By Cameron Lee
January 31, 2026
From the pioneering ‘70s Blaxploitation film Shaft, directed by the trailblazing photographer and filmmaker Gordon Parks, to Spike Lee’s breakout 1989 masterpiece Do the Right Thing, to Disney’s first Black princess, and Ryan Coogler’s latest supernatural horror thriller, Carolina Theatre is presenting a decades-spanning lineup of award-winning Black cinema.
Titled the Black and Brilliant Series, the lineup spans multiple genres and eras, also including the 2006 musical drama Dreamgirls, centered on the Motown record label in Detroit, and the early-2000s classic romantic sports drama Love & Basketball, starring Sanaa Lathan and Omar Epps.
It’s a must-see collection for movie lovers, not only honoring Black cinema and the talented filmmakers and actors of our time, but also paying tribute to the generations who were barred from experiencing the state-of-the-art theater between 1927 and 1963 due to segregation.
“Our celebration of Black History Month reflects one of our core, foundational beliefs: the arts are at their strongest when we uplift voices, histories, and perspectives,” said Jared Misner, Communications Director at Carolina Theatre. “Honoring the brilliance of Black artists across the decades reaffirms our theatre’s commitment to being a space where everyone knows they’re welcome.”
The month will culminate with a special concert by Opera Carolina, Lift Every Voice and Sing, celebrating the impact of Black voices in classical music and tracing the cultural roots of these performances — from gospel to opera.
Check out the full schedule of films and events from the Black and Brilliant Series at Carolina Theatre:
Friday, February 6 at 7 p.m. – Shaft (1971)
The 1971 neo-noir blaxploitation crime thriller directed by Gordon Parks, based on Ernest Tidyman’s novel of the same name, helped pave the way for the genre and strong Black leads in Hollywood films. The plot follows John Shaft (Richard Roundtree), a private detective in New York City who is hired by a Harlem mobster to rescue his daughter from the Italian mobsters who kidnapped her. The film is also well-known for its groundbreaking soundtrack by Isaac Hayes, which won Grammys for Best Original Score and Best Instrumental Arrangement. The “Theme from Shaft” also earned the Academy Award for Best Original Song, making Hayes the first Black male to win in that category. In 2000, the film was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry for being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.
Saturday, February, 7 at 7 p.m. – Do the Right Thing
In 1989, Do the Right Thing helped put then-up-and-coming filmmaker Spike Lee in the national spotlight, exploring a Brooklyn neighborhood’s simmering racial tension between its Black residents and the Italian-American owners of a local pizzeria. Lee, who also stars in the film alongside Danny Aiello, Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee, Richard Edson, Giancarlo Esposito, Bill Nunn, John Turturro, and Samuel L. Jackson, also helped launch the careers of Martin Lawrence and Rosie Perez. Made on a $6.2 million budget, the film earned $37.3 million at the box office and became both a critical and commercial success, receiving numerous accolades, including Academy Award nominations for Best Original Screenplay and Best Supporting Actor.
Friday, February 13 at 7 p.m. – Dreamgirls (Galentine’s Day)
Adapted from the 1981 Broadway musical of the same name, Dreamgirls draws inspiration from the culturally transformative Motown record label and its superstar act, The Supremes. Starring Jamie Foxx, Jennifer Hudson, Eddie Murphy, and Beyoncé Knowles, with Danny Glover, Anika Noni Rose, and Keith Robinson in supporting roles, the film chronicles the evolution of American R&B and soul music in the ’60s and ’70s through the eyes of a Detroit girl group called The Dreams. At the 79th Academy Awards, Dreamgirls received eight nominations, winning Best Supporting Actress for Hudson and Best Sound Mixing. The film also won three Golden Globe Awards, including Best Motion Picture — Musical or Comedy.
Saturday, February 14 at 7 p.m. – Love & Basketball (Valentine’s Day)
A quintessential film for hoops lovers, Love & Basketball helped define the romantic sports drama of the early 2000s. Starring Sanaa Lathan, Omar Epps, and Alfre Woodard, with Regina Hall, Gabrielle Union, and Debbi Morgan in supporting roles, the film was directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood in her feature film debut and produced by Spike Lee. The story follows Quincy McCall (Epps) and Monica Wright (Lathan), childhood neighbors in Los Angeles who share a love for the game, as they pursue careers in the NBA and WNBA. Their friendship evolves into a romantic relationship, complicated by ambition, competition, and personal growth. Considered a cult classic in Black cinema, the film was selected in 2023 for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress.
Sunday, February 15 at 2 p.m. – The Princess and the Frog
Inspired by the 2002 novel The Frog Princess by E. D. Baker, the animated film introduced Tiana, Disney’s first Black princess, inspiring a new generation of viewers. Set in 1920s New Orleans, the story follows Tiana, a hardworking waitress who dreams of opening her own restaurant. When she kisses Prince Naveen, who has been turned into a frog by the evil voodoo witch doctor Dr. Facilier, Tiana herself is transformed into a frog. Together, they embark on a magical adventure through the bayou, meeting colorful characters along the way. The film explores themes of perseverance and self-discovery, blending heartfelt storytelling with a Broadway-style musical format. With a score and songs composed by Randy Newman, the film grossed $271 million worldwide and earned three Academy Award nominations, including Best Animated Feature and two for Best Original Song.
Friday, February 20 at 7 p.m. – Sinners (2025)
Ryan Coogler’s latest musical horror period drama, Sinners, starring Michael B. Jordan, grossed over $368 million worldwide and earned a record-breaking 16 Academy Award nominations. Jordan plays twin brothers Elijah “Smoke” Moore and Elias “Stack” Moore, and the cast also includes Hailee Steinfeld and Miles Caton. Set in the 1930s Mississippi Delta during the Jim Crow era, the film follows Smoke and Stack as they return home to start a juke joint. Their plans are upended when a supernatural evil, rooted in Southern Gothic myth and the dark legacies of racial oppression, emerges, forcing them and their allies into a harrowing fight for survival.
Saturday, February 28 at 8 p.m. – Opera Carolina presents Lift Every Voice and Sing
Presented by Opera Carolina, Lift Every Voice and Sing concludes the Black History Month programming with a powerful tribute to the legacy of Black composers and musicians. Spanning spirituals to operatic arias, the concert celebrates the transformative impact of Black voices in classical music, delivering an evening filled with heritage, harmony, and inspiration.
Tickets for each film screening are $16.05 and can be purchased online at TheCarolina.com.
View this post on Instagram
This article is brought to you ad-free by Carolina Theatre
Read next:
