Every love story is different, and a Black love story comes with its own set of challenges. These films represent some of the diverse expressions of love that are not always seen on screen.

Black Representation In Hollywood

To start, it’s a struggle to get Black actors cast and when it does happen and a phenomenal job is done, the actors are not rewarded the accolades they deserve. Even if you’re not a frequent film or television watcher, you most likely heard about the viral hashtag #OscarsSoWhite in 2016 when no Black actors were up for acting awards for two years in a row.  It was an outrage in the film community, and it struck a nerve with audience members as well.

Since then, things have slightly changed. Well, at least Black actors were getting nominated and awarded at least once per Oscars ceremony. In 2018, Mahershala Ali won Best Supporting Actor for his role in Green Book. In 2019, Regina King won Best Supporting Actress for her role in If Beale Street Could Talk. In 2020, Daniel Kaluuya won Best Supporting Actor in Judas and the Black Messiah. In 2022, Will Smith won Best Actor for his role in the Venus and Serena Williams’ father’s biopic King Richard. Ariana DeBose, who is of Puerto Rican, Black and Italian ethnicity, won Best Supporting Actress for her role in West Side Story.

The Importance of Modern Black Romance Films

It’s no secret that social media has changed the dating game. Everything is overanalyzed. On X (formerly known as Twitter) there is a constant conversation over how to fit “traditional roles” in relationships during modern times. The romance in dating is often overshadowed by these conversations, and these films bring back the “first date” feeling, unrequited love, and self-discovery in the process.

Take a look below at some modern Black romance films to stream now:

• The Photograph (2020)

  The Photograph premiered on Valentine’s Day in 2020 starring Issa Rae, LaKeith Stanfield, Y’lan Noel, Chanté Adams, and more. The film centers on a retelling of a love story in the past and one being created in the present. Rae portrays Mae Morton, an art director who finds a photograph of her mother who died unexpectedly. Stanfield plays Michael Block, a budding journalist, who helps Morton uncover the past. You can stream The Photograph on Paramount Plus, YouTube, Apple TV+, and Amazon Prime.

• The Perfect Find (2023)

  If you’re a secret romance kind of person, this one is for you. The Perfect Find stars Gabrielle Union, Keith Powers, Gina Torres, La La Anthony, and more. The film is based on the novel of the same name written by Tia Williams. She also serves a writer for the film. Union plays Jenna Jones, a woman whose fashion career is back but she soon comes to find that she is falling in love with a younger man who just so happens to be her boss’s son. Jones has to choose whether she is going to choose love, her career, or possibly win it all and have both. You can stream The Perfect Find on Netflix.

• Entergalactic (2022)

  Not only does Entergalactic have a compelling love story, it also has a hip-hop connection. Kid Cudi stars as Jabari, a starving artist recently moved to Manhattan that falls in love with his neighbor. The animated film also stars Jaden Smith, Timothée Chalamet, Jessica Williams, Laura Harrier, Vanessa Hudgens, Ty Dolla $ign, Teyana Taylor, Macaulay Culkin, 070 Shake, and Teyana Taylor. Cudi also produced Entergalactic as well as created an album of the same name which soundtracks a majority of the film.

  You can stream Entergalactic on Netflix.

• Really Love (2020)

  https://www.netflix.com/title/81397545

  Really Love stars Kofi Siriboe, Yootha Wong-Loi-Sing, Jade Eshete, Tristan Wilds, Suzzanne Douglas, Michael Ealy, Uzo Aduba, Blair Underwood, and Naturi Naughton. Sirobe, who plays Isiah Maxwell, is an aspiring painter who unexpectedly falls for a woman who’s a law student. Having come from different roles, they struggle to manage their romance and how (and if) their futures can be aligned. You can stream Really Love on Netflix.

• Moonlight (2016)

  Moonlight didn’t win Best Picture for nothing. One of the best modern examples of not only a Black love story but coming-of-age, identity, and sexuality. Moonlight stars Mahershala Ali, Trevante Rhodes, Ashton Sanders, Naomie Harris, André Holland, Alex R. Hibbert, Jharrel Jerome, and Janelle Monáe. This film shows three chapters of Chiron’s life and how he navigates learning about himself and how one love impacted his entire life. You can stream the Academy Award-winning film on Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, Apple TV, Max (formerly known as HBO Max).

• Sylvie's Love (2020)

  If you’re a fan of “spin the block” kind of love, this needs to be put on your watch list. Sylvie’s Love stars Tessa Thompson, Nnamdi Asomugha, Regé-Jean Page, Aja Naomi King, Lance Reddick, Alano Miller, Eva Longoria, and more. Thompson portrays Sylvie who, after years away from her first love, finally reunite and discover there is still a spark there. You can stream Sylvie’s Love on Amazon Prime.

• If Beale Street Could Talk (2018)

   

  While love is magical, sometimes situations arise and circumstances make it more complicated. In the case of If Beale Street Could Talk, a woman is pregnant by her fiancé and is ready to start a family, but then he is arrested for a crime he did not commit. The film is based on James Baldwin’s fifth novel of the same name. If Beale Street Could Talk combines a true love story with the fight for justice and the harsh reality for Black people in America. The film stars KiKi Layne, Stephan James, Regina King, Brian Tyree Henry, Colman Domingo, Dave Franco, Pedro Pascal, Teyonah Parris, Aunjanue Ellis, and more. The film was nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Original Score at the 91st Academy Awards. King also took home an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her role. You can stream If Beale Street Could Talk on YouTube, Apple TV+, Amazon Prime Video.

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