Spike Lee Honors Da 5 Bloods Five-Year Netflix Anniversary

Five Years Since Da 5 Bloods Debuted

On May 12, 2020, Netflix rolled out Da 5 Bloods, the Vietnam-set drama that reunited filmmaker Spike Lee with a powerhouse cast. The story follows four African American veterans—played by Delroy Lindo, Clarke Peters, Isiah Whitlock Jr. and Norm Lewis—returning to Southeast Asia to recover the remains of their fallen squad leader. Marking its fifth anniversary this week, the film remains one of Lee’s boldest genre experiments, fusing family drama, political commentary and wartime flashbacks into a single narrative.

Lee’s Heartfelt Instagram Tribute

On May 12, Lee shared a black-and-white Instagram post honoring the milestone. In his caption he wrote, “Five years ago today, Da 5 BLOODS debuted globally on Netflix. I want to thank everyone in front of and behind da camera for their hard work on dis joint—including Da 5 Bloods: Delroy Lindo, Clarke Peters, Isiah Whitlock Jr., Norm Lewis and last but not least da great Chadwick Boseman. May he continue to rest in power.” With that message, Lee not only celebrated the collaborators who brought the film to life, but also paid tribute to Boseman, whose performance as squad leader Stormin’ Norman was among his final screen appearances.

Echoes Of A Groundbreaking Score

Beyond its cast, Da 5 Bloods earned a nomination for Best Original Score at the 93rd Academy Awards. Composer Terence Blanchard’s jazz-infused brass arrangements underscored Lee’s dynamic visuals and the veterans’ emotional journey. Critics praised the soundtrack as a character unto itself, capturing both the heat of combat and the weight of memory. The film also sparked conversations around Netflix’s role in producing auteur-driven content, setting the stage for later Lee projects like the Oscar-winning BlacKkKlansman.

Remembering Chadwick Boseman

Boseman, who portrayed Stormin’ Norman with steely resolve, passed away in August 2020 after a private battle with cancer. His death cast a poignant shadow over the film’s legacy. Delroy Lindo has since described his co-star’s work on Da 5 Bloods as “magnetic,” while Lee has called Boseman “one of the greatest talents I ever directed.” Five years on, fans and colleagues alike continue to revisit the film, finding fresh layers in its themes of brotherhood, sacrifice and the cost of war.

As Da 5 Bloods crosses this anniversary, Lee’s post serves as both a thank-you note and a reminder of the film’s impact. It underscores a career built on collaboration, cultural urgency and unflinching style—qualities that keep audiences returning to the Bloods’ journey half a decade later.

Spike Lee’s tribute not only commemorates a milestone but also renews attention on a film that remains timely, resonant and emotionally charged.

Trivia

Spike Lee has made cameo appearances in several of his films, often playing minor characters to add a personal touch to his work.

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Pratibha

 

Pratibha holds a master's degree in English from Madras University. A bookworm from a young age, she devours books and digital humanities to nourish her writing projects. Pratibha began her writing career in 2018 and has experience writing formal, informal, and technical content.

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