The Definitive List of Hip Hop Films
by sawalrath | created - 09 Jun 2016 | updated - 22 Dec 2016 | PublicInfluential hip hop related films. Documentaries, dramas, comedies, classics.
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1. Krush Groove (1985)
R | 97 min | Comedy, Drama, Music
The story of a man who has started a new hip-hop/rap label called Krush Groove.
Director: Michael Schultz | Stars: Sheila E., Joseph Simmons, Darryl McDaniels, Jam Master Jay
Votes: 3,544 | Gross: $11.05M
2. 8 Mile (2002)
R | 110 min | Drama, Music
Follows a young rapper in the Detroit area, struggling with every aspect of his life; he wants to make it big but his friends and foes make this odyssey of rap harder than it may seem.
Director: Curtis Hanson | Stars: Eminem, Brittany Murphy, Kim Basinger, Mekhi Phifer
Votes: 320,474 | Gross: $116.72M
3. Straight Outta Compton (2015)
R | 147 min | Biography, Drama, History
The rap group NWA emerges from the mean streets of Compton in Los Angeles, California, in the mid-1980s and revolutionizes Hip Hop culture with their music and tales about life in the hood.
Director: F. Gary Gray | Stars: O'Shea Jackson Jr., Corey Hawkins, Jason Mitchell, Neil Brown Jr.
Votes: 218,300 | Gross: $161.20M
4. Wild Style (1982)
R | 82 min | Drama, Music
South Bronx graffiti artist Zoro is commissioned to paint a backdrop for a hip-hop concert.
Director: Charlie Ahearn | Stars: Lee Quiñones, Lady Pink, Fab 5 Freddy, Patti Astor
Votes: 2,946
5. Style Wars (1983 TV Movie)
Not Rated | 69 min | Documentary, Music
A documentary that exposes the rich growing subculture of hip-hop that was developing in New York City in the late '70s and early '80s, specifically focusing on graffiti art and breakdancing.
Director: Tony Silver | Stars: Demon, Kase 2, Eric Haze, D. 5
Votes: 3,296
6. Beat Street (1984)
PG | 105 min | Drama, Music
An aspiring DJ from the South Bronx and his best friend, a promoter, try to get into show business by exposing people to hip-hop music and the local culture.
Director: Stan Lathan | Stars: Rae Dawn Chong, Guy Davis, Jon Chardiet, Leon W. Grant
Votes: 4,318 | Gross: $16.60M
7. Notorious (2009)
R | 122 min | Biography, Crime, Drama
The life and death story of The Notorious B.I.G. (a.k.a. Christopher Wallace), who came straight out of Brooklyn to take the world of rap music by storm.
Director: George Tillman Jr. | Stars: Jamal Woolard, Anthony Mackie, Derek Luke, Momo Dione
Votes: 46,037 | Gross: $36.84M
8. Rhyme & Reason (1997)
R | 90 min | Documentary, Music
A study in the world of hip-hop, done mostly with interviews, in order to see why it is as popular as it is today and what the future holds.
Director: Peter Spirer | Stars: B-Real, Kurtis Blow, Da Brat, Chuck D
Votes: 923 | Gross: $1.59M
9. Juice (1992)
R | 95 min | Action, Crime, Drama
Four inner-city teenagers get caught up in the pursuit of power and happiness, which they refer to as "the juice".
Director: Ernest R. Dickerson | Stars: Omar Epps, Tupac Shakur, Jermaine Hopkins, Khalil Kain
Votes: 30,321 | Gross: $20.15M
10. Scratch (2001)
R | 92 min | Documentary, Music
The story of the hip-hop DJ from the birth of hip-hop to the invention of scratching and "beat-juggling" vinyl, to the more recent "turntablism" movement. Underdogs and virtuosos who have radically changed the way we hear and create music.
Director: Doug Pray | Stars: The Allies, A-Trak, Craze, DJ Infamous
Votes: 2,905
11. Dope (2015)
R | 103 min | Adventure, Comedy, Crime
Life changes for Malcolm, a geek who's surviving life in a tough neighborhood, after a chance invitation to an underground party leads him and his friends into a Los Angeles adventure.
Director: Rick Famuyiwa | Stars: Shameik Moore, Tony Revolori, Kiersey Clemons, Kimberly Elise
Votes: 89,269 | Gross: $17.51M
12. Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest (2011)
R | 97 min | Documentary, Music
Michael Rapaport documents the inner workings and behind the scenes drama that follows this innovative and influential band to this day.
Director: Michael Rapaport | Stars: Q-Tip, Phife Dawg, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, Jarobi White
Votes: 4,074 | Gross: $1.20M
13. Dave Chappelle's Block Party (2005)
R | 103 min | Documentary, Comedy, Music
A mix of Dave Chappelle's sketch comedy and musical interludes, inspired in part by the 1973 documentary Wattstax.
Director: Michel Gondry | Stars: Dave Chappelle, Yasiin Bey, Lauryn Hill, Erykah Badu
Votes: 9,623 | Gross: $11.72M
14. Our Vinyl Weighs a Ton: This Is Stones Throw Records (2013)
94 min | Documentary, Biography, Music
Our Vinyl Weighs a Ton is a feature-length documentary about avant-garde Los Angeles-based record label Stones Throw Records. The film weaves together rare concert footage, never-before-see... See full summary »
Director: Jeff Broadway | Stars: Peanut Butter Wolf, Talib Kweli, A-Trak, Marvin Jones III
Votes: 863
15. RiP: A Remix Manifesto (2008)
Not Rated | 87 min | Documentary, Music
A documentary which examines copyright issues in the information age.
Director: Brett Gaylor | Star: Cory Doctorow
Votes: 1,296
16. Sonic Outlaws (1995)
Not Rated | 87 min | Documentary
Within days after the release of Negativland's clever parody of U2 and Casey Kasem, recording industry giant Island Records descended upon the band with a battery of lawyers intent on ... See full summary »
Director: Craig Baldwin | Stars: Lloyd Dunn, Chris Grigg, Mark Hosler, Don Joyce
Votes: 174
17. Get Rich or Die Tryin' (2005)
R | 117 min | Biography, Crime, Drama
A tale of an inner city drug dealer who turns away from a life of crime to pursue his passion of rap music.
Director: Jim Sheridan | Stars: 50 Cent, Joy Bryant, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Omar Benson Miller
Votes: 50,123 | Gross: $30.98M
18. Sample This (2012)
Not Rated | 85 min | Documentary, Music
A documentary that reveals how a forgotten record by the Incredible Bongo Band helped cement the foundation of hip hop when DJ Herc extended its percussion by playing them back to back, creating an anthem on the streets of the Bronx.
Director: Dan Forrer | Stars: Gene Simmons, Questlove, Roosevelt Grier, Grandmaster Caz
Votes: 512
19. Malibu's Most Wanted (2003)
PG-13 | 86 min | Comedy, Crime
A senator arranges for his son, a rich white kid who fancies himself black, to be kidnapped by a couple of black actors pretending to be murderers to try and shock him out of his plans to become a rapper.
Director: John Whitesell | Stars: Jamie Kennedy, Ryan O'Neal, Blair Underwood, Taye Diggs
Votes: 20,862 | Gross: $34.31M
20. The Great Hip Hop Hoax (2013)
Not Rated | 93 min | Documentary, Comedy, Music
Scottish rappers Billy Boyd and Gavin Bain reinvent themselves as West Coast Homeboys after they were signed by Sony.
Director: Jeanie Finlay | Stars: Gavin Bain, Billy Boyd
Votes: 629
21. Beef (2003)
R | 103 min | Documentary
A documentary on the evolution of MC battles from verbal one-upmanship to street warfare.
Director: Peter Spirer | Stars: Ving Rhames, 50 Cent, Kevin Anderson, B-Real
Votes: 1,036
22. Beef II (2004 Video)
R | 85 min | Documentary
BEEF 2 exposes the business of hip hop battles.
Director: Peter Spirer | Stars: Keith David, 50 Cent, B-Real, Bizarre
Votes: 539
23. Breakin' (1984)
PG | 87 min | Comedy, Drama, Music
A struggling young jazz dancer meets up with two break-dancers. Together they become the sensation of the street crowds.
Director: Joel Silberg | Stars: Lucinda Dickey, Adolfo Quinones, Michael Chambers, Ben Lokey
Votes: 7,233 | Gross: $38.68M
24. BMF: The Rise and Fall of a Hip-Hop Drug Empire (2012)
Not Rated | 63 min | Documentary, Crime
THE BLACK MAFIA FAMILY explores the story of the 15-year investigation that resulted in 41 defendants across the country being charged in one of the largest drug conspiracy cases ever.
Director: Don Sikorski | Star: Lewis Matheney
Votes: 232
25. Belly (1998)
R | 96 min | Crime, Drama
Two young friends involved in organized crime and drug dealing find that their priorities differ.
Director: Hype Williams | Stars: Nas, DMX, Taral Hicks, Tionne 'T-Boz' Watkins
Votes: 12,614 | Gross: $9.63M
26. Something from Nothing: The Art of Rap (2012)
R | 106 min | Documentary, Music
A documentary on rap music and its rise to global prominence.
Directors: Ice-T, Andy Baybutt | Stars: Ice-T, Dr. Dre, Chuck D, Snoop Dogg
Votes: 3,620 | Gross: $0.29M
27. Tupac: Resurrection (2003)
R | 112 min | Documentary, Biography, Music
Home movies, photographs, and recited poetry illustrate the life of Tupac Shakur, one of the most beloved, revolutionary, and volatile hip-hop M.Cs. of all time.
Director: Lauren Lazin | Stars: Tupac Shakur, Rappin' 4-Tay, Conrad Bain, Bill Bellamy
Votes: 9,807 | Gross: $7.72M
28. Biggie & Tupac (2002)
R | 108 min | Documentary, Biography, Crime
Documentary on the deaths of Tupac Shakur and Biggie Smalls and the East Coast/West Coast, hip-hop/rap rivalry that culminated in late 1996 and early 1997.
Director: Nick Broomfield | Stars: The Notorious B.I.G., Tupac Shakur, Nick Broomfield, Russell Poole
Votes: 5,009 | Gross: $0.09M
29. Freestyle: The Art of Rhyme (2000)
Not Rated | 60 min | Documentary, Music
A documentary about freestyling--the improvised, on-the-spot rhymes that demonstrate the skills of hip-hop MCs.
Director: Kevin Fitzgerald | Stars: Chali 2na, Muhammad Ali, Planet Asia, Bahamadia
Votes: 626 | Gross: $0.01M
30. Fade to Black (2004)
R | 109 min | Documentary
Filmed during his "Black Album" era, Jay-Z looks back on his career as one of rap music's most successful emcees and entrepreneurs.
Directors: Patrick Paulson, Michael John Warren | Stars: Jay-Z, Rick Rubin, Missy Elliott, Fonzworth Bentley
Votes: 1,074 | Gross: $0.73M
31. Backstage (2000)
R | 86 min | Documentary
If you ever wanted to know what really goes on backstage, this is the definitive inside look - uncut and uncensored. Complete with on-stage performances you'll see an intimate view of what ... See full summary »
Director: Chris Fiore | Stars: Jay-Z, DMX, Method Man, Redman
Votes: 346 | Gross: $1.18M
32. Friday (1995)
R | 91 min | Comedy, Drama
It's Friday, and Craig and Smokey must come up with $200 they owe a local bully or there won't be a Saturday.
Director: F. Gary Gray | Stars: Ice Cube, Chris Tucker, Nia Long, Tom Lister Jr.
Votes: 124,408 | Gross: $27.47M
33. Next Friday (2000)
R | 98 min | Comedy
A streetwise man flees South Central Los Angeles, heading to the suburbs and his lottery-winner uncle and cousin, to avoid a neighborhood thug with a grudge who has just escaped from prison.
Director: Steve Carr | Stars: Ice Cube, Mike Epps, Justin Pierce, John Witherspoon
Votes: 44,047 | Gross: $57.33M
34. Friday After Next (2002)
R | 85 min | Comedy, Drama
Working as security guards, Craig and Day-Day run into the thief who stole their Christmas presents.
Director: Marcus Raboy | Stars: Ice Cube, Mike Epps, John Witherspoon, Don 'D.C.' Curry
Votes: 30,177 | Gross: $32.98M
35. House Party (1990)
R | 100 min | Comedy, Music, Romance
Kid decides to go to his friend Play's house party, but neither of them can predict what's in store for them on what could be the wildest night of their lives.
Director: Reginald Hudlin | Stars: Christopher Reid, Robin Harris, Christopher Martin, Martin Lawrence
Votes: 16,700 | Gross: $26.39M
36. House Party 2 (1991)
R | 94 min | Comedy, Drama, Music
When Kid's college money is stolen by a crooked music promoter, Play's solution is to stage the 'mutha' of all pajama parties. Starring Kid 'n Play and Martin Lawrence.
Directors: George Jackson, Doug McHenry | Stars: Christopher Reid, Christopher Martin, Martin Lawrence, Bowlegged Lou
Votes: 7,100 | Gross: $19.28M
37. House Party 3 (1994)
R | 100 min | Comedy, Music, Romance
Kid, after a lifetime 'playing the field', is about to get married. 'Play' plans to throw the best bachelor party ever - until 'Kid's' three wise-crackin' nephews come to town, intent on showing them what parties are all about.
Director: Eric Meza | Stars: Christopher Reid, Christopher Martin, David Edwards, Angela Means
Votes: 5,624 | Gross: $19.28M
38. Poetic Justice (1993)
R | 109 min | Drama, Romance
Grieving hairdresser Justice goes on a road trip from South Central L.A. to Oakland on a mail truck alongside her friend and an obnoxious postal worker.
Director: John Singleton | Stars: Janet Jackson, Tupac Shakur, Regina King, Joe Torry
Votes: 16,602 | Gross: $27.52M
39. Do the Right Thing (1989)
R | 120 min | Comedy, Drama
On the hottest day of the year on a street in the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn, everyone's hate and bigotry smolders and builds until it explodes into violence.
Director: Spike Lee | Stars: Danny Aiello, Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee, Richard Edson
Votes: 112,291 | Gross: $27.55M
40. Hip-Hop: Beyond Beats & Rhymes (2006)
PG-13 | 61 min | Documentary, Music
Hip-Hop: Beyond Beats & Rhymes provides a riveting examination of manhood, sexism, and homophobia in hip-hop culture.
Director: Byron Hurt | Stars: Carmen Ashurst-Watson, Yasiin Bey, Chuck D, Jelani Cobb
Votes: 294
41. The Carter (2009 Video)
72 min | Documentary, Music
An in-depth look at the artist Dwayne LIL' WAYNE Carter Jr, proclaimed by many as the "greatest rapper alive" With comprehensive and personal interviews with Lil' Wayne, this film will also... See full summary »
Director: Adam Bhala Lough | Stars: Birdman, Cortez Bryant, Reginae Carter, Drake
Votes: 679
42. Nas: Time Is Illmatic (2014)
TV-14 | 74 min | Documentary, Biography, History
The story behind Nas's groundbreaking debut album 'Illmatic, ' and the early life of one of the most talented rappers of all time. Featuring Pharrell Williams, Alicia Keys, Q-Tip, and Busta Rhymes.
Director: One9 | Stars: Nas, Cornel West, Pharrell Williams, Swizz Beatz
Votes: 3,334 | Gross: $0.11M
43. Nerdcore Rising (2008)
Not Rated | 85 min | Documentary, Music
Hilariously entertaining, NERDCORE RISING introduces a new wave of hip-hop to the world called "Nerdcore" where computer obsesses geeks bust rhymes about the hard knock life of nerdom. The ... See full summary »
Directors: Negin Farsad, Kimmy Gatewood | Stars: Damian Hess, Gaby Alter, Beefy, Jello Biafra
Votes: 508
44. Copyright Criminals (2009)
Not Rated | 54 min | Documentary, Music
A documentary that examines the creative and commercial value of musical sampling.
Directors: Benjamin Franzen, Kembrew McLeod | Stars: D.J. Abilities, Aesop Rock, Steve Albini, Harry Allen
Votes: 284
45. The Show (1995)
R | 93 min | Documentary, Music
A documentary about the culture of hip-hop. Through interviews with some of hip-hops biggest names, the film makers attempt to find out why it has become so popular.
Director: Brian Robbins | Stars: Craig Mack, Dr. Dre, Afrika Bambaataa, Kurtis Blow
Votes: 383 | Gross: $2.70M
46. And You Don't Stop: 30 Years of Hip-Hop (2004)
300 min | Documentary, History, Music
A five-part documentary series released by VH1 in 2004. The series recounts the development of hip hop culture from its birth in New York City in the 1970s through its flowering into a global phenomenon in the 21st Century.
Stars: Bill Adler, Will Smith, Ice-T, Snoop Dogg
Votes: 201
47. Wu: The Story of the Wu-Tang Clan (2007)
90 min | Documentary, Music
In the summer of 1993, the Wu-Tang Clan emerged from the burroughs of New York City and took the hip-hop world by storm. Their legacy spanned over a decade, garnering fans worldwide and ... See full summary »
Director: Gerald Barclay | Stars: Ralph McDaniels, Remedy Roll, Gano Grills, Popa Wu
Votes: 427
48. Stretch and Bobbito: Radio That Changed Lives (2015)
Not Rated | 99 min | Documentary, Music
A retrospective look at the "Best Hip Hop Radio Show of All-Time".
Director: Bobbito Garcia | Stars: A-Plus, Anthony Alonso, Stretch Armstrong, B-Real
Votes: 1,006
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