Every February, Black History Month celebrates the contributions and advancements of African-Americans with the world. Highlighting the experience and story of Black history helps kids learn about the important moments and individuals that have laid the foundation for #blackexcellence. Below are five must-watch movies to binge this weekend with the kids in celebration of Black History Month according to familyeducation.com.
1. The Princess and the Frog (2009)
Age group: Geared towards Preschool and up
Synopsis: This animated classic gave children their first Black Disney princess, Tiana. The Princess and the Frog is a story about compassion, hard work, and big dreams. By some chance, if you haven’t seen this classic Disney movie yet, make sure to check it out so that you can be all caught up before the next installment of Tiana‘s journey drops.
Where to binge: Disney+
2. The Proud Family Movie (2005)
Age group: Geared towards Preschool and up
Synopsis: This animated Disney movie is a compliment to the TV series. However, in the movie, there is a unique twist in this story as the evil Dr. Carver villain turns out to be the great-great-grandson of Washington Carver, one of the most famous Black scientists of the 20th century known for his work with peanuts.
Check this out before the February 23 debut of The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder!
Where to binge: Amazon
3. Hidden Figures (2016)
Age group: Geared towards Elementary and Up
Synopsis: Hidden Figures highlights the amazing contribution of a team of African-American mathematicians, including Katherine Johnson. Spoiler alert, these women played a vital role in the early space program at NASA, yes, that NASA in the 1960s. This movie is an especially powerful choice for young girls.
Where to binge: Amazon
4. The Great Debaters (2008)
Age group: Geared towards Middle School and Up
Synopsis: Inspired by a true story, The Great Debaters is directed by Denzel Washington, who also stars in this inspiring movie along with Forest Whitaker during the time of segregation. This movie emphasizes the power of words as it depicts the story of an underdog African-American debate team led by a Black man who takes on a group of Harvard elite. The setting is Texas in 1935 where racial tension is high. This is unquestionably a powerful movie for tweens and teens.
Where to binge: Amazon
5. Malcolm X (1992)
Age group: Geared towards High School and Up
Synopsis: This Spike Lee biopic is a tribute to the influential Black activist leader, Malcom X. The movie shares the power of change as the title character evolves from a small town gangster to a leader in the Nation of Islam.
Where to binge: HBO Max
Some of these amazing movies you may have missed or even forgotten about; however, they are unquestionably definitely worth a first watch or if you’ve seen them multiple times, a watch again.
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