10 Movies That Celebrate Black Joy to Stream on Juneteenth
Juneteenth is a time to celebrate the joy of the Black experience as much as the struggle. And TheWrapâs got a curated list of films to get the celebration started.
From a charming fairytale adaptation to Pixarâs first film to feature an African American protagonist to a love story centering on two Black leads in 1960s, Black joy on screen can be found in just some of these triumphant flicks.
In addition to checking out some of the more educational-related fare, like â13thâ or âI Am Not Your Negro,â consider adding some of these joyful flicks to your streaming list.
Soul
âSoulâ / Disney/Pixar
Streaming on Disney+
âSoul,â Pixarâs first film to feature an African American protagonist, follows Joe Gardner, a middle school music teacher with dreams of becoming a jazz star. When Joe dies prematurely before receiving his big break, he gets a second chance at his fantasy when he accidentally enters the Great Before â a place that prepares unborn souls for real life. Not only does this film explore the intricacies of life and death, âSoulâ features a predominantly Black voice cast, ranging from Jamie Foxx to Angela Bassett to Daveed Diggs.
Co-director and screenwriter Kemp Powers, who is also Pixarâs first Black writer-director, doesnât view the film as a âBlackâ movie, but instead honors the universal story from the perspective of a Black man. âJoe could have been of any race â but if Joe was going to be a Black man it was really important that he feel authentically of that group. I didnât want him to seem like a stereotypical character that was just painted black,â Kemp told TheWrap.
Black Is King
Disney+
Streaming on Disney+
As a musical film and visual album written and directed by BeyoncĂ©, âBlack Is Kingâ accompanies âLion King: The Gift,â album curated by BeyoncĂ© for the 2019 remake of âThe Lion King.â The film follows Simba, represented as a young Black boy, but adds in layers of depth by drawing from traditional and contemporary elements of African culture.
Featuring numerous African and African American collaborators, including her daughter, Blue Ivy, BeyoncĂ© weaves in Pan-African symbolism while remaining true to the plot. Although the directors had additional plans to shoot with BeyoncĂ© in South Africa until the COVID-19 Pandemic prohibited them, âBlack is Kingâ is a triumphant masterpiece that celebrates divine Black joy.
One Night in Miami
Amazon Prime
Streaming on Prime Video
The Academy Award-nominated film tells the fictionalized account of Black icons Malcolm X, Cassius Clay (who later renamed himself Muhammad Ali), Jim Brown and Sam Cooke one night in 1964. While the dialogue and exact events are fictionalized, âOne Night in MiamiâŠâ touches on pressing issues with these Black leaders debating how to move forward as the Civil Rights Movement advanced, including Malcolmâs challenges with Nation of Islam leadership, Clayâs impending conversion to Islam and Cookeâs struggle to use his platform to push the perception of the Black community forward. Directed by âWatchmenâ star Regina King, âOne Night in MiamiâŠâ celebrates Black leaders of the past and inspires those to come.
Barbershop
MGM
Streaming on Max
The 2002 comedy âBarbershopâ was a massive hit upon release, spawning two sequels, and it holds up tremendously well. The film stars Ice Cube as a barbershop owner in Chicago who decides to sell his struggling business, only to change his mind after a day in the shop. He then works to try and reverse course as a cast of colorful characters comes in and out of the shopâs doors. The ensemble includes Anthony Anderson, Cedric the Entertainer, Michael Ealy, Sean Patrick Thomas, Eve and Keith David.
Sylvieâs Love
