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30 Iconic African American Comedy Movies You Should Watch
There are days that you don’t feel like leaving the house but you still want to have a good time. Well, on such days, Netflix and Chill is the best option. Just order a nice meal to be delivered to your doorstep and get cozy with the TV remote and get ready to laugh.
It’s no secret that some of the most hilarious films of all time revolve around black characters and black culture. There’s almost nothing better than sitting down for a great laugh after days of hard work.
Legends like Eddie Murphy, Martin Lawrence, the Wayans brothers, and many others have given us some of the funniest Black movies from the 80s, 90s, and 2000s. You know what they say about laughter and good health right?
Read about the best comedy actors here.
Here are the 30 iconic African American comedy movies you should watch now.
1. Blue Streak
Blue Streak is a funny cop action-comedy that features Martin Lawrence. The movie is about a thief that pretends to be a police officer after he is arrested and jailed following a heist that doesn’t go as planned.
The thief steals a diamond and hides it at a construction site before his arrest. After his two years jail term, he goes back to the spot where he hid his treasure only to find that the building is now the police headquarters. His troubles are just beginning. Will he get his diamond back?
One of the funniest scenes is where the girl he loves has moved on but he is trying to win her back after getting out of prison. She says, “You lied, you said you were a banker” and Martin responds with “No, I said I was a bank robber”.
The movie is intriguing and very funny, you will love it. Will the thief get his Diamond back? Watch and find out.
2. Death at a Funeral
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Death at a Funeral is an American black comedy film. Members of a mostly dysfunctional family are meeting to bury a loved one. The funeral turns into quite an affair with chaos left right and center. It starts with the wrong body being brought to others being as high as kites, and secrets being revealed. The misunderstandings spin out of control.
It is one of the funniest movies and those looking for something hilarious should watch it. With so many great actors, the humor is well executed and the whole cast delivers solid performances.
3. Keanu
Keanu is an American buddy action-comedy film that was released in 2016. The story is about a guy going through a bad break-up but starting to heal after a kitten appears on his doorstep. He names the adorable kitten, Keanu. What he doesn’t know is that the cat had escaped from a drug lab. All goes well until his apartment is ransacked and Keanu is stolen.
He and his cousin pose as tough guys and head into gangster territory to find the kitten, and everything goes south from there because everyone wants to keep Keanu. Watch this funny movie to have a good laugh. It is inappropriate for children because of bad language, nudity, and drugs.
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4. Night School
Night School is an American comedy film that was released in 2018. It is about a guy who accidentally blows up his workplace and is forced to go back to school so that he qualifies for the next job. He enrolls in a night school. He has concentration issues, and he is forced to deal with a group of misfit students and a teacher who thinks he is dull-witted.
It is a funny movie with some not-so-child-friendly jokes but it is worth watching.
5. Nobody’s Fool
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Nobody’s Fool is an American romantic comedy-drama film written and directed by Tyler Perry and was released in 2018. A woman is released from prison and reunites with her sister. She soon discovers that her sister is in an online relationship with a man she has never seen because he has a poor internet connection that cannot support face time.
The ex-prisoner has every reason to believe that her sister is being catfished. Watch the romantic- comedy to know what happens next.
6. Top Five
Top Five is an American comedy film that was written and directed by Chris Rock in 2014. It is the story of a news reporter interviewing a comedian who is a recovering alcoholic. It has a lot of twists and turns and has a lot of comedy stars some appearing as them themselves.
The comedian star in this film is dating a reality TV star and their wedding is coming up in a few days. He is forced to think about his past and his comedy career. The movie shows that everyone has their insecurities no matter how confident they may seem.
Watch this star-studded comedy for good laughs.
7. Girls Trip
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Girls Trip is an award-winning, all-girl stars American comedy that was released in 2017. The film is about four best friends from college reuniting to have a good time as they travel out of town to relax, party, and do everything crazy.
The trip, however, does not go as planned. Petty fights get in the way of fun at first but issues are resolved after apologies and the girls get back to having their enjoyable moments. It is a fun movie worth your time.
8. Sextuplets
This comedy movie is about a man who discovers that he was one of six babies born from one pregnancy. He sets out to look for his siblings and the journey becomes quite interesting. He finds them all and oh boy aren’t they different! There is a pimp, a hustler, a stripper, and one that suffers from polio plus has stunted growth.
This movie has Marlon Wayans acting as multiple characters. It will make you hurt till your ribs hurt.
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9. Bad Boys
Bad boys! Bad boys! Whatcha gonna do? Whatcha gonna do, when they come for you?
Bad Boys is a popular cop action-comedy film that was first released in 1999. It is about two detectives who blow a fuse when a huge amount of heroin they’ve just seized gets stolen from the police headquarters. They are in big trouble and with the clock ticking, will they find the drugs before Internal Affairs shuts down the narcotics division?
Bad Boys is a good and funny movie that is worth watching. It has two more sequels, Bad Boys II which was released in 2003, and Bad Boys for Life released in 2020.
10. Coming to America
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Coming to America is a 1988 romantic comedy film about an African prince who is tired of his pampered lifestyle and outdated tradition where a bride is chosen for him. He travels to America, even though he does not know much about western culture, to find an independent woman who will love him for who he is and not his social status as royalty.
This is a classic film that movie lovers watch over and over. It will make you laugh. The sequel, Coming 2 America, was released in 2021.
11. Barbershop
Barbershop is a 2002 American comedy-drama film. It is a story about a guy who inherits his father’s business despite having no interest in taking it over. He immediately decides to sell the shop to a loan shark, but after realizing how much this place means to the community, he changes his mind.
Will he return the business to its former glory? Find out more by watching the movie and have a good laugh. There are two more sequels released in 2004 and 2016.
12. Beauty Shop
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Beauty shop is a Barbershop spin-off comedy film that was released in 2005. The story is about a popular hairstylist who quits her job and decides to start her own business. It is not easy because a lot of issues are getting in the way of her success.
Will her enemies succeed in bringing her down with their sabotage plans? Watch to see how she overcomes the challenges.
13. Deliver Us From Eva
With a title coined from the Lord’s Prayer, ‘And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil’, Deliver Us From Eva is a romantic comedy film that was released in 2003. The story is about Eva, one of four sisters orphaned while they were still young.
Wanting only the best for her three little sisters, she gets too involved in their lives and their boyfriends aren’t happy about this. They hire someone to date, Eva, in a bid to reduce her interference in the lives of her sisters and by extension their lives too.
Will the plan work? Watch this funny movie to find out.
14. Friday
Friday is a humorous film that was released in 1995. It is the story of a guy who gets fired from his job for stealing. With nothing else to do, he spends his Friday hanging out with his best friend who is a drug peddler. There is no shortage of drama in the hood from drug addicts to drive-by shootings.
The two find themselves in funny situations but they are determined to change their lives. Watch the movie to find out how they do it.
15. Undercover Brother
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Undercover Brother is a satirical spy action-comedy movie that was released in 2002. It is a good movie with black history aspects. The story is about how black culture is quickly losing ground against white supremacy.
There is a powerful secret organization headed by ‘The Man’ that promotes black oppression and exploitation and then there is the ‘BROTHERHOOD’ whose purpose is to interfere with The Man’s actions.
Do they win against the blaxploitation? Watch what happens when Undercover Brother is hired by the Brotherhood.
16. Madea
There are a lot of movies and shows that are based on Madea, who is a tough, street-smart, and elderly African American woman. Madea started with acting plays in 1999 until the first movie was released in 2005. So far, there are 11 Madea plays and 12 movies, the last one being ‘A Madea Homecoming’ which was released in 2022.
Anything Madea is worth watching as Tyler Perry plays this role so well. She is a very funny woman that often misquotes the bible and has the funniest punchlines.
17. Rush Hour
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Rush Hour is a delightful and very funny action comedy that was released in 1998. The movie is about two police partners that are partners but do not see eye to eye. When a Chinese diplomat’s daughter is kidnapped, they must work together to solve the case, especially because a young girl’s life is at stake.
The sequels, Rush Hour 2 and Rush Hour 3 were released in 2001 and 2007 respectively. Its soundtrack is catchy too. War, What is it good for?
18. Boomerang
Boomerang is a romantic comedy movie that was released in 1992. It is a story of a successful and overconfident guy who is a serial womanizer. He seduces multiple women, leading them on till he sleeps with them then ghosts them. When a new head of department who happens to be a lady is appointed, she treats him the same way he treats women but he does not seem to like it.
This movie will provide non-stop laughs.
19. Exit Strategy
Exit Strategy is a romantic comedy film that was released in 2012. While most stories are about how to win a girl, this movie is the story of a guy trying desperately to get dumped by his girlfriend. They dated for only 3 months before moving in together, and he discovers they are not compatible.
Does he get dumped? Watch to find out.
20. Think Like A Man
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Based on Steve Harvey’s ‘Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man’ book that was published in 2009, Think Like a Man is a romantic comedy movie that was released in 2012.
The story is about four friends with girlfriends that have been taking advice from Steve Harvey’s book. They read the book and try to turn the tables. With four storylines, the movie is quite interesting and funny. Watch the movie to find out what happens next. There is a sequel, Think Like a Man Too, that was released in 2014.
21. Brown Sugar
Brown Sugar is a romantic comedy film that was released in 2002. The story is about two childhood friends that love hip-hop. They both have successful careers in the music industry and are in relationships with other people but are not entirely happy with their lives.
This movie will have you catching feelings when these two friends accept what they feel for each other. It is a funny movie that is worthwhile.
22. I Think I Love My Wife
I Think I Love My Wife is a romantic comedy film that was released in 2007. It is the story of a married guy who seems to have it all but that is not the case because he feels trapped in a boring routine marriage.
He reunites with a former girlfriend, and he is faced with the temptation to cheat on his wife. Watch this romantic comedy to see how the situation plays out.
23. Hitch
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Hitch is a romantic comedy film that was released in 2005. Hitch is a love doctor who is helping clueless men get the girls of their dreams by building their confidence and helping them get and retain the attention of the women they love.
Surprisingly, the love doctor is having problems sustaining a relationship of his own. It’s a funny movie that will have you laughing at the pain of others.
24. Big Momma’s House
Big Momma’s House is an American crime comedy film that was released in 2000. It is the story of an FBI agent who is tasked with tracking down an escaped convict and his loot. He is forced to go undercover as the estranged grandmother of the criminal’s former girlfriend. The undercover agent crosses the line when he starts to form a bond with the lady and her son.
It is a funny movie that will have you rolling on the floor and watching it over and over. You could also watch its two sequels, the 2006 Big Momma’s House 2 and Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son, which was released in 2011.
25. Johnson Family Vacation
Johnson Family Vacation is a comedy movie that was released in 2004. The story revolves around a family that is going on a road trip to attend a family reunion. Things don’t go as planned and the family gets into a lot of hilarious situations.
It is a funny movie and some of the lines from the movie, like ‘What would Jesus Do?’ are still used today.
26. Head of State
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Head of State is a political comedy film that was released in 2003. It is the story of an alderman that is chosen as the Democratic Party candidate for a presidential election after his party’s original presidential and vice-presidential nominees die in a plane crash.
His relationship is troubled and his girlfriend is on the verge of leaving him. The only good thing is he was acknowledged as a hero for saving a woman from an explosion. What are his chances of becoming president? Watch this funny movie to find out.
27. The Last Holiday
Last Holiday is a romantic comedy-drama movie that was released in 2006. The story is about a lady with a terminal illness diagnosis who decides to live her life to the fullest. Armed with her bucket list, she goes on vacation, intending to enjoy herself to the maximum. She books the presidential suite buys designer clothes and makes use of all the expensive spa treatments.
She starts dating a co-worker and together they enjoy the activities on her list. Does she die in the end? Watch the movie to find out.
28. Ride Along
Ride Along is a buddy cop action-comedy film that was released in 2014. The movie is about a guy trying to prove himself worthy of marrying an undercover police officer’s younger sister. For the police officer to offer his blessings, the brother-in-law must ‘ride along’. Does he get the blessing? Watch the movie to find out.
The movie has a sequel, Ride Along 2, that was released in 2016. Both movies are funny and worth your while.
29. Sister Act
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Sister Act is a comedy film that was released in 1992. This funny comedy movie is a classic that one can watch over and over. The story is about a young lady who works as a singer in a club. She witnesses a crime, the killing of a police informant, and so she needs to be placed in witness protection.
The police take her to a convent, which she is against and so is the head nun but her life depends on it. She blends in so well and even improves the church choir with her singing skills. How long can she last as a nun? Watch this classic to find out.
The movie has a sequel Sister Act 2 that came out in 2006, and Disney also did a musical animation of the movie in 2006 too.
30. Fatherhood
Fatherhood is a comedy-drama movie that was released in 2021. The story is about a guy who becomes a widower shortly after becoming a father. He is determined to raise his daughter alone but not many people have faith in him. Though it is tough, he manages with the help of friends and other parents.
Watch this funny comedy to see how he succeeded in raising a strong independent young girl.
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