Black History Month is a time to reflect on remarkable stories grounded in history. From insightful documentaries to entertaining films about prominent Black figures, there’s a plethora of movies that respect and acknowledge an essential aspect of America’s history and culture.
Here are eight works worth diving this month:
1. DESCENDANT
Netflix released one of the most gripping documentaries in 2022, telling the story of the descendants of the survivors from the Clotilda, the last-known slave ship to arrive in the U.S. The film explores the descendants’ rich history, as well as their fight to preserve their heritage and home.
You can watch DESCENDANT on Netflix.
2. Judas and the Black Messiah
You can watch Judas and the Black Messiah on Max.
Sidney
Sidney Poitier was so much more than an actor. He was a legendary filmmaker and activist who found himself at the center of Hollywood and the Civil Rights Movement. Sidney honors his legacy, as historians and film experts discuss the impact he had on Hollywood and history forever.
You can watch Sidney on Apple TV+.
One Night in Miami…
Regina King directed the 2021 film about the imagined night of Feb. 25, 1964, when Muhammed Ali joined Jim Brown, Sam Cooke and Malcom X to discuss what success looked like for Black men during the Civil Rights Movement. The film dives into their respective roles in the movement as well as what the culture was like at the time. It’s a unique conversation that will challenge your view of the Civil Rights Movement.
You can watch One Night in Miami… on Amazon Prime.
I Am Not Your Negro
Based on the unfinished James Baldwin book Remember This House, the film analyzes the reality of race in America through the lives of Medgar Evers, Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr.
You can watch I Am Not Your Negro on Peacock.
Raisin in the Sun
If you’ve never seen the adaptation of Lorraine Hansberry’s play, it’s time to fix that. The story follows a newly widowed woman who receives a hefty insurance payment, but her family is divided over how to spend it. The play originally debuted on Broadway back in 1959, but its message still carries on today.
You can watch A Raisin in the Sun on Tubi.
Summer of Soul
Questlove’s documentary tells the story of the Harlem Cultural Festival in the summer of 1969. Over the course of six weeks during the summer of 1969, thousands of people attended the festival to celebrate Black history, culture, music and fashion.
You can watch Summer of Soul on Hulu or Disney+.
Hidden Figures
For decades, the true story of the Black female mathematicians who worked at NASA during the Space Race was relatively unknown. Now, both the book and the film tell the tale of the women who helped lead the way for the future of America.
You can watch Hidden Figures on Disney+.
