All the Legendary Black Women Starring in This New Netflix Film: Whoopi Goldberg, Vivica A.Fox and More!
Black Hollywood is about to give us a masterclass in acting and longevity thanks to an upcoming, legend-filled film. Whoopi Goldberg, Jenifer Lewis, Vivica A. Fox and Vanessa Williams are officially joining forces for Netflix’s new movie, “Women Like Us,” and fans are already calling it one of the most exciting casts in recent memory.
Produced by Barack and Michelle Obama’s Higher Ground alongside MACRO, the film is set to be directed by Tasha Smith with a script by Tracy Oliver. Before we get into the plot of the film, we thought it’d be fun to take a look at the star actresses and reflect on their iconic statuses in the industry and their most lucrative movies over the years. Keep reading for more info on that and the upcoming production!
What Is “Women Like Us?”
The upcoming Netflix film centers around a recently widowed woman who gets dragged to the Hamptons by her lifelong best friends and sister on what should have been her 30th anniversary. As the initially dreaded weekend trip continues, it evolves from just a weekend getaway to a reckoning with grief, marriage, the sisterhood that’s carried them throughout the years, and the realization that dreams don’t have an expiration date.
Related: The Story of How Atlanta Became ‘Black Hollywood’
Whoopi Goldberg
As we previously mentioned, this movie stars the EGOT of all EGOTs, Whoopi Goldberg. After making a name for herself with her breakout role in “The Color Purple,” she’d go on to star in major films like Ghost, Sister Act, How Stella Got Her Groove Back, and more. In 2002, she made history as the first Black woman to ever achieve the impressive feat of becoming an EGOT, cementing her place as one of the most accomplished entertainers of all time.
“Toy Story 3”
The interesting thing about Goldberg’s filmography is that her biggest movies are the ones where she’s not physically featured. But thankfully, her voice carries as much weight as her presence does. Don’t believe us, check out her top three biggest box office hits.
Box Office Numbers: $1,067,316,101
“The Lion King”
You should have already expected “The Lion King” to make this list. Hearing Goldberg’s voice as Shinzi, the lead hyena, was something so magical and hilarious; we still can’t get over it all these years later. In fact, let’s all go rewatch this one today!
Box Office Numbers: $979,161,632
“Ghost”
We have “Whoopi Goldberg’s role in Ghost” to thank for the cultural catchphrase “Molly, you in danger girl.” Man, talk about iconic! We’re still repeating this one, so we might as well watch this movie over again, too!
Box Office Numbers: $505,703,557
Vanessa Williams
Vanessa Williams has built one of the most creative careers in entertainment, successfully transitioning from music superstardom to acclaimed acting on stage, television, and film. As the first Black woman crowned Miss America, Williams broke barriers before eventually reinventing herself into an Emmy, Grammy, and Tony-nominated performer whose longevity has made her a respected figure across generations. Some of her best-known roles include “Soul Food,” “Eraser, “and “Ugly Betty.”
“Eraser”
Who knew we needed to see a young and dashing Arnold Schwarzenegger protect a young and gorgeous Vanessa Williams in this 1996 action story? It’s always fun when the two leads look good, but if we’re honest—we’re mostly tuning in for Williams. Can you blame us?
Box Office Numbers: $242,295,562
“Shaft”
While Samuel L. Jackson’s cool meter and kick-assery are off the charts in this film, don’t sleep on Williams! She’s doing what needs to be done and keeping the same energy to help keep this packed movie moving forward.
Box Office Numbers: $107,626,125
“Temptation: Confessions of a Marriage Counselor”
While Williams may have had minimal lines in this one, she still served as one of our favorite character archetypes of hers—a boss who takes no sh*t and looks good in a suit. We genuinely love to see it!
Box Office Numbers: $53,143,144
Vivica A. Fox
Since the 90s, Vivica A. Fox emerged as one of the defining leading Black actresses, becoming a fixture in action films, romcoms, and beloved Black ensemble classics. Her career helped expand opportunities for other Black women in mainstream Hollywood, with Fox herself successfully going from film, television, and producing. Her most notable roles are “Independence Day,” “Set It Off,” “Two Can Play That Game,” and more.
“Independence Day”
Will Smith (rightfully) gets praised for Independence Day, but let’s not act like Fox didn’t contribute, too. She’s always had this knack for looking good and handling business, and happy to be a witness to it in any of her projects.
Box Office Numbers: $817,400,891
“Kill Bill Vol. 1”
This movie quite literally is all hits and no misses. It’s such an iconic piece of film, and Fox is just as iconic for landing a role in it. Talk about a cult classic!
Box Office Numbers: $180,908,413
“Set It Off”
If you needed four reasons why the culture seems to love “Set It Off” so much, look no further than the four lead women running the show. Fox’s character really set this whole plot in motion, so, if anybody, she should really be getting praise (or not) for this fun heist movie.
Box Office Numbers: $41,590,886
Jenifer Lewis
Affectionately known as “The Mother of Black Hollywood,” Jenifer Lewis has long been looked at as one of Black Hollywood’s legendary stars, thanks to decades of scene-stealing performances. Whether in comedy, drama, or animation, Lewis’ name, face, and voice have become synonymous with warmth, humor, and unapologetic authenticity. Some of her most memorable roles across TV and film include Ruby Johnson on “Black-ish,” “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” “The Princess and the Frog,” “The Preacher’s Wife,” Think Like a Man, “What’s Love Got to Do With It?” and more.
“The Princess & the Frog”
By the time Disney decided to finally give its Black fans the first Black animated princess, it quickly became clear that it was something audiences wanted to see (thanks in large part to lead voice actor Anika Noni Rose and Lewis, who portrayed the Bayou hoodoo woman Mama Odie).
Box Office Numbers: $267,056,816
“Sister Act”
Yes, “Sister Act” undoubtedly belongs to Whoopi Goldberg, but it was too much fun seeing Lewis as one of her background singers. Seeing two actresses at the top of their game hootin’ and hollerin’ sounds like our type of carrying on. We’re so glad they made a sequel (and are reportedly making a third one).
Box Office Numbers: $231,605,150
“GOAT”
If you aren’t an animated movie fan, then you may have missed out on one of the cutest ones with a good message that’s been put out in recent years. But if you needed even more of an incentive, you should know that Lewis voices Flo, the Warthog. As crazy as that sounds, you already know she brought some joy to everyone on that film set.
Box Office Numbers: $180,908,413
