You must watch these 7 Spike Lee movies if Highest 2 Lowest had you hooked

Spike Lee is one of the most influential and innovative voices in contemporary film. For over three decades, he has directed films that are bold, emotional, and thought-provoking challenging. His movies engage issues of race, politics, family, and the daily struggles of life, but also entertain viewers with acerbic dialogue and indelible characters.

From towering biopics to action-packed crime dramas and poignant personal narratives, his films have made an indelible impression on Hollywood and beyond.

If you want to grasp Spike Lee's influence as a filmmaker, there are some movies you just can't skip. These movies not only attest to his ability as a narrative teller but also to the reason that he is one of the most significant directors of this era.

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You must watch these 7 Spike Lee movies if Highest 2 Lowest had you hooked

1. Do the Right Thing (1989)

Spike Lee's, Do the Right Thing is his most impactful film on race, identity and justice in America. The film takes place on a hot summer day in Brooklyn that highlights the friction between neighbors and the soon-to-be explosive conflicts relating to a local pizzeria. Lee intertwines humor, heart, and rage so we can see the pressure that builds inside communities experiencing inequality.

The film's visuals, characters, and ending in particular still provoke much debate today. More than 30 years later, Do the Right Thing remains an impactful cultural statement on race relations.

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2. Malcolm X (1992)

Spike Lee’s enormous biopic details Malcolm X’s path from being a troubled youth to being one of the most powerful advocates in the fight for Black rights. Denzel Washington offers a stunning performance, which earned him an Academy Award nomination, and is still recognised to be one of his best performances. Lee’s technical skill portrays Malcolm X’s evolution thoughtfully and thoroughly while telling an emotionally charged story.

The film depicts Malcolm X's struggle, faith, and courage, and is truly a must-see film. The film continues to be a staple in culture, but additionally a compelling story of change and redemption.

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3. BlacKkKlansman (2018)

The film, a dramatized account, follows the life of Ron Stallworth, the first Black detective in Colorado Springs, who managed to infiltrate the Ku Klux Klan during the 1970s. John David Washington has all the charm and wit, whereas Adam Driver quietly provides that subtle intensity behind the story.

The film's last moments establish a strong connection between history and present-day racism, leaving the audience shaken. Such a moment also gave Lee his first Oscar, showing that he can mix his entertainment with an intense political urgency.

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4. Miracle at St. Anna (2008)

Miracle at St. Anna is Spike Lee's most ambitious war drama, recounting the experiences of four African American soldiers stranded behind enemy lines in Italy during World War II. Unlike traditional war films, Miracle at St. Anna brings to light racism in the U.S. Army and the humanity and bravery of Black soldiers who are wiped from history.

The film weaves dramatic combat scenes with richly emotional storytelling, building to a mystery that bridges past and present. It's haunting yet underrated in Lee's career.

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5. Inside Man (2006)

Spike Lee's Inside Man proves that he can fashion a clever and stylish thriller just as well as a socially and politically charged drama. The bank robbery led by Clive Owen's mysterious character and Denzel Washington's police detective works hard to outsmart him is not what makes it special.

Spike Lee adds his unique social commentary with great craft under the suspense, through power, prejudice, and perceptions of race and class. Less than 20 years later, Inside Man reigns as a popular crowd favorite and is undeniably one of Lee's most mainstream entertaining successes.

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6. 25th Hour (2002)

25th Hour is Spike Lee's most introspective and emotionally charged work. Featuring Edward Norton as Monty Brogan, a man on his final day of freedom before serving a seven-year prison term, the film encompasses themes of regret, decision-making, and the transience of time.

The movie is not only about Monty's destiny, it's also about New York City post-9/11, and Lee integrating the city's naked wounds and strength. The standout monologue in the mirror, in which Monty vents his anger on the world, is one of the most memorable scenes in Lee's career.

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7. He Got Game (1998)

He Got Game is a sports drama combined with a tender father-son tale. Denzel Washington stars as a convict who's granted temporary parole to convince his son, a budding basketball star, to commit to a particular college. Ray Allen, an NBA rookie at the time, is impressive as the conflicted son.

Although the action unfolds on the basketball court, the emotional center is their strained relationship and the stress of aspirations against expectations. With its catchy soundtrack by Public Enemy, the movie portrays ambition, adversity, and redemption with a twist.

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Films by Spike Lee are more than mere entertainment; they create challenging experiences that inspire the viewers. Every particular story he sets forth has a deep personal resonance while carrying an unmistakably universal appeal. This underlines his genius for weaving his social commentaries through with arresting imagery and akin characters.

Be it the 'energy' of Inside Man, the ardor of BlacKkKlansman, or the blatant honesty of Do the Right Thing, Lee remains a compelling argument for one of the most essential voices in cinema.