewood, California, on the day of Roland’s wedding. The Wood is essential for various reasons, as it was one of the first films I saw that focused on Black youth navigating friendships, love, and growing up that felt very authentic. This is another film where the romance is secondary, but I would argue the film’s focus on Black male friendships and community holds just as much significance as a romance plot.
Capturing Black love, whether it is platonic or romantic, without embedding it with a traumatic plot device is important because it helps show that love between Black people does not always have to be filled with hardships, pain, or stereotypes. We deserve to see ourselves fall in love through adorable meet-cutes or opposites attracting. The films on this list are essential because they showcase the depth and beauty of relationships within the Black community.
