An examination of Black women representations and their romantic relationships in mainstream movies

For many years, Black female representation of women in mainstream movies has been lacklustre at best. Most Black female leads have been misconstrued as one-dimensional, stereotypical beings portrayed for the world to see. The decade of 2010–20 proves to be pivotal for cinematic portrayals of Black female leads. A narrative thematic analysis is used to examine Black female lead characters represented in romantic relationships. Fifteen films were chosen in the genres of romantic comedy and romantic drama. Stereotypes are found to still exist. Yet, the relationships of the characters are nuanced, and movies provide more in-depth development for Black women characters than seen in the past and offer more variances of romantic relationships that better reflect those actually existing in the real world. Finding love is not without its obstacles; however, Black female leads tend to still find a Hollywood happy ending.