To celebrate Black History Month, as an avid film lover, here’s a list of 7 must-see movies that celebrate black excellence, history and story.
- Moonlight (2016) Drama/LGBTQ+ Rated: R
-
This was a no-brainer for me. This list had to start off with the 2017 Best Picture winner, Moonlight. This film was a knockout in every way, from winning 161 awards, highlighting the life of an African American homosexual man, Moonlight does it all! It’s a rare film for this generation: its solely focused on character. It dives deep into themes such as identity, family, and sexuality all while tackling the daunting question of masculinity. The film is chalked full of a star-studded cast including Mahershala Ali, Shariff Earp, Janelle Monáe and Trevante Rhodes. Moonlight is a must see for any film lover!
Where to watch Moonlight: Netflix, Prime, Vudu.
-
The Help (2011) Drama/Romance Rate: PG-13
-
The Help is already making its way to becoming a classic. Taking place in 1960s Mississippi, The Help explores a white woman, Skeeter (Emma Stone), to return to her southern hometown and remember the African American women that took care of her during the civil rights movement. Skeeter interviews the women that took care of prominent southern families and discovers all the stories these women have to tell. Viola Davis is stellar in this film alongside Octavia Spencer, Cicely Tyson, and Bryce Dallas Howard. The Help successfully sheds light on a dark time in Americas past while balancing the beauty of African American women’s love and compassion in an otherwise hateful environment.
Where to watch The Help: Netflix, Fandango, Google Play
- Hidden Figures (2016) Drama/History Rated: PG
-
Focused on African Americans, women and STEM, Hidden Figures is a grand slam. The film tells the story of three brilliant African American women working at NASA in the 1960s. Hidden Figures exposes the true brains behind the great Space Race. Hidden behind white men, African American STEM scientists played by Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Monáe shine with their genius, grace and confidence. Nominated for Best Picture (2016), Hidden Figures is an empowering film for not just African Americans, but women everywhere that are devoted to STEM.
Where to watch Hidden Figures: Disney+, Hulu (Premium) and Prime
- Black Panther (2018) Action/Adventure Rated: PG-13
-
Black Panther, Marvel Studios Eighteenth installment in the Infinity Saga was nothing short of a huge win for African Americans. T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman) starts in his own feature film centering around the origin of his Black Panther as he learns the trials and tribulations of what it means to rule a nation. Black Panther makes history not only by being the first superhero film to be nominated for seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture, but more importantly was the first film to feature an all-African American cast alongside an African American superhero lead. Black Panther served as an incredible message for the lack of representation in the industry and people of color a feeling of power all of the world. Black Panther had a legendary cast including the late Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, and many more. Marvel Studio’s film was a perfect success from start to finish and is a must watch, superhero lover or not.
Where to watch Black Panther: Disney+, Hulu (Premium) and TBS
- 12 Years a Slave (2013) Drama/Historical Drama Rated: R
-
The 2014 Academy Award winning Best Picture film, 12 Years a Slave follows a free African American man (Chiwetel Ejiofor) as he is kidnapped and sold into slavery years before the Civil War. The film nails its audience connection and beautifully exploits the heartlessness of oppression in American history. Based on the true story of Solomon Northup, the performance, portrayal and perfection of 12 Years a Slavey properly exposes the lies Hollywood has been telling for years. Chiwetel Ejiofor shines among a cast including Michael Fassbender, Lupita Nyong’o and Brad Pitt. The film balances painful realness with beauty in a rewarding and educational film.
Where to watch 12 Years a Slave: Hulu (Premium), Vudu, iTunes
- BlacKkKlansman (2018) Crime/Drama Rated: R
-
Spike Lee’s latest Best Picture nominee BlacKkKlansman was a smashing success racking up five Academy Award nominations. Ron Stallworth (John David Washington) stars as the first African American detective in the Colorado Springs Police Department alongside Flip Zimmerman (Adam Driver). BlacKkKlansman focuses on the disturbing and cruel mindset of the Ku Klux Klan in the 70s while staying true and present to a passionate story. The Best Adapted Screenplay film was a success on screen and at the awards alongside it’s stellar cast, storytelling abilities and cinematography. For a fresh take on a disturbing topic, BlacKkKlansman is the film for your next movie night.
Where to watch BlacKkKlansman: Hulu (Premium), Prime, YouTube TV
- Judas and the Black Messiah (2021) Drama/Historical Drama Rated: R
-
Judas and the Black Messiah has been quite the buzz in the film world. The projected Academy Award nominated film was expected to be quite a hit, and for me, it was. Debuting at 2021 Sundance Film Festival Feb. 1, and HBO Max Friday, Judas and the Black Messiah follows a historical drama story in a whole new light. Bill O’Neal (Lakeith Stanfield) is a criminal that agrees to work as an informant for the FBI as they try to take down the Black Panther Party chairman Fred Hampton (Daniel Kaluuya). Judas and the Black Messiah nails rejecting classic and stigmatized Hollywood clichés about the historical Black Panther party while spreading a message that stays extremely relevant to the Black Lives Matter movement of today.
Where to watch Judas and the Black Messiah: HBO Max
Honorary List of other superb African American films that are a must watch:
-
The Hate U Give (2018)
-
Selma (2014)
-
Bessie (2015)
-
13th (2016)
-
Just Mercy (2019)
-
If Beale Street Could Talk (2018)
-
Harriet (2019)
-
Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (2020)
-
Da 5 Bloods (2020)
-
Malcom & Marie (2021)