Group Effort: Ten Best Ensemble Casts
From "Roots" to "The Butler," ten talent-packed films.
1 / 10
Lee Daniels' The Butler (2013) - While it may seem that the more stars packed into a film the better, an ensemble cast is actually a delicate balancing act of personalities and talents. But when filmmakers get it right, it could result in a massive hit. Lee Daniels' The Butler tops our list of movies with the best ensemble casts. The film boasts four Oscar nominees including director Lee Daniels and a winner in lead actor Forest Whitaker along with some of the best talent in Black Hollywood. Plus, Oprah returns to film after 15 years. The flick debuted at No. 1 at the box office. (Photo: The Weinstein Company)
2 / 10
The Color Purple (1985) - This adaptation of Alice Walker's novel by Steven Spielberg introduced two new talents to the world: Oprah Winfrey, in her acting debut, and newcomer Whoopi Goldberg. But even in the face of all that female talent, Danny Glover managed to hold his own as "Mister." At the time of the film's release, the movie was protested by the NAACP but the film is considered a classic today. (Photo: Warner Brothers/courtesy Everett Collection)
3 / 10
Roots (1976) - This groundbreaking mini-series, starring LeVar Buron, John Amos and Louis Gossett Jr., is one of the most acclaimed works of media of the past century. It earned 37 Emmy nominations, a Golden Globe and Peabody win and broke Nielsen ratings records. It's still the third most-watched television program in history. (Photo: Warner Bros. Productions)
Photo By Photo: Warner Bros. Productions
4 / 10
The Best Man (1999) - What seems like an average rom-com has become a Black cinema classic thanks to captivating performances by Nia Long, Sanaa Lathan, Taye Diggs and Terrence Howard. It was a breakthrough film for Diggs and Howard, who went on to illustrious careers on the big and small screens. All eight principal cast members were nominated for NAACP Image Awards. And to the delight of fans, a sequel is due out this Christmas! (Photo: 40 Acres & A Mule)
Photo By Photo: 40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks
5 / 10
Brown Sugar (2002) - The Best Man co-stars Lathan and Diggs reunited for this romantic comedy about friends who can't seem to get it together to take their relationship to the next level. Real-life lovers Nicole Ari Parker and Boris Kodjoe also star in the film, along with memorable supporting parts from Queen Latifah and Mos Def.(Photo: FOX Searchlight Pictures)
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6 / 10
Boomerang (1992) - It might be easier to make a list of who from Black Hollywood isn't in this film rather than who is. This comedy, starring Eddie Murphy at the peak of his fame and a young upstart named Halle Berry, was not only a box office smash but also spawned a hit soundtrack. (Photo: Paramount Pictures)
7 / 10
Crash (2004) - This Oscar winner for Best Picture, about racial and social tensions around Los Angeles over the course of two days, put up a harsh mirror to audiences of all backgrounds. The film's large and diverse cast includes standout performances from Sandra Bullock, Terrence Howard, Ludacris, Thandie Newton and Jennifer Esposito. (Photo: Bob Yari Productions)
8 / 10
Glory (1989) - While most remember this Civil War drama as the film that put Denzel Washington on the map (he won an Academy Award for his role), it also featured acclaimed performances by Matthew Broderick, Morgan Freeman and Andre Braugher. (Photo: TriStar Pictures)
Photo By Photo: TriStar Pictures
9 / 10
The Women of Brewster Place (1989) - The ensemble cast of this mini-series, produced by Oprah Winfrey, features a who's who of talented Black actresses. Lead by Winfrey herself, it also features Cicely Tyson, Jackée Harry, Robin Givens and Lynn Whitfield as women from many walks of life who band together in a New York City tenement. (Photo: ABC)