Honor the history and message of Juneteenth with these titles
Honor the history and message of Juneteenth with these titles
Celebrate freedom and reflect on Black history with these powerful films and TV shows to watch on Juneteenth.
While it has only been recognized as a federal holiday since 2021, Juneteenth has been celebrated across the country for over 150 years. But the holiday is more than just a day off of work to celebrate in early summer. Juneteenth is an opportunity for reflection and remembrance as well as an opportunity to engage with the incredible stories and artists that shine a much-needed light on Black history and culture.
To honor the legacy of Juneteenth and to celebrate those who have fought to make the country a more equitable and free place, we have collected a handful of movies, TV shows, documentaries, and more from and about Black Americans. From stirring documentaries to acclaimed dramas to educational episodes, these titles offer meaningful opportunities to commemorate all of the painful and joyful aspects of the holiday.
Movies to Honor Juneteenth
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The Color Purple
December 18, 1985An epic tale spanning forty years in the life of Celie, an African-American woman living in the South who survives incredible abuse and bigotry. After Celie’s abusive father marries her off to the equally debasing ‘Mister’ Albert Johnson, things go from bad to worse, leaving Celie to find companionship anywhere she can. She perseveres, holding on to her dream of one day being reunited with her sister in Africa.
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Glory
December 15, 1989Robert Gould Shaw leads the US Civil War’s first all-black volunteer company, fighting prejudices of both his own Union army and the Confederates.
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Malcolm X
November 18, 1992A tribute to the controversial black activist and leader of the struggle for black liberation. He hit bottom during his imprisonment in the ’50s, he became a Black Muslim and then a leader in the Nation of Islam. His assassination in 1965 left a legacy of self-determination and racial pride.
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Selma
December 25, 2014“Selma,” as in Alabama, the place where segregation in the South was at its worst, leading to a march that ended in violence, forcing a famous statement by President Lyndon B. Johnson that ultimately led to the signing of the Voting Rights Act.
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Harriet
November 1, 2019The extraordinary tale of Harriet Tubman’s escape from slavery and transformation into one of America’s greatest heroes. Her courage, ingenuity and tenacity freed hundreds of slaves and changed the course of history.
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Miss Juneteenth
September 25, 2020Turquoise, a former beauty queen turned hardworking single mother, prepares her rebellious teenage daughter for the “Miss Juneteenth” pageant, hoping to keep her from repeating the same mistakes in life that she did.
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Sinners
April 16, 2025Trying to leave their troubled lives behind, twin brothers return to their hometown to start again, only to discover that an even greater evil is waiting to welcome them back.
TV Series and Docuseries to Honor Juneteenth
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Roots
January 23, 1977The epic tale of celebrated Pulitzer-prize winning author Alex Haley’s ancestors as portrayed in the acclaimed twelve hour mini-series Roots, was first told in his 1976 bestseller Roots: The Saga of an American Family. The docu-drama covers a period of history that begins in mid-1700s Gambia, West Africa and concludes during post-Civil War United States, over 100 years later. This 1977 miniseries eventually won 9 Emmy awards, a Golden Globe award, and a Peabody award, and still stands as the most watched miniseries in U.S. history.
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Eyes on the Prize
January 21, 1987The definitive story of the Civil Rights era from the point of view of the ordinary men and women whose extraordinary actions launched a movement that changed the fabric of American life, and embodied a struggle whose reverberation continue to be felt today.
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Watchmen
October 20, 2019Set in an alternate history where “superheroes” are treated as outlaws, “Watchmen” embraces the nostalgia of the original groundbreaking graphic novel while attempting to break new ground of its own.
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Amend: The Fight for America
February 17, 2021Will Smith hosts this look at the evolving, often lethal, fight for equal rights in America through the lens of the US Constitution’s 14th Amendment.
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High on the Hog: How African American Cuisine Transformed America
May 26, 2021Black food is American food. Chef and writer Stephen Satterfield traces the delicious, moving throughlines from Africa to Texas in this docuseries.
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The 1619 Project
January 26, 2023In keeping with the original project, this series seeks to reframe the country’s history by placing the consequences of slavery and the contributions of black Americans at the very center of our national narrative.
TV Series with Juneteenth Episodes
‘black-ish’ | Season 4, Episode 1: ‘Juneteenth’
black-ish
A family man struggles to gain a sense of cultural identity while raising his kids in a predominantly white, upper-middle-class neighborhood.
‘Atlanta’ | Season 1, Episode 9: ‘Juneteenth’
Atlanta
In this wildly imaginative show from creator Donald Glover, a one-hit wonder hip-hop artist and his cousin navigate the world of small-time fame in the music industry. “Atlanta” is impossible to categorize - alternately funny, touching, strange, surreal, and perceptive. Each episode switches tone, serving almost as a standalone film featuring recurring characters. There are no rules on “Atlanta” - Justin Bieber is Black, invisible cars exist - the world is whatever Glover needs it to be for that particular episode. This gem is one of the most inventive shows on TV.
‘Waffles + Mochi’ | Juneteenth episode
Waffles + Mochi
Curious puppet pals Waffles and Mochi travel the world exploring the wonders of food and culture while learning how to cook with fresh ingredients.
‘The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder’ | Juneteenth episode
The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder
Follow the adventures and misadventures of newly 14-year-old Penny Proud and her family as they navigate modern life with hilarity and heart. The 2020s bring a new career for mom Trudy, wilder dreams for dad Oscar and new challenges for Penny, including a socially woke neighbor who thinks she has a lot to teach her.