7 Netflix Movies to Watch During Black History Month

As the world continues to evolve into a beautiful mix of cultures, traditions, and people, I thought it would be a great time to introduce a new feature highlighting the different heritage months celebrated throughout the year.

First up: Black History Month.

From thought-provoking documentaries to compelling biographical dramas, Netflix has a collection of titles that explore Black history, culture, and the people who have helped shape our world. Whether you’re looking to learn more about pivotal moments in history, discover influential figures, or explore stories of resilience in the face of injustice, there’s something meaningful to take away from each of these picks.

If you’re looking for somewhere to start, here are seven titles to add to your Netflix watchlist.

MAYA ANGELOU: AND STILL I RISE

From her childhood in the segregated town of Stamps, Arkansas, to becoming one of the most celebrated writers and poets in American history, Maya Angelou lived a life that left an extraordinary mark on literature and culture.

This documentary explores her remarkable journey through archival footage, interviews, and reflections on her work and legacy. It’s an intimate look at the experiences that shaped her voice and the impact she continues to have on generations of readers.

MUDBOUND

If you’re a fan of period dramas, Mudbound is one to add to your list.

Set in the rural Mississippi Delta during World War II, the film follows two families—one Black and one white—living and working on neighboring farms. Although both families struggle with poverty and the challenges of rural life, deeply rooted racism creates a stark divide between them.

When two veterans return home from the war, their shared experiences bring them together in an unexpected friendship. But in a community shaped by Jim Crow segregation, that bond challenges the racial hierarchies and prejudices that have long defined their lives.

Powerful and unflinching, Mudbound examines racism, family, and the complicated realities of returning home after war.

13th

Directed by Ava DuVernay, 13th examines the relationship between slavery, racial inequality, and mass incarceration in the United States.

The documentary takes its title from the Thirteenth Amendment, which abolished slavery except as punishment for a crime. Through interviews, historical footage, and expert commentary, it explores how racial discrimination has continued through evolving systems of punishment and incarceration.

It’s an eye-opening look at the history behind America’s prison system and the disproportionate impact it has had on Black communities.

If you’re looking for a documentary that encourages you to question what you know about American history and consider how its legacy continues to shape the present, this is an important place to start.

PARIS IS BURNING

Released in 1990, Paris Is Burning offers a glimpse into New York City’s ballroom culture during the 1980s, centering on Black and Latino LGBTQ+ communities.

The documentary follows the people who created and participated in ballroom competitions, where houses, categories, fashion, dance, and performance offered opportunities for self-expression, recognition, and community.

Beyond the glamour and competition, the film explores identity, discrimination, chosen family, and the ways people build spaces of belonging when the outside world doesn’t always welcome them.

It’s also an important record of a cultural movement whose influence can still be felt throughout music, fashion, dance, and popular culture today.

TEACH US ALL

Although the landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional in 1954, the struggle for educational equality didn’t end there.

Teach Us All explores the history of school segregation and the inequalities that continue to affect students of color. Through interviews with students, educators, and other voices in education, the documentary examines how systemic barriers shape access to quality education.

It also revisits the history of school desegregation to show how the fight for educational equity has evolved—and why it remains important.

This is a particularly worthwhile watch for anyone interested in education, civil rights, and the work that still needs to be done to ensure every student has the opportunity to succeed.

WHEN THEY SEE US 

Created by Ava DuVernay, When They See Us is a four-part drama based on the case of the Central Park Five: five Black and Latino teenagers who were wrongfully convicted in connection with the 1989 assault of a jogger in New York City.

The series follows the boys from their initial interrogations and convictions through the years they spent fighting to clear their names. It also explores the devastating effects the case had on them and their families, as well as the role that racial bias and public pressure played in the injustice they experienced.

It’s a difficult watch, but an important one. By focusing on the young men and their lives beyond the headlines, the series asks viewers to consider the human cost of wrongful convictions and a justice system that fails the people it is meant to protect.

BLACK EARTH RISING

Okay, so this one isn’t a movie, but I still think it deserves a place on the list!

Black Earth Rising is a drama series about Kate Ashby, a woman who was rescued from the Rwandan genocide as a child by Eve Ashby, an international human rights lawyer who adopts and raises her in London.

As an adult, Kate works as a legal investigator. When Eve takes on a controversial case involving an African militia leader, the case places a strain on their relationship and forces Kate to confront difficult questions about her past, her identity, and the complicated legacy of international intervention.

The series explores the aftermath of genocide, questions of justice and accountability, and the challenges of confronting painful histories. It’s a layered story that examines how the past continues to influence the present.

What movies or documentaries would you recommend for Black History Month?