Top 20 Black History Movies To Toast The Black History Month

Black history movies have assumed a position of unprecedented acclaim especially in the aftermath of George Floyd’s death last year and the ensuing protests over Black Lives Matter. Several films by Black filmmakers and about Black voices started seeing the light of day like never before. While some have gained immense popularity and reached an award winning status, others are small scale yet packs a punch.

Ranging in genres, some of these black history movies are funny or heartfelt while others are terrifying or dark. However, they all have a unique story to tell that also augments the Black voice in a profound manner. So, if you are looking for the best movies for black history month.

Here are the top 20 we have picked for you.

1. One Night in Miami

Directed and Produced by

Regina King, Keith Calder

Cast

Kingsley Ben-Adir, Eli Goree, Oscar nominee Leslie Odom Jr. and Aldis Hodge

Ratings

7.1/10

Genre

Drama

Storyline

The Oscar nominated movie is based on real life and is an adaptation of a play by Kemp Powers. The story revolves around four friends, Malcolm X, Cassius Clay, Sam Cooke and Jim Brown, who spend an evening in a hotel in Miami. During their time together, they discuss religion, what it is like to be a Black in America and the legacies they leave behind.

2. The Death And Life Of Marsha P. Johnson

Directed and Produced by

David France, L.A. Teodosio

Cast

Victoria Cruz, Sylvia Rivera

Ratings

7.4/10

Genre

Documentary

Storyline

The theme revolves around a trans activist, Victoria Cruz, who probes the murder of Marsha P. Johnson, an LGBTQ rights activist whose death was proclaimed a suicide by the NYPD. A primary figure in the Stonewall Riots, Johnson was found dead in the Hudson River. She had left a good deal of historic work behind her which is revisited by Cruz during the course of her investigation.

3. Roxanne Roxanne

Directed and Produced by

Fred Schepisi, Nina Yang Bongiovi

Cast

Chante Adams, Mahershala Ali, Nia Long

Ratings

6.2/10

Genre

Hip-Hop/Rap

Storyline

This is the story of a teenaged girl from New York, Lolita “Roxanne Shante” Gooden and her struggles to keep her family going in the 1980s as she pursues her dream to become an MC. Also featuring Mahershala Ali and Nia Long, the film is a must-watch for some extraordinary performances.

4. Paris is Burning

Directed and Produced by

Jennie Livingston

Cast

Dorian Corey, Pepper LaBeija

Ratings

8.2/10

Genre

Documentary

Storyline

The film follows the underground ballroom culture during the ‘80s in New York especially the way it influenced the then Black and Latinx trans and queer population who were ether fighting HIV, rejected by family members or fleeing some form of violence. Released in 1991. The film went on to be an inspiration for several other hit TV shows.

5. LA 92

Directed and Produced by

T.J. Martin, Simon Chinn

Cast

Scott Stevenson, Tom Bradle

Ratings

8.2/10

Genre

Documentary

Storyline

LA 92 follows the events leading up to the 1992 demonstrations urging for justice for Rodney King after the acquittal of the four policemen charged with assaulting him. It showcases a video compilation that features years of such viciousness that ultimately culminated in the 1992 events.

6. Moonlight

Directed and Produced by

Barry Jenkins, Adele Romanski

Cast

Mahershala Ali, Naomie Harris

Ratings

7.4/10

Genre

Drama

Storyline

This winner of an Academy Award Best Picture traces the life of a young Black boy living in the ‘80s in Miami, USA. It is a poignant tale of the youngster and his inner fight to reconcile with his sexuality having undergone years of abuse by his mother.

7. Antebellum

Directed and Produced by

Gerald Bush

Cast

Janelle Monae, Jena Malone

Ratings

5.8/10

Genre

Horror

Storyline

The film attempts at explaining the Black people’s way of dealing with traumatic circumstances. It follows author Veronica Henley who is on her way home to a loving family after completion of a successful book tour. However, an unfortunate turn of events hoists her life upside down where she is forced to come face to face with not only her past, but also her present and future, while there is still time.

8. Bad Hair

Directed and Produced by

Justin Simien

Cast

Elle Lorraine, Justin Simien

Ratings

5.6/10

Genre

Horror-Comedy

Storyline

This horror satire features an ambitious Video Jockey who is told her career cannot take off until she alters her natural hair and gets a new weave. The story takes a bizarre turn when she realizes that her new hair may not be as simple as it looks and may well have a mind of its own.

9. Billie

Directed and Produced by

James Erskine

Cast

Tony Bennett, Louis Armstrong

Ratings

6.8/10

Genre

Alternative/Indie

Storyline

The film opens up the intriguing life of Billie Holiday to the world based on the works of journalist Linda Lipnack Kuehl. She spent 8 long years tracking the brief and thunderous life of the iconic singer through almost 200 hours of interviews with incredible people who had been, in some way, associated with the life of Billie.

10. Black Box

Directed and Produced by

Emmanuel Osei-Kuffour, John H. Brister

Cast

Mamoudou Athie, Phylicia Rashad

Ratings

6.2/10

Genre

Horror/Science-fiction

Storyline

This science fiction tells the story of a young man suffering from amnesia after being in a terrible accident. He is seen grappling with trying to find his identity until he agrees to a sinister experiment that promises to work on a memory treatment.

11. Charm City Kings

Directed and Produced by

Angel Manuel Soto, Caleeb Pinkett

Cast

Jahi Di’Allo Winston, Kezil Curtis

Ratings

6.7/10

Genre

Drama

Storyline

The story of this Black history movie revolves around a teenage boy in this coming of age drama, who, to his mother’s absolute chagrin, decides to be a part of the same notorious group of Baltimore dirt bikers that his deceased brother was a part of.

12. Da 5 Bloods

Directed and Produced by

Spike Lee

Cast

Delroy Lindo, Jonathan Majors, Clarke Peters, Chadwick Boseman

Ratings

6.5/10

Genre

War Drama

Storline

This Screen Actors Guild nominated film trails four aged Black veterans who decide to go back to the soil they had fought on, in Vietnam to look for a lost treasure as well as the last vestiges of their departed squad leader who had helped them hide their fortune.

13. The Forty-Year-Old Version

Directed and Produced by

Radha Blank

Cast

Radha Blank, Peter Kim

Ratings

7.2/10

Genre

Comedy

Storyline

In this semi-autobiographical work by writer, director and actor Radha Blank, the life of a playwright based in New York is depicted as she struggles to hold her own in the cut-throat theatre scene. However, she finally finds her calling and discovers her new self as a rapper.

14. His House

Directed and Produced by

Remi Weekes, Martin Gentles

Cast

Wunmi Mosaku, Matt Smith

Ratings

6.5/10

Genre

Horror

Storyline

Writer director Remi Weekes tells the harrowing tale of a couple who are seeking refuge having fled from a war torn South Sudan. They however, find themselves in a strange place in an English town and have to now deal with the evil and old horrors that lurk under the surface.

15. If Not Now, When?

Directed and Produced by

Tamara Bass, Victor Oladipo

Cast

Meagan Good, Meagan HolderMekia Cox, Valarie Pettiford

Ratings

7.1/10

Genre

Drama

Storyline

Co-director Tamara Bass stars in this movie where she plays a single mother to a teenage daughter. The film is about the friendship of four women who were inseparable when in high school and how they come together to support her during her moment of crisis and take care of her daughter.

16. Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey

Directed and Produced by

David Talbert, Lyn Sisson-Talbert

Cast

Forest Whitaker, Madalen Mills

Ratings

6.5/10

Genre

Children’s film/fantasy

Storyline

Toymaker Jeronicus is dealt the blow of a lifetime when his assistant sneaks away his unique matador doll and book of ideas. The incident leaves him shattered so much so that he gives up on his passion of creating new toys until several years later when he has an unexpected visitor, his granddaughter. It is one of the most popular Black history movies for kids.

17. John Lewis: Good Trouble

Directed and Produced by

Dawn Porter, Laura Michalchyshyn

Cast

Stacey Abrams, Alexandria Ocasio

Ratings

7.7/10

Genre

Documentary

Storyline

The documentary film showcases the history of John Lewis, the congressman from Georgia. It traces Lewis’ life from when he was a civil-rights leader and worked shoulder to shoulder with Martin Luther King Jr. to when he took on a political career that was predominantly spent wrangling for voting rights for the Black people.

18. Miss Juneteenth

Directed and Produced by

Channing Godfrey Peoples, Neil Creque Williams

Cast

Nicole Beharie, Alexis Chikaeze

Ratings

6.5/10

Genre

Drama

Storyline

In this heartfelt 2020 drama, the journey of a single mother and former beauty queen is traced as she grooms her teenage daughter to pick up on her lost glory and participate in the Miss Juneteenth Pageant.

19. Judas and the Black Messiah

Directed and Produced by

Shaka King, Charles D. King

Cast

Daniel Kaluuya, Lakeith Stanfield

Ratings

7.5/10

Genre

Biographical Crime Drama

Storyline

In this 2021 biographical drama, the perfidy of FBI informant William O’Neal is impeccably portrayed as he probes the Illinois leg of the Black Panther Party and Chairman Fred Hampton. Set in Chicago of the late 1960s, the movie depicts a stirring performance by Kaluuya as Fred Hampton.

20. Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom

Directed and Produced by

George C. Wolfe/ Denzel Washington, Dany Wolf and Todd Black

Cast

Chadwick Boseman, Viola Davis

Ratings

6.9/10

Genre

Drama

Storyline

Influential American blues singer Ma Rainey also renowned as the “Mother of the blues” is brought back to life in this August Wilson adaptation. The Black history movie attempts at unearthing the truth about Levee, an ambitious, young trumpet player who is troubled with his secondary role in the band. Tensions mount finally culminating in a sinister murder.

Is it possible to download black history movies to watch offline?

It is certainly possible to watch your favorite black history movie anytime and on any device with the help of downloading software- StreamGaGa. You can now watch the movies at your convenience offline and on larger screens with this downloader which can make your viewing experience seamless with a superlative downloading quality of 1080p and 720p.

In the two years since the inception of this software, it has grown many folds in terms of user growth and current client subscribers. Some of the most popular OTT channels StreamGaGa downloader supports include Netflix, Disney Plus, Hulu, Prime Video, and HBO.

A great feature that makes downloading videos with this software user friendly and fast is that it allows you to download videos in bulk with the batch download option.

Moreover, the downloader lets you download and view your shows completely ad-free. Here’s a detailed look:

Features and advantages of StreamGaGa downloader

• High quality videos up to 1080P, 4K
• No commercials
• Save subtitles in your preferred language either in SRT format
• Batch download feature allows for bulk downloading
• Save videos in MP4 format that is compatible and user friendly
• High Speed GPU acceleration
• Output 5.1 audio channels
• It is stable, professional and state of the art with over 120 platforms

StreamGaGa- Download black history movies at the wink of an eye

The Steps

Step 1:

Select the channel or streaming service among the enlisted directory

Step 2:

Select and play the video you wish to download

Step 3:

Choose the audio and subtitles as per your preference

Step 4:

Start downloading

FAQs

What is the Black History Month?

Black history month is in February. During this time, the glory and achievements of the Black community is highlighted as opposed to its constant association with racism and slavery. Movies for Black history month include stories that showcase representation, diversity and identity in the African-American movement.

Which are some of the best black history movies for kids?

Soul, Self Made, Harriet, Hidden Figures, A Ballerina’s Tale, Dancing in the Light: The Janet Collins Story, Selma, Lee Daniels’ The Butler, The Princess and the Frog, Pride, Garrett’s Gift.

What is the Black History theme for the year 2022?

The national theme for Black History month this year is Black Health and Wellness. This theme pays tribute to the ways in which the African American community have played a part in every aspect of healthcare, apart from Black scholars and medical practitioners.

Final Words

If you are an ardent movie fan that appreciates a good film, watch some of the best Black history month movies that commemorate the lives of African-American champions who have done their bit for greater human dignity and propriety. While the list can go on, we have picked the best 20 that include great black history movies for kids, albeit sometimes older kids, and families. Several of these movies are recent and thus is an almost accurate portrayal of the current social fabric and racial summation in America.