68 Essential Black History Films

Coach Jim Ellis challenges his community and transforms lives by establishing Philadelphia's first black swim team with the help of a local janitor. They face significant obstacles, including strict regulations, racial prejudice, and other challenges.

"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…

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…

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…

During the 1960s, two entrepreneurs develop a clever business strategy to promote housing integration and equal opportunity for all Americans.

Behind the Movement is a dynamic and brisk account of the events leading up to Rosa Parks' courageous decision to refuse her seat on a bus, which sparked the pivotal Montgomery Bus Boycott and changed the course of history.

This is the story of the Agojie, an all-female warrior unit who defended the Kingdom of Dahomey in 1800s Africa with unparalleled skill and ferocity. General Nanisca trains a new generation of recruits, preparing them for war against a relentless…

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

Growing up poor, George Foreman used his anger to become an Olympic gold medalist and World Heavyweight Champion. After a near-fatal event, he left boxing for a career in ministry. However, seeing hardship in his community, Foreman returns to the…

This is the story of Huddie Leadbetter, known as Leadbelly, charting his life from his twenties to his forties. A significant portion of that time was spent working on chain gangs in the South. Even while incarcerated, he gained recognition…

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…

The true story of Wendell Scott is brought to life, following his relentless drive for success in a racially divided era of NASCAR. As the first Black driver to win a major NASCAR race, Scott's journey was marked by constant…

Cicely Tyson starred as a Chicago schoolteacher who achieved remarkable success with students deemed "unteachable." A 1979 "60 Minutes" report highlighted her journey from disillusionment with traditional schooling to creating a transformative learning environment outside the system, where she nurtured…

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…

This is the true story of Wilma Rudolph, an American athlete who battled childhood polio and overcame severe physical disabilities to achieve extraordinary success. The film follows her journey to becoming a track star and winning three gold medals at…

This is the true story of the first African-American crew to serve aboard a U.S. Navy warship in combat during World War II.

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…

In World War II, the U.S. Army assigns its only all-Black, all-female battalion a daunting task: process a three-year backlog of 17 million undelivered letters to American soldiers – all within six months.

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.

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…

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…

This film tells the story of Jesse Owens, an athlete striving to become the best in track and field. His pursuit of greatness leads him to the 1936 Olympics, where he competes against Adolf Hitler's belief in the superiority of…

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…

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.…

This drama tells the story of Earl "The Goat" Manigault (Don Cheadle), a gifted basketball player from Harlem who overcame many obstacles in his life. The film realistically combines true events to show his battles with addiction and time in…

This film tells the true story of Medgar Evers, a successful insurance agent who relocates to Jackson, Mississippi to head the NAACP's regional office. He becomes a prominent leader within the Black community, working to combat segregation and challenge racist…

This is the story of Bill Robinson, the celebrated African American tap dancer who captivated audiences on stage and in films, and became universally known as Mr. Bojangles.

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.

This is the story of Scott Joplin and his rise to become the most celebrated ragtime composer in history.

In 1965 Alabama, an 11-year-old girl is deeply moved by a speech delivered by Martin Luther King, Jr., and develops a strong belief in his message. However, her commitment is challenged when she participates in the historic march from Selma…

The film explores the unexpected connection between Ann Atwater, a passionate civil rights advocate, and C.P. Ellis, a Ku Klux Klan leader who reluctantly agrees to co-chair a community meeting. Their paths cross as they navigate the contentious issue of…

Nelson Mandela became South Africa's first Black President after leading a negotiation that brought about a peaceful end to apartheid. He was later awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his role in this transition.

In 1962, Tony Lip, a tough bouncer, takes a job driving pianist Don Shirley on a tour of the Deep South. At the time, African Americans depended on a guidebook called the Negro Motorist Green Book to find safe places…

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…

Following her historic election as the first Black woman in the U.S. Congress, Shirley Chisholm launches a groundbreaking campaign for the 1972 Democratic presidential nomination.

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

Following his victory over Sonny Liston in 1964, Muhammad Ali meets with Malcolm X, Sam Cooke, and Jim Brown. Together, they aim to influence the future of the Civil Rights movement in the segregated South.

Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story chronicles the life of renowned neurosurgeon Ben Carson, from 1961 to 1987.

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.

"Hurricane" is the inspiring true story of Rubin Carter, a successful middleweight boxer whose life changed dramatically when he was wrongly accused of murder in Paterson, New Jersey. Framed for a crime he didn't commit and given a triple life…

This film offers a look at the life of a renowned boxing promoter and manager.

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…

This is the story of Mahalia Jackson, a gifted singer who rose to become a pivotal figure in American gospel music and the Civil Rights Movement. From a young age, she shared her voice, and her music deeply intertwined with…

This drama follows an aging Black writer reflecting on the Harlem Renaissance. He forms an unexpected connection with a gay teenager he encounters at a New York City homeless shelter.

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…

The film chronicles Jackson's accomplished career and her distinctive bond with Martin Luther King Jr., highlighting her often-overlooked role and unwavering commitment to the Civil Rights Movement.

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…

Brother Minister investigates the circumstances of Malcolm X's assassination at the Audubon Ballroom in New York City on February 21, 1965. The film examines the potential involvement of two individuals...

Twenty-five years ago, the acquittal of four LAPD officers in the beating of Rodney King ignited three days of rioting that resulted in 53 deaths. Around the anniversary, a one-man show about King, produced by Spike Lee and starring Roger…

Six-year-old Ruby Bridges becomes the first African-American student to integrate a local elementary school, and experiences the harsh reality of racism for the first time.

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…

This story follows Tom, an elderly Black man reflecting on his life and the relationships he's had with others. It explores his experiences and interactions with the people around him.

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.

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.

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.

This is the true story of Mamie Till Mobley's unwavering fight for justice after her 14-year-old son, Emmett Till, was brutally lynched in Mississippi in 1955 while visiting his cousins.

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.

This is the powerful true story of Bryan Stevenson, a Harvard-educated lawyer who travels to Alabama to help those who have been failed by the justice system. He takes on cases involving the wrongly accused, most notably Walter McMillian, who…

"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…

"The North Star" follows Benjamin "Big Ben" Jones and Moses Hopkins, two slaves who escaped a Virginia plantation and sought freedom in Buckingham, Pennsylvania, in 1849. Big Ben's imposing size and a large reward for his capture make him a…

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.

This is the true story of Patrice Lumumba, the leader of the independent Congo, whose rise to power was followed by his brutal assassination. Director Raoul Peck, born in Haiti and raised in the Congo, uses newly discovered historical evidence…