The Ultimate Black History Movie List
- John Lewis: Good Trouble (2020) – Chronicles the life of the late congressman and civil rights leader.
- Malcolm X (1992) – A powerful portrayal of the revolutionary leader’s life.
- The Black Godfather (2019) – The incredible story of Clarence Avant, a major influencer in Black music, politics, and culture.
- 42 (2013) – The inspiring story of Jackie Robinson breaking baseball’s color barrier.
- The Great Debaters (2007) – A film about a group of Black college students challenging racial norms through debate.
- Judas and the Black Messiah (2021) – The story of Fred Hampton and the betrayal that led to his assassination.
- Marshall (2017) – Chronicles Thurgood Marshall’s early career as a young lawyer.
- Hidden Figures (2016) – The untold story of Black women mathematicians at NASA.
- Red Tails (2012) – Highlights the heroic Tuskegee Airmen during WWII.
- Black Barbie (2023) – A deep dive into the impact of representation through dolls.
- Becoming (2020) – A documentary following Michelle Obama’s journey.
- Self Made (2020) – The story of Madam C.J. Walker, America’s first Black female millionaire.
- High on the Hog (2021) – Explores how African American cuisine shaped America.
- Barry (2016) – A look into Barack Obama’s college years.
- A Ballerina’s Tale (2015) – The story of Misty Copeland, the first Black principal dancer at the American Ballet Theatre.
- Amazing Grace (2018) – Rare footage of Aretha Franklin recording her iconic gospel album.
- One Night in Miami (2020) – Imagines a meeting between Malcolm X, Muhammad Ali, Sam Cooke, and Jim Brown.
- Get Up (2014) – Chronicles James Brown’s rise to fame.
- The Banker (2020) – A story about two Black entrepreneurs fighting racism in banking.
- Southside with You (2016) – A romantic retelling of Barack and Michelle Obama’s first date.
- Black Panther (2018) – A groundbreaking film celebrating Black superheroes and Afrofuturism.
- Race (2016) – The story of Olympic legend Jesse Owens.
- Ailey (2021) – A documentary about the life of choreographer Alvin Ailey.
- The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks (2017) – Tells the story of the woman behind the HeLa cells.
- Men of Honor (2000) – The inspiring true story of the first Black U.S. Navy diver.
- The Butler (2013) – Chronicles a White House butler’s decades-long service.
- Queen of Katwe (2016) – The story of a young Ugandan chess prodigy.
- Coming to America (1988) – A classic comedy celebrating African royalty and culture.
- Concrete Cowboy (2020) – Explores Black cowboy culture in Philadelphia.
- Bessie (2015) – A biopic about blues legend Bessie Smith.
- What Happened, Miss Simone? (2015) – Chronicles the life of Nina Simone.
- Ray (2004) – A powerful portrayal of Ray Charles’s life.
- King Richard (2021) – The inspiring story of Serena and Venus Williams’ father.
- Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (2020) – A film about the legendary blues singer Ma Rainey.
- Black Boys (2020) – Examines the duality of Black male identity in America.
- Rustin (2023) – The untold story of Bayard Rustin, an LGBTQ+ activist and leader of the March on Washington.
- The Burial (2023) – A legal drama based on a true story of racial injustice.
- Shirley (2024) – Chronicles the life of Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman to run for U.S. president.
- Roxanne Roxanne (2017) – The story of hip-hop pioneer Roxanne Shanté.
Black history is rich, powerful, and filled with stories of resilience, excellence, and culture that have shaped the world. One of the best ways to celebrate, reflect, and educate ourselves—and future generations—is through film. From historical biopics to inspiring true stories and cultural classics, these 40 must-see movies highlight the Black experience in all its depth. Whether you’re watching solo, with friends, or making it a fun and educational family movie night, these films are essential viewing.
Why These Films Matter
Movies have the power to teach, inspire, and spark important conversations. They bring history to life, introduce us to legends whose stories must never be forgotten, and remind us of the ongoing struggles and triumphs of Black people across generations. Whether it’s a film about civil rights leaders, Black pioneers in sports, music, or science, or even fictional stories that uplift and empower, these movies belong on everyone’s must-watch list.
Make It a Movie Night!
Grab some popcorn, invite your loved ones, and turn movie-watching into a moment of reflection and discussion. Encourage kids to ask questions, take note of historical moments, and share what lessons they learn. Every film here offers something valuable, whether it’s the importance of perseverance, the beauty of Black culture, or the power of standing up for what’s right.
Click below to hear the list as well
How Many Have You Watched?
This list is just the beginning! Whether you’re diving into history, celebrating Black culture, or looking for films that inspire, these movies are essential viewing. Have discussions, reflect on the lessons, and most importantly—keep Black stories alive.
What are your favorites from the list? What lessons did you take away? Drop your thoughts in the comments! 🎬✊🏾
Disclaimer: Support our team so we can find more gems that you never got to see the first time: https://blkcosmo.com/category/news/ For education and discussion purposes. Please note no copyright infringement is intended. Content was recorded on BlkCosmo’s own equipment, and we do not own nor claim to own any of the original recordings used in this video. This falls under ‘fair use.’
