Black people starred in, wrote, and directed movies in the 1980s. From romantic comedies and parodies of blaxploitation movies to historical and action movies, here are 25 of them.
Oh and only the top 3 stars (in credit order) are listed for each movie. Many of these movies contained other amazing black actors and actresses.
1. Coming To America (1988)
Black Writer: Eddie Murphy
Black Stars: Eddie Murphy, Paul Bates, Garcelle Beauvais
What is this movie about? "An extremely pampered African Prince travels to Queens, New York, and goes undercover to find a wife who he can respect for her intelligence and will." -IMDb
2. The Color Purple (1985)
Black Writer:Alice Walker
Black Stars: Danny Glover, Whoopi Goldberg, Oprah Winfrey
What is this movie about? "A black Southern woman struggles to find her identity after suffering abuse from her father and others over four decades." -IMDb
3. Leon on Me (1989)
Black Stars: Morgan Freeman, Beverly Todd, Robert Guillaume
What is this movie about? "The dedicated but tyrannical Joe Clark is appointed the principal of a decaying inner-city school and he is determined to improve by any and all means." -IMDb
4. Do the Right Thing (1989)
Black Director: Spike Lee
Black Writer: Spike Lee
Black Stars: Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee
What is this movie about? "On the hottest day of the year on a street in the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn, everyone's hate and bigotry smolders and builds until it explodes into violence." -IMDb
5. Glory (1989)
Black Star: Denzel Washington
What is this movie about? "Robert Gould Shaw leads the U.S. Civil War's first all-black volunteer company, fighting prejudices from both his own Union Army, and the Confederates." -IMDb
6. School Daze (1988)
Black Director:Spike Lee
Black Writer:Spike Lee
Black Stars: Laurence Fishburne, Giancarlo Esposito, Tisha Campbell-Martin
What is this movie about? "A not so popular young man wants to pledge to a popular fraternity at his historically black college." -IMDb
7. Harlem Nights (1989)
Black Director: Eddie Murphy
Black Writer: Eddie Murphy
Black Stars: Eddie Murphy, Richard Pryor, Redd Foxx
What is this movie about? "During the 1930s, a New York City illegal gambling house owner and his associates must deal with strong competition, gangsters, and corrupt cops in order to stay in business." -IMDb
8. Purple Rain (1984)
Black Stars: Prince, Morris Day
What is this movie about? "A young musician, tormented by an abusive situation at home, must contend with a rival singer, a burgeoning romance, and his own dissatisfied band, as his star begins to rise." -IMDb
9. I'm Gonna Git You Sucka (1988)
Black Director: Keenen Ivory Wayans
Black Writer: Keenen Ivory Wayans
Black Stars: Keenen Ivory Wayans, Bernie Casey, Antonio Fargas
What is this movie about? "In this parody of blaxploitation movies, a black hero wannabe reunites former black heroes from the 70s to help him get revenge on Mr. Big." -IMDb
10. A Soldier's Story (1984)
Black Writer: Charles Fuller
Black Stars: Howard E. Rollins Jr., Adolph Caesar, Art Evans
What is this movie about? "An African American officer investigates a murder in a racially charged situation in World War II." -IMDb
11. Beverly Hills Cop (1984)
Black Star: Eddie Murphy
What is this movie about? "A freewheeling Detroit cop pursuing a murder investigation finds himself dealing with the very different culture of Beverly Hills." -IMDb
12. Bird (1988)
Black Star: Forest Whitaker
What is this movie about? "The troubled life and career of the jazz musician, Charlie "Bird" Parker." -IMDb
13. Cry Freedom (1987)
Black Stars: Denzel Washington, Josette Simon
What is this movie about? "South African journalist Donald Woods is forced to flee the country, after attempting to investigate the death in custody of his friend, the black activist Steve Biko." -IMDb
14. Hollywood Shuffle (1987)
Black Director: Robert Townsend
Black Writers: Robert Townsend, Keenen Ivory Wayans
Black Stars: Robert Townsend, Craigus R. Johnson, Helen Martin
What is this movie about? "An actor limited to stereotypical roles because of his ethnicity, dreams of making it big as a highly respected performer. As he makes his rounds, the film takes a satiric look at African American actors in Hollywood." -IMDb
15. The Last Dragon (1985)
Black Director: Michael Schultz
Black Stars: Taimak, Vanity
What is this movie about? "In New York City, a young man searches for the "master" to obtain the final level of martial arts mastery known as the glow. Along the way, he must fight a martial arts expert corrupted with power, and rescue a beautiful singer from an obsessed music promoter." -IMDb
16. She's Gotta Have It (1986)
Black Director:Spike Lee
Black Writer:Spike Lee
Black Stars: Tracy Camilla Johns, Tommy Redmond Hicks, John Canada Terrell
What is this movie about? "Story of a woman and her three lovers." -IMDb
17. Krush Groove (1985)
Black Director: Michael Schultz
Black Writer: Ralph Farquhar
Black Stars: Sheila E., Joseph Simmons, Darryl McDaniels
What is this movie about? "In this movie based on the early days of Def Jam Recordings, up-and-coming manager Russell Walker manages all the hottest acts on the record label Krush Groove Records, which include Run-D.M.C., Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde, and Kurtis Blow, while Rick (Rubin) produces the label's records. When Run-D.M.C. has a hit record and Russell doesn't have the money to press records, he borrows money from a street hustler. At the same time, Russell and and his brother Run both compete for the heart of R&B singer Sheila E." -IMDb
18. Brewster's Millions (1985)
Black Stars: Richard Pryor, Lonette McKee
What is this movie about? "A minor league baseball player has to spend thirty million dollars in thirty days, in order to inherit three hundred million dollars. However, he's not allowed to tell anyone about the deal." -IMDb
19. Stir Crazy (1980)
Black Director: Sidney Poitier
Black Stars: Richard Pryor, Georg Stanford Brown
What is this movie about? "Set up and wrongfully accused, two best friends will be sent to prison for a crime they didn't commit. However, no prison cell could keep them locked in." -IMDb
20. Jumpin' Jack Flash (1986)
Black Star: Whoopi Goldberg
What is this movie about? "Terry works for a bank, and uses computers to communicate with clients all over the world. One day she gets a coded message from an unknown source. After decoding the message, Terry becomes embroiled in an espionage ring. People are killed, and Terry is chased. Throughout she remains in contact with this unknown person, who needs Terry to help save his life." -IMDb
21. The Toy (1982)
Black Stars: Richard Pryor
What is this movie about? "An underemployed reporter finds himself literally purchased as a toy for a rich spoiled brat." -IMDb
22. Disorderlies (1987)
Black Director: Michael Schultz
Black Stars: Darren Robinson, Damon Wimbley,
What is this movie about? "Three bumbling orderlies are hired to take care of an old rich man. Humorous mayhem follows." -IMDb
23. Beat Street (1984)
Black Director: Stan Lathan
Black Stars: Rae Dawn Chong, Guy Davis
What is this movie about? "An aspiring DJ, from the South Bronx, and his best friend, a promoter, try to get into show business by exposing people to hip-hop music and culture." -IMDb
24. Tap (1989)
Black Stars: Gregory Hines, Suzzanne Douglas, Sammy Davis Jr.
What is this movie about? "Just released from prison, Max Washington must decide which of his previous professions to return to: burglar or tap dancer." -IMDb
25. Native Son (1986)
Black Writers: Richard Wesley, Richard Wright
Black Stars: Victor Love
What is this movie about? "In 1940s Chicago, a young black man takes a job as a chauffeur to a white family, which takes a turn for the worse when he accidentally kills the teenage daughter of the couple and then tries to cover it up." -IMDb
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Get Your Melanin Is Life Merch And Let The World Know That You're Rooting For Everybody Black!
With all due respect while I agree with some of the movies on this list I believe some important movies have been left off and some are in my opinion classics… Shaft, Superfly, Across 110th Street, Nothing But A Man, Malcolm X, Mo Betta Blues, Five Heartbeats, Love Jones, Posse, Thomasine and Bushrod, Coffee, The Spook Who Sat By The Door, Sankofa, WildStyle, Cornbread, Earl, and Me, Now I realize a lot of the movies I’ve listed don’t fit into the 80’s period nevertheless, they are important movies that I believe all black people should see. All Power To Our People!
The Black Panther Party was founded in 1966 by Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale. Its contribution to the world is still evident today. Here are 29 important facts about the Black Panther Party.
ALERT: Please use the following charts to choose the correct size. Each item is made-to-order and therefore, we cannot offer returns or exchanges on items if you choose the wrong size.
Whitney Evans
January 25, 2022
With all due respect while I agree with some of the movies on this list I believe some important movies have been left off and some are in my opinion classics… Shaft, Superfly, Across 110th Street, Nothing But A Man, Malcolm X, Mo Betta Blues, Five Heartbeats, Love Jones, Posse, Thomasine and Bushrod, Coffee, The Spook Who Sat By The Door, Sankofa, WildStyle, Cornbread, Earl, and Me, Now I realize a lot of the movies I’ve listed don’t fit into the 80’s period nevertheless, they are important movies that I believe all black people should see. All Power To Our People!