Sistah Girls, almost every single time I read a book I wonder how the story would play out if it were a movie. Well, our Black authors are no longer making me wonder, their work is hitting the big screens.
With streaming services galore, the market is wide open for authors to turn their novels into movies and television shows. And if you know me, then you already know I’m here for it all.
Here are a few films and television shows that started as novels that you should add to your watch list.
If Beale Street Could Talk
James Baldwin had me sitting in silence when I completed If Beale Street Could Talk and I wondered if bringing this classic novel to the big screen would ruin it.
I am so happy that my doubts were just doubts and nothing more. The film adaptation of If Beale Street Could Talk was beautifully done. From the cinematography to the entire cast, I loved everything about it.
Whenever I hear “Agape” I get warm inside and think of Tish and Fonny.
The Marriage Pass
The new Tubi film “The Marriage Pass” is based on the novel by Briana Cole. Synopsis: A former playboy is granted a pass from his marriage and is entangled in a deadly web of deception when the person he chooses is his sister-in-law. Blank stare… of all the people in the world you could choose, your sister-in-law is the one that pops into your mind?
You already know the book, and film is off the chain.
Black Cake
Based on The New York Times-bestselling book by Charmaine Wilkerson, Black Cake is a mini-series that is filled with family drama that begins in Jamaica, but the drama filled story makes it way to Rome, Scotland, England, and lands in America. A young Covey disappears after she watches her husband die, and because everyone will believe she did it she flees.
Flash forward 50 years and Covey is in California and has changed her name and lived a whole new life under the name Eleanor Bennett. She loses her battle with cancer and most people would believe that’s where the story ends but that’s where it begins. Her children are left with tapes filled with Covey’s story and now they must uncover the truth.
“Black Cake” is currently streaming on Hulu.
Secret Society
“Secret Society” is based on the four-book series by Miasha, parts one and two can be watched for free on Tubi. The third installment, “Secret Society 3: ‘Til Death” is currently available on Prime Video and Miasha’s website.
Side note: I’ve watched parts one and two and when I tell you it’s good… I mean it.
The Perfect Find
Author Tia Williams had the girls talking when she released The Perfect Find, a romance novel with an age gap… I love an age gap, especially when the woman is older. The highly anticipated film adaption hit Netflix in the summer of 2023 and our good sis Gabrielle Union nabbed the leading role as Jenna Jones.
Jenna Jones is 40, jobless, and desperate for a new beginning and a second chance after being dumped by her fiancé. She lands a new job at the place she least expected to work and things are going well until she meets Eric Combs, a 22-year-old videographer assigned to shoot her web series. Now if you love romance, then you should read the book first, and then watch the film because you already know it’s going down, lol.
Cameron
“Cameron” is based on the best-selling series by author Jade Jones. Cameron is a student by day at Cleveland State University and an exotic dancer by night. Cameron has a controlling boyfriend (Silk) who is ten years her senior and is extremely popular in the adult entertainment industry.
And when Jude Patterson enters the chat he turns everything upside down and Cameron is the one being tempted. Talk about drama! You can watch the movie for free on Tubi now!
Kindred
In 1979, Octavia Butler released Kindred, it’s 2024 and the world still hasn’t caught up to Butler’s greatness.
In 2022, FX and Hulu released the mini-series based on Kindred and recreated a contemporary world where 26-year-old Dana vanishes and ends up in antebellum Maryland to rescue a boy named Rufus, heir to a slave owner’s plantation.
Although the show was good, it only had one season–but it’s worth the watch if you ask me.
Survival of the Thickest
Based on the book Survival of the Thickest: Essays, the Netflix series follows Mavis Beaumont (Michelle Buteau), a plus-sized Black woman who is in what appears to be a good relationship… until she finds out her man is cheating on her.
That’s when things get interesting, we follow Mavis as she picks up the pieces of her life and takes a step out on faith by becoming a full-time stylist.
Set in New York City, this show is soooo good, I binge-watched the entire series in one setting. I hope they give this show a second season.
The Other Black Girl
Based on the novel The Other Black Girl: A Novel, the Hulu series follows Nella, a Black editorial assistant at a white publishing company. Nella is trying to move on up in corporate America while playing nice on her way up the ladder. She’s the only Black girl at the company so you can imagine the passive-aggressive hell she is living in.
And like an answered prayer Hazel, another Black girl gets hired, all should be right in the world but there is something very off about Hazel. She has secrets and scandals that make Nell question if she is a friend or an enemy.
Paper Heart
Based on the novel by Keisha Ervin, Paper Heart follows Scotland a young girl looking for love in all the wrong places. And she stumbles on Knight, and he seems to be everything that was missing in her life.
All is well until she finds out he has a whole fiancée. Sis, you already know you are in for a wild ride with this one. You can watch the movie on Tubi.
All The Queens Men
Based on the novel Ladies Night by Christian Keyes, All The Queens Men is a hit show playing on BET+ starring Madam (Eva Marcille) as she runs her strip club. Now you know that’s not all she does, homegirl is a certified G–she dibbles and dabbles in everything illegal.
From bossing her male workers around to taking on some of the biggest gangsters in Atlanta… including the boys in blue, Madam is always with the shits.
When I tell you, this show is filled with drama… you will call yourself watching one episode and won’t realize you’re on episode 15 lol.
The Family Business
Based on Carl Weber’s The Family Business book series, this drama-filled show will have you looking at your own family sideways. It’s binge-worthy, you will take sides and wish you were in the show so you could get everyone together.
Sistah Girls, if you have watched or plan on watching any of these films/television shows let me know in the comments.
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