Black History is American History, and it’s something we should celebrate and remember every day of the year. February, however, gives us a special chance to think about the people and events that led us to where we are today.
There are many ways to commemorate Black History Month, including by watching movies that aptly reflect the struggles, accomplishments and perseverance of Black Americans throughout history. This post lists 22 movies everyone should see, ranging from docudramas on the Civil Rights movement and racial inequality to historical biopics about African Americans and more.
You can watch these movies and so much more, all on DIRECTV!
To start commemorating Black History Month, add these 22 films to your February watch list!
‘Sinners’ (2025)
Rating: R
Genre: Horror, Thriller
Cast: Michael B. Jordan, Hailee Steinfeld, Jack O’Connell, Wunmi Mosaku
Director: Ryan Coogler
Twin brothers return to their hometown hoping for a fresh start, only to confront a terrifying evil rooted in the past. Stylish, intense and layered with social commentary, Sinners blends supernatural horror with a deeply human story about legacy, guilt and survival.
‘One Battle After Another’ (2025)
Rating: R
Genre: Action, Thriller, Comedy
Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn, Benicio del Toro, Teyana Taylor
Director: Paul Thomas Anderson
A sweeping, character-driven drama about ambition, power, and the personal cost of conflict. With standout performances and Anderson’s signature visual precision, One Battle After Another explores how history, identity and struggle collide across generations.
‘The Nickel Boys’ (2024)
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Drama
Cast: Ethan Herisse, Brandon Wilson, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor
Director: RaMell Ross
Based on the Pulitzer Prize–winning novel, The Nickel Boys tells a heartbreaking and necessary story of friendship and resilience inside a brutal reform school in Jim Crow–era Florida. A powerful examination of injustice, survival and the enduring strength of the human spirit.
‘The Piano Lesson’ (2024)
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Drama
Cast: Samuel L. Jackson, Danielle Deadwyler, John David Washington
Director: Malcolm Washington
August Wilson’s iconic play comes to life in this moving adaptation about family, inheritance and the weight of history. Centered on a piano carved with ancestral stories, the film explores how the past shapes the choices we make — and the futures we fight for.
‘Car Wash’ (1976)
Rating: PG
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Cast: Richard Pryor, George Carlin, Franklyn Ajaye
Director: Michael Schultz
Set over the course of one hot day in Los Angeles, Car Wash captures the humor, frustrations and dreams of a diverse group of workers. With sharp wit, unforgettable characters and a legendary soundtrack, it’s a vibrant snapshot of 1970s Black life and culture.
‘Cadillac Records’ (2008)
Rating: R
Genre: Drama, Music
Cast: Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, Jeffrey Wright, Adrien Brody, Mos Def
Director: Darnell Martin
The rise of Chess Records comes alive in this electrifying musical drama chronicling the birth of rock ’n’ roll. Featuring iconic performances as Etta James, Muddy Waters and more, Cadillac Records celebrates Black artists who changed music history forever.
‘The Fire Inside’ (2024)
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Drama, Sport
Cast: Ryan Destiny, Brian Tyree Henry
Director: Rachel Morrison
Inspired by the true story of Claressa Shields, The Fire Inside follows a determined young boxer fighting her way to Olympic glory. Gritty, inspiring and emotionally grounded, it’s a powerful portrait of perseverance, belief and breaking barriers.
‘Judas and the Black Messiah’ (2021)
Rating: R
Genre: Historical Drama, Period Drama, Biography
Cast: LaKeith Stanfield, Daniel Kaluuya, Dominique Fishback
Director: Shaka King
Judas and the Black Messiah unpacks the life and death of Fred Hampton, one of the most influential and charismatic leaders of the Black Panthers. The movie sheds light on the fight for Black lives and the FBI’s plea deal that led to Hampton’s tragic demise.
With its exceptional performances, it garnered critical acclaim and multiple Oscar nominations, including Best Motion Picture of 2021, which marked the first time an all-Black production team was nominated for the award.
‘Ali’ (2001)
Rating: R
Genre: Biopic, Sports Drama
Cast: Will Smith, Jamie Foxx, Jon Voight
Director: Michael Mann
This 2001 sports biopic tells the incredible story of the GOAT of professional boxing himself, Muhammad Ali, one of the most influential and history-making athletes of the 20th century. Taking place between 1964 and 1974, the film gives audiences a glimpse into the man behind the legend — and the trials, controversies and achievements that came along with him.
‘THE COLOR PURPLE’ (2023)
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Musical, Historical Drama
Cast: Fantasia Barrino, Taraj P. Henson, Danielle Brooks
Director: Blitz Bazawule
A musical remake of the classic novel and film, The Color Purple beautifully tells the heart-wrenching story of a young African American woman growing up in rural Georgia at the start of the 20th century. Through years of abuse, discrimination and trauma, Celie works to find her own independence and resilience. Amazing performances from Barrino, Henson, Brooks and Domingo and heartfelt songs give this old classic a new twist.
‘Marshall’ (2017)
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Historical Drama, Crime Drama, Biography
Cast: Chadwick Boseman, Sterling K. Brown, Kate Hudson
Director: Reginald Hudlin
Marshall is the 2017 biopic drama that unpacks the historical, career defining court case of the first African American Supreme Court Justice, Thurgood Marshall. After a Black chauffer is accused of assault, Marshall must work alongside a white, inexperienced insurance lawyer to defend their client, all while grappling with the extreme racism and bigotry outside and within the courtroom.
‘Black Panther’ (2018)
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Cast: Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira
Director: Ryan Coogler
Wakanda forever! This groundbreaking Marvel film follows T’Challa as he returns home to the technologically advanced African nation of Wakanda to take his rightful place as king. But when a powerful enemy emerges, T’Challa must rally his allies and unleash the full power of the Black Panther to secure his people’s future.
‘Glory Road’ (2006)
Rating: PG
Genre: Drama, Sports
Cast: Josh Lucas, Derek Luke, Jon Voight
Director: James Gartner
Based on a true story, this inspiring sports drama follows Don Haskins, the coach of Texas Western, as he leads the first all-Black starting lineup in NCAA history to victory in the 1966 championship. A powerful tale of perseverance and change, Glory Road is a must-watch for sports and history fans alike.
‘Hidden Figures’ (2016)
Rating: PG
Genre: Drama, Biography, History
Cast: Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monáe, Kevin Costner
Director: Theodore Melfi
This uplifting drama spotlights the brilliant Black women of NASA—Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson—who played crucial roles in launching John Glenn into orbit. Their contributions shattered racial and gender barriers, proving that intelligence and determination know no bounds.
‘Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse’ (2018)
Rating: PG
Genre: Animation, Action, Adventure
Cast: Shameik Moore, Jake Johnson, Hailee Steinfeld, Mahershala Ali
Director: Peter Ramsey, Rodney Rothman, Bob Persichetti
Miles Morales swings into action in this animated masterpiece that redefines the Spider-Man legacy. With stunning visuals, heart-pounding action, and a multiverse of Spideys, this film is a fresh, exhilarating take on the web-slinger we all know and love.
‘Brown Sugar’ (2002)
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Romance, Drama, Comedy
Cast: Taye Diggs, Sanaa Lathan, Mos Def, Queen Latifah
Director: Rick Famuyiwa
Brown Sugar is a love letter to hip-hop and a soulful story of relationships, ambition, and destiny.
‘House Party’ (1990)
Rating: R
Genre: Comedy, Music
Cast: Christopher Reid, Christopher Martin, Robin Harris, Tisha Campbell
Director: Reginald Hudlin
A wild and hilarious night unfolds when Kid sneaks out to attend Play’s legendary house party. Packed with iconic dance-offs, quotable lines, and an unbeatable 90s vibe, House Party is a nostalgic favorite.
‘Love Jones’ (1997)
Rating: R
Genre: Romance, Drama
Cast: Larenz Tate, Nia Long, Isaiah Washington, Lisa Nicole Carson
Director: Theodore Witcher
A poetic and passionate love story unfolds between a photographer and a poet in Chicago’s vibrant arts scene. As they navigate love, heartbreak, and creative expression, Love Jones remains a timeless romantic classic.
‘Malcolm X’ (1992)
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Biography, Drama, History
Cast: Denzel Washington, Angela Bassett, Albert Hall
Director: Spike Lee
A powerful and deeply moving portrait of Malcolm X’s journey from troubled youth to influential civil rights leader, this film is a masterpiece of storytelling and historical significance.
‘Nope’ (2022)
Rating: R
Genre: Horror, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Cast: Daniel Kaluuya, Keke Palmer, Steven Yeun, Brandon Perea
Director: Jordan Peele
From the mind of Jordan Peele, Nope is a mind-bending horror-thriller that explores the unknown. When siblings running a California horse ranch witness a mysterious, otherworldly phenomenon, they embark on a terrifying journey to uncover the truth. Combining social commentary with edge-of-your-seat suspense, Nope is a must-watch for horror and sci-fi fans alike.
‘Poetic Justice’ (1993)
Rating: R
Genre: Drama, Romance
Cast: Janet Jackson, Tupac Shakur, Regina King, Joe Torry
Director: John Singleton
Featuring heartfelt poetry and a moving road trip, Poetic Justice follows Justice, a young woman coping with loss through writing, as she embarks on an unexpected journey with a postal worker, Lucky. With iconic performances from Janet Jackson and Tupac Shakur, this film is a powerful tale of love, healing, and self-discovery.
‘The Woman King’ (2022)
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Action, Drama, Historical
Cast: Viola Davis, Thuso Mbedu, Lashana Lynch, John Boyega, Sheila Atim
Director: Gina Prince-Bythewood
Inspired by true events, The Woman King follows the powerful all-female warrior unit of the African Kingdom of Dahomey in the 1800s. Led by the fearless General Nanisca, the warriors fight to protect their kingdom from invaders, offering breathtaking action and emotional depth in this gripping historical epic.
WATCH THESE MOVIES & MORE ON DIRECTV
With thousands of available movies to watch on DIRECTV, you’ll never run out of content to watch. Including cooking and home shows like The Great Soul Food Cook-Off, Homegrown as well as a selection of great Black TV shows and more.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Black History Month?
Black History Month is celebrated every February in the United States.
What are some movies I should watch to learn about Black history?
Movies such as 'Selma,' '13th,' 'Judas and the Black Messiah' and 'Harriet' are just a few of the many movies and documentaries that explore the life and history of Black Americans.
Who are some of the best Black directors of the 21st century?
Some of the top Black directors of the 21st century include Spike Lee, John Singleton, Tyler Perry, Steve McQueen, Barry Jenkins, Ava DuVernay, Victoria Mahoney and more.
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