Skip to main content

NewFolks may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

Movies and shows to binge with your teen for Black History Month

Black History Month movies to start conversations with your teen

Whether your kids go to school, or you homeschool them, it’s important to take time to discuss topics for Black History Month at home. If you don’t know how to get conversations started with your teens, since it should be a more in-depth subject matter, it could be easier to watch a show and dive into specific topics after. We’ll break down shows and movies to watch during Black History Month that will segue into great conversations with your teen.

Mom and teen watching TV
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Funny show/movie to watch

Abbott Elementary

If you have ever been a teacher, a sub, a parent volunteer in a classroom, or you have kids, you need to watch Abbott Elementary. At the heart is a story about a predominately Black school in Philadelphia and the lengths teachers and principals have to go to get supplies and funding for their students in a low-income, minority public school system.

A Black Lady Sketch Show

Think SNL, but with powerful and funny females instead. The only thing with A Black Lady Sketch Show is that some skits and episodes have language and scenes you may find inappropriate for your younger teen, depending on your values. For this one, give an episode a watch first and see if you’re OK with it. But there are countless sketches that are amazing. A perfect discussion for older teens is why shows like SNL aren’t as diverse as they should be.

Strong Black female story

Hidden Figures

We love when there’s a true story to research when watching a movie. Hidden Figures is based on the book about the Black women responsible for NASA’s success in the 1960s during the Cold War. This would be a great one to watch and then look up the three main women and see how accurately their stories were told. Your teens could also read the book and see how it varied from the movie for a more in-depth discussion of which portrayed the truth more accurately.

A Ballerina’s Tale

If you have teens that love dance, the story of the first Black principal dancer in the American Ballet Theatre will inspire them. A Ballerina’s Tale follows Misty Copeland’s rise to break the 78-year record of all-white principal dancers, and the Black ballerinas that paved the way for Misty. Even if your teenager doesn’t love dance, the story is a great pick-me-up and lesson on not giving in or letting others put you in a specific box.

Serious movie to watch

A Time to Kill

Another movie based on a book loosely based on factual events, A Time to Kill tells the story of a Black man on trial for murdering the white men who violently attacked and then attempted to murder his daughter. Set in a mostly white town in Mississippi in the 1980s, the story fictionalizes the real events that author John Grisham read about in the newspaper at the time.

13th

13th is for teens who appreciate documentaries. It explores the rate of incarceration of Black people over other races, the rise of incarceration versus the decline of overall crime, legalized segregation, and many other important topics that need to be discussed in the U.S. these days. It was directed and written by Ava DuVernay, who also directed Selma.

Political show/movie to watch

Selma

If your teen is near or is of voting age, you need to introduce Selma to them. The story follows Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on his journey to Selma, Alabama, in a march to fight for the right for Black voters to cast their ballots anywhere, even in a segregated system. Though director Ava DuVernay did her research for historical accuracy, this would be another great movie to compare to the textbooks.

When They See Us

Yes, another one by Ava DuVernay (seriously, everyone needs to watch her entire filmography). When They See Us explores the story of five Black and Latino men accused, tried, and convicted for crimes they didn’t commit against a white woman. It’s broken up into four parts, so you could spread it out and watch one a week.

When you finish this series, enhance the discussion with the documentary The Central Park Five.

The Trial of the Chicago 7

From Aaron Sorkin, The Trial of the Chicago 7 tells the story of a group of — yes, seven — protestors of the Vietnam War. The group is arrested and put on trial, and the only Black man is beaten and abused by officers during court. From constitutional rights and justice to protest, there are a lot of relevant topics to discuss with your teen.

Parents talking to teenage girl while looking at a cell phone
Image used with permission by copyright holder

After-the-watch discussion

You could always look up what questions to ask after watching the specific movie or show for talk time. But during the show or movie, have a notebook and pen handy and write down what questions come up during the watch. Whatever your teen points out or what you want to ask your teen — write it all down. Thank goodness for streaming services, so pausing and rewatching parts is easy if needed.

Teenagers love being part of the conversation and love to learn about causes that affect the world around them. Black history shouldn’t be just the month of February, so add all of these shows and movies to your streaming queues that aren’t just Black History Month movies, but ones to help keep the learning going year-round.

Editors' Recommendations

Dannielle Beardsley
Dannielle has written for various websites, online magazines, and blogs. She loves everything celebrity and her favorite…
8 great Father’s Day gift ideas for every kind of dad
Shopping for awesome Father's Day gifts? Here's what dads love!
Little girl with dad holding a wrapped gift

If you're shopping for your dad or helping your kids shop for theirs, skip the tie and sock section because he doesn't need more of those. We've got awesome Father's Day gift ideas for those dads who seem to have everything. The key to finding the ideal Father's Day gift is to stick to those hobbies Dad loves best, whether it's sports, backyard grilling, or Star Wars collectibles. Pair that special gift with a cool outing, and you've got the perfect Father's Day present.

Best Father's Day gifts
Before heading out to the mall or going online to order a Father's Day gift, take a moment to think. Focus on what your dad really enjoys doing. Is he a weekend sports dad going to games or is he the resident grill master? We've got awesome Father's Day gifts for all types of super cool dads.
Baseball dad
If the dad you're shopping for is the ultimate baseball fan and has patiently stood on the sidelines or been watching you play since T-ball, a personalized baseball mount will be a treasured gift. The baseball-themed block mount is available in different sizes. All the kids' names can be printed on the baseballs. This will look great next to all of the kids' baseball trophies.
Soccer dad
Soccer dads have been on the sidelines through all kinds of weather. Make his time at games and those long tournament days extra cozy with an ALPHA CAMP sturdy canopy lounge chair. Dad will truly appreciate the sunshade on sunny and rainy days. This chair features a cup holder and is great for the beach and camping trips, too.
Star Wars dad
Okay, so May the Fourth has passed, and Darth Vader certainly would never have been voted Father of the Year, but you can celebrate your Star Wars-loving dad with a Darth Vader Father of the Year shirt. It's available in an array of colors and comes in different designs featuring the best father in the galaxy.
Hockey dad
If the dad you're shopping for faithfully gets up with your rink rats to get that early morning, late evening, or whenever there's ice time, he deserves something super cozy to keep himself warm in those subzero rinks. CQR's thermal fleece pullover is sure to keep Dad warm and snuggly all year long, whether he's coaching from the bench or watching behind the glass.
Tech dad
Is your dad online for the newest Apple devices? Okay, so you are shopping for a tech dad. Chances are he's got all the hot and trendy tech stuff hot off the presses. So, how about a binary clock from CafePress? Binary is the language computers speak, and wouldn't a binary clock make a unique gift for your technology-loving dad?
Grill master dad
You've been chopped! Well, no, not really, but if Dad is addicted to the Food Network and would love to have Guy Fieri on speed dial, then a grill-related gift is in order. The Cuisinart CGS-W13 set is sure to please. The set comes complete with 13 pieces, and the grilling tools feature wooden handles. Personalize the handles with a special message for Dad using paint markers.
Fisherman dad
Would Dad rather be fishing? Then he will thank you every time he uses Swiss Ascent's fishing multitool. This multipurpose tool works as a hook remover, scale scraper, tape measure, bait cutter, flashlight, knife, scissors, weight scale, bottle opener, and foldable stand. Now, how cool is that?
Outdoor dad
Does your dad love being in the great outdoors? Do most vacations revolve around a national park or a new hiking trail? Then, he will really love a copy of America's Best Day Hikes: Spectacular Single-Day Hikes Across the States. Be prepared though! He'll definitely be planning some fun family road trips after reading this.

Read more
A simple guide for talking with your grade schooler about LGBTQ+ identity
LGBTQ+ identity could be a tough subject. Here's how to talk to your kids about it
Rainbow flag for Pride Month

Pride Month is celebrated in June. The month coincides with the Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan in 1969, which is considered to be the catalyst for the Gay Liberation Movement in the United States. Today, times are much different from the '60s and even the 1980s and 1990s when LGBTQ+ identity wasn't a topic of conversation. Many parents may struggle with the thought of talking to their kids about LGBTQ+ identity, and that's okay. The first step is understanding the need, and the second is discovering how to talk to kids about LGBTQ+ identity.

What does LGBTQ+ identity mean?
Before understanding how to talk to kids about LGBTQ+ identity, it's a good idea to understand what the acronym means. In the later 80s, LGB or lesbian-gay-bisexual took the place of the blanket term gay. In order to be more inclusive, the acronym was expanded in the 90s to LGBT or lesbian-gay-bisexual-transgender.

Read more
12 amazing tween birthday party ideas your kid (and their friends) will actually enjoy
Tween birthday party ideas that won't get eye rolls
Pre-teen girl smiling, holding birthday present

When kids get older, planning birthday parties becomes a bit more challenging. For tweens, party planning can be difficult because they are in the transitional phase between tween and teen. Tweens aren’t little kids but aren’t quite teenagers yet either.

The tween age is the years from 9 to 12. So, your soon-to-be 12-year-old is almost a teenager and there are many sensational teen birthday party ideas. Your tween isn't quite there yet though. That’s okay. There isn't any need to rush the teen angst. It will arrive soon enough, and there are plenty of exciting tween birthday party ideas to make the guest of honor and the invitees happy.

Read more