Although the Emancipation Proclamation declared enslaved people in Confederate states free in 1863, many remained in bondage because the order could not be enforced in areas still under Confederate control. It wasn’t until June 19, 1865, when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, that the news of emancipation finally reached the more than 250,000 enslaved people living there. Today, we celebrate Juneteenth as a commemoration of freedom, resilience and African American culture.
In 2021, President Joe Biden signed legislation making Juneteenth a federal holiday. In honor of the occasion, we’ve rounded up 10 must-watch movies and shows—from powerful documentaries and historical dramas to beloved comedies—that highlight the stories, achievements and cultural impact of African Americans throughout history and today.
‘Miss Juneteenth’ (2020)
Miss Juneteenth follows Turquoise (Nichole Beharie) a former teen beauty queen who enters her teenage daughter, Kai, in a local Miss Juneteenth pageant so she can live vicariously through Kai. This film, directed by Channing Godrey Peoples, champions a real-life cultural tradition and African American pride.
‘High on the Hog: How African American Cuisine Transformed America’ (2021)
In the culinary world, European cuisine is highly regarded as the standard for professional chefs. Food writer and sommelier Stephen Satterfield is on a mission to alter that narrow thinking. As the host of High on the Hog, Satterfield traces the throughlines of African American cuisine from its origins in Africa to Texas. This is the perfect docuseries for anyone who loves African American food but has no idea how it came to be.
‘Who We Are: A Chronicle of Racism in America’ (2021)
Who We Are: A Chronicle of Racism in America is a compelling documentary integral to The Who We Are Project founded by lawyer Jeffery Robinson. The film and project aim to foster an educational and factual narrative on anti-Black racism in the United States from the beginnings of slavery to the myth of a post-racial America.
‘Origin’ (2023)
Ava DuVernay’s Origin follows Pulitzer Prize-winning author Isabel Wilkerson as she investigates the hidden systems that divide societies around the world. Inspired by Wilkerson’s bestselling book Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents, the film explores how race, class and social hierarchy shape lives across generations, offering a powerful perspective on history, identity and the ongoing pursuit of equality.
‘The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson’ (2017)
Because Juneteenth is during Pride Month, it would be remiss to not include a film that intersects Black culture with LGBTQ pride. Marsha P. Johnson was a prominent transgender activist in New York City in the 1960s until her death in 1992. The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson centers on trans activist Victoria Cruz’s investigation into Johnson’s strange death in 1992.
‘Summer of Soul’ (2021)
Directed by Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson in his film debut, Summer of Soul fixates on the summer of 1969 at the Harlem Cultural Festival — an event that celebrates Black history, culture and fashion. Using uncovered footage, Summer of Soul explores how music can heal during times of civil unrest. Featuring music from Stevie Wonder, Mahalia Jackson, B.B. King, Nina Simone and more, the film won the Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival.
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‘Atlanta’ (2016)
Atlanta is a hilarious show created by Donald Glover. The show follows Princeton drop-out Earn and his cousin, Alfred, as they try to make it in Atlanta’s rap scene. Throughout the four seasons, Atlanta touches on race, economic status and more. Watch the Juneteenth episode — the ninth episode of the first season — where Earn and his girlfriend, Van, attend a Juneteenth party.
‘Rustin’ (2023)
Colman Domingo delivers an Oscar-nominated performance as Bayard Rustin, the brilliant strategist and activist who helped organize the historic 1963 March on Washington. Despite facing discrimination as a Black gay man, Rustin played a pivotal role in the Civil Rights Movement. This inspiring biographical drama shines a light on an often-overlooked leader whose courage and determination helped change the course of American history.
‘Hidden Figures’ (2016)
Loosely based on the book by the same name, Hidden Figures centers on the lives of three African American women working at NASA. Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson were mathematicians who were the brains behind the space race. While they helped launch astronaut John Glenn into space, they also overcame discrimination in the workplace for being Black women. Starring Taraji P. Henson, Janelle Monáe and Octavia Spencer, the film was nominated for three Academy Awards.
‘Judas and The Black Messiah’ (2021)
Judas and the Black Messiah depicts the life and death of activist Fred Hampton, played by Daniel Kaluuya. As the Chairman of the Black Panther party, Hampton garners the attention of the FBI who, in exchange for a plea deal, asks William O’Neal to infiltrate the Black Panther Party to gather intel on Hampton. The film takes a hard look at how U.S. government agencies play a role in eliminating racial activists. The film was nominated for multiple Oscar nominations and won Best Supporting Actor and Best Original Song.
