33 Essential Documentaries on Black History

As young leaders spark the revolution in the city, the residents of Fontainhas desperately search for Ventura, who has disappeared in the woods.

Director Raoul Peck uses James Baldwin's unfinished final novel as a starting point for a film exploring the experience of being Black in America.

Kasper Collin's documentary blends jazz history with a true-crime narrative, using extensive archival footage and new interviews to recount the tragic story of trumpeter Lee Morgan and his common-law wife Helen. In 1972, Helen murdered him in a New York…

On November 26, 2008, Mumbai, India is targeted by terrorists. Attacks erupt throughout the city, including a siege of the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel. Hotel staff and guests fight for survival, making desperate choices to protect themselves and others until…

In the early 1970s, a summer camp for teenagers with disabilities near Woodstock became a catalyst for change. There, a revolution unfolded, profoundly impacting the lives of the young people and sparking a significant social movement.

This film chronicles a history of oppression, discrimination, violence, and hate in America. It received a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Documentary Short.

A comedian and actor tells the story of the underground Hip Hop scene. A man from a small town in Ohio relocates to Brooklyn, New York, to organize a unique block party.

In 1931 Alabama, nine young Black men known as the "Scottsboro Boys" were arrested, tried, and swiftly convicted of raping two white women. Despite substantial evidence suggesting the women had falsely accused the men, and one later admitting no rape…

Mexico, 2016. In some of the world's most dangerous cities, life is precarious. By examining the experiences of those caught in violence – both victims and perpetrators – the film explores how fear has become ingrained in society. Through interconnected…

Forgotten Four: The Integration of Pro Football is an EPIX documentary about four exceptional African American athletes – Kenny Washington, Woody Strode, Marion Motley, and Bill Willis – who broke the color barrier in professional football in 1946, a year…

Uncle Tom presents a series of personal conversations with prominent Black conservative voices, offering a fresh perspective on the Black American experience.

This stylish documentary celebrates the influential British Jamaican record label, offering a broad look at the youth culture it helped shape.

The 2007 Mardi Gras celebrations in Mobile, Alabama, are vibrant yet fraught with underlying tensions. The film follows a group of people as they navigate parades and festivities, revealing a deeper reality hidden beneath the spectacle. It explores the complexities…

This film follows the quirky and visually captivating world of competitive dog grooming, where talented women transform poodles into elaborate works of art.

Albert Ayler, a jazz saxophonist now considered a pivotal figure in the genre's evolution, relentlessly pursued his groundbreaking music, driven by a belief that its true meaning would eventually be understood. In 1962, he recorded his debut album in Sweden.…

The film follows the efforts of a Lutheran minister in Omaha, Nebraska, as he tries to convince his white congregation to connect with African American Lutherans living in the city's northern neighborhoods.

In 1965, while filming a documentary in Mississippi, Frank De Felitta profoundly impacted the life of an African-American waiter and his family. Years later, in 2011, Frank’s son travels to the Delta to explore the lasting consequences of that pivotal…

This is the story of Jack Johnson, the first African American to become the world heavyweight boxing champion.

This documentary examines the Black Lives Matter movement.

This 2001 recording captures Antoine "Fats" Domino delivering a set of his classic hits at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. While his performance wasn't frantic, Domino, in his seventies, performs favorites like "I'm Walkin'," "Blueberry Hill," and "Walking…

SATAN & ADAM is a documentary that follows the decades-long friendship between a seasoned blues guitarist with a fiery reputation and a talented young harmonica player. The film celebrates their bond and the music they create, captured through footage filmed…

THE GIRLS IN THE BAND reveals the moving, little-known histories of women who played jazz and big band instruments, charting their remarkable and pioneering careers from the late 1930s to today.

Spike Lee's film examines the 1963 bombing of a black church in Birmingham, Alabama, during Sunday school, which killed four young girls. Using detailed research and recreations, Lee reveals the complex political tensions, hateful actions, and societal inequalities that led…

This film follows Nina Simone's life, from her early talent as a child pianist to becoming a celebrated musician and a powerful voice for social change. It's presented through her own recollections.

Following Israel's swift victory in the 1967 Six-Day War – which resulted in the capture of Jerusalem, Gaza, Sinai, and the West Bank – a conflict often viewed as a triumph of Jewish pride, a group of young kibbutzniks, led…

This documentary offers an unprecedented look into Marlon Brando's life and career. Using exclusive access to his personal archive – including hundreds of hours of audio recordings – the film charts his remarkable journey as an actor and explores his…

The film explores the Black Panther movement, providing an intimate view of its beginnings and influence on America. It avoids typical stories of tragedy and violence, instead offering a realistic portrayal of the people who created this revolutionary culture during…

This film examines three American cities that were central to the forced displacement of Black families following Reconstruction. It explores the history of communities that used violence to compel African Americans to leave their homes.

This film explores the development of the Black Power Movement in America between 1967 and 1975. Using footage captured by Swedish journalists, it documents the movement's key figures: Angela Davis, Bobby Seale, Huey P. Newton, Eldridge Cleaver, and other prominent…

This documentary follows Glen Campbell during his farewell tour as he battles Alzheimer's disease.

Jamie Foxx presents the inspiring true story of Conrad O. Johnson, a high school band leader who turned his struggling jazz band into a nationally renowned funk sensation.

With a new era starting in the nation, THE BLACK LIST presents a fresh and unique look at the experiences of successful people of color. This series offers insightful and thought-provoking perspectives on African-American life in the 21st century, featuring…

This is the story of Zion Clark, a young man who became a wrestler. Zion was born without legs and spent his childhood in foster care.