- Content: Published: January 19, 2026
By Leigh Hewett
Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a time to reflect on the people who have shaped history. This top 10 list highlights movies about individuals who left their mark on the world. From the powerful story told in SARAH’S OIL to the historical events seen in SELMA, these movies are inspired by the values and example Dr. King left behind.
SELMA
SELMA is a powerful movie on Martin Luther King Jr’s march on Selma, Alabama for voting rights for African Americans. SELMA is a well-done movie with overt Christian, moral content, but it does have some intense violence and a significant amount of foul language, so strong caution is advised.
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HARRIET
HARRIET is the incredible story about how Harriet Tubman became Harriet Tubman, the woman who saved thousands of slaves and brought them to freedom before the Civil War. HARRIET is an exceptionally well-made movie with a strong Christian worldview, but it does have intense scenes and some foul language.
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SARAH’S OIL
SARAH’S OIL is an exciting, heart-rending, terrific western set in the early 1900s about a young African American girl who’s given property by the government that’s being allotted to all members of the Creek Nation, including their former slave families. Right from the beginning in SARAH’S OIL, it becomes clear that everybody wants Sarah’s property because they all think it might contain lots of oil but will Sarah’s faith triumph?
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THE LIGHT OF FREEDOM
THE LIGHT OF FREEDOM is a movie about a little girl in Ohio during the early days of the Civil War, who leads an effort to uncover the person in town who’s helping a bounty hunter capture escaped slaves. The performances lack some emotional depth, but the script is well written and THE LIGHT OF FREEDOM is a positive, wholesome Christian movie for families that can be viewed and understood by all ages.
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HIDDEN FIGURES
HIDDEN FIGURES is an engaging, encouraging, uplifting salute to three African-American women who contribute greatly to the 1960s NASA program during the Space Race with Communist Russia. Led by three fantastic actresses, HIDDEN FIGURES is an uplifting movie that exemplifies a positive way to stand with Christian strength and grace in the face of opposition, but caution is advised for older children due to many light obscenities and one strong profanity.
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GIFTED HANDS: THE BEN CARSON STORY
GIFTED HANDS: THE BEN CARSON STORY is the inspirational true story of a black child raised by a single mother who constantly encouraged him to use his God-given gifts. Ben rises from being a poor student, to the top of his class and then on to become a world-famous neurosurgeon in this great family movie.
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42
42 tells what happens when the Brooklyn Dodgers baseball team signed the first black player in the Major Leagues, Jackie Robinson, in 1947. 42 is an inspirational, superb movie showing how the Christian faith of both Dodgers General Manager Branch Rickey and Jackie Robinson helped end racism in professional baseball. However, there is a fair amount of foul language and some racial epithets, so caution is advised, especially for children.
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BLOOD DONE SIGN MY NAME
BLOOD DONE SIGN MY NAME is based on the true story of Ben Chavis and Vernon Tyson who tried to change a small town’s thoughts about civil rights in 1970. The movie has a strong Christian message, but it is marred by an acceptance of rioting and mob rule by the downtrodden.
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GLORY
With a really good 1860’s look, GLORY is a biblical moral lesson about overcoming racism through reconciliation, not rebellion or revenge, set in the context of history that we all need to see. GLORY is a great film for mature, discerning Christians.
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AMISTAD
AMISTAD is a moving and uplifting story of men battling to win their freedom. It tells the true story of Africans who in 1839 revolt against the masters of a Spanish slave ship but are imprisoned by the U.S. Navy. Aside from violence and naturalistic nudity, director Steven Spielberg has treated this morality tale with his usual flair. The movie has a powerful reference to the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, although there is also a reference to ancestor worship.
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