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'Claudine' (1974) -

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.

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'Malcolm X' (1992) -

An outstanding portrayal of the African-American human rights activist and Nation of Islam minister, Malcolm X.

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'Malcolm X' (1992) -

Directed by Spike Lee, the film stars Denzel Washington, Angela Bassett, and Delroy Lindo, among others.

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'A Raisin in the Sun' (1961) -

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?

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'A Raisin in the Sun' (1961) -

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.

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'Glory' (1989) -

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.

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'Glory' (1989) -

Directed by Edward Zwick, the film stars Matthew Broderick, Denzel Washington, Cary Elwes, Morgan Freeman, and Robert Gould Shaw, among others.

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'Do the Right Thing' (1989) -

This film tackles racial tensions in New York City. But in true Spike Lee style, it adds funny elements to a serious matter.

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'Do the Right Thing' (1989) -

The film stars Spike Lee, Danny Aiello, Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee, Giancarlo Esposito, Bill Nunn, John Turturro, and Samuel L. Jackson, among others.

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'42' (2013) -

This movie is a biopic about the career of the first Black Major League Baseball player, Jackie Robinson.

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'42' (2013) -

The film is directed by Brian Helgeland and stars Chadwick Boseman, T.R. Knight, and Harrison Ford, among others.

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'12 Years a Slave' (2013) -

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.

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'12 Years a Slave' (2013) -

The film is directed by Steve McQueen and stars Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Kenneth Williams, Michael Fassbender, Lupita Nyong'o, and Brad Pitt, among others.

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'Selma' (2014) -

A must-watch movie about the Civil Rights Movement and Martin Luther King Jr.'s campaign to secure equal voting rights.

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'Selma' (2014) -

Ava DuVernay directs this film starring David Oyelowo, Carmen Ejogo, and Oprah Winfrey, among others.

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'Straight Outta Compton' (2015) -

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.

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'Straight Outta Compton' (2015) -

Directed by F. Gary Gray, the movie stars O'Shea Jackson Jr., Corey Hawkins, and Jason Mitchell, among others.

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'Hidden Figures' (2016) -

This movie tells the story of female African-American mathematicians who had an important role in NASA and the US space race.

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'Hidden Figures' (2016) -

Directed by Theodore Melfi, the movie stars Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Monáe, among others.

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'I Am Not Your Negro' (2016) -

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.

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'I Am Not Your Negro' (2016) -

The documentary is directed by Raoul Peck, and you can listen to Samuel L. Jackson narrating it.

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'Mudbound' (2017) -

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.

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'Mudbound' (2017) -

Directed by Dee Rees, the movie stars Carey Mulligan, Garrett Hedlund, Jason Clarke, Jason Mitchell, Jonathan Banks, and Mary J. Blige, among others.

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'BlacKkKlansman' (2018) -

A Black detective and a Jewish detective infiltrate the KKK in this film from Spike Lee.

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'BlacKkKlansman' (2018) -

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.

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'One Night in Miami' (2020) -

Malcolm X, Muhammad Ali, Jim Brown, and Sam Cooke get together to discuss their roles in the Civil Rights Movement.

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'One Night in Miami' (2020) -

Regina King is the director. The movie stars Kingsley Ben-Adir, Eli Goree, Aldis Hodge, and Leslie Odom Jr., among others.

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'Judas and the Black Messiah' (2021) -

This movie is about an FBI informant who infiltrates the Illinois Black Panther Party.

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'Judas and the Black Messiah' (2021) -

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 

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