31 Must-Watch Black Films for Black History Month
1. Black Panther (2018)
This isn’t just a superhero movie; it’s a cultural phenomenon. “Black Panther” celebrates African culture and showcases a predominantly Black cast, making it a must-watch.
2. 12 Years a Slave (2013)
Based on a true story, this film tells the harrowing tale of Solomon Northup, a free man sold into slavery. It’s powerful, emotional, and essential viewing.
3. Moonlight (2016)
An Oscar-winning film that explores the life of a young Black man grappling with his identity and sexuality while growing up in a tough Miami neighborhood.
4. Selma (2014)
This historical drama highlights Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s campaign to secure equal voting rights via an epic march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, in 1965.
5. Get Out (2017)
A horror film with a social twist, “Get Out” dives into the unsettling world of race relations with a gripping story and sharp commentary.
6. Hidden Figures (2016)
Meet the incredible African-American women mathematicians who played vital roles at NASA during the early years of the U.S. space program.
7. Malcolm X (1992)
Directed by Spike Lee, this biographical drama explores the life of the controversial and influential Black nationalist leader Malcolm X.
8. The Color Purple (1985)
A touching story of resilience, sisterhood, and personal growth set in the early 20th century American South.
9. Do the Right Thing (1989)
Spike Lee’s provocative film about racial tension in a Brooklyn neighborhood on the hottest day of the summer still resonates today.
10. Fences (2016)
Adapted from August Wilson’s play, this film is a powerful look at family dynamics and racial struggles in 1950s Pittsburgh.
11. If Beale Street Could Talk (2018)
A beautiful and heartbreaking love story set against the backdrop of racial injustice in 1970s Harlem.
12. BlackKklansman (2018)
Based on a true story, this film follows an African-American detective who infiltrates the Ku Klux Klan with the help of a Jewish colleague.
13. Boyz n the Hood (1991)
John Singleton’s directorial debut is a raw and powerful look at life in South Central Los Angeles.
14. The Hate U Give (2018)
A timely and impactful film about a young girl who witnesses the police shooting of her best friend and the aftermath that follows.
15. Loving (2016)
The true story of Richard and Mildred Loving, whose interracial marriage led to a landmark Supreme Court decision.
16. Fruitvale Station (2013)
This film recounts the tragic last day of Oscar Grant, a young Black man who was killed by a police officer in Oakland, California.
17. Straight Outta Compton (2015)
This biopic chronicles the rise of the groundbreaking rap group N.W.A and their impact on hip-hop and culture.
18. Mudbound (2017)
A gripping depiction of two families, one Black and one white, struggling to co-exist in the post-World War II South.
19. The Butler (2013)
Inspired by true events, this film follows an African-American butler who serves eight presidents during his tenure at the White House.
20. I Am Not Your Negro (2016)
Based on James Baldwin’s unfinished manuscript, this documentary explores the history of racism in America through Baldwin’s eyes.
21. One Night in Miami (2020)
A fictional account of one incredible night where icons Muhammad Ali, Malcolm X, Sam Cooke, and Jim Brown gathered discussing their roles in the civil rights movement and cultural upheaval of the 60s.
22. The Last Black Man in San Francisco (2019)
A poignant film about a man trying to reclaim his childhood home in a gentrified neighborhood of San Francisco.
23. Just Mercy (2019)
Based on a true story, this legal drama follows Bryan Stevenson, a defense attorney fighting to free a wrongly convicted death row inmate.
24. Queen & Slim (2019)
A couple’s first date takes an unexpected turn when a police stop ends in tragedy, leading them on the run across the country.
25. Da 5 Bloods (2020)
Spike Lee’s film about four African-American veterans returning to Vietnam decades after the war to find their squad leader’s remains and a buried treasure.
26. Harriet (2019)
The extraordinary tale of Harriet Tubman’s escape from slavery and her transformation into one of America’s greatest heroes.
27. Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (2020)
Set in 1927 Chicago, this film captures a tense recording session with the trailblazing blues singer Ma Rainey and her band.
28. Clemency (2019)
A prison warden grapples with the psychological toll of carrying out death row executions in this intense drama.
29. Waves (2019)
A visually stunning film that follows a suburban African-American family as they navigate love, loss, and forgiveness.
30. Judas and the Black Messiah (2021)
Based on true events, this gripping film tells the story of Fred Hampton, chairman of the Illinois chapter of the Black Panther Party, and the FBI informant who betrayed him.
31. Soul (2020)
A heartfelt animated film about a middle school music teacher who gets the chance of a lifetime to perform jazz but finds himself embarking on a journey to understand the meaning of life.
