5 best movies to catch on Juneteenth 2024

Every year, 19th June is celebrated across the USA as Juneteenth, to commemorate the emancipation of slaves and the abolishment of slavery back in 1865. One of the most historically important days in the calendar, the holiday gives the nation’s residents time to reflect on Black history, culture, and the kind of struggles that the community has traditionally gone through.

One way to do this is via movies, and there are a range of creations that star some of the most important Black characters and narratives. Here, we look at five of them, that are effectively ideal watches for Juneteenth 2024.

5 Movies to watch during Juneteenth 2024

1) Moonlight

Released back in 2016, Moonlight was directed by Barry Jenkins and dwells into the perspective of a young black American boy named Chiron. Divided into three chapters, Moonlight is an exploration of gender identity, masculinity, and the altered experience of the black community.

Growing up in a poor neighborhood fraught with violence and poverty, Moonlight stars three actors as the protagonists, each depicting a particular period of Chiron’s life. Played by Alex R. Hibbert, Ashton Sanders, and Trevante Rhodes, it is one of the most heart-wrenching tales that has come out in recent years and won the Academy Award for Best Picture.

Moonlight is available to be watched on Amazon Prime, and is ideal for Juneteenth!

2) Lean on Me

Morgan Freeman stars in Lean on Me. (Getty)

This 1989 superhit is based on the true story of Joe Louis Clark, who was the principal of a High School based in Paterson, New Jersey. The movie revolves around a passionate educational instructor who is sent to an underfunded school, threatened by violence and chaos.

The movie looks into the condition of Black educational institutions that often struggle to provide the right facilities and educational quality that can help lift struggling black communities. Starring Morgan Freeman as Louis Clark, Lean on Me is available for rent on Amazon Prime, and is a must-watch for all film enthusiasts.

3) Black Panther

Well, starkly different from the rest of the movies included in this list, the MCU’s Black Panther, released in 2018, stars Chadwick Boseman as the iconic superhero. Black Panther is a movie that surpasses age and can be enjoyed by anyone. The movie depicts Wakanda, a fictitious country that takes inspiration from various aspects of Black Culture.

The movie, although not based on history, presents a compelling narrative and shows the kind of co-existence and harmony traditional black communities have lived up to, through their storied history. Available on Disney+, the superhero in itself emerged in the comics during the 1960s, during the Civil Rights movement, and is a lighter watch that looks into the first black superhero ever created by Marvel.

4) The Color Purple

The Color Purple came out in 1985. (Image via Amazon Prime)

Another Amazon Prime offering that is perfect for Juneteenth, The Color Purple stars none other than the iconic Whoopi Goldberg. The film is an adaptation of a novel of the same name by Alice Walker.

It revolves around a young black woman growing up in the early 20th century named Celie, who is able to overcome a range of abuse and challenging situations to grow into a strong, independent woman.

Directed by Steven Spielberg, The Color Purple revolves around themes such as racial inequality and sexism, and presents a stellar narrative. The Color Purple was released back in 1985 and remains an iconic and relevant watch for viewers interested in Black History.

5) The Pursuit of Happyness

Released in 2016, The Pursuit of Happyness is often regarded as Will Smith’s best work as an actor. It stars the real-life character of Chris Gardner, who is a single father struggling to create the ideal future for himself, and his son, played by Will Smith’s actual son, Jaden Smith.

The movie shows the undying spirit of a Black Man who undergoes several setbacks in his bid to recover from financial hardships. One of the most heartwarming watches of the past few decades featuring Black characters, The Pursuit of Happyness is one of the most stellar watches for Juneteenth 2024 and is available on Netflix.

While most of the movies mentioned above look into real-life stories, Black Panther is a superhero movie, more fitting for the entire family. Regardless, all of the narratives above can be stellar watches for the occasion, as viewers look to celebrate Juneteenth.