Skip to content
  • Essence GU
  • Beautycon
  • NaturallyCurly
  • Afropunk
  • Essence Studios
  • Soko Mrkt
  • Ese Funds
  • Refinery29
  • WeLoveUs.shop
  • 2026 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
  • Celebrity
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Lifestyle
  • Entrepreneurship
  • News
  • Shopping
  • Video
  • Events
  • Subscribe
Home • News

17 Movies and TV Shows That Gave Black Women Major #LifeGoals

We're looking back at the shows and films that made you life, cry, fall in love, and most importantly, take notes.
By Charli Penn · Updated October 27, 2020
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready…
01
‘Love Jones’

#RelationshipGoal: Have instant sparks and an unforgettable romance with a romantic, sensitive, smooth Darius Lovehall-type brother, even if the ending is bittersweet.

17 Movies and TV Shows That Gave Black Women Major #LifeGoals
02
‘Love and Basketball’

#RelationshipGoal: Find happily ever after with the boy next door. (Literally!)

17 Movies and TV Shows That Gave Black Women Major #LifeGoals
New Line Productions, Inc.
03
‘Living Single’

#SquadGoal: Live your best single life while rooming with your girls and pursuing your big city dreams.

17 Movies and TV Shows That Gave Black Women Major #LifeGoals
04
‘Living Single’

#LifeGoal: Be your own boss like Khadijah James, who owned and ran Flavor Magazine.

17 Movies and TV Shows That Gave Black Women Major #LifeGoals
05
‘Brown Sugar’

#RelationshipGoal: Realize that your best guy friend is actually the best guy for you, just like Syd did.

17 Movies and TV Shows That Gave Black Women Major #LifeGoals
06
‘The Best Man’

#RelationshipGoal: Meet your future husband in college and take your love all the way.

17 Movies and TV Shows That Gave Black Women Major #LifeGoals
07
‘The Best Man Holiday’

#RelationshipGoal: Live in a gorgeous home fit for a queen with your king by your side and have lots of beautiful, well-mannered little ones by your side.

17 Movies and TV Shows That Gave Black Women Major #LifeGoals
08
‘How Stella Got Her Groove Back’

#RelationshipGoal: Unapologetically indulge in a romance to feed your soul and uplift your spirit.

17 Movies and TV Shows That Gave Black Women Major #LifeGoals
09
‘Love Jones’

#SquadGoal: Make like-minded friends who share your passion for life, art, wine and intelligent conversation.

17 Movies and TV Shows That Gave Black Women Major #LifeGoals
New Line Cinema/courtesy Everett Collection
10
‘Two Can Play That Game’

#LifeGoal: Be a boss chick (like Shanté Smith) who wins at work and at home.

17 Movies and TV Shows That Gave Black Women Major #LifeGoals
11
‘The Best Man Holiday’

#SquadGoal: Build a squad of great lifetime girlfriends from your ride-or-die college besties clique.

17 Movies and TV Shows That Gave Black Women Major #LifeGoals
12
‘The Best Man Holiday’

#SquadGoal: Fill your circle of trust with great friends and great couples who hold you down, no matter what.

17 Movies and TV Shows That Gave Black Women Major #LifeGoals
13
‘Just Wright’

#RelationshipGoal: Attract a man who loves you for being unapologetically you.

17 Movies and TV Shows That Gave Black Women Major #LifeGoals
14
‘Martin’

#RelationshipGoal: Find a ride-or-die soul mate to share life with like, Martin and Gina.

17 Movies and TV Shows That Gave Black Women Major #LifeGoals
15
‘Think Like A Man Too’

#SquadGoal: Have an epic and unforgettable Las Vegas bachelorette party with the girls.

17 Movies and TV Shows That Gave Black Women Major #LifeGoals
16
‘Think Like A Man’

#SquadGoal: Couple besties, anyone?

17 Movies and TV Shows That Gave Black Women Major #LifeGoals
17
‘Coming To America’

#RelationshipGoal: Meet a man who wants to make you his queen. (Kingdom not included.)

17 Movies and TV Shows That Gave Black Women Major #LifeGoals
18
‘Girlfriends’

#SquadGoal: Have a circle of friends who know how to dish out just the right balance of tough love and sisterly love.

17 Movies and TV Shows That Gave Black Women Major #LifeGoals
19
‘Waiting To Exhale’

#LifeGoal: Know when to say “enough is enough” and let go of the relationships that are holding you back.

17 Movies and TV Shows That Gave Black Women Major #LifeGoals
20
‘Waiting To Exhale’

#SquadGoal: Make friends who become the kind of sisters who uplift you when life knocks you down.

17 Movies and TV Shows That Gave Black Women Major #LifeGoals
21
‘Girlfriends’

#RelationshipGoal: Marry your high school sweetheart, like Maya did.

17 Movies and TV Shows That Gave Black Women Major #LifeGoals