Movies Where Black Characters Get to Be Nerdy and Adorkable

The way “nerds” are portrayed in movies has changed a lot. We’re now seeing more diverse characters, including Black individuals, who are smart or a little awkward, instead of being stuck in old stereotypes. These films often put these characters front and center, celebrating their intelligence and unique personalities. Viewers love watching them use their brains to solve problems or find romance with their quirky appeal.

‘Dope’ (2015)

Malcolm Adekanbi is a high school student with a passion for 90s hip hop, growing up in a challenging neighborhood. He’s also in a punk band and dreams of going to Harvard, all while facing tough situations with his friends. The movie follows Malcolm as he tries to figure out who he is, despite the expectations and labels people put on him. Ultimately, he shows that it’s powerful and okay to be a nerd, even in a place like Inglewood.

‘Black Panther’ (2018)

Shuri leads the team responsible for Wakanda’s incredible technology, and she’s one of the smartest people in the Marvel universe. She creates the advanced tools that keep Wakanda safe and empower her brother, T’Challa. Shuri’s a brilliant inventor with a fun, energetic personality, and she isn’t afraid to break with royal traditions. She’s a young Black woman who’s a global leader in innovation while still being true to herself.

‘Hidden Figures’ (2016)

During the dawn of the U.S. space program, three incredibly talented African-American women were essential to NASA’s success. Katherine Johnson expertly calculated flight paths for missions like Project Mercury, all while facing discrimination based on her race and gender. Dorothy Vaughan proactively learned the new programming language Fortran to keep her team valuable as computers became more important. And Mary Jackson bravely fought for the right to attend classes and become NASA’s first Black female engineer.

‘Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse’ (2018)

Miles Morales, a bright and creative kid, starts at a new, fancy boarding school where he struggles to fit in. After getting bitten by a spider, he develops superpowers and teams up with other Spider-People from different universes. He juggles his passions for both science and art while learning what it takes to be a hero, realizing his intelligence and creativity are key to protecting his city.

‘Rye Lane’ (2023)

Dom and Yas unexpectedly meet in South London and quickly connect over their recent difficult breakups, spending the day together. They explore art galleries and markets, sharing fast-paced, witty conversations about music and relationships. Dom is sweet and a little clumsy, while Yas is more energetic and unpredictable. This feel-good romantic comedy highlights the joy of Black life with a touch of charming awkwardness and a celebration of art.

‘The Blackening’ (2022)

Clifton goes to a cabin weekend hoping to reconnect with old college friends, but quickly feels like an outsider. He’s always been the type to follow the rules and prioritize intelligence and good manners, which sets him apart from the rest of the group who are more interested in partying. As the story unfolds, his feelings of isolation and being different fuel the frightening events that occur. Clifton also challenges expectations about what it means to be Black, by embracing his individuality and refusing to conform.

‘Dear White People’ (2014)

Lionel Higgins is a quiet journalism student at Winchester University who feels like an outsider. He notices the racial issues on campus but initially keeps to himself. Through his writing, Lionel begins to find his voice and explore his identity as a Black gay man with a passion for sci-fi and alternative interests. He transforms from someone who simply watches events unfold to someone who actively engages in conversations and shares his perspective.

‘Us’ (2019)

Gabe Wilson is a typical suburban dad who just wants to give his family a great summer vacation at their lake house in Santa Cruz. He’s a bit clumsy and loves telling cheesy jokes, much to his kids’ dismay. While he tries to protect his family from dangerous duplicates of themselves, he often looks to his wife for guidance during confrontations. He’s a lovable, if somewhat awkward, character who means well.

‘Nope’ (2022)

Okay, so there’s this guy, Angel Torres – he’s a tech whiz working at an electronics store, and he gets pulled into this absolutely wild situation involving the Haywood family and, well, potential aliens! He ends up helping them set up all the camera gear, and honestly, he’s so fascinated by the possibility of something real happening that he just sticks around the ranch. He’s the one who’s always connecting the dots, a bit of a conspiracy theorist, but in a really fun way that lightens the mood when things get intense. He’s not just a tech guy though; he’s genuinely driven by a need to know the truth, and that makes him an invaluable part of their team, seriously.

‘Power Rangers’ (2017)

Billy Cranston, a high school student with autism, becomes the Blue Ranger and uses his incredible memory and tech skills to help the team succeed, especially in finding the Zeo Crystal. He connects with the other Rangers, finding the acceptance and belonging he’d always wanted. The movie shows that Billy’s intelligence is a powerful strength, just as important as his fighting skills.

‘Paper Towns’ (2015)

Radar is a dedicated editor of the online encyclopedia, Omnipedia, and a steadfast friend to the main character. He uses his strong organizational skills and logical thinking to help search for a missing girl. Throughout their road trip, Radar also deals with his own love life and provides a practical, level-headed perspective for the group. He’s more than just a sidekick – Radar has his own unique personality and ambitions.

‘Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves’ (2023)

Simon Aumar comes from a family known for powerful magic, but he doesn’t believe in his own skills. He teams up with a group of thieves on a quest to find a lost artifact, and to succeed, he needs to conquer his lack of confidence and learn to control a powerful helmet. Simon is the typical story of a hesitant mage who discovers his potential through the support of friends and hard work. Many people can relate to his feelings of being an outsider or not good enough.

‘Safety Not Guaranteed’ (2012)

Darius Britt, a somewhat cynical intern, joins a journalist to meet a man advertising for someone to travel through time with. She initially pretends to be interested in his unusual request, but slowly begins to believe him. Darius uses her sharp humor and careful nature to deal with the strange circumstances. Through accepting the oddity of the situation, she unexpectedly finds both romance and excitement.

‘Godzilla vs. Kong’ (2021)

Bernie Hayes, a podcast host who investigates conspiracy theories, goes undercover at Apex Cybernetics, suspecting something isn’t right. He discovers they’re secretly building a massive mechanical weapon and joins forces with two teenagers to reveal the truth. Armed with a flask of whiskey and fueled by his distrust of authority, Bernie uses his tech skills and refusal to believe the official story to try and save the city from impending destruction.

‘Ghostbusters’ (2016)

Patty Tolan, a New York City transit worker, starts working with a group of paranormal investigators after seeing a ghost in the subway. She offers valuable insight into the city’s history and layout, something the other investigators don’t have. Patty also provides the team’s transportation and designs their uniforms. Her character shows that practical knowledge and street smarts are just as important as formal education.

‘Booksmart’ (2019)

Alan is a driven student who strives for academic success like the other main characters. Though he often comes across as dramatic and energetic, he secretly worries about what the future holds. He goes to the graduation party to show everyone he can relax and enjoy himself, despite being known as someone heavily involved in theater. Through his interactions with others, he proves that even students passionate about the arts are just people, too.

Tell us which of these characters resonated with you the most in the comments.

2025-12-12 06:50