The best slavery movies on Netflix provoke strong emotions and feelings. Many of the films are based on literature or slave accounts that recount their voyages.
The fundamental goal of such documentaries is to educate the public about the carnage perpetrated by slave owners.
And to raise awareness of previous crimes to prevent history from repeating itself.
Some of the best slavery movies on Netflix for Black History Month are;
1. Django Unchained (2012)
The film Django Unchained, directed by Quentin Tarantino in 2012, is not based on a true story, but it uses historical aspects to convey the story of Django, Schultz, and Candie.
Furthermore, the film is set two years before the Civil War in the American South.
It follows Django, a slave who is freed and taught as a bounty hunter by Dr. King Schultz, a German-born doctor who is outraged by the South’s bigoted customs.
Additionally, Jamie Foxx, Leonardo DiCaprio, Christoph Waltz, Samuel L. Jackson, and Kerry Washington starred in Django Unchained.
2. Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom (2013)
When the law under the Apartheid system’s cruel oppression proves ineffectual for his people, Nelson Mandela joins the African National Congress in the 1940s.
Additionally, following the Sharpeville Massacre, which forced him and his companions to abandon peaceful protests in favor of violent resistance.
Mandela pays the price when he and his comrades are condemned to life in jail for treason, while his wife, Winnie, is abused by the government.
Furthermore, Mandela’s spirit has remained unbowed during his decades in captivity, while his struggle continues in and beyond his confinement to become an international cause.
Starring Idris Elba, Naomi Harris, Terry Pheto, Robert Hobbis, Tony Kgorode.
3. 13th (2016)
13th is one of the best slavery movies on Netflix for Black History Month. The film begins with the assertion that the United States houses 25% of the world’s jailed population.
Although the United States has only 5% of the world’s population. The film “13th” depicts the exponential expansion of America’s jail population; in 1970, there were over 200,000 inmates; today, there are over 2 million.
However, the documentary covers a wide range of topics, including chattel slavery; D. W. Griffith’s film “The Birth of a Nation,” Emmett Till, and the civil rights movement. The Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Richard M. Nixon, and Ronald Reagan’s declaration of war on drugs, among others. Melina Abdullah, Michelle Alexander, Cory Booker, Dolores Canales, Gina Clayton were starred in 13th.
4. The Black GodFather (2019)
There is no way to tell the story of Black America without including its influence on all forms of entertainment, regardless of genre.
Though there were many power brokers who made their impact behind the scenes, few had done so as well as Clarence Avant.
Additionally, Reginald Hudlin’s expose reveals that the music executive was more than a check-signing machine.
Serving as a mentor to a lot of artists over several decades and working alongside civil rights activists to effect social change.
Furthermore, when the subject of another documentary dubbed him “the Black godfather,” you know he was someone.
Clarence Avant, Ted Sarandos, Nicole Avant, Janet Jackson, Michael Jackson, Snoop Dog among others starred in The Godfather.
5. Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (2020)
Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom is one of the best slavery movies on Netflix you should watch this Black History Month.
As a band of musicians awaits the legendary “Mother of the Blues,” Ma Rainey, tensions and temperatures rise during an afternoon recording session in 1920s Chicago.
Ma arrives late to the studio, bold, and feisty. And instantly engages in a battle of wills with her white manager and producer over ownership of her song.
While the rest of the band waits in the studio’s cramped rehearsal area, aspiring trumpeter Levee.
Who has a thing for Ma’s girlfriend and is determined to make his own mark in the music industry.
Inspires his peers to share stories that disclose facts that will change their lives forever. The film features Viola Davis, Chadwick Boseman, Colman Domingo, and Glynn Turman.
6. I Am Not Your Negro (2017)
James Baldwin is one of the most influential American writers in history, with witty and precise critique.
Furthermore, his finished paintings capture the essence of the Black experience: agony mixed with a sense of how to navigate in a dangerous environment.
Furthermore, Peck resurrected an unfinished Baldwin tome – a look at racism through the views of Dr. Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, and Medgar Evers – through a collection of his own writings.
It features Samuel L.Jackson, Ray Charles, Harry Belafonte, Billy Dee Williams, and Dick Cavett.
7. What Happened to Miss Simone (2015)
What Happened to Miss Simone is one of the best slavery movies on Netflix.
Nina Simone was noted for her unfettered musical expression on stage, which thrilled audiences and won her life-long fans.
Simone battled to reconcile her artistic identity and aspirations with her loyalty to a movement amid the violent.
Haunting, and senseless day-to-day of the civil rights era in 1960s America.
This new video, culled from hours of autobiographical records, reveals the unbridled ego of a brilliant artist as well as the oddities of her period.
Furthermore, Simone moved to Liberia and stopped singing at the height of her stardom, abandoning her family, country, job, and fans.
However, the account of her life preceding up until that point raises the question, “How does royalty stomp around?” The features in this movie are Nina Simone, Lisa Simone Kelly, Roger Nupie, and George Wein.
8. Harriet (2019)
Harriet narrates the incredible story of Harriet Tubman’s escape from slavery and metamorphosis into one of America’s greatest heroes.
In addition, based on the thrilling and inspirational life of an iconic American freedom fighter.
Furthermore, her bravery, creativity, and tenacity resulted in the liberation of hundreds of slaves and altered the course of history.
Harriet starred Cynthia Erivo, Janelle Monae, Leslie Odom jr, Clarke Peters, Joe Alwyn.
9. La Esclava Blanca (1985)
La Esclava Blanca is one of the best slavery movies on Netflix. A white orphan was adopted by black slaves in Colombia in 1821.
Furthermore, she returns to her family and childhood love years after being wrenched from them.
The movie features Yvonne Manuel, Mabel Escano, Jose Miguel Garcia, Llamas.
10. 12 Years a Slave (2013)
This Black History Month, you should watch 12 Years a Slave, one of the best slavery films on Netflix.
Based on the true story of one man’s struggle for survival and liberty.
Solomon Northup, a free Black man from upstate New York, is kidnapped and sold into slavery in the United States before the Civil War.
Additionally, Solomon fights not only to stay alive, but also to maintain his dignity, as he is confronted with violence embodied by a wicked slave owner, as well as unexpected kindnesses.
Besides, Solomon’s unexpected meeting with a Canadian abolitionist in the twelfth year of his epic journey will forever change his life.
Starring Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Kenneth, Brad Pitt, Dwight Henry.
11. High On Hug (2021)
American food is black food. In this docuseries, chef and writer Stephen Satterfield follows the delectable and stirring throughlines from Africa to Texas.
Top cast members include Adrian Miller, Stephen Satterfield, Ben Harney, and Michael Twitty.
12. I Am Ali (2014)
I Am Ali is one of the best slavery movies on Netflix of all time. A heartfelt and intimate look at the man behind the legend, as we’ve never seen him before.
Additionally, Ali’s personal vault of ‘audio journals’ is coupled with heartwarming interviews and testimonials from his inner circle of family and friends.
Including his daughters, son, brother, and former wife, as well as legends of the boxing community such as Mike Tyson, George Foreman, and Gene Kilroy.
Starring Mohammed Ali, Gene Kilroy, Odessa Clay, Rahman Ali.
13. For Love of Liberty (2010)
Letters, diaries, speeches, journalistic stories, historical text, and military documents are used in this High Definition PBS miniseries to commemorate.
And acknowledge the sacrifices and accomplishments of African-American service men and women since the founding of the republic.
Furthermore, the story covers the Revolution to Iraq and explains why these brave men and women fought so heroically for freedoms that they did not have.
So that concludes our list of the best slavery movies on Netflix for Black History Month. So take out time to watch at least one of this movies.
