The Best Black History Movies: A List of Films Representing the Legacy of Black Americans

Although there is never a bad time to learn more about Black history, Black History Month (which is right now!) is the perfect opportunity to increase your knowledge. I have compiled a list of the top rated movies centered around Black history just for you.

-        Selma (2014): This movie follows Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s equal rights campaign via a historic march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama. (Available on Amazon Prime for $2.99)

-        12 Years a Slave (2013): This film is a dramatization of Solomon Northup’s dramatic life after being kidnapped as a free slave in New York to be sold into slavery in the South. (Available on Amazon Prime for $3.99)

-        42 (2013): Is baseball more your speed? 42 follows Jackie Robinson, the first African-American to play in major league baseball, as he faces racism from teammates, opponents and fans. (Available on Amazon Prime for $3.99)

-        Lee Daniels’ The Butler (2013): Perhaps you prefer to get right down to politics. This movie follows the story of Cecil Gaines, a black butler who served in the White House for eight presidents. During his time, he had a front row seat to the civil rights movement, Vietnam and more -- affecting his life, family and society. (Available on Amazon Prime for $3.99)

-        Eyes on the Prize (1987-1990): Perhaps dramatized true stories aren’t your cup of tea. The film is a documentary about the civil rights movement, spanning from 1952 to 1965. (Available on Amazon Prime for $9.99)

-        The Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975 (2011): This documentary is made from footage shot by a group of Swedish journalists who documented the Black Power Movement in the United States. (Available on Amazon Prime for free)

-        Rosewood (1997): Maybe something more surreal is your preference. This movie is a dramatization of a 1923 racist lynch mob attack on an African-American community. (Available on Amazon Prime for $2.99)

-Red Tails (2012): Do you love dramatic plane fights? This film, loosely based on a true story, follows a crew of African-American pilots in the Tuskegee training program. Due to racism, they were kept grounded through most of World War II until they were all called to action under the command of Colonel A.J. Bullard. (Available on HBO)

Lacey Stecker is a sophomore

communication major from

Noblesville, Ind.