9 Best Spike Lee Movies You Need to See
Great films by a filmmaker who is known for his stylized yet raw narratives.

'Do the Right Thing'
Spike Lee's films are cultural dynamite—explosive works that detonate with unmistakable style and substance. As a filmmaker who writes or co-writes most of his projects, Lee crafts a visual language as bold, raw, and uncompromising as the stories he dares to tell.
His filmography includes cinematic hits like Malcolm X (1992), BlacKkKlansman (2018), 25th Hour (2002), She's Gotta Have It (1986), and Do the Right Thing (1989). Each film demonstrates Lee's singular ability to wrestle complex social and political ideas into compelling drama, never sacrificing artistic vision for easy answers.
In this article, we’ve compiled the best Spike Lee movies that are a must-watch for those who love thinking films.
The 9 Best Spike Lee Movies
1. Malcolm X (1992)
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An epic biopic, Malcolm X confronts the realities of racism in America through Malcolm Little’s (Denzel Washington) journey of transformation from a street hustler to the influential Black nationalist, human rights activist, and Muslim minister, Malcolm X.
Lee beautifully blends Malcolm's narrative with historical context in Malcolm X, doubling down on bold stylistic choices to show how iconic figures can be humanized on screen, helping audiences forge a deeper connection with them.
2. Do the Right Thing (1989)
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One of the most popular Lee films, Do the Right Thing follows Mookie (Spike Lee), a Black pizza delivery driver on the hottest day of summer in a Brooklyn neighborhood, going about his job, as racial tensions in his area escalate, ultimately leading to violence.
Lee’s open-ended climax in Do the Right Thing works as fodder for thought. Because it doesn’t try to preach, the message penetrates deeper into the audience’s psyche, challenging them to confront their own biases.
3. BlacKkKlansman (2018)
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BlacKkKlansman won an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay in 2019 and was nominated for six other Oscar categories. It is arguably one of Lee’s most critically acclaimed films.
The true story follows Ron Stallworth (John David Washington), a Black police officer, who, with his white colleague Flip Zimmerman (Adam Driver), sets out to take down the Ku Klux Klan, an extremist hate group. Stallworth was the first Black detective to serve in the Colorado Springs Police Department.
Lee taps into day-to-day racism that is often overlooked while exploring it as a systematic and enduring problem. The film also explores the absurdity and dangers of white supremacy by drawing parallels between past and present racial tensions.
BlacKkKlansman demonstrates an impressive use of humor and suspense without sacrificing bold social commentary against racial discrimination.
4. She’s Gotta Have It (1986)
She's Gotta Have It (1986) Lee's directorial debut, She's Gotta Have It, showcases innovative cinematography that is predominantly black and white with selective bursts of color. The film is about Nola Darling (Tracy Camilla Johns), a sexually liberated Black woman, and her three lovers.
A romantic drama that explores complex themes like female autonomy and Black identity in contemporary urban America, She's Gotta Have It demonstrates an innovative documentary-style approach through direct-to-camera confessions that create intimacy and build a direct connection with the viewer.
5. Inside Man (2006)
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Inside Man is a gripping heist thriller. One of the few of movies where Lee did not contribute as a writer, Inside Man follows a police detective (Denzel Washington), a bank robber (Clive Owen), and a high-power broker (Jodie Foster), as they try to negotiate their way against each other during a heist and hostage situation.
Inside Man showcases Lee’s signature style of social commentary, relying on strong performances to demonstrate how effective casting and skilled actors can make all the difference.
6. 25th Hour (2002)
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Starring the handsome and brilliant Edward Norton, Lee’s psychological drama, 25th Hour, revolves around convicted New York drug dealer Montgomery Brogan as he reflects on his life and choices during the last 24 hours of his freedom before going to jail for seven years.
25th Hour explores universal themes of redemption and personal reckoning.
Unlike most of his other films, Lee’s treatment of 25th Hour is poetic, with subtle social commentary woven into a character study. Lee also employs atmospheric visuals to reinforce the central theme of the story.
7. Jungle Fever (1991)
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Written and directed by Lee, Jungle Fever is a poignant drama that revolves around the affair of a married Black architect (Wesley Snipes) with an Italian secretary (Annabella Sciorra), and the consequences that follow when his friends and family discover his infidelity.
The film explores interracial relationships and societal taboos through layered subplots, backed by excellent performances.
Jungle Fever also features an impressive use of music and montage to heighten the drama.
8. Get On the Bus (1996)
Get On the Bus explores the themes of brotherhood and solidarity through a bus journey of a group of Black men from diverse backgrounds traveling to the Million Man March as they share their stories and confront personal traumas.
A brilliant employment of an ensemble cast within a confined setting, Lee’s dialogue-driven narrative is about healing and self-reflection within the Black community.
9. Bamboozled (2000)
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An epic satire (probably one of the best media-centric satires you’ll ever see), Bamboozled follows a frustrated Black TV writer, Bamboozled follows a frustrated Black TV writer who pitches a blackface minstrel show in protest after his ideas that portray Black people in a positive light are repeatedly rejected by his boss. But to his surprise, the show becomes a hit.
The characters are complex, and the narrative takes a direct dig at institutionalized racism and how racist entertainment traditions are perpetuated through media institutions and audiences across generations. It explores the profound day-to-day struggles of discrimination, showing how individuals are burdened with the weight of representation and harmful stereotypes in addition to usual mistreatment.
Bamboozled features bold cynicism, intelligent humor, and the magic of parody.
Which is your favorite Spike Lee movie?