The entertainment industry has always been shaped by Black creators—storytellers, visionaries, and entrepreneurs who bring new voices to the screen.
Beyond their on-camera presence, many of today’s leading figures are also building production companies and studios that shape culture from behind the scenes.
From Hollywood icons to rising power players, these Black-owned production companies are creating films, series, and projects that reflect the richness and diversity of Black experiences worldwide.
Tyler Perry Studios
Tyler Perry built this Atlanta-based empire into one of the largest production facilities in the U.S., a symbol of Black ownership in Hollywood.
Notable projects: A Madea Homecoming, Sistas, Zatima
HOORAE
Issa Rae’s HOORAE spans TV, film, audio, and digital, doubling as a talent incubator for emerging creators.
Notable projects: Insecure, Rap Sh!t, Sweet Life: Los Angeles
MACRO
Founded by Charles D. King, MACRO is both a financier and producer, backing award-winning projects with multicultural perspectives.
Notable projects: Mudbound, Judas and the Black Messiah, Sorry to Bother You
Hillman Grad Productions
Lena Waithe’s Hillman Grad is a creative engine nurturing marginalized storytellers and pushing bold narratives.
Notable projects: The Chi, Twenties, Queen & Slim
40 Acres and a Mule Filmworks
Spike Lee’s legendary company has delivered era-defining films for nearly four decades, reshaping American cinema.
Notable projects: Do the Right Thing, Malcolm X, BlacKkKlansman
Higher Ground Productions
Barack and Michelle Obama’s company blends inspiration with impact, producing documentaries and scripted projects with global reach.
Notable projects: American Factory, Crip Camp, We the People
ARRAY
Ava DuVernay’s ARRAY fuses production, distribution, and advocacy, creating space for underrepresented filmmakers worldwide.
Notable projects: 13th, When They See Us, Queen Sugar, In Our Mothers’ Gardens
Monkeypaw Productions
Jordan Peele’s Monkeypaw reinvented horror by weaving thrills with cultural and political commentary.
Notable projects: Get Out, Us, Nope
Hartbeat
Kevin Hart’s global media company delivers comedy-driven storytelling across film, streaming, and live experiences.
Notable projects: Die Hart, Kevin Hart: Don’t F**k This Up
JuVee Productions
Viola Davis and Julius Tennon created JuVee to tell bold stories across time, culture, and genre with a focus on authenticity.
Notable projects: The Woman King, Lila & Eve
Will Packer Productions
Will Packer has become synonymous with box-office success, producing films that balance entertainment with cultural impact.
Notable projects: Girls Trip, Ride Along, Think Like a Man
SpringHill Company
LeBron James and Maverick Carter’s SpringHill merges entertainment, empowerment, and branding for a new cultural era.
Notable projects: Space Jam: A New Legacy, Hustle, The Shop
Shondaland
Shonda Rhimes’ powerhouse continues to dominate television while pioneering new frontiers in streaming.
Notable projects: Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal, Bridgerton
Proximity Media
Ryan Coogler’s collective spans film, music, and podcasts, with a mission to tell stories rooted in culture and community.
Notable projects: Black Panther, Creed, Judas and the Black Messiah
Genius Productions
Marsai Martin launched this company as a teenager, breaking barriers and championing youth-driven storytelling.
Notable projects: Little
Confluential Films
Tommy and Codie Oliver spotlight love, relationships, and identity in authentic, thought-provoking projects.
Notable projects: Kinyarwanda, Black Love, Going to Mars: The Nikki Giovanni Project
Foxxhole Productions
Jamie Foxx’s studio reflects his versatility, producing projects that mix comedy, drama, and music.
Notable projects: Dad Stop Embarrassing Me!, White Famous
G-Unit Film & Television
50 Cent turned his knack for storytelling into a studio empire producing gritty, addictive TV franchises.
Notable projects: Power, BMF, For Life
Royal Ties Productions
Regina King and Reina King’s company develops projects that highlight justice, history, and identity.
Notable projects: Forever, One Night in Miami, Shirley
Outlier Society
Michael B. Jordan’s company pushes for systemic change in Hollywood while producing crowd-pleasing hits.
Notable projects: Just Mercy, Creed III, Without Remorse
Megamind Media
Tressa Azarel Smallwood adapts popular urban novels into films, expanding representation in new ways.
Notable projects: Secrets, The Available Wife, All In
Simpson Street
Kerry Washington’s banner centers complex female protagonists and culturally resonant narratives.
Notable projects: Confirmation, Little Fires Everywhere
Gilga
Donald Glover’s creative studio operates as a multidisciplinary hub, blending music, television, film, and cultural projects.
Notable projects: Swarm, Mr. & Mrs. Smith
Lammas Park
Steve McQueen’s London-based company produces ambitious, socially conscious works for global audiences.
Notable projects: Small Axe, Occupied City
EbonyLife Studios
Founded by Mo Abudu, EbonyLife is Africa’s leading production powerhouse, producing Nigerian and pan-African stories for Netflix, Sony, and AMC.
Notable projects: Blood Sisters, Òlòtūré, Chief Daddy
Undisputed Cinema
Gina Prince-Bythewood and Reggie Rock Bythewood focus on stories of Black love, resilience, and triumph.
Notable projects: The Woman King, Swagger
Story 27 Productions
Mara Brock Akil’s studio develops emotionally resonant, character-driven stories that highlight everyday Black life.
Notable projects: Forever, Girlfriends, Being Mary Jane
Hidden Empire Film Group
Deon Taylor and Roxanne Avent Taylor specialize in high-energy thrillers, dramas, and social commentaries.
Notable projects: Fatale, The Intruder, Black and Blue
