MLK Day is a reminder that progress is never accidental. That’s a thought I always come back to when this day comes around. The freedoms and voices we have today didn’t come easily. As our history teachers taught us, they fought for, protected, and often paid for with real sacrifice. Since Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is meant to honor his life and legacy, it also gives us space to reflect on where we stand today and how far we still need to go.
For my family and me, watching films about justice, courage, and chance has become our tradition to honor the day. Here are our favorite MLK Day movies if you’re looking for movies to watch on streaming services this upcoming MLK Day. Let’s start!
Selma (2014)
If you want to feel inspired and a little shaken, watch Selma. Seeing Dr. King and the people marching for something as basic as the right to vote makes you realize how much courage it took to stand up against injustice. It’s emotional, yes, but it also makes me think about the progress we’ve made and the work that’s still left to do. It even won lots of awards, including an Academy Award for Best Original Song, as well as nominations for Best Picture and Best Film Editing. It’s really a great watch for MLK Day.
MLK/FBI (2020)
This movie made me see a side of history I didn’t fully understand before. It’s all about how the FBI monitored Dr. King and tried to undermine his work, even as he was leading a movement of justice and equality. Watching it felt frustrating and amazing at the same time, then there’s this sudden rush of gratefulness because the leadership and courage he showed still managed to rise above all that opposition. It’s definitely a must for your next TV streaming session.
Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner (1967)
I honestly didn’t expect this one to stick with me the way it did. It’s also my dad’s favorite! Most of the movie is just people talking around a dinner table, but somehow that made it feel even more real. I kept thinking, wow, this must have been a lot to take in back then. But when I think about, the hesitation and the awkwardness feel closely connected to the kind of tension Dr. King was talking about during his time. Because sometimes, it showed up in quiet rooms and uncomfortable conversations. A good watch, indeed.
Malcolm X (1992)
Malcolm X isn’t an easy watch, and I don’t mean that in a bad way. It’s long and heavy but I felt like I needed to watch it all the way through. At some point, I just realized that I wasn’t just learning history. I was actually seeing how complicated real change can be, and I just know my adult self thanks me for watching this early. Rewatching it felt different, though, as I am more aware of how the world works. By the end of the film, I literally just sat there quietly for a bit as I let everything sink in. That’s usually how I know a movie did its job.
King in the Wilderness (2018)
Since I was exposed to Dr. King while I was still a kid, I’ve always seen him as this strong, almost untouchable figure. But this documentary showed him when things were completely messy and exhausting. Watching it made me realize how lonely leadership can actually be. I never knew this part of his story, so it really changed my perspective of him. And I just realized that even though it felt quieter than other films, it’s heavier in its own way because I know how his story ends.
A Day to Reflect and Remember
Whenever I watch these movies, I’m usually left thinking more than talking, and that just feels right. These movies don’t give easy answers but they do give perspective, especially if you keep rewatching them as you grow older. With this, I can really attest to sitting down and really watching to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. I hope you enjoy watching!
