10 Black Love Films That Give Us Hope

Any second now the stars will align and we'll all be in bliss with the one we love. Until then, we can live through these films.

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Whether you are a single or in a relationship, love can be a full of ups and downs. We often look to cinema to live out our fantasies or to remind us of the red flags. Here are 10 films that gave us a hope for Black love, whether it's self-love or loving a partner.

Photo By (Photos from left: Peacock/Netflix)

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Released in 2020, The Photograph tells the story of a young journalist named Michael (Lakeith Stanfield) who falls in love with the daughter of a famous photographer, Christina (Issa Rae), after discovering a photograph of her mother that reveals a hidden part of Christina's life. Directed by Stella Meghie, the couple navigate through their own complicated relationship and personal struggles. The movie, which centers Black love, explores themes of family, and the impact of our past on our present, a must-watch.

Photo By (Photo: Netflix)

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The Best Man franchise is legendary. From the 1999 film to the series currently streaming on Peacock, we can't get enough of our favorite crew of BFFs. No matter your love life, there is something or someone you will be able to relate to.

Photo By (Photo by: Clifton Prescod/Peacock)

Southside With You - Our favorite story in #BlackLove will be the story of president Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama's very first date. Go watch the film this weekend and get all the feels. (Photo: IM Global, Get Lifted Film Co)

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This romance based on Barack and Michelle Obama will warm your heat. Southside With You was released in 2016 and starred Tika Sumpter as Michelle Obama and Parker Sawyers as Barack Obama.

Photo By Photo: IM Global

Think Like a Man - Loaded with a host of our favorite Black actors, this Steve Harvey book adaptation shows us that sometimes the rules of love aren't always so black and white. (Photo: Rainforest Films)

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Based on the bestseller by Steve Harvey, Think Like a Man was an all-star romantic comedy. Starring Michael Ealy, Meagan Good, Regina Hall, Kevin Hart, Taraji P. Henson and Gabrielle Union, the film delivers laughs but also some lessons about love.

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Beyond the Lights - Other times you want that over-protective type love. (Photo: Homegrown Pictures, Undisputed Cinema)

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Beyond the Lights stars Gugu Mbatha-Raw as a pop star whose life is pushed to the edge of desperation until she's rescued by a handsome young cop (Nate Parker). This 2014 romantic drama is directed by Love & Basketball's Gina Prince-Bythewood. With the support of BET Networks, the movie was one of the year's most honest and passionate love stories.

Photo By Photo: Homegrown Pictures

About Last Night - Reminding us that love is a planned concert event. (Photo: Rainforest Films, Olive Bridge Entertainment)

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About Last Night is a Steve Pink directed film about modern-day dating. The 2014 film followed Bernie (played by Kevin Hart) and Danny (played by Michael Ealy) search for love at a bar, meeting Joan (played by Regina Hall) and Debbie (played by Joy Bryant), only to find that their cup of love may have runneth over.

Photo By Photo: Rainforest Films

Finding Me - The saying goes: "If you can't love yourself how, in the hell are you going to love someone else?" The message rings true as Faybien Allen gets closer to loving himself and eventually finds a guy who he loves as well.  (Photo: TLA Releasing)

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This Black, queer love story was ahead of its time for 2009. Finding Me was written and directed by Roger Omeus Jr. and followed two Black men in love. Be prepared to laugh and cry.

Dope - Indirectly about love, we see Malcolm (Shameik Moore) not only find his street cred but find love with Nakia (Zoe Kravitz) in the process.   (Photo: Significant Productions, i Am Other, Revolt)

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Directed and written by Rick Famuyiwa (Brown Sugar, The Wood) 2015's Dope was a throwback to the classic Black films of the '90s. It's the story of three kids in a rough Los Angeles neighborhood accidentally caught up in a drug deal gone wrong. But the heart of Dope goes beyond teen drug dealers; the layered plot tackles themes of race, sexuality, masculinity, gender, community and love. Extremely timely in this era of cultural movements like Black Lives Matter, Dope not only entertains but informs.

The Perfect Guy - Creeper alert! The film does give us all hope that we can one day get rid of the bug-a-boo's.(Photo: Screen Gems)

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A thriller can teach you a little something about love, especially what to avoid. Three of the leading forces in all-star Black cinema came together in this 2015 for The Perfect Guy and laid out all the red flags. Michael Ealy, Sanaa Lathan and Morris Chestnut starred, and one thing's for certain: you're guaranteed to be on the edge of your seat the entire time.

Photo By Photo: Screen Gems

Baggage Claim - Hope in love means using your resources to get exactly what you want. (Photo: 260 Degrees, Sneak Preview Productions)

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Paula Patton stars as a love-lorn flight attendant looking for romance. She embarks on a 30-day quest to find her dream man and get engaged before her youngest sister's wedding. The movie's all-star cast includes Derek Luke, Taye Diggs, Jill Scott, Boris Kodjoe, Tia Mowry and Christina Milian. This 2013 film will definite give you hope when it comes to love.

Photo By Photo: 260 Degrees