Beyond ‘Black Panther’ and Marvel Hits, Here Are 5 Must-See Chadwick Boseman Movies Ranked

The Marvel Cinematic Universe has spun a web of dreams for comic geeks worldwide, but even a superhero universe cannot save every chapter. One such heartbreaking incident was the untimely loss of Chadwick Boseman, who left fans mourning far beyond the borders of Wakanda. Yet, Boseman’s legacy was never confined to Black Panther or Marvel’s blockbuster because his film roster was rooted in an impressive repertoire of powerful performances. 

Beyond his Marvel triumphs, here is a ranked list of 5 must-watch Boseman movies, showcasing his excellence.

5. 42 (2013)

Brian Helgeland’s 42 gave Chadwick Boseman his first major starring role as Jackie Robinson, the first African-American player in MLB. The film primarily follows Robinson’s iconic 1947 season with the Brooklyn Dodgers and shows Boseman’s range as an actor. While Marshall had Boseman learning saxophone, 42 prompted him to hone his baseball skills.

This movie earned Boseman the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor nomination in a Motion Picture and has a 74% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

4. Get on Up (2014)

Serving as Chadwick Boseman’s second feature as an African-American icon, Get on Up follows the life of James Brown, the “Godfather of Soul.” The movie explores Brown’s journey from his childhood in Augusta, Georgia, to his claim to fame as a musician. Boseman bagged the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture for the movie and even trained himself to dance and sing like the legend.

Get on Up scored big across review aggregator sites. On Rotten Tomatoes, it has an approval rating of 80%, and on IMDb, it has a 6.9/10 rating. 

3. Marshall (2017)

Reginald Hudlin’s Marshall is Chadwick Boseman’s third biopic in which he portrays Thurgood Marshall. Thurgood Marshall was the first African-American to serve on the US Supreme Court, defending those accused of crimes through racial prejudice.

The film follows a particularly crucial case in Marshall’s early career as a lawyer for the NAACP. With an 82% approval rate on Rotten Tomatoes, Marshall is one of the best cinematic contributions by Boseman which won the BET Award for his play.

2. Da 5 Bloods (2020)

Spike Lee’s acclaimed war drama, Da 5 Bloods, starring Chadwick Boseman follows a group of four African American Vietnam War veterans called the “Bloods.” The film centers on their return to Vietnam to search for the remains of their fallen leader, Norman portrayed by Boseman, and to find a hidden trove of gold treasure.

The film bagged the National Board of Review Awards for Best Ensemble and Best Film and Boseman took home the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture. The film currently has a 92% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

1. Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (2020)

Chadwick Boseman’s legacy tributes often circle his Marvel journey, despite several conversations around who has it in them to become his successor. But his starring in the adaptation of August Wilson’s play as Levee is by far one of the most intriguing portrayals Boseman gave birth on the screen.

This George C. Wolfe directorial revolves around Ma Rainey (Viola Davis), the renowned blues singer, and her band. Boseman plays the trumpeter Levee which earned him the Academy and Golden Globes nominations for Best Actor in a Leading Role. With a 97% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, this film boasts a powerhouse performance by Boseman.

Have you watched these movies by Chadwick Boseman? Let us know in the comments below!