The greatest films to come out of Japan
In recent years, we've seen the rise of Black lead characters in Hollywood. To celebrate that, we not only bring you a selection of movies with Black lead characters, but films that educate us about Black history. From movies about slavery to the rise of the Civil Rights Movement and its leaders, in this gallery, you'll find a list of must-watch films about Black history.
Click through and start watching these today!
This film portrays the love and challenges of a relationship between a garbage collector and a single mother of six. Directed by John Berry, 'Claudine' stars Diahann Carroll and James Earl Jones, among others.
An outstanding portrayal of the African-American human rights activist and Nation of Islam minister, Malcolm X.
Directed by Spike Lee, the film stars Denzel Washington, Angela Bassett, and Delroy Lindo, among others.
In this movie, Sidney Poitier tells the story of a family who receive a life insurance check. But what can a mother do with the money? Is change really possible for them as a Black family?
The film was adapted from a 1959 play by Lorraine Hansberry. It's directed by Daniel Petrie and stars Sidney Poitier, Claudia McNeil, Ruby Dee, and Diana Sands, among others.
This movie takes us back to the American Civil War and is about one of the first all-Black regiments of the Union Army: the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment.
Directed by Edward Zwick, the film stars Matthew Broderick, Denzel Washington, Cary Elwes, Morgan Freeman, and Robert Gould Shaw, among others.
This film tackles racial tensions in New York City. But in true Spike Lee style, it adds funny elements to a serious matter.
The film stars Spike Lee, Danny Aiello, Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee, Giancarlo Esposito, Bill Nunn, John Turturro, and Samuel L. Jackson, among others.
This movie is a biopic about the career of the first Black Major League Baseball player, Jackie Robinson.
The film is directed by Brian Helgeland and stars Chadwick Boseman, T.R. Knight, and Harrison Ford, among others.
This film tells the story of a free man who is kidnapped and sold into slavery in Louisiana. It's based on the memoir of Solomon Northup.
The film is directed by Steve McQueen and stars Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Kenneth Williams, Michael Fassbender, Lupita Nyong'o, and Brad Pitt, among others.
A must-watch movie about the Civil Rights Movement and Martin Luther King Jr.'s campaign to secure equal voting rights.
Ava DuVernay directs this film starring David Oyelowo, Carmen Ejogo, and Oprah Winfrey, among others.
This film is about the iconic LA hip-hop group N.W.A. and its members Eazy-E, Ice Cube, and Dr. Dre. Not only does it tells the story of the group, but it also portrays the Black experience in the '80s and '90s in California.
Directed by F. Gary Gray, the movie stars O'Shea Jackson Jr., Corey Hawkins, and Jason Mitchell, among others.
This movie tells the story of female African-American mathematicians who had an important role in NASA and the US space race.
Directed by Theodore Melfi, the movie stars Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Monáe, among others.
This documentary film is based on the unfinished James Baldwin book 'Remember This House.' It portrays the lives of Medgar Evers, Malcolm X, and Martin Luther King Jr.
The documentary is directed by Raoul Peck, and you can listen to Samuel L. Jackson narrating it.
Two families struggle with social and racial injustices in rural Mississippi after two men return home from World War II and try to adjust to their new life.
Directed by Dee Rees, the movie stars Carey Mulligan, Garrett Hedlund, Jason Clarke, Jason Mitchell, Jonathan Banks, and Mary J. Blige, among others.
A Black detective and a Jewish detective infiltrate the KKK in this film from Spike Lee.
The movie is funny, but the link with current serious events makes it a must-watch. John David Washington and Adam Driver's chemistry on screen is also great.
Malcolm X, Muhammad Ali, Jim Brown, and Sam Cooke get together to discuss their roles in the Civil Rights Movement.
Regina King is the director. The movie stars Kingsley Ben-Adir, Eli Goree, Aldis Hodge, and Leslie Odom Jr., among others.
This movie is about an FBI informant who infiltrates the Illinois Black Panther Party.
Directed by Shaka King, the film stars Daniel Kaluuya, LaKeith Stanfield, and Jesse Plemons, among others.
Sources: (Marie Claire) (Good Housekeeping)
See also: Defining moments in Black history
Black history movies you need to watch
A list of must-watch films about the Black experience
MOVIES African american
In recent years, we've seen the rise of Black lead characters in Hollywood. To celebrate that, we not only bring you a selection of movies with Black lead characters, but films that educate us about Black history. From movies about slavery to the rise of the Civil Rights Movement and its leaders, in this gallery, you'll find a list of must-watch films about Black history.
Click through and start watching these today!