88 Films Exploring African American History

Bingo Long, a talented baseball pitcher, grows disillusioned with his Negro League team's owner and decides to create his own team. He recruits powerful hitters Leon Carter and Charlie Snow, who aspires to play in the major leagues. Facing boycotts…

"Panther" is a gripping semi-historical film about the early years of the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense, from 1966 to 1968 in Oakland, California. The movie follows the rise of this important movement as it challenged racial injustice and fought…

This film explores the lives of Coretta Scott King and Betty Shabazz, the widows of Martin Luther King Jr. And Malcolm X, respectively. It depicts their experiences as single mothers navigating life after the assassinations of their husbands, and how…

Using archival footage and interviews, this short exploration of a often-overlooked era in cinema serves as an introduction rather than a comprehensive history. It includes interviews with prominent stars of the genre, including Fred Williamson, Pam Grier, and Richard Roundtree.…

In February 1962, a New York journalist travels to Bayonne, Louisiana, to interview Jane Pittman, a woman who is 110 years old. She recounts her life story, beginning with memories from before the end of slavery. Interspersed with her recollections…

Paul D., a kind man, reconnects with Sethe, who lives with her daughter Denver in Ohio. His visit plunges them into a strange situation when they take in a girl named Beloved. Beloved's arrival disrupts their peaceful home, creating an…

Cecil Gaines, son of a sharecropper, rises from humble beginnings in the 1920s to become a highly efficient and discreet hotel valet in the 1950s. His skills lead him to a position as butler in the White House, where he…

This drama follows the life of Winnie Mandela, from her youth through her marriage and during the period of her husband's imprisonment.

This documentary features previously unseen accounts surrounding the 1955 murder of Emmett Louis Till, who was brutally killed after whistling at a white woman.

After enduring countless miles and fierce battles, a unit of brave African-American cavalrymen arrives at a rough frontier town and is forced to walk instead of ride, facing disrespect. However, their Native American adversaries offer them honor, naming them "Buffalo…

Dido Elizabeth Bell, born out of wedlock to a Royal Navy admiral and of mixed race, becomes a key figure in the movement to end slavery in England.

This story centers on Walter Lee Younger, who struggles with the limitations of his financial situation while sharing a small apartment with his family. A sudden influx of money offers both a chance for a better life and new difficulties…

Set in Watts, Los Angeles, this film follows an African-American man working at a local slaughterhouse. He leads a life of quiet unhappiness, seemingly stuck in a repetitive routine. The film offers a close look at his unspoken struggles and…

This documentary film highlights the significant achievements of the Civil Rights leader. The footage details Dr. King's fight against poverty and his strong opposition to the Vietnam War. It also features his powerful "I Have a Dream" speech.

This television movie tells the story of the 1950s public bus boycott, a pivotal event in the Civil Rights Movement, and the role played by civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

A wagon master and a dishonest preacher guide a group of newly freed slaves across dangerous lands toward a better life in the American West. They must contend with harsh landscapes and ruthless agents who want to recapture the slaves…

Montgomery, Alabama, 1955. Amidst deep segregation, two women from different backgrounds face a critical turning point. The bus boycott led by Martin Luther King Jr. Stirs their communities, forcing them to confront their beliefs and consider how much they're willing…

"Amistad," a 1997 historical drama, recounts the challenging 1839 voyage of Mende captives aboard the Amistad, who were being transported to slavery in America. The narrative shifts dramatically when Cinque, one of the captives, leads a bold revolt against their…

In 1995, a diverse group of Black men journey across the country by bus to participate in the Million Man March in Washington, D.C. The passengers include a recently unemployed aircraft worker, a father whose son is struggling with legal…

This film explores the partnership between Alfred Blalock, a leading heart surgeon, and Vivien Thomas, a Black surgical technician. It depicts their collaboration and the development of groundbreaking techniques in pediatric heart surgery.

In post-World War II Los Angeles, Easy Rawlins, a Black war veteran struggling to survive in a segregated city, is approached by DeWitt Albright, a white man seeking help. Albright wants Easy to find Daphne Monet, a missing young white…

This film explores the interwoven lives of several Black women sharing a tenement in the city. It’s a story spanning generations, depicting their experiences and relationships within that close-knit community.

This is the true story of the U.S. Government's 1932 Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment. Black men with syphilis were deliberately left untreated, even after a cure was discovered, and allowed to die.

Set against the backdrop of the Civil War, a young boy is tasked by a group of bounty hunters with tracking down a man who is on the run.

During the turbulent 1960s, a respected African American man and his schoolteacher wife face the challenges of racial prejudice and social upheaval in the United States. Their love and dedication to each other become essential as they navigate a society…

In 1902, a Black family residing on a South Carolina sea island makes plans to relocate to the North.

During the 1920s, the ability of American workers to form unions was uncertain, and African Americans faced widespread denial of basic rights. The film's title, "10,000 Black Men Named George," refers to the common practice of white passengers calling Pullman…

Set in Kansas during the 1920s, the film follows a Black teenager's journey through a transformative year that thrusts him into adulthood. It explores family bonds and conflicts, anxieties, desires, and aspirations within a small-town American setting, offering a powerful…

This is a look at the life of the controversial Black activist and key figure in the fight for Black liberation. Facing a low point during his imprisonment in the 1950s, he embraced the Black Muslim faith and rose to…

Aibileen Clark, a middle-aged African-American woman who has dedicated her life to raising white children, is grieving the recent loss of her son. Minny Jackson, another African-American maid, frequently clashes with her employers despite her family's financial hardship and constant…

During the turbulent 1960s, two FBI agents investigate the murders of civil rights workers in a deeply segregated Southern town. The younger agent, new to the South, clashes with the community's traditions. His partner, a former local sheriff, must balance…

This film examines the life and musical journey of Miles Davis.

In 1947, Jackie Robinson breaks the color barrier to play in Major League Baseball, immediately confronting open hostility from fans, the media, and his fellow players.

This is the story of Katherine G. Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson – exceptional African-American women who worked at NASA and were essential to the success of the historic John Glenn orbital flight. These pioneering women broke barriers and…

In 1940s New York, a white widow with a love for theater meets a strong-willed black single mother who becomes her maid. The film follows their developing friendship as they navigate societal expectations and pursue their own goals, learning from…

Set in 1940s New York City, the film follows Charlie 'Bird' Parker, a gifted saxophonist who revolutionized jazz with his unique playing. His talent quickly draws attention to him within the city’s thriving jazz scene. But Parker battles a growing…

Freedom Song is a television film based on true events from the Civil Rights Movement in Mississippi during the 1960s. It follows the fight of African Americans to register to vote in the town of Quinlan. During the summer of…

"The Painter of Life" is a powerful drama about Celie, an African-American woman living in a deeply prejudiced South. The film follows her forty-year journey as she endures abuse from her father and a controlling marriage to "Mister" Albert Johnson.…

Fleeing slavery, a man journeys north and crosses paths with both Frederick Douglass and John Brown. This story is inspired by the life of Shields Green.

A freed slave teams up with a German bounty hunter to rescue his wife from a cruel plantation owner in Mississippi.

This 1978 film stars Morgan Freeman and is the condensed version of the original three-part mini-series released that year.

To infiltrate the CIA, a Black man pretends to be a loyal follower. He gains their trust and training, secretly using this access to plan a revolution against the United States.

In 1964, three Civil Rights workers were murdered by the Ku Klux Klan while in the South, working to help African-Americans register to vote. The film focuses on the final three weeks of these activists' lives.

Miracle at St. Anna tells the story of four American soldiers from the all-black 92nd "Buffalo Soldier" Division who are stationed in Tuscany, Italy, during World War II.

"All Power to the People" uses government documents, archival footage, and interviews with activists and former intelligence officials to explore the history of race relations and the Civil Rights Movement in the United States during the 1960s and 70s. The…

A burglar targeting a wealthy couple in Beverly Hills inadvertently sets in motion a series of events that force the troubled spouses to confront their marital issues. The break-in also unexpectedly unlocks a hidden truth for the burglar himself.

This film chronicles Nelson Mandela's life, starting with his childhood in a rural village and following him to his inauguration as South Africa's first democratically elected president.

In 1831, Nat Turner, an African American slave and preacher, ignited a violent slave revolt in Southampton County, Virginia. The uprising was a desperate struggle for freedom from oppression for enslaved African and American people of color. This one-hour documentary…

A proposed highway poses a threat to a Chicago neighborhood, prompting the residents to organize a block party as a form of protest.

During World War II, the U.S. Army Air Corps launched a pioneering program to train African American pilots. Known as the Tuskegee Airmen after their training base, these men battled constant prejudice and hardship as they fought for acceptance. The…

In 1967, a police raid in Detroit sparks one of the most significant civil unrests in U.S. History.

On a Louisiana military base, racial tensions and secrets simmer. When a respected Black Master Sergeant is found shot outside the base, Captain Davenport, a determined lawyer from Washington, is sent to investigate. He faces resistance from his superiors and…

This is the powerful and true story of the Twenty-Fourth United States Infantry Regiment, an all-Black unit, and the 1917 Houston Riot. The riot was a mutiny by 156 African American soldiers, sparked by the excessive violence and abuse inflicted…

This is the story of Harriet Tubman, who escaped slavery and became a pivotal figure in American history. Through remarkable courage, clever planning, and unwavering determination, she guided hundreds of enslaved people to freedom.

Set in 1960s Mississippi, a time of racial tension and deep prejudice, the film follows a district attorney as he pursues justice for civil rights leader Medgar Evers, who was murdered by a white supremacist. Working with Evers' widow, who…

A Marine veteran working as a school janitor attempts to reconnect with his son following a divorce. After his son is fatally shot by a police officer who is later acquitted, the veteran decides to seek justice independently.

Malik, a talented African-American athlete, earns a track scholarship to Columbus University, expecting his athletic ability to ease the academic challenges. His worldview shifts when he meets Fudge, a unique student who has spent six years at the university without…

In Oakland, California, young African-American Oscar Grant navigates relationships with family, friends, and rivals, as well as encounters with strangers, leading up to the fateful moments on a train platform at Fruitvale Station in the early hours of New Year's…

In the United States before the Civil War, Solomon Northup, a free Black man from New York, is kidnapped and forced into slavery. He endures cruelty and kindness while fighting to survive and maintain his self-respect. During his twelfth year…

This documentary follows the final two months of Martin Luther King Jr.'s life in 1968, a period that overlapped with a 65-day strike by 1300 sanitation workers in Memphis.

John possesses a secret ability: he can read. He teaches a young slave girl named Sarny to read and write, and in doing so, she discovers a profound understanding of language's power and what it truly means to be free.

Alice toils on a rural Georgia plantation, deeply desiring freedom. Following a violent confrontation with the plantation owner, Paul, she escapes into the woods and unexpectedly finds herself near a highway. She then discovers that the year is 1973.

The Younger family's hopes and dreams are challenged when their father dies, leaving them with a $10,000 life insurance settlement. Faced with difficult choices – like buying a new home or a liquor store – they navigate the hardships of…

Marcus, a former Black Panther who spent his youth in the turbulent 1960s, returns to Philadelphia in 1976. There, he reconnects with Pat, the widow of a Panther leader, and forms a bond with her young daughter as he tries…

During the American Civil War, Robert Gould Shaw commands the Union's first all-black volunteer unit. Leading these soldiers into battle, Shaw confronts both Confederate forces and prejudice from within his own army. The film explores courage, determination, and equality during…

In 1831, Nat Turner led a slave rebellion in the United States, resulting in the deaths of local slave owners and their families, the execution of 55 rebels, and the lynching of over 200 enslaved people. *Nat Turner: A Troublesome…

Gospel Hill is the story of two men in the South Carolina town of Julia, whose lives become connected. John Malcolm, played by Danny Glover, is the son of a civil rights activist who was murdered. Jack Herrod (Tom Bower)…

This film honors Dr. Maya Angelou by combining her powerful words with rare archival photos and videos, revealing personal glimpses of her vibrant life during pivotal moments in American civil rights history. The film follows her journey from the Depression-era…

Based on true events, the film is set in Rwanda during the 1990s, a time when over a million Tutsis were murdered in a genocide largely ignored internationally. Hotel owner Paul Rusesabagina uses his hotel to shelter over a thousand…

In 1831, Nat Turner, an enslaved man in Virginia, sparks a rebellion aimed at freeing African Americans. The uprising triggers a brutal backlash from white society.

A Harlem nightclub performer travels to Trinidad to headline a revue at the Paradise Hotel. There, she quickly becomes the focus of multiple men's attention.

During the civil rights movement in Montgomery, Alabama, Bob Zellner, the grandson of a Klansman, faces a critical decision about his place in history. He rejects his family's legacy and the prevailing white Southern way of life to actively oppose…

This documentary explores the life of Bayard Rustin, widely known for organizing the 1963 March on Washington.

Following World War II, two families in the South struggle against a rigid social order and a harsh environment, mirroring their fight for survival during the war.

"Freedom's Requiem" tells the powerful true story of an unexpected friendship that develops during the difficult apartheid era in South Africa during the 1970s. The film offers a direct look at the life-changing connection between Donald Woods, a white journalist…

This is the true story of a gifted, politically outspoken debate coach who empowers a team of underestimated African-American college students. Under his guidance, they rise to become a formidable force, challenging the intellectual dominance of their Harvard counterparts.

Laurence Fishburne delivers a Tony-nominated performance as Thurgood Marshall in this play. He portrays the influential Civil Rights lawyer who later became a Supreme Court Justice.

A seamstress reflects on the events that led to her participation in the 1955 Montgomery, Alabama bus boycott. The boycott was a demonstration of peaceful resistance sparked by her act of defiance.

"Selma" is the story of a pivotal march in Alabama, a region deeply marked by racial segregation. The march, which ended in violence, prompted President Lyndon B. Johnson to deliver a powerful speech. This event ultimately paved the way for…

FBI Agent Mitchell and J. Edgar Hoover task Bill O'Neal with infiltrating the Black Panthers. As Fred Hampton rises to prominence and develops a relationship with a fellow revolutionary, O'Neal struggles with his loyalty.

This is the story of the Tuskegee Airmen, the pioneering African-American pilots who served in a combat squadron during World War II.

Set in 1950s Pittsburgh, the film follows a Black father grappling with the challenges of poverty and racism while striving to provide for his family. He also battles personal struggles as he navigates life.

After completing his medical training, young Scottish doctor Nicholas Garrigan seeks adventure in Uganda. He arrives as President Obote's regime collapses, and soon finds himself offered a position as personal physician to the newly appointed General Idi Amin.

Set in 1965, shortly after the Civil Rights Act, this drama tells the story of African-American residents in Bogalusa who continue to face discrimination despite the law. The white power structure and the local KKK consistently deny them basic human…

In 1863, Newt Knight, a Mississippi farmer, works as a medic for the Confederate Army. He opposes slavery and prefers tending to the wounded over fighting the Union. After his nephew dies in battle, Newt returns to his family in…

During the Great Depression, this moving drama follows a young Black man growing up with his family in rural South. A close-knit family of sharecroppers faces hardship when their father is wrongly imprisoned for stealing food to feed them. As…

During a photoshoot in Ghana, an American model is unexpectedly transported to the past. She finds herself enslaved on a plantation, forced to endure the suffering of her ancestors firsthand.