5 Best Juneteenth Movies: Black History Through Cinema

Storytellers from diverse backgrounds are seizing the opportunity to bring more narratives to the screen and Black filmmakers, in particular, are producing an ever-increasing amount of content each year. We’ve scoured our own library to bring you the 5 most compelling films that are centered around black history. These movies serve as perfect companions to commemorate the journey and accomplishments of African Americans. So, let’s set the scene with the best juneteenth movies that honor the significance of this momentous day.

5. Back to Natural

In communion with the spirit of Juneteenth, the documentary, titled “Back to Natural,” meticulously elucidates the complex relationship between race, identity, and hair. This insightful documentary offers a compassionate perspective on the cultural implications that hair has had and continues to have on African descendants.

Watch Back to Natural on Reveel

4. Partners of the Heart

Narrated by the great Morgan Freeman, “Partners of the Heart” goes beyond mere storytelling; it presents a revered tale of persistence, partnership, and groundbreaking achievement against all odds. This film is centered around the unparalleled partnership between Vivien Thomas, a black carpenter with an exceptional knack for surgery, and Dr. Alfred Blalock, a highly respected white surgeon. Together, they dared to challenge the status quo and transform the medical landscape amidst the turbulent backdrop of segregation.

Watch Partners of the Heart on Reveel

3. Hatcher: Civil Rights Activist, Lawyer & Politician

Meet Richard Gordon Hatcher, the first Black Mayor of a major city in the United States, who broke the racial barriers in 1967. This compelling documentary highlights his journey through the tumultuous terrain of the American Civil Rights Movement. Hatcher, with other leaders, made great strides towards equality, effecting a lasting change in the country’s political landscape.

Watch Hatcher: Civil Rights Activist, Lawyer & Politician on Reveel

2. Breaking Three Hours: Trailblazing African American Women Marathoners

Breaking Three Hours chronicles the journeys of nine American-born, African American women who achieved a feat which only twenty women have managed to conquer: finishing a marathon in under three hours. Hailing from diverse backgrounds, these nine exceptional athletes are not just physically formidable, but have transcended societal norms and redefined the arena of long-distance running.

Watch Breaking Three Hours: Trailblazing African American Women Marathoners on Reveel

1. Call Me Miss Hamilton

Look at the civil rights movement through the eyes of a woman nicknamed “Red” by none other than Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. himself. Call Me Miss Hamilton tells a story of quiet defiance and triumphant victory, set in one of the most tumultuous periods of American history. It’s a story of an unsung heroine who stood up for respect – and won.

Watch Call Me Miss Hamilton on Reveel