20 Movies About Black History to Stream on Netflix

During Black History Month, or any time of year, there are some great black history movies on Netflix.

There are so many titles available on Netflix. Whether you're looking for a TV show, movie, or documentary, you will likely find it on Netflix. Every genre is covered from Kids to Romantic Comedies to Action  & Adventure.

Some of my favorites are Murder She Wrote (don't judge me 😉 ), Orange is the New Black, and Scandal.

I was pleasantly surprised to find dozens of titles which celebrate, highlight, and explore stories surrounding Black History that are well known and ones you may have never heard of.

Learn about Women in Black History, too!

After I published this post, I found 10 More Black History Movies on Netflix to add to the list.

I also created a list of 50 Women’s History Movies on Netflix. You can see all of my Netflix recommendations here.

The links below are my affiliate links.

Need a Netflix subscription? Did you know you can buy a gift card?

20 Movies About Black History to Stream on Netflix

1. The Gabby Douglas Story – This biographical drama tells the story of Gabby Douglas, the American gymnast who made history at the 2012 Summer Olympics by becoming the first black woman to win the Individual All-Around Championship.

2. The African Americans – Written and presented by Professor Gates, the six-hour series explores the evolution of the African-American people, as well as the multiplicity of cultural institutions, political strategies, and religious and social perspectives they developed — forging their own history, culture and society against unimaginable odds.

3. Rand University – Rand University chronicles the journey of soon-to-be Hall-of-Famer and one of the greatest wide receiver of all-time, Randy Moss, from his childhood in Rand, West Virginia all the way through Randy’s time in the NFL.

4. Marley – Featuring dozens of interviews, electrifying concert performances and rare footage, this documentary explores the music, life and legacy of reggae icon Bob Marley, from his birth in 1945 to his death from cancer at age 36.

5. Being Elmo – Beloved by millions of children, Elmo is an international icon. But few people know the soft-spoken man behind the furry red monster: Kevin Clash. Narrated by Whoopi Goldberg, this documentary follows Clash's remarkable career as a puppeteer.

6. The Trials of Muhammad Ali – Exploring issues of race, religion and wartime conscientious objection, this documentary gives viewers an inside look at Muhammad Ali's biggest battle: his struggle to overturn a five-year prison sentence after refusing to fight in Vietnam.

7. I Am Ali – Drawing from a collection of audiotapes recorded by Muhammad Ali as a personal journal, this affecting documentary offers new perspectives on the legendary boxer's life outside the ring.

8. Jimi Hendrix – Featuring classic performances, this biography offers a look at one of the greatest guitarists the world has ever known. Three years after his death, Jimi Hendrix's family, friends and fellow musicians — including Pete Townsend, Mick Jagger, Eric Clapton and Lou Reed — comment on the rocker's life and influence. Hendrix shines with hits such as “The Star-Spangled Banner,” “Red House” and “Hey Joe.”

9. Mankind: The Story of All of Us – Telling the epic tale of the rise of civilization, this miniseries begins with the first flourishing of life in Mesopotamia, through the emergence of ancient cultures and later the discovery of America, capturing mankind's place throughout history.

10. Dark Girls – This fascinating and controversial film goes underneath the surface to explore the prejudices dark-skinned women face throughout the world. It explores the roots of classism, racism and the lack of self-esteem within a segment of cultures.

Click the button below to see the next 10 movies:

To continue learning, check out the Black History Research Unit. 

If you enjoyed this list of movies, I have a monthly membership for parents and educators that want to teach or supplement lessons with shows and movies.

“I absolutely love sharing movies with my kids as a way to teach them valuable lessons. It's like this awesome bonding experience where we all snuggle up on the couch with some popcorn, and I get to see their little faces light up with curiosity. Whether it's a classic with timeless morals or a new animated flick with hidden gems of wisdom, it's a fantastic way to impart important life lessons in a fun and engaging way. Plus, the post-movie discussions are priceless – hearing their take on the characters and the story adds a whole new dimension to our family time.” –a Homeschooling parent

With Homeschooling with Shows and Movies membership, you will get resources every month, including:

• List of This Month’s Suggested Themes
• List of Monthly Observances
• List Of Movies for Unit Study
• Unit Study Resource
• Seasonal Activities (minimum of three)
• (BONUSES) Resources for you, the teacher

These resources are worth it if you'd like to easily incorporate shows and movies into your homeschooling.

Grab your membership here.

MORE MOVIES ABOUT BLACK HISTORY AND THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN EXPERIENCE ON NETFLIX:

• 100's of Black Movies on Netflix
• 15 Kids' Black History Movies on Netflix
• 20 Black History Movies on Netflix
• 10 Black History Movies on Netflix
• Movies About The African-American Experience on Netflix
• 9 Slavery Movies on Netflix
• 10 Segregation Movies on Netflix
• 10 Civil Rights Movies on Netflix
• 20 Black Documentaries On Netflix
• 9 Black Christmas Movies on Netflix
• 10 Black Power Movies on Netflix

Related Posts:

• All the Black History Movies on Disney Plus
• 9 Kids’ Black History Movies on Netflix
• 25 Black History Movies on Netflix
• 5 Movies About Black History on Netflix
• 10 Black Women in History Through Black History Movies
• Black History Movies on Hulu
• 13 Black History Movies on HBO Max
• Must-Watch Black History Movies for Kids
• Best Kids Black History Movies on Netflix
• 20 Movies About Black History to Stream on Netflix
• Movies About Women in Black History
• 20+ Black History Movies on Amazon Prime
• 10 Best Black History Movies for Kids in the Classroom

 

 

 

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