23 Movies to Stream on Netflix for Black History Month

‘Tis (always) the season to amplify Black voices and brush up on our history. Though we’ve already gotten a head start with our favorite Black authors, we’re keeping the momentum going with the best Netflix movies to stream for Black History Month.  

The streaming service—which starts at just $7 a month—offers a myriad of great options, including riveting dramas like Passing, documentaries like Homecoming and mind-bending adventures like They Cloned Tyrone. If you’d rather avoid spending an extra hour scrolling through dozens of titles, keep reading for 23 of the best movies that celebrate Black culture.

1. Rustin (2023)

• Cast: Colman Domingo, Chris Rock, Glynn Turman, Aml Ameen
• Rating: PG-13

Rustin follows the incredible true story of Bayard Rustin, a gay Civil Rights activist who teamed up with Martin Luther King Jr. to help organize the 1963 March on Washington. Domingo delivers an Oscar-worthy performance as the civil rights hero, who's been mostly overlooked because of his sexuality. Domingo told The Hollywood Reporter, "He’s someone I knew about, but I know many people didn’t know about him. And the approach, I thought, was unique. It felt very small and personal, about this person who did so much and gave so much for our civil liberties."

2. American Son (2019)

• Cast: Kerry Washington, Steven Pasquale, Jeremy Jordan, Eugene Lee
• Rating: TV-MA

When their teenage son goes missing, an estranged interracial couple is forced to reunite at a Florida police station in an attempt to bring him home safely. Unfortunately, systemic racial injustice and prejudice continually get in the way. Washington, who plays the missing son's mother, told IndieWire, "Being a Black mother of Black children, it made me think about my own children, and what it means to try to raise them in a world that isn’t so safe. So it was very personal and political for me."

3. 13th (2016)

• Cast: Angela Davis, Cory Booker, Michelle Alexander, Gina Clayton
• Rating: TV-MA

The documentary’s title refers to the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which abolished slavery in 1865. In the movie, filmmaker Ava DuVernay explores issues of race, justice and mass incarceration by calling upon scholars, activists and politicians to analyze how our prison system disproportionately affects people of color. Oh, and did we mention 13th was nominated for an Academy Award?

4. They Cloned Tyrone (2023)

• Cast: John Boyega, Teyonah Parris, Jamie Foxx
• Rating: R

Fans of Get Out and Sorry to Bother You will enjoy this clever sci-fi comedy, which follows three unlikely strangers who team up to investigate a strange government conspiracy after one of them seemingly gets cloned. The main cast is seriously compelling, and there's quite a bit of commentary on capitalism, oppression and racism.

5. See You Yesterday (2019)

• Cast: Eden Duncan-Smith, Danté Crichlow, Marsha Stephanie Blake
• Rating: TV-MA

Two Brooklyn teenagers, C.J. Walker and Sebastian Thomas, build a time machine in an attempt to alter the events of the past and save Walker’s brother, Calvin, from being shot and killed by an NYPD officer. The family-driven storyline is ideal for viewers who are interested in learning more about police brutality in the Black community.

6. Barry (2016)

• Cast: Devon Terrell, Anya Taylor-Joy, Jason Mitchell, Ashley Judd
• Rating: TV-MA

The movie follows America's first Black president, Barack Obama (also known as Barry), as a 20-year-old during his time at Columbia University. While there, he struggles to balance his studies with his personal life and connect with his classmates. Terrell, who shines as the young Obama, told Esquire, "It really is about him identifying himself and trying to find where he fits in this world, like a lot of kids, like myself, try to today."

7. Uncorked (2020)

• Cast: Mamoudou Athie, Courtney B. Vance, Niecy Nash
• Rating: TV-MA

This thoughtful drama follows Eli, a young man who finds himself torn between pursuing his dream to become a sommelier and following in his father's footsteps to take over the family's restaurant. If you're up for a refreshing, heartfelt tale that addresses complicated father-son dynamics, you'll enjoy every minute.

8. Becoming (2020)

• Cast: Michelle Obama
• Rating: PG

Inspired by the former First Lady’s memoir of the same name, Becoming chronicles Michelle Obama’s 34-city book tour, including footage of her travels and insight into her previous role as First Lady. Although it doesn’t include any bombshell reveals or intimate details about her life, Becoming offers plenty of heartfelt and inspiring moments.

9. Homecoming (2019)

• Cast: Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Kelly Rowland, Michelle Williams
• Rating: TV-MA

It’s never a bad time to relive Beychella—better known as one of the biggest milestones in pop culture history. Written, produced and directed by Beyoncé herself, the concert film offers a more intimate look at the first Black woman to headline the Coachella Music Festival. Aside from footage of her performances, the film includes an in-depth look at her creative process.

10. Ma Rainey's Black Bottom (2020)

• Cast: Viola Davis, Chadwick Boseman, Glynn Turman and Colman Domingo
• Rating: R

Davis and Boseman deliver unforgettable performances in this biographical drama, which depicts Ma Rainey, the famous blues singer, in one of her most intense recording sessions. It all unfolds in Chicago during the ’20s—a time when racial tensions were at an all-time high. While discussing her character with Yahoo! Entertaiment, Davis said, “Ma Rainey was a person that, when she walked into a room, she knew what her worth was. She knew what her power was. And that’s in stark contrast to what she wasn’t allowed to be given. That dichotomy, that complexity, is what I want people to get.”

11. The Harder They Fall (2021)

• Cast: Jonathan Majors, Idris Elba, Regina King
• Rating: R

When a notorious outlaw, Nat Love, learns that his greatest enemy, Rufus Buck, is out of prison, he immediately concocts a plan to seek revenge, with the help of his gang. (FYI, the main characters were inspired by real-life Black cowboys and outlaws from the 19th-century.) Not surprisingly, this became the most-watched film on Netflix within the first week of its release, and the director, Jeymes Samuel, had some thoughts. He told Netflix, "When it dropped, The Harder They Fall was the No. 1 thing on Netflix. It’s apparent everyone likes Westerns. They’re just not given the nutrients. It’s all storytelling."

12. Get On Up (2014)

• Cast: Chadwick Boseman, Nelsan Ellis, Dan Aykroyd, Viola Davis
• Rating: PG-13

Boseman steals the show as James Brown, aka the Godfather of Soul in this biographical drama, which chronicles the singer’s incredible journey from poverty to fame. The movie touches on his involvement in politics and the civil rights movement, as well as his tumultuous romantic relationships.

13. Mudbound (2017)

• Cast: Carey Mulligan, Garrett Hedlund, Jason Mitchell, Mary J. Blige
• Rating: R

Set during the aftermath of World War II, the Oscar-nominated film focuses on two veterans as they return home to Mississippi. Aside from struggling to adjust to the Jim Crow South, they must also deal with their severe war trauma. We'll admit, it's a difficult watch, since it tackles the very painful effects of racism in the American South.

14. Kevin Hart's Guide to Black History (2019)

• Cast: Kevin Hart, Steve Agee, Derek Basco
• Rating: TV-PG

Comedian Kevin Hart educates us on a few of Black history's unsung heroes in this wholesome variety special, which features archival footage and fun re-enactments. Expect appearances by Tiffany Haddish, "Weird Al" Yankovic, Jay Johnston and more.

15. Hard Lessons (1986)

• Cast: Denzel Washington, Lynn Whitfield
• Rating: TV-14

This gripping biographical film revolves around George McKenna, who takes on a new job as principal of a notorious Los Angeles high school. Despite the lack of dedication and effort from his staff, George finds an ally in Bobbie Maxwell—the only teacher who seems to care about improving the school. But can they successfully turn things around?

16. Two Distant Strangers (2021)

• Cast: Joey Badass, Andrew Howard
• Rating: TV-MA

If you want to better understand the struggle of living as a Black person in America, then you need to watch Two Distant Strangers. Inspired by George Floyd's murder, the Academy Award winner tells the story of a Black graphic designer who finds himself trapped in a time loop that always ends with his death, thanks to his repeated encounters with a white NYPD officer.

17. Blood Brothers: Malcolm X & Muhammad Ali (2021)

• Cast: Malcom X, Muhammad Ali
• Rating: PG-13

It's widely known that Ali (formerly Cassius Clay) had a tight-knit friendship with civil rights leader Malcolm X, but why did their relationship go south? This documentary explores the real story behind their brotherhood with rare footage and interviews with their friends.

18. Da 5 Bloods (2020)

• Cast: Delroy Lindo, Jonathan Majors, Clarke Peters, Johnny Trí Nguyễn
• Rating: R

Spike Lee strikes gold with this war drama, which focuses on four Black Vietnam War veterans who embark on a mission to find the remains of their fallen squad leader and recover the gold they all hid while serving in the country. Lee told NPR, "The fact is that the majority of the films that dealt with Vietnam, the Black experience was not a part of the story. When we got the script from the producer...Kevin [Willmott] and I automatically knew what we needed to do [it]. This would give [us] the opportunity to tell the story of the Black effort, the 'Bloods,' who fought and died in Vietnam."

19. Monster (2018)

• Cast: Kelvin Harrison Jr., Jennifer Hudson
• Rating: TV-MA

Inspired by Walter Dean Myers's equally compelling book, Monster details the story of Steve Harmon, a 17-year-old honor student who's falsely charged with murder. The movie sheds light on the nation’s flawed justice system, while also tackling themes like peer pressure, masculinity and Black identity.

20. Amend: The Fight For America (2021)

• Cast: Will Smith, Laverne Cox
• Rating: TV-MA

What does the 14th amendment really mean? What is “justice and equality for all”? This documentary seeks to answer those questions honestly, featuring historical footage and thought-provoking commentary that’ll get you thinking about the nation’s progress. (Yes, we know it's not technically a movie, but we’ll let this one slide.)

21. Oprah + Viola: A Netflix Special Event (2022)

• Cast: Oprah Winfrey, Viola Davis
• Rating: TV-14

Did you know that Davis almost gave up on acting? Or that Annalise Keating was one of her most life-changing roles? (Don't worry, we didn't either.) In this eye-opening special, veteran actress Viola Davis sits down with the iconic Oprah for an intimate discussion about her memoir, her childhood and her incredible career journey. Get ready to know the Oscar winner on a much deeper level.

• Cast: Cynthia Erivo, Leslie Odom Jr., Joe Alwyn, Janelle Monáe
• Rating: PG-13

The Oscar-nominated biopic details the true story of Araminta Ross (better known as Harriet Tubman), an escaped slave and abolitionist who helped dozens of enslaved people using the Underground Railroad. The film serves as a powerful tribute to the social activist, and while the cast is phenomenal, it's Erivo's stunning portrayal of Harriet that makes this film a must-see.

• Cast: Bob Marley, Arnold Bertram, Cindy Breakspeare
• Rating: TV-14

A few fans might recall that the iconic reggae star, Bob Marley, made headlines in 1976 after he survived an assassination attempt. This insightful documentary, which was nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Arts & Culture Documentary, takes a deeper dive into this mysterious incident, exploring the roots reggae movement and Jamaica's politics at the time.

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