Every third Monday in January, we celebrate the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. with ceremonies and a day devoted to service. However, in case you're not able to make it to one of these events, there's still an easy and educational way you can honor King's memory.
As with many significant moments in history, the Civil Rights Movement and the issues surrounding this period of American history have been depicted many times on screen from Hollywood blockbusters to TV movies to documentaries. The much-buzzed about Academy Award-nominated film Selma, which chronicles King's historic march from Selma, Ala. to Montgomery, Ala. in 1965, is of course well worth your time. These 9 movies and documentaries about the Civil Rights Movement will also help you realize how far we've come thanks to King — and how far we still have to go.
1. To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)
Though this classic film adapted from Harper Lee's classic book is set in the Depression-era South, To Kill a Mockingbird's message about overcoming prejudice was never more timely than when it hit theaters in 1962.
2. Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (1967)
The subject matter of this film about an interracial couple was controversial when it came out amid the Civil Rights Movement in 1967. However, it helped everyone see that in life, love really is the only thing that matters.
3. In the Heat of the Night (1967)
Like Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, In the Heat of the Night is another classic Sidney Poitier film about race relations during the Civil Rights Movement. This time, Poitier plays a detective paired with an older, bigoted white partner. Though it looks like this partnership will be nothing short of a disaster, the two eventually overcome their odds and grow to respect one another.
4. Gandhi (1982)
King drew inspiration from Mohandas K. Gandhi's use of nonviolent protest in the fight for Indian independence. Watch Gandhi for the powerful story, albeit Hollywood version, of how it happened.
5. Freedom On My Mind (1994)
Last year marked the 50th anniversary of the Freedom Summer in 1964, when activists and volunteers from all over the country came together to expand black voter registration in the south. Freedom On My Mind is a compelling Academy Award-nominated documentary about the journey there.
6. The Color of Friendship (2000)
Disney Channel Original Movies were not usually meant to be taken very seriously. However, The Color of Friendship was one of the few that had a truly important message. The film is based on the true story of the relationship between Piper, an African-American teen, and Mahree, who is from apartheid South Africa. Though the film begins with Mahree's ill will toward Piper and her family because of her prejudiced upbringing, she eventually learns to be tolerant, and she and Piper strike up a true friendship. The movie leaves out a lot of the politics, protest and violence surrounding the issue, but the kids watching at home still hear the message loud and clear.
7. Soundtrack for a Revolution (2009)
Throughout history, music has been used as a form of protest, especially during the Civil Rights Movement. Soundtrack for a Revolution documents the people and the songs that helped bring about change.
8. Freedom Riders (2010)
Similar to Freedom On My Mind, Freedom Riders documents the courageous people that traveled to the Deep South in 1961 in an effort to end segregation. At first, this documentary may dampen your spirits, but it will ultimately make you hopeful about the human race.
9. The March (2013)
This documentary will transport you back to one of the most significant events of the Civil Rights Movement, the March on Washington, as told through the accounts of the people that experienced it. Since this was the event where King originally gave his famous "I Have a Dream" speech, there's no better time to watch this film.
