With a June wedding on the horizon after reconnecting with his lost love, screenwriter Michael Elliot is reflecting on the common theme that runs through much of his work. On the 57th NAACP Image Awards carpet, he made it clear to EBONY that it centers on the many forms love can take.
In Elliot’s work, love shows up everywhere, for the game of basketball, for a profession, and for the craft itself. His stories often circle back to commitment and loyalty, revealing what motivates people to invest time and energy into something — or someone — they care about.
Elliot emerged during a period when Hollywood was slowly making room for films that reflected contemporary Black life. After working in television, he moved into feature films, writing scripts that leveled up music, sports, and relationships. His breakthrough came in 2001, when MTV released Carmen: A Hip Hopera, a modern opera starring Beyoncé and Mekhi Phifer that fused the retelling of a classic film with hip-hop. Since then, the Detroit-born screenwriter has written several films that explore romance, ambition, friendship, and the complicated ways people pursue what they love.
Here’s Elliott’s definitive list of films that you can fall in love with all over again, or for the very first time.
Carmen: A Hip Hopera (2001)
A classic opera gets a hip-hop makeover in this MTV production starring Beyoncé and Mekhi Phifer. Passion, jealousy, and ambition converge in a story that proves love and drama sound so good over a track.
Like Mike (2002)
Lil Bow Wow plays an orphan who finds a pair of sneakers that magically give him Michael Jordan–level basketball skills. Suddenly he’s on an NBA court living every kid’s dream. While the talent may come from the shoes, he learns that heart and dedication is what counts on the inside.
Brown Sugar (2002)
Taye Diggs and Sanaa Lathan play two childhood friends whose love story runs parallel to the love of hip-hop. As the culture grows from underground to mainstream, they begin to realize the music that binds is just the jump-off to what really connects them.
Like Mike 2: Streetball (2006)
The legendary sneakers show up again, this time centering around streetball, where the game is fast, flashy, and full of personality. A new group of kids discovers Mike’s magic while learning that love for the game is the real superpower.
Just Wright (2010)
Queen Latifah stars as a dedicated physical therapist who helps an injured NBA player, played by Common, recover from a career‑threatening injury. Their connection grows as the story explores love, self-worth, and the quiet strength of a woman who refuses to settle.
U Want Me 2 Kill Him? (2013)
Inspired by a true story, the film begins with an online friendship between two teenagers that quickly spirals into something far more sinister. It’s a chilling reminder that not everyone online is who they claim to be.
Aaliyah: The Princess of R&B (2014)
This heartfelt biography about the “Princess of Pop” traces Aaliyah’s rise from a teenage singer to one of the defining voices of late-1990s R&B. It’s a trip down lyrical lane as we revisit the music, movies, and cultural impact of an artist whose influence lives on throughout the entertainment industry.
Terry McMillan Presents: Preach, Pray, Love (2025)
Inspired by the literary world of Terry McMillan, the film follows a woman navigating her reinvention after life throws her a curveball. It’s right in McMillan’s sweet spot: relatable female characters navigating love, healing, and second chances.
Ruth & Boaz (2025)
This modern version of the original biblical love story, the Book of Ruth, highlights faith and the subtle ways people show up for one another. Starring Phylicia Rashad, Taylor Lepley and Serayah McNeill, the film follows a woman as she rebuilds her life and the unexpected support that helps her start again.
Relationship Goals (2026)
A modern rom‑com exploring dating in the age of social media. The film follows Kelly Rowland and Clifford “Method Man” Smith Jr., who play ex-lovers competing for the same high-powered showrunner job. A new dating book based in faith is their make-it-or-break-it project, which may also steer them back to one another.