John Singleton Movies He Directed, Ranked

As a cinephile, you may have encountered multiple films, but none quite as remarkable as that of John Singleton. This African-American director, producer, and screenwriter made an impression on Hollywood and movie lovers worldwide. Singleton also co-conceived the FX drug drama Snowfall to immense critical acclaim. He also helmed individual Billions, Empire, and American Crime Story episodes. Additionally, throughout his career, Singleton directed a total of nine films. 

Mourning broke out among filmgoers in April 2019 with the passing of the acclaimed filmmaker. When he was 24, Singleton had already achieved a great honor—a nomination for Best Director at the Academy Awards in 1991. It made him the youngest person ever nominated for the award. He truly left an indelible mark on cinema. From his early endeavors to his ultimate works, we'll examine Singleton's career and provide an understanding of what makes each feature film a must-see—or a pass. If you are a devoted Singleton enthusiast or just exploring your next picks for movie evenings, we've got you taken care of.

Stepping out of his wheelhouse, Singleton created a conspiracy story. Yet, the outcome was far from what he had anticipated. Taylor Lautner, famed for his Twilight saga, plays Nathan Hapner, a youth with an uncomfortable suspicion that he is living someone else's life. Unfortunately, many critics deemed the screenplay unacceptable, and Singleton himself also didn't even craft it.

An ex-cop, Brian O'Conner (Paul Walker), moves from Los Angeles to Miami for a fresh start. He soon immerses himself in the world of street racing, becoming friends with Tej (Chris "Ludacris" Bridges) and Suki (Devon Aoki). But his days suddenly turn when the FBI captures him, demanding he enters a deal. Partnering with Roman Pearce (Tyrese), Brian embarks on the dangerous task of bringing down a notorious drug lord.

In the sorrowful aftermath of her boyfriend's murder, Justice, a hairdresser (Janet Jackson), uses poetry to cope with her grief. Stranded without her car, she and her friend Iesha (Regina King)—along with Iesha's postal worker boyfriend Chicago (Joe Torry) and his colleague Lucky (Tupac Shakur)—travel to Oakland to attend a convention. Justice must confront the idea of opening her heart again when she finds herself drawn to Lucky. Raw and captivating, Poetic Justice also gives us a unique insight into a dilemma that often goes unseen. John Singleton brings together violence, humor, anger, romance, and poetry in one remarkable package.

Stylish and clever, Singleton artfully wove together the multitude of social strata within college campuses, showcasing their complex blend of intertwining desire for integration and separatism. Malik, disregarding academics, hopes to utilize his sports expertise to survive college. But Fudge, who has an extended stay at the university, befriends Malik and pushes him to consider life from alternate perspectives. Laurence Fishburne also stars as Professor Phipps—a strict educator wishing for Malik's academic achievement. Tyra Banks also appears in her role as Deja, Malik's girlfriend.

Ice Cube was nominated for an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture for his act as Fudge. Fishburne was also honored with the same recognition. Veteran film critic Roger Ebert applauded Singleton's eye for detail.

Four Brothers experienced success at the box office, grossing roughly $92 million with a budget of only $30 million. Additionally, critical reception praised the chemistry shared between the four leading stars. The movie was further captivated by ultra-violent scenes that generated vigilantism and meandered through multiple underdeveloped themes. In the film, the brothers took a few moments to evoke nostalgia, then quickly launched into a fervent quest for vengeance. Although prospects for a sequel were originally in the works, ultimately, nothing materialized.

John Shaft is a determined New York City detective played by Samuel L. Jackson. Shaft sets out to seek justice for the racially motivated murder of Walter Wade Jr., son of a powerful real estate magnate. In true Singleton fashion, there is more to Shaft than simply a murder investigation. It serves as an indictment of the inequities of society's legal system, which too often favors the privileged few. The amazing cast, including Vanessa Williams, Jeffrey Wright, Toni Collette, and Mekhi Phifer, brings the story to life.

In 2001, Baby Boy brought a compelling look at Jody's (Tyrese Gibson) journey as he grappled with becoming an adult. Singleton insisted on realism instead of the hollow promises politicians and newsmakers often turn to in order to avoid unrest. Rather than following clichés about the life of a 20-year-old African American, Singleton crafted a sensitive and perceptive interpretation that subverted expectations.

The town of Rosewood, Florida, was the tragic setting for an incident in the early 1920s. Racial tensions had been reaching a fever pitch, and the town's African American population became the target of white supremacists from a nearby area. Suspecting that a Black man had assaulted a white woman, they took swift and brutal action by burning Rosewood to the ground.  Director John Singleton captures this inhumanity in his film, Rosewood, packing an emotional punch and delivering a powerful message about racial violence. With an all-star cast boasting Ving Rhames, Jon Voight, and Don Cheadle, the movie is a tour de force that leaves audiences shaken by its raw intensity.

Well-crafted Boyz N the Hood provides an unrivaled glimpse into the lives of a group of friends coming of age in a marginalized community. With its soaring fluency and dramatic shooting, it's a vivid portrait of life among violence—where people are accustomed to the sound of gunshots echoing in the air and helicopters hovering above. Acclaimed for its emotive direction and screenplay, it earned Singleton two Academy Award nominations. One was for Best Director and the other for Best Original Screenplay.