Must-Watch Movies for Black History Month
February is Black History Month - a great time to delve into media that educates, inspires and tells the stories of Black Americans and those around the world who have made an impact. While the movies listed below can (and should) be watched year round, this month is an extra reminder to investigate and learn from these stories.
Taraji P. Henson and Janelle Monae in Hidden Figures / Courtesy of 20th Century Studios
Note: This is by no means a complete list, as numerous more films, shorts, and tv shows also work to portray the perspectives and experiences of African Americans. The list below is just a sample of the breadth of media celebrating and displaying the stories of African Americans.
Hidden Figures (2016) - Learn about three trailblazing women who make history in their respective NASA careers, and become inspired as you watch to follow your dreams and believe your accomplishments can be limitless.
Selma (2014) - Follow Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his supporters as they prepare and carry out a march from Selma to Montgomery, as they fight and advocate for the advancement of civil and voting acts for Black Americans.
The United States vs. Billie Holiday (2021) - The Federal Bureau of Narcotics investigates Billie Holiday, a legendary jazz singer, for her heroin use.
Judas and the Black Messiah (2021) - William O’Neil informs the FBI, after they make a plea deal with him, of the Black Panther Party’s chairman Fred Hampton’s betrayal.
Marshall (2017) - While young Thurgood Marshall works as a lawyer for the NAACP, he travels to conservative Connecticut where wealthy socialite Eleanor Strubing accuses Black chauffeur Joseph Spell of sexual assault and attempted murder. He and Jewish lawyer Sam Friedman, build a defense while contending with racist and anti-Semitic views from those who deem Spell to be guilty.
42 (2013) - In this film, Chadwick Boseman plays Jackie Robinson, the first Black athlete to play in Major League Baseball in the modern era.
Ali (2001) - Will Smit portrays American boxing champion Muhammad Ali, where the film showcases ten years of his life.
Fruitvale Station (2013) - Michael B. Jordan showcases his talent as a 22-year-old who is stressed with taking care of his family and finding a job after getting out of prison. The film won Ryan Coogler (director) the best first film award at Sundance and uses emotion to humanize black males in the US, which is rarely seen.
One Night in Miami (2020) - Set during the civil rights movement, prominent figures like Malcolm X (Kingsely Ben-Adir), Cassius Clay (Eli Goree), and Sam Cook (Leslie Odom Jr.) discuss their roles and responsibilities of being successful Black men during that time period.
Harriet (2019) - This film tells the story of famous abolitionist Harriet Tubman (Cynthia Erivo) as she leads hundreds of slaves to liberation by risking her life traveling across the Underground Railroad.
MLK FBI (2020) - This documentary explores how the US government and surveillance authorities harassed Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. after declassified files were released.
Just Mercy (2019) - Harvard graduate Bryan Stevenson (Michael B. Jordan) travels to Alabama to defend those incarcerated but wrongly accused. One of his most prominent cases was with Walter McMillan, who was sentenced to die in prison for murdering an 18-year old girl, even though there was evidence proving he was innocent.
John Lewis: Good Trouble (2020) - This documentary captures Representative John Lewis, who was known for fighting for civil rights, gun control laws, voting rights, healthcare reform and immigration. He is displayed as prominent figure who always fought for what believed was right, even if it ended up getting into trouble.
42 (2013) - Starring Chadwick Boseman as Jackie Robinson, this film highlights when Robinson was signed to play Major League Baseball, and how he and Brooklyn Dodgers manager Branch Rickey (Harrison Ford) faced criticism and major attention from all sides of the public.
13th (2016) - This documentary directed by Ava Duvernay explores the history and pain of racial injustice in the United States, and how specifically the prison system has shown to be primarily filled with African Americans.
The Hate U Give (2018) - This film focuses on the effect of gun violence on the African American community, as protagonist Starr Carter witnesses the fatal death of her childhood friend at the hands of the police officer. After not receiving justice, Starr has to fight to use her voice to make a change in her community despite constant fear and criticism from others.
BlacKkKlansman (2018) - In the Colorado Spring Police Department, Ron Stallworth is the first African American detective to serve. He sets out with another detective on a mission to expose and infiltrate the Ku Klux Klan in order to take down the extremist hate group.
Race (2016) - This movie focuses on track star Jesse Owens (Stephan James) who gained national praise for breaking numerous running records. After facing some backlash and racism, he hopes to demonstrate to the world during the Berlin Olympics that he’s the fastest living runner.
Do the Right Thing (1989) - A neighborhood local, Buggin' Out (Giancarlo Esposito), grows angry when he sees that an Italian owned pizzeria's Wall of Fame exhibits only Italian actors. Buggin' Out thinks there should be Black actors on the wall but the owner disagrees, leading to tensions rising as he claims the wall is a symbol of racism and other people in the neighborhood.
12 Years a Slave (2013) - Prior to the Civil War, Solomon Northup (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a free black man, is kidnapped and sold into slavery in the South. Subjected to the cruelty of one evil owner (Michael Fassbender), he finds kindness from another, as he struggles continually to survive and maintain his dignity. In the 12th year of the disheartening ordeal, a meeting with an abolitionist changes Solomon's life forever.
Moonlight (2016) - This film focuses on three defining chapters in the life of Chiron, a young black man growing up in Miami. His journey to manhood is guided by the support and love of the community that helps raise him, as the film explores topics of masculinity, homophobia, and accepting oneself.
Black Panther (2018) - While a Marvel and action movie at its core, this film displays King TChalla (Chadwick Boseman) as the leader of the Wakanda people, who hold incredibly advanced technology and weapons at their fingertips, as a positive representation of African American people.