In the 90s, Black movies brought a new trend to Hollywood by featuring strong characters and real-life issues. Some films became cultural pieces, showing the diverse and rich experiences of Black people.

With the weekend just around the corner, it’s a great opportunity to watch some of these movies.

Here’s a list of movies to consider over the weekend:

ALSO READ: Seven must-watch films in your weekend movie guide

Poetic Justice

If you haven’t seen a movie starring Tupac Shakur, this is a good one to start with. It was released in 1993 and it tells the story of Justice, a young woman from South Central Los Angeles who deals with the sadness of losing her boyfriend by writing poetry.

Janet Jackson plays Justice, whose quiet life working at a hair salon changes when she goes on a road trip to Oakland with friends. During the trip, she forms a complicated relationship with Lucky, played by Tupac, who is a postal worker and wants to be a musician.

On the journey, Justice and Lucky find comfort and healing, and they discover the power of art in overcoming life's challenges.

Boyz n the Hood

This is a film about the lives of three young African American men; Tre, Doughboy, and Ricky growing up in South Central Los Angeles. It follows their experiences navigating the challenges of their environment, from gang violence and peer pressure to family dynamics and personal aspirations.

Tre, raised by his disciplined father, strives for a better future through education. Doughboy, Tre’s half-brother, embraces the street life despite its dangers. Ricky pursues a career in football as his ticket out of the neighbourhood. The film confronts themes of racial inequality, social justice, and the complications of urban life.

Menace II Society

The film follows the life of Caine Lawson played by Tyrin Turner, a young man navigating the dangerous streets. Raised in poverty and violence, Caine struggles with the influence of gang culture and criminal activities that surround him.

Alongside his friend O-Dog played by Larenz Tate, Caine becomes increasingly involved in a series of increasing crimes, leading to many consequences for himself and those around him.

Set It Off

This movie tells the story of four African-American women from Los Angeles: Cleo (Queen Latifah), Stony (Jada Pinkett), Frankie (Vivica Fox), and T.T. (Kimberly Elise). They become disappointed with their limited chances and turn to robbing banks to escape poverty and unfairness.

As they start robbing banks, they feel the excitement of power and making money, but they also face the dangers and tough choices that come with it. As things get more serious and the police start paying attention, the women deal with the results of their actions and the challenges to their friendship under pressure.

Juice

Released in 1992, the film follows the lives of four teenage friends—Q played by Omar Epps, Bishop (Tupac Shakur). Q is a talented DJ with dreams of a brighter future, but he faces pressure from his friends, particularly Bishop, who is consumed by a thirst for power and recognition.

As Bishop’s behaviour becomes increasingly erratic and violent, tensions within the group escalate.

White Men Can’t Jump

This is a 1992 comedy-drama that revolves around the unlikely partnership between two street basketball hustlers: Billy Hoyle, played by Woody Harrelson, and Sidney Deane, portrayed by Wesley Snipes.

Billy, a skilled basketball player, hustles games by pretending to be unskilled, while Sidney, a flashy hustler, uses his quick wit and smooth moves to win money. Despite their initial rivalry, they team up to hustle opponents for cash.

Blue Streak

"Blue Streak” stars Martin Lawrence as Miles Logan, a jewel thief who hides a valuable diamond in a construction site before being caught by the police. After serving time in prison, he returns to retrieve the diamond, only to find that the construction site is now a police station.

Miles poses as a detective to gain access to the building, leading to comedic situations as he tries to recover the diamond while avoiding suspicion.

Miles then navigates his new role as a detective, impressing his colleagues with his unusual methods while trying to stay one step ahead of the police and rival criminals.