Top 5 Must-See Films Featuring Michael B. Jordan

Just Mercy (2019) is a powerful biographical legal drama directed and co-written by Destin Daniel Cretton, starring Michael B. Jordan, Jamie Foxx, Rob Morgan, Tim Blake Nelson, Rafe Spall, and Brie Larson. The film is based on the memoir of the same name written by Bryan Stevenson.

The story follows Bryan Stevenson (Michael B. Jordan), a Harvard graduate who moves to Alabama to defend wrongly convicted individuals. He is joined by local lawyer Eva Ansley (Larson) in his mission. One of his first major cases is that of Walter McMillian (Foxx), who was wrongfully sentenced to death in 1987 for the murder of an 18-year-old girl, despite overwhelming evidence proving his innocence. The only testimony against him came from a criminal with a known motive to lie. The film portrays Stevenson’s fight against systemic racism, political manipulation, and an unjust legal system, as he works tirelessly to free McMillian and other wrongfully convicted people.

Just Mercy premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 6, 2019, and was released in theaters by Warner Bros. on December 25, 2019. It received positive reviews from critics and grossed $50.4 million. Michael B. Jordan’s performance earned him the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture (2020), which celebrates excellence in the representation of African Americans across film, television, music, and literature.

IMDb Rating: 7.6
Tomatometer: 85%
Audience Rating: 99%

Chronicle (2012) is a captivating American sci-fi film directed by Josh Trank. This was Trank's directorial debut, with a screenplay by Max Landis based on a story by both writers. The film follows Andrew Detmer (Dane DeHaan), a teenager who is bullied at school. Along with his cousin Matt (Alex Russell) and friend Steve Montgomery (Michael B. Jordan), Andrew discovers a mysterious hole that grants them extraordinary powers. Initially, they use their newfound abilities for harmless fun, but things take a darker turn when Andrew begins to spiral out of control.

The film is presented through a found-footage style, primarily using Andrew's handheld camera to document the events of his life. Chronicle was released in the UK and Ireland on February 1, 2012, and in the US on February 3, 2012, receiving positive reviews and grossing $126 million worldwide.

IMDb Rating: 7.0

Tomatometer: 85%

Audience Rating: 71%

Fruitvale Station (2013) is an independent film that tells the tragic true story of Oscar Grant III (played by Michael B. Jordan), a young African American man who was fatally shot by a police officer on New Year's Eve in 2009. The film was shot at the actual location of the real-life incident, with a production budget of just $900,000.

The film first premiered as Fruitvale at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival, where it won the Grand Jury Prize and the Audience Award for U.S. Dramatic Film. It was later released in theaters on July 12, 2013, and shown at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival, where it won the 'Best First Film' award.

Fruitvale Station went on to receive widespread acclaim for its timely subject matter and grossed $17 million at the box office. Both the film and its director garnered numerous prestigious awards, and Michael B. Jordan’s performance further cemented his place in Hollywood. This success led to Jordan’s collaboration with director Ryan Coogler in the blockbuster films Creed (2015) and Black Panther (2018).

IMDb Rating: 7.5

Tomatometer: 94%
Audience Rating: 87%

Creed (2015) is a stirring American sports drama directed by Ryan Coogler. A spin-off of the iconic Rocky franchise, the film delivers powerful emotions through its gripping boxing scenes, but it also weaves in invaluable life lessons. The story follows Adonis Johnson (Michael B. Jordan), a troubled young man who finds his calling in boxing and seeks the help of the legendary Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) to train him for the ring.

One of the standout moments of Creed is Adonis' first professional fight, filmed in a single continuous take, making it one of the most memorable cinematic sequences of 2015. Jordan's compelling performance earned him the 'Best Actor in a Motion Picture' award and multiple nominations for 'Best Leading Actor.'

Released in the U.S. on November 25, 2015, on the 40th anniversary of the original Rocky film’s debut, Creed was met with critical acclaim, particularly for the performances of Jordan and Stallone. The film was also a commercial success, grossing over $173.6 million worldwide against a production budget of $35-40 million. It was included in the National Board of Review’s list of the top ten films of 2015.

IMDb Rating: 7.6
Tomatometer: 95%

Audience Rating: 89%

Black Panther (2018) is a groundbreaking superhero film based on the Marvel Comics character, produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. It is the 18th installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and marks the first African-American-led superhero film in the MCU.

Directed by Ryan Coogler and written by Joe Robert Cole, the film stars Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong'o, Danai Gurira, Martin Freeman, Daniel Kaluuya, Letitia Wright, Winston Duke, Angela Bassett, Forest Whitaker, and Andy Serkis. The plot follows T'Challa, who returns home to Wakanda to claim the throne, only to face a challenge to his rule from a long-time enemy in a global conflict.

Black Panther premiered in Los Angeles on January 29, 2018, and was released in the U.S. on February 16, 2018, in IMAX and 3D formats. The film set a record for the highest advance ticket sales for a superhero film on Fandango. It was released in Vietnam on February 23, 2018. Critically acclaimed, Black Panther was praised for its direction, costume design, action sequences, and the performances of its cast. Many critics considered it one of the best MCU films, and the cultural impact of the film was widely recognized. The film earned seven Oscar nominations in 2019, winning three, a remarkable achievement for a comic book adaptation.

IMDb Rating: 7.3

Tomatometer: 96%
Audience Rating: 79%