In this section of our Colossus Movie Guide for Do the Right Thing, we provide recommendations for movies with similar themes and vibes.
Cast
- Spike Lee – Mookie
- Danny Aiello – Sal
- John Turturro – Pino
- Richard Edson – Vito
- Bill Nunn – Radio Raheem
- Rosie Perez – Tina
- Giancarlo Esposito – Buggin’ Out
- Ossie Davis – Da Mayor
- Ruby Dee – Mother Sister
- Samuel L. Jackson – Mister Señor Love Daddy
- Roger Guenveur Smith – Smiley
- Rick Aiello – Officer Gary Long
- Miguel Sandoval – Officer Mark Ponte
- Joie Lee – Jade
- Martin Lawrence – Cee
- Leonard L. Thomas – Punchy
- Christa Rivers – Ella
- Robin Harris – Sweet Dick Willie
- Paul Benjamin – ML
- Frankie Faison – Coconut Sid
Movies like Do the Right Thing
Crash
Paul Haggis’s Crash is an ensemble drama that directly confronts issues of racial tension in America, much like Do the Right Thing. The film interweaves several interconnected stories over a 36-hour period in Los Angeles, featuring an ensemble cast that includes Sandra Bullock, Don Cheadle, Matt Dillon, and Thandie Newton. Crash dives deep into the complexities and nuances of race relations, challenging stereotypes and forcing characters and viewers to question their preconceived notions. Its layered narrative structure echoes Do the Right Thing‘s multi-perspective examination of a neighborhood.
La Haine
La Haine, a French film directed by Mathieu Kassovitz, revolves around three young friends from marginalized backgrounds over 24 hours in a Parisian banlieue. Like Do the Right Thing, La Haine adeptly tackles racial tension, police violence, and social unrest. The film’s black-and-white cinematography offers a gritty realism that mirrors its raw portrayal of societal issues. With performances from Vincent Cassel, Hubert Koundé, and Saïd Taghmaoui, La Haine is a gripping exploration of discontent and desperation that fans of Do the Right Thing might appreciate.
Boyz n the Hood
John Singleton’s directorial debut, Boyz n the Hood, featuring Cuba Gooding Jr., Ice Cube, and Laurence Fishburne, is a powerful exploration of life in South Central Los Angeles. Like Do the Right Thing, it encapsulates a specific community’s experiences with racial tension, violence, and the struggle for survival within a system that appears rigged against them. Singleton’s powerful storytelling and the film’s memorable performances make Boyz n the Hood an impactful cinematic experience that resonates with Do the Right Thing‘s themes.
City of God
City of God is a Brazilian film co-directed by Fernando Meirelles and Kátia Lund. The film, like Do the Right Thing, presents a raw and brutal examination of life in a marginalized community. Set in the Cidade de Deus suburb of Rio de Janeiro, it traces the development of organized crime over two decades. Through powerful performances from Alexandre Rodrigues, Leandro Firmino, and Phellipe Haagensen, City of God shares a compelling, albeit violent, narrative that echoes Do the Right Thing‘s themes of systemic oppression, poverty, and the struggle for survival.
American History X
American History X, directed by Tony Kaye and starring Edward Norton and Edward Furlong, presents a raw and provocative exploration of racism, white supremacy, and redemption. Norton’s compelling performance as a former neo-Nazi leader seeking to prevent his younger brother from going down the same destructive path brings home the film’s powerful message about the consequences of hate. The film’s exploration of race relations and social issues would resonate with fans of Do the Right Thing.
Bamboozled
Spike Lee’s Bamboozled is a biting satire of television’s racial stereotyping. The film follows a frustrated African-American TV writer (Damon Wayans) who proposes a modern minstrel show in a misguided attempt to get fired, only for the show to become a surprising success. As with Do the Right Thing, Lee confronts racial tensions head-on, this time in the context of media and entertainment. It’s a challenging and thought-provoking film that shares the same incisive social commentary as Do the Right Thing.
Fruitvale Station
Ryan Coogler’s Fruitvale Station depicts the real-life story of Oscar Grant (Michael B. Jordan), a young man who was killed by BART police officer in Oakland, California. The film, like Do the Right Thing, directly addresses issues of police violence and racial tension. Coogler’s intimate, humane portrayal of Grant in the hours leading up to his death makes the film’s climax all the more heartbreaking. Fruitvale Station shares Do the Right Thing‘s commitment to humanizing its characters amidst their struggle against systemic oppression.
Blindspotting
Blindspotting, directed by Carlos López Estrada and written by Rafael Casal and Daveed Diggs (who also star in the film), is a contemporary exploration of gentrification and race in Oakland, California. Through its blending of comedy and drama, the film addresses these serious issues without losing its sharp wit. As with Do the Right Thing, the film’s humor doesn’t distract from its meaningful commentary on race and class issues. Instead, it offers a unique lens through which to examine these systemic issues.
Attack the Block
Joe Cornish’s Attack the Block is a British sci-fi horror film that cleverly blends genre thrills with social commentary. The film follows a teenage gang in South London (led by John Boyega in his breakout role) defending their block from an alien invasion. Beneath its surface-level entertainment, Attack the Block comments on societal neglect of lower-income communities and the criminalization of youth, themes that align with Do the Right Thing‘s examination of a neighborhood under siege (albeit from very different invaders).
Widows
Widows, directed by Steve McQueen and featuring a star-studded cast including Viola Davis, Michelle Rodriguez, and Elizabeth Debicki, is a heist thriller with a socio-political undercurrent. The film deals with issues such as political corruption, police brutality, and racial tension, all set against the backdrop of a crime-ridden Chicago. Its deft handling of these themes, alongside its gripping narrative, make Widows an engaging watch for fans of Do the Right Thing. The films share a commitment to exploring social issues within genre conventions, offering entertainment alongside insightful commentary.
Share your thoughts
Are there more movie recommendations you’d make for the Colossus Movie Guide for Do the Right Thing? Leave your thoughts below and we’ll consider them for the guide.
