15 Must-See Films Directed by Women of Color

Dee Rees is the visionary behind the critically praised film Mudbound, which delves into the lives of two families entangled in a rivalry over farmland in the Mississippi Delta. She also helmed Bessie, a biographical drama about blues legend Bessie Smith, starring Queen Latifah, and the short film Pariah, which explores the struggles of a young lesbian navigating societal pressures. Mudbound is a must-watch for its compelling narrative and a showcase of Rees’ directorial prowess.

Where to stream: Find Mudbound on Netflix.

Nia DaCosta launched her feature film career with Little Woods, a gripping drama centered on two sisters striving to save their late mother’s home. As Ollie (Tessa Thompson) and Deb (Lily James) attempt to reconcile their strained relationship, they confront the challenges of the opioid crisis in North Dakota. The film earned critical acclaim, establishing DaCosta as a promising director. Following Little Woods, she directed the new Candyman, co-written by Jordan Peele, which hit theaters on August 21. Additionally, Disney and Marvel Studios have entrusted her with directing the sequel to Captain Marvel, currently in its early stages.

Where to stream: You can watch Nia DaCosta’s Little Woods on Hulu.

Regina King stepped into the director’s chair this year with the Golden Globe-nominated One Night in Miami, featuring Kingsley Ben-Adir, Eli Goree, Leslie Odom Jr., and Aldis Hodge. Inspired by Kemp Powers’ play, the film imagines a fictional gathering of Malcolm X, Jim Brown, Cassius Clay (later known as Muhammad Ali), and singer Sam Cooke. While One Night in Miami marks her first feature film, King has previously directed episodes of TV series like Being Mary Jane, Shameless, and HBO’s Insecure.

Where to stream: One Night in Miami can be streamed on Prime Video.

Chloé Zhao, also known as Zhao Ting, made history this year by winning the Golden Globe for Best Director of a Motion Picture. Since 2008, she has been crafting short films and eventually transitioned to feature-length projects with Songs My Brother Taught Me, a poignant tale of a young girl navigating life on the South Dakota Pine Ridge Reservation after her brother’s incarceration. Her recent triumph, Nomadland, follows a woman who embraces a nomadic lifestyle after leaving her job. Starring Frances McDormand, the film swept the Golden Globes, winning Best Picture (Drama) and Best Director. Zhao’s next project, Marvel’s Eternals, is set for release this November.

Where to stream: Experience Zhao’s acclaimed Nomadland on Hulu.

Ava DuVernay, the acclaimed director behind the Civil Rights drama Selma, chronicles Martin Luther King Jr. and activists battling for voting equality during the Jim Crow era. Her versatility shines in the fantasy adaptation of A Wrinkle in Time, where she became the first woman of color to direct a film grossing $100 million domestically. Following this, DuVernay directed the powerful documentary 13th, exploring the ties between slavery and the prison system, and the heart-wrenching series When They See Us, which recounts the wrongful conviction of five young men in the 1989 Central Park case.

Where to stream: Stream When They See Us on Netflix.

Chinonye Chukwu’s Clemency delves into the life of Bernadine Williams (Alfre Woodard), a prison warden overseeing executions. As one inmate faces lethal injection, his lawyer battles for clemency. Chukwu’s direction draws remarkable performances from Woodard and Aldis Hodge, who portrays the condemned Anthony Woods. Chukwu is now set to direct Till, a film depicting the tragic murder of Emmitt Till and his mother’s relentless pursuit of justice.

Where to stream: Watch Chukwu’s Clemency on Hulu.

Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, renowned for her impactful documentaries, sheds light on the struggles and triumphs of Pakistani women. Her film A Journey of a Thousand Miles: Peacekeepers follows three Muslim female police officers sent to Haiti after the 2010 earthquake. Another notable work, Saving Face, documents Dr. Mohammad Jawad’s efforts to aid acid attack survivors in Pakistan, earning her an Academy Award for Best Documentary Short. Obaid-Chinoy holds the distinction of being the first Pakistani to win two Oscars.

She is set to direct Disney/Marvel’s Ms. Marvel, introducing the first Pakistani superhero to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Her commitment to representation and storytelling continues to inspire audiences worldwide.

Where to stream: Watch Obaid-Chinoy’s Oscar-winning Saving Face on Hulu.

Gina Prince-Bythewood began her career directing TV episodes, including the sitcom A Different World, before gaining recognition with her breakout film, Love & Basketball. This low-budget romance, produced by Spike Lee, follows two Black athletes (Sanaa Lathan and Omar Epps) balancing their basketball careers and personal relationship. The film’s success led her to adapt the bestselling novel The Secret Life of Bees and direct the musical drama Beyond the Lights. Her latest project, the action-packed The Old Guard, starring Charlize Theron, premiered on Netflix last year.

Where to stream: Enjoy Love & Basketball on Hulu and HBO Max.

Stella Meghie, a writer and director, began her career with short films in 2012 before making her feature film debut with The Weekend. This quirky romantic comedy, which she also wrote, centers on Zadie Barber (Sasheer Zamata) as she navigates a weekend getaway with her ex and his new partner. Meghie is also celebrated for her romantic drama The Photograph, featuring Issa Rae and LaKeith Stanfield.

Where to stream: You can watch The Photograph on HBO Max.

Catalina Aguilar Mastretta, a Mexican director, helmed the bilingual film Everybody Loves Somebody, which follows Clara (Karla Souza), a young single woman torn between past and present love interests during a family wedding in Mexico. Mastretta has also directed episodes of TV shows like Almost Family, NBC’s Superstore, and Netflix’s Ginny & Georgia.

Where to stream: Stream Mastretta’s Everybody Loves Somebody on Prime Video.

Radha Blank, a celebrated playwright, has made waves with productions like HappyFlowerNail, Nannyland, and SEED. Her writing spans children’s cartoons like The Backyardigans to mainstream dramas such as Empire and Spike Lee’s She’s Gotta Have It.

Her directorial debut, The Forty-Year-Old Version, explores ageism in the arts through the story of a struggling playwright (played by Blank) who rediscovers her passion for rhyming and self-expression. The film, which won accolades at Sundance, marks the beginning of Blank’s promising directing career.

Where to stream: Watch The Forty-Year-Old Version on Netflix.

Patricia Cardoso, currently active in television, recently directed episodes of All Rise, a legal drama featuring Simone Missick. She is best known for her film Real Women Have Curves, which stars America Ferrera as Ana Garcia, a young woman striving for higher education against her mother’s traditional expectations. Cardoso continues to champion Latin American narratives, directing episodes of the rebooted Party of Five, a series highlighting the impact of deportation on immigrant families.

Where to stream: Watch Cardoso’s Real Women Have Curves on Hulu and HBO Max.

Channing Godfrey Peoples debuted as a feature film director with Miss Juneteenth, a story about Turquoise Jones (Nicole Beharie) preparing her daughter Kai (Alexis Chikaeze) for a Juneteenth pageant. The film, which honors the holiday marking the emancipation of enslaved Black Americans, won Best Narrative Feature at the Blackstar Film Festival. Peoples has since directed Generation, an HBO Max teen drama exploring young adults’ experiences with sexuality, set to premiere on March 11.

Where to stream: Stream Miss Juneteenth on BET+ and Prime Video.