Top 10 Hood Movies

From Spike Lee, starring Danny Aiello, Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee, Richard Edson
Rated R

Do the Right Thing is a 1989 American comedy-drama film directed, written, produced, and starring Spike Lee. Set in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York City on the hottest day of the summer, it tells the story of a diverse neighborhood's simmering racial tensions, which culminate in tragedy. The film touches on issues of racism, police brutality, and urban crime. The film stars Danny Aiello, Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee, Richard Edson, Giancarlo Esposito, Bill Nunn, John Turturro, Frankie Faison, and Samuel L. Jackson. The film follows the day of Sal (Aiello), a pizzeria owner with a son, Pino (Esposito), who believes African-Americans should leave the neighborhood. Mookie (Lee) is Sal's delivery boy, while Radio Raheem (Nunn) is a local who constantly blasts his music. The locals bicker and grapple with one another, and tensions mount until the film's climax. Do the Right Thing offers a perspective on racism and its effects, revealing that violence and hatred are ultimately destructive.

From Taylor Hackford, starring Damian Chapa, Jesse Borrego, Benjamin Bratt, Enrique Castillo
Rated R

Blood In, Blood Out is a 1993 crime drama written and directed by Taylor Hackford. Set in East Los Angeles, the film follows three Mexican-American cousins—Miklo, Paco, and Cruz—as they struggle to survive the harsh realities of their inner-city environment. As the story progresses, Miklo, who is a member of a notorious street gang, is sent to prison after being falsely accused of murder. While he is gone, Paco and Cruz fall into the world of gang crime and drug dealing. All three men are eventually reunited in their adult years and find themselves on opposite sides of a blood feud that threatens to tear their family apart. In the end, they must find a way to reconcile their differences and survive the violence that has consumed their lives.

From John Singleton, starring Cuba Gooding Jr., Laurence Fishburne, Hudhail Al-Amir, Lloyd Avery II
Rated R

Boyz n the Hood is a 1991 drama film written and directed by John Singleton about three young African American males living in the South Central Los Angeles neighborhood of South Central. The film follows the lives of Tre, a high school senior from a middle-class background; Doughboy, a teenage father who is struggling to make ends meet; and Ricky, a high school football star who is trying to stay out of trouble. The film examines the dangers of inner-city life and racial tensions, while also exploring the bond between the three boys. Through the film, Singleton presents a complex, nuanced view of African American life and culture in the 1990s.

From F. Gary Gray, starring O'Shea Jackson Jr., Corey Hawkins, Jason Mitchell, Neil Brown Jr.
Rated R

Straight Outta Compton is a 2015 American biographical drama film directed by F. Gary Gray. It tells the story of the rap group N.W.A and their rise to fame and influence on the music industry and pop culture. The film follows the group's original members - Eazy-E, Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, MC Ren and DJ Yella - as they navigate their way through the rap music industry, battle with police and racial tension in the mid-1980s, and their eventual break-up. The film also covers individual members' success after the break-up, including the launch of Dr. Dre's groundbreaking production career, the meteoric rise of Ice Cube's solo career, and the launch of Eazy-E's successful Ruthless Records label. The film was a major commercial and critical success, grossing over $200 million worldwide and receiving widespread acclaim from critics.

From Antoine Fuqua, starring Denzel Washington, Ethan Hawke, Scott Glenn, Tom Berenger
Rated R

Training Day follows two Los Angeles Police Department officers—the veteran detective Alonzo Harris (Denzel Washington) and young patrol officer, Jake Hoyt (Ethan Hawke)—over a 24-hour period in the gang-ridden neighborhoods of South Central Los Angeles. Alonzo is a corrupt detective who is training Jake, a rookie eager to establish himself in the LAPD. Alonzo takes Jake through the city and shows him the realities of police work. As Jake is exposed to Alonzo’s corrupt and illegal activities, he begins to realize the true cost of being a police officer in a city largely controlled by crime. In the end, Jake is forced to make a choice between upholding honesty and justice, or succumbing to the corrupting influence of Alonzo.

From David Ayer, starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Michael Peña, Anna Kendrick, America Ferrera
Rated R

End of Watch is a 2012 crime drama directed by David Ayer. The film follows two LAPD officers, Brian Taylor (Jake Gyllenhaal) and Mike Zavala (Michael Peña), as they patrol South Central Los Angeles. Their lives become endangered as they stumble onto a major drug operation involving a local gang. Taylor and Zavala are forced to confront their toughest challenge yet as they fight to protect their community and their own lives. The film is a gritty and realistic portrayal of the dangers faced by police officers in the line of duty. The strong performances by Gyllenhaal and Peña, as well as the intense action, suspense and drama make End of Watch an exciting and powerful watch.

From Directors: Albert Hughes, Allen Hughes, starring Tyrin Turner, Larenz Tate, June Kyoto Lu, Toshi Toda
Rated R

Menace II Society is a 1993 crime drama film directed by Albert and Allen Hughes. It follows a young African American man, Caine Lawson, as he struggles to escape a life of crime and violence in South Central Los Angeles. Caine is surrounded by gangsters, drug dealers and other criminals, as well as the friends and family who try to help him get out of the gang lifestyle. The film explores themes of morality, loyalty and identity in an environment of poverty and violence. Despite the bleakness of its themes, the movie ultimately suggests that it's possible for people to choose a different path and break the cycle of violence.

From Walter Hill, starring Michael Beck, James Remar, Dorsey Wright, Brian Tyler
Rated R

The Warriors is a 1979 cult classic film directed by Walter Hill, which follows a New York City gang as they battle through the night to return to their home turf in Coney Island. The story begins when a charismatic gang leader, Cyrus, assembles all the gangs of New York in the Bronx and proposes to them a plan to take over the city. Unfortunately, Cyrus is killed and the members of the Warriors gang find themselves blamed for his death and on the run from the other gangs and the police. As they fight their way back home, they encounter a variety of obstacles, from rival gangs to corrupt police officers, in their attempt to make it safely back. Along the way, they must rely on their courage and strength as they bond together and learn to trust each other in order to survive.

From Craig Brewer, starring Terrence Howard, Ludacris, Anthony Anderson, Taryn Manning
Rated R

From F. Gary Gray, starring Ice Cube, Chris Tucker, Nia Long, Tom Lister Jr.
Rated R

From Curtis Hanson, starring Eminem, Brittany Murphy, Kim Basinger, Mekhi Phifer
Rated R

From Ernest R. Dickerson, starring Omar Epps, Tupac Shakur, Jermaine Hopkins, Khalil Kain
Rated R

From Charles Stone III, starring Mekhi Phifer, Wood Harris, Chi McBride, Kevin Carroll
Rated R

From Spike Lee, starring Harvey Keitel, John Turturro, Delroy Lindo, Mekhi Phifer
Rated R

From Abel Ferrara, starring Christopher Walken, David Caruso, Laurence Fishburne, Victor Argo
Rated R

From Spike Lee, starring Denzel Washington, Milla Jovovich, Ray Allen, Rosario Dawson
Rated R

From Stephen Milburn Anderson, starring Glenn Plummer, Byron Minns, Lexie Bigham, Vincent Craig Dupree
Rated R

From David Ayer, starring Christian Bale, Freddy Rodríguez, Eva Longoria, Chaka Forman
Rated R

From Ron Shelton, starring Wesley Snipes, Woody Harrelson, Rosie Perez, Tyra Ferrell
Rated R

From David Ayer, starring Keanu Reeves, Forest Whitaker, Hugh Laurie, Chris Evans
Rated R

From F. Gary Gray, starring Jada Pinkett Smith, Queen Latifah, Vivica A. Fox, Kimberly Elise
Rated R

From Dennis Hopper, starring Sean Penn, Robert Duvall, Maria Conchita Alonso, Randy Brooks
Rated R

From Mario Van Peebles, starring Wesley Snipes, Ice-T, Allen Payne, Chris Rock
Rated R

From John N. Smith, starring Michelle Pfeiffer, George Dzundza, Courtney B. Vance, Robin Bartlett
Rated R

From John Singleton, starring Alexsandra Wright, Tyrese Gibson, Taraji P. Henson, Omar Gooding
Rated R