10 Black History Movies on Netflix (DVD)

If you want to access these Black History Movies on Netflix, you will need to add a DVD plan. They are not available on the streaming plans. 

Here are other Black History Movies on Netflix that are available on the Netflix DVD plan:

Black history movies are all about showcasing the rich and diverse experiences, struggles, and triumphs of the African American community. They delve into historical events, key figures, and untold stories, offering a powerful and often emotional journey that highlights the resilience, contributions, and cultural heritage of Black people throughout history.

Who: Toni Morrison

What: In 1993, Morrison won the Nobel Prize for Literature as the first African-American to win the prize.

Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am (2019) (Rated PG-13)

Legendary storyteller Toni Morrison examines her life, her work, and the powerful themes she has confronted throughout her literary career. Morrison leads an assembly of her peers, critics, and colleagues on an exploration of race, history, America, and the human condition. (Rent on Netflix)

Who: The Central Park Five

What: five teenagers, all African-American or Latino, were convicted of the brutal rape of a white woman in Central Park in 1989.

The Central Park Five (2012) Not Rated

This piercing documentary examines the case of five teenagers, all African-American or Latino, who was convicted of the brutal rape of a white woman in Central Park in 1989. Years later, the confession of the real rapist set the jailed men free. (Rent on Netflix)

You can also stream the Netflix Original “When They See Us” along with many other titles in these movies about racism on Netflix.

Who: Huey P. Newton

What: a revolutionary African-American political activist who, along with fellow Merritt College student Bobby Seale, co-founded the Black Panther Party in 1966

Huey P. Newton: Prelude to Revolution (1971) Not Rated

Hear the inside story of Huey Newton and the Black Panthers with this documentary that examines their efforts to promote the rights of African Americans as well as the organization's violent tactics, including the killing of a police officer.

The film features a rare jailhouse interview with Newton discussing the role of revolution and civil disobedience, plus footage of several Panthers' bullet-riddled homes following police raids. (Rent on Netflix)

Who: Four young girls in Alabama died in a 1963 bombing

What: the 1963 bombing of an Alabama African-American church — an event that took the lives of four young girls and became a pivotal moment in the civil rights struggle.

4 Little Girls (1997) Not Rated

Director Spike Lee uses this feature-length documentary to examine the crime and its perpetrators as well as the four young victims (as described by friends and families). It also includes interviews with noted civil rights activists and journalists. (Rent on Netflix)

Who: Mahalia Jackson, Aretha Franklin, and Shirley Caesar

What: This riveting documentary chronicles the beginnings of the gospel in West Africa, its journey all the way to the United States, and its role in the civil rights movement.

The Story of Gospel Music: The Power in the Voice (1998) Not Rated

Gospel music is in a league of its own, a call to spiritual awakening. But where did it come from, and how did it develop into one of the most moving forms of the song? Includes performances from legends. (Rent on Netflix)

Who: Shirley Chisholm

What: She was the first African-American woman elected to Congress and the first black person and woman to run a serious, high-profile campaign in the U.S. presidential primary.

Chisholm '72: Unbought and Unbossed (2004) Not Rated

Brooklyn-based Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm represented a series of firsts: She made further history when she vied for the presidency in 1972. And while her inspiring journey would have made headlines today, it was virtually ignored by the mainstream media at the time. (Rent on Netflix)

Who: Ossie Davis, Terry McMillan, Horace Julian Bond, Isaac Hayes, Dionne Warwick

What: inspiring stories of faith in the second installment of this series about African-American history makers

The History Makers: Success (2004) Not Rated

Ossie Davis, Terry McMillan, Horace Julian Bond, Isaac Hayes, Dionne Warwick, and many others share their inspiring stories of success in the first installment of this series about African-American history makers, including civil rights leaders, actors, and authors.

A good education, dedication to work, dogged determination and the courage to take risks figure prominently in these remarkable success stories told by notable African Americans. (Rent on Netflix)

Who: Jesse Jackson, Rev. Al Sharpton, Susan L. Taylor, B.B. King, Kim Fields, Ruby Dee, Ernie Banks

What: inspiring stories of faith in the second installment of this series about African-American history makers

The History Makers: Faith (2004) Not Rated

Many share their inspiring stories of faith in this installment of this series about African-American history makers, including artists, religious and business leaders, and baseball players. Individuals, communities, and families weather many a storm by keeping faith in these remarkable tales told by notable African Americans. (Rent on Netflix)

Who: Oprah Winfrey

What: First Black Female Billionaire

Finding Oprah's Roots: Finding Your Own (2006) Not Rated

Henry Louis Gates Jr.'s book Finding Oprah's Roots illuminates how to create an African-American family tree, with the popular TV personality as its example. This companion to the book includes excerpts from the documentary Oprah's Roots and discussions with the experts who appeared in the film.

This release is an invaluable resource and starting point for anyone beginning their journey into African-American genealogy. (Rent on Netflix)

Who: Freedom Riders

What: the Struggle for Racial Justice, this documentary chronicles the daring and courage of a group of activists, black and white, who challenged the segregation laws of the Southern states.

American Experience: Freedom Riders (2009) Not Rated

Based on the award-winning book Freedom Riders: 1961 and the Struggle for Racial Justice, this documentary chronicles the daring and courage of a group of activists, black and white, who challenged the segregation laws of the Southern states.

Directed by Stanley Nelson (The Murder of Emmett Till), the film focuses on how the civil rights campaign was conceived, and how the movement eventually became a major concern for the Kennedy administration. (Rent on Netflix)

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

Find more African-American History movies on Netflix DVD

MORE BLACK HISTORY MOVIES

• 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

Be sure to check out these Black History Month Worksheets and Printable Black History Month Activities for Kids.

 

 

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