When it comes to black comedy and politics, the most recent film releases in 2024 had a perfect blend of both. The cinematic works were able to create an impact on the audience pertaining to issues including but not limited to race, corruption and its satire in a dark humorous way. Without further ado, here are the most famous black comedy movies with political themes released in 2024 along with their funds, earnings and the actors and actresses involved.
Best Black Comedy Movies
1. The American Society of Magical Negroes
Director: Kobi Libii
Casting: Justice Smith, David Alan Grier
Release Date: March 15, 2024
Estimated Budget: 15,000,000
Box Office:
- Gross US & Canada: $2,480,645
- Opening Weekend US & Canada: $1,304,270 (March 17, 2024)
- Gross Worldwide: $2,496,248
Plot and Themes:
The film showcases the journey of Aren played by Justice Smith. The character is of a young black male who is introduced to the audience as a member of a black secret fraternity whose sole purpose is to assist white people in achieving their objectives. The film uses intent dark humor that transforms the tone to a more absurd level and attacks the critique of the magical negro trope and questions convention as a whole. The movie does so through Kobi Libii’s perspective whereby it is his hint but the director’s first film, “The American Society of Magical Negroes”.
Reception:
In fact, there are critical opinions stating that the film tackled too sensitive topics in a rather innovative way. Smith’s portrayal is also believed to have been very well executed and the movie’s sarcasm was sharp enough to get noticed, but not enough to be very profitable.
Also read: Top 15 Black Comedy Movies of 2024, Box Office Hits
2. Rumours
Directors: Guy Maddin, Evan Johnson, Galen Johnson
Casting: Cate Blanchett, Charles Dance, Alicia Vikander
Release Date: October 18, 2024
Box Office:
- Gross US & Canada: $571,909
- Opening Weekend US & Canada: $311,781 (October 20, 2024)
- Gross Worldwide: $571,909
Plot and Themes:
“Rumours” is described as an absurdist political satire that reimagined the G7 summits as people being videos of the events involving world leaders in fiction while set on a summer in a German castle. Blanchett leads the group of actors that portray fictional world leaders. Using satire and dark humor, the film parodies world leadership, dysfunctional bureaucracy, and the breakdown of liberal democracies.
Production and Reception:
The trilogy of directors Guy Maddin, Evan Johnson, and Galen Johnson directed the film which surprisingly incorporated soap opera, comedy, and apocalyptic horror. Upon release, the film received mixed reviews; some praised its creativity while others found its execution too abstract.
3. A Different Man
Director: Aaron Schimberg
Casting: Sebastian Stan, Adam Pearson.
Release Date: October 2024.
Box Office:
- Gross US & Canada: $654,254
- Opening Weekend US & Canada: $49,466 (September 22, 2024)
- Gross Worldwide: $1,278,825
Plot and Themes:
‘A Different Man,’ directed by Aaron Schimberg and starring Sebastian Stan, examines facial reconstructive surgery. There are multiple approaches to surgery, maintaining and presenting to the audience new principles of gender roles and identity categories. This film also increases the wit of explanation of how the entertainment world operates but conflicts and self appeals are still practiced within this film. One of the greatest actors who promotes Disability Act Encouragement – Adam Pearson.
Review:
Pearson’s film looks critical towards self identity and acceptance. The film had already won along with multiple nominations including best feature at the Gotham Award substantiating the fact that the industry is moving towards an inclusive direction.
4. Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F
Director: Mark Molloy
Casting: Eddie Murphy, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Taylour Paige, Kevin Bacon
Release Date: September 2024
Budget: $150,000,000 (estimated)
Plot and Themes:
In Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F, Eddie Murphy reprises his role as the sarcastic detective Axel Foley. This time, while going back to Beverly Hills, he intends to protect his daughter, Taylour Paige, but is drawn into a web of police corruption. The film is action packed, hilarious, and also raises concerns regarding issues such as systemic corruption and justice.
Production and Reception:
Mark Molloy was the director of this film which cost a whopping $150 million to produce. The movie got massive attention due to Murphy’s famous character as well as the funny and socially critical aspect incorporated into the film. The early reviews were very optimistic of the film’s ability to trigger a sense of nostalgia in people, as well as the movie being relevant with the somehow still present everyday corruption.
Also read: Best Comedy Movies to Watch on Netflix 2024 – Best Picks for Your Fun Weekends!
5. Am I Racist?
Director: Justin Folk
Casting: Matt Walsh
Release Date: September 13, 2024
Box Office:
- Gross US & Canada: $12,311,598
- Opening Weekend US & Canada: $4,544,063 (September 15, 2024)
- Gross Worldwide: $12,311,598
Plot and Themes:
“Am I Racist?” is a satirical documentary featuring a conservative commentator Matt Walsh. Looking to mock the DEI initiative, the film follows Walsh as he pretends to be a daft DEI intern. It is, as mentioned, a modern-day Borat where we get to laugh at the darker side of the race conversation, identity politics, and the current social justice narrative.
Production and Reception:
This politically charged film is in the hands of director Justin Folk and it has attracted controversy for its subject matter. This, along with the film doing exceedingly well and grossing over $12 million, means that the film was able to polarize audiences. Political satire fans enjoyed the content without fear while the critics raged over the ethics of the film.
Conclusion
Black Comedy Movies have always been borderline in reality and some of the best to be released this year, take such awkwardness the jokes were politically driven. “The American Society of Magical Negroes” made fun of races while “Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F” tried ripping the powers that be. With the black comedy genre on a rise along with the characteristic of such movies which are humor these ones surely steal the show as they highlight the nuances of contemporary culture.
