131 Movies Celebrating African American Resilience and Empowerment
130 titles
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For Us, the Living: The Story of Medgar EversMovie · 1983 · 87mThis film tells the true story of Medgar Evers, a successful insurance agent who relocates to Jackson, Mississippi to head the NAACP's regional office. He becomes a prominent leader within the Black community, working to combat segregation and challenge racist political systems.IMDb 7.4 - 102
All by Myself: The Eartha Kitt StoryMovie · 1982 · 97mThis documentary profile explores the life and career of singer and actress Eartha Kitt.IMDb 7.5 - 103
The Walking DeadMovie · 2006 · 117m · DramaA down-on-his-luck salesman becomes responsible for his son just as he's about to start a major opportunity in his career.IMDb 8.0TMDB 7.9 - 104
Birth of a MovementMovie · 2017 · 57mIn 1915, William M. Trotter, an African American newspaper editor and activist in Boston, challenged D.W. Griffith’s film *The Birth of a Nation*. The film was technically impressive but openly sympathetic to the Ku Klux Klan, sparking a controversy that continues to resonate today regarding race, media portrayals, and Hollywood's influence. *Birth of a Movement*, based on Dick Lehr's book, recounts the context of this pivotal conflict between human rights, freedom of speech, and the evolving world of media.IMDb 7.4TMDB 6.4 - 105
Little RichardMovie · 2000 · 120mThis is the story of Little Richard Penniman, tracing his journey from humble beginnings in the American South. It follows the challenges he faced as a Black performer in the 1950s, his later religious conversion, and his temporary departure from rock and roll.IMDb 6.7TMDB 6.4 - 106
Talk to MeMovie · 2007 · 118m · DramaThis is the story of Ralph "Petey" Greene, a former convict who rose to prominence as a popular radio talk show host and community activist in Washington D.C. during the 1960s.IMDb 7.3TMDB 6.8 - 107
The Best of EnemiesMovie · 2019 · 133m · Drama, HistoryThe film explores the unexpected connection between Ann Atwater, a passionate civil rights advocate, and C.P. Ellis, a Ku Klux Klan leader who reluctantly agrees to co-chair a community meeting. Their paths cross as they navigate the contentious issue of school desegregation in Durham, North Carolina during the summer of 1971. The remarkable events that unfold reshape the city and profoundly impact both Atwater and Ellis.IMDb 7.3TMDB 7.4 - 108
DetroitMovie · 2017 · 143m · Drama, Thriller, HistoryIn 1967, a police raid in Detroit sparks one of the most significant civil unrests in U.S. history.IMDb 7.3TMDB 7.3 - 109
Zora is My Name!Movie · 1990 · 90mThis film honors the life of Zora Neale Hurston, a significant writer who emerged at the start of the 20th century. She gained recognition for her vivid depictions of Black American life in the rural South during the 1930s and 40s. Her work drew deeply on the stories, songs, and folklore of her own background, which served as a constant source of inspiration.IMDb 6.4 - 110
A Soldier's StoryMovie · 1984 · 101m · Mystery, Crime, DramaOn a Louisiana military base, racial tensions and secrets simmer. When a respected Black Master Sergeant is found shot outside the base, Captain Davenport, a determined lawyer from Washington, is sent to investigate. He faces resistance from his superiors and a fearful community, with even the soldiers hesitant to speak freely. Captain Davenport persists, uncovering a complex network of lies and questioning the loyalty of those in charge. As the truth emerges, the investigation reveals a dark side to a community grappling with its history.IMDb 7.2TMDB 6.8 - 111
One Night in Miami...Movie · 2020 · 114m · DramaFollowing his victory over Sonny Liston in 1964, Muhammad Ali meets with Malcolm X, Sam Cooke, and Jim Brown. Together, they aim to influence the future of the Civil Rights movement in the segregated South.IMDb 7.1TMDB 7.0 - 112
Marcus Garvey: A Giant of Black PoliticsMovie · 2008This film chronicles the achievements of Marcus Garvey, a key figure in the black nationalist movement. He gained considerable political influence by organizing West Indian workers, establishing the Universal Negro Improvement Association, and advocating for the liberation and unity of Black people. Featuring interviews with activists Mariamne Samad and Roy Carson, alongside commentary from expert Vivian Durham and others, the film offers a deep look into Garvey's remarkable life.IMDb 6.4 - 113
Scottsboro: An American TragedyMovie · 2000 · 90mIn 1931 Alabama, nine young Black men known as the "Scottsboro Boys" were arrested, tried, and swiftly convicted of raping two white women. Despite substantial evidence suggesting the women had falsely accused the men, and one later admitting no rape took place (revealing both had been with their boyfriends the day before), the conviction became a landmark case. It exposed the South's practice of "legal lynching," where Black people accused of crimes, particularly against white individuals, faced unjust trials and convictions.IMDb 7.5TMDB 8.2 - 114
12 Years a SlaveMovie · 2013 · 134m · Drama, HistoryIn the United States before the Civil War, Solomon Northup, a free Black man from New York, is kidnapped and forced into slavery. He endures cruelty and kindness while fighting to survive and maintain his self-respect. During his twelfth year of captivity, a chance encounter with a Canadian abolitionist will change his life forever.IMDb 8.1TMDB 7.9 - 115
The Ernest Green StoryMovie · 1993 · 101mThis is the story of Ernest Green, a member of the Little Rock Nine – the first African American students to integrate a previously all-white high school.IMDb 7.3TMDB 6.9 - 116
GloryMovie · 1989 · 122m · Drama, History, WarDuring the American Civil War, Robert Gould Shaw commands the Union's first all-black volunteer unit. Leading these soldiers into battle, Shaw confronts both Confederate forces and prejudice from within his own army. The film explores courage, determination, and equality during a time of societal change and war. Shaw faces challenges earning his troops' respect and acceptance in a world resistant to their equal place in the fight. This gripping story examines the human spirit's strength against overwhelming obstacles, offering a unique view of a pivotal historical period.IMDb 7.8TMDB 7.5 - 117
Nat Turner: A Troublesome PropertyMovie · 2003 · 58mIn 1831, Nat Turner led a slave rebellion in the United States, resulting in the deaths of local slave owners and their families, the execution of 55 rebels, and the lynching of over 200 enslaved people. *Nat Turner: A Troublesome Property* explores how Turner’s revolt has been portrayed throughout history and how it continues to spark debate about terrorism and violent resistance to oppression. The film combines documentary footage and interviews with dramatizations of these different accounts of Turner's story. A collaboration between director Charles Burnett, historian Kenneth S. Greenberg, and producer Frank Christopher, *Nat Turner* offers a compelling examination of one of history’s most enigmatic figures.IMDb 6.7TMDB 6.1 - 118
Get on UpMovie · 2014 · 139m · Drama, Music, HistoryThis is the story of James Brown's journey from a life of extreme poverty to achieving legendary status as one of the most influential musicians ever.IMDb 6.9TMDB 6.8 - 119
The Birth of a NationMovie · 2016 · 120m · DramaIn 1831, Nat Turner, an enslaved man in Virginia, sparks a rebellion aimed at freeing African Americans. The uprising triggers a brutal backlash from white society.IMDb 6.6TMDB 6.6 - 120
Cadillac RecordsMovie · 2008 · 109m · Drama, History, MusicSet in 1950s Chicago, the film explores the intertwined worlds of sex, violence, race, and rock and roll. It follows the vibrant and often troubled lives of key figures in American music history, including Muddy Waters, Leonard Chess, Little Walter, Howlin' Wolf, Etta James, and Chuck Berry.IMDb 7.0TMDB 7.1 - 121
LovingMovie · 2016 · 123m · Drama, RomanceIn 1958 Virginia, interracial marriage was illegal and widely condemned. Richard and Mildred Loving's love exists under a constant barrage of disapproval and scrutiny. Their marriage is met with arrest, prompting them to challenge the law in the Supreme Court, fighting for their right to be together. Based on a true story.IMDb 7.0TMDB 6.7 - 122
ThurgoodMovie · 2011 · 105mLaurence Fishburne delivers a Tony-nominated performance as Thurgood Marshall in this play. He portrays the influential Civil Rights lawyer who later became a Supreme Court Justice.IMDb 7.9TMDB 6.5 - 123
A Huey P. Newton StoryMovie · 2001 · 86mThis is the story of Huey P. Newton and the creation of the Black Panther Party, driven by his ten-point plan for improving society.IMDb 7.2TMDB 5.1 - 124Freedom Flyers of TuskegeeMovie · 2014This film tells the story of the Tuskegee Airmen, African American pilots who faced persistent obstacles in their fight for acceptance within the World War II Army Air Corps.
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Just MercyMovie · 2019 · 137m · Drama, Crime, HistoryThis is the powerful true story of Bryan Stevenson, a Harvard-educated lawyer who travels to Alabama to help those who have been failed by the justice system. He takes on cases involving the wrongly accused, most notably Walter McMillian, who is sentenced to death despite clear evidence of his innocence. Stevenson works relentlessly to fight for McMillian, facing a system that is working against them.IMDb 7.6TMDB 7.9 - 126
The Rosa Parks StoryMovie · 2002 · 97m · Drama, History, TV MovieA seamstress reflects on the events that led to her participation in the 1955 Montgomery, Alabama bus boycott. The boycott was a demonstration of peaceful resistance sparked by her act of defiance.IMDb 7.2TMDB 7.0 - 127
SelmaMovie · 2014 · 128m · History, Drama"Selma" is the story of a pivotal march in Alabama, a region deeply marked by racial segregation. The march, which ended in violence, prompted President Lyndon B. Johnson to deliver a powerful speech. This event ultimately paved the way for the passage of the Voting Rights Act.IMDb 7.5TMDB 7.4 - 128
All the WayMovie · 2016 · 132m · Drama, History, TV MovieThis film chronicles Lyndon B. Johnson's remarkable eleven-month period in power, beginning with his ascension to the presidency following the assassination of John F. Kennedy. It follows his determined efforts to secure passage of the landmark 1964 Civil Rights Act and his own campaign for the presidency. The story culminates on the night LBJ is officially elected, marking his transformation from an "accidental President" to a leader in his own right.IMDb 7.2TMDB 6.7 - 129
Abducted: The Carlina White StoryMovie · 2012 · 90m · Mystery, DramaA baby taken at birth and raised by the woman who took her later learns she was a missing child. She reconnects with her biological parents and must grapple with the challenge of choosing between the two lives she knows.IMDb 6.6TMDB 7.7 - 130
Thunder SoulMovie · 2010 · 83mJamie Foxx presents the inspiring true story of Conrad O. Johnson, a high school band leader who turned his struggling jazz band into a nationally renowned funk sensation.IMDb 7.6TMDB 6.8
