February is Black History Month. During this month, people discover, learn more about, and embrace Black history. February was chosen out of the other months because Abraham Lincoln’s and Frederick Douglass’s birthdays occur in February. We at BlackOakTV feel that there is no better way to celebrate this month than by watching Black history month movies.

Black history movies are easy to find, but narrowing down the choices to just a few of the best can be difficult. Never fear! We’ve done the research for you. Here are five of the greatest Black history month movies that you can stream today!

1) “Malcolm X” (1992)

We felt that a list of the best Black history month movies should include films combining the best film-making, best acting, and best stories, alongside a celebration of Black achievements in all areas, especially in the Civil Rights Movement. So, to start with, let’s talk about “Malcolm X” from 1992.

This movie stars the incredible actor Denzel Washington and Angela Bassett, Albert Hall, and Spike Lee. It was directed by Spike Lee and tells the biographical story of “Malcolm X”, from his boyhood days to his assassination. The movie is well-known and is an excellent watch for Black history month. It can be streamed on Amazon Prime, Apple TV, and Vudu.

2) “Selma” (2014)

A list of Black history month movies would not be complete without a film about Martin Luther King Jr.

“Selma” is a 2014 movie starring David Oyelowo, Carmen Ejogo, and Tom Wilkinson. It tells the story of the 1965 “Selma” to Montgomery voting rights marches, which King and others led. The movie is a dramatic telling of one of the most important events in Black history and can be streamed on Amazon Prime, Apple TV, Vudu, and Paramount+.

3) “Hidden Figures” (2016)

Next up on the list is “Hidden Figures”. This 2016 biographical drama is based on a book of the same name and tells the history of three female Black mathematicians who worked at NASA in the 1960s during the Space Race.

It stars Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Monáe. The story is one of overcoming obstacles, pushing limits, and shaping the future. “Hidden Figures” can be streamed on Amazon Prime, Disney+, Vudu, and Apple TV.

4) “Harriet” (2019)

Stepping back in time to an era when most Black people in America were enslaved, we have the amazing story portrayed in “Harriet”. A 2019 movie, it focuses on the life and efforts of Harriet Tubman from 1849 to the Civil War. Tubman escaped slavery and joined the Underground Railroad, and during her lifetime, she personally freed over 70 slaves, was a spy for the Union Army, led 150 Black soldiers who freed more than 750 slaves, and she pursued women’s suffrage.

Harriet Tubman is portrayed in the film by Cynthia Erivo. “Harriet” can be streamed on Amazon Prime, Apple TV, and Vudu.

5) “The 1619 Project” (2023)

Finally, while there are few documentaries about Black history month itself, there is a documentary that covers a broader view of Black history in America. It’s called “The 1619 Project”. This brand-new documentary series was produced by The New York Times and Oprah Winfrey, among others, and tells the story of America from the perspective of slavery and the contributions of Black Americans.

The documentary consists of six parts, and all of them can be streamed on Hulu.

More Black Movies and TV Shows

Do you want more Black movies and TV shows? Want to watch a Black history movie every night during Black history month? We’ve got you covered. Here at BlackOakTV, we have a curated catalog of the best Black movies and TV shows. Check it out!