Black Historical past is American Historical past, and it’s one thing we should always rejoice and keep in mind day by day of the yr. February, nonetheless, provides us a particular likelihood to consider the folks and occasions that led us to the place we’re in the present day.
There are lots of methods to commemorate Black Historical past Month, together with by watching motion pictures that aptly replicate the struggles, accomplishments and perseverance of Black Individuals all through historical past. This submit lists 11 motion pictures everybody ought to see, starting from docudramas on the Civil Rights motion and racial inequality to historic biopics about African Individuals and extra.
You may watch these motion pictures and a lot extra, all on DIRECTV!
To begin commemorating Black Historical past Month, add these 11 movies to your February watch record!
‘Selma’ (2014)
Ranking: PG-13
Style: Historic Drama, Interval Drama
Forged: David Oyelowo, Carmen Ejogo, Oprah Winfrey
Director: Ava DuVernay
Selma is a strong historic drama that chronicles the pivotal occasions of the civil rights motion in 1965. Specializing in the Black resistance led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the movie depicts the marketing campaign and subsequent march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, highlighting the battle for equal voting rights and one of many monumental achievements within the Civil Rights motion.
‘Harriet’ (2019)
Ranking: PG-13
Style: Historic Drama, Interval Drama, Biography
Forged: Cynthia Erivo, Janelle Monae, Leslie Odom Jr.
Director: Kasi Lemmons
Harriet is a fascinating interval drama primarily based on the lifetime of iconic freedom fighter Harriet Tubman. The movie superbly Tubman’s extraordinary journey from slavery to changing into one in every of America’s biggest heroes.
With a strong efficiency by Wicked’s Cynthia Erivo, Harriet acquired vital acclaim and garnered two Academy Award nominations, solidifying its place as a must-watch, each throughout Black Historical past Month and each different month of the yr.
’12 Years a Slave’ (2013)
Ranking: R
Style: Historic Drama, Interval Drama, Biography
Forged: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Kenneth Williams, Brad Pitt
Director: Steve McQueen
One of the vital critically acclaimed biopics of all time, 12 Years a Slave is a gripping movie primarily based on the true story of Solomon Northup, a free Black man who was kidnapped and bought into slavery within the nineteenth century. This Oscar-winning movie exposes the brutal realities of slavery and the resilience of the human spirit, highlighting the injustice and crimes of these in energy in pre-Civil Battle America.
‘Until’ (2022)
Ranking: PG-13
Style: Historic Drama, Interval Drama, Biography
Forged: Danielle Deadwyler, Jalyn Corridor, Frankie Faison
Director: Chinonye Chukwu
A deeply highly effective and vital film for everybody to look at, the 2022 movie Until sheds mild on a major chapter of American historical past. Directed by the proficient Chinonye Chukwu, it tells the story of Emmett Until’s brutal homicide and his mom’s battle for justice, serving as a poignant reminder of the continuing battle in opposition to racism that continues to at the present time.
’42’ (2013)
Ranking: PG-13
Style: Biopic, Historic Drama
Forged: Chadwick Boseman, T.R. Knight
Director: Brian Helgeland
One other compelling Black historical past film that chronicles the lifetime of an influential determine within the battle for civil rights in America is 42. It depicts the story of Jackie Robinson, brilliantly portrayed by Chadwick Boseman, and explores Robinson’s groundbreaking journey as the primary African American to play in Main League Baseball and the affect he made on the game and society as an entire.
‘Judas and the Black Messiah’ (2021)
Ranking: R
Style: Historic Drama, Interval Drama, Biography
Forged: LaKeith Stanfield, Daniel Kaluuya, Dominique Fishback
Director: Shaka King
Judas and the Black Messiah unpacks the life and loss of life of Fred Hampton, one of the vital influential and charismatic leaders of the Black Panthers. The film sheds mild on the battle for Black lives and the FBI’s plea deal that led to Hampton’s tragic demise.
With its distinctive performances, it garnered vital acclaim and a number of Oscar nominations, together with Greatest Movement Image of 2021, which marked the primary time an all-Black manufacturing crew was nominated for the award.
‘Ali’ (2001)
Ranking: R
Style: Biopic, Sports activities Drama
Forged: Will Smith, Jamie Foxx, Jon Voight
Director: Michael Mann
This 2001 sports activities biopic tells the unbelievable story of the GOAT {of professional} boxing himself, Muhammad Ali, one of the vital influential and history-making athletes of the twentieth century. Happening between 1964 and 1974, the movie provides audiences a glimpse into the person behind the legend — and the trials, controversies and achievements that got here together with him.
‘THE COLOR PURPLE’ (2023)
Ranking: PG-13
Style: Musical, Historic Drama
Forged: Fantasia Barrino, Taraj P. Henson, Danielle Brooks
Director: Blitz Bazawule
A musical remake of the traditional novel and movie, The Colour Purple superbly tells the heart-wrenching story of a younger African American girl rising up in rural Georgia at first of the twentieth century. By means of years of abuse, discrimination and trauma, Celie works to search out her personal independence and resilience. Superb performances from Barrino, Henson, Brooks and Domingo and heartfelt songs give this outdated traditional a brand new twist.
‘Marshall’ (2017)
Ranking: PG-13
Style: Historic Drama, Crime Drama, Biography
Forged: Chadwick Boseman, Sterling Okay. Brown, Kate Hudson
Director: Reginald Hudlin
Marshall is the 2017 biopic drama that unpacks the historic, profession defining court docket case of the primary African American Supreme Court docket Justice, Thurgood Marshall. After a Black chauffer is accused of assault, Marshall should work alongside a white, inexperienced insurance coverage lawyer to defend their shopper, all whereas grappling with the acute racism and bigotry outdoors and inside the courtroom.
‘All Eyez on Me’ (2017)
Ranking: R
Style: Biopic, Music, Drama
Forged: Demetrius Shipp Jr., Danai Gurira, Kat Graham
Director: Benny Increase
As one of the vital prolific and famed rappers of the ’90s, Tupac Shakur is well-known, however there are components of this poet, activist, and actor’s story which are nonetheless to be informed. All Eyez on Me (2017) brings his journey to life, exploring his rise to fame, his struggles and the legacy he left behind.
‘Moonlight’ (2016)
Ranking: PG-13
Style: Drama, Coming of Age
Forged: Mahershala Ali, Naomie Harris, Trevante Rhodes
Director: Barry Jenkins
Whereas not primarily based on a historic occasion or determine, Moonlight is a poignant and introspective movie that explores the complexities and intersectionality of Black tradition, sexuality and id in America, making it properly price watching throughout Black Historical past Month or another time.
WATCH THESE MOVIES & MORE ON DIRECTV
With 1000’s of accessible motion pictures to look at on DIRECTV, you’ll by no means run out of content material to look at. Together with cooking and residential exhibits like The Great Soul Food Cook-Off, Homegrown in addition to a collection of great Black TV shows and extra.
The submit 11 Black History Movies to Watch During Black History Month 2025 appeared first on DIRECTV Insider.
