15 Best Rap Movies on Netflix To Stream Right Now
One of the best parts about arts is that most of the time, they cannot be without one another. Movies and music are like that, and throughout the years, the best music came from, you guessed it, movies. However, one particular musical genre became quite popular over the years – rap. More and more modern movies feature rap music, and they are, quite frankly, amazing.
We will provide you with a list of 15 rap movies you can check out on the Netflix streaming platform, and if you are interested, definitely stick with us until the end.
15. Straight Outta Compton (2015)
Directed by: F. Gary Gray
Writer(s): Jonathan Herman, Andrea Berfloff
Release date: August 11, 2015
Running time: 147 minutes
Starring: O’Shea Jackson Jr., Corey Hawkins, Jason Mitchell, Paul Giamatti
Synopsis: In the 1980s, a group of five men, express their opinions and tell their stories through the honest and hardcore beats of rap, and hip-hop. They are living in the dangerous neighborhood of Los Angeles, and Compton and the one thing that never lets them down is the music. This movie retells a true story of young men, who through their music, expressed their displeasure with Los Angeles authority, and prompted people to question and discuss the social issues of the United States of America.
One of the best rap movies released in a very long time, and the story about the rap group N.W.A., reminded us that there is not that much difference between the 1980s era to today. Straight Outta Compton was a critical and commercial success and definitely belongs on the list of rap all-time movies – one of the best movies in the Netflix library.
14. Roxanne Roxanne (2017)
Directed by: Michael Larnell
Writer(s): Michael Larnell
Release date: January 22, 2017
Running time: 100 minutes
Starring: Chanté Adams, Mahershala Ali, Nia Long, Elvis Nolasco, Kevin Phillips
Synopsis: In the late 1980s, the most feared MC in Queens, New York was a young teenage girl named Lolita “Roxanne Shante” Gooden, who was trying to survive the harsh reality of living in a dangerous environment. This fourteen-year-old girl used her skill in rhymes and music to take care of her family, and at the same time, live through the dangers everyday life brings.
Netflix brought us a dramatized retelling life story of an American rapper Roxanne Shante, who became one of the best female rappers of all time, and was one at the forefront of the rise of rap music in New York in the 1980s and 1990s.
13. Travis Scott: Mom, I Can Fly (2019)
Directed by: White Trash Tyler
Genre: Documentary film
Release date: August 28, 2019
Running time: 84 minutes
Starring: Travis Scoot
One of the most notable rappers in the last two decades, Travis Scott, brought us a documentary that explores American rappers’ rise to fame, and success in American and world music. Particularly, his rise to fame in 2014 when he released his third studio album called Astroworld.
This movie is an interesting look into Travis Scott, his life, and his career which has been under a lot of attention in recent years. The movie also brings some elements of Scott’s private life, and the professional aspect, which mostly revolves around his concerts and recording of his biggest hits of that era.
12. Biggie: I Got a Story to Tell (2021)
Directed by: Emmet Malloy
Writer(s): Sam Sweet
Release date: March 1, 2021
Running time: 97 minutes
Starring: Christopher Wallace, Damion Butler, Sean Combs, Voletta Wallace
Another biographical documentary on this list, this time brings us the story of one of the most notable and important American rappers of all time, Notorious B.I.G. New York rapper that was revolutionary in the 1990s with his rhymes, freestyling, and unique style of rapping no one could replicate, died at the very young age of 24, after being murdered by the unknown assailant. Biggie Smalls left a huge hole in the rap and music industry and his close friend D-Roc decided to share rare footage of the rapper that passed way too soon.
11. Beats (2019)
Directed by: Chris Robinson
Writer(s): Miles Orion Feldsott
Release date: June 19, 2019
Running time: 110 minutes
Starring: Anthony Anderson, Khalil Everage
Synopsis: A reclusive teenage musical prodigy forms an unlikely bond with the struggling music producer who scrapes money doing odd jobs. When the duo connected with their mutual love for hip-hop, and rap music, they decide to take a leap and break into Chicago’s music industry.
The movie is a coming-of-age story about a struggling teenage boy who struggles with his everyday life like most youth of America and can only truly express himself through rap and hip-hop music.
10. Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop: A Bad Boy Story (2017)
Directed by: Daniel Kaufmann
Genre: Documentary film
Release date: 2017
Running time: 80 minutes
Starring: Sean “Diddy” Combs, Lil’ Kim, Mase
Synopsis: After one drama entry on the list, we are back with another documentary movie starring Sean “Diddy” Combs, and his efforts to honor a rap great and his friend, Notorious B.I.G. The documentary is basically a behind-the-scenes look at the Combs label’s legacy and the two-night event that honored the late New York rapper.
The movie is suitable for rap lovers and presents a good time for people to check out the event.
9. Emicida: AmarElo – It’s All for Yesterday (2020)
Directed by: Fred Ouro Preto
Genre: Documentary film
Release date: December 8, 2020
Running time: 89 minutes
Starring: Emicida, Zeca Pagodinho, Pabllo Vittar
Another documentary on this list moves away from the American rappers and music industry and leads us to South America, specifically, Brazil. The biggest country in South America has a formidable rap industry, and one of the pioneers is a rapper named Emicida. His journey and rise to fame are immortalized in the Netflix documentary that mainly shows a legendary concert in his hometown of São Paulo and his activism – including his celebration of the Brazilian Black culture.
A refreshing documentary that brings us the stories of people we may never hear of, and their goal to make the world a better place with their music.
8. The After Party (2018)
Directed by: Ian Edelman
Writer(s): Ian Edelman
Release date: August 24, 2018
Running time: 120 minutes
Starring: Russell Simmons, Jake Stein, Jamie Patricof Heather Parry, Trevor Engleson
Synopsis: When an aspiring rapper goes viral for the wrong reasons, he thinks his rap career is done. However, after the chain of events that prompts his best friend to bring him to the wild NYC party, the rapper realizes that maybe he has one more chance.
The movie is nothing revolutionary but can easily be used for passing time.
7. Forever Rich (2021)
Directed by: Shady El-Hamus
Writer(s): Shady El-Hamus, Jeroen Scholten van Aschat
Release date: Oct 1, 2021
Running time: 89 minutes
Starring: Hadewych Minis, Jonas Smulders, Yootha Wong-Loi-Sing
Synopsis: When the biggest rapper in the Netherlands, Richie gets exposed to the media, after his luxurious watch has been stolen, his reputation is at an all-time low. Richie now must restore his image, or face the end of his career.
This time, we have a movie that comes from the Netherlands, and it tells us a story of a person who got complacent after getting to the top of the world and having everything he wanted. The struggle to stay relevant is real in the character of Richie, and he needs to face the end of his career or fight for motivation to stay relevant in the vicious music industry.
6. Love Beats Rhymes (2017)
Directed by: RZA
Writer(s): Nicole Jefferson-Asher
Release date: December 1, 2017
Running time: 106 minutes
Starring: Azealia Banks, Lucien Laviscount, Jill Scott, John David Washington, Common
Synopsis: When a struggling rapper Coco enrolls in the poetry class, and presents her rhymes and work in front of Professor Dixon, she gets the reality check, but the push as well, to seek the true meaning behind her words. Coco’s journey is displayed through the visits and performances in the rap clubs and poetry slams, which help her discover her true self.
This American music drama brings a cool story of a woman who has talent but needs to finally settle demons, and insecurities that prevent her from fulfilling her true potential.
5. 8 Mile (2002)
Directed by: Curtis Hanson
Writer(s): Scott Silver
Release date: November 8, 2002
Running time: 111 minutes
Starring: Eminem, Mekhi Phifer, Brittany Murphy, Kim Basinger
Synopsis: In 1995, the city of Detroit is divided by the 8 Mile, a road that splits the industrial city into racial lines – one part is predominantly white, and the other is populated by black residents. At the time, rap music is predominantly performed by black people, but one young white rapper, Jimmy “B-Rabbit” Smith Jr. decides to take the leap, cross the “border”, and pursue his dream of becoming a famous rapper.
One of the best musical movies of all time, 8 Mile brings everything from drama, great characters, and realistic deception of Detroit in 1995. Eminem brings his A game, with his amazing songs and lyrics that brought the movie the Academy Award for Best Song in 2000. Definitely check out this amazing movie on Netflix.
4. Gims: On the Record (2020)
Directed by: Florent Bodin
Genre: Documentary film
Release date: September 17, 2020
Running time: 96 minutes
Starring: Chaz Hodges, Lorene Chesley, Maitre Gims
One of the most successful French musicians in recent years is the rapper Gims, whose music is listened to all over the world. In this documentary, we are brought backstage at the legendary concert on the Stade de France in 2019, where we learn about his journey and path to perform on the largest stage in all of France.
This documentary presents us with a deeper view of Gims and his success as a rapper in France last few years.
3. jeen-yuhs: A Kanye Trilogy (2022)
Directed by: Coodie Simmons, Chike Ozah
Writer(s): J. Ivy, Coodie Simmons
Release date: January 23, 2022
Running time: Trilogy of movies, each runs around 90 minutes
Starring: Kanye West
One of the most successful and controversial American rappers today is definitely Kanye West, now named Ye. His views and problems with mental health are filling the headlines all over the world, but one thing that was never doubted about Ye is his talent in music, specifically rap and hip-hop music. Proclaimed as one of the best biographical documentaries of 2022, which won MTV and Emmy awards, follows the life of Kanye West, and his journey that could be split into three parts – singer, businessman, and global brand.
The format of the documentary is interesting as Ye’s life, and the trilogy with each chapter is around 90 minutes long.
2. Remastered: Who Killed Master Jay (2018)
Directed by: Brian Oakes
Writer(s): Jeff Zimbalist, Michael Zimbalist
Release date: December 7, 2018
Running time: 58 minutes
Starring: Jason Mizzel, DJ Hurricane, Rahman Dukes
Run DMC was one of the most notable hip-hop and rap groups of the 1980s and 1990s. One of the members, Jam Master Jay, was shot and killed in Jamaica, Queens in 2002. Master Jay’s death had six witnesses but no one was convicted. The unsolved murder is still heavy among Jay’s friends and family members who speculate and recall what happened that faithful day in 2002.
1. The Forty-Year-Old Version (2020)
Directed by: Radha Blank
Writer(s): Radha Blank
Release date: January 25, 2020
Running time: 129 minutes
Starring: Lena Waithe, Radha Blank, Peter Kim, Oswin Benjamin
Synopsis: Radha is an unlucky New York playwright, who is desperate for a career breakthrough before her 40th birthday. She decided to take the leap and reinvent herself as a rapper called RadhaMUSPrime and uses that experience to find herself, both as a rapper, and a playwright in the New York theater world.
This movie is a fresh and unique outlook on a woman who is trying to fulfill her potential as a creative artist in New York and to do that, Radha needs to “move away” from the burden of the unfulfilled promise of a 30 under 30 award she won almost ten years prior. The Forty-Year-Old Version is a great movie that will make you root for the main protagonist, and maybe motivate you to check out similar stories on Netflix streaming platform.