You’ve probably noticed that the big streaming services—Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu—are highlighting Black history movies throughout February in honor of Black History Month. From documentaries to biopics to historical dramas, there are plenty of options for watching films centered on the Black experience in America. And while watching these movies certainly won’t end racism (only concerted anti-racism from both individuals and institutions can make that possible), they can be a powerful tool in understanding its origins and devastating impact—and in motivating change.
It’s simple to share a quote from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech on Instagram; it’s more challenging to understand the nuanced context of that time period—and for non-Black people to acknowledge how relatively little progress has been made in this country since then. That’s why, in the spirit of inspiring social change through art, I asked thought leaders in the anti-racism space—ranging from best-selling authors to award-winning filmmakers—to give their recommendations for the most compelling Black history movies to watch during Black History Month and beyond.
Whether you’re Black and want to learn more about your own history, or you’re an aspiring ally looking to educate yourself on the Black experience as part of your anti-racism work, or you simply want to enjoy a really good movie, these films are worth adding to your queue.
1. Claudine (1974)
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Diahann Carroll was a goddess in pretty much everything she starred in, and the 1974 film Claudine is no exception. This movie has something for everybody: comedy, romance, and terrific performances from Carroll and her on-again, off-again love interest, James Earl Jones. It’s also a fascinating and honest depiction of Black life in 1970s Harlem—one that differed greatly from the major Blaxploitation films that were coming out around the same time. Throw in a soundtrack of songs written by Curtis Mayfield and sung by Gladys Knight and the Pips, and you get a soulful and surprising time capsule. —Zakiya Dalila Harris, author of New York Times best-seller The Other Black Girl
2. Slavery by Another Name (2012)
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This documentary chronicles the years after the Emancipation Proclamation and the systemic inequities created to hinder the Black community from progressing. This is an informative documentary to watch if you want to learn more about how the Black community is impacted by systemic racism. Many people wonder, “How did we get here?” This documentary will help educate viewers on how things unfolded post-Emancipation—and its effects on the Black community today. —Faitth Brooks, social worker and anti-racism educator
3. Fruitvale Station (2013)
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This film tells the events leading up to the murder of Oscar Grant III by BART police officers in Oakland, California. The movie was Ryan Coogler’s feature directorial debut, and Michael B. Jordan delivers such a heart-wrenching and beautiful performance. This is one of the few films I always recommend to anyone looking to further their education around the murder of unarmed Black men and women by police in the United States because the storytelling is so compelling—it will definitely cause you to think deeper about the systemic racism in this country. —Marissa Piña, cofilmmaker of the documentary Black Girl Church
4. The Color Purple (1985)
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This is the first movie I remember watching that showed me the strength and perseverance of Black women. The film—adapted from Alice Walker’s book of the same name—tells the story of Celie, a Black teenager raised in rural Georgia, and spans decades. There’s humor and joy that balance the dark moments, and it’s a powerful portrait of how racism has affected Black women’s lives on an intimate level. —Audrey Williams, cofilmmaker of the documentary Black Girl Church
5. Rosewood (1977)
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Directed by John Singleton, the film is about the 1923 massacre in Rosewood, Florida. I recommend the movie because the story isn’t as well-known as it should be. It began when a white woman, who was having an affair and was also allegedly beaten by the white man she was sleeping with, was discovered injured and screaming by a neighbor. She falsely told her neighbor that a Black man broke in and raped her, which led to a massacre and the destruction of a Black neighboring city, Rosewood, by white mobs. People are finally learning about the 1921 Black Wall Street terror in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and I think it’s important to know that Black communities were thriving in multiple locations in the U.S.—and nearly all were destroyed due to white supremacy. —Nykesha Geeter, social worker and anti-racism coach
6. Black Panther (2018)
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I love this movie because you get a taste of the beauty, power, innovation, and liberation that Black people can experience without the devastation of centuries of systemic racism, oppression, and capitalism. It shows us as kings and queens in powerful tribes, using our knowledge, gifts, and talents to build flourishing communities and a peaceful and prosperous lifestyle—while simultaneously maintaining healthy traditions and staying connected to our history and our ancestors. There’s more to the Black experience than systemic oppression, pain, and trauma, and Black Panther displays the beauty and power of Blackness in the most incredible ways! —Ashani Mfuko, anti-racism motivator and CEO of Ashani Mfuko Consulting Worldwide
7. Belle (2013)
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I highly recommend Belle. Firstly, it’s a historical film that explores forgotten Black history: a mixed-race woman named Dido Elizabeth Belle was an heiress in 1700s Britain. Belle used her status and influence to free slaves and get involved in the abolition movement. Not only does this movie beautifully depict the trials and tribulations she went through, but it’s refreshing to see our resilience in a movie—too often we see Black trauma at the forefront of Black representation. Also, the director, Amma Asante, is the epitome of a strong Black woman, directing this movie in such a flawless way that the education feels natural—you don’t even realize you’re learning because you’re enjoying the film so much! —Annabelle Woghiren, decolonization, diversity, and anti-racism educator
8. Mr. Soul! (2018)
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Pretty much everybody has heard of Soul Train, but what about *Soul!—*a revolutionary and sometimes controversial PBS variety show that ran from 1968 to 1973. I had never heard about it until I stumbled across this documentary. Created and hosted by an openly gay Black visionary named Ellis Haizlip, Soul! sought to cater Black art and Black thought to Black audiences during a time when most media portrayals of us were far from favorable. In Mr. Soul!—a documentary directed and produced by Haizlip’s niece, Melissa Haizlip—the cultural significance of this for-us, by-us TV show springs to life. Come for the riveting history, stay for the countless interviews and dazzling footage of past performances from Nikki Giovanni, Labelle, The Last Poets, Al Green, and many other legendaries. —Harris
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9. Just Mercy (2019)
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Bryan Stevenson is a well-known lawyer in the anti-racist activism community and the founder of the Equal Justice Initiative, which created the Legacy Museum and the National Memorial for Peace and Justice in Montgomery, Alabama. This movie is an adaptation of his book of the same name, which chronicles his work and journey as a lawyer fighting for Black death-row inmates in the South. His work is moving and deeply compelling. My favorite quote from him is, “Each of us is more than the worst thing we’ve ever done.” —Brooks
[Writer’s note: I may not be an anti-racism educator, but I am a Black woman and pop culture lover, and I second the recommendation for Just Mercy—and I’m not just saying that because dreamy Michael B. Jordan is the star. As you’ll see below, the legal drama tells the true story of American lawyer and social justice activist Bryan Stevenson. He moved to Alabama in 1987 as a recent Harvard Law School grad to challenge bias against poor people and people of color who were either wrongly convicted of crimes or couldn’t afford their own representation—injustices that are heartbreakingly just as relevant today.]
10. Black Is King (2020)
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While Beyoncé’s musical film is a visual companion for the live-action remake of The Lion King, it stands on its own as a beautiful tapestry of African culture. The theme of overcoming self-doubt, a common experience in the Black community resulting from centuries of racism, is woven throughout and paired with amazing songs and visuals. —Williams
11. The Hate U Give (2018)
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I loved this movie so much. First, I appreciate the fact that the main character, Starr Carter, is a Black teenager shown in a two-parent home with parents who are doing everything “right”—and have even taken the extra precaution of sending their children to a school outside of their lower-income neighborhood in an effort to protect them from the traumas that surround the community. But even their parents’ best efforts and the fact they have a “good cop” as a close relative can’t protect the Carter children from continual trauma. What I love about this story is the fact that it can help people to recognize the implicit biases they may hold—yes, even if they have Black friends. And it also shows that even if Black people are working hard to protect themselves and their children from community violence, it can still show up in an instant. It’s not Black people who need to be “fixed”—we have spent decades trying to be “good” and assimilate to white culture, and regardless of our efforts, we are still killed with no accountability by the non-Black people who murder us.” —Geeter
12. 13th (2016)
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It wouldn’t be right, as a documentary filmmaker, to not recommend a documentary; 13th is a masterclass in powerful storytelling done by none other than the queen herself, Ava DuVernay. This film tackles the history of racism within the criminal justice system in America, from the end of the Civil War all the way to the modern day. To anyone looking to learn more about the carceral system, mass incarceration, and the systemic racism tied into these systems, this is the documentary for you. —Piña
13. When They See Us (2019)
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For Black people, the story—of the unlawful arrest and prosecution of the five Black and Latino teenagers known as the Central Park Five—is hurtful but not surprising. Again, Black children are put into a situation outside of their control. Again, people who are supposed to protect them and work in their best interest ignore evidence proving their innocence and send them to jail, completely ruining their young lives. I believe this is a docuseries that should be watched by non-Black people of all races in an effort to help them understand this case—and the potentially hundreds of thousands of others like it—and why Black people continue to say, “Black Lives Matter.” —Geeter
14. King in the Wilderness (2018)
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This documentary chronicles the latter years of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life. I love the way it explores his triumphs as well as his challenges. If you want to see a non-romanticized version of Dr. King’s life, this is the film to watch. —Brooks
15. Sylvie’s Love (2020)
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When we talk about Black history and the Black experience, we have to leave room for art and expression that has a sense of levity to it. Often we see ourselves represented through discussions of trauma and racism, but to see a Black woman on screen, played by Tessa Thompson, so openly loved and successful was a revelation for me. To me, this film reads like the answer to Breakfast at Tiffany’s through the centering of Black women. It’s beautiful to watch, the costuming is exceptional, and the love story hooked me from the beginning. —Piña
16. In Our Mothers’ Gardens (2021)
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Black motherhood is complex, but this documentary carefully peels back its layers. It’s a beautiful tribute to Black mothers, while also being an honest picture of how America’s racist history has affected generations of women and their children. —Williams
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Source: SELF
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