Top 5 Best Tyler Perry Movies Ranked - Madea, Comedy, Drama Films

Introduction

Tyler Perry is one of the most successful African American filmmakers, actors, playwrights and producers of our time. He is best known for creating the iconic Madea character, a tough elderly woman with a sharp tongue and big heart, who appears in many of his stage plays, films, and TV shows. Perry has built an entertainment empire with over 25 theatrical plays, 13 feature films, 7 TV shows, and huge box office success thanks to his loyal fanbase. Let's take a look at the top 5 best Tyler Perry movies that you need to watch.

1. Diary of a Mad Black Woman (2005)

Diary of a Mad Black Woman was the film that introduced movie audiences to Tyler Perry's beloved character Madea. It was Perry's first feature film that he wrote, directed and starred in back in 2005. The movie follows Helen McCarter (Kimberly Elise), a woman who is dumped by her cheating husband Charles (Steve Harris). She turns to her eccentric grandmother Madea (Tyler Perry) for support and guidance. Madea helps Helen find the strength to get back on her feet and move on with her life.

This hilarious dramedy perfectly blends comedy and drama as Madea delivers plenty of laughs but also life lessons about self-respect, forgiveness and female empowerment. Diary of a Mad Black Woman was a major box office hit, grossing over $50 million against a $5.5 million budget. It marked the beginning of Perry's hugely successful theatrical film career thanks to loyal audiences who just couldn't get enough of Madea.

Key Things to Know

• First feature film written, directed by and starring Tyler Perry
• Introduced the iconic Madea character to movie audiences
• A dramedy blending comedy from Madea with drama about a woman starting over after divorce
• Major box office hit grossing over $50 million

2. Madea's Family Reunion (2006)

The sequel Madea's Family Reunion was released in 2006 and it reunited movie fans with their favorite matriarch. In this film, Madea plans a family reunion to bring her relatives together, but drama soon unfolds within her family. Her niece Lisa is in an abusive relationship and Madea encourages her to leave her fiancé and stand up for herself. Meanwhile her nephew is sent to stay with Madea and learns some valuable life lessons from her tough love approach to parenting.

Madea's Family Reunion tackles serious issues like domestic abuse, infidelity and the importance of forgiveness. But Madea always steals the show with her wacky antics, one-liners and signature attitude. She delivers plenty of over-the-top comedic moments to balance the serious drama. Thanks to Perry's loyal fanbase, the movie was another box office smash.

Key Things to Know

• Second Madea movie, reuniting fans with the beloved character
• Highlights issues like domestic abuse, infidelity and forgiveness
• Madea provides comedic relief to balance out the serious family drama
• Another major box office hit for Perry

3. Why Did I Get Married? (2007)

Tyler Perry switched gears in 2007 with the relationship drama Why Did I Get Married?. The film follows four married couples as they take a retreat together in Colorado. Secrets and lies surface, revealing the flaws beneath their marriages. Set against beautiful mountain backdrops, this film digs deep into relationship struggles. Perry co-stars as one of the husbands, but Madea does not make an appearance in this one.

Why Did I Get Married? was praised by critics for its thoughtful portrayal of love, friendship and trust between couples. It tackles common issues like infidelity, domestic abuse, miscommunication and more. The characters are complex and experience meaningful growth by the end. The movie was another box office success for Perry, proving he could draw an audience without Madea at the helm.

Key Things to Know

• Relationship drama tackling common marriage issues
• No appearance from Madea in this one
• Praised by critics for thoughtful themes and character development
• Proved Perry's box office draw without relying on Madea

4. I Can Do Bad All By Myself (2009)

Tyler Perry brought back the lovable Madea in I Can Do Bad All By Myself in 2009. The movie focuses on Madea capturing a burglar named Jennifer (Taraji P. Henson) looting her home. Rather than turn her over to the police, Madea decides to reform Jennifer by giving her shelter and helping her turn her life around. Of course, Madea's unorthodox methods lead to comedic mishaps along the way.

I Can Do Bad All By Myself blended drama, comedy and music while tackling issues like alcoholism and abusive relationships. The film features an original gospel song performed by Taraji P. Henson that shows off her incredible vocal range. Critics praised her performance as well as Perry's skillful humor and storytelling. Once again, Perry struck box office gold with this Madea crowd-pleaser.

Key Things to Know

• Madea returns by capturing a burglar looting her home
• Helps the burglar turn her life around in humorous ways
• Blends drama, comedic moments from Madea, and music
• Taraji P. Henson praised for powerful vocal performance

5. Madea Goes to Jail (2009)

Madea was locked up and loaded for more comedic chaos in Tyler Perry's Madea Goes to Jail in 2009. This time, Madea ends up behind bars after a high-speed police chase. She befriends Candy (Keke Palmer), a troubled young prostitute, and becomes a mentor to her in prison. After her release, Madea encourages Candy to clean up her life by finishing school and finding honest work.

Perry dives into serious topics like the criminal justice system, prostitution and drug abuse in this film. However the highlight is once again Madea, who generates big laughs with her no-nonsense attitude and hilarious interactions with fellow inmates. From opening up a can of whoop-ass on a giant inmate named Big Sal to trading insults with her prison therapist, Madea is in rare comedic form. The movie became another major box office smash for the Madea franchise.

Key Things to Know

• Madea ends up in jail after high-speed police chase
• Befriends and mentors a young troubled woman in prison
• Addresses serious issues but Madea provides most of the comedy
• Massive box office hit continuing Madea's success

Conclusion

These represent some of the very best films from Tyler Perry's impressive filmography. His unique brand of comedy and drama has made him a powerhouse at the box office thanks to his loyal fans. Perry knows how to perfectly blend earnest stories tackling important issues with over-the-top humor through characters like Madea. He is a trailblazer for African American cinema who has expanded opportunities for black directors, writers and actors in Hollywood. Perry's uplifting stories, Christian values and themes of empowerment resonate strongly with audiences. That is why after over 15 years, crowds still line up for Madea's signature pearls of wisdom blended with loads of laughter.

FAQs

What was the first Tyler Perry movie featuring Madea?

The first Tyler Perry movie featuring the iconic character Madea was Diary of a Mad Black Woman in 2005. This launched Madea on the big screen and introduced her to wider mainstream audiences.

What Madea movie focuses on marriage issues?

Why Did I Get Married? from 2007 focuses on marriage issues. It follows four couples at a mountain retreat confronting secrets, lies and problems in their relationships.

Which Tyler Perry movie co-stars Taraji P. Henson?

Taraji P. Henson co-stars with Tyler Perry in I Can Do Bad All By Myself from 2009. She plays a troubled singer that Madea tries to help turn her life around.

Does Madea appear in all Tyler Perry movies?

No, Madea does not appear in all Tyler Perry movies. For example, she is not in Why Did I Get Married? which is more drama focused without Madea's comedic hijinks.

What was Tyler Perry's biggest box office hit?

Tyler Perry's biggest box office hit to date is Madea Goes to Jail from 2009 which grossed over $90 million. The movie featured Madea behind bars bringing her signature humor.