Black Rom Coms
At Rom Com Fest we believe in celebrating love. Our community turns to us for for rom com recommendations and joyful experiences. There are now so many resources available online of what to books to read, podcasts to listen to, documentaries to watch and where to donate to support black lives and black businesses. We want to help in the way we know best, with rom coms.
It’s been our mission with Rom Com Fest from the beginning to celebrate all types of love (races, genders, self-love, etc.). Many of the classic rom coms are white and heterosexual, which is why our program focuses on a mix of new and classic films, to bring in new voices and narratives to showcase a true representative of the genre. At our 2019 festival we were intentional about our programming, and did our best to showcase diversity in our film lineup. We showed 10 films last year, 5 new and 5 classics. One of the new films and one of the classic films we showed had black leads. We can all do better, and we will continue doing our part to spotlight diversity in the romantic comedy genre.
This weekend if you need a pick me up and laugh, instead of gravitating to a rom com you’ve already seen, we’ve rounded up some wonderful black rom coms that you can stream online now. Do you have a favorite? Please share with us in the comments.
One Bedroom (2018) - Amazon Prime Video + available for rent
One Bedroom was one of the new films that played at 2019 Rom Com Fest. Read more about the writer and direct Darien Sills-Evans on our blog here.
After five years of ups and downs, an African American couple spends their final afternoon together arguing and remembering better days, as one of them moves out and hopefully on with her life. Written and directed by Darien Sills-Evans, starring Darien Sills-Evans, Stephen Hill, Devin Nelson.
How Stella Got Her Groove Back (1998) - HBO GO, HBO Max + available for rent
We programmed How Stella Got Her Groove Back as one of our classic films for our 2019 festival because we love Stella’s strong character and the dreamy island paradise.
Forty-year-old Stella, a high-powered stockbroker and single mom, needs a vacation. Dragged to an island paradise by a friend, Stella is wooed by a strikingly handsome aspiring doctor--who happens to be twenty years younger. With nothing in common--except the disapproval of their families--the two try to transport their dreamy romance into the real world. Written by Terry McMillan & Ron Bass, directed by Kevin Rodney Sullivan, starring Angela Bassett, Taye Diggs, Regina King and Whoopi Goldberg.
The Incredible Jessica James (2017) - Netflix
An aspiring playwright in New York strikes up a friendship with a guy while on the rebound from a break-up. Written and directed by Jim Strouse, starring Jessica Williams and Chris O'Dowd.
Love & Basketball (2000) - available for rent
Love & Basketball is celebrating its 20th year anniversary! Monica and Quincy love and play basketball together through many life challenges from childhood to adulthood. Written and directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, starring Sanaa Lathan and Omar Epps.
Hitch (2005) - Netflix, Hulu + available for rent
Hitch is celebrating its 15th year anniversary! While helping his latest client woo the woman of his dreams, a professional "date doctor" finds that his game doesn't quite work on the gossip columnist with whom he's smitten. Written by Andy Tennant, directed by Kevin Bisch, starring Will Smith and Eva Mendes.
Love Jones (1997) HBO Max + available for rent
Darius Lovehall is a young black poet in Chicago who starts dating Nina Mosley, a beautiful and talented photographer. While trying to figure out if they've got a "love thing" or are just "kicking it," they hang out with their friend, talking about love and sex. Then Nina tests the strength of Darius' feelings and sets a chain of romantic complications into motion. Written and directed by Theodore Witcher, starring Larenz Tate and Nia Long
If Beale Street Could Talk (2018) - Hulu + available for rent
More rom-dram than rom-com, but a beautiful romantic story. A young woman embraces her pregnancy while she and her family set out to prove her childhood friend and lover innocent of a crime he didn't commit. Based on book by James Baldwin. Written and directed by Barry Jenkins, starring KiKi Layne, Stephan James, Regina King.
The Best Man (1999) - Starz + available for rent
Just before best friend's wedding, the life of Chicago writer becomes crazy when the friend guesses that new book's story based on his bride's fervent past. Written and directed by Malcolm D. Lee, starring Taye Diggs and Nia Long.
Nobody's Fool (2018) - Hulu + available for purchase
A woman, who gets released from prison and reunites with her sister, discovers she is in an online relationship with a man who may be "catfishing" her. Written and directed by Tyler Perry starring Tiffany Haddish, Tika Sumpter, Whoopi Goldberg.
Host a Rom Com Watch Party from home with our tips for food pairings, event invitations + lots of film suggestions on the Rom Com Fest blog!