From documentaries to narrative films, Moviefone counts down the 15 best movies and TV shows about Martin Luther King Jr. to watch on MLK Day.
David Oyelowo as Martin Luther King Jr. in ‘Selma’. Photo: Paramount Pictures.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day is on January 20th and there have been many documentaries, movies and TV shows made about the iconic civil rights leader.
From films like director Ana DuVernay’s ‘Selma’, to documentaries like 2018’s ‘I Am MLK Jr.’, to mini-series like season 4 of ‘Genius’ entitled ‘MLK/X’, there are plenty of movies and TV shows to watch to learn more about King’s life and contributions.
In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Moviefone is counting down the 15 best movies and TV shows about the civil rights leader, his family and his legacy.
Let’s begin!
15. ‘Selma, Lord, Selma’ (1999)
1999’s ‘Selma, Lord, Selma’. Photo: Walt Disney Television.
In 1965 Alabama, an 11 year old girl (Jurnee Smollett) is touched by a speech by Martin Luther King, Jr. and becomes a devout follower. But her resolution is tested when she joins others in the famed march from Selma to Montgomery.
Selma, Lord, SelmaG1 hr 34 min
Jan 17th, 1999
In 1965 Alabama, an 11 year old girl is touched by a speech by Martin Luther King, Jr. and becomes a devout follower. But her resolution is tested when she joins… Read the Plot
14. ‘Path to War’ (2002)A powerful drama of soaring ambition and shattered dreams that takes a provocative insider’s look at the way the USA goes to war—as seen from inside the LBJ (Michael Gambon) White House leading up to and during the Vietnam War.
13. ‘King in the Wilderness’ (2018)A chronicle of the final chapters of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life, revealing a conflicted leader who faced an onslaught of criticism from both sides of the political spectrum.
12. ‘In the Hour of Chaos’ (2016)Documentary film about the life and trials of the Reverend Martin Luther King Sr. (“Daddy King”), father of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.
In the Hour of ChaosNot Yet Rated1 hr 47 min
Jan 15th, 2016
Documentary film about the life and trials of the Reverend Martin Luther King Sr. (“Daddy King”), father of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. Read the Plot
11. ‘Bringing King to China’ (2011)’Bringing King to China’ is a father’s “love letter” to his adult daughter, a young American woman struggling to bring Martin Luther King, Jr.’s dream of nonviolence to China, and then back to the United States.
10. ‘All the Way’ (2016)
(L to R) Anthony Mackie as Martin Luther King Jr. and Bryan Cranston as President Lyndon B. Johnson in ‘All the Way’. Photo: HBO Films.
Lyndon B. Johnson’s (Bryan Cranston) amazing 11-month journey from taking office after JFK’s assassination, through the fight to pass the 1964 Civil Rights Act and his own presidential campaign, culminating on the night LBJ is actually elected to the office – no longer the ‘accidental President.’
9. ‘We Are the Dream: The Kids of the Oakland MLK Oratorical Fest’ (2020)Every year, hundreds of children from pre-K through 12th grade take the stage at the Oakland MLK Oratorical Fest, a public speaking competition where they perform poetry and speeches inspired by the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The film covers the months leading up to the 40th annual festival, as schools across the city send their top-placing students to compete. It is a portrait of young people raising their voices about issues they care about and of the unique community that celebrates and supports them.
8. ‘I Am MLK Jr.’ (2018)This feature documentary deeply explores Dr. King, his experience, his legacy and the Movement at large through key events – The Montgomery Bus Boycott, The Birmingham Campaign, March on Washington, the Selma Movement and Assassination and Legacy.
7. ‘Our Friend, Martin’ (1999)’Our Friend, Martin’ is a 1999 animated children’s educational film about Martin Luther King, Jr. and the American civil rights movement. Two friends travel through time, meeting Dr. King at several points during his life. It featured an all-star voice cast and was nominated for an Emmy award in 1999 for Outstanding Animated Program.
Our Friend, MartinNR
Our Friend, Martin is a 1999 animated children’s educational film about Martin Luther King, Jr. and the American civil rights movement. Two friends travel through… Read the Plot
6. ‘King: A Filmed Record… Montgomery to Memphis’ (1970)Constructed from a wealth of archival footage, the documentary follows Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. from 1955 to 1968, in his rise from regional activist to world-renowned leader of the Civil Rights movement. Rare footage of King’s speeches, protests, and arrests are interspersed with scenes of other high-profile supporters and opponents of the cause, punctuated by heartfelt testimonials by some of Hollywood’s biggest stars.
5.’Genius: MLK/X’ (2024)
Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Martin Luther King Jr. in ‘Genius: MLK/X.’ Photo: National Geographic/Richard DuCree.
The fourth season chronicles the lives of Martin Luther King Jr. (Kelvin Harrison Jr.) and Malcolm X (Aaron Pierre).
Genius”Martin Luther King Jr / Malcolm X. Two minds, one movement.”
78
NR4 Seasons
April 25th, 2017
4. ‘MLK/FBI’ (2021)Based on newly declassified files, the film explores the US government’s surveillance and harassment of Martin Luther King, Jr.
MLK/FBINot Yet Rated1 hr 44 min
Jan 15th, 2021
3. ‘Betty and Coretta’ (2013)The widows of Martin Luther King (Angela Bassett) and Malcolm X (Mary J. Blige) and how they carry on as single mothers after the assassination of their husbands.
Betty and Coretta”Together they kept the dream alive.”
Not Yet Rated1 hr 30 min
Feb 2nd, 2013
2. ‘Boycott’ (2001)This made-for-TV movie dramatizes the historic boycott of public buses in the 1950s, led by civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (Jeffrey Wright).
Boycott”The Story of Martin Luther King and One Act of Defiance That Changed a Nation”
PG1 hr 58 min
Feb 24th, 2001
1. ‘Selma’ (2015)
(Center) David Oyelowo as Martin Luther King Jr. in ‘Selma’. Photo: Paramount Pictures.
‘Selma,’ as in Alabama, the place where segregation in the South was at its worst, leading to a march that ended in violence, forcing a famous statement by President Lyndon B. Johnson (Tom Wilkinson) that ultimately led to the signing of the Voting Rights Act. David Oyelowo plays Martin Luther King Jr.
Jami Philbrick has worked in the entertainment industry for over 20 years and is currently the Editor-in-Chief of Moviefone.com. Formally, Philbrick was the Managing Editor of Relativity Media’s iamROGUE.com, and a Senior Staff Reporter and Video Producer for Mtime, China’s largest entertainment website. He has also written for Fandango, MovieWeb, and Comic Book Resources. Philbrick received the 2019 International Media Award at the 56th annual ICG Publicists Awards, and is a member of the Critics Choice Association. He has interviewed such talent as Tom Cruise, George Clooney, Dwayne Johnson, Scarlett Johansson, Angelina Jolie, Oprah Winfrey, Quentin Tarantino, and Stan Lee.
