To be or not to be…an A24 Black? That’s been the question on Black movie lovers’ minds over the last several weeks as discussions about what makes someone an “A24 Black” continue to flood social media.
The label has sparked plenty of debate about everything from arthouse cinema and “elevated” Black storytelling to whether enjoying a Tyler Perry movie somehow disqualifies you from the club or makes you lowbrow. But whether you’re here for the artsy cinematography or the stories that leave you staring at the ceiling when the credits roll, A24 really does have more than a handful of Black-led films worth adding to your watchlist.
In the spirit of the discourse, we’re rounding up some of our picks featuring Black stars and stories that prove you can appreciate a little arthouse cinema without acting like you’re too good to get down at the cookout.
“Waves”
Kelvin Harrison Jr., Taylor Russell and Sterling K. Brown star in this emotional roller coaster about a Black suburban family whose world is turned upside down after a devastating tragedy. Between the gorgeous visuals, soundtrack and family drama, “Waves” is the kind of movie that will have you sitting with your feelings long after the credits roll.
Related: Your Ultimate Fall 2026 Watchlist: The Black Movies and Shows We Can’t Wait to See
“Moonlight”
Starring Trevante Rhodes, Ashton Sanders, Mahershala Ali and Janelle Monáe, Barry Jenkins’ Oscar-winning film follows Chiron as he navigates his identity, sexuality and relationships through three stages of his life. It’s beautiful, it’s heartbreaking, and it’s a reminder that Black stories about boyhood can be soft, complicated and deeply human. (And as a bonus, 2026 marks 10 years since “Moonlight’s” release.)
“Backrooms”
Chiwetel Ejiofor stars in this sci-fi horror box office success about a mysterious doorway that appears in a furniture showroom basement and leads to a strange, unsettling world. If you enjoy creepy liminal spaces and watching a Black leading man deal with things you know he has no business dealing with, this one should be on your radar.
“Zola”
Taylour Paige stars as Zola, a Detroit waitress who agrees to take a road trip to Florida with a new friend, only for the whole thing to turn into a chaotic, dangerous mess. Inspired by the viral 2015 Twitter thread that had the internet in a chokehold, this dark comedy has sex, scams, questionable decisions and enough wild twists to remind you why sometimes you really do need to mind your business.
“The Last Black Man in San Francisco”
Jimmie Fails and Jonathan Majors star in this film about a young Black man trying to reclaim his grandfather’s Victorian home in a San Francisco that’s becoming increasingly unrecognizable to longtime residents. Between the cinematography and the exploration of gentrification, friendship and belonging, this movie will have you thinking about who gets to claim a city—and who gets priced out of it.
“Sing Sing”
Colman Domingo (who earned an Oscar nomination for this film) and Clarence Maclin star in this deeply touching drama about incarcerated men who find purpose, friendship and a little bit of freedom through a theater program at Sing Sing prison. With formerly incarcerated men playing versions of themselves alongside professional actors, this film is a solid reminder that people are more than their worst mistakes.
“Opus”
“The Bear’s”Ayo Edebiri plays a young journalist invited to the remote compound of a legendary, reclusive pop star whose long-awaited comeback comes with some seriously suspicious behavior. Between the celebrity culture satire, cult-like obsession, and increasingly unsettling vibes, “Opus” will have you asking why anybody would willingly follow a famous person into the middle of nowhere—and why nobody ever listens to their gut in a horror movie.
“All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt”
Written and directed by Raven Jackson, this moving film follows Mack, a Black woman growing up in Mississippi, through different stages of her life and the relationships and memories that shape her. Starring Charleen McClure, Moses Ingram, Sheila Atim, and Chris Chalk, “All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt” is about soaking in the beauty, intimacy, and sometimes bittersweet reality of being alive.
“Earth Mama”
Tia Nomore stars as Gia, a pregnant single mother in the Bay Area who’s fighting to reunite with her two children in foster care while trying to keep her own life together. Directed by Savanah Leaf, this film takes a compassionate and intimate look at Black motherhood, poverty, and a family court system that can make an already difficult situation feel hopeless.
“Stephen Curry: Underrated”
Think you know Steph Curry’s story? This documentary will put your knowledge to the test and take you back to his college basketball days, when critics questioned whether the undersized guard had what it took to make it big. Packed with archival footage and personal reflections, it’s an inspiring reminder that being underestimated can become your superpower if you put in the work and let your game do the talking.
“Native Son”
Ashton Sanders stars as Bigger Thomas in this modern film adaptation of Richard Wright’s classic novel, “Native Son.” In it, he stars as a young Black man whose job as a chauffeur for a wealthy white family leads to a life-altering tragedy. With Sanaa Lathan, Kiki Layne and Margaret Qualley rounding out the cast, the film tackles race, class and power in a way that makes you think about how much has changed—and how much hasn’t.
“The Drama”
In “The Drama,” Zendaya and Robert Pattinson star as an engaged couple whose wedding week takes a wild turn after an unexpected revelation throws their whole relationship into chaos. As if planning a wedding isn’t stressful enough, now there’s a secret threatening to blow everything up. If you love unhinged relationship drama that will have you debating who’s right or wrong in the group chat, this one belongs on your list!
“Highest 2 Lowest”
Directed by Spike Lee and starring Denzel Washington, Jeffrey Wright and A$AP Rocky, “Highest 2 Lowest” follows a powerful music mogul whose world gets turned upside down when a ransom plot forces him to make an impossible choice. Inspired by Akira Kurosawa’s “High and Low,” the film mixes crime, music, money, and morality with Lee’s signature New York passion—and with Washington in the mix, you already know it’s going to give you something to talk about.
