The month of February gives us a lot of important things, with the entirety of Black History Month being at the top of the list. This important time shines a light on a beautiful culture full of art, music, and diverse figures that have pioneered some of Black history's most incredible moments. While there are endless ways to honor Black History Month and celebrate the many facets of Black culture, film is a fantastic place to start.

The sky is the limit when it comes to recognizing the importance of Black history. From witnessing brilliant minds make waves at NASA to following the journey of individuals who have paved new roads for the Black and LGBTQ+ communities, there are thousands of movies perfect for the occasion. The best part is that these films offer something for every age group, so it’s easy for everyone to get involved! Here’s our list of some great movies that honor Black History Month.

Update February 20, 2024: by Samuel Cormier: If you are looking for more movies to enjoy for Black History Month, you will be happy to learn that this article has been updated with more titles and where you can stream each entry.

15 Fences (2016)

Fences is a periodical tale that takes place in 1950s Pittsburgh. Protagonist Troy (Denzel Washington) works as a garbage collector but used to be an incredible baseball player who faced prejudice in the form of 'color barriers' in the NBL. As he struggles to deal with racism and give his family the life they deserve, he attempts to stop his son Cory from becoming an athlete, fearing that he'll face the same barriers in his career. He also has to deal with his younger brother, Gabriel, a WWII veteran who has a brain injury. On top of this, Lyons, Troy's son from a previous relationship, is a criminal and constantly asks him for money.

What Makes It Great

Fences weaves a narrative of love, loss, and trying to make the right decisions in a world that is constantly against them. While Troy is often shown as strict and sometimes abusive, the viewer cannot help but trust that he is doing his best. He is dealing with the post-liberation, pre-civil rights movement in America, attempting to navigate racial discrimination in sports, work, veteran care, and even medical care later on in the film. Fences was praised for masterfully dealing with the variety of issues faced by Black people at that time, as well as outstanding acting performances from Washington and Viola Davis. Fences is currently streaming on Paramount+ and Showtime.

14 The Color Purple (1985)

Based on Alice Walker's 1982 novel of the same name, The Color Purple follows Celie (Whoopi Goldberg), a young woman who faces abuse at the hands of her father and her forced husband throughout her life. As time passes, she bonds with the women in her circle -- the assertive Sofia (Oprah Winfrey), free-spirited blue singer Shug Avery, and eventually her estranged sister Nettie, ultimately finding the courage to speak out against her abusers and take her life back.

What Makes It Great

Capturing the difficulty of sexism and abuse with tact and grace, The Color Purple has rightfully earned the widespread critical acclaim it's received over the years. It also explores the difficulty of being Black in the rural South soon after the Civil War: the law freed them, but white people did not. Goldberg delivers the performance of a lifetime, seamlessly showing Celie's slow personal liberation throughout her life. the cinematography is wonderful and brings some literal light to Celie's bleak life. In 2023, a more light-hearted musical remake came out starring Fantasia Barrino as Celie that showed the ti. The Color Purple is currently streaming on Max.

13 The Princess and the Frog (2009)

In The Princess and the Frog, heroine Tiana has a natural gift for cooking, and she aspires to fulfill her father's dream of opening a restaurant right on the water. In the meantime, she works double shifts as a waitress to save money (quite atypical for a Disney princess). After a voodoo witch doctor turns her and a spoiled prince, Naveen, into frogs, the duo must band together to set things right and, along the way, discover that dreams really can come true.

What Makes It Great

Interestingly enough, The Princess and the Frog is the first Disney film to feature the "prince turned into a frog" trope, which is always entertaining to kids. Featuring great music, fantastic humor and a lot of heart, it is also an enjoyable watch (and rewatch) for adults as well. Disney did an incredible job with their first black princess, featuring a unique setup that highlights the richness of Black culture in 1920s New Orleans, full of Cajun food, jazz music, and voodoo magic. This can be a great way to introduce the concept of Black History Month to children. The Princess and the Frog is currently streaming on Disney+.

12 Hidden Figures (2016)

Hidden Figures is a historical drama following Katherine Goble Johnson (Taraji P. Henson), Dorothy Vaughan (Octavia Spencer), and Mary Jackson (Janelle Monáe), three brilliant mathematicians who face workplace discrimination for their gender and race. Despite numerous attempts to stifle them, the three women go on to become indispensable members of NASA during the space race, ultimately gaining well-deserved respect in the industry.

What Makes It Great

Some of NASA's most innovative mathematicians were women of color, and Hidden Figures brings recognition to their groundbreaking work, which is most often overlooked. While dealing with important issues of racism intersecting with sexism, the film does so in a surprisingly heartwarming way, highlighting the women's different personalities and shared resilience. The three main actresses do their characters justice, showing incredible chemistry on screen. Any viewer will come out of watching this movie having learned something new. Hidden Figures is currently streaming on Disney+.

Related: Here's 5 Great Films That Fight For Civil Rights

11 Tangerine (2015)

Tangerine accompanies Sin-Dee Rella (Kitana Kiki Rodriguez) and Alexandra (Mya Taylor), two transgender sex workers. As they try to overcome prejudice, they navigate the world of prostitution, cheating boyfriends, abusive pimps, and even looking for artistic success. Their clients often have various ethnic backgrounds and keep the nature of their attraction a hidden fantasy, adding another layer of difficulty that the women have to deal with.

What Makes It Great

Aptly blending comedy and drama, Tangerine puts the spotlight on Black and transgender characters. It's definitely a film for adults, but it's as hilarious as it is eye-opening and honest. In an unfortunately unusual fashion for such films, both of the main actresses are actually transgender, hence being the most authentic pick for the characters that they play. If Stonewall rioter and sex worker Marsha P. Johnson is the most famous Black transgender woman in history, one must not forget that her legacy still lives on today, and that a majority of Black transgender women still face traumatizing hardships. Tangerine sheds a benevolent light on such situations though, preferring the route of humor as a coping mechanism. Tangerine is currently streaming on Paramount+, Kanopy, and Showtime.

10 Moonlight (2016)

The beautiful coming-of-age movie Moonlight shares the emotional story of Chiron, a young boy who faces countless obstacles in life. Receiving no love from his crack-addicted mother, Chiron struggles to open up about his sexuality in the face of torment by a relentless bully. Over time, he creates an unbreakable bond with his friend Kevin, and the two find peace and support in each other as they grow -- with some falling down.

What Makes It Great

Moonlight manages to hit all the marks, being one of the most well-received LGBTQ+ movies, coming-of-age movies, and Black movies ever. All three actors playing Chiron at different times of his life (Alex R. Hibbert, Ashton Sanders, and Trevante Rhodes) seamlessly suspend disbelief that they indeed represent one man, and all manage to convey Chiron's complex feelings behind his mute facade. This film also has one of the most researched cinematography on this list, making incredible use of colored lights and low lighting. Moonlight is a modern take on Blackness, intersecting it with homosexuality without forgetting common tropes of broken families, drug dealing and use, and men having difficulty expressing feelings. The movie won the Academy Award for Best Picture at the Academy Awards. Moonlight is currently streaming on Max and Kanopy.

9 42 (2013)

For baseball fans, 42 is an amazing retelling of the life of NBL legend Jackie Robinson, the first Black player to join the Major League. Robinson was a hot-tempered man, which was both a blessing and a curse during his career. In parallel to crossing the color line, Robinson was a family man, and the film follows him getting married and having children. The number 42 is a reference to Robinson's jersey number, which was retired in his honor in 1997.

What Makes It Great

42 is an uplifting and epic tale of athletic success by a Black man. The late Chadwick Boseman gives a performance for the ages, and his love and dedication to the role shows through in the final product. Through him, audiences get to enjoy the unrelenting spirit and unbridled talent of Robinson, who made waves and saw countless wins in his career. This film is unmissable for fans of sports movies and is such an important piece in drawing the full picture of Black history. 42 is currently streaming on Max.

Related: The Importance of Black Joy in Film, Explained

8 One Night in Miami... (2020)

One Night in Miami... is a fictionalized recall of a 1964 meeting between Malcolm X (Kingsley Ben-Adir), Muhammad Ali (Eli Goree), Jim Brown (Aldis Hodge), and Sam Cooke (Leslie Odom Jr.) in a room at the Hampton House. While the reason for the four men meeting is Ali's surprise title win over Sonny Liston, the conversation evolves into debating whether Black athletes and artists entertaining white audiences is a positive outcome, among other things.

What Makes It Great

Despite approaching a two-hour runtime, One Night in Miami... does an incredible job of managing pacing and tension to keep viewers hooked. While the central conversation is highly fictional, it does an effective job at succinctly presenting those important men's views on life as well as personal struggles. The real-life Brown even praised the film for its portrayal of himself. One Night in Miami... is the first film by a female Black-American director (Regina King, in her feature directorial debut) to make it to the Venice Film Festival. One Night in Miami... is currently streaming on Prime.

7 Judas and the Black Messiah (2021)

Read Our Review

Judas and the Black Messiah by Shaka King takes place in 1960s Chicago and is about the betrayal of Fred Hampton (Daniel Kaluuya), a high-ranking Black Panther Party member, by William O'Neal (LaKeith Stanfield), a BPP member and FBI informant. This treachery eventually resulted in the death of Hampton, during a massive attack by the FBI against the Party. The film also dives into Hampton's work within the bPP, including the creation of the multiracial Rainbow Coalition; as well as his personal relationships.

What Makes It Great

Judas and the Black Messiah, as its mere title can suggest, is a particularly gripping story of fighting and betrayal. Hampton's demise is awaited throughout the film by an audience knowing the traitor, managing suspense in a very successful way. The film's event, although they took place almost sixty years ago, also remain surprisingly relevant, and the writing does a great job at drawing parallels. Hampton's son, Fred Hampton Jr., who heads the Black Panther Party Cubs with his mother, gave his blessing for the film. Judas and the Black Messiah is currently streaming on Hulu and Max.

6 BlackKklansman (2018)

Directed by Spike Lee, BlackKklansman is set in the 1970s in Colorado Springs and follows Ron Stallworth (John David Washington), the first African-American detective in the city's police department as he sets out to infiltrate and expose the local Ku Klux Klan chapter with the help of white officer Detective Philip "Flip" Zimmerman (Adam Driver). The movie features Topher Grace as David Duke, the then-grand wizard of the Ku Klux Klan.

What Makes It Great

BlackKklansman is a powerful, gripping tale that wisely makes sure to highlight how hate crimes and racist bigotry are still sadly prominent today as the film's final montage shows footage from the Unite the Right rally in 2017 and footage of then President Donald Trump and a speech by David Duke. The film was theatrically released in the United States on August 10, 2018, a day before the first anniversary of the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia and spoke to a nation that was grappling with the reality that despite the belief that racism was a thing of the past, it was still going strong in modern day. The movie was widely praised and was nominated for six Academy Awards, winning Spike Lee his first Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay. BlackKklansman is a must-watch. BlackKklansman is available to stream on FuboTV and Peacock.

5 Malcolm X (1992)

Malcolm X, often stylized as simply X, is Spike Lee's grand attempt at telling the story of one of the most prominent voices in the Civil Rights Movement. The film does not skip over any part of this incredible man's life, focusing on his lifelong struggles with discrimination, his traumatic childhood with a mentally ill mother and father who has passed away, his early criminal career, his important personal journey as a Muslim, his activism and views on life and society, his marriage to Betty X, and his assassination in 1965.

What Makes It Great

To capture the life of such an influential figure like Malcolm X is a massive undertaking, but this film does so beautifully. Executed with brilliance by Denzel Washington, we see the life of one of history's most notable civil rights activists in a powerful new way beyond what is usually known of him. The film's outstanding cinematography and stylistic editing, including flashbacks, help the viewer go through the 3-hour and 22-minute odyssey. An interesting fact about the cast: Washington's own son, John David Washington, appeared as a student in Malcolm X, and would later on star in another prominent Spike Lee joint in 2018, BlacKkKlansman. Malcolm X is currently streaming on Max.

4 Selma (2014)

One of the quintessential figures in Black history, Selma paints a picture of the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (David Oyelowo) during a series of voting rights marches from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, in 1965. The film does not explain King's entire life, but rather focuses on his fight in asking for federal legislation to allow black citizens to register to vote unencumbered. Nonetheless, in this restricted time period, the film attempts to explain all of King's values and lifelong fight.

What Makes It Great

Selma doesn't shy away from displaying the honest hardships faced by civil rights protestors of the time with incredible accuracy, and the journey leads up to an incredible finale that showcases one of Dr. King's most iconic speeches in history. Directed by Black female director Ava Duverney, the film furthers the impact of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s advocacy behind the camera as well. Tackling the life of the great LMK was no easy task, but she managed it with flying colors. Selma is a go-to reference for learning more about the Civil Rights Movement. Selma is currently streaming on Prime Video, MGM, and Paramount+.

3 12 Years a Slave (2013)

Based on Northup's real memoir of the same name, 12 Years a Slave is a raw, moving film telling the story of Solomon Northup (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a brilliant violinist and loving family man who was kidnapped by two conmen in 1841 and sold into slavery despite his free status. He was forced into working on plantations in Louisiana before finally being released twelve years later, as the title indicates. Through his enslavement, he was given the name Platt and forced to navigate life between the sadistic Epps (Michael Fassbender) and a nicer master, Ford (Benedict Cumberbatch).

What Makes It Great

12 Years a Slave is powerful and masterful at recounting life as a slave during the 1800s, especially from the point of view of a formerly free man. While some minor liberties were taken from the original book, the film makes an incredible effort to depict the time period and area correctly. Masterful performances from Chiwetel Ejiofor and Lupita Nyong'o immerse audiences into a setting that's both devastating and fueled by hope and justice. All in all, this film is one of the most well-told stories about slavery and is often used as a reference, making it a necessary watch. 12 Years a Slave is currently streaming on Hulu and Paramount+.

2 Black Panther (2018)

In Black Panther, T'Challa rules over the nation of Wakanda since his father's death. Wakanda has been a country isolated from the rest of the world, self-sufficient and exploiting its natural resources of Vibranium to advance technologically. But eventually, the news of Wakanda's prowess begins to travel the world, making it to the ears of Killmonger, revealed to be T'Challa's cousin, who pretends to the throne and wishes to make Wakanda a powerful country by selling Vibranium weapons.

What Makes It Great

Black Panther is all the more emotional to watch since the passing of its star, Chadwick Boseman. While not dealing with any specific aspect of Black history per se, Black Panther undoubtedly celebrates Black joy, unity, and representation in a way that can be communicated to all audiences, hence earning a spot on this list. In fact, even behind the camera, Black Panther was the first Marvel movie by a Black director (Ryan Coogler). Black Panther was a cultural moment, one that was celebrated all over the world and became a phenomenon when it hit theaters in February 2018. The movie grossed $700 million domestically, even beating out Avengers: Infinity War that same year at the domestic box office. Combine that with the $1.34 billion worldwide gross and becoming the first superhero movie to be nominated for Black Panther, this is a landmark film for a number of reasons. It gave millions of kids around the globe a hero to look up to, and many adults an opportunity to see something they never thought they would get in a mainstream blockbuster. Black Panther is currently streaming on Disney+.

1 The Hate U Give (2018)

Though she lives in a mostly Black neighborhood, The Hate U Give protagonist Starr (Amandla Stenberg) attends a predominantly white private school. After witnessing the murder of her friend Khalil at the hands of a police officer who believed that he was armed, her worlds collide, and she finds her voice to speak out against police brutality and systemic racism. This film is based on a 2017 young adult novel of the same name.

What Makes It Great

The Hate U Give perfectly highlights the issues of anti-Black racism in today's world. The main focus is police brutality, which, of course, echoes the (chronologically later) 2020 murder of George Floyd and the worldwide mobilization that it garnered. The film makes the smart choice to approach Black struggles through the point of view of a teenage girl, morphing into a coming-of-age movie as well. Through a traumatic experience, she learns about the harsh and unfair reality of the world and decides to act upon it, which can motivate many to do as well. This was a move that was relevant when it came out and sadly still remains relevant today and is an important watch, for viewers young and old. This is one of the best movies of the 2010s that was sadly underrated and underappreciated at the time of its release but one hopefully people will return to not just for Black History Month but for any time an innocent person is victimized by police just for the color of their skin. The Hate U Give is currently streaming on Fubo TV and FX Now.