Former NFL star Nnamdi Asomugha and Tessa Thompson (L-R) star in “Sylvie’s Love,” which begins streaming on Amazon Prime Video Dec. 23 (Photo Credit: Nicola Goode).
With inflation up, so are the prices of flowers, food and candy.
However, one thing that has not been impacted by inflation is people’s old movie collections, whether on digital, DVD, Blu-ray or VHS.
So, instead of contributing to the high prices rocking the country, why not sit back and chill this Valentine’s Day with a romantic movie, even if you need to use streaming services?
To get the Regal family in the mood for Valentine’s Day and chill 2025, RegalMag.com has selected the top Black films of the past 35 years with romantic elements.
From 10 to one, check out RegalMag.com’s selection of 10 romantic movies with a Black leading cast and let the online magazine honoring our royal heritage know if these selections do not get you and your significant other in the mood.
- “Poetic Justice”—Sure, before 1993 Janet Jackson had already built up a reputation for romance with songs like “Come Back to Me” and “Let’s Wait Awhile.” Rapper Tupac Shakur, on the contrary, had gained the reputation of a player thanks to songs like “I Get Around.” But when the two icons got together for John Singleton’s sophomore film, hood love never looked so glamorous. Give Lucky (Shakur) credit too because if a man has enough game to pull a dime while driving a mail truck, he must know something about love even if his dingy sweatshirt wearing a$$ knew nothing about fashion, according to Chicago (Joe Torry).
- “Just Wright”—The movie starring rappers Common and Queen Latifah holds the distinction of being the first film ever reviewed by RegalMag.com. Therefore, how could it not make the list of most romantic Black movies of the past 35 years? Common starred as basketball star Scott McKnight for the New Jersey Nets, who initially falls in love with the stereotypical pro athlete’s wife, Morgan Alexander (Paula Patton). But after Scott suffers a career-threatening injury, it changes his outlook on life, career and love.
- “Jason’s Lyric”—When “Jason’s Lyric” dropped in 1994, the Houston-based movie had something for everyone. The brothers loved it for the hood elements. And the ladies loved it for the romance between Jason (Allen Payne) and Lyric (Jada Pinkett). Although just in a supporting role, Lisa Nicole Carson, playing the role of Marti, summed up the movie’s romance in a couple of lines when she told Lyric she would die for a “ninja” to wash these feet. Marti also had a philosophy for success as an employee at Houston’s This Is It soul food restaurant. She believed the bigger the t***ie, the bigger the tip. Additionally, Marti was not shy about letting Lyric know her brother Alonzo (Anthony “Treach” Criss) would suck on those thangs. How romantic?
- “Something New”—Love does not always come in the package that a person intended. In “Something New,” Kenya (Sanaa Lathan) had half of the African-American dream. She had a successful law career, beautiful home and great friends. But she did not have her IBM (ideal, Black man). However, when she agrees to go on a blind date, she reluctantly becomes smitten with the White landscape architect, who begins renovating her backyard. Kenya finds herself in a dilemma when her IBM finally appears in the form of Mark Harper (Blair Underwood). What should Kenya do? Stick with what she knows or go with something new?
- “The Photograph”—“Love Jones” is the number one Black romantic film of all time. But, when RegalMag.com reviewed “The Photograph,” film critic Todd A. Smith described the film as “Love Jones” with Cajun seasoning. Smith added that the 2020 romance movie was classy, sophisticated, romantic, soulful and regal, which is most important. IMDB describes the storyline as follows, “When famed photographer Christina Eames dies unexpectedly, she leaves her estranged daughter Mae hurt, angry, and full of questions. When Mae finds a photograph tucked away in a safe-deposit box, she is soon delving deeply into her mother’s early life—an investigation that leads to an unexpected romance with a rising journalist.”
- “Brown Sugar”—When did you fall in love with hip-hop? Did the Menudo reunion deal ever come to fruition? Did the Rapping Dalmatians ever figure out who the “garden tool” belonged to? Even if none of those things materialized, one thing that did become obvious is that Dre (Taye Diggs) and Syd (Sanaa Lathan) were destined to be together ever since their childhood as best friends. As shorties, the two bonded over their love of hip-hop. Even as their careers blossomed and marriage to someone else got in the way, eventually, Dre was able to celebrate his divorce and his future with his lifelong soulmate, Syd.
- “Sylvie’s Love”—It’s funny how things work out. In 2020, people had to quarantine inside their homes because of the coronavirus. Therefore, many Americans spent a lot of time on the couch or in bed watching movies. Romance movies were perfect for 2020 because couples had extra snuggle time because they did not have to go to work. “Sylvie’s Love” was like a Black version of “The Notebook” as a summer romance reignites years after a hot couple initially falls in love.
- “Boomerang”—Even if you have never been to Lavender Hill to visit Lady Eloise or shown up to work with no panties, if you are Black, you probably love Eddie Murphy’s “Boomerang.” Although Marcus (Murphy) was a dog before he settled down with the love of his life, the brother might have been the smoothest character on the big screen since Billy Dee Williams’ portrayal of Louis McKay in “Lady Sings the Blues.” Even if you and your significant other do not want to watch a movie on Valentine’s Day, the soundtrack alone will get you all in the right mood for the night with songs from Boyz II Men, Toni Braxton and Johnny Gill.
- “Love & Basketball”—Double or nothing. The old school Nintendo game, Double Dribble. And double storylines. “Love & Basketball” had it all much like “Jason’s Lyric.” The classic film had something for sports movie lovers and something for romance movie lovers. In “Love & Basketball,” Quincy McCall (Omar Epps) loves basketball more than anyone he has ever met. That is until he meets the new girl in the neighborhood, Monica Wright (Sanaa Lathan). When the planets finally align and they get together romantically, the couple must decide if they love their mate more than they love the game and all the fame and riches that come with it.
- “Love Jones”—Almost 30 years after its release, “Love Jones” must be the smoothest and effortlessly cool movie of all time, not just amongst Black movies. The casting was perfect. The music was perfect. The lighting was perfect. And the poetry was better than perfect, if that is possible, especially the poem “Brother to the Night (A Blues for Nina).” The studio described “Love Jones” as a hip “When Harry Met Sally.” But “Love Jones” was much more iconic than “When Harry Met Sally” because it showed Black America as it is, which is beautiful, successful, talented, intelligent and suave.
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