@ 2024 Advocate Channel.
All Rights reserved

What You Should Stream or Watch For Juneteenth

13th

Watch or steam these titles in honor of Juneteenth.

Juneteenth is Saturday, so here's what you need to watch.


Juneteenth, a holiday celebrated on June 19 that commemorates the emancipation of African-American slaves and the ending of slavery in the United States, is now a federal holiday after President Biden signed a bill earlier today. It is the first day to be deemed a federal holiday since Martin Luther King Jr. Day became official in 1983 and the 12th federal holiday overall.

So in honor of this important day and all it represents, here's 10 things you should watch or stream this Juneteenth.

1. Selma (2014) on CBS 

Ava DuVernay directed this Academy Award-winning film. It depicts Martin Luther King Jr.'s (David Oyelowo) landmark marches for equal voting rights that started in Selma, Alabama and ended in the state's capital in 1965.

2. Self Made (2020) on Netflix

Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C. J. Walker is a biographic miniseries that tells the incredible true story of Madam C. J. Walker. Walker is known for her hair care empire that made her the first self-made African-American millionaire in history. The series explores the obstacles the entrepreneur, played by Octavia Spencer, had to overcome.

3. Juneteenth: Together We Triumph - A 'Soul of a Nation' Special Event on ABC

This 2-hour ABC special will include an exclusive interview with former President Barak Obama. The special will also include personal stories and performances from Jimmie Allen, Chloe Bailey, and Leon Bridges in celebration of Juneteenth. It will air Friday, June 18 from 9:01 p.m.-11:00 p.m.

4. Miss Juneteenth (2020)

Channing Godfrey Peoples wrote and directed 2020's Miss Juneteenth, a film about a former beauty queen mother preparing her daughter to compete in the annual Miss Juneteenth pageant. The film was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at 2020's Sundance Film Festival.

5. Homecoming (2019) on Netflix

This Netflix documentary gives fans a behind-the-scenes look into the making of Beyonce's groundbreaking 2018 Coachella performance. The singer herself directed the film.

6. The Hate U Give (2018) on FX

Based on Angie Thomas's novel of the same name, The Hate U Give follows Starr Carter, who grapples with the shooting of her best friend by a police officer. The Hate U Give will air on FX as part of a film marathon including Selma, BlacKkKlansmanGreen Book, and Hidden Figures from 7:00 a.m.-4:00 a.m. on Saturday.

7. BlacKkKlansman (2018) on FX

The BlacKkKlansman took home the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay at the Oscars in 2019 and was directed by Spike Lee. The film is based on a true story and shows detective Ron Stallworth's (John David Washington) journey to infiltrate the Klu Klux Klan with the help of his colleague Flip Zimmerman (Adam Driver). The film will air after The Hate U Give on FX this Saturday.

8. 13th (2016) on Netflix and YouTube

13th is another Ava DuVernay directed project, but this time it's a documentary that dives deep into the prison system and discusses its racial inequality.

9. Slavery by Another Name (2012) on PBS

Directed by Oscar-nominated director Sam Pollard, the 2012 documentary Slavery by Another Name explores how slavery in America has lasted long after its abolishment. The documentary will air on PBS Saturday, June 19.

10. Hidden Figures (2016) on Disney Plus

Hidden Figures was nominated for three Oscars and starred Oscar winner Octavia Spencer, Oscar nominee Taraji P. Henson, and Grammy winner Janelle Monáe. The film chronicles the true story of three African-American women mathematicians who work for NASA in the 1960s and the integral roles they played in scientific advancement.

So, celebrate Juneteenth with one of these terrific must-watch picks.

From our sponsors

From our partners

Top Stories

Clay Walker