My Favourite Angela Bassett Films of All-Time

Not many actresses have earned the appreciation of Angela Bassett. Since the 1990’s, Bassett has become a feminist icon. Whether it’s world-famous singers, political leaders of frustrated mothers, Bassett has portrayed several strong characters. Given the sheer number of movies she has made, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my favourite films made by an actress that deserves to be celebrated.

1. What’s Love Got to Do with It

Tina Turner is a legendary African-American musician that earned my aunt’s appreciation. I remember that my aunt acknowledged a world-famous singer she would treasure. Drawn towards Tina Turner’s music, she would always love discussing a singer she considered to be iconic. My aunt yearned to see the iconic musician’s life be depicted on the big-screen. In 1993, Angela Bassett honoured the hit singer in her movie “What’s Love Got to Do With it”. In the greatest role of her career, Bassett portrayed an African-American musician that’s trapped in broken marriages causing despair. This is the actress unlike you’ve ever seen her before: intense, charismatic and emotional in her most memorable role. Bassett has spent most of her career playing likeable heroes in period pieces. With “What’s Love Got to Do With it”, however, the actress took a huge step out of her comfort zone by playing a musician that’s well-known. Working alongside Laurence Fishburne who is also amazing, Bassett honoured a musician that’s awe-inspiring. For instance, the scene in which Tina is abused by her husband after she fails to prepare a perfect song arrangement causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “What’s Love Got to Do With It” Angela Bassett’s best movie is its universal appeal. Viewers aren’t required to be fans of Tina Turner’s music to appreciate it. It delivers a meaningful message about domestic abuse which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 50 years after Tina Turner became a legendary African-American singer that changed the world of music forever, it’s a riveting reminder of a celebrated actress that has manufactured memorable movies throughout her career which audiences treasure.

2. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

Black Panther is a beloved comic-book character that my friend grew up to treasure. I recall with nostalgia memories of a friend that was a huge fan of the kingdom of Wakanda. A member of the African-American community, he adored a great hero that shaped his identity. He often yearned to see a hero that made him feel seen depicted on the big-screen. In 2022, Angela Bassett honoured the iconic comic-book character in her movie “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”. In the most tragic role of her career, Bassett portrayed a majestic queen that grieves the loss of her son causing despair. With “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”, the actress showcased rare emotional range she hadn’t shown before in her career. Working alongside Michael B. Jordan who is also amazing, Bassett honoured an African-American hero that’s inspiring. For instance, the scene in which Ramonda seeks to prepare for the funeral of T’Challa causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” a comic-book classic is its universal appeal. Unlike most Marvel movies, it tackles themes that everyone would relate to. As precious as Wakanda, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actress with charisma that has made unforgettable movies attracting audiences to the Cinema.

3. Contact

Alien invasions are frightening disasters that always fascinated my teacher. At an early age, I developed a bond with a teacher that had lifelong fear of alien invasions causing damage. He would often fear the day that the Earth would be invaded by dark aliens with a price to pay. As someone treasuring fond memories of a teacher that was afraid of scary extra-terrestrial contact, I loved “Contact”. Released in 1997, Angela Bassett’s movie captured bold astronomers seeking to communicate with scary aliens. In the most thoughtful role of her career, Bassett portrayed a bold scientist investigating an alien invasion causing despair. It gave the actress a chance to showcase her talent for stealing the show in a supporting role with limited screen-time. Working alongside Jodie Foster who is also amazing, Bassett created a portrait of alien invasions that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Rachel becomes aware that the Earth has been invaded by aliens causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career.  Ultimately, what makes “Contact” a sci-fi classic is its message. The film delivers a strong message about crisis which resonates with everyone. A strong portrait of women seeking to make extra-terrestrial contact, it’s a bold reminder about a commemorated actress that has made strong movies which have had a tremendous impact.

4. Mission: Impossible – Fallout

Mission: Impossible is a spectacular franchise that always earned my father’s appreciation. I remember my father once appreciated a franchise about hunted spies facing danger. A huge fan of Tom Cruise, he appreciated movies that changed his worldviews. In 2018, Angela Bassett honoured the iconic franchise about spies facing a fallout in her movie “Mission: Impossible – Fallout”. In the most complex role of her career, Bassett portrayed a conflicted CIA agent seeking to catch a hunted spy causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress an opportunity to showcase her talent for playing emotional women under stress. Working alongside Henry Cavill who is also amazing, Bassett created an action movie that’s engaging. For instance, the scene in which Erika becomes aware that Ethan Hunt is still alive causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Mission: Impossible – Fallout” a great movie is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies in the “Mission: Impossible” franchise, it tackles commemorated themes that everyone would relate to. It delivers a meaningful message about trust which would resonate with everyone. As memorable as missions Ethan Hunt seeks to accomplish, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a commemorated actress that has made unforgettable movies which audiences cherish.

5. Soul

Everyone experiences an existential crisis at some point in their lives. Several years ago, my life hit a crushing low when I struggled to find a job causing sorrow. After graduating from university, I struggled to find employment leaving me very affected. Struggling to find a clear purpose, I questioned whether life was worth living. As someone impacted by an existential crisis causing my life to spiral out of control, I adored “Soul”. Released in 2020, Angela Bassett’s animated masterpiece captured musicians with soul. In the most colourful role of her career, Bassett portrayed a jazz musician facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress rare chance to showcase talent for creating animated characters through her voice. Working alongside Jamie Foxx who is also great, Bassett created an animated movie that’s captivating. For instance, the scene in which Dorothea gives Joe valuable advice seeking to prepare him for his next gig is one of the finest moments of the actress’ career. Ultimately, what makes “Soul” a classic is its appeal. Unlike most animated films targeted to children only, it tackles themes everyone would relate to. A strong portrait of pianists with a bold soul, it’s a riveting reminder of an actress whose films inspire audiences to achieve a goal.

6. Passion Fish

Angela Bassett has often excelled at playing emotional women facing regret. Bassett has built an image of being an actress that thrives at playing emotional women facing damage. Bassett’s strengths for playing emotional women that perish is clearly evident in her movie “Passion Fish”. Released in 1992, John Sayles’ movie showcased the actress at her best. In the most supportive role of her career, Bassett portrayed a friend seeking to care for a terminally ill woman facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to showcase her talent for playing women under stress. Working alongside Alfre Woodard who is also amazing, Bassett created a drama about illness that’s engaging. As strong as Mary’s desire to become a world-famous actress, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a movie-star that has never lost her abilities to impress.

7. Malcolm X

When it comes to the greatest political leaders in American history, it’s worth discussing Malcolm X. During the 1960’s, Malcolm X was an African-American activist that fought racism. In 1992, Angela Bassett honoured the iconic political leader in her movie “Malcolm X”. In the most historical role of her career, Bassett portrayed the supportive wife of the iconic black leader facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress a rare chance to step out of her comfort zone by playing a black female activist that’s well-known. Working alongside Denzel Washington who is also amazing, Bassett created a historical drama that’s engaging. Nearly 60 years after Malcolm X became a beloved politician, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actress with dedication that has manufactured movies in her career which deserve appreciation.

8. Boyz n the Hood

Crime is common in the city of L.A. today. Los Angeles has built an image of being a city where violence causes criminals to face damage. The impact of crime on the lives of individuals in a Los Angeles neighbourhood is beautifully depicted in “Boyz n the Hood”. Released in 1991, Angela Bassett’s movie captured crime affecting black men in Los Angeles. In the most authoritative role of her career, Bassett portrayed a conflicted mother facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to showcase her talent for playing strong women in positions of power. Working alongside Laurence Fishburne who is also amazing, Bassett created a portrait of L.A. that’s compelling. A powerful portrait of crime affecting people in L.A., it’s a riveting reminder of an actress making engaging movies which deserve to be celebrated today.

9. Akeelah and the Bee

Spelling bees are competitions that shaped my identity. At an early age, I developed a love for spelling words with immense knowledge. As someone treasuring memories of a spelling bee, I admired “Akeelah and the Bee”. Released in 2006, Angela Bassett’s movie captured spelling bee competitions. In the most compassionate role of her career, Bassett portrayed the mother of an intelligent girl facing spelling bees causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actress a chance to showcase her talent for playing supporting mothers with success. Working alongside Laurence Fishburne who is also amazing, Bassett created a spelling drama that’s engaging. As strong as Akeelah’s love for spelling, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actress that has manufactured movies throughout her career which are definitely worth celebrating.

10. Green Lantern

Angela Bassett hasn’t always made great movies attracting audiences to the Cinema. While most movies the actress has made are appreciated, a few have left audiences disappointed. Unfortunately, “Green Lantern” falls into the latter category. Released in 2011, Martin Campbell’s blockbuster was a disaster. In the most shallow role of her career, Bassett portrayed a scientist engaging in alien warfare causing despair. Bassett brought her usual charisma to the role, standing out as the bright spot of a bad movie. Although “Green Lantern” is a bad movie, it honoured Bassett’s legacy. As strong as the Green Lantern’s desire to defend the galaxy, it’s a great reminder of an actress that has built a lasting legacy making memorable movies which I will forever treasure for inspiring me to turn my dreams of film criticism into reality.