How did Martin Luther King, Jr. get his name?
According to Wikipedia, King's given name at birth was Michael King, and his father was also born Michael King, but, after a period of gradual transition on the elder King's part, he changed both his and his son's names in 1934.
Sr. was inspired during a trip to Germany for that year's meeting of the Baptist World Alliance (BWA). While visiting sites associated with the Protestant Reformation leader, Martin Luther, attendees witnessed the rise of Nazism.
Martin Luther Documentary on Netflix
In 2020, Martin Luther: The Idea that Changed the World
This docudrama tells the dramatic story of the monk who took on the Catholic Church, tracing his life before and after the contentious “95 Theses.”
MLK Documentaries on Netflix
MLK documentaries typically focus on the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., one of the key figures in the American Civil Rights Movement. These films delve into his inspirational leadership, nonviolent activism, and the struggles for racial equality, offering a poignant look at the challenges and triumphs of the civil rights era.
If you have the Netflix DVD plan, you can watch these MLK Documentaries on Netflix. Unfortunately, these titles are not available to stream on Netflix.
- Factory sealed DVD
- . (Actor)
Eyes on the Prize: America's Civil Rights
This Emmy-winning documentary from the PBS “American Experience” series uses newsreel footage and narratives from famous and everyday people to take viewers inside the struggle for civil rights during the crucial years of 1954 through '65.
Among the critical events discussed are the Montgomery bus boycott, the integration of schools in Little Rock, the murder of activists in Mississippi, and Martin Luther King's groundbreaking marches to freedom. (Watch)
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- Rev. Ralph Abernathy, Julian Bond, Jimmy Carter (Actors)
In Remembrance of Martin
Family members, friends, former classmates, and advisors of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. relate their memories of the civil rights activist in this moving documentary.
Coretta Scott King, Rev. Ralph Abernathy, and many others share their personal comments about pivotal events in King's life, paired with historic footage of the Montgomery Bus Boycott, his Lincoln Memorial “I Have a Dream” speech, his acceptance of the Nobel Peace Prize and more.
- Factory sealed DVD
- Martin Luther King, Bayard Rustin, Malcolm X (Actors)
Brother Outsider: The Life of Bayard Rustin
This powerful documentary chronicles the life of openly gay civil rights activist Bayard Rustin, who, among many contributions to the cause, is best known for organizing the 1963 March on Washington, D.C., involving hundreds of thousands of people. (Watch)
Who Killed Martin Luther King?
This film, which includes archival footage and interviews with convicted killer James Earl Ray, Martin Luther King III and former police officers, looks back at Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination in 1968 and lingering conspiracy theories. (Watch)
Martin Luther King, Jr: I Have a Dream
Relive one of the seminal moments in the history of the Civil Rights movement with these fascinating excerpted clips from Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s landmark speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in 1963.
In addition to King's most famous address, this compilation also includes the last speech he delivered before his tragic assassination, as well as footage of the beautiful eulogy delivered by his friend Bobby Kennedy. (Watch)
If you want to keep the learning going with your kids, click on the image of the MLK statue below to get access to these free Martin Luther King, Jr. printables.
Get a preview of the movies in this list with my web story.
If you enjoyed this list of movies, I have a monthly membership for parents and educators that want to teach or supplement lessons with shows and movies.
“I absolutely love sharing movies with my kids as a way to teach them valuable lessons. It's like this awesome bonding experience where we all snuggle up on the couch with some popcorn, and I get to see their little faces light up with curiosity. Whether it's a classic with timeless morals or a new animated flick with hidden gems of wisdom, it's a fantastic way to impart important life lessons in a fun and engaging way. Plus, the post-movie discussions are priceless – hearing their take on the characters and the story adds a whole new dimension to our family time.” –a Homeschooling parent
With Homeschooling with Shows and Movies membership, you will get resources every month, including:
- List of This Month’s Suggested Themes
- List of Monthly Observances
- List Of Movies for Unit Study
- Unit Study Resource
- Seasonal Activities (minimum of three)
- (BONUSES) Resources for you, the teacher
These resources are worth it if you'd like to easily incorporate shows and movies into your homeschooling.
More Martin Luther King, Jr. Movies
- 100+ Educational Netflix Titles for Homeschooling (Free Printable List!) - April 26, 2025
- What To Watch This Week - April 25, 2025
- Where to Watch The Grinch - February 3, 2025
[…] there are not any Martin Luther King, Jr. movies on Netflix available to stream. You can get MLK Documentaries on Netflix with the DVD plan. But there are some still some great movies you can find on Amazon. In fact, […]