Kids Movies & Shows
Zootopia
A heartwarming comedy-adventure set in the modern mammal metropolis of Zootopia. With habitat neighborhoods like ritzy Sahara Square and frigid Tundratown, it’s a melting pot where animals from every environment live together—a place where no matter what you are, from the biggest elephant to the smallest shrew, you can be anything. But when optimistic Officer Judy Hopps arrives, she discovers that being the first bunny on a police force of big, tough animals isn’t so easy. Determined to prove herself, she jumps at the opportunity to crack a case, even if it means partnering with fast-talking scam-artist fox Nick Wilde to solve the mystery.
Age: all ages
Where to watch: Disney + or rent on YouTube
A Ballerina's Tale
Iconic ballerina Misty Copeland made history when she became the first African-American woman to be named principal dancer of the legendary American Ballet Theater. Get the incredible, behind-the-scenes story of how she overcame a tumultuous upbringing and near career-ending injuries to become one of the most revered dancers of her generation. More than just a ballet success story, Copeland's journey is a hugely inspirational, universal tale of perseverance.
Age: 9 and up
Where to watch: Rent on YouTube
Remember the Titans
Based on real events, this remarkable story celebrates how a town torn apart by friction and mistrust comes together in triumphant harmony. After leading his team to fifteen winning seasons, beloved football coach Bill Yoast (Will Patton) is demoted and replaced by tough, opinionated Herman Boone (Denzel Washington). How these two men overcome their differences and turn a group of hostile young men into champions is a remarkable portrait of courage and perseverance.
Age: 10 and up
Where to watch: Disney + or rent on YouTube
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In 1946, Branch Rickey (Harrison Ford), legendary manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers, defies major league baseball's notorious color barrier by signing Jackie Robinson (Chadwick Boseman) to the team. The heroic act puts both Rickey and Robinson in the firing line of the public, the press and other players. Facing open racism from all sides, Robinson demonstrates true courage and admirable restraint by not reacting in kind and lets his undeniable talent silence the critics for him.
Age: 11 and up
Where to watch: Rent on YouTube or Amazon Prime Video
The Color Purple
An epic tale spanning forty years in the life of Celie (Whoopi Goldberg), an African-American woman living in the South who survives incredible abuse and bigotry. After Celie's abusive father marries her off to the equally debasing 'Mister' Albert Johnson (Danny Glover), things go from bad to worse, leaving Celie to find companionship anywhere she can. She perseveres, holding on to her dream of one day being reunited with her sister in Africa.
Age: 14 and up
Where to watch: rent on YouTube
"Doc McStuffins" is an imaginative animated series about Doc McStuffins, a young girl who aspires to be a doctor like her mom and communicates with and heals broken toys and stuffed animals.
Age: 3 and up
Where to watch: Disney +, Disney Junior or disneynow.com
See You Yesterday
Two teenage geniuses create a time machine in an attempt to stop one of their brothers from being shot and killed by a police officer. Produced by Spike Lee, this is a sci-fi adventure with a social message. And a dash of Back to the Future.
Age: 15 and up
Where to watch: Netflix
Akeelah and the Bee
Akeelah Anderson (Keke Palmer), from south Los Angeles, has a talent for words. In spite of the objections of her mother Wanda (Angela Bassett), Keke enters a spelling contest. Her gift takes her to compete in the National Spelling Bee, the most famous competition of its kind in the world. On the way, she is helped by a forthright, mysterious teacher, Dr. Larabee (Laurence Fishburne) and a cast of colorful characters from the community.
Age: 8 and up
Where to watch: Netflix or rent on YouTube
Invictus
The inspiring true story of how Nelson Mandela (Morgan Freeman) joined forces with the captain of South Africa's rugby team, Francois Pienaar (Matt Damon), to help unite their country. Newly elected President Mandela knows his nation remains racially and economically divided in the wake of apartheid. Believing he can bring his people together through the universal language of sport, Mandela rallies South Africa's underdog rugby team as they make an unlikely run to the 1995 World Cup Championship match.
Age: 12 and up
Where to watch: rent on YouTube
Hidden Figures
The incredible untold true story of Katherine Johnson (Taraji P. Henson), Dorothy Vaughan (Octavia Spencer) & Mary Jackson (Janelle Monae) — brilliant African-American women working at NASA, who served as the brains behind one of the greatest operations in history: the launch of astronaut John Glenn into orbit. This stunning achievement galvanized the world and inspired generations to dream big.
Age: 10 and up
Where to watch: Rent on YouTube
Black-ish (TV show)
Andre 'Dre' Johnson has a great job, a beautiful wife, Rainbow, five kids, and a colonial home in the 'burbs. But has success brought too much assimilation for this black family?
Age: 11 and up
Where to watch: Hulu or catch live episodes on ABC
The Hate U Give
Based on the best-selling novel, The Hate U Give tells the story of Starr Carter, who lives in two worlds: the poor, black neighborhood where she resides and the mostly white prep school she attends. This uneasy balance is shattered when she witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood friend by a policeman. Facing pressures from all sides, Starr must find her voice and stand up for what’s right.
Age: 13 and up
Where to watch: rent on YouTube
Harriet
Based on the thrilling and inspirational life of an iconic American freedom fighter, HARRIET tells the extraordinary tale of Harriet Tubman's escape from slavery and transformation into one of America’s greatest heroes. Her courage, ingenuity, and tenacity freed hundreds of slaves and changed the course of history.
Age: 12 and up
Where to watch: rent on YouTube
Ruby Bridges
The inspiring true story of one little girl whose strength and dignity during the racially charged 1960s helped change history! When bright six-year-old Ruby is chosen to be the first African-American to integrate her local New Orleans elementary school, she is subjected to the true ugliness of racism for the very first time. But guided by the love of her mother and father, Ruby's heroic struggle for a better education becomes a lesson for us all!
Age: 10 and up
Where to watch: Disney + or rent on YouTube
Hoop Dreams
Two ordinary inner-city Chicago kids dare to reach for the impossible—professional basketball glory—in this epic chronicle of hope and faith. Filmed over a five-year period, Hoop Dreams, by Steve James, Frederick Marx, and Peter Gilbert, follows young Arthur Agee and William Gates and their families as the boys navigate the complex, competitive world of scholastic athletics while dealing with the intense pressures of their home lives and neighborhoods.
Age: 14 and up
Where to watch: rent on YouTube
The Secret Life of Bees
A drama, set in Southern U.S. in 1960's, revolving around teenager Lily Owens (Fanning) and her nanny, Rosaleen (Hudson), who flee their hometown to escape their harsh upbringing and uncover the mysteries of Lily's later mother. Along the way they encounter the Boatwrights, a trio of beekeeping sisters (Latifah, Okonedo, Keys), who fold the girl to their South Carolina home.
Age: 12 and up
Where to watch: rent on YouTube
Glory Road
The exciting and inspirational true story of the team that changed college basketball -- and the nation -- forever! Josh Lucas stars as future Hall of Fame coach Don Haskins of tiny Texas Western University, who bucks convention by simply starting the best players he can find: history's first all-African American lineup. In a turbulent time of social and political change, their unlikely success sends shock waves through the sport that follow the underdog Miners all the way to an epic showdown with all-white, #1 ranked Kentucky for the National Championship!
Age: 8 and up
Where to watch: Disney + or rent on YouTube
A modern twist on a classic tale from Walt Disney Animation Studios features a beautiful girl named Tiana (Anika Noni Rose) who dreams of owning her own restaurant. When she meets a frog prince who desperately wants to be human again, a fateful kiss leads them both on a hilarious adventure through the mystical bayous of Louisiana...with the villainous voodoo magician Dr. Facilier (Keith David) in hot pursuit.
Age: 7 and up
Where to watch: Disney+ or rent on YouTube