Every February, the United States celebrates Black History Month. People celebrate in various ways, including informing themselves on current issues, buying from Black-owned businesses, or highlighting black artists. No matter how you want to celebrate whether its thorough tears of sadness or joy, there’s a movie out there that can help you. Below you’ll find a list of movies starring black actresses, written by black directors, and/or telling stories that need to be told. Please note that this is far from an exhaustive list and the movies are not ranked. 

Hidden Figures:

Synopsis: Hidden figures tells the story of three black female mathematicians whose work helped NASA launch John Glenn into orbit

Where to find it: Prime Video

The immortal life of Henrietta Lacks:

Synopsis: This film tells the story of the woman whose cells were used to create the first line of immortal cells (without her permission). It grapples with the topic of medical consent and is based on the book of the same title

Where to find it: Hulu, Amazon prime

MLK/FBI:

Synopsis: This 2020 film uses declassified files to examine the FBI’s surveillance and harassment of MLK during the civil rights movement

Where to find it: Hulu, Apple TV, Vudu

Good Hair: 

Synopsis: In this 2009 comedic documentary, Chris Rock asks Black Americans what exactly good hair means. This question leads him to learn visit salons across America as well as chemical labs to learn the science behind certain products. Many women are interviewed including Maya Angelou and Tracie Thomas. 

Where to find it: Free on Plex or Pluto, paid on Apple TV, Amazon, Google Play, or Vudu

The Death of Life of Marsha P. Johnson:

Synoposis: This movie centers follow Victoria Cruz’s investigation into the death of Marsha P. Johnson, a transgender activist and icon whose death offered mysterious circumstances but was ruled a suicide

Where to find it: Netflix

13th:

Synopsis: This documentary covers the exceptions to the end of slavery, leading viewers to see the American prison system in a whole new light.

Where to watch: Netflix

BlacKkKlansmen:

Synopsis: BlacKkKlansmen is about the first black detective in Colorado springs texas as he infiltrates the local KKK with the help of a Jewish Surrogate

Where to watch: Hulu

Loving:

Synopsis: This film is described as an “American biographical romantic drama film” and tells the story of the plaintiffs in the supreme court case that ruled interracial marriage was legal nationwide

Where to watch: Netflix