If you loved the fierce and unapologetic energy of 'Foxy Brown' (1974), you're in for a treat! This article highlights 10 movies and shows that capture the same bold spirit, revenge-driven plots, and strong female leads. Whether you're a fan of blaxploitation classics or modern takes on empowerment, these picks will keep you hooked.

The Big Doll House (1971)
Description: A women-in-prison exploitation film with themes of rebellion, survival, and camaraderie, featuring strong female characters.
Fact: The movie was a major box office success and helped popularize the women-in-prison subgenre in the 1970s.


Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song (1971)
Description: A groundbreaking independent film with a rebellious protagonist on the run, featuring raw, unfiltered storytelling and a revolutionary tone.
Fact: The film was financed largely by Melvin Van Peebles himself and was a major influence on the blaxploitation genre.


Blacula (1972)
Description: A horror film with a Black vampire as the central figure, blending supernatural elements with social commentary.
Fact: The movie was a critical and commercial success, spawning a sequel and helping to popularize Black horror cinema.


The Legend of Nigger Charley (1972)
Description: A Western with a Black protagonist seeking freedom and justice, blending action, drama, and themes of resistance.
Fact: One of the first blaxploitation Westerns, it was part of a wave of films reimagining traditional genres with Black leads.


Super Fly (1972)
Description: A gritty urban crime drama with a charismatic anti-hero, stylish visuals, and a iconic funk soundtrack.
Fact: The soundtrack by Curtis Mayfield is considered one of the greatest in film history and outsold the movie itself.


Cleopatra Jones (1973)
Description: Centers on a stylish, fearless female agent fighting crime and corruption, with a mix of martial arts, car chases, and a funky soundtrack.
Fact: The movie was one of the first to feature a Black female action hero and was praised for its progressive portrayal of women.


Truck Turner (1974)
Description: A tough, no-nonsense bounty hunter takes on the criminal underworld, blending action, crime, and a streetwise attitude.
Fact: The film features an all-Black cast and was one of the few blaxploitation movies to focus on a bounty hunter protagonist.


Dolemite (1975)
Description: A comedic blaxploitation film featuring an over-the-top protagonist, kung-fu action, and a DIY filmmaking aesthetic.
Fact: The movie was famously made on a shoestring budget and became a cult classic for its raw energy and humor.


Friday Foster (1975)
Description: Follows a photojournalist who uncovers a conspiracy, blending action, mystery, and a strong female lead navigating a dangerous world.
Fact: Based on a comic strip, it was one of the few blaxploitation films to feature a female lead in a non-stereotypical role.


Sheba, Baby (1975)
Description: A blaxploitation film featuring a strong, independent female lead who takes matters into her own hands, blending action, crime, and urban drama.
Fact: The film was shot in Louisville, Kentucky, and features a rare female protagonist in the blaxploitation genre.
