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.

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?

- 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. Check out these black braided hairstyles by BestHairLooks.

Click the button below to see the next 10 movies:

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

Author
Recent Posts

RAKI WRIGHT

Raki's Google Profile

Comments

Brandi Clevinger says

at

I’ve seen some of these movies, but not all of them. I love movies and watching ones that are based on actual events.

Thanks for sharing at Inspire Me Mondays!
Amy @ Ms. Toody Goo Shoes says

at

I haven’t seen many on this list. Thanks so much for linking this up at Best of the Weekend!
- OutsideTheBoxMom says
  
  at
  
  Thanks for stopping by.
Lisa says

at

Wow, this is a real public service! A great list, thank you! Pinning.
Deborah Davis says

at

Thanks for curating this wonderful list of black history films on Netflix. I am a big Netflix user so this list comes in handy. Sharing this!
LC @ A Life of Authenticity says

at

Thanks for the list! I will definitely put these in my Netflix cue.
ymovies says

at

When someone writes an paragraph he/she keeps the thought of a user in his/her mind that how
a user can know it. Therefore that’s why this post is great.
Thanks!
Rob A says

at

Hey – I’m working with a company that is looking for sites that have content relating to clothing and I came across yours.

Any chance you’d be open to hearing about a way you could link to a merchant and make money in the case someone clicks on the link and purchases something?

Just wanted to see if it’s something you’d be interested in hearing about! If not, I hope you have a great day!
LikelyYou.com says

at

Looking for Kids Black History Movies on Netflix ? There are some great titles you can stream on Netflix. These are only some of the many great Black history movies for kids.