Biopics or biographic pictures or is a non-fictional film that depicts the tale of a real person's life. This format of storytelling is frequently used to tell Black musicians and artists stories. Documentaries have been a more recent way of looking into Black music history. Here's a listing of some popular biopics and documentaries:
- The Apollo
- The Believers: The First Transgender Gospel Choir
- Betty: They Say I’m Different
- Bessie
- Beyoncé: Homecoming: A Film by Beyoncé
- The Black Godfather
- Blue Note Records: Beyond the Notes
- Cadillac Records
- Cecil Taylor: All The Notes
- Chevalier
- Clarence Clemons: Who Do I Think I Am?
- Charley Pride: I’m Just Me
- CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story
- Darker Than Blue: Curtis Mayfield
- Get On Up
- Hitsville: The Making of Motown
- Introducing Dorothy Dandridge
- The Jacksons: An American Dream
- Jimi: All Is By My Side
- Keep On Keepin' On
- Lady Day At Emerson's Bar And Grill
- Lady Sings The Blues
- Ma Rainey's Black Bottom
- Mahalia Jackson: The Power and the Glory
- Man in the Mirror: The Michael Jackson Story
- Mariah Carey Is Christmas: The Story of “All I Want for Christmas Is You"
- Miles Ahead
- My Mic Sounds Nice: The Truth About Women and Hip Hop
- Never a Dull Moment: 20 Years of the Rebirth Brass Band
- Notorious
- Otis Redding: Soul Ambassador
- Ray
- ReMastered: Devil at the Crossroads — A Robert Johnson Story
- Screamin’ Jay Hawkins: I Put a Spell on Me
- Straight Outta Compton
- Summer of Soul
- Teddy Pendergrass: If You Don’t Know Me
- The Black Godfather
- The Temptations
- The United States vs. Billie Holiday
- Thelonious Monk: Straight, No Chaser
- Time Is Illmatic
- Toni Braxton: Unbreak My Heart
- Tupac: Resurrection
- What Happened, Miss Simone?
- What's Love Got To Do With It?
- Why Do Fools Fall In Love?
- Wu-Tang Clan: Of Mics and Men