Family Friendly TV Shows/Movies to Celebrate Black History Month

Black History Month is a time to celebrate culture, creativity, and the contributions of Black storytellers. One of the best ways to honor this month is by watching films and TV shows that highlight Black excellence.

Our founder, Temi Adamolekun, has put together a curated list of family-friendly TV shows and movies that center Black voices through engaging and interesting storytelling that does not focus on “the struggle.”Whether you’re looking for something fun, educational, or inspiring, these picks are a great way to engage with Black history and culture.

Let's celebrate Black artistry in all its forms. Happy watching! 🎬✨

Family Friendly TV Shows with an all black or strong black cast:

  • "Bel-Air" (2022-present) - A dramatic reimagining of "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air"

  • "All American" (2018-present) - Based on the life of professional football player Spencer Paysinger

  • "Swagger" (2021-present) - Inspired by Kevin Durant's experiences in youth basketball

  • "The Crossover" (2023-present) - Based on the award-winning novel about twin basketball players

  • "On My Block" (2018-2021) - Coming-of-age story about four street-smart teens

  • "Grown-ish" (2018-2024) - A spin-off of "Black-ish" following Zoey Johnson in college

  • "Naomi" (2022) - Superhero series based on the DC Comics character

  • "Abbott Elementary" (2021-present) - While not specifically for teens, it's family-friendly and very popular with young viewers

  • "Colin in Black & White" (2021) - About Colin Kaepernick's high school years

  • "That Girl Lay Lay" (2021-2023) - Nickelodeon series about a teenage AI who comes to life

  • "Family Reunion" (2019-2022) - Netflix family comedy series

Family Friendly Movies with an all black or strong black cast:

  • "Soul" (2020) - Pixar's animated film featuring Jamie Foxx as Joe Gardner, a music teacher who discovers what makes life worth living

  • "Safety" (2020) - Based on a true story about a Clemson University football player who took custody of his younger brother while playing college football

  • "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse" (2018) - An animated film featuring Miles Morales as Spider-Man

  • "Queen of Katwe" (2016) - The inspiring true story of a young Ugandan girl who becomes a chess champion, starring Lupita Nyong'o and David Oyelowo

  • "Nic & Tristan Go Mega Dega" (2010) - A fun adventure film about two brothers pursuing their BMX dreams

  • "Chang Can Dunk" (2023) - A Disney+ coming-of-age story about an Asian-American teen and his Black best friend trying to achieve their basketball dreams

  • "The House with a Clock in Its Walls" (2018) - A magical adventure film featuring a diverse cast including Eli Roth and Justin Randell Brooke

  • "Cheaper by the Dozen" (2022) - A modern remake starring Gabrielle Union and Zach Braff as parents of a multiracial blended family

  • "Rise" (2022) - The true story of the Antetokounmpo family and their journey from Nigeria to NBA stardom

  • "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" (2022) - The sequel to Black Panther, appropriate for teens though it deals with themes of loss

  • "The Harder They Fall" (2021) - A Western with an all-Black cast (Note: While rated PG-13, parents should review as it contains some violence)

  • "Sneakerella" (2022) - A modern musical retelling of Cinderella featuring Chosen Jacobs and Lexi Underwood

  • "Space Jam: A New Legacy" (2021) - Starring LeBron James in this family-friendly basketball and animation crossover

  • Let It Shine (2012) - A Disney Channel musical featuring a talented teen who finds his voice through music and learns about self-expression, love, and standing up for what’s right.

  • Hidden Figures (2016) - A powerful and inspiring film about three African-American women mathematicians at NASA who played crucial roles in the early days of the space program, breaking racial and gender barriers.

  • The Banker (2020) - Based on a true story, this film follows two African-American entrepreneurs in the 1960s who pose as a working-class couple while secretly running a bank.

  • Night School (2018) - A comedy starring Kevin Hart as a man who returns to school to earn his GED after a series of mishaps, learning valuable lessons about perseverance, friendship, and education.

  • Space Jam: A New Legacy (2021) - Starring LeBron James, this sequel to the original Space Jam blends live-action and animation, featuring LeBron as he teams up with the Looney Tunes to save his son and escape a digital world.

  • Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022) - The sequel to Black Panther explores the themes of loss, legacy, and the fight to protect Wakanda, continuing with a mostly Black cast.

  • A Wrinkle in Time (2018) - Directed by Ava DuVernay, this sci-fi adventure is based on the classic novel, with Storm Reid playing the lead as Meg Murry, alongside Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon, and Mindy Kaling.

  • The Upside (2017) - A remake of the French film The Intouchables, starring Kevin Hart as a recently paroled ex-con who forms an unlikely friendship with a wealthy paralyzed man, played by Bryan Cranston. It's a heartwarming story about friendship and overcoming challenges.

    FOR THE LITTLES

  • Proud Family: Louder and Prouder (2022) - This animated series, a sequel to The Proud Family, continues the adventures of Penny Proud and her hilarious, lovable family.

  • Trolls World Tour (2020) - A colorful animated film that features diversity, with characters representing different music genres, and has a prominent Black voice actor in the role of Queen Essence (voiced by Mary J. Blige).

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