Each February, the US celebrates Black Historical past Month as a time to acknowledge and honor the occasions, tradition, and achievements of Black individuals in in America. These Black Historical past Month films assist to do exactly that, showcasing various tales, actors, writers, administrators, and extra. Whether or not you’re on the lookout for an academic classroom movie or a household flick for film evening, you’ll discover choices right here.
As a result of intense nature of many of those tales, a few of these films are rated R by the MPAA. Whatever the score, it’s at all times a good suggestion to preview movies to make sure they’re acceptable in your supposed viewers.
Word that a few of these films can be found on a number of streaming companies, when you’ll must lease or buy others. We’ve included a hyperlink to 1 streaming possibility for every movie, however chances are you’ll wish to verify different companies you subscribe to as properly.
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Black Historical past Month Films Primarily based on True Tales
Whereas these tales is probably not 100% true, they do open up topics for additional analysis and discovery. That’s why a few of our favourite Black Historical past Month films are these based mostly on real-life tales.
12 Years a Slave
In 1841, Solomon Northrup, a free Black man, was kidnapped and offered into enslavement. After 12 years, he was lastly free as soon as extra. He wrote a memoir that was made into this Oscar-winning movie starring Chiwetel Ejiofor. (R)
Watch it: 12 Years a Slave on Amazon
42
Jackie Robinson turned well-known as the primary Black athlete to play in Main League Baseball. His story is certain to thrill sports activities followers, however everybody will probably be impressed by this image. (PG-13)
Watch it: 42 on Amazon
Amistad
In 1839, kidnapped Mende tribesmen aboard the slave ship La Amistad managed to stand up and overthrow their captors. The authorized battle that adopted went all the best way to the U.S. Supreme Court docket. (R)
Watch it: Amistad on Amazon
Bessie
Queen Latifah stars as American blues singer Bessie Smith (“Empress of the Blues”), portraying her profession and life experiences throughout the Jazz Age. (Not Rated)
Watch it: Bessie on Max
Get On Up
Observe the lifetime of singer James Brown from childhood poverty in backwoods Georgia to stardom and past, with all its ups and downs. (PG-13)
Watch it: Get On Up on Netflix
Ghosts of Mississippi
Followers of courtroom dramas ought to try this dramatization of the 1994 trial of Byron De La Beckwith, a white supremacist accused of the 1963 assassination of Civil Rights activist Medgar Evers. (PG-13)
Watch it: Ghosts of Mississippi on Amazon
Glory
The 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment was one of many first Black regiments to struggle for the Union throughout the Civil Battle. This movie shares the story of their formation and exploits. Denzel Washington gained an Academy Award for his efficiency within the movie. (R)
Watch it: Glory on Amazon
The Nice Debaters
In 1935, the all-Black Wiley Faculty debate group from Texas hurdled over challenges (together with Jim Crow legal guidelines) to defeat the reigning nationwide debate champions, as dramatized on this movie. (PG-13)
Watch it: The Nice Debaters on Amazon
Harriet
Harriet Tubman is among the most well-known girls in American historical past. Discover her life and heroic involvement within the Underground Railroad on this drama. (PG-13)
Watch it: Harriet on Netflix
Hidden Figures
This smash hit paperwork the story of three unbelievable Black feminine mathematicians of NASA (Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson) within the early years of the US area program. (PG)
Watch it: Hidden Figures on Amazon
Lodge Rwanda
The Rwandan genocide befell in spring 1994, however most individuals know little or no about it. Study extra with the story of Paul Rusesabagina’s efforts to save lots of the lives of his household and greater than 1,000 different refugees by offering them with shelter in a besieged lodge. (PG-13)
Watch it: Lodge Rwanda on Amazon
The Immortal Lifetime of Henrietta Lacks
Primarily based on the bestselling guide, this movie paperwork the lifetime of a Black lady whose most cancers cells have been used for many years (albeit with out her settlement or data) to make unbelievable scientific developments. (Not Rated)
Watch it: The Immortal Lifetime of Henrietta Lacks on Amazon
Introducing Dorothy Dandridge
In 1954, Dorothy Dandridge turned the primary Black lady nominated for the Academy Award for Greatest Actress, after years of struggling to interrupt out of stereotypical African American roles. (R)
Watch it: Introducing Dorothy Dandridge on Max
Judas and the Black Messiah
The Black Panther Social gathering was polarizing, even amongst individuals of coloration. Uncover the story of Fred Howard, chairman of the Illinois chapter within the Nineteen Sixties, who was finally betrayed by an secret agent. (R)
Watch it: Judas and the Black Messiah on Amazon
Simply Mercy
Michael B. Jordan portrays Bryan Stevenson, a younger protection legal professional who made representing underprivileged Black prisoners his life’s work. (PG-13)
Watch it: Simply Mercy on Amazon
Loving
In 1967, some state legal guidelines nonetheless prohibited the wedding of interracial {couples}. This film celebrates the trial (and love story) of Loving v. Virginia, which finally overturned these legal guidelines and ensured racial marriage equality throughout the US. (PG-13)
Watch it: Loving on Amazon
Ma Rainey’s Black Backside
Throughout the Jazz Age of the Nineteen Twenties, Ma Rainey was a well known blues singer. This movie dramatizes one turbulent recording session the place the group’s experiences discover points together with race, ambition, fame, and violence. (R)
Watch it: Ma Rainey’s Black Backside on Netflix
Malcolm X
Denzel Washington performs Malcolm X, some of the polarizing activists of the American Civil Rights Motion, on this traditional Spike Lee biopic. (PG-13)
Watch it: Malcolm X on Amazon
Mandela: Lengthy Stroll to Freedom
Although Nelson Mandela was South African, his life impressed individuals world wide. Mandela, performed right here by Idris Elba, was the face of Apartheid and its eventual overthrow within the early Nineties. (PG-13)
Watch it: Mandela: Lengthy Stroll to Freedom on Amazon
Marshall
Thurgood Marshall, the primary Black U.S. Supreme Court docket Justice, involves life on this film showcasing one of many earliest instances of his profession. (PG-13)
Watch it: Marshall on Netflix
Mississippi Burning
When three civil rights employees disappear in Mississippi in 1964, native residents and police are something however useful to the FBI brokers investigating the case. (R)
Watch it: Mississippi Burning on Amazon
Infamous
Journey via the main occasions within the lifetime of Brooklyn-based hip-hop artist The Infamous B.I.G., whose profession (and life) was lower brief in a drive-by taking pictures in 1997. (R)
Watch it: Infamous on Amazon
One Night time in Miami
In 1964, 4 males met up in Miami: Malcolm X, Cassius Clay, Sam Cooke, and Jim Brown. Nobody is aware of for certain what they did or mentioned, however this movie imagines the evening and its penalties. (R)
Watch it: One Night time in Miami on Amazon
Race
Jesse Owens not solely gained a record-breaking 4 gold medals on the 1936 Olympics, he did it in Berlin, the place Hitler’s racial propaganda confronted him at each flip. (PG-13)
Watch it: Race on Netflix
Respect
Jennifer Hudson slays as Aretha Franklin, documenting the primary three many years of Franklin’s life via music and drama. (PG-13)
Watch it: Respect on Amazon
Ruby Bridges
Think about being a 6-year-old Black baby marched into an all-white college in New Orleans in 1960, protected by U.S. marshals for her personal security. This can be a terrific movie to introduce youthful viewers to the unbelievable struggles of the American Civil Rights Motion. (PG)
Watch it: Ruby Bridges on Disney Plus
Selma
The 1965 marches from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, energized the Civil Rights Motion and captured the eye of the nation. (PG-13)
Watch it: Selma on Amazon
Straight Outta Compton
Observe the rise and fall of the hip-hop group N.W.A on this traditional Black music historical past film, set among the many gang-riddled streets of Compton, California, in Eighties. (R)
Watch it: Straight Outta Compton on Hulu
Until
After Mamie Until’s 14-year-old son was was kidnapped, tortured, and lynched in Mississippi in 1955, she spent the remainder of her life as an activist for civil rights. (PG-13)
Watch it: Until on Amazon
The Tuskegee Airmen
Take to the skies with the primary African American fight pilots in the US Military Air Corps on this World Battle II drama. (PG-13)
Watch it: The Tuskegee Airmen on Max
Black Historical past Month Films for Youngsters and Households
With G or PG rankings, many of those films are good for sharing with youthful viewers. The PG-13 movies are terrific for households to observe collectively, as a springboard for conversations round media illustration, Black historical past, social points, and extra.
Akeelah and the Bee
Observe a younger Black woman from south LA and her household on her journey to profitable the Scripps Nationwide Spelling Bee. Who knew spelling could possibly be so thrilling? (PG)
Watch it: Akeelah and the Bee on Amazon
Belle
This romance may be very loosely based mostly on the lifetime of an upper-class mixed-race lady named Dido Belle residing in England within the 18th century. This was Gugu Mbatha-Uncooked’s breakout function, and the movie raises attention-grabbing questions on what it might have been wish to be an individual of coloration residing in Europe on the time. (PG)
Watch it: Belle on Amazon
Cinderella (1997)
This inventive reimagining of the traditional fairy story features a various forged led by Brandy, with Whitney Houston shining vibrant because the Fairy Godmother. (G)
Watch it: Cinderella on Disney Plus
Cool Runnings
This enjoyable favourite tells the story of some of the unlikely groups in Olympic historical past: the primary Jamaican bobsledders (4 males who’d by no means even seen snow!). (PG)
Watch it: Cool Runnings on Disney Plus
Dreamgirls
Beyoncé leads an all-star forged on this beloved musical movie, chronicling the rise and evolution of American R&B music beginning within the Nineteen Sixties. (PG-13)
Watch it: Dreamgirls on Amazon
The Princess and the Frog
Tiana made historical past as Disney’s first Black princess, and her fairy story story honors the tradition of New Orleans within the Nineteen Twenties too. (G)
Watch it: The Princess and the Frog on Disney Plus
Bear in mind the Titans
Within the early Nineteen Seventies, two soccer coaches (one Black, one white) work to combine a highschool group and acquire the assist of the group throughout one superb undefeated season. (PG)
Watch it: Bear in mind the Titans on Disney Plus
Soul
This current launch from Disney Pixar celebrates jazz music in all its glory, as a Black musician strives to reunite his physique and soul in time to catch his huge break. (PG)
Watch it: Soul on Disney Plus
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-verse
Spider-Man is among the most acquainted superheroes, however his story takes on a brand new twist when a rebellious Black Hispanic teen can also be bitten by a radioactive spider and features related powers. (PG)
Watch it: Spider-Man: Into the Spider-verse on Amazon
The Watsons Go to Birmingham
The traditional guide involves life on this household film. It follows a Michigan household who heads to Alabama in 1963 to go to their grandmother and finds themselves in the midst of a historic summer time. (PG)
Watch it: The Watsons Go to Birmingham on Amazon
The Wiz
This cult-classic musical turned The Wizard of Oz on its head with various casting, catchy songs, and a grittier storyline. Tip: Plan a double characteristic and watch the 2 movies again to again! (G)
Watch it: The Wiz on Amazon
Fashionable Films for Black Historical past Month
Numerous characters, writers, administrators, producers, and storylines all make these well-known films a pleasant selection for Black Historical past Month. (A few of these are rated R, so please preview movies earlier than sharing with teenagers.)
A Raisin within the Solar
This movie adaptation of the lauded play follows the story of a Nineteen Fifties Black household who tries to discover a higher life away from the internal metropolis, as they navigate prejudice, racism, and their very own interpersonal dynamics. (PG-13)
Watch it: A Raisin within the Solar on Amazon
Boyz n the Hood
Ten-year-old Tre Kinds is a troublemaker, so his mom sends him to reside along with his father in South Central LA, the place she hopes publicity to the hazards of gang life will change his methods. (R)
Watch it: Boyz n the Hood on Netflix
Black Panther
Together with its sequel Black Panther: Wakanda Eternally, this film smashed field workplace data as viewers cheered on the various forged led by superhero T’Challa, King of Wakanda. (PG-13)
Watch it: Black Panther on Disney Plus
The Coloration Purple
Earlier than 2023’s musical movie got here this traditional 1985 adaptation of Alice Walker’s novel, starring Whoopie Goldberg and that includes a younger Oprah Winfrey. (PG-13)
Watch it: The Coloration Purple on Amazon
Crooklyn
Director Spike Lee based mostly this story of a younger Black woman rising up in Brooklyn within the Nineteen Seventies partly on his personal life and that of his sister. (PG-13)
Watch it: Crooklyn on Amazon
Do the Proper Factor
Observe up Crooklyn with the Spike Lee joint Do The Proper Factor, additionally set in Brooklyn, however this time within the Eighties, the place simmering racial stress finally results in violence and tragedy. (R)
Watch it: Do the Proper Factor on Amazon
Drumline
The unbelievable drumline performances drive this film alongside because it explores the story of Devon, a teen attending an HBCU on a music scholarship. (PG-13)
Watch it: Drumline on Amazon
The Hate U Give
Primarily based on the bestselling novel, this movie shares the story of a highschool scholar who witnesses a doubtlessly racially motivated taking pictures and should arise for what she believes within the aftermath. (PG-13)
Watch it: The Hate U Give on Amazon
Lean on Me
“Crazy Joe” Clark takes over a New Jersey college district that’s hit all-time low, utilizing radical measures to remodel its college students and the group as properly. (PG-13)
Watch it: Lean on Me on Amazon
Lee Daniels’ The Butler
Impressed by an actual particular person, that is the fictional account of a Black butler who served eight completely different presidents as butler on the White Home, and had a ringside seat for many years of historical past. (PG-13)
Watch it: Lee Daniels’ The Butler on Amazon
Delight
A dilapidated group pool in 1974 turns into the house of Philadelphia’s first all-Black swim group, who should struggle prejudice as they hone their aggressive expertise. (PG)
Watch it: Delight on Amazon
Documentaries for Black Historical past Month
For those who’re on the lookout for reality relatively than fiction, check out these documentary movies for Black Historical past Month.
4 Little Women
This Spike Lee documentary particulars the tragedy of 4 little Black women who died in a church bombing in Birmingham in 1963, sparking a motion that led to the passage of the Civil Rights Act the next 12 months. (Not Rated)
Watch it: 4 Little Women on Max
thirteenth
Take a tough, often-uncomfortable have a look at the U.S. jail system and its relation to racial injustice and inequities on this doc directed by Ava DuVernay. (Not Rated)
Watch it: thirteenth on Netflix
Good Hair
It’s made by Chris Rock, so you already know you’ll chuckle, however you’ll additionally study lots about Black tradition via this exploration of the Black feminine hair trade. (PG-13)
Watch it: Good Hair on Amazon
Hoop Goals
Sports activities followers have been mesmerized by this documentary for 30 years now. It follows the story of two Black Chicago highschool college students as they pursue their dream of taking part in within the NBA.
Watch it: Hoop Goals on Amazon
John Lewis: Good Hassle
Earlier than his decades-long service in Congress, John Lewis was arrested a number of occasions for stirring up what he known as “good trouble” throughout the Civil Rights Motion. Study extra about his life on this movie. (PG)
Watch it: John Lewis: Good Hassle on Amazon
Summer time of Soul
Questlove produced this live performance movie documenting the 1967-69 Harlem Cultural Competition, generally known as “Black Woodstock.” (PG-13)
Watch it: Summer time of Soul on Disney Plus