Best Movies To Watch In Honor Of Martin Luther King Jr.

HOLLYWOOD, CA — To this day, Dr. Martin Luther King’s vision of equality and justice remains a beacon worldwide. His influence has lived on through the years, inspiring people to treat one another with respect, fairness and dignity.

There is no doubt that MLK’s vast cultural legacy will continue to touch people’s lives for generations to come, a sentiment voiced by Rosa Parks in 1955:

"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 have compiled a list of must-see gems, focusing mainly on his lifelong commitment to the Civil Rights Movement as well as themes that resonate from his enduring legacy.

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16 Must-See Gems To Watch In Honor Of Martin Luther King Jr.

“King: A Filmed Record... 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 a steadfast 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 a series of impassioned testimonials by some of Hollywood’s remarkable icons, including James Earl Jones, Harry Belafonte, Ruby Dee, Paul Newman, Charlton Heston, Burt Lancaster, Joanne Woodward.

“4 Little Girls” (1997)

May Collins, Carol Denise McNair, Cynthia Wesley, and Carole Rosamond Robertson; directed by Spike Lee

The Academy-award nominated documentary directed by Spike Lee is a narrative account of the heinous racial, terrorist bombing of an African American church during the Civil Rights Movement. On that fateful day of Sept. 15, 1963, four girls were killed in the blast. Martin Luther King traveled to Montgomery, shining a light on what would become one of the most notorious incidents of racial violence in America.

“The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman” (1974)

Cicely Tyson, Eric Brown, Joel Fluellen; directed by John Korty

Ernest J. Gaines’s classic novel comes to life in John Korty’s film of the same name. Cicely Tyson brings the eponymous centenarian to life in her fictitious journey through the end of slavery to surviving Jim Crow and finally to joining the Civil Rights Movement at the age of 110. And in case you’re wondering, Jane Pittman is a fictitious figure.

“Legacy of Love” (2020)

Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott; directed by Roberto Mighty

Love conquers all in “Legacy of Love," a PBS documentary about the unbounded love between Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott. The 26-minute television special shows how their union became the pillar of strength in their pursuit of equality and justice for all.

“Eyes on the Prize” (1993)

Julian Bond, Coretta Scott King and John Lewis; show created by Henry Hampton

Riveting as it is, “Eyes on the Prize” is a must-watch series on 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 Am MLK Jr.” (2018)

Martin Luther King Jr., Carmelo Anthony; directed by John Barbisan and Michael Hamilton

The feature-length documentary "I Am MLK Jr." takes an in-depth look into the life of Martin Luther King Jr. and the tremendous impact he had on civil rights through the present day. It features interviews from the late Congressman John Lewis, civil rights activist Diane Nash, Ambassador Andrew Young, the Rev. Al Sharpton and more.

“Selma” (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 in on the turbulent three-month period in 1965 when he led a perilous campaign to secure equal voting rights in the face of violent opposition. The march from Selma to Montgomery culminated in President Lyndon Johnson signing the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

“King In The Wilderness" (2018)

Martin Luther King Jr., Jesse Jackson, John Lewis; directed by Peter W. Kunhardt

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The powerful documentary film was part of the Sundance Film Festival 2018 program. Interspersed with historical archival footage, "King in the Wilderness" follows the civil rights leader during the last years of his life, featuring King’s closest friends and colleagues such as Bernard Lafayette, Andrew Young, Diane Nash, John Lewis, Dorothy Cotton, Joan Baez, Xernona Clayton, Jesse Jackson and more.

“Boycott” (2001)

Jeffrey Wright, Terrence Howard; directed by Clark Johnson

A film adaptation of Stewart Burns’ 1997 book, “Daybreak of Freedom,” Clark Johnson’s biographical drama "Boycott" is a depiction of the Montgomery Bus Boycott, which took place after Rosa Parks' arrest Dec. 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 story of Rosa Parks, the inspirational 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 galvanize the civil rights movement. Angela Bassett delivers a magnificent performance as the title heroine, while Dexter King (Martin Luther King Jr.'s real-life son) exudes artistic flair in his portrayal of his father.

“Harriet” (2019)

Cynthia Erivo, Janelle Monáe, Leslie Odom Jr.; directed by Kasi Lemmons

Kasi Lemmons’ period piece is the first-ever theatrical film about the remarkable life of the iconic abolitionist whose sheer determination knew no bounds. "Harriet" stars Cynthia Erivo as the title heroine whose courage and tenacity freed hundreds of slaves and changed the course of history. Although the film does not feature Martin Luther King Jr., “Harriet,” nevertheless, evokes his universal message of freedom and equality for all.

“BlacKkKlansman” (2018)

John David Washington, Adam Driver; directed by Spike Lee

Subtle yet trenchant, Spike Lee’s adaptation of Ron Stallworth’s 2014 memoir chronicles the author’s successful efforts to infiltrate the local chapter of the Ku Klux Klan in Colorado Springs, Colorado, in the 1970s. "BlacKkKlansman" stars John David Washington as Stallworth, the first African American detective in the city’s police department.

“The Butler” (2013)

Forest Whitaker, Oprah Winfrey, John Cusack; directed by Lee Daniels

Loosely based on the true story of Eugene Allen, Lee Daniels’ “The Butler” follows the life story of Cecil Gaines, an African American waiter who becomes a White House butler. For nearly four decades, he will witness a number of sweeping socio-economic and political changes while serving in the White House.

“All The Way” (2016)

Anthony Mackie, Bryan Cranston, Melissa Leo; directed by Jay Roach

Made for television, the autobiographical 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 B. Johnson and Melissa Leo as First Lady Lady Bird Johnson. The film is a depiction of the monumental collaboration between Johnson and King to help push forward sweeping landmark human-rights laws, including the 1964 Civil Rights Act.

“The Help” (2011)

Emma Stone, Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer; directed by Tate Taylor

Kathryn Stockett's 2009 bestseller comes to life in writer-director Tate Taylor’s historical period drama. "The Help" follows the story of an aspiring author (Emma Stone), who musters the will to write an exposé about the pains 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 film, "MLK/FBI," provides some insight into the recently declassified files about King’s life and his experiences with the FBI.