13. The help (2011)
Based on a 2009 book by Kathryn Stockett, The Help is more on the lighter side of this list, this 2011 drama movie shows the era of 1960s America when social injustice and discrimination still existed in the country at a huge level. It does not directly show the theme of slavery but other important issues like unequal pay, less basic human rights, limited job opportunities, and more.
IMDB rating-8.0
Cast: Emma Stone, Viola Davis, Bryce Dallas Howard, Octavia Spencer, Jessica Chastain, Ahna O’Reilly, Allison Janney, and more.
14. Uncle Tom’s Cabin (1987)
One of the earliest movies to showcase the themes of slavery, Uncle Tom’s Cabin shows the horrors of slavery and how it affects the people in the community. It is based on Harriet Beecher Stowe and the plot follows the story of Tom, who is sold to a plantation owner in Louisiana, what he goes through being a slave, and how he eventually escapes.
IMDB rating-6.4
Cast: Avery Brooks, Uncle Tom, Kate Burton, Ophelia Bruce Dern, Augustine St. Claire, and more
15. The Butler (2013)
The Butler follows the story of a White House Butler who served at the place for eight presidents. This movie’s titular character is played by Forest Whitaker and he manages to carry the movie on his shoulders making the viewer feel empathetic to his childhood when he sees people working on a slave plantation site.
IMDB rating-7.2
Cast: Forest Whitaker, Oprah Winfrey, David Oyelowo, and more.
16. Spartacus (1960)
This is one of the hard-hitting slavery movies on the list. It is not based on African slavery but instead on the slaves of the Roman empire. It is set in old Rome and tells the story of Spartacus, a slave who becomes a gladiator and leads a rebellion against the Roman Empire. Because of its nicely shown historical representation, it is highly regarded.
IMDB rating-7.9
Cast: Kirk Douglas, Laurence Olivier, Jean Simmons, Charles Laughton, and more.
17. The Pianist (2002)
The pianist is a movie that shows the conditions of the Nazi regime. Based on the memoir by author Władysław Szpilman, it is directed by Roman Polanski and stars Adrien Brody who plays the titular role of the pianist of Polish-Jewish descent. The movie is praised for its direction, representation of the Holocaust, acting, and more. The movie got academy awards for Adrien Brody as the best actor and Roman Polanski for the best direction that year.
IMDB rating-8.5
Cast: Kirk Douglas, Laurence Olivier, Jean Simmons, Charles Laughton, and more
18. I Am Slave (2010)
I Am Slave is a British movie that focuses on narrating the Involuntary servitude of today when after being taken from her home in Sudan, Malia (Wunmi Mosaku) is forced into slavery in London. This drama is not the most popular slavery movie on the list but it did receive accolades from critics. The movie even got nominated for a BAFTA TV award.
IMDB rating-5.9
Cast: Wunmi Mosaku, Isaach De Bankolé, Lubna Azaba, Igal Naor, Nonso Anozie, and more.
19. Exodus: Gods and Kings (2014)
We see Joel Edgerton and Christian Bale in this high-budgeted movie where the plot follows the story of Moses, getting the Hebrews, the slaves who are mistreated and forced to build structures like pyramids for the Egyptians.
IMDB rating-6.0
Cast: Christian Bale, Joel Edgerton, Aaron Paul, John Turturro, and more
20. Gone with the wind (1939)
This popular classic movie shows slavery as it is set in the Civil War timeline. Though it is not the central theme of the movie, it is still one of the earliest and best slavery movies as we get to see many characters depicted as slave owners and engagement between the slave owners and their enslaved workers at different times in the movie.
IMDB rating-8.1
Cast: Vivien Leigh, Leslie Howard, Olivia de Havilland, Clark Global, and more.
21. Belle (2013)
Based on the real-life story of Dido Elizabeth Belle, Belle is the name of the African American woman who becomes an heiress and catches the attention of two suitors. It is included in this list of the 25 best slavery movies of all time because it was well-received by critics and audiences alike for its powerful and thought-provoking portrayal of discrimination.
IMDB rating-7.3
Cast: Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Tom Wilkinson, Miranda Richardson, Penelope Wilton, Sam Reid, Matthew Goode, and more.
22. I Am Not Your Negro (2017)
Nominated for an Oscar in the category of Best Documentary Feature in 2017, I Am Not Your Negro is filled with past footage, commentary, and interviews on the issue of racism and slavery in the USA from the past to the present. Based on a manuscript by James Baldwin who was a civil rights activist, this documentary is considered one of the best slavery movies. Samuel L. Jackson narrates this powerful factual movie.
IMDB rating-7.8
Cast: Samuel L. Jackson, James Baldwin, Martin Luther King, and more
23. Harriet (2019)
Harriet manages to tackle the heavy topic of slavery and freedom with its powerful direction, acting, and overall message of how slavery and racism still impact the USA of today. Harriet Tubman was a political activist who not only managed to escape slavery but also freed other slaves from plantation sites. This is considered one of the best movies on slavery and Cynthia Erivo got nominated for an Oscar for her role in the movie.
IMDB rating-6.6
Cast: Cynthia Erivo, Leslie Odom Jr., and Janelle Monáe.
24. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks (2017)
We get on a journey of experiencing different themes in this critically acclaimed movie where we see Henrietta’s, an African American worker blood cells being taken without her consent. Slavery is not the central theme of this movie but it does show racism and exploitation of minor communities in the USA
IMDB rating-6.5
Cast: Melina Abdullah, Michelle Alexander, Cory Booker, Dolores Canales, and more.
25. The Color Purple (1985)
This 11 Oscar-nominated animated classic movie focuses on the struggle of an African American lead-Celia who discovers her own identity with the help of women in her life and comes to understand the power of love and friendship. It’s based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker.
IMDB rating-7.8
Cast: Whoopi Goldberg, Danny Glover, Oprah Winfrey, and more.
These movies are the 25 best slavery movies of all time but many more movies tackle this unethical practice with integrity, so, if you want to get to know what and how slavery was conducted make sure to watch these best movies on slavery or use this list as a checklist.
