If you know me, you know I don’t do “top 10 lists”, mostly because I don’t do short and sweet, baby! But also because it’s almost impossible for me to cut my favorites down into such a small list! And I’m not about to start trying now, just because every other film critic is doing it. So instead, here’s a list of what I consider the best movies and TV shows of 2023 … aka (almost) everything I gave a 4 out of 5 stars (or higher).
This is what I now like to call, the “here’s what Shaye would watch again with her friends if they loved her enough to watch her favorites with her” list. If you’re looking for the full list of what I watched in 2023, you can find it on my Letterboxd.
Of course, in no specific order, here are …
23 Of The Best Black Movies And TV Shows of 2023
1. The Blackening
“The Blackening” is one of my favorite films of 2023, and for good reason! Outside of a spectacular, star-studded cast, filled with Black talent — ranging from Jermaine Fowler to comedians Yvonne Orji, X Mayo, and Jay Pharoah, to the writer himself Dewayne Perkins.
The film expertly weaves comedy and horror together, like no other!
When I say this thang’ll make you jump up outta yo seat and then pee yo pants 5 seconds later from laughing so damn hard, I’m not kidding.
I normally don’t watch horror films since I’m a big scaredy cat, but this one was tame enough to keep my spirit at ease, while still keeping me entertained. Move over, “Scary Movie” ’cause everyone’s got a new Black horror film now!
2. Missing
“Missing” was my first film watched in 2023, and this thriller is still one of my faves today! Starring Storm Reid and Nia Long, this one kept me on the edge of my seat for almost the entire film, and I loved it!
3. Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse
You all know, Miles Morales is my absolute favorite Spider-Man, so naturally of course that makes “Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse” easily one of my favorite films of all time!
But even if I wasn’t biased about my superheroes, this dope a** animation would STILL be at the top of my 2023 list, simply because it’s THAT good. Within the very first few minutes, you can see how complex this film is, and it entertains all the way through. So much so, that my daughter screamed at the screen when it ended, because she needed more answers.
Good thing there’s another Spider-Verse film dropping soon huh.
4. Bottoms
I saw “Bottoms” in Utah when I was at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival, and it didn’t disappoint! Like at all! The entire audience, including moi, laughed from the beginning to the end. It’s really one of those underrated films of 2023, that barely anyone talked about. But Ayo Edebiri’s performance in this is praiseworthy!
So if you haven’t seen it yet, please! Get it TF together!
5. Magazine Dreams
Now, I know how we all feel about Mr. Majors right now, but I’m trying to not let the news taint the greatness of this film.
I saw “Magazine Dreams” at Sundance as well, and even though Disney took it off their release schedule — writer and director, Elijah Bynum deserves praise for his directorial debut! This one’s a bit harder to watch than most of the films on this list, but it was a really great film!
6. Creed 3
Listen — I didn’t watch “Creed” 1 or 2 before I sat down in theaters to watch “Creed 3” but let me tell you!!! I’m so glad I stuck it out, in that first row of the IMAX theater, to watch one of the best movies of 2023 y’all! Whew! It seriously hurts thinking about how bad this viewing experience was. But that didn’t tarnish my enjoyment of this film!
I was too busy talking to the screen and ducking the blows, as if I were in the film myself, to worry about how uncomfortable I was. And since this is Michael B. Jordan’s directorial debut, I’m grateful I got to watch it on the big screen!
7. The Color Purple
Okay, hold on a second now. Strap yourself in for this one. “The Color Purple” … THIS version of “The Color Purple” is the BEST version of this story, you’ll ever see! I swear! If you’re like me, and lean towards watching more fun, uplifting, stories that aren’t seeping in Black trauma, then this musical adaption of the Broadway show will be an easier watch for you.
Of course, yes, it’s a musical! But with these voices how can you be mad!! Plus, Halle gave a great performance, unlike in “The Little Mermaid” so that’s another reason to watch this one!
8. Transformers: Rise Of The Beasts
I’m not gonna lie, “Transformers: Rise Of The Beasts” shocked TF outta me in 2023!
Not only did I get invited to attend the red carpet premiere right here in Brooklyn, but I wasn’t prepared for this movie to be so freaking good! My daughter and I enjoyed every minute of this, and while I do like Dominique Fishback’s performance in “Swarm” more than in this, she’s still an actress I absolutely love watching on screen!
9. Little Richard: I Am Everything
I don’t usually watch documentaries, but the “Little Richard” doc is EVERYTHING!
I feel like I learned so much about him while watching this and it made me feel deeply about his traumatic past. However, as one of the greats, this one’s a must see and I’m so grateful I watched it.
10. Queen Charlotte
Now I love me some “Bridgerton” y’all, but “Queen Charlotte” takes this story to a whole different level of greatness! This prequel into the Queen’s life, and how the older generation got to where they are is SO entertaining!
If you haven’t bothered to watch this great series yet, all I can say to that is … sorrows, sorrows, prayers. Confused? Welp, you should have watched the show!
11. They Cloned Tyrone
Do you know what happens when you put Jamie Foxx, foine a** John Boyega, and Teyonah Parris in an elevator scene of a Netflix movie? It’s going DOWN!
Juel Taylor hit this Black conspiracy movie on the nose! It’s so freaking good! It’s got “Black Scooby Doo gang” vibes, mixed with a little Nancy Drew — and it’s about all the things that have us in a “choke hold” right now. It’s great f*cking writing, with a stellar ensemble cast! And you should have watched this twice already!
12. The Burial
Jamie Foxx kills it again, in this Prime Video original, about a Black successful Banker who helps his small business client win a court case against a big corporation.
And as electric as Jamie’s performance is, the biggest takeaway from “The Burial” is that we CAN have dope a** Black characters who are successful, and charming, and amazing, on screen, without any traumatic backstories!
13. Gen V
So — quick warning, “Gen V” is a spinoff of “The Boys” and I’m saying this beforehand because I did NOT know this when I hit play. I’m actually grateful I didn’t know though, because I may not have watched this.
But “Gen V” is basically a college superhero series. It’s a bit gruesome though, and there are way too many body parts exploding for my liking. But I still enjoyed the heck out of this show! And that’s definitely due to the awesome performances by Jaz Sinclair (pictured above) and Chance Perdomo (who you may recognize from a certain Netflix series).
14. I’m A Virgo
Not sure I need to say much about “I’m A Virgo” other than — I’m a Virgo!! I was so excited when this show was announced, and it didn’t disappoint! Shout out to one of my faves, Boots Riley, the creator of this weird, superhero series about a larger-than-life (literally) teen boy who just wants to be a part of society and make some damn friends! ‘Cause this show is equally entertaining as it is insanely strange. And as a Virgo, I love it!
15. Swarm
Prime Video’s “Swarm” is another interesting series, about a Black woman serial killer, played by the great Dominique Fishback and it’s insanely good! But a tad bit disturbing. But it was GREAT! One of the BEST TV shows of 2023 for sure!
16. Rye Lane
This cute rom-com took the world by storm when it was released during Sundance, and then again when it was released to the public.
And I’m so freaking glad folks are finally enjoying the cheesy films that I love!
17. Rustin
All I can say is — Colman Domingo! That’s all I should have to say! But I’ll also say this — I normally don’t watch movies about historical figures. I’m not into the history lessons when I’m trying to relax. But I loved watching “Rustin” and Colman is such a fantastic actor! I mean, he’s the life of this party, he’s the reason this film comes alive.
18. A Thousand And One
I still have mixed feelings about this movie, but one thing is for sure — folks ain’t talking about Josiah Cross’ performance in this enough for me! So I’m gon’ keep mentioning his name because he deserves the shine! And this movie is worth watching for him alone. Of course, there’s also a great story here, with a complete twist at the end that even I didn’t see coming.
19. Black Cake
It took a while for me to get through “Black Cake” because it’s not the fun, loving series I’m used to. But there was no way I could pass up watching a Caribbean story like this on Hulu!
Of course, the accents could use a little work — as always. But the story itself is a great one! And a reminder that we should ask our parents questions because you just never know what they may be hiding.
20. Percy Jackson And The Olympians
I know “Percy Jackson And The Olympians” dropped at the end of 2023, and it’s not even over yet, but it’s worth mentioning because it’s THAT good. I started watching this with my daughter, despite not being totally convinced I should watch it. But after the first 3 episodes, I’m hooked! And our new Annabeth, played by Leah Sava Jeffries, is killing this role! She’s honestly the freaking best! Along with Aryan Simhadri who plays Grover.
21. Wish
I was honestly surprised at how much I liked “Wish” when I watched it. The songs feel a bit different than what we’re normally used to from Disney, and I think that’s why I liked it so much. Plus, the villain in this story, really feels relatable.
22. Unprisoned
I don’t know if folks have been living under a rock, or if they think this series starring the Kerry Washington, would be traumatic, due to its name. But this is actually a comedy y’all. And it’s SO freaking good! I was shocked. I really want another season of this! It’s just a feel-good story about a daughter learning to live with her father again after he gets out of prison. And it’s nowhere near as traumatic as you’d think it would be, given the context!
23. Theater Camp
Last but not least baby, is this insane film about a theater camp, literally called “Theater Camp”. I honestly only watched it for my girl Ayo Edebiri, and of course, she didn’t disappoint! However, I’ve seen this one twice now, and it’s really freaking funny.
Totally worth a watch, or two!