What to Binge on Netflix During Black History Month

Credit: Gregg DeGuire / Stringer

In 1976, the first year the US government officially acknowledged Black History Month, President Gerald Ford described the month as an opportunity “to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.” While the legacy and purpose of Black History Month are up for debate, February at the very least teaches us to recognize the institutional injustices Black communities have faced throughout history, and to honor the contributions of Black Americans.

Black History Month should be for everyone, so we asked DoSomething members to tell us what they’re watching this month to honor the stories of Black Americans, past and present. Add these movies and original series to your Netflix queue to be a smarter, better ally during Black History Month and beyond.

1. 13th

Filmmaker Ava DuVernay explores “the intersection of race, justice and mass incarceration in the United States” in the groundbreaking Oscar-nominated documentary 13th. Titled after the thirteenth amendment of the Constitution, the film tracks the history of race relations in America, from Jim Crow to Black Lives Matter.

2. Black Panther

The Marvel Cinematic Universe consistently rolls out some of the biggest box-office hits of the year, but Black Panther brought viewers to the theaters at historic numbers. The revolutionary film not only features Black superheroes, but also celebrates celebrates Black culture across the Diaspora, in ways not often seen on screen. Plus, it’s the first superhero film to ever be nominated for an Academy Award!

3. Dear White People

Based on the film of the same name, Netflix’s Dear White People follows a group of Black college students at a fictional Ivy League university. The comedy series touches on issues like microaggressions, police brutality, and sexual politics. Dear White People has received its fair share of hate from internet trolls, not unlike the ones featured on the show in season two, but remains one of the most highly-rated shows on Netflix.

4. 42

With huge names like Chadwick Boseman and Harrison Ford, 42 tells the story of Jackie Robinson, the first Black man to play professionally in the MLB. The 2013 biopic gives viewers insight into the complicated history of racial integration in the world of sports, demonstrating the hostility Robinson faced within the league and his effort to prove himself to baseball fans around the country.

5. Whose Streets?

Whose Streets explores a monumental period in modern Black history ignited by the police killing of 18-year-old Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri. The documentary is told by the activists who turned their grief into resistance during the Ferguson uprising, propelling the Black Lives Matter movement and a whole new generation of leaders to the forefront.

6. Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madame C.J. Walker

This film is based on entrepreneur and philanthropist Madame C.J. Walker, who was the first self-made woman millionaire in the US. She used her position to advocate for racial justice and help other Black women achieve financial independence. Self Made is as much a testament to Walker’s entrepreneurial spirit as it is a love letter to Black women and the way they’ve defied and revolutionized the beauty industry for centuries.

7. The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson

If Black History Month is about telling stories of the marginalized and underrepresented, then the voices of LGBTQ+ people of color deserve to be heard as well. The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson does exactly that, walking viewers through the legacy of trans activist Marsha P. Johnson. Johnson was a powerful figure in the gay liberation movement and in the Stonewall uprising, events whose histories are so often whitewashed.

8. Loving

The biographical romance film Loving is a strong choice for those looking for a Black History Month x Valentine’s Day crossover. It’s based on the relationship between Mildred and Richard Loving, whose landmark case struck down laws banning interracial marriage. It shows their journey from the Virginia countryside to the Supreme Court in defense of their love.

9. Seven Seconds

This crime drama explores the tension that erupts when a 15-year-old Black boy is killed by a white police officer in a hit-and-run accident. Although the series isn’t technically based on true events, the plot feels all too familiar, complete with a volatile trial and attempted cover-up by the police. Ultimately, this is the story of a mother’s fight for justice, not only for her son but for every other family impacted by senseless violence.

10. She’s Gotta Have It

Film legend Spike Lee made a pivot to television when rebooting his 1986 classic, She's Gotta Have It. The Netflix series brought a modern twist to an already groundbreaking hit, highlighting even more diverse voices and touching on current issues like the gentrification of Black neighborhoods in New York City. Above all, it’s an exploration of Black female empowerment in love, life, and beyond.