Black History Month is a time dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the contributions, achievements, and history of African Americans throughout U.S. history. Throughout February, we reflect on the struggles, triumphs, and enduring spirit of a community that has profoundly shaped the national and cultural identity of the United States.

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Movies have a powerful role in shining a light on black stories, voices, and experiences, inviting audiences to explore the depths of historical and contemporary black perspectives. Movies have the unique ability to educate, inspire, and provoke thought, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of the rich tapestry of black history. Seeing these stories, struggles, triumphs, and perspectives through the lens of cinematic storytelling helps to contribute to Black History Month by amplifying black voices, highlighting pivotal moments in history, and sparking conversations about race, equality, and justice.

Here, we share 25 powerful and impactful movies that people from all walks of life and color can watch to celebrate Black History Month. We’ll also mention notable Academy Award recognition, as well as some thoughts on the impact of each film.

Read More: 5 Ways Screenwriters Can (And Should) Include Diversity in Their Writing

1. 12 Years a Slave (2013)

Director: Steve McQueen

Writer: John Ridley

Synopsis: Based on the true story of Solomon Northup, a free African American man who was abducted and sold into slavery.

Oscar Nominations: Best Picture (WINNER), Best Director (Steven McQueen), Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor (Chiwetel Ejiofor), Best Supporting Actress (WINNER - Lupita Nyong'o), Best Adapted Screenplay (WINNER - John Ridley), Best Production Design (Adam Stockhausen and Alice Normington), Best Costume Design (Patricia Norris), Best Film Editing (Joe Walker)

This powerful film brought the brutal reality of American slavery to a broad audience, igniting conversations about history, race, and resilience. The movie is celebrated for its unflinching portrayal of slavery and its emotional depth.

2. Selma (2014)

Director: Ava DuVernay

Writer: Paul Webb

Synopsis: Chronicling Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his followers' march from Selma to Montgomery, and their efforts culminated with President Lyndon Johnson signing the Voting Rights Act of 1965

Oscar Nominations: Best Picture, Best Original Song (WINNER - John Legend and Common)

This cinematic depiction of the historical story highlighted the significance of the civil rights movement and the ongoing struggle for racial justice in America, inspiring a new generation to engage in social activism.

3. Moonlight (2016)

Director: Barry Jenkins

Writer: Barry Jenkins (story by Tarell Alvin McCraney)

Synopsis: A young African American man grapples with his identity and sexuality while experiencing the everyday struggles of childhood, adolescence, and burgeoning adulthood.

Oscar Nominations: Best Picture (WINNER), Best Director (Barry Jenkins), Best Supporting Actor (WINNER - Mahershala Ali), Best Supporting Actress (Naomie Harris), Best Adapted Screenplay (WINNER - Barry Jenkins and Tarell Alvin McCraney), Best Cinematography (James Laxton), Best Film Editing (Joi McMillon), Best Original Score

The film broke new ground in cinema as it explores black masculinity, sexuality, and vulnerability, offering a poignant look at the complexities of human connection and self-discovery.

4. Black Panther (2018)

Director: Ryan Coogler

Writer: Ryan Coogler, Joe Robert Cole

Synopsis: T'Challa, heir to the hidden but advanced kingdom of Wakanda, must step forward to lead his people into a new future and confront a challenger from his country's past.

Oscar Nominations: Best Picture, Best Original Score (WINNER - Ludwig Göransson), Best Original Song (“Lift Me Up”), Best Sound Mixing, Best Sound Editing, Best Production Design (WINNER - Hannah Beachler), Best Costume Design (WINNER - Ruth E. Carter)

Black Panther was a watershed moment for black representation in superhero films, celebrating African culture and sparking global conversations about identity, heritage, and representation.

5. Get Out (2017)

Director: Jordan Peele

Writer: Jordan Peele

Synopsis: A young black man visits his white girlfriend's parents for the weekend, where his simmering uneasiness about their reception of him eventually reaches a boiling point.

Oscar Nominations: Best Picture, Best Director (Jordan Peele), Best Actor (Daniel Kaluuya), Best Original Screenplay (WINNER - Jordan Peele)

This film masterfully blends horror and social commentary, offering a sharp critique of race relations and liberal racism in America.

6. The Color Purple (1985)

Director: Steven Spielberg

Writer: Menno Meyjes (based on the novel by Alice Walker)

Synopsis: A black Southern woman struggles to find her identity after suffering abuse from her father and others over four decades.

Oscar Nominations: Best Picture, Best Actress (Whoopi Goldberg), Best Supporting Actress (Oprah Winfrey, Margaret Avery), Best Adapted Screenplay (Menno Meyjes), Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography (Allen Daviau), Best Costume Design (Aggie Guerard Rodgers), Best Makeup (Best Makeup), Best Original Score, Best Original Song ("Miss Celie's Blues")

An adaptation of Alice Walker's novel, this film's exploration of black women's struggles against poverty, racism, and sexism in the early 20th century highlighted the resilience and solidarity needed to overcome oppression.

7. Malcolm X (1992)

Director: Spike Lee

Writer: Arnold Perl, Spike Lee

Synopsis: This biographical epic of the controversial and influential Black Nationalist leader, from his early life and career as a small-time gangster to his ministry as a member of the Nation of Islam.

Oscar Nominations: Best Actor (Denzel Washington), Best Costume Design (Ruth E. Carter)

Spike Lee's portrayal of Malcolm X is a powerful, nuanced exploration of the civil rights leader's life and legacy, prompting widespread discussion about racial pride, activism, and the complexities of historical narratives.

8. Do The Right Thing (1989)

Director: Spike Lee

Writer: Spike Lee

Synopsis: On the hottest day of the year on a street in the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn, everyone's hate and bigotry smolders and builds until it explodes into violence.

Oscar Nominations: Best Original Screenplay (Spike Lee), Best Supporting Actor (Danny Aiello)

This film's unapologetic look at racial tensions in a Brooklyn neighborhood resonated with audiences for its authentic depiction of urban life and the urgent call for understanding and empathy amidst societal discord.

9. BlacKkKlansman (2018)

Director: Spike Lee

Writer: Charlie Wachtel, David Rabinowitz, Kevin Willmott, Spike Lee

Synopsis: Ron Stallworth, an African American police officer from Colorado Springs, CO, successfully manages to infiltrate the local Ku Klux Klan branch with the help of a Jewish surrogate who eventually becomes its leader.

Oscar Nominations: Best Picture, Best Director (Spike Lee), Best Supporting Actor (Adam Driver), Best Adapted Screenplay (WINNER - Spike Lee), Best Film Editing (Barry Alexander Brown), Best Original Score (Terence Blanchard)

Based on a true story that feels almost too surreal to believe, BlacKkKlansman tackles the absurdity and horror of American racism, blending humor with a sharp critique of white supremacy and highlighting the ongoing struggle against hate.

10. Fruitvale Station (2013)

Director: Ryan Coogler

Writer: Ryan Coogler

Synopsis: The story of Oscar Grant III, a 22-year-old Bay Area resident, who crosses paths with friends, enemies, family, and strangers on the last day of 2008.

The story brought national attention to the issue of police brutality and the value of black lives in America, offering a heart-wrenching look at the human stories behind the headlines and sparking discussions on racial injustice.

11. Hidden Figures (2016)

Director: Theodore Melfi

Writer: Allison Schroeder, Theodore Melfi

Synopsis: The story of a team of female African-American mathematicians who served a vital role in NASA during the early years of the U.S. space program.

Oscar Nominations: Best Picture, Best Supporting Actress (Octavia Spencer), Best Adapted Screenplay (Allison Schroeder, Theodore Melfi)

Highlighting the contributions of African American women to the space race. The film rightfully challenges the historical narrative and inspires a greater appreciation for the roles of women and minorities in science and technology.

12. If Beale Street Could Talk (2018)

Director: Barry Jenkins

Writer: Barry Jenkins

Synopsis: A young woman embraces her pregnancy while she and her family set out to prove her childhood friend and lover innocent of a crime he didn't commit.

Oscar Nominations: Best Supporting Actress (WINNER - Regina King), Best Adapted Screenplay (Barry Jenkins), Best Original Score (Nicholas Britell)

This film captures the beauty and pain of black love against the backdrop of racial injustice in America, bringing James Baldwin's profound narrative to life and highlighting the enduring power of love and family.

Read More: What Hollywood Looks for in Adapted Screenplays: A Q&a With Kurt Conner

13. Ray (2004)

Director: Taylor Hackford

Writer: Taylor Hackford, James L. White

Synopsis: The life and career of the legendary rhythm and blues musician Ray Charles, from his humble beginnings in the South, where he went blind at age seven, to his meteoric rise to stardom during the 1950s and 1960s.

Oscar Nominations: Best Picture, Best Director (Taylor Hackford), Best Actor (WINNER - Jamie Foxx), Best Editing (Paul Hirsch), Best Costume Desing (Sharen Davis)

Ray provided a deep look into the struggles and successes of Ray Charles, showcasing the musical genius's impact on the industry and society, while addressing themes of disability, substance abuse, and racial barriers.

14. Glory (1989)

Director: Edward Zwick

Writer: Kevin Jarre

Synopsis: The story of the first all-black volunteer company, fighting on the Union side in the American Civil War.

Oscar Nominations: Best Supporting Actor (WINNER - Denzel Washington), Best Art Direction (Norman Garwood, Garrett Lewis), Best Cinematography (WINNER - Freddie Francis), Best Sound (WINNER), Best Film Editing (Steven Rosenblum)

The epic film showcases an honest and powerful portrayal of black soldiers' bravery and contribution to the Civil War, shedding light on a previously underrepresented aspect of American history.

15. Boyz n the Hood (1991)

Director: John Singleton

Writer: John Singleton

Synopsis: Follows the lives of three young males living in the Crenshaw ghetto of Los Angeles, dissecting questions of race, relationships, violence, and any future prospects.

Oscar Nominations: Best Director (John Singleton), Best Original Screenplay (John Singleton)

Singelton’s story provided a raw and real look at life in South Central LA, addressing issues of violence, family, and the future of youth in inner cities, with an impact that resonates in discussions of race and socio-economic challenges.

16. A Raisin in the Sun (1961)

Director: Daniel Petrie

Writer: Lorraine Hansberry

Synopsis: A struggling African-American family is offered an opportunity to escape the ghetto and enter the middle class, but not without a moral struggle and family division.

This adaptation of Lorraine Hansberry's play offered a groundbreaking depiction of the African American family experience, addressing themes of race, poverty, and the pursuit of dreams, leaving a lasting impact on the portrayal of black families in cinema.

17. Precious (2009)

Director: Lee Daniels

Writer: Geoffrey Fletcher

Synopsis: In Harlem, an overweight, illiterate teen who is pregnant with her second child is invited to enroll in an alternative school in hopes that her life can head in a new direction.

Oscar Nominations: Best Picture, Best Director (Lee Daniels), Best Actress (Gabourey Sidibe), Best Supporting Actress (Winner - Mo'Nique), Best Adapted Screenplay (WINNER - Geoffrey Fletcher), Best Editing (WINNER - Joe Klotz)

Precious brought to light the harsh realities of abuse, poverty, and illiteracy, sparking discussions on social issues and the power of education and hope in overcoming adversity.

18. Hotel Rwanda (2005)

Director: Terry George

Writer: Keir Pearson, Terry George

Synopsis: Paul Rusesabagina, a hotel manager, houses over a thousand Tutsi refugees during their struggle against the Hutu militia in Rwanda, saving them from genocide.

Oscar Nominations: Best Actor (Don Cheadle), Best Supporting Actress (Sophie Okonedo), Best Original Screenplay (Keir Pearson and Terry George)

This film highlighted the Rwandan genocide's horrors and the acts of heroism in the face of mass atrocities, raising awareness and prompting discussions on human rights and international intervention.

19. Judas and the Black Messiah (2021)

Director: Shaka King

Writer: Shaka King, Will Berson (story by Keith Lucas and Kenneth Lucas)

Synopsis: This biographical drama chronicles the life of Fred Hampton, chairman of the Illinois chapter of the Black Panther Party in late-1960s Chicago, and his betrayal by FBI informant William O'Neal.

Oscar Nominations: Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor (WINNER - Daniel Kaluuya, LaKeith Stanfield), Best Original Screenplay (Shaka King and Will Berson), Best Cinematography (Sean Bobbitt), Best Original Song ("Fight for You")

Judas and the Black Messiah offers a powerful examination of racial injustice, political activism, and the FBI's targeting of Black leaders during the 1960s. By spotlighting a crucial chapter of American history, the film encourages reflection on the legacy of activism and the continuing struggle against systemic racism.

20. Loving (2016)

Director: Jeff Nichols

Writer: Jeff Nichols

Synopsis: The story of Richard and Mildred Loving, a couple whose arrest for interracial marriage in 1960s Virginia began a legal battle that would end with the Supreme Court's historic 1967 decision.

Oscar Nominations: Best Actress (Ruth Negga)

The film brings to the forefront the pivotal legal battle against laws prohibiting interracial marriage in the United States, celebrating the Lovings' courage and the enduring power of love over prejudice.

21. Fences (2016)

Director: Denzel Washington

Writer: August Wilson

Synopsis: A working-class African-American father tries to raise his family in the 1950s while coming to terms with the events of his life.

Oscar Nominations: Best Picture, Best Actor (Denzel Washington), Best Supporting Actress (WINNER - Viola Davis), Best Adapted Screenplay (August Wilson).

Fences offers a powerful exploration of race, family, and identity in America, bringing August Wilson's iconic play to life and highlighting the complexities of the African American experience.

22. Harriet (2019)

Director: Kasi Lemmons

Writer: Gregory Allen Howard, Kasi Lemmons

Synopsis: The extraordinary tale of Harriet Tubman's escape from slavery and transformation into one of America's greatest heroes, whose courage, ingenuity, and tenacity freed hundreds of slaves and changed the course of history.

Oscar Nominations: Best Actress (Cynthia Erivo), Best Original Song ("Stand Up")

Harriet sheds new light on Tubman's legacy as a freedom fighter, resonating with audiences for its inspirational storytelling and highlighting the importance of resilience and bravery.

23. One Night in Miami... (2020)

Director: Regina King

Writer: Kemp Powers (based on his play of the same name)

Synopsis: A fictional account inspired by the historic night of February 25, 1964, when four icons of sports, music, and activism gathered to celebrate one of the biggest upsets in boxing history: Cassius Clay's (soon-to-be Muhammad Ali) victory over Sonny Liston. The film imagines the conversation between Malcolm X, Muhammad Ali, Jim Brown, and Sam Cooke in a Miami hotel room, exploring their roles in the civil rights movement and the cultural upheaval of the 60s.

Oscar Nominations: Best Supporting Actor (Leslie Odom Jr.), Best Adapted Screenplay (Kemp Powers), Best Original Song ("Speak Now")

The film’s narrative delves into the complexities of the civil rights movement through the lens of four African American icons, blending personal struggles with public responsibilities, and serving as a powerful reminder of the impact that influential figures can have on social change.

24. I Am Not Your Negro (2016)

Director: Raoul Peck

Writer: James Baldwin, Raoul Peck

Synopsis: Based on James Baldwin's unfinished book, this documentary explores the history of racism in the United States through Baldwin's reminiscences of civil rights leaders Medgar Evers, Malcolm X, and Martin Luther King Jr.

Oscar Nominations: Best Documentary Feature

This documentary powerfully conveys James Baldwin's observations on race in America, offering an incisive look at the ongoing struggle for civil rights.

25. The Hate You Give (2018)

Director: George Tillman Jr.

Writer: Audrey Wells

Synopsis: Starr Carter is constantly switching between two worlds: the poor, mostly black neighborhood where she lives and the wealthy, mostly white prep school she attends. The uneasy balance between these worlds is shattered when she witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood best friend at the hands of a police officer.

The film addresses the Black Lives Matter movement and the importance of speaking out against injustice, resonating with audiences for its poignant exploration of race, identity, and community.

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Ken Miyamoto has worked in the film industry for nearly two decades, most notably as a studio liaison for Sony Studios and then as a script reader and story analyst for Sony Pictures.

He has many studio meetings under his belt as a produced screenwriter, meeting with the likes of Sony, Dreamworks, Universal, Disney, Warner Brothers, as well as many production and management companies. He has had a previous development deal with Lionsgate, as well as multiple writing assignments, including the produced miniseries Blackout, starring Anne Heche, Sean Patrick Flanery, Billy Zane, James Brolin, Haylie Duff, Brian Bloom, Eric La Salle, and Bruce Boxleitner, the feature thriller Hunter’s Creed, and many Lifetime thrillers. Follow Ken on Twitter @KenMovies and Instagram @KenMovies76