In an industry dominated by white voices, there have been several beautiful movies that highlight the pains and joys of Black life. For many decades, the mainstream audiences and critics did not give Black romance films the credit they deserve, but that has changed in recent years, as the movie-makers have opened their doors to all kinds of Black relationships and emotions. We have curated a list Black romance movies with compelling characters and heart-warming stories.
This ranking is based on an algorithm that combines various factors, including the votes of our users and search trends on the internet.

Ranked: Best Black Romance Movies You Must Watch

1.Love Jones (1997)
11
3
Love Jones
R
11
3

Love Jones is a romantic drama film which tells the story of two urban African-Americans, Darius and Nina, who meet at a club in Chicago and develop an instant connection. Over time, the two develop a bond over music, photography as well as poetry, and a romance begins.  

2.Claudine (1974)
10
3
Claudine
PG
10
3

Claudine is a romantic drama film which revolves around a single mother named Claudine Price, who lives on welfare with her six kids. Her life takes a turn when she meets Rupert Marshall, but due to poverty and restrictions in the welfare system, as well as the hostility of her children, they face multiple struggles in their relationship.

Starring:
Directed By:
John Berry
3.Love & Basketball (2000)
14
5
Love & Basketball
PG-13
14
5

Love and Basketball is a sports romantic drama film which tells the story of Quincy and Monica, two next-door neighbors, who share a passion for basketball.  As they struggle to become the best players, they also deal with their emotions for each other.

Directed By:
Gina Prince-Bythewood
4.Queen & Slim (2019)
12
4
Queen & Slim
R
12
4

Queen & Slim is a romantic road crime drama film which revolves around Queen and Slim, a young black couple, who kill a police officer in the heat of an argument in order to defend themselves. In order to avoid spending the rest of their lives in prison, they have no other option but to go on the run.

5.If Beale Street Could Talk (2018)
14
7
If Beale Street Could Talk
R
14
7

If Beale Street Could Talk is a crime drama romance film which tells the story of Tish and Fonny, who are childhood friends as well as lovers. Their lives are going on smoothly, until Fonny is falsely accused of rape. Despite being pregnant, Tish sets out to prove her man’s innocence and clear his name.

Directed By:
Barry Jenkins
6.The Watermelon Woman (1996)
7
3
The Watermelon Woman
7
3

A young African-American filmmaker decides to investigate the life of the Watermelon Woman, an actress who was quite well-known in the 1930s.

7.Loving (2016)
14
5
Loving
PG-13
14
5

Virginia’s white construction worker Richard Loving falls in love with Mildred Jeter, a black family friend. Owing to Virginia’s anti-miscegenation laws, they get married in Washington DC in 1958. Though they wish to continue living in their hometown, the state banishes them for 25 years. Their urge to return home leads to a legal battle, concluding in Supreme Court’s 1967 historic decision.  

Directed By:
Jeff Nichols
8.The Wood (1999)
9
3
The Wood
R
9
3

Mike, Roland and Slim are three close friends, who recount memories of their shared childhood as they are preparing for the wedding of Roland with Lisa, his fiancée. However, things get quite complicated when Roland disappears without saying anything, and his friends struggle to find him before the wedding ceremony.

Directed By:
Rick Famuyiwa
9.Beyond the Lights (2014)
9
4
Beyond the Lights
PG-13
9
4

Noni Jean is a famed singer but she is quite unhappy with her life. She tries to commit suicide but she is saved by a cop named Kaz. He helps her find courage to accept her failures, develop her own voice, and pursue her ambitions. However, he also starts having feelings for her.

Directed By:
Gina Prince-Bythewood
10.The Best Man (1999)
10
3
The Best Man
R
10
3

Harper Stewart, a committed bachelor and a writer attempts to hide the fact about the novel that he has written is loosely based on the loves and lives of his close group of friends. Harper is all set to attend the wedding of Lance, where he is the best man and all the other friends are present. Harper attempts to keep the the saucy soon-to-be bestselling novel's advance copy under wraps but it lands in the hands of Jordan Armstrong, Harper's ex-flame. 

Directed By:
Malcolm D. Lee
11.Sylvie's Love (2020)
9
3
Sylvie's Love
PG-13
9
3

Sylvie has a short romance with a saxophonist who has taken up a summer job at her father’s record store. When they meet again after several years, they realize that their feelings for each other have not faded away over the years.  

12.She's Gotta Have It (1986)
9
4
She's Gotta Have It
R
9
4

Nola Darling is a beautiful young woman who is unable to determine what kind of man she wants in her life. She soon starts dating three different men. However, this eventually causes various problems in her life.

Starring:
Directed By:
13.Carmen Jones (1954)
8
3
Carmen Jones
8
3

Set during World War II, the film revolves around Carmen Jones, who works in a parachute factory. When she is arrested after having a fight with a co-worker, she seduces a young soldier, Joe, in order to avoid imprisonment. But, the problem arises when another man enters her life and she leaves Joe.

Directed By:
14.Malcolm & Marie (2021)
10
5
Malcolm & Marie
R
10
5

A filmmaker reaches the heights of his career, using the story of his girlfriend. Their relationship is eventually tested when they return home from the movie premiere, and they are forced to face each other’s turmoil over one long night.

15.The Best Man Holiday (2013)
9
4
The Best Man Holiday
R
9
4

After fifteen years, several college friends reunite on the Christmas holidays. They discover how easy it is for old rivalries and romance to reignite.

Directed By:
Malcolm D. Lee
16.Something New (2006)
9
4
Something New
PG-13
9
4

Kenya McQueen is an accountant whose friends set her up for a blind date. Upon meeting her date, Brian Kelly, a free-spirited landscaper, she decides to back off, due to their racial differences, despite the fact that she finds herself attracted to him.   

Directed By:
Sanaa Hamri
17.Atlantics (2019)
7
3
Atlantics
TV-14
7
3

When the workers working on the construction of a futuristic tower are left without pay for months, they decide to leave the country, looking for a better future. Among them is Souleiman, who is in love with Ada, a girl who is betrothed to another man named Omar.

18.Mississippi Masala (1991)
7
3
Mississippi Masala
R
7
3

After Mina is forced to leave her home in Uganda along with her family due to the new racist policies, they soon relocate to Mississippi, hoping to start a new life. Mina soon falls in love with Demetrius, a young carpet cleaner, despite their racial differences. She is also aware that her parents will not approve of the relationship. Eventually, the two are forced to run away, as neither of their communities accept their relationship.

Directed By:
Mira Nair
19.Medicine for Melancholy (2008)
6
3
Medicine for Melancholy
Not Rated
6
3

Micah and Joanne meet at a party, and after getting drunk together, they have a one-night stand. The next morning, they realize that they are attracted to each other. As they start conversing deeply with one another, they start to realize that they have different philosophical and political beliefs, despite the fact that they have strong feelings for one another.

20.Hitch (2005)
41
21
Hitch
TV-14
41
21

Alex Hitch Hitchens is a successful dating consultant who trains men in the art of wooing women and forging a long term relationship. While helping one of his client Albert in wooing celebrity Allegra Cole, Alex finds himself falling in love with a gossip columnist, Sara Melas. However, The Date Doctor finds it difficult to woo the girl himself.

Directed By:
Andy Tennant
22.Brown Sugar (2002)
8
4
Brown Sugar
PG-13
8
4

Dre and Sidney, two childhood friends, share a passion for rap music and as they grow up, they also manage to make it their career. Soon, they also start realizing their feelings for one another.  

Directed By:
Rick Famuyiwa
23.Jason's Lyric (1994)
7
3
Jason's Lyric
7
3

Jason hopes for a bigger and brighter future, coming from a drug-infested, violent neighbourhood. He works hard to support his mother and to put his unscrupulous brother, Joshua, on right track. When Lyric enters Jason's life, he aspires for good times ahead, but a gut-wrenching secret from his past awaits to be unravelled.

Directed By:
Doug McHenry
24.Think Like a Man (2012)
12
6
Think Like a Man
PG-13
12
6

Four friends, Dominic, Jeremy, Michael and Zeke, discover that their women have been reading a book by Steve Harvey, and have been applying its advice on their relationships. Therefore, the friends decide to use to book’s teachings against them to turn the tables. 

Directed By:
Tim Story
25.Last Holiday (2006)
11
5
Last Holiday
PG-13
11
5

Georgia Byrd, an unassuming department store salesclerk, has many unfulfilled dreams which she writes in a ‘Book of Possibilities.’ When she is diagnosed having brain tumor, with little time left to live, she sells her possessions and embarks on a European holiday. Living like a millionaire in Grandhotel Pupp in Czech Republic, she wishes her silent crush, co-worker Sean was with her.

Directed By:
Wayne Wang
26.Purple Rain (1984)
11
4
Purple Rain
R
11
4

Purple Rain is a romantic musical drama film which tells the story of a young musician, who is tormented by an abusive situation at home. Meanwhile, he not only has to deal with a rival singer, but also deal with his relationship with a woman and his own dissatisfied band.  

27.Higher Learning (1995)
9
4
Higher Learning
R
9
4

Higher Learning is a drama thriller film which revolves around three freshmen from different backgrounds who experience racism as well as other negative experiences while studying at an university campus.

Starring:
Jennifer Connelly, Laurence Fishburne, Gwyneth Paltrow, Adam Goldberg, Busta Rhymes, Bridgette Wilson, Tyra Banks
Directed By:
John Singleton
28.Their Eyes Were Watching God (2005)
7
3
Their Eyes Were Watching God
7
3

Based on a 1937 novel of the same name, this romantic drama film tells the story of a woman who has to endure two difficult marriages, which leaves her life upside down. However, she eventually manages to find love with a much younger man.

Starring:
Halle Berry, Terrence Howard
Directed By:
Darnell Martin
29.Top Five (2014)
8
5
Top Five
R
8
5

Andre Allen, recovering alcoholic, who started his career as stand-up comedian and went on to become successful star of action-comedies, is venturing into serious films. He is spending the day with New York Times reporter Chelsea Brown for an interview. As the day with Chelsea unwinds, Andre is confronted with his past and is veered back to his roots as stand-up comedian. 

Starring:
Whoopi Goldberg, Jerry Seinfeld, Adam Sandler, Chris Rock, Cedric the Entertainer, Rosario Dawson, Tracy Morgan
Directed By:
30.Nappily Ever After (2018)
9
4
Nappily Ever After
TV-MA
9
4

Violet's life has been dominated by her mother Paulette's obsession with appearances. When she pendulums from hurt to rage to fear after her breakup with her boyfriend. Clint, a profound barber helps her to realise that she is not living her life to the fullest.

Starring:
Ricky Whittle
31.The Brothers (2001)
7
3
The Brothers
TV-14
7
3

Four friends begin to question women and various aspects of relationships, as they are each going through their own problems in their love lives.    

Starring:
Tatyana Ali, Julie Benz, Shemar Moore
Directed By:
Gary Hardwick
32.Why Do Fools Fall in Love (1998)
7
3
Why Do Fools Fall in Love
R
7
3

After Frankie Lymon, a well-known singer passes away, three different women claim to be his widow, in order to claim the legal rights to his estate.  

Starring:
Vivica A. Fox, Ben Vereen, Halle Berry
Directed By:
Gregory Nava
33.The Bodyguard (1992)
22
11
The Bodyguard
R
22
11

When Rachel Marron, a superstar singer, begins receiving death threats, she unwillingly employs Frank Farmer, a former secret service agent, as bodyguard. The two begin their association on a not so good note; however, with time they gradually begin falling for each other. Meanwhile, the stalker is close by and Farmer needs to protect Marron from any harm.

Starring:
Kevin Costner, Whitney Houston, Debbie Reynolds
Directed By:
Mick Jackson
Awards:
Grammy Award for Record of the Year, Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Performance - Female, MTV Movie & TV Award for Best Movie Song
34.Southside with You (2016)
9
4
Southside with You
PG-13
9
4

This romantic drama film revolves around the early life of former US President Barack Obama. It takes us back to those days when he first met his wife Michelle in Chicago, when she was working as an attorney.

Directed By:
Richard Tanne
35.Save the Last Dance (2001)
14
8
Save the Last Dance
PG-13
14
8

Sara loses the zeal for dancing after her mother passes away all of a sudden. However, she meets Derek, who helps her fight her trauma, as well as pursue her passion of dancing.

Starring:
Julia Stiles, Bianca Lawson, Kerry Washington
Directed By:
Thomas Carter
Awards:
MTV Movie & TV Award for Best Kiss
36.About Last Night (2014)
8
5
About Last Night
TV-14
8
5

This romantic comedy film tells the story of Danny and Debbie, who pretend to be a couple for a night. The following day, they think of testing how well their relationship works in the real world.

Starring:
Regina Hall, Kevin Hart
Directed By:
Steve Pink
37.Poetic Justice (1993)
7
4
Poetic Justice
R
7
4

After her boyfriend is murdered, Justice, a hairdresser tries to express her feelings through poetry. She soon decides to go on a road trip to Oakland on a mail truck. She soon meets a postal worker, whom she initially dislikes. But over time, they develop a bond and she learns to overcome her isolation.

Starring:
Billy Zane, Lori Petty
Directed By:
John Singleton
38.Deliver Us from Eva (2003)
7
4
Deliver Us from Eva
R
7
4

Years ago when Eva's parents died, she took the responsibility of her younger sisters. But she is not endeared by her sisters' spouses and partners because of her habit to interfere in her sister' life. Ray Adams, a ladies' man is got onboard to romance and distract Eva from her duties toward her family so that the men can divide the family trust fund. However, things don't go as planned. 

Starring:
Kenya Moore, LL Cool J, Meagan Good
Directed By:
Gary Hardwick
39.Think Like a Man Too (2014)
8
5
Think Like a Man Too
PG-13
8
5

Think Like a Man is a romantic comedy film which tells the story of five different couples who plan to attend a wedding as well as have a romantic weekend in Las Vegas. However, hilarious misadventures follow.

Starring:
Kelsey Grammer, Carl Weathers, Adam Brody, Cheryl Hines, Coco Austin, Janina Gavankar, Meagan Good
Directed By:
Tim Story