10 Must-Watch Biopics on the Fight for Rights

Description: Spike Lee's epic portrayal of Malcolm X's life, from his early days as a street hustler to his rise as a prominent civil rights leader, captures the complexity of his fight for racial justice.

Fact: Denzel Washington's performance earned him an Academy Award nomination, and the film was praised for its historical accuracy.

Description: This film is based on the true story of the Wiley College debate team, which was the first all-black college team to compete against a white college in the 1930s, showcasing the fight for intellectual equality.

Fact: Denzel Washington both directed and starred in the film, and it was inspired by the real-life team's story.

Description: While not solely about rights, this film delves into Margaret Thatcher's life, showcasing her as a pioneering female leader in a male-dominated political world, highlighting her impact on women's roles in politics.

Fact: Meryl Streep won an Academy Award for Best Actress for her portrayal of Thatcher.

Description: The story of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay elected official in California, who became an icon for the gay rights movement. His fight for equality and his tragic assassination are depicted with raw emotion.

Fact: Sean Penn won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Harvey Milk.

Description: This film chronicles Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s campaign to secure equal voting rights via an epic march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, in 1965. It's a poignant reminder of the civil rights movement's challenges and triumphs.

Fact: Oprah Winfrey was one of the producers, and the film was nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars.

Description: Spanning several decades, this film follows Cecil Gaines, a White House butler who serves numerous presidents during a time of great civil rights upheaval, offering a unique perspective on the fight for racial equality.

Fact: Oprah Winfrey and Forest Whitaker star in this film, which was inspired by the true story of Eugene Allen.

Description: Set in the 1960s, this film explores the lives of African-American maids working in white households in Mississippi, highlighting their struggle for dignity and rights during the civil rights movement.

Fact: The film was adapted from Kathryn Stockett's best-selling novel, and it received four Academy Award nominations.

Description: This biopic tells the story of Cesar Chavez, a Latino American civil rights activist who co-founded the United Farm Workers, leading a nonviolent movement for better working conditions for farm laborers.

Fact: Michael Peña delivers a compelling performance as Chavez, and the film was shot in the actual locations where Chavez worked and organized.

Description: This film focuses on the early 20th-century British suffragette movement, highlighting the struggles of working-class women who fought for the right to vote. It's a powerful narrative on the fight for women's rights.

Fact: Meryl Streep plays Emmeline Pankhurst, and the film was shot in real locations where the suffragette movement took place.

Description: This film tells the untold story of three African-American women at NASA who were instrumental in the success of the space race, fighting against both racial and gender discrimination.

Fact: The film was nominated for three Oscars, including Best Picture, and it was based on the non-fiction book by Margot Lee Shetterly.