10 Best Black History Movies for Kids in the Classroom

Watch these Black History movies for kids in a classroom, home, or church to educate elementary students, high school students, or adults about Black History. Then watch these Black History Movies for Kids on Netflix.

I started elementary school in the mid-1980s and graduated from high school in the mid-1990s. Back when I was in school, I don’t remember watching any movies during Black History Month in school.

I’m not saying that we didn’t watch any, rather, only that I don’t remember watching any. And in current times, educators have access to the Internet and streaming services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, etc.

So, there are so many movies that can be watched and discussed in the classroom to enrich student’s learning in this rich pool of history during the month.

Watch these movies with your students, discuss them, and use this movie review questionnaire or other activities that I have linked to that will provide an interactive learning experience for your students as it relates to Black History.

These Black History month movies are great for kids, children of many ages, and students.

Best Black History Movies for Kids

Roots: The Complete Miniseries

• Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
• LeVar Burton, Cicely Tyson, Edward Asner (Actors)

$29.99

Buy on Amazon

ROOTS (NOT RATED)

Age: 14+

 In this remake of the 1970s miniseries based on Alex Haley’s novel, a new generation of actors retraces the roots of American slavery through the saga of Kunta Kinte — a young man taken from a Gambian village and brought to America to serve. I found several Slavery movies on Netflix.

Rosa Parks Story: Ride To Freedom, The

• Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
• Angela Bassett, Cicely Tyson, Peter Francis (Actors)

Buy on Amazon

THE ROSA PARKS STORY (NOT RATED)

Age: Elementary

This biopic tells the story of civil rights activist Rosa Parks from her days as a private-school student to her public battle against racism and segregation. As a secretary for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Parks defends local children who have been victimized by racism. 

But when she is arrested after refusing to give up her bus seat for a white passenger, Parks inspires the 1955 Montgomery Bus Boycott.

Fannie Lou Hamer: Voting Rights Activist & Civil Rights Leader

• Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)

Buy on Amazon

FANNIE LOU HAMER: VOTING RIGHTS ACTIVIST & CIVIL RIGHTS LEADER (NOT RATED)

Age: Elementary

Fannie Lou Hamer was the granddaughter of a slave and the youngest of 20 children. she will be remembered for winning the right to vote for black Americans and exposing America’s poverty by giving a voice to those in need. Check out more civil rights movies on Netflix.

Gabby Douglas Story

• Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
• Gabrielle Douglas, Imani Hakim, Regina King (Actors)

$12.99

Buy on Amazon

The Gabby Douglas Story (NOT RATED)

Age: 12+

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.

A Ballerina's Tale

• Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
• Misty Copeland (Actor)

$3.99

Buy on Amazon

A BALLERINA’S TALE (NOT RATED)

Age: 9+

Nelson George’s documentary explores the rise of Misty Copeland, who made history as the first African American female principal dancer with the prestigious American Ballet Theater. It gives audiences an intimate look at a groundbreaking dancer during a crucial period in her life, as she makes the transition.

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By the People: The Election of Barack Obama (NOT RATED)

Age: 13+

This 2009 documentary film produced by Edward Norton and broadcast in November 2009 on HBO, follows Barack Obama and various members of his campaign team, including David Axelrod, through the two years leading up to the United States presidential election on November 4, 2008.

The African Americans: Many Rivers to Cross

• Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
• Henry Louis Gates, Jr. (Actor)

$7.99

Buy on Amazon

The African Americans (PG)

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.

Hidden Figures

• Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
• Taraji P. Henson, Janelle Monae, Kevin Costner (Actors)

$7.99

Buy on Amazon

HIDDEN FIGURES (PG)

Age: 10+

 Three brilliant African-American women at NASA — Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson — serve as the brains behind one of the greatest operations in history: the launch of astronaut John Glenn into orbit, a stunning achievement that restored the nation’s confidence, turned around the Space Race and galvanized the world. Learn more about Black women in history.

To continue this unit study, check out the Hidden Figures Movie Guide.

Selma

• Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
• David Oyelowo, Tom Wilkinson, Carmen Ejogo (Actors)

$14.99

Buy on Amazon

Selma (PG-13)

In the face of violent racist attacks, Martin Luther King Jr. leads a protest in Alabama that culminates in a historic march from Selma to Montgomery.

I Am Not Your Negro

• Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
• Samuel L. Jackson, James Baldwin, Dick Cavett (Actors)

$3.99

Buy on Amazon

13TH (TV-MA)

In this thought-provoking documentary, scholars, activists, and politicians analyze the criminalization of African Americans and the U.S. prison boom. (Watch on Netflix)

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

Have you watched any of these black history movies for kids as a family?

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

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Raki Wright launched Best Movies Right Now in 2018 to help movie lovers streaming from all around the world find the best movies on Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime and more.

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