Best Black movies and shows on Netflix
Self Made
The Netflix miniseries Self Made tells the story of one of the first female self-made millionaires in America, Madam C.J. Walker (played by Oscar winner Octavia Spencer). It highlights her rise to prominence while also showcasing the lives of many other middle-class and upper-class Black Americans.
The Last Dance
The Last Dance is an autobiographical documentary that highlights the career of one of the most successful basketball players alive, Michael Jordan. This 10-episode series chronicles the rise of Jordan from childhood to icon, plus the players who helped and hindered him along the way. It also offers a unique insider perspective on the sport itself.
Becoming
Becoming delves into the inspirational life of America’s first Black First Lady of the United States. In this up-close and personal documentary film, Michelle Obama gives viewers the opportunity to get a peek inside her life, psyche, book tour and family (there are even interviews with her daughters, Sasha and Malia Obama).
Voices of Fire
Voices of Fire is a dynamic TV series executive produced by Pharrell Williams that showcases a major part of many Black cultures and communities across the nation: gospel choirs. This six-part series provides a glimpse inside what makes the best, most successful gospel choirs, and why they are so influential.
Dance Dreams: Hot Chocolate Nutcracker
Dance Dreams: Hot Chocolate Nutcracker provides a behind-the-scenes look at the Debbie Allen Dance Academy founded by actress, dancer, choreographer and director Debbie Allen. This movie showcase a cultural trailblazer alongside her ethnically and culturally diverse dance studio, while highlights many of her contributions to America’s worlds of dance, film and television.
When They See Us
When They See Us brings to light the real-life experiences of The Central Park Five, the five teens in Harlem who were falsely accused of attacking a white woman in Central Park and subsequently jailed. Directed by Ava Duvernay, When They See Us highlights the racial bias and systemic oppression embedded within America’s judicial system.
Homecoming: A Film By Beyoncé
Homecoming: A Film By Beyonce not only takes a look at all the work that went into Beyoncé’s 2018 Coachella performance, but it also showcases the potency and significance of Black college culture. From marching bands to fancy majorettes, Homecoming personifies the influence of Black culture on fashion, music and dance.
Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom
Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom brings to life some of the experiences of Ma Rainey, an influential Blues singer in the 1920s. Directed by George C. Wolfe and written by Ruben Santiago-Hudson, this movie showcases an issue that many Black artists and creatives have dealt with for generations: Black voices and creativity being controlled by White gatekeepers and management. Chadwick Boseman glows in his final film alongside fellow Oscar nominee Viola Davis.
We Are The Brooklyn Saints
We Are The Brooklyn Saints follows a youth football team in East New York, Brooklyn, one of the most disenfranchised communities in New York City. This documentary shows that for many inner-city kids, being a part of a sports team is not just a hobby, it’s a family.
13th
13th provides a raw and honest look inside America’s prison system. Directed by DuVernay, this Netflix documentary really sheds light on the history of America’s racial divide.
I Am Not Your Negro
I Am Not Your Negro highlights race in America through the voice of writer James Baldwin. It features his novel Remember This House, and explores racism through the lens of many public figures past and present who have made an impact in reshaping America’s history.
Kevin Hart’s Guide to Black History
Kevin Hart’s Guide to Black History is a comedy highlighting the contributions of several notable Black figures in a fun, entertaining manner. Kevin Hart’s Guide to Black History is informative and family-friendly.
Loving
Loving is a romantic drama that tells the story of Richard and Mildred Loving, an interracial couple who changed the course of history in 1967. After their arrest for being an interracially married couple, they went through a legal battle that led the Supreme Court to overturn state laws prohibiting interracial marriage.
The Black Godfather
The Black Godfather chronicles the life of one of the most influential people in film, television, politics and music: music executive Clarence Avant. Directed by Reginald Hudlin, the story of Avant’s life is told by the people who worked with him in some capacity. Avant was the mentor to many Black executives and his influence was quite vast, though many in the public don’t know of him. This film changes that.
Who Killed Malcolm X?
Who Killed Malcolm X? examines the mysterious details surrounding the murder of civil rights activist and leader, Malcom X. In this documentary series, historian and journalist Abdur-Rahman Muhammad takes a deep look into the details surrounding his death.
What Happened, Miss Simone?
What Happened, Miss Simone? is a biographical film about the legendary Nina Simone. The film highlights how the singer, pianist and activist was not just a woman with a voice and a platform. She was a force who used her influence to sound the alarm on social and racial injustices happening in the world.
Quincy
Quincy explores the life of the musical genius Quincy Jones, who has had an influence in culture and music for over 70 years; his creative artistry, coupled with his business acumen, has shaped many careers. This documentary gives access to his life, career and commentary from many who have been impacted by him and his work.
Miles Davis: Birth of the Cool
Miles Davis: Birth of the Cool features archived footage, photos and more on the legendary musician Miles Davis. This documentary showcases the jazz musician’s desire to break free from tradition, convention and norms. Through celebrity interviews, it provides a detailed look at his journey.
Da 5 Bloods
Da 5 Bloods tells the story of four Black veterans who fought in the Vietnam War in search of gold that they hid there while fighting in the war. Directed by Spike Lee,Da 5 Bloods provides a sub-narrative on Black soldiers’ contributions and experiences in the Vietnam War, and the irony of Black men fighting in a foreign land for America, yet still coping with issues of disenfranchisement in their own country. It also is one of Boseman’s final films.
Dolemite Is My Name
Dolemite Is My Name brings to the screen the life of the comedic legend, Rudy Ray Moore, portrayed by one of the current kings of comedy, Eddie Murphy. The film showcases how Moore used his personality, alter ego and adaptability to achieve his dreams, and a colorful, unique cast definitely makes this an interesting and humorous watch.
Time: The Kalief Browder Story
Time: The Kalief Browder Story tells the story of a young Black teenager, Kalief Browder, who spent three years in one of the most dangerous prisons in the country, Riker’s Island, without ever being convicted of a crime. Directed by Jenner Furst, this six-episode miniseries brings to light the cyclical residue of system oppression, racial bias, the consequences of disenfranchisement and the injustices done to a teenage Black boy who was accused of stealing a backpack.
See You Yesterday
See You Yesterday is a creative sci-fi time-traveling drama that showcases two Black teen science geniuses while highlighting the impacts of police brutality. Directed by Spike Lee mentee Stefon Bristol, this film creatively provides positive counter-stereotypes of inner-city teenagers. The protagonists in this film do not aspire to become athletes or rappers; CJ (Eden Duncan-Smith) and Sebastian (Danté Crichlow) aspire to attend a top historically Black college or university and have success in the field of science. In this timely movie, teens attempt to build a time-machine to go back in time to stop the death of CJ’s older brother.
Django Unchained
DjangoUnchained, starring Jamie Foxx, Leonardo DiCaprio, Samuel Jackson and Kerry Washington, manages to deliver some heavy themes—including the brutal treatment of slaves, the Black female body seen as a commodity, dehumanizing acts against the Black male bodies, colonized minds and more—with a pinch of comedy. And, in a peculiar way, it works. Director Quentin Tarantino packs a lot of history into this drama about a bounty hunter, a freed slave and a powerful Mississippi plantation owner.
Miss Virginia
Miss Virginia tells the story of a low-income mother who launched a movement that changed the educational system. Directed by R.J. Daniel Hanna, it’s about the real-life story of Virginia Walden Ford, a mother who was unwilling to compromise when it came to her son having a quality education. She fought to create change, and helped to create scholarship programs for at-risk youth.
Roxanne, Roxanne
Roxanne, Roxanne shows the rise to stardom of young female hip-hop rapper Lolita ‘Roxanne Shante’ Gooden growing up in the NYC projects in the ’80s. Roxanne, Roxanne does not shy away from the not-so-glamorous reality of an MC who paved the way for so many female rappers to have success today.
Giving Voice
Giving Voice is an endearing documentary about the annual August Wilson monologue competition and the multitude of high school students around the country that enter seeking an opportunity to perform on Broadway. It’s a very inspiring look at the legacy that Wilson left behind, and the fire that his work has lit in the hearts and minds of the next generation.
Barry
Barry provides a look inside the life of a young adult Barack Obama. It depicts his college days, his struggles with his identity growing up and some of the experiences that shaped many of the decisions that he made once he began to run for political office.
They Gotta Have Us
They Gotta Have Us is a very powerful and informational docuseries that highlights the history of Black cinema. It features a series of interviews from very prominent Black artists and entertainers who helped to shape Black cinema, and it also focuses on art, activism, race, typecasting and more in relation to Black cinema in Hollywood. It features candid commentary from the likes of Whoopi Goldberg, Harry Belafonte, Laurence Fishburne, Don Cheadle and more.
Rodney King
Rodney King’s story is given new life through the voice of the incomparable Roger Guenveur Smith. Directed by Spike Lee, who has directed Guenveur Smith on several occasions, it tells the story of the horrific beating of Rodney King. The police brutality against Rodney King resulted in the 1992 riots and revolts against this injustice.
Nappily Ever After
Nappily Ever After stars the lovely Sanaa Lathan as a high-profile ad agency executive who goes through a major life shift after a bad breakup with a boyfriend. After a hair salon visit goes totally wrong, she is forced to begin to re-examine her life and how she lives it. Nappily Ever After is a lighthearted romantic comedy that takes a look at how aspiring for perfection can be quite toxic.
She’s Gotta Have It
She’s Gotta Have It is directed by Spike Lee and centers on a young woman Nola Darling (Tracy Johns) who is struggling with holding onto her dreams and her three lovers. An independent artist, she battles with being true to herself and the expectations of society.
Burning Sands
Burning Sands shows a bit of the dark of side of what happens when hazing and college fraternity traditions go too far. While historically, fraternities and sororities were established to create a spirit of brotherhood and sisterhood, Burning Sands realistically depicts some of the sacrifices and abuse that many college students endure to cross over.
ReMastered: The Two Killings of Sam Cooke
ReMastered: The Two Killings of Sam Cooke is a documentary that provides a glimpse into the life of Sam Cooke and his mysterious murder. The documentary is comprised of interviews from family members, friends and reporters and some archived footage.
American Son
American Son centers on an upper-middle class interracial couple in Florida as they await news about an incident with their teenage Black son. As they wait in the police station to get all the details, tensions rise and themes of white privilege, the construct of race, identity, fear and racial bias all rear their ugly heads.
Uncorked
Uncorked is a beautiful film that shows the balance that many struggle to maintain when reaching for their dreams while feeling bound by family expectations. This film also provides a refreshing depiction of a sensitive, skilled and astute man and his desire to be a master sommelier. Nuanced, counter-stereotypes like this are a welcomed delight to see on-screen.
Malcolm & Marie
Starring Zendaya and John David Washington, Malcolm & Marieis a romantic drama that was shot entirely at the Feldman Architecture’s Caterpillar House in Carmel, CA during the pandemic. The couple face a reckoning as they address the fact they that are at very different places in their lives. The raw, sometimes hard to watch a depiction of a real love story takes place over one single night. Next, celebrate Black History Month with these movies.
