7 Slavery Movies on Netflix for Black History Month

There are so many great slavery movies on Netflix. They feature nostalgic historical documentaries surrounding the trials of Black and African-American people during slavery in the 17th and 18th centuries. Don’t miss 10 more of the best Slavery movies, too.

Table of Contents:

What is slavery (or involuntary servitude)?

Slavery is, in the strictest sense of the term, any system in which principles of property law are applied to people, allowing individuals to own, buy and sell other individuals, as a de jure form of property. (Source)

Existed in the United States of America in the 18th and 19th centuries after it gained independence and before the end of the American Civil War.

Throughout history, slaves were clothed in a distinctive fashion, particularly with respect to footwear, or rather the lack thereof. This was due to economic reasons, as well as a distinguishing feature, especially in South Africa and South America. (Source)

“The use of forced labor and slavery in Nazi Germany and throughout German-occupied Europe during World War II took place on an unprecedented scale.” (Source)

All the titles listed are currently on Netflix, but that is subject to change without notice.

NETFLIX SLAVERY MOVIES

Whether it’s Black history month or you just want to learn more about this important part of history, check out one of these riveting movies.

13th

In this thought-provoking Netflix slavery documentary about the 13th amendment, scholars, activists, and politicians analyze the criminalization of Black people through mass incarceration and the U.S. prison boom.

“As the documentary charts the rising number of prisoners in the U.S. (from 357,292 in 1970 to 2,306,200 in 2014), DuVernay, one of the most prominent black filmmakers, examines the “law and order” rhetoric popularized by Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan in the late 1960s, the misplaced fear used to justify violence against Black Panther party Black Power activists (including Chicago leader Fred Hampton, who was killed by police in 1969) and the racial disparities in drug sentences during the crack epidemic.” (Source)

The movie won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics by hip hop artist Common, Robert Glasper, and Karriem Riggins song “Letter to the Free.” This was one of the best shows to watch on the topic. (Watch on Netflix)

Always a Witch

A young 17th-century witch travels to the future in order to save the man she loves, but she must first adjust to modern-day Cartagena and defeat a wicked rival. (Watch in Netflix)

High on the Hog

High on the Hog: The Evolution of African-American Cuisine America is a four-part Netflix docuseries that explores and celebrates black contributions to world food and culture.

Through years of captivity and the fight for equal civil rights, the show uncovers how much of what we now consider American cuisine was influenced by African American culture.

From mac and cheese to Virginia ham; Jefferson’s and Washington’s renowned enslaved chefs James Hemings and Hercules left the nation hungry for more.

Barbecued brisket meets Senegalese lamb and a Juneteenth feast as Stephen heads to Texas to ride with Black cowboys and take in Jerelle Guy’s cakes. (Watch on Netflix),

13th: A Conversation with Oprah Winfrey & Ava DuVernay

Oprah Winfrey sits down with Los Angeles-born director Ava DuVernay to discuss her Oscar-nominated film, historical cycles of oppression and the broken prison system, and its treatment of young Black men.

DuVernay won the directing award in the U.S. dramatic competition at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival for her second feature film Middle of Nowhere, becoming the first black woman to win the award. (Watch on Netflix)

Harriet Tubman Movie

Just released on November 1, 2019, Harriet.

Based on the thrilling and inspirational life of an iconic American freedom fighter, HARRIET tells the extraordinary tale of Harriet Tubman’s escape from slavery and transformation into one of America’s greatest heroes. (Watch on Netflix)