Every once in awhile a film comes along that hits all the right elements: powerful acting, intelligent script, superb direction and perfect timing. This was the case for Hidden Figures, a biographical drama about mathematician Katherine Johnson (Taraji P. Henson) and her co-workers Dorothy Vaughan (Octavia Spencer) and Mary Jackson (Janelle Monae). In the early 1960s, they worked in NASA's segregated Langley Research Center. Due to the calculations of these three women, John Glenn became the first American astronaut to complete an orbit around the Earth. Directed by Theodore Melfi, the film exquisitely tells the story of these major players ignored by history.

Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer and Janelle Monae deliver some of the best performances of their careers.

Whoopi Goldberg turns in a stirring performance as Celie in this film adaptation of Alice Walker’s epistolary novel of the same name, which chronicles the life of a Black woman as she lives through—and ultimately triumphs against—domestic violence, sexism, sexual assault, racism and poverty.

Interesting note, director Steven Spielberg had to audition in front of author Alice Walker, which he hadn't done in years considering he was already a superstar. In addition, Walker wrote in the contract that at least 50 percent of the crew behind the scenes needed to be people of color. 

The movie received 11 Oscar nominations -- and lost all of them.

Angela Bassett expertly portrays singer Tina Turner in this biopic that explores themes of domestic violence, spirituality and identity. Based on the book I, Tina, written by Tina Turner and Kurt Loder, the Brian Gibson-directed film chronicled the life of Anna Mae Bullock as a young girl in Nutbush, Tennessee to a rock and roll icon.

What's Love Got to Do With it was a massive success, mainly due to Bassett's emotional and transformative performance.  Furthermore, Turner's story riveted women across the world.  She suffered horrific abuse by the hands of Ike Turner, thought her career was over and didn't have her "comeback" until her forties, which was unheard of at the time. 

What's Love Got to Do With It is considered one of the greatest biopics ever made,

Directed by Shola Lynch, Free Angela and All Political Prisoners is a superbly executed doc from a political and emotional perspective. This was the first (and probably last) time Davis spoke about her trial for conspiracy to murder, which resulted in the acquittal from an all-white jury in June 1972. Lynch presents the human side of Davis' story with candid interviews from Davis, her family and historians. 

Davis was on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitive List and wasn't always the tough as nails, afro-wearing revolutionary we've seen in archival footage. She was a woman in love, on the run, fighting for her life and doubtful of a corrupt justice system. Her journey to freedom is fascinating to watch with the polish and intimacy created by Shola Lynch.

This Spike Lee joint follows “Nola Darling,” played by Tracy Camilla Johns, as she juggles relationships with three men. Despite a misguided act of violence, the film still stands as a groundbreaking moment in the independent film movement.

She's Gotta Have It was Spike Lee's first feature-length film and was rebooted as a Netflix series in 2017.

• Serving as a major inspiration for Beyoncé’s Lemonade, Julie Dash’s visually stunning movie is about a multigenerational family of Gullah women that moves from an island off the coast of Georgia to the American mainland in 1902. Written and directed by Dash, she received a 1992 NAACP Image Award nomination for Outstanding Motion Picture.

In this Spike Lee film, a family struggles and loves on each other in 1970s Brooklyn, as seen through the eyes of Troy, who is 9 years old at the start of the film. Starring Alfre Woodard and Delroy Lindo, the film makes us nostalgic for pre-gentrification Brooklyn — a subject close to Lee's heart — with its scenes of stickball, stoops and hoops. 

Based on Terry McMillan’s novel of the same name, this film follows four women—played by Whitney Houston, Angela Bassett, Loretta Devine and Lela Rochon—as they work through their relationships, for better and for worse in Phoenix, Arizona. Directed by Forest Whitaker, it is one of the most powerful film representations of sisterhood and the ins and outs of love. 

Plus, there is a classic soundtrack, which was produced by the legendary Babyface. The soundtrack received an epic 10 Grammy nominations, but only won for Best R&B Song for Whitney Houston's "Exhale (Shoop Shoop)."

When the film first came out on March 14, 1997, to critical acclaim and box-office success, Love Jones not only opened a new chapter for 1990s Black cinema (no violence, no drugs), but also the conventions of the romantic comedy. 

From the soundtrack to the perfectly-cast leads—Nia Long and Larenz Tate—this movie epitomized Black love on the big screen for an entire generation.

On September 15, 1963, the Ku Klux Klan bombed the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama. This Spike Lee documentary details the events that led to the deaths of Addie Mae Collins, Denise McNair, Carole Robertson and Cynthia Wesley. Rooted in a horrific time in our history, it's definitely a tear-jerker and earned Lee an Oscar nomination for Best Documentary.

Director Dee Rees turned a little story about a Brooklyn teen coming out and risking family to embrace her life as a lesbian into a bold, cinematic feature film experience. The movie Pariah, starring Adepero Oduye as Alike and Kim Wayans as Alike's mother, was an indie sensation. The Sundance Film Festival award-winning film was nominated for two Independent Spirit Awards. Its universal message of identity is relatable to all audiences, but is definitely a Black woman's story.

Based on a true story during the 2000 Gore-Bush election, Dee Roberts (Nicole Beharie) and many people in her community are arrested on random drugs charges. Roberts must prove her innocence while putting the life of her and her family at risk. American Violet is a story with purpose, thoughtfulness and it stays with you, highlighting how Black women are treated in the criminal justice system. 

Written and directed by Bill Haney and also starring Alfre Woodard, it was a breakout role for Nicole Beharie.

Emayatzy Corinealdi captivates as a woman named Ruby who is torn between waiting for her husband (Omari Hardwick) to get out of jail and moving forward with her own life—and a potential new boo, played by David Oyelowo. 

Written and directed by Ava DuVernay, the movie has no allegiance to race or gender but centers that Black woman experience. As Ruby says in the film, "I see options in front of me.  Roads that could be traveled... but I am still here."  Who can't relate to that? 

Set in Texas, Miss Juneteenth  follows the life of Turquoise Jones (Nicole Beharie), her estranged husband Ronnie (Kendrick Sampson), and their teenage daughter Kai. They are salt of the earth type of people who work hard and get by. Back in high school, Turquoise was crowned Miss Juneteenth and she desperately wants her daughter to win the pageant too. Kai has other plans. 

Written and directed by the incredible Channing Godfrey Peoples, her directorial debut is a moving examination of motherhood, love, and the true definition of freedom.

You can watch it now on BET+.

Juanita Moore, who earned a Golden Globe nomination for her performance, and Susan Kohner are a mother and daughter, the latter of whom is insists on passing as a white woman and denying her mother. 

This is the second—and most highly regarded—version of the film. Although the story is complicated, considering it was made in 1959, the movie tackles race from a perspective of a Black mother and daughter. Mahalia Jackson also makes a heart-breaking cameo.