Here is a selection of films for Juneteenth! Some films focus on Juneteenth, others are uplifting, challenging, educational, historical, and/or fun additions to marking the holiday. Enjoy!
Use the tabs above to sort films by streaming platform: Kanopy, Amazon Prime, and Netflix.
Part of the Emancipation Road series. This documentary covers "Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation and its effect on the end of the Civil War, the Reconstruction era in the South, and the eventual Constitutional amendments passed to protect it." (Synopsis from Kanopy) Duration: 49 min. 
Part of the Up from Slavery series. "This section of the documentary series looks at the conclusion of the War Between the States and the effects of the outcome for slaves, slave owners and the entire country." (Synopsis from Kanopy) Duration: 45 min.
"Defiant, brave and free, the great abolitionists Thomas Garrett, William Still and Harriet Tubman, along with hundreds of lesser known and nameless opponents of slavery, formed a Corridor of Courage stretching from Maryland's eastern shore through the length of Delaware to Philadelphia and beyond -- making the Underground Railroad a real route to freedom for enslaved Americans before the Civil War. Long-format interviews with prominent historians blend with dramatic reenactment to create a powerful story about the fight to end slavery. Actors Edward Asner and Blair Underwood portray the two most prominent abolitionists on the eastern line of the Underground Railroad, Thomas Garrett and William Still." (Synopsis from Kanopy) Duration: 60 min.
Filmmaker Oge Egbuonu celebrates the heritage of Black women in America by illuminating the history of how we got here, dismantling the false framework of the present-day reality and honoring the extraordinary generations of Black women. "While this emotional documentary explores painful traumas Black women have faced throughout U.S. history, it acknowledges Black women's role as uniting communities — building its own community in the process." Featuring Oge Egbuonu. Duration: 1 hr 22 min.
A former beauty queen and single mom prepares her rebellious teenage daughter for the "Miss Juneteenth" pageant. Available streaming via Amazon Prime from $2.99. Directed by Channing Gottfried Peoples, featuring Nicole Beharie, Kendrick Sampson, and Alexis Chikaeze. Duration: 1 hr 39 min.
PBS documentary that challenges one of America's most cherished assumptions -- the belief that slavery in the US ended with Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation -- by examining how even as chattel slavery came to an end in 1865, thousands of African Americans were pulled back into forced labor with shocking force and brutality. With Laurence Fishburne. Available streaming from $3.99. Duration: 1 hr 24 min.
Food, community, culture, resiliency. Based on Jessica B. Harris’ award-winning book, High On The Hog traces the moving story of a people's survival and triumph via the food that has knit generations together and helped define the American kitchen. From Gumbo to fried chicken, our culinary journey stretches from Africa to enslavement, to the Harlem Renaissance, up to our present-day; we celebrate the courage, artistry, and resourcefulness of the African American people. This is not just an African American story; it’s an American story. A feast for all the senses. Description provided by Netflix. Duration: Season 1's four episodes are approx. 47 to 60 minutes each. Featuring chef Stephen Satterfield.
Black women from across the globe unlock stories of their mothers to redefine holistic lives rooted in radical self-care and healing in this documentary. Duration: 1 hour 22 min.
One Night in Miami is a fictional account of one incredible night where icons Muhammad Ali, Malcolm X, Sam Cooke, and Jim Brown gathered discussing their roles in the civil rights movement and cultural upheaval of the 60s. Summary from Amazon Prime. Directed by Regina King, featuring Kingsley Ben-Adir, Eli Goree, Aldis Hodge, and Leslie Odom Jr. Duration: 1 hour 55 min.
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