1. “House Party” (1990)
Despite its coming-of-age label, “House Party” is undoubtedly a comedy from start to finish, following the raucous events that lead up to and after the “mutha” of all teen house parties.
In the film, rap stars Kid ‘N Play (Christopher Reid and Christopher Martin) essentially play fictionalized versions of themselves. When Play’s parents head out of town, he and his best friend Kid plan the party to end all parties. While the movie may have earned an “R” rating, except for explicit language, the high school maneuverings are all rather innocent — rap battles, dance-offs, romance, and all in the name of fun.
It comes with a healthy dose of heartfelt moments examining the constructs of friendship, loyalty, and morality. Directed by Reginald Hudlin, it even portrays a single Black father-and-son relationship, which, at the time, was a rarity.