Media, whether fictional or documentary, video or audio, has played an important role in the way we perceive the world around us, from 15-second TikToks to hard-hitting video essays. When it comes to the experience of Black people, most films and TV shows either present whitewashed perspectives, or just don’t center Black stories at all. Here are 26 movies, documentaries, and podcasts about Black history that specifically communicate the struggles and triumphs of Black people in the United States from the era of slavery to now, covering various topics such as music, activism, and everything in between.
Movies
- Hidden Figures
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Hidden Figures was released in 2016 and outlines the struggles faced by the Black women, namely Katherine Goble Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson, who were NASA mathematicians that made John Glenn’s historic space flight possible. Available on Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Sling TV, and Hulu with a subscription, and on YouTube and Apple TV for rent.
- Selma
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Following the 1965 voting rights marches from Selma to Montgomery, Selma immerses viewers in the Civil Rights Movement, showing the steps activists had to take to finally be recognized and respected by the U.S. government. Available on Hulu and Sling TV with a subscription, and Apple TV, Youtube, and Amazon Prime Video for rent.
- 12 Years A Slave
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12 Years A Slave is an emotional yet essential watch based on the true story of a free black man, Solomon Northup, as he is kidnapped and forced into slavery, ripped away from his life and family in the North. Available on YouTube, Apple TV, and Amazon Prime Video for rent.
- BlacKkKlansman
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Also based on a true story, BlacKkKlansman follows Ron Stallworth, a Black police officer, as he infiltrates a KKK clan while posing as a white man. Available on Hulu with a subscription and YouTube, Apple TV, and Amazon Prime Video for rent.
- One Night in Miami…
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One Night in Miami… is about a fictional night between three men who discuss their various backgrounds and opinions on the Civil Rights movement: Malcolm X, Muhammad Ali, Jim Brown, and Sam Cooke. This movie is great to learn about the philosophical and activist niches of the Civil Rights movement. Available on Amazon Prime Video with a subscription.
- Just Mercy
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Just Mercy delves into the work of Bryan Stevenson, a defense attorney whose clients are all people on death row, and specifically tells his story with Walter McMillian, a man who was wrongfully accused of murder. Available on Hulu, HBO Max, Sling TV, and Amazon Prime Video with a subscription and YouTube and Apple TV for rent.
- Malcolm X
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A biographical film of civil rights activist Malcolm X, this movie explores various events throughout his life, such as his conversion to Islam and his assassination. Available on Hulu, HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video, and Sling TV with a subscription and YouTube and Apple TV for rent.
- Glory
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Glory is about the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, one of the earliest Black regiments in the Civil War, and follows them from their origins to their fighting at the Second Battle of Fort Wagner. Available on YouTube, Apple TV, and Amazon Prime Video for rent.
- The Tuskegee Airmen
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This movie is based on the true stories of the United States Army Air Corps’ first Black combat pilots, and their achievements during World War II. Available on HBO Max, Hulu, and Amazon Prime video with a subscription and YouTube and Apple TV for rent.
- Remember the Titans
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Remember the Titans follows the true story of the first integrated high school football team, and the challenges faced by coach Herman Boone and the players. Available on Disney+ with a subscription and YouTube, Apple TV, and Amazon Prime Video for rent.
Documentaries
- Summer of Soul
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This documentary is about the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival, and uses a combination of actual footage from the event and interviews with attendees to bring the festival to life. Available on Hulu and Disney+ with a subscription and Apple TV and Amazon Prime Video for rent.
- Slavery by Another Name
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An important documentary, Slavery by Another Name explains that slavery did not end with the Emancipation Proclamation, and demonstrates the rise of systematic racism that continues to exist today. Available on Hulu and Disney+ with a subscription and Apple TV and Amazon Prime Video for rent.
- Freedom Riders
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Freedom Riders follows the journey of 400 civil rights activists as they demanded racial justice and desegregation by traveling to the South on buses and trains. Available on Amazon Prime Video for rent.
- Eyes on the Prize
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This 14-hour docuseries thoroughly delves into the major events of the Civil Rights movement from 1954-1985, including the Montgomery Bus boycott, the origins of the Black Power movement, and more. Available on HBO Max and Amazon Prime Video with a subscription.
- Soundtrack for a Revolution
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Using a novel approach to tell the stories of the Civil Rights movement, this documentary explores how freedom songs have evolved over time, starting off as ways to defy enslavement and continuing today in the work of protestors. Available on Amazon Prime Video for rent.
- Dark Girls
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Dark Girls is a documentary at the intersection of colorism and sexism, portraying the uniquely difficult experiences of Black women in America. Available on YouTube, Apple TV, and Amazon Prime Video for rent.
- Breaking the Huddle: The Integration of College Football
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Combining the American traditions of racism and football, Breaking the Huddle demonstrates how integrated football changed the game in the South. This is currently not available to stream online.
- More Than a Month
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More Than a Month shows the way that Black history is learned and taught in modern-day America, and what Black History Month means today. Available to stream for free on morethanamonth.org.
- 4 Little Girls
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This documentary follows the heartbreaking 1963 bombing of 16th Street Baptist Church and the murders of four young black girls. Available on HBO Max with a subscription and Amazon Prime Video for rent.
- The Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975
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Putting a magnifying glass over the culture that influenced the era of change in the late ‘60s and early ‘70s, The Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975 is a musical look into Black communities. Available on YouTube TV and Amazon Prime Video with a subscription and Apple TV for rent.
- 13th
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Ava Duvernay’s powerful documentary discusses the prevalent role of race in incarceration and how incarceration is effectively another form of slavery. Available on YouTube for free and on Netflix with a subscription.
Podcasts
- The Stoop
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Hosts Leila Day and Hana Baba share stories about Blackness that are not often discussed, and explore the idea of what it means to be Black. Episodes available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts as well as for free on their website, thestoop.org.
- Black History Moments
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Host Shaakira White dives into the lives of the forgotten members of Black history, going beyond commonly heard names and stories. Episodes available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
- Everyday Black History: Afro Appreciation
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This podcast highlights the achievements and lives of inspirational Black men and women throughout history. Episodes available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
- Black Girl Songbook
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Host Danyel Smith shines a spotlight on the work and accomplishments of Black women in the music industry, from artists to executives. Episodes available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
- [REDACTED] History
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[REDACTED] History talks about people that have been conveniently forgotten in history, and allows for an uncensored sort of education. Episodes available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.