MomSkoop
Black History Month is the perfect time to celebrate stories that honor the achievements, struggles, and triumphs of Black Americans.
Streaming platforms offer an incredible selection of films and series that educate, inspire, and entertain viewers of all ages.
Whether you’re looking for historical dramas, thought-provoking documentaries, or groundbreaking comedies, these 14 picks will help you discover powerful narratives that deserve your attention.
1. Hidden Figures (2016)
Before computers were machines, they were people—brilliant mathematicians who calculated rocket trajectories by hand.
This incredible true story follows three Black women at NASA during the space race: Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson.
Despite facing segregation and discrimination, these women’s genius helped launch astronaut John Glenn into orbit.
Their contributions remained largely unknown for decades until this film brought their achievements to light.
The movie balances serious historical themes with moments of humor and triumph.
You’ll feel inspired watching these women break barriers in both science and civil rights, proving that talent and determination can overcome even the toughest obstacles.
2. Judas and the Black Messiah (2021)
Fred Hampton was only 21 years old when he became chairman of the Illinois Black Panther Party, yet his leadership skills were extraordinary.
He organized free breakfast programs for children, negotiated peace between rival gangs, and inspired thousands with his speeches about equality and justice.
The FBI saw him as a threat and infiltrated his organization with an informant named William O’Neal.
This gripping film shows both sides of the story—Hampton’s powerful activism and O’Neal’s internal conflict about betraying him.
The performances are stunning and the history is eye-opening.
It’s a tragic reminder of how far some went to silence voices demanding change.
3. Rustin (2023)
You’ve probably heard of Martin Luther King Jr. and the 1963 March on Washington, but do you know who actually organized that historic event?
Bayard Rustin was the brilliant strategist behind the scenes, coordinating over 250,000 people to gather peacefully in our nation’s capital.
Despite his crucial role in the civil rights movement, Rustin faced discrimination not only for his race but also for being openly gay.
This recent film finally gives Rustin the recognition he deserves, showing his intelligence, courage, and dedication to justice.
His story teaches us that history is made by many heroes, not just the famous ones.
Rustin’s legacy proves that everyone has a role to play in creating change.
4. The Woman King (2022)
Imagine an all-female army so fierce that European colonizers feared them.
The Agojie warriors of the Kingdom of Dahomey in West Africa were real, and this epic film brings their story to thrilling life.
Viola Davis leads the cast as General Nanisca, training young recruits to protect their kingdom from enemies and slave traders.
The action sequences are breathtaking, with hand-to-hand combat and strategic battle scenes that rival any superhero movie.
Beyond the excitement, the film explores themes of freedom, loyalty, and the bonds between women who fight together.
It’s a reminder that African history includes powerful kingdoms and warriors whose stories deserve to be told with the same grandeur as any European epic.
5. Get Out (2017)
Director Jordan Peele created something completely new with this film—a horror movie that makes you think about racism in America.
Chris, a Black photographer, visits his white girlfriend’s family for the weekend.
Everything seems friendly at first, but strange things start happening that make him increasingly uncomfortable.
What begins as awkward social situations escalates into genuine terror.
The movie cleverly uses horror movie tropes to explore real fears that Black people experience in predominantly white spaces.
It’s scary, smart, and sparked important conversations about racial dynamics when it was released.
Even if you’re not usually a horror fan, this groundbreaking film offers a unique perspective worth experiencing.
6. Malcolm X (1992)
Denzel Washington delivers one of the greatest performances in cinema history as Malcolm X, the controversial civil rights leader whose views evolved dramatically throughout his life.
Director Spike Lee spent years bringing this epic biography to the screen, covering Malcolm’s journey from street hustler to prison inmate to influential spokesman for the Nation of Islam.
The three-hour film never feels long because Malcolm’s life was so eventful and transformative.
Unlike leaders who preached nonviolence, Malcolm advocated for self-defense and Black empowerment by any means necessary.
His pilgrimage to Mecca changed his perspective on race and unity.
This powerful film shows a complex man who refused to compromise his beliefs, even when it cost him everything.
7. Moonlight (2016)
Growing up is hard for everyone, but Chiron faces extra challenges living in a tough Miami neighborhood while struggling with his identity and sexuality.
This Academy Award-winning masterpiece tells his story in three chapters: as a shy child nicknamed Little, as a withdrawn teenager, and as an adult trying to reconnect with his past.
The film’s visual beauty matches its emotional depth, with gorgeous cinematography that makes every frame feel like a painting.
It’s a quiet, intimate story that broke barriers by centering a Black gay protagonist in a way Hollywood rarely does.
Director Barry Jenkins created something both specific to one person’s experience and universal in its themes of identity, masculinity, and finding love.
8. Black Orpheus (1959)
This Brazilian classic reimagines the ancient Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice during Rio de Janeiro’s spectacular Carnival celebration.
Orpheus is a streetcar conductor and talented musician who falls in love with Eurydice, a young woman fleeing a mysterious pursuer.
Their romance unfolds against the backdrop of samba music, colorful costumes, and joyous dancing.
The film won major awards and introduced international audiences to Afro-Brazilian culture and bossa nova music.
Its portrayal of Black characters as romantic leads in a mythological story was groundbreaking for its time.
The infectious soundtrack and vibrant visuals create a dreamlike experience that celebrates Black Brazilian culture while exploring timeless themes of love and loss.
9. Roots (1977/2016)
Based on Alex Haley’s novel tracing his family history, Roots follows Kunta Kinte from his capture in West Africa through generations of his descendants living under slavery in America.
When the original miniseries aired in 1977, over 100 million Americans watched, making it a cultural phenomenon that changed how the nation discussed slavery.
The 2016 remake updated the production for modern audiences while maintaining the powerful storytelling.
Both versions show the brutal realities of slavery alongside the resilience, strength, and hope that helped families survive.
Watching Kunta Kinte refuse to forget his name and heritage, despite horrific punishment, demonstrates the unbreakable human spirit and the importance of knowing where you come from.
10. When They See Us
In 1989, five Black and Latino teenagers were wrongly convicted of a brutal crime in Central Park they didn’t commit.
Director Ava DuVernay’s heartbreaking miniseries shows how these boys—Antron McCray, Kevin Richardson, Yusef Salaam, Raymond Santana, and Korey Wise—had their lives destroyed by a justice system that rushed to judgment.
The four-part series follows each young man through their false confessions, trials, imprisonment, and eventual exoneration after the real criminal confessed.
It’s difficult to watch but essential viewing for understanding how racial bias affects the legal system.
The performances are so powerful you’ll feel like you’re watching real people rather than actors.
Their story shows why we must always question authority and fight for justice.
11. Insecure
Created by and starring Issa Rae, this HBO comedy follows Issa and her best friend Molly as they navigate careers, relationships, and friendships in South Los Angeles.
The show feels refreshingly real, capturing the awkward moments, tough decisions, and hilarious mishaps of modern life.
Issa’s internal rap battles with herself are comedy gold.
What makes Insecure special is how it portrays Black women as complex, flawed, and relatable rather than stereotypes.
The characters make mistakes, struggle with self-doubt, and don’t always have everything figured out—just like real people.
The show also showcases Black Los Angeles neighborhoods and culture with authenticity and pride.
It’s funny, honest, and sometimes cringeworthy in the best way possible.
12. High on the Hog: How African American Cuisine Transformed America
Food tells stories about history, culture, and survival.
This fascinating Netflix docuseries follows chef and writer Stephen Satterfield as he traces African American cuisine from Africa to Texas, exploring how enslaved people’s cooking traditions shaped what we now call American food.
Mac and cheese, fried chicken, barbecue—so many beloved dishes have African roots.
Each episode is like a delicious history lesson, showing how creativity and resilience in the kitchen became acts of cultural preservation.
You’ll learn about ingredients, cooking techniques, and recipes passed down through generations.
The series also highlights contemporary Black chefs keeping these traditions alive while innovating for the future.
It’ll make you hungry and give you a whole new appreciation for the food on your plate.
13. A Black Lady Sketch Show
Sketch comedy has traditionally been dominated by white male performers, but creator Robin Thede changed that with this groundbreaking HBO series featuring an all-Black female cast and writers’ room.
The sketches range from absurd and silly to sharply satirical, covering everything from workplace dynamics to dating to pop culture.
What’s revolutionary isn’t just who’s on screen but whose perspectives and experiences are being celebrated.
The show pokes fun at situations Black women encounter while also just being genuinely hilarious without always making race the punchline.
Recurring characters like the Bad Bitch Support Group members and the time-traveling Harriet Tubman have become fan favorites.
It’s comedy that feels fresh, inclusive, and unapologetically joyful.
14. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
Will Smith became a superstar thanks to this beloved sitcom about a street-smart Philadelphia teenager sent to live with his wealthy relatives in a Bel-Air mansion.
The show premiered in 1990 and ran for six seasons, mixing comedy with surprisingly thoughtful discussions about class, race, and identity.
The theme song alone is unforgettable.
Beyond the laughs, the show tackled serious issues like police brutality, gun violence, and what it means to be Black in different economic situations.
Uncle Phil became a father figure to millions of viewers with his wisdom and warmth.
The Banks family showed that Black families could be portrayed as successful, loving, and complex on television.
Decades later, it remains a cultural touchstone that influenced an entire generation.