February is Black History Month, and since it's still winter, it's a great time to set up some movie nights, and get a dose of history, great stories and the achievements of African Americans through film. Here's a few movies get you started!
The Princess and the Frog
Released in 2009, The Princess and the Frog is the first animated Disney classic to with an African American character as the lead - Tiana! She dreams of opening the best restaurant in New Orleans, but her plans go awry when she finds out she needs to turn a frog prince back into a human prince.
Tiana is the first African American Disney princessCourtesy of Disney
Dreamgirls
Starring Beyoncé Knowles, Dreamgirls is about a trio of soul singers in the '60s making their way to the top - although it's fiction, you can tell it's inspired by real groups from that era like The Ronettes and The Supremes.
Beyoncé and Jennifer Hudson star in DreamgirlsCourtesy of Dreamworks
Driving Miss Daisy
Starring Morgan Freeman, this movie is based on an award-winning play about the friendship between an aging Jewish woman and her African American driver in the American South during the Civil Rights movement.
Morgan Freeman in Driving Miss DaisyCourtesy of Warner Brothers
Ali
This biographical movie follows the life of professional boxer Cassius Clay - who you may know as Muhammad Ali, one of the greatest heavyweight boxers in history!
Will Smith as champion boxer Muhammad AliCourtesy of Columbia Pictures
The Help
Based on the best-selling novel by Kathryn Stockett, this story is about the lives and hardships of African American maids during the Civil Rights movement in the South, and a sassy young journalist who's on a mission to tell their story.
Viola Davis and Emma Stone star in The HelpCourtesy of Dreamworks
Ray
A biographical movie about blind blues legend Ray Charles, played by Jamie Foxx.
Jamie Foxx stars as legendary blues musician Ray CharlesCourtesy of Universal Studios
Ruby Bridges
The true story of a 6 year old African American girl in New Orleans who helped integrate the schools (meaning both black and white students would start to go to the same schools) in the '60s, even though she had to walk through crowds of angry people every day who were against integration.
Ruby Bridges made a huge impact at six years oldCourtesy of Disney
42
In 1945 the Brooklyn Dodgers signed Jackie Robinson, who became the first African American baseball player to break down the color barrier - and have an unforgettable rookie season.
Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in professional baseballCourtesy of Warner Brothers
Selma
Many people thought this Martin Luther King movie should have gotten a little more love by the Oscars. It follows MLK's fight for equality in Alabama, marching from Selma to Montgomery in 1965.
Selma is about Martin Luther King and the Civil Rights MovementCourtesy of Paramount Pictures
Have Your Say
What movies will you watch to celebrate Black History Month? Let us know in the comments section below.
