The best movies to watch in honor of Martin Luther King Jr
Hollywood, California – To this day, Dr. Martin Luther King’s vision of equality and justice remains a beacon throughout the world. His influence has continued over the years, inspiring people to treat each other with respect, fairness and dignity.
There is no doubt that MLK’s vast cultural legacy will continue to influence people’s lives for generations to come, a sentiment expressed by Rosa Parks in 1955:
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“It seemed as if every time he spoke, he said something I wanted or needed to hear.”
To celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we’ve compiled a list of must-see gems, focusing primarily on his lifelong commitment to the civil rights movement as well as the themes that resonate from his enduring legacy.
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16 must-see gems honoring Martin Luther King Jr
“The King: An Illustrated Record…From Montgomery to Memphis” (1970)
Harry Belafonte, Ruby Dee, James Earl Jones; Directed by Sidney Lumet and Joseph L. Mankiewicz
The 175-minute, Oscar-nominated documentary chronicles Martin Luther King’s rise to become an enduring leader of the civil rights movement, spanning several years of his arduous journey for the cause from 1955 to 1968. Featuring rare archival footage of Dr. King’s speeches, protests, and arrests, the film boasts With a series of impassioned testimonials by some of Hollywood’s great icons, including James Earl Jones, Harry Belafonte, Robbie Dee, Paul Newman, Charlton Heston, Burt Lancaster and Joan Woodward.
“4 Little Girls” (1997)
May Collins, Carol Denise McNair, Cynthia Wesley, and Carol Rosamund Robertson; Directed by Spike Lee
The Oscar-nominated documentary directed by Spike Lee is a narrative account of the heinous racist terrorist bombing of an African-American church during the Civil Rights Movement. On that fateful day, September 15, 1963, four girls were killed in the explosion. Martin Luther King Jr. traveled to Montgomery, highlighting what later became one of the worst incidents of racial violence in America.
“The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman” (1974)
Cicely Tyson, Eric Brown, Joel Fluellen; Directed by John Curti
Ernest Gaines’ classic novel comes to life in John Curti’s film of the same name. Cicely Tyson brings to life the eponymous centenarian on her fictional journey through the end of slavery to surviving Jim Crow and finally to join the civil rights movement at age 110. And in case you were wondering, Jane Bateman is a fictional character.
Legacy of Love (2020)
Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott; Directed by Roberto Maiti
Love conquers all in “Love Legacy,” a PBS documentary about the boundless love between Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott. The 26-minute TV special shows how their union becomes a pillar of strength in their quest for equality and justice for equality. everyone.
“Eyes on the Prize” (1993)
Julian Bond, Coretta Scott King and John Lewis; Show created by Henry Hampton
Although interesting, Eyes on the Prize is a must-see series about the civil rights movement. Using archival footage and stills as well as appearances by participants and opponents of the movement, the 14-episode show spans from 1954 through 1985.
“I’m MLK Jr.” (2018)
Martin Luther King Jr., Carmelo Anthony; Directed by John Barbissant and Michael Hamilton
The feature documentary “I Am MLK Jr.” Takes an in-depth look at the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. and the enormous influence he has had on civil rights to this day. It includes interviews with the late Congressman John Lewis, civil rights activist Diane Nash, Ambassador Andrew Young, the Rev. Al Sharpton, and more.
“Salma” (2014)
David Oyelowo, Carmen Ejogo, Oprah Winfrey; Directed by Ava DuVernay
A poignant film directed by Ava DuVernay, “Selma” chronicles the life of Martin Luther King Jr., narrowing its scope to the tumultuous three-month period in 1965 when he led a high-stakes campaign to secure equal voting rights in the face of violent opposition. The march from Selma to Montgomery culminated in President Lyndon Johnson’s signing of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
“The King in the Wilderness” (2018)
Martin Luther King Jr., Jesse Jackson, John Lewis; Directed by Peter W. Kunhardt
The powerful documentary was part of the program at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival. Interspersed with historical archival footage, “King in the Wilderness” follows the civil rights leader through the final years of his life, and features King’s closest friends and colleagues such as Bernard Lafayette, Andrew Young, Diane Nash, John Lewis, Dorothy Cotton, and Joan Baez. , Xernona Clayton, Jesse Jackson and more.
“Boycott” (2001)
Jeffrey Wright, Terrence Howard; Directed by Clark Johnson
An adaptation of Stuart Burns’s 1997 book, “Daybreak of Freedom,” Clark Johnson’s biographical drama “Boycott” is a depiction of the Montgomery bus boycott, which occurred after the arrest of Rosa Parks on December 1, 1955. The rest is history. As we know it.
“The Rosa Parks Story” (2002)
Angela Bassett, Peter Francis James; Directed by Julie Dash
This biographical drama follows the life of Rosa Parks, the inspiring civil rights activist who refused to give up her seat on a late-night bus, sparking major civil rights demonstrations in Montgomery, Alabama, that lasted 381 days. Her struggle helped spur the civil rights movement. Angela Bassett gives a fine performance as the title heroine, while Dexter King (the real son of Martin Luther King Jr.) shows artistic flair in his portrayal of his father.
“Harriet” (2019)
Cynthia Erivo, Janelle Monáe, Leslie Odom Jr.; Directed by Cassie Lemons
Cassie Lemmons’s period piece is the first-ever theatrical film about the remarkable life of the famous abolitionist whose sheer determination knew no bounds. Cynthia Erivo stars as the heroine in “Harriet,” whose courage and determination freed hundreds of slaves and changed the course of history. Although the film does not feature Martin Luther King Jr., “Harriet” evokes its universal message of freedom and equality for all.
“Black Klansman” (2018)
John David Washington and Adam Driver; Directed by Spike Lee
Adapted from Spike Lee’s 2014 memoir Ron Stallworth, the film chronicles the author’s successful efforts to infiltrate the local branch of the Ku Klux Klan in Colorado Springs, Colorado, in the 1970s. John David Washington stars in “BlacKkKlansman” as Stallworth, the city’s police department’s first African-American detective.
“The Servant” (2013)
Forest Whitaker, Oprah Winfrey, John Cusack; Directed by Lee Daniels
Loosely based on the true story of Eugene Allen, “The Butler” by Lee Daniels tells the story of the life of Cecil Gaines, an African-American waiter who becomes a butler in the White House. Over the course of nearly four decades, he would witness a number of sweeping social, economic, and political changes while serving in the White House.
“All the Way” (2016)
Anthony Mackie, Bryan Cranston, Melissa Leo; Directed by Jay Roach
Produced for television, the biographical drama “All The Way” is based on Robert Schenkkan’s 2012 play of the same title, starring Anthony Mackie as Martin Luther King Jr., Bryan Cranston as President Lyndon Johnson and Melissa Leo as First Lady Byrd. Johnson. The film depicts the massive collaboration between Johnson and King to help advance sweeping landmark human rights laws, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
“The Help” (2011)
Emma Stone, Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer; Directed by Tate Taylor
Katherine Stockett’s 2009 bestselling book comes to life in writer-director Tate Taylor’s historical drama. “The Help” follows the story of an aspiring author (Emma Stone), who musters the will to write an account of the pain and suffering of African-American maids (Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer) in the South during the Civil Rights Movement in 1963. .
“MLK/FBI” (2020)
Martin Luther King Jr., Edgar Hoover; Directed by Sam Pollard
Using archival footage of Martin Luther King Jr. between 1955 and 1968, Sam Pollard’s documentary, “MLK/FBI,” provides some insight into recently declassified files on King’s life and experiences with the FBI.
