• Celebrity
    • Daniel Kaluuya Digital Cover
    • Digital Cover Method Man
    • Digital Cover Zazie
    • Celebrity News
    • ‘Yes, Girl!’ Podcast
    • Entertainment
    • Black Celeb Couples
    • Celebrity Moms
    • Red Carpet
    • If Not For My Girls
  • Fashion
    • ESSENCE Fashion House 2022
    • Fashion News
    • Street Style
    • Accessories
    • Fashion Week
  • Beauty
    • Black Beauty Awards 2022
    • ESSENCE Hair Awards 2022
    • AVEENO Skin Health Startup Accelerator
    • Beauty News
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
  • Hair
    • Hair News
    • Natural
    • Relaxed
    • Transitioning
    • Weave
    • 4C
  • Love
    • Love & Sex News
    • The Solve Podcast
    • Weddings
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
  • Lifestyle
    • Black History Month
    • ESSENCE Gift Guide 2022
    • ESSENCE + smartwater Live Well Challenge
    • Build Your Legacy 2022
    • Dream & Plan with Confidence Prudential
    • AMEX Platinum Travel
    • Homecoming Season 2022
    • Lifestyle News
    • Health & Wellness
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Money & Career
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Black Travel Guide
  • News
    • Paint The Polls Black
    • Sponsors Recognition Page 2022
    • Latest News
    • Raise Your Voice
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Video
  • Festival
    • 2023 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Fest Videos
  • Events
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Girls United Summit
    • 2022 ESSENCE Fashion House
    • 2022 Black Women In Hollywood
    • 2022 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
    • 2022 Homecoming Season
    • Wellness House
    • She Got Now
    • Dear Black Men
    • I Am Speaking
    • Power Tools
  • Studios
  • Girls United

WHERE BLACK WOMEN COME FIRST

Every day we're serving Black women deeply. Come get a plate of goodness! Sign up for daily content and exclusive offers you'll love!

Your email is required.
Your email is in invalid format.
Confirm email is required.
Email did not match.
By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms of Use and that you have read our Privacy Policy
Skip to content
SUBSCRIBE
  • MAGAZINE
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Celebrity
    • Daniel Kaluuya Digital Cover
    • Digital Cover Method Man
    • Digital Cover Zazie
    • Celebrity News
    • ‘Yes, Girl!’ Podcast
    • Entertainment
      • Paint The Polls Black
    • Black Celeb Couples
    • Celebrity Moms
    • Red Carpet
    • If Not For My Girls
  • Fashion
    • ESSENCE Fashion House 2022
    • Fashion News
    • Street Style
    • Accessories
    • Fashion Week
  • Beauty
    • Black Beauty Awards 2022
    • ESSENCE Hair Awards 2022
    • AVEENO Skin Health Startup Accelerator
    • Beauty News
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
  • Hair
    • Hair News
    • Natural
    • Relaxed
    • Transitioning
    • Weave
    • 4C
  • Love
    • Love & Sex News
    • The Solve Podcast
    • Weddings
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
  • Lifestyle
    • Black History Month
    • ESSENCE Gift Guide 2022
    • ESSENCE + smartwater Live Well Challenge
    • Build Your Legacy 2022
    • Dream & Plan with Confidence Prudential
    • AMEX Platinum Travel
    • Homecoming Season 2022
    • Lifestyle News
    • Health & Wellness
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Money & Career
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Black Travel Guide
  • News
    • Paint The Polls Black
    • Sponsors Recognition Page 2022
    • Latest News
    • Raise Your Voice
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Video
  • Festival
    • 2023 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Fest Videos
  • Events
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Girls United Summit
    • 2022 ESSENCE Fashion House
    • 2022 Black Women In Hollywood
    • 2022 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
    • 2022 Homecoming Season
    • Wellness House
    • She Got Now
    • Dear Black Men
    • I Am Speaking
    • Power Tools
  • Studios
  • Girls United
Home · Celebrity

Our 15 Favorite Black Romantic Comedies of All Time

When it comes to Black love on the big screen, we've had our share of great movies through the years. So when a bit of contorversy stirred over New York magazine's omission of Black romantic comedies on their "Best 25 Romantic Comedies Since When Harry Met Sally" list last week, we couldn't help but think of classics like Boomerang, Love and Basketball, and Love Jones. Here are 15 Black romantic comedies we count among the best in the genre.
By Charli Penn · Updated October 27, 2020
01
“Think Like A Man” (2012)

This group of charming and sexy men (Terrence Jenkins, Michael Ealy, Romany Malco, Jerry Ferrara and Kevin Hart) turn the tables on their lovely ladies (Taraji P. Henson, Gabrielle Union, Meagan Good and Regina Hall) when they discover they’ve been using Steve Harvey’s hit relationship book, Think Like A Man. It’s not just important relationship lessons these couples learn, they also learn a number of important lessons about themselves too.

Our 15 Favorite Black Romantic Comedies of All Time
02
“Jumping the Broom” (2011)
We all took the plunge when the Watsons and Taylors collided on screen. Sabrina (Paula Patton) and Jason (Laz Alonzo) made their love work, despite coming from two totally different backgrounds. Luckily, love saves the day despite the family drama, headaches and more. Angela Bassett and Loretta Devine do a pretty great job playing total opposites despite their kids’ intense love for each other.
Our 15 Favorite Black Romantic Comedies of All Time
Sony Pictures
03
“Just Wright” (2010)
Leslie (Queen Latifah) is a physical therapist who falls for her pro NBA client Scott (Common) in this 2010 comedy. He realizes he’s in love with her after she helps him get back into the game. Leslie does more for Scott than just heal his injuries.
Our 15 Favorite Black Romantic Comedies of All Time
04
“Daddy’s Little Girls” (2007)
The story follows single dad, Monty (Idris Elba), as he tries to obtain custody from his crazy ex-wife. He enlists the help of fancy lawyer Julia (Gabrielle Union) in the process. Their working relationship goes from cold and simple to warm and fuzzy. Monty not only manages to win custody of his little ladies, but he wins over the beautiful ice queen and new found love, Julia.
Our 15 Favorite Black Romantic Comedies of All Time
Lions Gate Home Entertainment
05
“Something New” (2006)
A beautiful love affair blossomed between type-A executive Kenya McQueen (Sanaa Lathan) and free-spirit landscaper Brian Kelly (Simon Baker) in 2006’s Something New. This film pushed the envelope in Hollywood by tackling interracial relationships and the Black class division. It also reminded us that true sparks don’t recognize color or clout.
Our 15 Favorite Black Romantic Comedies of All Time
06
“Deliver Us from Eva” (2003)
Eva’s (Gabrielle Union) family pays Ray (LL Cool J) to date her so she can get out of their business. Although it begins as an arrangement, things quickly turn around and the two fall madly in love over a short period of time. What was even more impressive is how he confessed the business dealings and still managed to keep the girl—despite her sometimes icy ways.
Our 15 Favorite Black Romantic Comedies of All Time
07
“Brown Sugar” (2002)
Sidney (Sanaa Lathan) and Dre (Taye Diggs) have shared a love of hip hop since their colorful childhood in Brooklyn. In the end, they realize it’s not just the music, but also their mutual love for each other that holds them together. Their besties Francine (Queen Latifah) and Chris (Mos Def) also find love with each other while nudging their friends closer together.
Our 15 Favorite Black Romantic Comedies of All Time
08
“Two Can Play That Game” (2001)
Shante (Vivica A. Fox) always knows how to keep a man in check—she has a set of amazing rules she plays by. But Keith (Morris Chestnut), the man of her dreams, doesn’t play by her rules. Shante and Keith keep surprising each other and outdoing each other in the game called love in this 2001 classic.
Our 15 Favorite Black Romantic Comedies of All Time
09
“Love and Basektball” (2000)
We love that Monica (Sanna Lathan) and Quincy (Omar Epps) bonded over basketball. These two were never afraid to compete for each other’s hearts. In the end love and basketball conquers all despite the drama that tore them apart in their younger years.
Our 15 Favorite Black Romantic Comedies of All Time
New Line Productions, Inc.
10
“The Best Man” (1999)
When you bring college friends together for a wedding, old lustful memories and new rendezvouses are sure to enter. In this 1999 comedy, the all-star cast delivers as Mia (Monica Calhoun) and Lance (Morris Chestnut) make their bond official.
Our 15 Favorite Black Romantic Comedies of All Time
Universal Pictures
11
“How Stella Got Her Groove Back” (1998)
We all wanted to be Stella (Angela Bassett) when she headed down to Jamaica and brought back pretty-young-thing Winston (Tae Diggs) in this cult favorite. Despite their age and cultural differences Winston finally got Stella to let her guard down and keep her new groove.
Our 15 Favorite Black Romantic Comedies of All Time
12
“Love Jones” (1997)

Art and love can sometimes go seamlessly together. And in this case, it made our hearts melt. Who could forget the undeniable chemistry between Darius (Larenz Tate) and Nina (Nia Long)? Their Chicago-brewed romance only grew to greater heights once they could figure out if their connection was more friendly or romantic.

Our 15 Favorite Black Romantic Comedies of All Time
13
“Hav’ Plenty” (1997)
In this 1997 indie classic, Lee Plenty (Christopher Cherot), a broke novelist, wants to win over Havilland Savage’s (Chenoa Maxwell) heart, except he doesn’t have the means to support her high-maintenance lifestyle.
Our 15 Favorite Black Romantic Comedies of All Time
14
“Boomerang” (1992)
New Line Cinema
Our 15 Favorite Black Romantic Comedies of All Time
15
“Claudine” (1974)
Claudine (Diahann Carroll) is a single mother of six in Harlem, living on welfare, who falls for Rupert (James Earl Jones) in this 1974 classic. Although this couple faces adversity from the system and from Claudine’s kids, it’s happily ever after in the end.
Our 15 Favorite Black Romantic Comedies of All Time
COMPANY INFORMATION
  • Our Company
  • Customer Service
  • Essence Ventures
  • Change Your Address
  • Contact Us
  • Job Opportunities
  • Internships
  • Media Kit
  • tag
SUBSCRIBE
  • Newsletters
  • Give a Gift of ESSENCE
  • Magazine Tablet Edition
FOLLOW US
MORE ON ESSENCE
  • Home
  • Love
  • Celebrity
  • Beauty
  • Hair
  • Fashion
  • ESSENCE festival

ESSENCE.com is part of ESSENCE Communications, Inc.

Essence may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.

©2023 ESSENCE Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Essence.com Advertising Terms

Get The ESSENCE Newsletter and
Special Offers delivered to your inbox

By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Get The ESSENCE Magazine
by subscribing below
subscribe now