The 10 best Spike Lee movies

Spike Lee is one of the most prominent and influential filmmakers of our time. Known for his unflinching portrayals of the Black experience in America, Lee has directed over 50 films, ranging from feature-length dramas to documentaries and TV series. With his unique voice and uncompromising vision, Lee has challenged audiences to confront the realities of racism, inequality, and injustice, while also celebrating the beauty and resilience of Black culture.
Here are the 10 best Spike Lee movies, ranked in no particular order.

1. Do the Right Thing (1989) Considered by many to be Lee’s masterpiece, “Do the Right Thing” follows a day in the life of the residents of a predominantly Black neighborhood in Brooklyn during a sweltering summer heatwave. The film is a powerful commentary on race relations and police brutality that is still relevant today.
2. Malcolm X (1992) Starring Denzel Washington in an Oscar-nominated performance, “Malcolm X” is a biopic of the influential civil rights leader. Lee masterfully captures the spirit of Malcolm X’s activism and message, as well as the complexities of his personal life and relationships.
3. 25th Hour (2002) “25th Hour” is a gritty drama that follows a man (Edward Norton) on the last day of freedom before he begins a seven-year prison sentence. Lee’s direction captures the raw emotions and sense of impending doom that permeate the film.
4. Jungle Fever (1991) “Jungle Fever” explores the taboo topic of interracial relationships in a nuanced and compassionate way. The film follows a married Black architect (Wesley Snipes) who begins an affair with his Italian-American secretary (Annabella Sciorra).
5. Inside Man (2006) “Inside Man” is a taut and suspenseful heist thriller that stars Denzel Washington as a police detective trying to negotiate a hostage situation at a bank. The film features sharp writing and clever twists that keep audiences guessing until the end.
6. Crooklyn (1994) “Crooklyn” is a semi-autobiographical coming-of-age story set in 1970s Brooklyn. The film centers on a young girl named Troy (Zelda Harris) and her family as they navigate the joys and challenges of growing up in a vibrant but economically struggling neighborhood.
7. She’s Gotta Have It (1986) Lee’s debut feature film, “She’s Gotta Have It,” is a playful and frank exploration of sexuality and relationships. The film follows a young Black woman named Nola (Tracy Camilla Johns) as she juggles multiple lovers and tries to find herself.
8. School Daze (1988) “School Daze” is a musical comedy-drama that explores the complexities of Black college life, including fraternity and sorority culture, colorism, and political activism. The film features an all-star cast that includes Laurence Fishburne, Giancarlo Esposito, and Tisha Campbell-Martin.
9. Chi-Raq (2015) “Chi-Raq” is a modern retelling of the ancient Greek play “Lysistrata,” in which women withhold sex from their husbands and lovers to force them to end a war. Lee sets his version of the story in Chicago’s South Side, where a group of women band together to end the violence plaguing their community.
10. He Got Game (1998) “He Got Game” stars Denzel Washington as a father serving time in prison who is given a week-long furlough to convince his estranged son, a highly recruited high school basketball player (Ray Allen), to attend the governor’s alma mater. The film explores themes of family, sacrifice, and the corrupt nature of college athletics.