Cesar Chavez (2014)
Much like Selma focuses on a specific, pivotal campaign, this biopic zeroes in on Cesar Chavez’s struggle to organize California farmworkers in the 1960s. The film shines by showcasing the immense personal sacrifices and strategic decisions, like the Delano
grape strike, required to build a movement from the ground up against incredible opposition. It’s a powerful look at the mechanics of nonviolent protest and the burden of leadership.
Pride (2014)
If the heart of Selma is about forging alliances for a just cause, Pride is its joyous, unsung cousin. Based on a true story, it follows a group of London-based gay and lesbian activists who raise money to support striking Welsh miners in 1984. It’s a beautifully rendered story about solidarity in the face of a common enemy—in this case, the Thatcher government—and how strategic support can build bridges between seemingly disparate communities.
The Best of Enemies (2019)
While Selma depicts a fight against a racist system, The Best of Enemies narrows the focus to the granular, human level. It tells the true story of the unlikely relationship between Civil Rights activist Ann Atwater and KKK leader C.P. Ellis, who were forced to co-chair a community meeting on school integration. It’s a testament to the slow, painful, and strategic work of changing hearts and minds one conversation at a time.
A United Kingdom (2016)
Starring Selma's own David Oyelowo, this film captures the political chess match that follows a pivotal personal decision. Oyelowo plays Seretse Khama, the King of Bechuanaland (now Botswana), whose marriage to a white English woman, Ruth Williams, sparks an international diplomatic crisis. The film excels at showing how a personal love story becomes a strategic battle against the forces of apartheid and British imperial interests.
Till (2022)
This film shifts the focus from the march to the inciting incident, revealing the strategic brilliance born from unimaginable grief. Rather than depicting the horrific violence against Emmett Till, the film centers on his mother, Mamie Till-Mobley, as she transforms her personal tragedy into a national call to action. Her decision to have an open-casket funeral was a courageous, strategic act that forced America to confront the brutality of its racism, making her a pivotal, if reluctant, leader.
Miss Virginia (2019)
Proving that activism doesn’t always involve famous leaders, this film tells the true story of Virginia Walden Ford, a single mother fighting for a better education for her son in Washington, D.C. Frustrated by a failing system, she becomes a grassroots organizer, learning to navigate the political landscape, build coalitions, and fight for legislative change. It shares Selma's DNA by highlighting the tireless, often unglamorous work required to make a tangible difference.
Detroit (2017)
If Selma is about the strategy to combat oppression, Detroit is a visceral, horrifying look at the oppression itself. Directed by Kathryn Bigelow, the film immerses you in the terror of the 1967 Detroit riots, focusing on the Algiers Motel incident where police brutalized and murdered several Black men. It’s a draining but necessary watch that shows the stakes of the fight and the systemic violence that activists were up against, making the organized efforts in Selma feel all the more vital.
The Butler (2013)
This film provides a unique, decades-spanning perspective on the Civil Rights Movement from within the White House. Forest Whitaker plays Cecil Gaines, a butler who serves eight U.S. presidents. The core tension mirrors Selma's internal debates: Gaines’ quiet, behind-the-scenes dignity clashes with his son's front-line activism in the Black Panther Party. It’s a powerful exploration of the different forms resistance can take and the generational divide over the “right” way to push for change.
Rustin (2023)
While Selma focuses on Dr. King, Rustin tells the story of the man who organized the 1963 March on Washington, Bayard Rustin. This film is the ultimate tribute to the strategic mind behind a landmark event. It pulls back the curtain on the logistical nightmares, political infighting, and immense prejudice Rustin faced as an openly gay man in the movement. It’s a vital companion piece that proves no victory is won without a brilliant, and often overlooked, organizer.
The Trial of the Chicago 7 (2020)
Aaron Sorkin’s courtroom drama dives into the strategic and ideological clashes within the anti-Vietnam War movement. Following the aftermath of protests at the 1968 Democratic National Convention, the film highlights the tension between different activist factions—from buttoned-down student leaders to anarchic Yippies. Much like Selma showed the friction between Martin Luther King Jr.'s SCLC and the younger SNCC activists, this film explores the internal struggles that define and challenge any major social movement.
