In celebration of Black History Month, SpotHero is taking a look at the modern cinematic staple: the road trip! Here are some of our favorite transportation-focused films featuring Black and African leads.
Are We There Yet? (2006):
In this comedy, Nick Persons tries to drive his perfect woman’s kids from Portland to Vancouver after an unexpected change of plans. Literally everything you could possibly imagine goes wrong. Just sit back and enjoy; after all, none of it happens to you!
Driving Miss Daisy (1987):
In late 1940s Atlanta, Daisy Werthan, a stubborn retired schoolteacher, meets Hoke Colburn when her son hires him to be her chauffeur after she has a car accident. The film follows the pair over a twenty-five-year period as they form an unlikely friendship. Tune in for Morgan Freeman and Jessica Tandy delivering snarky one-liners, but stick around for the beautiful vintage cars.
Girls Trip (2017):
Get ready to laugh a little too hard as four friends reunite after years apart to spend a girls’ weekend in New Orleans. The vacation results in absinthe hallucinations, a dance-off, and almost pure chaos.
Green Book (2018):
In 1962, Dr. Don Shirley, a refined classical pianist, embarks on a concert tour of the United States, hiring thuggish Italian-American Tony Lip to serve as his driver and bodyguard. While they begin their trip at odds, they develop a friendship as they travel the midwest and the Deep South by car.
Hidden Figures (2016):
Set in 1960s Virginia, Hidden Figures follows three Black women working at NASA. Based on a true story, join them as they laugh, cry, obliterate stereotypes, and work to complete the ultimate road trip: a successful trip to space.
Poetic Justice (1993):
Justice, a hairstylist and poet, embarks on a road trip from Los Angeles to Oakland with Lucky, a mailman and aspiring musician. Naturally, sparks fly. A stellar cast, poetry by Maya Angelou, and a road trip in a mail truck, who could ask for more?
Queen & Slim (2019):
A mediocre first date quickly goes south when a young couple kills a police officer in self defense during a traffic stop. Forced to go on the run, Queen and Slim grapple with their actions and what it means to be Black in America as they find unexpected allies and become folk heroes.
White Wedding (2009):
In this South African film, best friends Elvis and Tumi set out to drive from Johannesburg to Cape Town for Elvis’ wedding. Of course, their low-key journey does not go according to plan. Along the way they pick up several eccentric passengers, most notably Rose, a cynical English woman, and George, a goat. Heartfelt and funny, White Wedding shows South Africa in a way that’s rarely seen on film, and shows just how universal the road trip really is.
Looking to learn something new this Black History Month? Check out our list of amazing Black Innovators who Influenced Mobility.