Yahoo Movies Ten must-watch films for Black History Month
This year's theme for Black History Month is 'reclaiming narratives', and these ten movies have a lot to say about the topic.
This October, Black History Month’s theme 'Reclaiming Narratives' invites us to explore the relentless pursuit of justice, equality, and dignity. Black cinema has long been a powerful medium for storytelling, capturing the struggle and resilience that define the black experience.
From 12 Years a Slave to Malcolm X, these films spotlight key moments in Black history, revealing the brutal realities of slavery and systemic oppression. Prepare to be inspired by our top ten must-watch films, each reclaiming narratives often overlooked by mainstream history.
10 | Belle (2013)
British filmmaker Amma Asante’s Belle tells the story of Dido Elizabeth Belle (Gugu Mbatha-Raw), the mixed-race daughter of an enslaved African woman and a British naval officer. Raised by her great-uncle, Lord Mansfield in 18th-century England, Dido enjoys privilege but faces racial discrimination. The film highlights her role in the abolitionist movement, particularly the Zong massacre case.
Read more: Black History Month
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In a powerful scene, Belle confronts Lord Mansfield, asking, "How can it be lawful to kill a man because he looks different? Or claim him as property?" The Observer praised the film’s "golden quality—without being sentimental or false," noting it reminds viewers that slavery's history belongs to Britain as well as the US.
Belle is streaming on Disney+.
9 | Babylon (1980)
Babylon, directed by Franco Rosso and starring Brinsley Forde, is a gritty drama set in Thatcher-era London, following Blue, a young Jamaican-British man in the reggae sound system scene. Battling racism, police brutality, and social alienation, the film explores the struggles of Black British youth.
Initially controversial for its depiction of police violence, Babylon later gained praise for its authenticity and cultural significance, with reggae music serving as a powerful form of resistance. Mark Kermode described it as "an instant cult classic – a homegrown answer to Jamaican hits like The Harder They Come and Rockers."
Still relevant today, Babylon remains a bold reclamation of Black British narratives and a landmark in British cinema.
Babylon is streaming on BFI Player and NOW.
8 | Moonlight (2016)
Moonlight is a powerful coming-of-age story tracing the life of Chiron, a young Black man in Miami, played by Alex Hibbert, Ashton Sanders, and Trevante Rhodes at different stages of his life. Facing bullying, questions of sexuality, and his mother’s (Naomie Harris) neglect, Chiron finds solace with Juan (Mahershala Ali), a drug dealer who becomes a father figure.
In Moonlight, teenage Chiron and Kevin share a tender moment on the beach, shaping Chiron’s vulnerability. The betrayal that follows hardens him as an adult. Barry Jenkins’ Oscar-winning film explores love, pain, and identity, making it an essential Black History Month watch for its raw portrayal of survival.
Moonlight is streaming on BBC iPlayer.
7 | Malcolm X (1992)
Spike Lee’s Malcolm X powerfully explores one of America's most influential figures, making it essential for Black History Month. The film traces Malcolm X's journey from a troubled past to a leader of Black empowerment.
Denzel Washington's portrayal, praised as "a performance of enormous breadth," earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. The film opens with a gripping montage featuring grainy footage of the Rodney King incident and an American flag burning into the shape of an X, as Malcolm’s voice, delivered by Washington, accusing "the white man of being the greatest murderer on earth... the greatest kidnapper on earth."
Malcolm X remains a powerful reflection on resistance and the sacrifices it demands.
Malcolm X is streaming on Icon and Sundance Now via Prime Video.
6 | The Butler (2013)
Lee Daniels’ The Butler follows Cecil Gaines (Forest Whitaker), an African American butler who served in the White House for over three decades, witnessing key events like the civil rights movement, Vietnam War, and Watergate. The film spans the 1950s to 1980s, with Gaines quietly navigating systemic racism.
A scene where Cecil silently serves officials discussing civil rights captures the tension between his voiceless role and his unseen influence. Oprah Winfrey also shines as Cecil’s wife, Gloria. While the film sparked debate over Ronald Reagan’s civil rights stance, it opened important conversations about black figures erased from history. The Butler won the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Motion Picture, affirming its cultural impact.
The Butler is available to rent or buy on digital.
5 | Hidden Figures (2016)
Hidden Figures follows Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson—Black female mathematicians key to NASA's space race. Set in the 1960s, it highlights the segregation they faced despite their vital contributions. For Black History Month, it spotlights the long-overlooked achievements of black women.
A defining scene shows Katherine, played by Taraji P. Henson, walking half a mile to the "coloured" bathroom. In a powerful breakdown, she exposes the daily indignities faced by Black women, leading to the removal of segregated bathrooms at NASA, symbolising the fight against systemic oppression.
"This is a female-driven movie about the real contributions women made to our world, not just our society," said Octavia Spencer, who played Dorothy Vaughan, about the film in The New York Times.
Hidden Figures is streaming on Disney+.
4 | Judas and the Black Messiah (2021)
Shaka King’s Judas and the Black Messiah follows Fred Hampton, the 21-year-old Black Panther leader, played by Daniel Kaluuya, who was assassinated during a 1969 FBI raid. The film captures the complexities of Black leadership and the brutal reality of state-sanctioned oppression, especially in Hampton’s stirring speech: "I’m gonna say this once and I’m gonna say it loud: I’m a revolutionary. I don’t care what they say."
The last supper scene, where Hampton dines with his closest allies, foreshadows his assassination and deepens the film’s themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and treachery. Kaluuya’s Oscar-winning performance makes it a powerful indictment of systemic racism and a must-watch for Black History Month.
Judas and the Black Messiah is available to rent or buy on digital.
3 | Selma (2014)
Ava DuVernay’s Selma powerfully dramatises the 1965 voting rights marches led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., confronting systemic racism with emotional depth. The film blends historical accuracy with urgency, highlighting the personal and political stakes of the Civil Rights Movement. A standout moment is the Selma-to-Montgomery march, showcasing the struggle’s physical and emotional toll.
Praised for gripping performances it won the Oscar for Best Original Song (Glory) but its omission in major categories sparked debate on diversity in Hollywood. Essential for Black History Month, Selma is both a historical recount and a call to action, symbolising the ongoing fight for civil rights.
Selma is available to rent or buy on digital.
2 | 12 Years a Slave (2013)
Steve McQueen’s 12 Years a Slave is a harrowing portrayal of American slavery’s brutal realities. Chiwetel Ejiofor delivers a powerful performance as Solomon Northup, a free man kidnapped into slavery, while Lupita Nyong'o’s heartbreaking role as Patsey adds emotional depth. The scene where Solomon is whipped in the rain captures the horror and inhumanity of slavery.
An essential for Black History Month, the film confronts the horrors of slavery with unflinching honesty. The Financial Times described the film as "a breakthrough in the depiction of the black experience of inequality and oppression." It won three Academy Awards, including Best Picture.
12 Years a Slave is streaming on Netflix.
1 | Black Panther (2018)
Ryan Coogler's Black Panther transcends the superhero genre, celebrating African heritage and Black identity. Set in the advanced Wakanda, it explores power, responsibility, and the global Black experience. The battle between T'Challa and Killmonger symbolises the tension between preserving black identity and sharing it with the world.
Chadwick Boseman’s iconic portrayal of T'Challa, embodying dignity and leadership, cemented his legacy as a cultural icon after his 2020 death. Essential for Black History Month, Black Panther stands out for its groundbreaking representation and bold vision of complex black identities. The New York Times called it "a defining moment for Black cinema." The film won three Academy Awards, including Best Original Score.
Black Panther is streaming on Disney+.
These films go beyond entertainment, offering unique perspectives that make them essential viewing for Black History Month.
