20 ROMANTIC BLACK MOVIES OF THE LAST 10 YEARS
Romantic movies have a way of making us feel all giddy inside and taking us on an emotional journey. When it comes to black movies, the past decade has been a great time for romantic films, with African American movies and Nollywood movies alike producing some of the most heartwarming and entertaining films. Here are the top 20 romantic black movies of the last 10 years, ranked in order of their quality:
1. The Photograph (2020)
Starring Issa Rae and LaKeith Stanfield, this movie tells the story of a woman who discovers a photograph that leads her to uncover a hidden family secret while falling in love.
2. If Beale Street Could Talk (2018)
Based on the novel by James Baldwin, this movie tells the story of a young couple whose lives are upended when the man is falsely accused of a crime.
3. The Perfect Match (2016)
This romantic comedy starring Terrence J and Cassie Ventura follows a playboy who meets his match in a woman who challenges his commitment-phobic ways.
4. Just Wright (2010)
Queen Latifah and Common star in this basketball-themed romantic comedy about a physical therapist who falls for a basketball player while helping him recover from an injury.
5. Two Weeks in Lagos (2019)
This Nigerian film tells the story of a couple who fall in love in Lagos, Nigeria, but face challenges due to their different backgrounds and social status.
6. Beyond the Lights (2014)
This movie tells the story of a pop star struggling with the pressures of fame who falls in love with a police officer who helps her find her true voice.
7. Wedding Party (2016)
This Nollywood hit is a romantic comedy about a Nigerian couple whose wedding plans go hilariously awry due to their families’ meddling.
8. Southside With You (2016)
This movie reimagines the first date of Barack and Michelle Obama as they navigate their way through a summer day in Chicago.
9. When Love Happens (2014)
This Nigerian romantic comedy follows a young woman who turns to a love coach for help in finding her soulmate.
10. The Weekend (2018)
A stand-up comedian (Sasheer Zamata) spends a weekend at a B&B with her ex-boyfriend (Tone Bell), his new girlfriend (DeWanda Wise), and a handsome stranger (Y’lan Noel) in this romantic comedy.
11. Baggage Claim (2013)
Paula Patton stars in this romantic comedy about a flight attendant who embarks on a 30-day quest to find a husband before her sister’s wedding.
12. Banana Island Ghost (2017)
This Nigerian film is a romantic comedy about a ghost who must fall in love in order to avoid being sent to the afterlife.
13. A United Kingdom (2016)
This movie tells the true story of the romance between a Botswanan prince and a white British woman in the 1940s, which challenged the political and social norms of the time.
14. Tempting Fate (2015)
This Nigerian film follows the story of twin brothers who fall in love with the same woman, leading to a complex love triangle.
15. Everything, Everything (2017)
Based on the novel by Nicola Yoon, this movie tells the story of a teenage girl who falls in love with the boy next door, but has a rare disease that prevents her from leaving her house.
16. The Royal Hibiscus Hotel (2018)
This Nigerian romantic comedy follows a chef who returns to Nigeria to open a hotel, and falls in love with a guest while navigating familial and business challenges.
17. Sylvie’s Love (2020)
American romantic drama film set in 1960s New York City. It follows the passionate love affair between Sylvie, a young woman with dreams of a television career, and Robert, an aspiring saxophonist, as they navigate changing times, geography, and professional success.
18. Always a Bridesmaid (2019)
This romantic comedy follows a woman who is always the bridesmaid but never the bride, and her journey to find true love.
19. The Wedding Party 2 (2017)
This sequel to the Nollywood hit The Wedding Party follows the same couple as they navigate the ups and downs of married life.
20. Belle (2013)
A British period drama film that tells the true story of Dido Elizabeth Belle (Gugu Mbatha-Raw), the illegitimate mixed-race daughter of a Royal Navy captain, who is raised by her great-uncle Lord Mansfield (Tom Wilkinson), the Lord Chief Justice of England. The film explores Dido’s struggles with her identity, her romance with an idealistic lawyer, and her involvement in a landmark court case that challenged the legality of the slave trade
These movies offer a range of romantic stories that are sure to touch your heart and make you laugh. They showcase the diverse talents of black filmmakers and actors, and are definitely worth a watch. While some movies may have done better at the box office than others, each of these films is a gem in its own right and worth adding to your watchlist.
