swap_horiz Beat Street Alternatives

1

Wattstax (1973)

Documenting a 1972 Los Angeles concert, this American documentary film is notable for showcasing Black culture and perfo...

Music Documentary Concert Blaxploitation

8.4 Great

2

The Brother from Another Planet

John Sayles’ *The Brother from Another Planet* (1984) presents a unique blend of science fiction and social commentary....

Sci Fi Satire Urban 1980S

8.4 Great

3

Heavy Traffic

Ralph Bakshi’s *Heavy Traffic* (1973) is a groundbreaking animated film offering a starkly realistic depiction of Los An...

Animation Satire Urban 1970S

8.4 Great

4

Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song (1971)

Directed by Melvin Van Peebles, this 1971 independent film follows a Black man on the run from the law and is widely cre...

Independent Urban Pioneering Blaxploitation

8.2 Great

5

Cooley High (1975)

Cooley High is a 1975 American coming-of-age comedy-drama directed by Michael Schultz, widely praised for its realistic...

Drama Urban Coming Of Age Blaxploitation

8.1 Great

6

Space Is the Place

Space Is the Place is a 1974 Afrofuturist science-fiction film by John Coney, starring Sun Ra and his Arkestra in a cosm...

Music Sci Fi Classic 1970S

7.8 Good

7

The Mack (1973)

Starring Max Julien, this 1973 American crime drama is a highly influential entry in the genre, detailing the rise of a...

Crime Urban Blaxploitation Pimp

7.5 Good

8

Claudine (1974)

Claudine is a 1974 American romantic comedy-drama starring Diahann Carroll and James Earl Jones, notable for its poignan...

Drama Urban Romance Blaxploitation

7.5 Good

9

Sparkle (1976)

Sparkle is a 1976 American musical drama directed by Sam O'Steen, starring Irene Cara and following a sister singing gro...

Music Drama Female Lead Blaxploitation

7.3 Good

10

Leadbelly

Leadbelly is a 1976 biographical drama by Gordon Parks about blues musician Huddie Ledbetter, starring Roger E. Mosley i...

Music Classic 1970S Biopic

7.2 Good

11

I'm Gonna Git You Sucka (1988)

Keenen Ivory Wayans directed this 1988 comedic parody of the blaxploitation genre, featuring original icons Jim Brown an...

Comedy Parody 1980S Blaxploitation

7.1 Good

12

Trouble Man (1972)

Starring Robert Hooks, this 1972 film follows a suave fixer in Los Angeles who gets framed for murder, noted for its cel...

Action Crime Urban Blaxploitation

7.0 Good

13

Black Joy

Black Joy is a 1977 British comedy film directed by Anthony Simmons that adapts the blaxploitation formula to a London s...

Drama Comedy Urban British

7.0 Good

14

Car Wash (1976)

Car Wash is a 1976 American comedy directed by Michael Schultz, noted for its ensemble cast and its hugely successful di...

Comedy Urban Blaxploitation Ensemble

6.8 Fair

15

For Love of Ivy

*For Love of Ivy* is a 1968 romantic comedy directed by Daniel Mann, notable for having Sidney Poitier star and co-write...

Classic Comedy Urban Romance

6.6 Fair

16

Amazing Grace (1974)

Starring comedy icon Moms Mabley, this 1974 American comedy film follows an elderly woman who leads a grassroots campaig...

Comedy Urban Political Blaxploitation

6.6 Fair

17

Krush Groove

Krush Groove is a 1985 American musical drama film directed by Michael Schultz that dramatizes the real-life origins of...

Music Urban 1980S Hip Hop

6.6 Fair

18

Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo

Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo is a 1984 American breakdancing musical film directed by Sam Firstenberg that became famou...

Music Dance 1980S Sequel

6.2 Fair

19

Bustin' Loose

Bustin' Loose is a 1981 road comedy-drama starring Richard Pryor and Cicely Tyson, with Oz Scott directing and Michael S...

Comedy Urban 1980S Road

6.1 Fair

20

Tougher Than Leather

This 1988 crime film directed by Rick Rubin stars hip-hop group Run-D.M.C., serving as a gritty late-era blaxploitation...

Music Crime 1980S Hip Hop

4.8 Poor