5 Black Films to Watch Right Now (That Aren’t in Theaters)

ONETEN MAGAZINE
Aug 3
2 min read

Film poster for “Rye Lane” (2023) showing a young couple sitting against an orange backdrop, capturing the vibrant, playful vibe of the British rom‑com. — *Rye Lane* brings South London romance to life with charm and energy. *(Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures)*

Big screens aren’t the only place for Black storytelling. Some of the best Black films right now are streaming quietly under the radar—raw, emotional, powerful, and deeply human. Whether you’re in the mood for a romance that hits different, a thought-provoking indie, or a doc that exposes real truths, these five films deserve your attention.

**1. A Thousand and One (Starz)

Teyana Taylor gazes into the distance in the official poster for “A Thousand and One,” a 2023 drama about reclaiming identity and family. — *A Thousand and One* stars Teyana Taylor in a poetic portrait of motherhood and survival in changing Harlem. *(Courtesy of Prime Video)*

Released in 2023**

Teyana Taylor delivers a career-defining performance in this story of a mother reclaiming her son from foster care. Set against a rapidly gentrifying Harlem, it’s a poetic, painful, and powerful exploration of survival, love, and systemic loss.

**2. Rye Lane (Hulu)

Released in 2023**

This modern Black British rom-com is vibrant, funny, and refreshingly unconventional. Two strangers meet after a breakup and wander South London sharing stories, flirting, and healing. It’s visual candy with emotional depth—romance done right.

**3. They Cloned Tyrone (Netflix)

Cast of They Cloned Tyrone in bold outfits inside a metallic elevator, showcasing characters played by Janelle Monáe, Jamie Foxx, and John Boyega. — *They Cloned Tyrone* fuses sci‑fi satire and street culture in a stylish visual motif. *(Courtesy of Netflix)*

Released in 2023**

A wild genre mash-up of sci-fi, satire, and street culture. Jamie Foxx, John Boyega, and Teyonah Parris uncover a government conspiracy in their neighborhood. Think Get Out meets Men in Black—with unapologetic Black weirdness.

**4. Judas and the Black Messiah (Prime Video)

Official poster for “Judas and the Black Messiah” featuring Daniel Kaluuya as Fred Hampton in a dramatic expression, highlighting the film’s emotional intensity. — *Judas and the Black Messiah* remains a powerful portrait of resistance, betrayal, and legacy. *(Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures)*

Released in 2021 (May require rental fee) **

Judas and the Black Messiah remains one of the most powerful portrayals of modern resistance. Daniel Kaluuya and Lakeith Stanfield electrify as Fred Hampton and the FBI informant whose betrayal changed history.

**5. Descendant (Netflix)

Theatrical poster for “Descendant” (2022), featuring silhouetted historical imagery and text overlay, symbolizing African-American heritage and collective memory — *Descendant* traces the hidden legacy of the Clotilda and honors Africatown's history with powerful storytelling. *(Courtesy of Netflix)*

Released in 2022**

This eye-opening documentary traces the last known slave ship, the Clotilda, and its hidden legacy in Alabama. It’s about history, healing, and the Black communities fighting to preserve their roots in the face of silence and erasure.

Black films are thriving beyond the blockbuster—and these titles prove it. Real stories. Real artistry. Real representation. So, skip the overpriced theater snacks this weekend and queue up something with soul.