Each year on June 19th, the United States pauses to commemorate Juneteenth, the date in 1865 when enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, were finally informed of their freedom, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed.
While this momentous day has long been celebrated within Black communities, it wasn’t until 2021 that Juneteenth became a federal holiday.
And even before that official recognition, the holiday’s history and cultural weight had already begun to take root in popular consciousness, thanks, in no small part, to the power of storytelling through film and television.
With emotionally charged dramas, sharp-witted comedy and revelatory documentaries, filmmakers and creators have increasingly used visual media to explore the themes, history, and ongoing legacy of Juneteenth.
These works go beyond textbook timelines to offer textured portrayals of Black identity, freedom, resistance, and joy. They challenge viewers to reckon with America’s past while also affirming the enduring spirit of a people who have long refused to be erased.
In the list that follows, we explore five essential films and TV shows that bring the meaning of Juneteenth into sharp focus. Whether you’re looking to deepen your understanding or simply engage with compelling storytelling rooted in truth, these titles provide powerful entry points.
Director Channing Godfrey Peoples delivers a moving family drama centered on Turquoise Jones (Nicole Beharie), a former teen beauty queen determined to lead her daughter to the Miss Juneteenth pageant she once won.
Through this tender, female-driven story, we witness themes of ambition, heritage, and self-worth unfolding within a working-class Black community. Peoples’ debut film earned acclaim at Sundance and secured Nicole Beharie a Gotham Award for her compelling portrayal.
2. Black‑ish, Episode “Juneteenth” (Season 4)
This landmark sitcom episode transforms a typical school play into a powerful musical tribute to Juneteenth. As Dre and his family clash with sanitized historical portrayals, they reclaim the holiday’s true narrative. Creator Kenya Barris stood firm despite network resistance, ensuring this honest portrayal aired, and later inspired plans for a stage adaptation featuring Pharrell Williams.
In a pitch-black comedy that questions allyship and performative activism, Earn and Van attend a Juneteenth celebration. There, a well-meaning white host undermines the true meaning of the holiday through tone-deaf commentary.
The episode incisively unpacks the line between awareness and appropriation, earning praise as a standout chronicling of racial authenticity.
4. #blackAF, Episode “still… because of slavery” (Season 1)
Kenya Barris shifts gears, this time in mockumentary fashion. The family’s Juneteenth celebration in episode three serves as a satirical look at modern Black identity, it parodies privilege and expectations while inviting viewers to wrestle with the holiday’s ongoing relevance.
5. High on the Hog: How African American Cuisine Transformed America (Netflix)
A documentary series powered by chef Stephen Satterfield, tracing the resilient flavors and cultural endurance of African Americans from slavery to today. Notably, one episode touches on Juneteenth by spotlighting enslaved communities’ kitchens and culinary resistance, a literal and symbolic reclaiming of heritage.
