Black Military Movies You Should Watch This Memorial Day

Let’s face it, we all use Memorial Day weekend to chill…and traditionally to chill and BBQ with family. Low key though, the day is really suppose to be about honoring and remembering the people in the military who have served our country. But why not do both? You can enjoy Auntie’s mac and cheese and Uncle Charle’s burgers while watching some great Black military movies.

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Here are some of The Root’s favorites.

Glory

This 1989 film told the true story of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, one of the first all-Black regiments in the army. It featured many prominent Black actors including Morgan Freeman, Andre Braugher and Denzel Washington, who won his first Academy Award because of his performance in the role.

Men of Honor

Cuba Gooding was excellent in his role as Carl Brashear, who was attempting to become the first Black master diver in the U.S. Navy.

A Soldier’s Story

“Get your fucking hands off me!” That’s the first line that comes to mind when I think of this film. It’s about an army investigator who is looking into the death of a Black sergeant in a Louisiana military base. It includes a stacked cast of Black celebs including Adolph Caesar, Denzel Washington, Howard Rollins, David Alan Grier and Robert Twonsend

The Tuskegee Airmen

If your children have no idea who the Tuskegee Airmen are, have the, watch this movie. It tells the true story of the first Black quadron in the U.S. Air Force. Laurence Fishburne, Cuba Gooding Jr., Andre Braugher, Courtney B. Vance and Malcolm-Jamal Warner all have prominent roles.

Da 5 Bloods

One of the more recent films on this list and one of the last films Chadwick Boseman starred in is Da 5 Bloods. It’s  about four Vietnam war veterans going back to the Vietnam to search for the remains of their fallen comrade (Boseman).

Buffalo Soldiers

Need a quick history lesson on the Buffalo Soldiers? Watch this 1997 movie starring Danny Glover, Lamont Bentley and Carl Lumbly.

Miracle at St. Anna

This 2008 Spike Lee film is based on the James McBride book of the same name. It’s about Black soldiers during World War II who are stuck behind enemy lines and risk their lives to save one Italian boy.

Courage Under Fire

Denzel Washington just has a knack for playing Black men in the military. This film doesn’t have much to do about race or ethnicity, but it’s a great wartime film that’ll keep the whole family tuned in.

Home of the Brave

Samuel L. Jackson is the star in this film, which is about four soldiers returning to the states after a tour in Iraq.

Crimson Tide

Denzel again. This movie is about two officers in the U.S. Navy who clash on whether they should launch missiles toward Russia, similar to the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Red Tails

The most recent take on the story of the Tuskegee Airmen. While many prefer the 1995 film, including myself, this movie is still a solid film about the legendary group of pilots.

Carter’s Army

Later titled, Black Brigade, this movie stars a host of Black acting legends including Richard Pryor, Billy Dee Williams, Glynn Turman and Robert Hooks. It’s about inexperienced soldiers who have to secure a dam in Germany during World War II.

A Journal for Jordan

Denzel doesn’t star in the film, but he directed it. This film tells the true story of an army soldier who keeps a journal for his baby son. His wife, and author of the book the movie is based on, is a former New York Times journalist.

Antwone Fisher

Denzel Washington stars and directs this movie, which is about a sailor in the Navy who is sent to a psychiatrist to help him heal his childhood trauma.

Dead Presidents

Technically not a military movie, but it is about a Black soldier who serves in the Vietnam War and struggles to find a job or money when he returns home. As a result, he plans a robbery.