African American movie directors have been making waves in Hollywood for decades, constructing compelling stories and creating visually stunning films. Through their efforts, African American directors have created some of the highest grossing films in cinematic history. Here are some of the highest grossing films ever directed by African American movie directors.
Black Panther, released in 2018, was directed by Ryan Coogler and grossed over $1.3 billion in worldwide box office sales. This was the first Marvel Cinematic Universe movie to feature a predominantly black cast and was heralded as a revolutionary moment in Hollywood and for African American filmmakers. With its powerful messages of unity and empowerment, Black Panther was a major success and has become a representation of hope and pride for the African American community.
The 2018 film Crazy Rich Asians, directed by Jon M. Chu, earned over $238 million in worldwide box office sales. This was the first major Hollywood studio movie in 25 years to feature a predominantly Asian cast and was a major milestone for Asian American filmmakers. Crazy Rich Asians was praised for its nuanced exploration of identity, family dynamics and culture, and was seen as an important step forward in representing Asian Americans in mainstream Hollywood films.
Another box office hit directed by an African American movie director is Straight Outta Compton, released in 2015 and directed by F. Gary Gray. The movie grossed over $201 million in worldwide box office sales and was praised for its gripping story and stellar performances. Straight Outta Compton told the story of the rise of the rap group N.W.A. and their struggles against censorship and the racism they faced. The movie was a major success and was seen as a triumphant representation of African American culture.
Hidden Figures, released in 2016 and directed by Theodore Melfi, was a major critical and commercial success. The movie grossed over $236 million in worldwide box office sales and was praised for its inspiring story and uplifting messages. Hidden Figures tells the story of unsung African American heroines working at NASA during the space race of the 1960s, and is a powerful reminder of the importance of recognizing the contributions of marginalized people.
The 2019 film Us, directed by Jordan Peele, was a major commercial and critical success. The movie grossed over $255 million in worldwide box office sales and was met with widespread praise. Us is a horror movie filled with metaphors and symbolism, and is a thought-provoking exploration of themes such as duality and violence. The movie was seen as a major success for African American directors and was a demonstration of their ability to create compelling stories.
As these films show, African American directors have been crafting some of the highest grossing films in cinematic history. Through their stories, these filmmakers have provided powerful representations of African American culture and created an important platform for marginalized voices. These high grossing films are a testament to the talent and creativity of African American movie directors and the importance of representation in popular media.