28 Essential Blackity-Black Films for Black History Month
Because Our Stories Deserve the Big Screen
Whew, we made it to February! And if you’ve been rocking with me since last year, you already know the vibes—first, we got spooky with my BLACK Horror movie list, then we got festive with the BLACK Holiday classics, and now? Now, it’s time to turn the Blackness all the way up.
Black History Month is here, and while every month is Black History Month in this house, February is when we really put some extra seasoning on it. So, I’ve compiled 28 essential films—one for each day of the month—because you will respect Black cinema. There are historical dramas, biopics, cultural staples, and, of course, films that remind you why Auntie Viola, Uncle Denzel, and Cousin Angela Bassett deserve all the things.
So grab your snacks (extra hot sauce on deck), dim the lights, and let’s get into these must-watch Black films. Because if you’re not watching at least one of these this month… what are you even doing?
Please remember that this is MY LIST. If you disagree with MY LIST, feel free to make your own.
Black History Month Essential Films
Civil Rights & Black Resistance
Malcolm X (1992) – Spike Lee’s masterpiece on the life of Malcolm X, starring Denzel Washington.
Selma (2014) – Chronicles the Selma-to-Montgomery marches led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman (1974) – A fictionalized account of a 110-year-old former slave’s life.
The Butler (2013) – Loosely based on the life of a Black butler who served in the White House for decades.
Judas and the Black Messiah (2021) – The story of Fred Hampton and the betrayal that led to his assassination.
Mississippi Burning (1988) – Fictionalized account of the murder of civil rights activists in Mississippi.
The Long Walk Home (1990) – Set during the Montgomery Bus Boycott, starring Whoopi Goldberg and Sissy Spacek.
Historical Biopics & True Stories
12 Years a Slave (2013) – The harrowing true story of Solomon Northup, a free man kidnapped into slavery.
Harriet (2019) – Biopic on Harriet Tubman’s escape from slavery and her role in the Underground Railroad.
Marshall (2017) – Follows a young Thurgood Marshall as he takes on an early case.
One Night in Miami (2020) – A fictionalized meeting of Malcolm X, Muhammad Ali, Sam Cooke, and Jim Brown.
Ali (2001) – Will Smith as the legendary boxer Muhammad Ali.
Hidden Figures (2016) – The true story of Black women mathematicians at NASA.
Slavery & Reconstruction Era
Glory (1989) – The story of the first Black regiment in the Civil War.
The Birth of a Nation (2016) – About Nat Turner’s 1831 slave rebellion.
Roots (1977) – The groundbreaking miniseries tracing Alex Haley’s family history.
Beloved (1998) – Based on Toni Morrison’s novel about a formerly enslaved woman haunted by her past.
Black Excellence & Cultural Icons
Ray (2004) – The life story of Ray Charles, starring Jamie Foxx.
What's Love Got to Do with It (1993) – The turbulent life of Tina Turner.
Dreamgirls (2006) – Inspired by The Supremes and the rise of Motown.
Bessie (2015) – Queen Latifah as the legendary blues singer Bessie Smith.
Afrofuturism & Black Imagination
Black Panther (2018 & 2022) – A cultural phenomenon and celebration of Black excellence.
The Woman King (2022) – Inspired by the real-life all-women warriors of Dahomey.
Classic & Contemporary Black Stories
Do the Right Thing (1989) – A powerful look at race relations in Brooklyn.
Eve’s Bayou (1997) – A coming-of-age story steeped in Southern Black mysticism.
The Color Purple (1985) – A gripping tale of Black womanhood and resilience.
Boyz n the Hood (1991) – A seminal film about growing up Black in South Central L.A.
New Jack City (1991) – Rock-a-bye baby. This is bigger than Nino Brown!
Honorable Mentions: Black Comedy Classics
Because sometimes, the best way to celebrate Black history is through joy, laughter, and pure foolishness. Here are some Black comedy essentials that deserve their flowers:
Trading Places (1983) – Eddie Murphy and Dan Aykroyd prove that switching lives is all fun and games… until it isn’t.
Friday (1995) – A cultural staple that gave us Bye, Felicia and the most legendary porch convo ever.
Harlem Nights (1989) – Eddie Murphy, Richard Pryor, and Redd Foxx in one film? Comedy royalty.
House Party 1 (1990) – A film that singlehandedly made you want to throw a house party and learn Kid ‘n Play’s dance routine.
Boomerang (1992) – Marcus, darling, this one is for the sophisticated comedy lovers.
Hollywood Shuffle (1987) – Robert Townsend’s hilarious and sharp critique of Hollywood’s treatment of Black actors.
I'm Gonna Git You Sucka (1988) – A parody of Blaxploitation movies that is straight-up comedy gold.
CB4 (1993) – Chris Rock’s hilarious mockumentary about a fake gangster rap group.
Pootie Tang (2001) – The most ridiculous yet oddly brilliant comedy you’ll ever see. Sa da tay!
Honorable Honorable Mention: Black Movie that had me ugly crying.
Cooley High (1975) – If you know, you know. That ending?? I wasn’t okay.
Final Thoughts:
There you have it—28 days of Black excellence on film, plus 10 honorable mentions to keep the celebration going. Whether you’re diving into history, laughing at our comedic legends, or straight-up ugly crying (because Cooley High broke all of us), these films are essential to understanding and appreciating Black storytelling.
Again, this is MY list—so if you don’t see your favorite, feel free to make your own! But in the meantime, let's give these movies their flowers, because Black cinema is unmatched, timeless, and forever influential.
Now go forth, watch, rewatch, and most importantly—respect Black cinema. 🎬✊🏾
Thank you immensely.