It’s that time of year again and a lot of us are watching a never ending stream of Christmas movies. Before Hallmark and Lifetime started making their own original Christmas movies that play on loop from November to the end of the year, we had the classics. Most Christmas movie lovers have their favourites whether it’s the Home Alone movies, the Santa Clause trilogy, It’s A Wonderful Life or Miracle on 34th Street.
As we were preparing to give y’all a Blackity Black Christmas movie list we realised that our favourite classics were sorely lacking in representation! Thankfully, that has been changing over the last couple of decades!
The 2000s and 2010s brought us some great gems that are definitely considered favourites in the Black community. Even better, 2020 gave us the instant Christmas classic that is Jingle Jangle and if you haven’t streamed this on Netflix yet, we highly recommend you do!
During the “most wonderful time of the year”, and in a year that has been so heavy, it feels good to feel seen and included. So, without further ado, here is our Blackity Black Christmas Movie Watchlist:
The Preacher’s Wife (1996) - Denzel Washington and Whitney Houston! Need we say more!?
A Diva’s Christmas Carol (2000) - “Tis the season to be nasty!” It’s Ebony Scrooge starring the one and only, Vanessa Williams
Friday After Next (2002) - a comedy about a thieving neighbourhood Santa with Katt Williams, Mike Epps, Ice Cube and John Witherspoon
Last Holiday (2006) - a rom-com starring Queen Latifah and LL Cool J where a saleswoman learns that she has a terminal illness, takes out all of her life savings and lives it up in Europe. Charming everyone she meets she realises all she wants in her new life is her long-time crush *swoon*
The Perfect Holiday (2007) - a rom-com narrated by Queen Latifah? Yes, please! Watch Gabrielle Union and Morris Chestnut find love at Christmastime. Also starring Terrence Howard, Charlie Murphy and Katt Williams
This Christmas (2007) - a family reunion after 4 years uncovers family secrets and threatens to dampen the holiday spirit. The cast is STACKED with Regina King, Lauren London, Idris Elba, Loretta Devine, Sharon Leal, Columbus Short, Mekhi Phifer and Chris Brown
The Best Man Holiday (2013) - a group of college friends reunite over the holidays and give us all the feels. An instant classic. We dare you not to cry! Featuring the star power that is Morris Chestnut, Regina Hall, Taye Diggs, Sanna Lathan, Terrence Howard and Nia Long
Black Nativity (2013) - bless your ears with this Christmas musical brought to you by Angela Bassett, Jennifer Hudson, Mary J. Blige, Forest Whitaker and Tyrse Gibson
Almost Christmas (2016) - a dysfunctional family reunites during the holidays a year after the loss of the matriarch of the family. Laughs and feels brought to you by Gabrielle Union, Danny Glover, Mo'Nique, Kimberly Elise, Romany Malco, J.B. Smoove, Nicole Ari Parker and Omar Epps
Jingle Jangle (2020) - our new fave, narrated by and starring the incomparable Phylicia Rashad, this Christmas Musical takes you on a journey 😉 to a magical land and reminds you that the square root of possible is youuuuu! Also, starring Forest Whitaker, Madalen Mills, Anika Noni Rose, Keegan-Micahel Key, Lisa Davina Philip and Ricky Martin
If you’re looking for something to watch this season that is more inclusive or if you’re hoping to revisit some old favourites, then we hope the list above has given you a good starting point!
