John Singleton was a singular talent. A writer, director, and producer, Singleton came up in the 90s, beginning with his debut feature Boyz n the Hood in 1991, and rose to even higher prominence in the 2000s, with movies like Shaft and Four Brothers. He sadly died in 2019 at the age of 51 after being hospitalized from suffering a stroke, and left behind a legacy that is truly untouchable and will surely stand the test of time.
With Boyz n the Hood, Singleton became the first Black director and the youngest ever to be nominated for the Best Director Oscar. This film focused on the systemic failures faced by the Black community, highlighting the all-too present issues that have plagued America for decades. It’s unfortunate that, in many ways, three decades later, Boyz n the Hood’s message still rings true today. In this article, we look back at John Singleton’s best movies, ranked.
6 Poetic Justice
Columbia Pictures
Poetic Justice was released in 1993, and features Janet Jackson in her on-screen debut as Justice, a hairdresser in south central Los Angeles. Tupac Shakur also starred as a postman called Lucky. Justice is also a poet, and after her boyfriend is killed, she uses poetry to help with her grieve. The poetry in the film was penned by Maya Angelou, and it’s a beautiful follow-up to the success of Boyz n the Hood. Poetic Justice marked Singleton’s debut as a producer (in addition to being the writer and director, of course). Rounding out the cast are Regina King, Joe Torry, and Tyra Ferrell.
5 Higher Learning
Sony Pictures Releasing
Higher Learning was released in 1994 and explores themes of politics and race. The film stars Omar Epps, Michael Rapaport, Kristy Swanson, Ice Cube, Regina King, Jennifer Connelly, Tyra Banks, and Laurence Fishburne. Set on-campus at the fictional Columbus University, Higher Learning follows three freshman, Malik (Epps), Kristen (Swanson), and Remy (Rapaport), as they navigate this new chapter in their lives, all while tackling themes like racism, systemic oppression, white supremacy, sexuality, accessibility of guns, and sexual assault.
4 Shaft
Paramount Pictures
Shaft was released in 2000, starring Samuel L. Jackson in the leading role as John Shaft, a New York City detective who seeks justice against Walter Wade Jr. (Christian Bale), the son of a real estate magnate who is involved in a racially motivated murder. Of course, being a Singleton film, Shaft is more than just a murder investigation. Indeed, the film is an indictment of a corrupt legal system that privileges the few and disproportionately targets the rest. The film also stars Vanessa Williams, Jeffrey Wright, Toni Collette, and Mekhi Phifer, to name a few.
3 Baby Boy
Baby Boy was released in 2001 and is a powerful coming-of-age story centering around Jody (played by Tyrese Gibson), a young unemployed man who has two children by different women and is struggling to face the responsibilities that come with adulthood. Unique at the time of its release, Baby Boy was one of the first-ever major films to explore a coming of age in the hood of Los Angeles. In addition to marking Gibson’s movie introduction, Baby Boy was also Taraji P. Henson’s film debut.
2 Rosewood
Warner Bros.
Rosewood was released in 1997 and features a star-studded cast, including Ving Rhames, Jon Voight, and Don Cheadle. Taking inspiration from the 1923 Rosewood Massacre, the film is set in 1920 Florida, when racial tensions are high and Black men are being targeted for crimes that they did not commit and, for that matter, did not even happen. Rosewood is a predominantly-Black town, peaceful and thriving, until a lynch mob from a nearby town decides to come through. Mann (Rhames) and Sylvester (Cheadle) stand their ground against the white mob, while John (Voight) does what he can to save the women and children. Rosewood is a must-see Singleton movie that shine a light on the darkest corners of American history.
1 Boyz n the Hood
Boyz n the Hood was released in 1991 and served as Singleton’s directorial debut. It is also the highest rated movie in his filmography. Starring Angela Bassett, Cuba Gooding Jr., Laurence Fishburne, Morris Chestnut, Ice Cube, and Regina King, the film follows the lives of three men in Central Los Angeles who all chose different paths in life and are reunited later down the line. The film was nominated for two Oscars and is still celebrated, watched, and loved to this day.
