Celebrate Black History Month by streaming content created by black creators, directors, and writers. Many streaming services are using their platform to spotlight black voices during this time of the year. From knee slapping comedies to thrilling dramas, or action adventures to animated children’s shows, there are thousands of hours of content available to stream by black creators.
Below is a curated list of 10 movies and 10 television series and where you can stream them now during Black History Month.
Movies
The Last Black Man in San Francisco (2018)
The semi-autobiographical story is based on lead actor Jimmy Fails’ own life. As a co-writer of the story, the film centers around Fails’ love for his childhood home in an evolving San Francisco.
Where to watch? Now streaming on Kanopy, and Prime Video. Available to rent for $3.99 on Google Play, Prime Video, and YouTube.
Get Out (2016)
Written and directed by Jordan Peele in his directorial debut, Get Out is an iconic horror about a young black man (Daniel Kaluuya) who discovers some disturbing secrets about his girlfriend (Allison Williams) upon meeting her parents.
Where to watch? Now streaming on fuboTV. Available to rent for $3.99 on Google Play, Prime Video, and YouTube.
Black Panther (2018)
Co-written and directed by Ryan Coogler, Black Panther is a historic movie due to being one of the highest-grossing films of all-time while having a majority black cast. Based on the comic book of the same name, the MCU film stars the late Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong’o, and is one of the best representations of Afrofuturism in cinematic history.
Where to watch? Now streaming on Disney+ and Sling TV. Available to rent for $3.99 on Google Play, Prime Video, and YouTube.
Blindspotting (2018)
Starring and written by Rafael Casal and Daveed Diggs, Blindspotting is a hilarious comedy-drama set in Oakland about a man on probation who has to deal with the trauma of witnessing a police shooting while not getting caught up in mischievous adventures with his best friend that will send him back to prison.
Where to watch? Available to rent for $3.99 on Google Play, Prime Video, and YouTube.
Judas and the Black Messiah (2021)
Directed and co-written by Shaka King, the film centers around the betrayal of Bill O’Neal that lead to the assassination of the chairman of the Illinois chapter of the Black Panther Party Fred Hampton (Daniel Kaluuya) in Chicago under the FBI’s initiative.
Where to watch? Available to stream on HBO Max.
Sorry to Bother You (2018)
Written and Directed by Boots Riley in his directorial feature debut, Sorry to Bother You is a dark comedy sci-fi that follows a young black telemarketer who has to navigate through the corporate world by using a white accent in an alternate present-day Oakland. As he moves up in the company, he has to make the ultimate decision between joining his friends who are activists for organizing labor or continue contributing to the capitalist corporate conspiracy of maximizing profit. The film has an ensemble cast that includes LaKeith Stanfield, Tessa Thompson, Jermaine Fowler, Omari Hardwick, Terry Crews, Patton Oswalt, David Cross, Danny Glover, Steven Yeun, and Armie Hammer.
Where to watch? Now streaming on Hulu. Available to rent for $3.99 on Google Play, Prime Video, and YouTube.
One Night in Miami (2021)
Directed by Regina King in her directorial debut, One Night in Miami is a fictional re-telling of a legendary night when icons at their respective occupations, Muhammad Ali, Malcolm X, Sam Cooke, and Jim Brown came together to flush out and discuss their roles in the 1960s during Civil Rights Movement. The film was written by Kemp Powers and based on his play of the same name.
Where to watch? Now streaming on Prime Video.
Sleight (2016)
Directed and co-written by J.D. Dillard, Sleight is about a street magician (Jacob Lattimore) with a brilliant mind who gets involved with the wrong people and illegal activities to make money for his family. The film was a huge commercial success as it was made on a $250,000 budget and grossed $4 million worldwide.
Where to watch? Now streaming on HBO Max. Available to rent for $3.99 on Google Play, Prime Video, and YouTube.
Luce (2019)
Luce is a social thriller that was co-written and directed by Julius Onah and based on co-writer JC Lee’s play of the same name. The film stars Kevin Harrison as Luce, an adopted teenage boy from war-torn Eritrea, who is adopted by a white couple (Naomi Watts and Tim Roth) and they have to deal with the consequences after his teacher (Octavia Spencer) makes a disturbing discovery about him due to one of his assignments.
Where to watch? Now streaming on Hulu. Available to rent for $3.99 on Google Play, Prime Video, and YouTube.
Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (2020)
The late Chadwick Boseman’s last live-action role has received a lot of buzz during award season and is based on August Wilson’s stage play of the same name. The film adaptation is directed by George C. Wolfe and written by Ruben Santiago-Hudson and like the play, focuses on blues singer Ma Rainey (Viola Davis) and a recording session in 1920’s Chicago that led to turmoil.
Where to watch? Now streaming on Netflix.
Television Series
The Proud Family (2001-2005)
Created by Bruce W. Smith, the animated sitcom follows Penny Proud (Kyla Pratt) and her adventures and mishaps with friends and family as she lives through her teens. Later this year, Disney+ will be the exclusive home of the revival series The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder.
Where to watch? Now streaming on Disney+.
Atlanta (2016-present)
Groundbreaking and riveting, created and starring Donald Glover, the series is based in Atlanta and follows Earn (Glover) and his cousin/rapper Alfred/Paper Boi (Brian Tyree Henry) as they navigate through the rap scene and all the drama that comes with it. The comedy-drama also features LaKeith Stanfield and Zazie Beetz.
Where to watch? Now streaming on Hulu.
Grey’s Anatomy (2005-present)
Created by Shonda Rhimes, this long-running medical drama has had 3 spin-offs and it focuses on the lives of young surgical staff and their lives as they become seasoned doctors.
Where to watch? Now streaming on fuboTV, Hulu, and Netflix.
A Black Lady Sketch Show (2019-present)
Starring and written by Robin Thede, this 30-minute sketch show is like none-other as it is performed by a main cast of black female comedians.
Where to watch? Now streaming on HBO Max.
Snowfall (2017-present)
Created by John Singleton, Eric Amadio, and Dave Andron, this hit FX series focuses on the crack epidemic of the 1980s in Los Angeles, California, and its effects on the culture there.
Where to watch? Now streaming on Hulu.
P-Valley (2020-present)
A breakout hit for Starz, this drama series was created by Katori Hall and is an adaptation of her play of the same name. It follows the lives and interactions of several people who work at a strip club in the Mississippi Delta.
Where to watch? Now streaming on Starz.
Chappelle’s Show (2002-2006)
After airing out his grievance in a standup special titled “Unforgiven” and removing his show upon his request. Chappelle has hashed things out with the executives at Comedy Central and his iconic sketch comedy show is back on Netflix and other streaming platforms. Chappelle and Netflix addressed the situation in a short video titled “Redemption Song” on the streaming giant’s YouTube page.
Where to watch? Now streaming on CBS All Access, HBO Max, Hoopla, Philo, and Netflix.
The Boondocks (2005-2014)
Based on creator Aaron McGruder’s comic book strip of the same name, The Boondocks is an adult animated series about the adventures of two brothers, Huey and Riley (both voiced by Regina King) living in a suburban white neighborhood. The series was influential due to its use of satire to critique culture and society as a whole. The show is expected to be rebooted later this year on HBO Max.
Where to watch? Now streaming on HBO Max.
Girlfriends (2000-2008)
Created by Mara Brock Akil, Girlfriends was the longest-running live-action sitcom on broadcast television at the time of its cancelation in 2008. The show focused on four African-American women as they navigate through their love lives.
Where to watch? Now streaming on Netflix.
Everybody Hates Chris
Created by Chris Rock and Ali LeRoi, this situational comedy was based on the life experience of Rock when he was a troubled teenager. The show starred Tyler James Williams as Chris Rock and Tachina Arnold and Terry Crews as his parents.
Where to watch? Now streaming on CBS All Access, CW Seed, Hulu, and Peacock.