What to Watch for Black History Month and Beyond

Since its inception in 1915, Black History Month has served to document Black people's journey from enslavement, their ongoing fight for equality and civil rights, and their significant contributions to society. Now, each February and beyond, major streaming services—Netflix, Disney+, Max, Prime Video, Peacock, Paramount+, Apple TV+, and Hulu—use this occasion to highlight films and shows created by Black creatives and featuring Black talent.

This is a wonderful opportunity to broaden your understanding of Black activists, icons, and trailblazers, adding crucial context to—or correcting misconceptions from—your US history education through documentaries. Whether you aim to expand your viewing list with content from Black creatives on screen and behind the camera, or simply revisit culturally influential films and shows, this month offers a wealth of choices.

Jump to the streaming platform picks:

What to Watch on Apple TV+ What to Watch on Disney+ What to Watch on Hulu What to Watch on Max What to Watch on Netflix What to Watch on Peacock What to Watch on Paramount+ What to Watch on Prime Video

Exploring and celebrating Black creativity is readily accessible; simply watching films and shows with Black casts or centering Black perspectives can be incredibly impactful. You might discover unexpected connections and relatable experiences. To help you curate your watchlist and continue reflecting on and celebrating Black history, we've compiled some of the best and most popular titles available on major streaming platforms.