Black History Month 2021 has arrived in the US. Check out some of the great films and shows that celebrate African-American culture and heroes right here!

Recognised officially by US government, Black History Month originated in the US and is more recently also observed in the UK, Ireland and the Netherlands. It is an opportunity to take learning beyond the classroom, and educate yourself on African-American traditions, culture, heroes and struggles. Back in 1976, President Gerald Ford recognised the celebration by urging the public to “seize the opportunity to honour the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavour throughout our history.”

Black History Month on HBO Max

Immerse yourself in incredible stories and history by checking out HBO Max‘s “Black History is Our History” page. Accompanying this curated collection is the premiere of Shaka King’s film Judas and the Black Messiah. In HBO Max’s curation you can find titles covering a range of genres, runtimes and all focussing on black stories, black history and black lives.

Just a handful of the films, series, comedies and documentaries you can catch include:

  • Malcolm X – Spike Lee’s 1992 film following the titular civil rights movement and human rights activist icon.
  • Equal – A four-part series celebrating those who founded the modern LGBTQ+ movement, and the trailblazers who fought for equality, changing the course of American History.
  • Mavis! – A 2015 documentary about the legendary musicians and civil rights activist, Mavis Staples.
  • Black Art: In the Absence of LightPremiering on HBO Max on the 9th February, this documentary offers an illuminating introduction to the work of some of the foremost Black visual artists working today. 
  • The Apollo – A story of the importance of Harlem’s The Apollo theatre as a living piece of black history.
  • Chris Rock: Bigger & Blacker – Rock’s 1999 stand-up show, recorded at The Apollo theatre in Harlem.

Watch Elsewhere

If you don’t have an HBO Max subscription, fear not! There are plenty of fantastic things to watch this Black History Month, across different platforms. To name just a few of these titles…

  • Tuskegee Airmen: Legacy of Courage – Available to watch on History from 10th February, this documentary will show the history and legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen and how they helped end segregation in the military.
  • When They See Us – Streaming on Netflix, this series perfectly captures the anger, sadness, trauma and angst of what happens when Black people are immediately seen and treated as criminals.
  • Crooklyn – Set in Brooklyn in the 1970s, this Spike Lee film follows Troy Carmichael and sees her life reshaped in a way she never expected.
  • The Five Heartbeats – This film follows the fictional 1960s R&B/Soul group as they navigate fame, arrogance and inner turmoil.