Get ready to experience the best of hood classic movies! Our list features only the most iconic movies that have earned their place among all-time classics. Award winning, timeless hits and cult favorites – it’s time for you to join in on this debate about what should be crowned as legendary cinema! Take a look at our top 25 Hood Classic Movies picks today and let us know which ones made your cut.
25. Straight Outta Compton (2015) – Experience the life of NWA’s revolutionizing journey from the gritty streets of Compton to global Hip Hop stardom in Straight Outta Compton (2015). This music phenomenon took over airwaves and captivated audiences everywhere with their iconic rap songs about life in inner-city Los Angeles.
24. In Too Deep (1999) – Right out of the police academy, ambitious Jeff (Omar Epps) is determined to make a name for himself in Cincinnati. He starts as an undercover cop on low-level cases but soon finds himself embarking on a thrilling journey up the criminal ladder; infiltrating and befriending a powerful and dangerous crime boss!
23. Lean On Me (1989) – Joe Clark was appointed the principal of a decayed inner-city school and determined to turn it around – with no holds barred. He embraced an uncompromising approach fueled by his dedication, but sometimes this fiery passion spilled over into tyranny. Can he revive their fortunes? Lean On Me (1989) tells all …
22. Set It Off (1996) – In a desperate attempt to escape their struggling lives, four inner-city women in Los Angeles take fate into their own hands and embark upon the perilous journey of bank robbery. Yet as tensions mount and fear takes control, they soon discover that even among thieves there is no honor – with mistrust tearing at the seams of an already crumbling plan.
21. Do The Right Thing (1989) – In the searing heat of a Brooklyn summer, tensions among neighbors reach their boiling point in ‘Do The Right Thing’, an electrifying exploration into prejudice and racial divisions. Outbreaks of violence test our morals and provoke us to question what it really means to do “the right thing”.
20. Harlem Nights (1989) -In 1930s New York City, the underworld flourished and a battle for survival was raging. At its center sat an illegal gambling house owner whose criminal empire faced constant threats from gangsters, rival mobs, and crooked cops! Will justice prevail or will this brave entrepreneur be forced to abandon his lucrative venture? Enter Harlem Nights…
19. Baby Boy (2001) – In South Central Los Angeles, a young African-American man’s unfortunate journey as an adult begins. Straddling the line between childhood naivety and hard reality of life in L.A., he steps into this unfamiliar world with daunting trepidation. His defining moment has arrived – will tragedy or triumph prevail?
18. Above The Rim (1994) – Set against the backdrop of a high school basketball court, Above The Rim tells an enthralling story about one young star’s journey to success. When faced with difficult choices between two brothers from different walks of life -one a drug dealer and the other trying desperately to overcome past failures- he must find his own path or risk losing everything along the way.
17. House Party (1990) – Kid decides to go to his friend Play’s house party, but neither of them can predict what’s in store for them on what could be the wildest night of their lives.
16. He Got Game (1998) – The story of a basketball player (Ray Allen) whose destiny lies in his father’s (Denzel Washington) hands: convincing him to accept an offer from a college, it could be their ticket out of jail. Follow this family as they battle against time and temptation with only one goal – freedom!
15. Higher Learning (1995) – People of diverse backgrounds collide at a university, struggling to cope with the challenges that come their way – racism, sexual assault and finding purpose. Omar Epps, Ice Cube and Busta Rhymes star in this seminal drama examining Higher Learning.
14. Dead Presidents (1995) – A Vietnam vet returns home after the war, desperate to provide for his family in any way possible. But when he embarks on a journey down an illegal path, little does he know that bloodshed and danger lurk around every corner…
13. New Jack City (1991) – Wesley Snipes is a powerful force to be reckoned with as he portrays the notorious Nino Brown, head of an infamous crime syndicate. Greed and power corrupt his soul while one maverick undercover detective takes it upon himself to put this reign of terror to its end – all in New Jack City (1991).
12. Training Day (2001) – Training Day is a heart-stopping crime thriller that takes viewers on an adrenaline ride through the gritty gangland of Los Angeles. Featuring Denzel Washington and Ethan Hawke as two LAPD narcotics officers, this masterpiece was directed by Antoine Fuqua and penned by David Ayer – with big names like Scott Glenn, Cliff Curtis, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg and Macy Gray joining them in exhilarating supporting roles!
11. The Players Club (1998) – Battling her way up from the bottom, Diana Armstrong (LisaRaye) takes a daring risk to make something better for herself and her child. With Dolla Bill’s (Bernie Mac) notorious Players Club as the stage of opportunity, she tests fate by sliding down its infamous stripper pole – only it may be harder than anticipated. Conspiring competition strives to break apart their newly founded family while pushing Ebony (Monica Calhoun) towards an unwanted downfall into darkness; yet they won’t give in without a fight!
10. Belly (1998) – Tommy and Sincere were two of the most notorious criminals in town. Everyone respected them, but no one dared cross their paths – until now. As police pressure intensifies and new rivals line up to challenge their power, will this legendary duo be able to hold on or is it time for a dramatic fall from grace?
9. Poetic Justice (1993) – In Poetic Justice, the tragic tale of a broken hearted hairdresser named Justice unfolds. Starring Janet Jackson in this riveting road trip from South Central L.A., viewers are taken on an emotional journey as they watch her survive tumultuous days with her friend and their incompatible companion – Tupac’s postal worker character- while traveling towards Oakland in a mail truck.
8. Boomerang (1992) – Eddie Murphy embodied a powerful executive who lived life on his own terms, until he encountered the formidable force of nature that was Robin Givens’ character. Little did he know she could give him more than just competition – an unrelenting challenge to be better and do better!
7. Menace II Society (1993) – Growing up in a world of gangs and crime, 18-year-old Caine Lawson longs for an escape from the dangerous streets of Los Angeles. Despite his dream to break free, life keeps pulling him back – with O-Dog’s unpredictable actions threatening that freedom at every turn. Even with the help of those close to him – including his caring teacher and supportive girlfriend – can Caine overcome these tragedies or will he be destined to succumb forever?
6. Juice (1992) – Tensions rise amongst four Harlem friends as ambitious and magnetic leader Bishop (Tupac Shakur) pressures Q (Omar Epps), Steel (Jermaine Hopkins), and Raheem (Khalil Kain) to commit a dangerous robbery. With their fates hanging in the balance, pressure boils over when Q fights for his own dreams of becoming a DJ instead of playing along with an increasingly tumultuous plan. Will they stay safe or take the plunge into potential disaster?
5. Friday (1995) – Friday is the ultimate stoner comedy franchise that features an all-star cast of Ice Cube and Chris Tucker. The movie takes place in South Central Los Angeles, where Craig Jones finds himself unemployed yet again – alongside his buddies who are constantly getting into mischief every single Friday!
4. Paid In Full (2002) – In the vibrant late ’80s Harlem, Ace is determined to stay away from the gritty drug world. But when he meets Lulu – a hustler and dealer of dangerous substances – his life takes an unexpected turn. Together with Mitch and Rico by his side, Ace dives into the underworld on a roller-coaster journey that will challenge their loyalties as they grow increasingly successful…and dangerously close to what’s beyond control.
3. The Last Dragon (1985) – The Last Dragon is a cult classic martial arts movie starring Taimak as Leroy Green, a young man on a quest to become a master of martial arts and earn the respect of those around him. Along the way, he must face off against the evil Sho’nuff, played by Julius J. Carry III, and his gang of thugs. The Last Dragon is packed with action, humor, and unforgettable characters, making it a must-watch for any fan of classic martial arts movies.
2. Boyz In The Hood (1991) – John Singleton’s portrayal of social problems in inner-city Los Angeles, California takes the form a tale three friends growing up together. Half brothers Doughboy (Ice Cube) and Ricky Baker (Morris Chestnut) are foils for each other’s personality; presenting very different approaches to tough lives they face – with Cuba Gooding Jr playing Tre Styles who has just enough strength from his father styling him “the man” when it matters most!
1. Coming To America (1988) – The number one Hood Classic Movie goes to the heir to Africa’s prosperous kingdom of Zamunda, Prince Akeem (Eddie Murphy) has just turned 21 and is looking for love in all the wrong places. As an arrangement marriage proposal on his birthday gift from father–a trip abroad-Akeem sets out into New York City with only one goal: find the one! But when you’re royalty there are always obstacles which try hard not only your patience but also those around them including his right-hand man, Semmi (Arsenio Hall). This classic will always rank high because it has an amazing cast, solid plot, comedy and more.
There you have our full list of Hood Classic Movies. Do you think anyone should move up or down in ranking? Or did we leave a one off? Comment below to see how we did.
