The 25 Most Embarrassing All-Black Cast Flops of the Decade

The film industry has seen a significant increase in productions featuring predominantly Black casts over the last ten years. This surge has produced numerous cinematic masterpieces and box office hits that reshaped the entertainment landscape. However, the sheer volume of releases inevitably leads to projects that fail to resonate with audiences or critics due to weak scripts or poor execution. These movies often struggled at the box office or received harsh reviews despite the talent attached to them. The following list highlights twenty-five films from the past decade that did not meet expectations.

‘Mea Culpa’ (2024)

Kelly Rowland stars in this legal thriller written and directed by Tyler Perry. The story follows a criminal defense attorney who takes on the case of a seductive artist accused of murdering his girlfriend. Critics panned the movie for its predictable storyline and lack of genuine suspense. Viewers found the dialogue clunky and the chemistry between the leads unconvincing. The film holds a very low approval rating on major review aggregator sites.

‘The American Society of Magical Negroes’ (2024)

Justice Smith leads this satirical fantasy about a secret organization dedicated to keeping white people comfortable to ensure the safety of the Black community. The film attempts to critique racial tropes but struggled to find a consistent tone or message. Critics argued that the satire was too safe and failed to land its intended punch. The box office returns were significantly lower than projected expectations. Audiences felt the premise was wasted on a narrative that lacked bite.

‘House Party’ (2023)

This remake of the classic 1990 comedy attempts to update the story for a modern audience with cameos from various celebrities. Two aspiring club promoters discover they are cleaning the mansion of LeBron James and decide to host a massive event. The film failed to capture the charm or energy of the original and struggled at the box office. Reviews highlighted the lack of laughs and the reliance on celebrity appearances over substance.

‘White Men Can’t Jump’ (2023)

Jack Harlow and Sinqua Walls star in this reimagining of the beloved basketball hustle movie. The story attempts to explore modern issues while retaining the sports dynamic of the predecessor. Audiences felt the film lacked the gritty atmosphere and sharp wit that made the original a classic. The chemistry between the two leads did not resonate with viewers or critics. It was released directly to streaming where it received a lukewarm reception.

‘Praise This’ (2023)

Chlöe Bailey stars in this musical comedy about a young woman who joins a competitive church choir. The film aims to blend modern gospel music with a fish out of water storyline. Critics felt the plot was derivative of other choir competition movies and offered few surprises. The humor often fell flat and the musical numbers could not save the thin screenplay. It failed to generate significant buzz upon its release.

‘Big George Foreman’ (2023)

This biographical drama chronicles the life and boxing career of heavyweight champion George Foreman. The film details his rise from poverty to boxing glory and his subsequent religious transformation. Box office returns were disappointing as the movie failed to recoup its production budget. Reviews suggested the storytelling was too formulaic and did not offer a deep enough look into the complex life of the athlete.

‘Alice’ (2022)

Keke Palmer stars in this thriller about an enslaved woman who escapes a plantation only to discover it is actually the year 1973. The film attempts to blend historical drama with Blaxploitation elements. Critics found the execution of the high concept premise to be messy and tonally inconsistent. The twist was revealed early in the marketing which undermined the suspense for many viewers. It performed poorly during its theatrical run.

‘Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul.’ (2022)

Regina Hall and Sterling K. Brown lead this mockumentary about a pastor and his wife attempting to reopen their church after a scandal. The film uses a satirical lens to examine the culture of mega churches and religious commodification. Despite strong performances from the leads the movie struggled to find an audience in theaters. Reviews suggested the tone shifted awkwardly between comedy and drama without fully committing to either.

‘Space Jam: A New Legacy’ (2021)

LeBron James steps into the lead role for this sequel to the 1996 Michael Jordan hit. The plot revolves around a basketball game in a digital server verse against rogue artificial intelligence. Critics criticized the film for serving primarily as a marketing vehicle for existing intellectual property. The visual effects were described as overwhelming and the story lacked the heart of the original film.

‘Karen’ (2021)

Taryn Manning plays a racist woman who terrorizes her new Black neighbors in this suspense thriller. The film was widely mocked on social media prior to its release for its heavy handed approach to social commentary. Critics labeled the movie as unintentionally funny and devoid of genuine tension. It currently holds one of the lowest ratings on Rotten Tomatoes for the year of its release. The project was viewed as a poor attempt to capitalize on the success of similar social thrillers.

‘Coming 2 America’ (2021)

Eddie Murphy returns as Prince Akeem in this highly anticipated sequel released directly to streaming services. The plot centers on Akeem returning to Queens to find the son he never knew he had. Fans of the original felt the movie relied too heavily on nostalgia and recycled jokes. The PG-13 rating limited the comedic edge that characterized the first film. Reviews were mixed with many citing it as a disappointment compared to the classic original.

‘A Fall from Grace’ (2020)

Tyler Perry wrote and directed this thriller about a woman indicted for murdering her husband. The production became infamous online for various continuity errors and visible production equipment in the final cut. Critics panned the film for its rushed pacing and melodramatic acting. The twist ending was described by many reviewers as nonsensical and unearned. It remains one of the most critically derided releases from the studio.

‘Fatal Affair’ (2020)

Nia Long and Omar Epps star in this psychological thriller about a woman terrorized by an old friend. The plot adheres strictly to the formula of 1990s obsessed stalker movies without adding anything new. Reviews criticized the lack of suspense and the irrational decisions made by the characters. Viewers found the story predictable from the opening scene to the climax. It was dismissed as a generic entry in the domestic thriller genre.

‘Shaft’ (2019)

Three generations of the Shaft family unite in this action comedy sequel. Jessie T. Usher plays the grandson of the legendary detective who seeks help from his estranged father. The film struggled to balance the gritty tone of the original series with modern comedy sensibilities. Critics felt the humor was outdated and the action sequences were uninspired. The box office performance was a significant drop from the 2000 predecessor.

‘Undercover Brother 2’ (2019)

Michael Jai White takes over the lead role in this sequel to the 2002 spy comedy. The film was released nearly two decades after the original and failed to capture the same cultural zeitgeist. Reviews pointed out the low budget production values and the absence of the original cast members. The jokes were considered stale and the plot was a rehash of the first movie. It was released directly to video and largely ignored by audiences.

‘Sextuplets’ (2019)

Marlon Wayans plays six different characters in this comedy about a man searching for his long lost birth siblings. The reliance on prosthetics and broad humor failed to win over critics or audiences. Reviews described the characters as caricatures and the plot as a thin excuse for the visual gag. The film holds a very low rating on review aggregation websites. It is often cited as a low point in the collaboration between Wayans and Netflix.

‘The Intruder’ (2019)

Michael Ealy and Meagan Good play a couple who buy a house from a disturbed seller played by Dennis Quaid. While the film performed moderately well financially it received poor reviews for its formulaic script. Critics noted that the movie relied on cheap jump scares and cliché character decisions. The talented cast was seen as being wasted on a generic thriller plot. It is often remembered for the over the top performance of the antagonist.

‘Nobody’s Fool’ (2018)

Tiffany Haddish and Tika Sumpter star in this comedy about a woman recently released from prison who tries to help her sister. The film received negative reviews for its disjointed script and reliance on slapstick humor. Critics felt the movie did not utilize the comedic talents of Haddish effectively. The romantic subplot was described as having little chemistry. It underperformed at the box office relative to the star power attached.

‘Traffik’ (2018)

Paula Patton and Omar Epps star in this thriller about a couple terrorized by a biker gang during a weekend getaway. The film was criticized for its exploitation of serious subject matter for cheap thrills. Reviews highlighted the implausible plot twists and poor dialogue. It was a box office disappointment and failed to make a lasting impression on the genre. Audiences found the pacing slow and the villains one dimensional.

‘Proud Mary’ (2018)

Taraji P. Henson plays a hitwoman working for an organized crime family in Boston. The film suffered from a lack of marketing support and reported production troubles. Critics were disappointed by the lack of action sequences and the dull pacing of the narrative. The editing was described as choppy which hindered the flow of the story. It is considered a missed opportunity given the popularity of the lead actress.

‘Superfly’ (2018)

Director X remade the 1972 Blaxploitation classic with a modern setting in Atlanta. The visual style was praised but the substance of the story was criticized for being hollow. Reviews suggested the film glorified the lifestyle it depicted without the social commentary of the original. The box office returns were weak and it failed to launch a new franchise. Audiences felt it lacked the gritty realism that made the original iconic.

‘Acrimony’ (2018)

Taraji P. Henson stars as a faithful wife who seeks revenge after her husband betrays her. The film was criticized for its erratic tone and the confusing motivations of the characters. While the lead performance was praised for its intensity the script was derided as nonsensical. The green screen effects used in the finale were widely mocked on social media. It remains a polarizing entry in the filmography of Tyler Perry.

‘All Eyez on Me’ (2017)

This biographical drama attempts to tell the story of the late rapper Tupac Shakur. The film was plagued by production delays and changes in directors before finally being released. Critics and close associates of the rapper criticized the movie for historical inaccuracies and poor storytelling. The performance of the lead actor was praised but could not save the film from negative reviews. It underperformed commercially and failed to satisfy the fanbase.

‘Fifty Shades of Black’ (2016)

Marlon Wayans wrote and starred in this parody of the popular erotic romance film. The humor relies heavily on slapstick and crude jokes that many critics found unfunny. The movie holds a low approval rating and was a box office disappointment compared to previous parodies by the star. Reviews stated that the source material was already too ridiculous to effectively parody. It is considered one of the weaker entries in the spoof genre.

‘Nina’ (2016)

Zoe Saldana portrays the legendary singer Nina Simone in this biographical drama. The casting decision sparked immediate controversy regarding colorism and the use of prosthetics to alter the appearance of the lead actress. The narrative focuses on the later years of the singer and her relationship with her manager. Critics felt the film failed to capture the essence of the musical icon and criticized the script for inaccuracies. The film was a commercial failure and was released in very few theaters.

Tell us which of these films you found the most disappointing in the comments.