This has to be a first! There are so many black holiday movies coming out this year, and that has MadameNoire thinking about our favorite black holiday films again! Two years ago we did a list, but this year we are adding more to Santa’s good (and naughty) lists. These are the best black holiday films you should watch this Thanksgiving and Christmas with the family.
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The Best Man Holiday (2013)
Now out in theaters, this highly-anticipated film features the all-star cast from the original film in 1999, The Best Man. Something tells me this film will spread Christmas cheer, but with old friendships reunited there might be some old drama and sparks reignited as well.
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Black Nativity (2013)
The soundtrack to this film will probably be amazing — like the most amazing black movie soundtrack in years. And the trailer looks touching — starring two Academy-Award winners, Forest Whitaker (The Last King of Scotland, 2006) and Jennifer Hudson (Dreamgirls, 2006) both winning their Oscars for best actor and best supporting actress the same year, respectively. Also, the film stars Academy-Award nominated, Angela Bassett (What’s Love Got to Do with It, 1993). It comes out Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2013.
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A Madea Christmas (2013)
I’m not the biggest fan of Tyler Perry. I’ve had complexities with his films. So it’s hard for me to put something he’s done in a slideshow highlighting what should be seen this season. But it is a black film — to spread “Christmas cheer,” so here it is. This movie looks like your typical Tyler Perry-styled film, but many in the black community go see his movies and that’s why they are still being made. So I guess this is the best season to see a film by him… I guess. It comes out Friday, Dec. 13, 2013.
Friday After Next (2002)
It’s the third (and not the best) installment in the Friday series. But it’s still hilarious enough to bring some holiday laughter to you and your family. Something tells me Last Friday will top the sequels and maybe even the original when it’s finally made. Let’s hope it gets made, but for those of you who don’t know, it’s NOT the actors that are holding up the film from being made. I’ll let Ice Cube tell it.
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Last Holiday (2006)
I mean if you know you’re going out, you might as well go out either with a bang or enjoying your life to the fullest. And that’s exactly what Queen Latifah’s character did in this adventurous, romantic holiday film.
Holiday Heart (2000)
Although the film is not focused specifically on the holidays, Christmas is used as a time period and setting. And with the unconventional, dysfunctional yet loving family aspect to the film, it’s definitely a holiday film. Watch the final scene of the film.
A Dream for Christmas (1973)
This might have been made-for-TV, but it’s considered a black Christmas classic. A southern preacher takes over a Californian church on the verge of demolition.
The Kid Who Loved Christmas (1990)
This is a cute story and expresses true holiday spirit and joy. A boy and father’s fight to be together. It’s another made-for-TV yet touching film (check out this film spot) starring Sammy Davis Jr., Vanessa L. Williams and Cicely Tyson to name a few.
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Trading Places (1983)
This film is a comedy classic. It’s worth watching just for that. But it was genius to make Christmas the setting for a prince and a pauper to switch places. Watch it, it’ll bring holiday laughter.
Jingle All the Way (1996)
Arnold Schwarzenegger might be the protagonist, but Sinbad plays the perfect antagonist. And together they make this adventure comedy about the craziness of holiday commercialism worthy watching.
A Diva’s Christmas Carol (2000)
I remember watching this film on VH1 as a kid, and thought ‘Vanessa L. Williams sure is fierce, demanding, cold and divalicious,’ (pre-Beyonce song). It seemed effortless for her to do. And I loved every moment of it.
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This Christmas (2007)
This movie has been out less than a decade, but it’s already a black family classic with an all-star cast. If you haven’t seen it, the trailer will definitely give you that vibe to watch it.
The Perfect Holiday (2007)
Although this film is not as critically or commercially successful as This Christmas, which came out the same year, it’s still about family and holiday cheer. Therefore, it’s worth watching with the family.
Soul Food (1997)
On any family holiday: Christmas, Thanksgiving, Mother’s Day or Father’s Day or even the Super Bowl, this film should be seen by you and your family. It’s the ultimate black family film, that’s for sure.
The Preacher’s Wife (1997)
While Soul Food is the best black family film, could The Preacher’s Wife be the ultimate black holiday classic? Yes. Well, we all know that the soundtrack and Whitney Houston’s voice brought the gospel and holiday cheer. And so did Denzel Washington’s performance as an angel with work to do. Listening to songs from the soundtrack and watching the film definitely puts you in the holiday spirit. It sure did for me as a kid.
