Got a Tip?

Newsletters

Read Next: ‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse’ and ‘Past Lives’: The Portrait of a Healthy, Happy Box Office

Newsletters

Follow Us

Alerts & Newsletters

By subscribing, I agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

IndieWire is a part of Penske Media Corporation. © 2023 IndieWire Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

10 Shows and Movies to Watch to Celebrate Juneteenth

If you're looking for something to celebrate Juneteenth with, why not try these films and TV shows?

By Kristen Lopez, Tambay Obenson

June 18, 2021 11:00 am

"Atlanta" — "Atlanta"

Guy D'Alema/FX

Share

The media hasn’t been quick to embrace Black creatives nor has Juneteenth long been something on their radar. Historically, as Black actors have entered television, the discussion of holidays tended to be nonexistent, with the occasional look at Kwanzaa being thrown in around December. But as different voices enter the landscape, it’s not surprising that the holiday of Juneteenth — honoring the emancipation of enslaved people here in the United States — is gaining ground on screens both large and small.

Not all of the picks that appear in this gallery have Juneteenth-centric episodes or themes, per se, but all of them honor and revere Black actors and other creatives, as well as telling stories that are heartwarming, powerful, emotionally resonant, and interesting.

“Treme”

Image Credit: HBO

Created by Eric Ellis Overmeyer and David Simon, “Treme” follows a group of New Orleans residents in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. The series boasted an all-star cast including Wendell Pierce, who’d worked with Simon previously on “The Wire,” John Goodman, Khandi Alexander, and Steve Zahn to name a few and was groundbreaking for its portrayal of New Orleans and its citizens. The series was nominated for six Emmy awards over its lifetime (running from 2010-2013) and ultimately won for its Sound Mixing.—KL
“Sherman’s Showcase”

Image Credit: ©IFC Films/Courtesy Everett Collection

Inspired by the likes of “Soul Train” and “American Bandstand,” the IFC series “Sherman’s Showcase” follows the fictional variety show and its host, Sherman McDaniel (Bashir Salahuddin). Last year the series did a one-hour “Black History Month spectacular” that brought the series’ patented blend of zany humor and social commentary with a special that honors African-American icons of the past and present, as well as looking at everything from superheroes, vampires, and a re-imagining of the cult classic film “The Last Dragon.”—KL
“Watchmen”

Image Credit: HBO

HBO’s adaptation of “Watchmen” was opening up audiences’ eyes from its first episode, detailing the 1921 Tulsa race massacre that is now the subject of a few documentaries being released this year. From that point the Regina King-starring series examined everything from the creation of superheroes and why they tend to be overwhelmingly white, to the subject of police brutality. The series would go on to win 11 Primetime Emmys.—KL
“Black-ish”

Image Credit: ©ABC/Courtesy Everett Collection

Running on ABC since 2014, “Black-ish” has examined numerous issues with regards to family in general and being a Black family in particular. Their Season 4 premiere actually examined the history of Juneteenth itself. Appropriately named “Juneteenth,” the episode sees family patriarch Dre (Anthony Anderson), irked by a historically inaccurate Columbus Day play at his kids school, enlist the help of Aloe Blacc to create a song celebrating Juneteenth.—KL
“Atlanta”

Image Credit: ©FX Networks/Courtesy:Everett Collection / Everett Collection

Premiering in 2016, Donald Glover’s “Atlanta” remains one of the most audacious and interesting series out there (though the stretch between seasons often feels interminable). In 2016 the series premiered their episode focused on Juneteenth. Directed by Janicza Bravo, the episode follows Glover’s character of Earn and Zazie Beetz’s Van as they attend a Juneteenth-centric party at the house of an upscale interracial couples home. Suffice it to say a lot of awkward conversations ensue that provoke in the way “Atlanta” usually does.—KL
“13th” (2016)

Image Credit: Netflix/Courtesy Everett Collection / Everett Collection

Ava DuVernay’s documentary could serve as the first in a trilogy on the history and legacy of racial injustice in the United States — limited series “When They See Us” (2019) would be the second. A third entry doen’t exist yet, but we’re living through it: a time when revisionist slogans like “Make America Great Again” can win elections, and the one-time promise of a post-racial, harmonious America that many had the audacity to hope for has been shattered. Exploring the intersection of race and justice in the United States from a historical perspective, “13th” makes a direct connection between slavery and mass incarceration. That historical link operates as a bridge between the harsh truths uncovered in Sam Pollard’s eye-opening 2012 documentary “Slavery By Another Name” and Angela Davis’ 1997 tome “The Prison Industrial Complex.” —TO
“Free Angela and All Political Prisoners” (2012)

Image Credit: Codeblack Entertainment

In October 1970, Angela Davis was arrested in New York City, accused of supplying weapons to Jonathan Jackson, who took hostages in a courtroom, whom he hoped to exchange for his brother George Jackson — an alleged Black radical imprisoned at San Quentin. In the subsequent shootout with police, Jonathan Jackson was killed, along with Judge Harold Haley and two inmates. Davis, who had championed the cause of organizing Black prisoners and was friends (later became romantically involved) with George Jackson, was indicted in the crime. But she went into hiding, becoming one of the FBI’s most wanted criminals. She was eventually apprehended and her trial drew international attention. Shola Lynch’s “Free Angela and All Political Prisoners” relives those eventful, uncertain, transformative early years of Davis’ life. In the film, the legendary radical activist speaks for the first time about her imprisonment, which became a flashpoint in an unrelenting Black liberation struggle and turned her into a revolutionary icon. —TO
“Get Out” (2016)

Image Credit: Universal

From its clever premise to the bloodshed of its Grand Guignol finale, Jordan Peele’s sledgehammer of a response to the illusion of a “post-racial” America felt like a direct provocation that was somehow detonated across the entire country at once. It helped, of course, that “Get Out” was released just a few short months after the 2016 election, as the film’s timeliness helped it to assume even greater levels of urgency; and, for black audiences, new degrees of knowing catharsis. They were treated to a movie that was effectively “Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song” (the other Black man who got away!) for a new generation. There was some concern for whether white audiences would be able to identify with a movie in which every white character was utterly evil and dies gruesomely. But audiences of all shades were more than ready. America has long found it awkward to talk about race, but it certainly was not awkward to talk about “Get Out.” —TO
“Tongues Untied” (1989)

Image Credit: Signifyin' Works and Frameline Distribution

Civil rights leader Fannie Lou Hamer said, “Nobody’s free until everybody’s free.” Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. put it this way: “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” In sum, any commitment to liberation must be executed in all of its intersectional complexity. Marlon Riggs’ landmark essay film gives voice to Black gay men, documenting their perspectives on the world as they confront racism, homophobia, and marginalization. It broke new artistic ground by mixing poetry, music, performance and Riggs’ autobiographical revelations. The film was embraced by Black gay audiences for its unapologetic authenticity, as well its serving as a fierce response to oppression. It opened up opportunities for dialogue among and across communities, while being lauded by critics for its vision. For those reasons, it was vilified by homophobic audiences who used it to rebuke government funding of the arts. Nevertheless, the film’s lasting impact is undeniable.—TO
“Miss Juneteenth” (2020)

Image Credit: Sundance

Writer-director Channing Godfrey Peoples’ feature directorial debut, “Miss Juneteenth,” follows a working-class African American single mother, and former beauty queen, named Turquoise (Nicole Beharie), who wants nothing more than for her daughter to also wear the crown. Offering an atypical perspective of a beauty pageant, the film unfolds against the background of the Miss Juneteenth procession, named after the Juneteenth holiday. For many young Black women, the Miss Juneteenth pageant is their version of the more recognized Miss America, and the film foregrounds this narrative from the POV of a woman rarely given as much screen consideration. A rare feature film written and directed by a Black woman, telling a Black woman’s story, “Miss Juneteenth” is at once familiar as a story about mothers and daughters, but it also feels fresh and authentic. It breaks stereotypes and instead presents Black women who are attempting to liberate themselves and move towards a greater self-awareness.—TO

Daily Headlines

Daily Headlines covering Film, TV and more.

More from IndieWire

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

Kohn's Corner

’Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse’ Hints at the Future of Creativity Well Beyond Hollywood

Spider-Man (Shamiek Moore) in Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures Animation’s SPIDER-MAN: ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE.

Building Their Own Universe

‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse’ Even Bucks the Usual Post-Credits Scene Trend

Parker Posey in "Party Girl" casting director Ellen Lewis

Features

Throwing a Dinner Party: The Art of Casting from the Experts

ABBOTT ELEMENTARY - ÒTeacher ConferenceÓ - The Abbott staff heads to the Pennsylvania Educational Conference. Gregory reluctantly attends after a disagreement with Amber and bonds with Janine over their similarities. Jacob finds himself charmed by the Addington teachers. WEDNESDAY, FEB. 22 (9:00-9:31 p.m. EST), on ABC. (ABC/Gilles Mingasson)
QUINTA BRUNSON

Features

‘Abbott Elementary’ Teaches Us About Janine Through Her Makeup

"Selling Sunset" and "The Ultimatum: Queer Love"

Reality Check

Reality TV Has Finally Discovered Messy Lesbian Drama

Spider-Man (Shameik Moore) and Spider-Gwen (Hailee Steinfeld) in Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures Animation’s SPIDER-MAN: ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE.

Movies, now more than ever

Where to Watch This Week’s New Movies, from ‘Past Lives’ to ‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse’

Daily Headlines

Daily Headlines covering Film, TV and more.

By subscribing, I agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Must Read

Writers Strike Explained

News

The 2023 Writers Strike Explained: How We Got Here — and What to Expect

Dune: Part Two

Features

‘Dune: Part Two’ Teaser: Timothée Chalamet Reigns Supreme in Sequel’s First Footage

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 3, Will Poulter as Adam Warlock, 2023. ph: Jessica Miglio / © Marvel / © Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures / Courtesy Everett Collection

Features

‘You Can Roll a Turd in Glitter’: Will Poulter and Chukwudi Iwuji Became Marvel Villains in the Makeup Chair

Most Popular

1.

Matthew Lawrence: ‘My Agency Fired Me’ After I Refused to 'Take My Clothes Off for an Award-Winning Director'

2.

Jerry Springer, Host of a Scandalous Talk Show, Dies at 79

3.

Shoppers in Their 70s Adore This $4 Volumizing Hair Mousse That Jane Fonda Used on the Set of ‘Grace & Frankie’

4.

Quavo's Relationship Advice Leaves Chloe Bailey At A Loss For Words

You may also like

IndieWire is a part of Penske Media Corporation. © 2023 IndieWire Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

ad