My Favourite Mahershala Ali Movies of All-Time

Not many actors have built a legacy as strong as Mahershala Ali. Since the 2000’s, Ali has become a beloved African-American icon. Whether it’s queer fathers, piano players or freedom fighters, Ali has played many strong characters. Given the sheer number of movies he has made, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my favourite films manufactured by an actor that deserves to be celebrated.

1. Moonlight

Gay people are rarely depicted with respect in movies today. Several years ago, I witnessed the grim hardships faced by a gay cousin that sought acceptance in Toronto. Fond of wearing women’s feminine attire, he was a person that my entire family would always admire. Unaware that he was queer, I formed strong bonds with a great cousin about whom I came to care. However, the shocking discovery of his sexual identity ended our bond forever. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured the grim plight faced by queer people keeping sexuality hidden in plain sight as powerfully as “Moonlight”. Released in 2016, Mahershala Ali’s best movie captured a queer black boy’s journey to discover his grim sexual identity. In the greatest role of his career, Ali portrayed a caring drug-dealer that sought to care for a queer black boy facing despair. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most memorable role. Ali has spent most of his career by playing comical characters in comedies. With “Moonlight”, however, the actor took a big step out of his comfort zone by playing a queer character. Working alongside Naomie Harris who is also amazing, Ali created a portrait of LGBTQ people that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Juan sadly tells Chiron the meaning of the word faggot being aware that the boy is queer is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Moonlight” Mahershala Ali’s best movie is its bold appeal. Unlike most movies about the LGBTQ community, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. Nearly 10 years after the release of a classic film about queer black boys keeping their sexual identity hidden in plain sight, it’s a bold reminder of an actor that has made movies shining light on plight faced by LGBTQ people which definitely deserve spotlight.

2. The Place Beyond the Pines

Fathers are powerful figures impacting children’s futures. As far as I remember, I have always shared a strong bond with my father. An inspiring role model, he motivated me to achieve dreams that I am pursuing. Without his wisdom, I may not have achieved dreams I am passionate about. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured the roles fathers play in lives of children facing declines as powerfully as “The Place Beyond the Pines”. Released in 2013, Mahershala Ali’s movie offered a fantastic depiction of fatherhood. In the most conflicted role of his career, Ali portrayed an anxious father struggling to raise a broken family facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase rare emotional range he hadn’t shown in his career. Working alongside Ryan Gosling who is also amazing, Ali created a portrait of fatherhood that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Kofi has a tense argument with Luke telling him to get out of his house causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “The Place Beyond the Pines” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a profound message about fatherhood which would resonate with everyone. A fantastic portrait of fatherhood, it’s a fabulous reminder of an actor that thrives playing misunderstood characters which has become an icon in Hollywood.

3. Hidden Figures

NASA is a space program that always fascinated my grandfather. I fondly recall with nostalgia memories of a grandpa that loved NASA. He grew up to embrace movies that would capture the space race. In 2016, Mahershala Ali honoured historical figures that contributed towards NASA’s space program in his movie “Hidden Figures”. In the most historic role of his career, Ali portrayed an army commander forming a romantic affair with a NASA employee causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to step out of his comfort zone by playing a historical figure that’s well-known. Working alongside Taraji P. Henson who is also amazing, Ali honoured black women in NASA’s space program. For instance, the scene in which Jim Johnson first meets Katherine becoming aware of her role in NASA’s space program is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Hidden Figures” a historical masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about racism which would resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be familiar with the history of NASA’s space program to appreciate it. A powerful tribute towards black women that participated in NASA’s space race, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor that has made unforgettable movies which audiences embrace.

4. Green Book

Racism is a sensitive subject that always earned my friend’s appreciation. At an early age, I formed a friendship with a black kid that was fascinated with racism causing damage. As someone treasuring a friend changed my outlook on racism, I adored “Green Book”. Released in 2018, Mahershala Ali’s movie captured friendships in the segregation era. In the most comical role of his career, Ali portrayed a renowned jazz musician that forms a friendship with his driver causing despair. With “Green Book”, the actor showcased rare aptitude for comedy audiences hadn’t seen before. Working alongside Viggo Mortensen who is also amazing, Ali created a portrait of segregation that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Dr. Shirley and Tony meet for the first time is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Green Book” a masterpiece is its appeal. Unlike most movies set in the segregation era, it tackles themes everyone would relate to. A powerful portrait of racism causing musicians to deteriorate, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that has made movies which audiences appreciate.

5. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

Spider-Man is a spectacular superhero that shaped my teacher’s identity. Several years ago, I formed strong bonds with a teacher that was a big fan of the web-swinging superhero. A comic-book nerd, he appreciated an iconic superhero making him feel heard. He cherished a hero whose great powers came with great responsibility shaping his identity. In 2023, Mahershala Ali honoured the iconic hero overcoming adverse obstacles in his movie “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse”. In the most animated role of his career, Ali portrayed a father facing despair. It gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for creating animated characters through his voice. For instance, the scene in which Miles Morales discovers a villainous side to his father causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most Spider-Man movies, it tackles themes everyone would relate to. A spectacular tribute towards a superhero, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor whose unforgettable movies give audiences dreams to follow.

6. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Aging is a painful process that causes stress. At an early age, I formed a strong bond with a grandfather that I grew up to treasure. However, aging brought our bond to a sudden closure. As someone treasuring a grandfather that faced aging destruction, I adored “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”. Released in 2008, Mahershala Ali’s movie captured the aging process. In the most thoughtful role of his career, Ali portrayed a caretaker seeking to raise a baby aging backwards causing despair. It gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for stealing the show in a supporting role. Working alongside Brad Pitt who is also amazing, Ali created a powerful portrait of aging. A captivating portrait of the curious case of aging individuals face, it’s a compelling reminder of an actor whose movies holding a place in hearts audiences embrace.

7. Kicks

Mahershala Ali has always excelled at playing conflicted men facing trauma. Ali has built an image of being an actor that thrives at playing conflicted characters facing emotional damage. Ali’s strength for playing anxiety-ridden characters facing kicks is clearly evident in his movie “Kicks”. Released in 2016, Justin Tipping’s movie showcased the actor at his best. In the most emotional role of his career, Ali portrayed an anxious man seeking to find trainers causing despair. It gave the actor a chance to showcase his strength for playing characters under pressure. Working alongside Christopher Meyer who is also amazing, Ali created a portrait of poverty that’s compelling. A powerful portrait of poverty causing lives of black man to crumble, it’s a remarkable reminder of an actor making movies audiences consider special.

8. Leave the World Behind

Over the past decade, the doomsday genre has faced a decline in quality. With their loud action sequences, lacklustre storytelling and poor acting, most doomsday movies are a chore to watch today. In a genre that has declined, it’s worth praising “Leave the World Behind”. Released in 2023, Mahershala Ali’s movie offered a captivating doomsday thriller. In the most solemn role of his career, Ali portrayed a businessman struggling to face an end of the world causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for stealing the show in a star-studded cast. Working alongside Julia Roberts who is also amazing, Ali created a doomsday movie that’s compelling. A powerful portrait of doomsday disasters that are dangerous, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a famous actor making movies audiences consider precious.

9. Swan Song

Terminal illness is a sensitive subject that’s rarely depicted in movies with respect. Hollywood has often struggled to tell compelling stories about terminally ill patients facing tragedies. A sensitive subject matter, movies about Cancer rarely attract audiences to the theatre. However, in 2018 Mahershala Ali tackled the long ignored subject in his movie “Swan Song”. In the most tragic role of his career, Ali portrayed a terminally ill man facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor the rare chance to showcase strong emotional range he hadn’t shown before in his career. Working alongside Naomie Harris who is also amazing, Ali created a portrait of terminal illness that’s compelling. A powerful portrait of terminal illness, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor that has become an icon in the entertainment business.

10. Free State of Jones

Mahershala Ali hasn’t always made great movies attracting audiences to the Cinema. While most movies the actor has made are appreciated, a few have left audiences disappointed. Unfortunately, “Free State of Jones” falls into the latter category. Released in 2016, Gary Ross’ historical drama was a disaster. In the most shallow role of his career, Ali portrayed an abolitionist seeking to save slaves from a situation of despair. Ali brought his usual charisma to the role, standing out as the bright spot of a bad movie. Although “Free State of Jones” is a bad movie, it honoured Ali’s legacy. As strong as Knight’s desire to abolish slavery, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actor that has built a lasting legacy producing memorable movies which I will forever treasure for inspiring my lifelong love of filmmaking that I value highly.