Black Stars, Summer Screens: 10 Black-Led & Black-Made Films for July 4
- BFW Staff
- Jul 4
- 2 min read
Black Film Wire Staff| July 2025
Looking for a July 4 weekend watchlist with some soul, swagger and BBQ-ready vibes? Here’s what we’re streaming (or streaming back) this holiday films by and starring Black talent that honour freedom, community, joy and legacy. These movies have been embedded with their trailer for you to enjoy!
Set over a July 4 weekend on Martha’s Vineyard, this coming-of-age tale directed by Matty Rich stars Larenz Tate and Jada Pinkett Smith navigating self-discovery and cultural identity amid summer heat.
2. ATL (2006)
Teen roller rinks, dreams, and summer nights in Atlanta starring T.I. and Lauren London, make for feel-good Independence Day vibes.
WATCH TRAILER
Queen Latifah leads the cast in this family barbecue comedy—a literal Fourth of July setting—packed with laughs, barbecues, and Black joy.
WATCH TRAILER
Janet Jackson and Tupac Shakur star under Maya Angelou’s poetic voice in this soulful romance, a tender take on love and healing that just feels like summer.
WATCH TRAILER
Spike Lee’s Brooklyn-set masterpiece might be set on the hottest day of the year—not July 4, but its scorching themes and community focus make it a must-watch reflection on American summer.
WATCH TRAILER
A cornerstone of Black cinema, with Cuba Gooding Jr., Ice Cube and Nia Long. perfect for an introspective July 4 weekend.
WATCH TRAILER
Angela Bassett’s tropical tale of self-love and renewal has love, laughter, and even a barbecue scene, essential July 4 feel-good vibes.
WATCH TRAILER
Starring Danny Glover, this civil rights drama dives into voter justice activism in Mississippi, rooting July 4 in real-life struggles for freedom and redemption.
WATCH TRAILER
9. Selma (2014)
Though set decades before Independence Day, Ava DuVernay’s MLK Jr. epic is essential viewing on July 4. It reframes freedom through the lens of America’s ongoing fight for equality.
WATCH TRAILER
Questlove’s Oscar-winning documentary about the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival is a celebration of Black resilience and creativity, perfect for a July 4 sonic revival.
WATCH TRAILER
11. Independence Day (1996) – Starring Will Smith
No July 4th film list is complete without this iconic sci-fi action epic. Will Smith shines as Captain Steven Hiller, a fighter pilot who helps lead the charge against a massive alien invasion. It’s got explosions, presidential speeches, and that unforgettable moment where Smith punches an alien and says, “Welcome to Earth.” The film was a box office phenomenon and remains a beloved part of Black pop culture history.
WATCH TRAILER
Which one are you catching up on this weekend?
Whether you're revisiting a classic or discovering something new, these Black-led, directed, or produced films remind us that freedom, both personal and political, is always worth fighting for.
Comments