Let’s celebrate the success of black cinema together! Recently, black movies have been on the rise in the film industry and one way to measure their success is through box office earnings. 

Today, let’s discover the top highest-earning black movies of all time and highlight the importance of black filmmakers. We’ll explore their contributions to the film industry, and the impact of representation. With their artistic talent and commercial success, black movies have left a lasting impact on audiences around the world.

The Top 10 Highest-Earning Black Movies of All-Time

1. Black Panther (2018)

“Black Panther” (2018) is a superhero film based on the same-named Marvel Comics character. Directed by Ryan Coogler, the movie stars Chadwick Boseman as T’Challa, the king of the African kingdom of Wakanda. 

The film also features a talented ensemble cast including Letitia Wright, Lupita Nyong’o, Martin Freeman, Danai Gurira, Michael B. Jordan, Daniel Kaluuya, Winston Duke, and Angela Bassett. The movie explores the themes of identity, leadership, and tradition, and was celebrated for its representation of black culture and African heritage.

The film was a critical and financial success, grossing over $1.3 billion worldwide. In addition to its box office success, “Black Panther” was also highly regarded by audiences and critics, receiving numerous award nominations and wins. 

As a result of its success, the Marvel Cinematic Universe became one of the biggest franchises in the film industry. Both fans of the comic book genre and those who appreciate well-made films will appreciate “Black Panther” for its cultural significance and top-notch special effects.

2. Django Unchained (2012)

“Django Unchained” is a 2012 American drama Western film directed by Quentin Tarantino. The film stars Jamie Foxx, Samuel L. Jackson, Leonardo DiCaprio, Christoph Waltz, and Kerry Washington. 

The story follows Django (played by Foxx), a freed slave rescuing his wife from a cruel plantation owner (played by DiCaprio). It earned $426,074,373 worldwide, with the majority of its earnings coming from international markets. 

“Django Unchained” has become a Western classic for its captivating story, standout performances, and bold cultural themes.

3. Coming to America (1988)

Eddie Murphy stars as Prince Akeem of Zamunda in “Coming to America,” a 1988 American romantic comedy film directed by John Landis. As Prince Akeem travels to Queens, New York in search of a wife with intelligence and strength of character, he breaks away from the tradition of arranged marriage. Murphy plays multiple characters in the film, showcasing his versatility as an actor.

The film grossed over $288 million worldwide, with $128 million domestically and $160 million internationally. Paramount Pictures distributed it, and it earned $21 million domestically. It is a well-balanced mix of humor and romance lasting 1 hour and 57 minutes.

“Coming to America” has become a cultural icon and a staple of 1980s American cinema. With its talented cast, charming and witty script, and relatable themes of finding true love and finding one’s identity, this film is a success. 

Several sequels and spin-offs have since followed, cementing the film’s place in pop culture history. Plus, this timeless classic has been ranked highly in a variety of genre and keyword rankings, including comedy and romance.

4. Get Out (2017)

“Get Out” is a horror mystery thriller movie released in 2017 and directed by Jordan Peele. In the movie, Daniel Kaluuya plays a young African American man who visits his white girlfriend’s parents for the weekend, where he becomes agitated by their reception.

It earned $255,745,157 worldwide against a budget of $4,500,000, receiving critical acclaim for its handling of racial tension and cultural themes. Internationally, it earned 31.1% of its gross, while domestically it earned 68.9%. 

The movie received an R rating and had a running time of 1 hour 44 minutes. It has been re-released in 2018, 2020, and 2021. “Get Out” has a cultural alignment that has resonated with audiences worldwide, making it one of the most successful horror mystery thrillers of its time.

5. Straight Outta Compton (2015)

The 2015 American biographical drama “Straight Outta Compton” was directed by F. Eazy-E’s widow Tomica Woods-Wright who produced the film with Ice Cube and Dr. Dre. This film explores the formation and rise of the legendary hip-hop group NWA and its impact on the music industry. 

O’Shea Jackson Jr. plays Ice Cube, Corey Hawkins plays Dr. Dre, and Jason Mitchell plays Eazy-E. The movie grossed over $201 million worldwide against a budget of $28 million. Both audiences and critics praised the film’s authentic portrayal of the NWA story and the actors’ performances. 

In addition to depicting life in Compton, the film revolutionized the hip-hop genre. It also portrayed young black men’s struggles in the ghetto and the challenges they faced in their pursuit of success and freedom of expression.

Despite its R rating and themes of gang violence, drug use, and police brutality, audiences were drawn to this powerful portrayal of NWA history and its musical talent. A well-received soundtrack featuring classic NWA tracks and new songs by Dr. Dre and Ice Cube contributed to the film’s success.

6. Big Momma’s House (2000)

“Big Momma’s House” (2000) is a comedy-crime movie directed by Raja Gosnell. The movie stars Martin Lawrence as an FBI agent who disguises himself as a large grandmother, “Big Momma”, to protect a beautiful woman and her son from a robber. 

The movie was distributed by Twentieth Century Fox and had a domestic box office revenue of $117,559,438, with a domestic opening of $25,661,041. With a budget of $30 million, the movie was financially successful, grossing a worldwide total of $173,959,438. 

It lasted 1 hour and 39 minutes and was rated PG-13. Those seeking a mix of action and comedy as well as Martin Lawrence fans will enjoy the film. A successful franchise was spawned by the movie, which was well-received by audiences.

7. Scary Movie (2000)

You might be surprise to see this on a list of the highest earning black movies of all time, but “Scary Movie”, a horror comedy film released in 2000, was kind of “Get Out” before “Get Out”.

The film is directed by Keenen Ivory Wayans and stars Anna Faris, Jon Abrahams, and Regina Hall. The film is a parody of popular horror movies such as “Scream”, and “I Know What You Did Last Summer”. 

The film follows a group of teenagers who are stalked by a bumbling serial killer after disposing of the body of a man they accidentally killed. “Scary Movie” was financially successful, with a worldwide box office gross of $278,019,771, 56.5% of which came from the domestic market. The film had a budget of $19,000,000 and an opening domestic gross of $42,346,669. 

The film was distributed by Miramax and was rated R by the MPAA for its strong language and horror themes. The film’s success can be attributed to its ability to appeal to a wide audience, with its blend of horror and comedy elements, as well as its talented cast and director. The film is also part of a franchise, with several sequels released in the following years.

8. Bad Boys (1995)

Will Smith and Martin Lawrence star in “Bad Boys”, a 1995 action-comedy-crime thriller directed by Michael Bay. They are assigned to protect a witness to a murder while investigating a case of stolen heroin. Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) distributed the film with a $19 million budget. 

It was released domestically on April 7, 1995, and had a domestic opening of $15,523,358. It grossed over $65,807,024 domestically and over $75,600,000 internationally for a worldwide total of $141,407,024. 

The film was rated R for its strong violence and language. As well as Will Smith and Martin Lawrence’s high-octane action scenes and humorous tone, the film’s popularity and success can be attributed to its star power.

9. Ride Along (2014)

The 2014 action-comedy “Ride Along” was directed by Tim Story and written by Jason Mantzoukas, Greg Coolidge, Matt Manfredi, and Phil Hay. The film stars Ice Cube and Kevin Hart as Ben and James. 

Ben is a security guard engaged to James’ sister, who is a top police officer, and wants to prove himself. During their 24-hour patrol of Atlanta, they encounter various challenges and adventures.

The film was produced with a budget of $25 million and was distributed by Universal Pictures. It grossed $134,938,200 domestically and $19,530,702 internationally for a worldwide total of $154 million. Kevin Hart and Ice Cube’s chemistry in the film was also praised by critics.

Its success can be attributed to the popularity of the lead actors, the well-written script, and the timing of its release. Additionally, the film’s PG-13 rating allowed it to appeal to a wide range of audiences, while its action and comedy elements provided a balance of excitement and humor. 

10. Stir Crazy (1980)

The 1980s American comedy, “Stir Crazy” is a crime film was produced by Columbia Pictures and directed by Sidney Poitier. The film stars Richard Pryor and Gene Wilder as two best friends, Skip Donahue and Harry Monroe, who are set up and wrongfully accused of a crime. 

In prison, the two friends use their wit and humor to escape from prison and clear their names. With its unique blend of comedy and crime, the film grossed over $101 million worldwide at the box office. “Stir Crazy,” starring Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor, has become a comedy classic with its dynamic duo.

Final Thoughts

The highest-earning black movies of all time represent the diversity and impact of black filmmaking. From historical dramas to action-packed comedies, these films have raised awareness about important social and political issues and have proven to be commercially successful. 

As Black filmmakers continue to shape the cultural landscape and push the boundaries of what is possible in film, BlackOakTV hopes to be a part of it, by continuing to build on our catalog of Black movies and independent films that we believe can inspire future generations and making an indelible impact on the world of cinema.