The historical lack of diversity at the Academy Awards, popularly known as the Oscars, has been well reported over the years, with black talent predominantly left out of the accolades. The awards season is in full swing, and the debate on which films could win an Oscar this year has become widespread.
This is a list of movies with black leads that performed well last year that might just be Oscar winners.
Da 5 Bloods
Director by Spike Lee and starring the late Chadwick Boseman, famously known for his character as Black Panther this story follows four African American veterans returning to Vietnam decades after the war. Their mission is to find their squad leader’s remains — and a stash of buried gold.
Possible categories up for grabs:
Best Picture
Best Director – Spike Lee
Best Actor – Delroy Lindo
Best Supporting Actor – Chadwick Boseman
Best Original Screenplay
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Judas and the Black Messiah
Directed by Shaka King, this masterpiece chronicles the betrayal and assassination of Fred Hampton, chairman of the Black Panther Party, who was 21 years old when the F.B.I assassinated him.
Possible categories up for grabs
Best Picture
Best Director – Shaka King
Best Actor – Lakeith Stanfield
Best Supporting Actor – Daniel Kaluuya
Best Supporting Actress – Dominique Fishback
Best Original Song – “Fight for You” by H.E.R.
Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom
Starring Viola Davis, Chadwick Boseman, and Glynn Turman, this movie is a superbly adapted from two-time Pulitzer Prize-winner August Wilson’s 1982. The film focuses on blues singer, Gertrude “Ma” Rainey, and her experience as a black recording artist in the early 20thcentury. Davis’ portrayal of the “Mother of the Blues” is a definite highlight of the movie.
Possible categories up for grabs:
Best Picture Best Director – George C. Wolfe
Best Actor – Chadwick Boseman
Best Actress – Viola Davis
Best Adapted Screenplay
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Malcolm & Marie
Malcolm & Marie is a black-and-white drama movie, written and directed by Sam Levinson, starring with movie stars Zendaya Coleman and John David Washington as the title characters. The film follows the couple’s attempt to confront the essence of their relationship after returning home from Malcolm’s new project’s world premiere waiting for critical feedback to begin online.
Possible categories up for grabs:
Best Actor – John David Washington
Best Actress – Zendaya
One Night in Miami
An epic directorial debut by Regina King, One Night in Miami , takes viewers back to the civil rights era. The film narrates a fictional meeting between friends Cassius Clay (Mohammed Ali), Malcolm X, Jim Brown, and Sam Cooke who find themselves contemplating their lives as black public figures.
Possible categories up for grabs:
Best Picture Best Director – Regina King
Best Actor – Kingsley Ben-Adir
Best Supporting Actor – Leslie Odom Jr B
est Adapted Screenplay
Best Original Song – “Speak Now” by Leslie Odom Jr and Sam Ashworth.
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Soul
A Disney Pixar Animation film “Soul” traces the journey of Joe Gardner (voiced by Jamie Foxx), a teacher who has a once in a lifetime chance to perform at the best jazz club in town. A slight misstep takes him from New York City to The Great Before, a place where new souls get their personalities, quirks, and interests before they go to Earth.



