Best Tyler Perry Movies: Top 5 Favorite Films, According To Experts

Tyler Perry is an American actor, director, and playwright. At the helm of over 50 films, he is undeniably one of the most successful creatives in film of all time. In his ever-growing catalogue, it can be difficult to find the real gems, and so we turned to our sources to find out. Our list of the top five best Tyler Perry movies could be great for a re-watch marathon or as a guide for first-time viewers.

Representation matters in Tyler Perry movies because it allows viewers from all different walks of life to see themselves reflected in the characters. A sense of lacking representation often begins in childhood with books. More than a third of children don’t feel represented in the books they read – because of their gender or ethnicity. A poll of 1,000 American children between six and 12 and their parents finds nearly three-quarters (74%) read regularly — but agree that characters always look the same and don’t represent different views. Also, only 13 percent of parents have seen minority races represented in the books their children read.

Perry’s films offer themes of love, family, and faith that are often explored in his narratives, and the characters are diverse and full of unique personalities. Moreover, Perry has a history of transparency regarding his own struggles in life. In interviews and articles Perry encourages his audience to strive for excellence and overcome personal obstacles. In fact, six in 10 (59%) Americans credit a celebrity with helping them push through some sort of “limit” in their lives, new research reveals. Sixty-nine percent say they’re more likely to respond positively to celebrities if they know they’re struggling with a similar issue. Oprah Winfrey, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Bear Grylls, Rebel Wilson, and Tyler Perry are among the role models who have inspired people to push past limitations such as fear and self-doubt.

For laughs, drama, and stories about humanity; the top five Tyler Perry movies continue to draw audiences and are top earners at the box office. Let us know your favorite Tyler Perry films in the comments below!

The List: Best Tyler Perry Movies, According To Fans

 

1. “Tyler Perry’s Temptation: Confessions of a Marriage Counselor” (2013)

The film most highly rated by our sources is “Temptation: Confessions of a Marriage Counselor.” A brief explanation of the premise is as follows: “After being attracted to one of her clients, Judith gets involved in a physical relationship with him. However, the course of her life is altered after she realizes that she has been diagnosed with HIV/AIDS,” as summarized by Through The Clutter.

“Judith lived a basic life where things were OK until something ‘better’ came along. Say what you want, but I think we all get a little bored in our friendships, relationships, and careers. This movie portrayed that well and explored the consequences you face when you don’t deal with that boredom in a healthy way. But, like so many of Tyler Perry’s movies, I DID NOT LIKE THE ENDING (sorry, Tyler). Still, I think the message was strong and I will watch anything Jurnee Smollett is in,” notes Yahoo!Life.

This story of torrid love affairs remains popular today: “Perry film regular Lance Gross starred in this sexy drama, alongside R&B singer Brandy Norwood, Vanessa Williams, and Jurnee Smollett-Bell, who played his love interest, Judith. Everything was good in Judith’s world—until she fell for the wrong guy,” according to Oprah Daily.

2. “Boo! A Madea Halloween” (2016)

Tyler Perry’s films have a history of financial success at the box office, “Boo! A Madea Halloween”, which grossed over $103 million worldwide, is Tyler Perry’s highest-grossing film. “In this 2016 comedy-horror film, Madea… must deal with a gang of rowdy youngsters on Halloween night. Perry’s skill at fusing comedy and horror resulted in a fresh, engaging film with a worldwide audience. The film’s success at the box office proves Perry’s ability to develop films that resonate with audiences and highlight his style as a director. Unsurprisingly, Boo! A Madea Halloween is one of Perry’s most financially successful films,” says The Richest.

This mix of horror and comedy is said to be a great fit for Perry, “Oddly enough, Perry’s style of writing and directing actually worked in the horror genre. Okay, Boo! wasn’t exactly A Nightmare on Elm Street levels of scary, but it did check all the boxes: rowdy teens, serial killers, paranormal activity, goblins, and zombies. Madea cursing at a ghost and running for her life was comedy gold,” writes Oprah Daily.

“Tiffany is a seventeen year old girl who decides to sneak out of her house at night in order to go to a Halloween party, hoping this will gain her the approval of her friends. However, the party is crashed with the arrival of the police. However, Tiffany is unaware of the fact that the worst is yet to come,” adds Through The Clutter.

 3. “Acrimony” (2018)

Highly acclaimed by our sources, “Acrimony, released in 2018, is one of Tyler Perry’s most thrilling and emotionally charged films. Starring Taraji P. Henson as the lead character Melinda, the movie showcases Henson’s powerful acting skills as she portrays a woman scorned by her unfaithful husband. As both writer and director, Perry masterfully tells a story of love gone wrong and the lengths one will go for revenge. The film grossed over $46 million at the box office, proving once again that Perry’s storytelling abilities can captivate audiences across genres. Acrimony has since become a popular entry in his impressive filmography,” details Ranker.

It's been five years since Tyler Perry's Acrimony was released. I still think Robert did Melinda dirty. He made her a demon.

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Stories of very human flaws like infidelity abound in his filmography, but Acrimony is considered one of his best on the subject. “When Melinda meets Robert for the first time, she finds herself irresistibly attracted to him, but she is also skeptical of his charming nature.  After falling in love, she transforms herself into everything that he had wanted her to be. However, things get ugly when she realizes that despite all her sacrifices, she was betrayed as he was cheating on her,” states Through The Clutter.

Actress Taraji P. Henson is praised for her performance by another source, “Taraji P. Henson has starred in three of Perry’s movies to date. In 2018’s Acrimony, Perry borrowed from his earlier stage production, Hell Hath No Fury Like A Woman Scorned. Henson didn’t disappoint with her performance, playing to her strengths as a wife who is fed up with her husband’s philandering,” explains Oprah Daily.

 4. “Why Did I Get Married?” (2007)

At their heart, Tyler Perry’s films are about humans and how we treat each other through the unique lens of his personal vision. “A star-studded cast, headlined by Janet Jackson, brings Tyler Perry’s examination of interpersonal relationships to the big screen. The standard fare of an upset hubby, a bossy wife, unfaithful lovers, and reckless divas is present, yet the real insight lies in recognizing the connecting factors between couples. It strays from being a mere morality tale and sheds light on issues such as failings and resolutions to create something extraordinary among established genres,” according to HNHH.

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Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married? is on my Black Cinema channel! (CH 80): https://t.co/aHiN0FEivw pic.twitter.com/4bpbSWmTDL

— Pluto TV (@PlutoTV) January 13, 2022

Filled with both laughs and heartbreak, one source calls out a great performance by Tasha Smith. “I was introduced to Tasha Smith during this film and to me, she made this movie. It’s an all-star cast, of course, but for a movie where Madea doesn’t make an appearance, I believe Tasha Smith carried the comedy throughout the film. It was also great seeing different family dynamics with each couple, seeing the challenges you face with marriage and relationships. The best part is that there’s probably a character everyone can relate to,” details BuzzFeed.

This film also has a sequel that garnered mixed reviews, “But before you get to part two you have to check out part one, which introduces the eight married friends as they take their annual vacation in the Colorado Mountains which turns out to be anything other than vacations as there are revelations about infidelity that has everybody questioning their marriages. Boom (once again if you know you know),” adds One37pm.

 5. “Tyler Perry’s Madea’s Big Happy Family” (2011)

“It seems slightly unfair to list this as Perry’s best, if only because it represents his most recent efforts as an artist, and one assumes that all creative types grow and mature with age. Knowing that audiences react most favorably when he carefully mixed broad humor with homespun advice, he takes the tale of a woman trying to tie up loose ends before she dies and turns it into a devastating denouncement of trivial family feuds. Yes, Madea warrants most of the attention and focus, but what she has to say about respect and love are important, vital judgments. And the jokes are good, too,” offers Pop Matters.

Another source notes one unforgettable moment as well as the ensemble cast, “Tyler Perry’s Madea’s Big Happy Family The reason the 2011 movie… earns the top 10 distinction is because of this one line delivered by singer and actress Teyana Taylor: “Byrooonnnnnn.” But there are also some stellar performances by Loretta Devine, Shannon Kane, and Natalie Desselle Reid,” adds Oprah Daily.

Simply put, “The film is a heartwarming and entertaining addition to the Madea franchise, with Tyler Perry delivering his signature humor and heart as the beloved character. Madea’s Big Happy Family is a great option for anyone looking for a feel-good movie with a message of love and family,” explains Streams Geek.

 You might also be interested in:

• Best Black Sitcoms
• Best Black Female Comedians
• Best Black Comedians
• Best Black Female Actors

Sources

• Yahoo!Lifestyle
• The Richest
• Ranker
• BuzzFeed
• Pop Matters
• One37pm.com
• HNHH
• Oprah Daily
• Through The Clutter
• Streams Geek

Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations.