Black Cinema: 6 Sci-Fi And Fantasy Films And Shows That Redefine The Genre

The last few years have brought us mind-bending stories that tackle everything from Jim Crow-era horrors to Afrofuturistic dreams – all while keeping us glued to our screens.

These groundbreaking shows and films don’t just add diversity to the genre, they’re rewriting the rules of what speculative fiction can be. Looking at familiar moments in Black history through a fantastical lens has opened up new ways to process trauma, celebrate heritage, and imagine radically different futures. Here are some of the best sci-fi and fantasy projects that pushed the boundaries of storytelling while making audiences think twice about the past and the world around them.

Lovecraft Country (2020)

There’s a delicious irony in taking H.P. Lovecraft’s legacy – cosmic horror dripping with racism – and turning it into a weapon against supremacy. That’s exactly what Lovecraft Country pulls off. The show throws us into 1950s America, where Atticus Freeman and his family face down both slimy monsters and police officers, and honestly, it’s hard to tell which are scarier. One minute you’re watching a supernatural chase scene, the next you’re reliving the Tulsa Race Massacre. The show isn’t subtle about drawing parallels between otherworldly horrors and America’s racist history. The result is a wild ride that’ll keep you up at night thinking about both kinds of monsters.

Black Panther (2018)

Wakanda forever? More like Wakanda changed everything forever. Ryan Coogler didn’t just make a superhero movie – he sparked a cultural phenomenon that had people showing up to theaters in their finest African attire. Through Wakanda, we got to see what an African nation might look like if colonizers had never shown up with their ships and guns. But the film’s real superpower is how it wrestles with tough questions: What do powerful nations owe to their struggling neighbors? How do you protect your culture while sharing your resources? And Killmonger shows up sharing hard truths about global Black oppression, you almost find yourself agreeing with the villain.

Bridgerton/Queen Charlotte (2020)

Bridgerton looked at stuffy period dramas and said, “Hold my tea.” By reimagining Regency-era London as a place where Black people waltz at high society balls and hold noble titles, the show doesn’t just add diversity – it creates a whole new sandbox to play in. The fantasy series’ alternate history adds more intrigue when you realize it spins off from the real-life questions about Queen Charlotte’s heritage. The show gives us what so many period pieces deny us: the chance to see Black joy, romance, and power in a historical setting, corsets and all.

The Woman King (2022)

The Woman King isn’t just another historical epic. While it’s based on true events, the film taps into something almost mythical in its portrayal of the Agojie warriors. These women move like poetry in motion, their fighting scenes choreographed with an almost supernatural grace that blurs the line between history and legend. Viola Davis and her fellow warriors aren’t just playing soldiers – they’re channeling generations of untold power. The film takes the raw facts of history and elevates them to the realm of myth, creating something that feels both ancient and urgently modern.

Get Out (2017)

Leave it to Jordan Peele to make the scariest movie about a garden party ever made. Get Out takes the idea of subtle racism and turns it into body-snatching horror. The genius lies in how real it feels; we’ve all been Chris at some point, trapped in that awkward conversation that’s heading somewhere dark. The sunken place isn’t just a cool special effect – it’s an extreme version of what code-switching feels like. Peele took every uncomfortable racial interaction you’ve ever had and turned it into a nightmare you can’t wake up from.

Watchmen (2019)

HBO’s Watchmen pulled off the impossible – it made a superhero story about reparations, and somehow it worked brilliantly. Opening with the Tulsa Race Massacre was a gut punch that set the tone, revealing that this isn’t your typical cape crusader story. The show jumps between past and present, masks and memories, building a complex web of generational pain and justice sought. Through Regina King’s Sister Night, we explore how putting on a mask can both hide and reveal who we really are.