Black Starpower Shines Bright This Winter: Must-Watch Movies and TV Shows
As winter’s chill sets in, there’s no better excuse to cozy up and indulge in the season’s most captivating movies and TV shows. Whether you’re in the mood for edge-of-your-seat thrills or a gripping detective drama, this winter lineup delivers in every way.
From Colman Domingo’s suspense-filled Netflix thriller The Madness to an all-new detective series starring Morris Chestnut, these picks will keep you hooked.
So, grab your favorite blanket, brew a steaming cup of comfort, and dive into stories that make the coldest nights feel a little cozier. Here’s your ultimate guide to must-watch entertainment that’ll warm your winter.
“The Madness” (Nov. 28)
Colman Domingo plays Muncie Daniels, a part-time political commentator, in Stephen Belber’s gripping action thriller “The Madness.”
Muncie’s attempt to step back from the public eye takes a dark turn when he stumbles upon the body of a high-profile far-right figure and white supremacist. Suddenly, he and his family are thrust into a perilous situation, targeted by a shadowy, powerful organization that frames him for the murder and isolates him from any support.
V.J. Boyd co-leads the project as showrunner and executive producer, with an impressive cast that features Marsha Stephanie Blake, Gabrielle Graham, John Ortiz, Tamsin Topolski, and Thaddeus J. Mixson.
“All the Queen’s Men” (Nov. 28)
Season 4 of the BET+ series “All the Queen’s Men” also returned this Thanksgiving. Marilyn “Madam” DeVille, portrayed by Eva Marcille, is back with a fiery determination this season. On a relentless mission to uncover those responsible for her father’s abduction, Madam stops at nothing to seek justice. Her ruthless pursuit paves the way for a season filled with shocking turns and edge-of-your-seat moments as she battles to defend her empire.
“Love Never Lies: South Africa” (Nov. 29)
Netflix’s “Love Never Lies: South Africa” is a new kind of dating show in which six couples test their trust with an eye-scanning lie detector. Lies cost money, and truth comes with a cash prize.
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“STAR WARS: SKELETON CREW” (Dec. 3)
“Star Wars: Skeleton Crew“ chronicles the thrilling journey of four kids who uncover a mysterious secret on their peaceful home planet, only to find themselves lost in an unpredictable and perilous galaxy. As they navigate their way home, they encounter unexpected allies and formidable foes, embarking on an adventure beyond their wildest dreams.
This series, which stars Jude Law, Ravi Cabot-Conyer, Ryan Kiera Armstrong, Kyriana Kratter, Robert Timothy Smith, Tunde Adebimpe, Kerry Condon, and Nick Frost, brings a fresh perspective to the Star Wars universe.
“Snoop’s Fatherhood: Cori and Wayne’s Story”(Dec. 5)
West Coast legend Snoop Dogg to television with a new documentary. Airing on E!, the three-part docuseries will follow the hip hop mogul’s daughter, Cori Broadus, and her fiancé, Wayne Duece, as they journey through the ebbs and flows of love, life, and new beginnings with friends and family.
“Mufasa: The Lion King” (Dec. 20)
Berry Jenkins’ upcoming musical drama “Mufasa: Lion King” promises to delve into the origin story of one of Disney’s most iconic characters. According to its summary, the film follows an orphaned cub, Mufasa, who “meets a sympathetic lion named Taka, the heir to a royal bloodline. The chance meeting sets in motion an expansive journey of an extraordinary group of misfits searching for their destinies. “Mufasa: The Lion King” opens only in theaters on Dec. 20, 2024.
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“The Six Triple Eight” (Dec. 22)
The film, written and directed by Tyler Perry, tells the story of the first and only Women’s Army Corps unit of color to serve overseas during World War II.
Led by Major Charity Adams (played by Kerry Washington), the unit defied racism, sexism, and grueling conditions to accomplish an extraordinary mission, shattering barriers along the way.
The movie features an ensemble cast that includes Ebony Obsidian, Milauna Jackson, Susan Sarandon, Oprah Winfrey, and others. The drama is available in select theaters starting Dec. 6 and due on the streamer on Dec. 20.
“The Fire Inside” (Dec. 25)
The story of Claressa “T-Rex” Shields, a boxer from Flint, Mich., who trained to become the first woman in her country's history to win an Olympic gold medal in the sport.
Directed by Rachel Morrison in her directorial debut, the film stars actress and singer Ryan Destiny as Shields, with performances by Brian Tyree Henry, Lanette Ware, and rapper and filmmaker Ice Cube. The movie hit theaters this Christmas.
“Watson” (Jan. 26)
Morris Chestnut plays Dr. Watson, Sherlock Holmes’s iconic partner, in this fresh twist on a classic tale.
The story picks up with Watson launching a cutting-edge clinic specializing in rare diseases while grappling with the aftermath of Holmes' tragic murder by the infamous Moriarty. While the creative minds behind CBS’s “Elementary” are involved, this new series exists in its own standalone universe. The series starts on January 26, 2025.
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“Paradise” (Jan. 28)
Sterling K. Brown stars in the gripping drama from “This Is Us” creator Dan Fogelman. The story kicks off with a jaw-dropping twist: the President of the United States (James Marsden) is found dead in his bedroom, and Brown’s character—his security guard—is the prime suspect. You can check it out on Hulu when it debuts on January 28, 2025.