Black Stories Always: Hulu Celebrates Black History Month with New Premieres and Timeless Classics

In honor of Black History Month and beyond, Hulu proudly celebrates the rich legacy, creativity, and resilience of Black stories and storytellers. From timeless classics to groundbreaking originals, we shine a light on the voices and creators who have made an impact on culture and entertainment. Together, let’s honor the past, celebrate the present, and look ahead to a future filled with inspiring, empowering, and unifying Black stories.

This February, Hulu offers a powerful lineup that celebrates Black culture, featuring the captivating Hulu Original documentary “SLY LIVES! (aka The Burden of Black Genius),” directed by Questlove, the Andscape Original film “Memes & Nightmares,” executive produced by LeBron James, along with the highly anticipated Hulu Original series “Paradise,” starring Sterling K. Brown.

In addition, we will celebrate nostalgic content and milestone anniversaries, including the 40th Anniversary of Emmy winning “227” and the 30th Anniversary of NAACP winner “Waiting to Exhale.” Rounding out the film collection is a selection of classic faves and award-winning films like “If Beale Street Could Talk” and “Precious,” – to name a few – each showcasing impactful storytelling and paying tribute to the richness of Black culture.

NEW PREMIERES

SLY LIVES! AKA THE BURDEN OF BLACK GENIUS (HULU ORIGINAL)

An examination of the life and legacy of Sly & The Family Stone – the groundbreaking band led by the charismatic Sly Stone – that captures the band’s reign while shedding light on the burden that comes with success for Black artists in America.

(Streaming Thursday, February 13)

MEMES & NIGHTMARES (ANDSCAPE ORIGINAL)

“Memes & Nightmares” is a hilarious and insightful satirical film that dives into the vibrant world of NBA Twitter. Guided by the witty and iconic social-media personality Josiah Johnson (aka King Josiah) and his equally hilarious co-star Jamel Johnson (no relation!), the film weaves a dark, satirical buddy-cop mystery as “the Brothers Johnson” unravel the culture of memes, viral moments, and digital fandom that have turned basketball into a 24/7 cultural phenomenon. Packed with humor, unforgettable stories, unexpected guests, and the absurd brilliance of internet culture, “Memes & Nightmares” reveals how social media has forever transformed the way the NBA is experienced and celebrated. Whether you’re a die-hard NBA fan, a lover of memes, or someone who thrives on the chaos and creativity of the internet, this film offers a unique look at the intersection of sports and digital culture.

(Streaming Thursday, February 20)

A THOUSAND BLOWS: COMPLETE SEASON 1 (HULU ORIGINAL)

Hezekiah Moscow (Malachi Kirbv) and Alec Munroe (Francis Lovehall), best friends from Jamaica, find themselves thrust into the criminal underbelly of London’s thriving bare-knuckle boxing scene. As Hezekiah finds fortune and fame through the art of pugilism, he attracts the attention of the infamous Queen of the Forty Elephants, Mary Carr (Erin Doherty), who sets about exploiting his talents to further her criminal enterprise. Meanwhile the menacing and self-declared emperor of the East End boxing world, Sugar Goodson (Stephen Graham), determines to destroy Hezekiah whose ambitions to fight in the West End threaten everything he has built. What ensues is a battle of the old world against the new.

(Streaming Friday, February 21)

PARADISE (HULU ORIGINAL)

“Paradise” is set in a serene community inhabited by some of the world’s most prominent individuals. But this tranquility explodes when a shocking murder occurs and a high-stakes investigation unfolds. Starring Sterling K. Brown.

(Streaming Tuesday, January 28 with three new episodes at premiere, then weekly episodes every Tuesday)

ROY WOOD JR.: LONELY FLOWERS (HULU ORIGINAL)

In this stand-up special, Roy Wood Jr explores how lack of connection has sent society spiraling into a culture full of guns, rude employees, self-checkout lanes, and why some of us would rather be alone rather than be connected.

(Now Streaming)

OUR BEAUTIFUL BLACK HAIR (2025)

Join your favorite kid video stars from Onyx Family, Kamdenboy & Kyraboo, Wilson World, and the McClure Twins in a joyful celebration of the beauty, versatility, and power of Black hair.

(Streaming Saturday, February 1)

SISTAS: COMPLETE SEASONS 1-5

“Sistas” follows a group of single black females as they navigate their “complicated love lives”, careers and friendships through the ups-and-downs of living in a modern world of social media and unrealistic relationship goals. The one-hour drama takes viewers on a roller coaster ride of emotions and hilarious moments that are the epitome of #squadgoals.

(Streaming Tuesday, February 4)

THE OVAL: COMPLETE SEASONS 1-3

“The Oval” tells the story of a family placed in the White House by people of power while also highlighting the personal side and everyday lives of the staff who run the inner workings of the nation’s most iconic residence.

(Streaming Tuesday, February 4)

BLACK OPS: COMPLETE SEASON 1

Shifts just got real. Bored of the beat, two under-qualified, undercover cops are thrust into a criminal underworld. Chaotic comedy with high stakes, high risk and high panic.

(Streaming Tuesday, February 25)

BIG GEORGE FOREMAN (2023)

From Olympic Gold medalist to World Heavyweight champion, boxer George Foreman leads a remarkable life. He finds his faith, retires and becomes a preacher. When financial hardship hits his family and church, George steps back in the ring and regains the championship at age 45, becoming the oldest heavyweight champion in boxing history.

(Streaming Wednesday, February 26)

REWATCH MUST-SEES

HOW TO DIE ALONE: COMPLETE SEASON 1 (HULU ORIGINAL)

“How to Die Alone” follows Mel, a broke, fat, Black JFK airport employee who’s never been in love and forgotten how to dream, until an accidental brush with death catapults her on a journey to finally take flight and start living by any means necessary.

(Now Streaming)

REASONABLE DOUBT: COMPLETE SEASONS 1-2 (HULU ORIGINAL)

After trying to heal from her wounds from last season’s arduous trial and deadly affair, Jax Stewart is attempting to get her life back on track. That is until one of her closest friends reveals that she has killed her husband. Her friend is claiming self-defense, but an uncompromising prosecutor thinks otherwise. Needing all the help she can get, Jax brings in an ambitious defense attorney to lead the case, but things get tense very quickly. Can Jax defend her friend, save her marriage and protect her energy while being catapulted into the biggest case of her career? Or will she lose it all?

(Now Streaming)

QUEENIE: COMPLETE SEASON 1 (HULU ORIGINAL)

Queenie Jenkins is a 25-year-old Jamaican British woman living in south London, straddling two cultures and slotting neatly into neither. After a messy breakup with her long-term boyfriend, Queenie seeks comfort in all the wrong places and begins to realize she has to face the past head-on before she can rebuild. The series is based on the best-selling novel by Candice Carty-Williams

(Now Streaming)

THE SUPREMES AT EARL’S ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT (2024)

“The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat” follows a trio of best friends (Uzo Aduba, Aunjanue Ellis, Sanaa Lathan) known as “The Supremes” who, for decades, has weathered life’s storms together through marriage and children, happiness and blues. Now, as heartbreak and illness stir up the past and threaten to destroy their friendship, Odette, Barbara Jean and Clarice see their bond put to the test as they go through their most challenging times yet.

(Now Streaming)

SHE TAUGHT LOVE (2024) (ANDSCAPE ORIGINAL) *NAACP NOMINEE*

Ever since getting off “The Street,” a prestigious cable television series, Frank Cooper has been coasting through life distracting himself with women, booze and blow, while auditioning to play stereotypical gang members and drug dealers. But the minute he meets Mali Waters, a sports agent living for the present, his whole world changes. Despite their own worst instincts, Mali and Frank are inescapably drawn to one another. As Mali is forced to face her own mortality, the clock begins to tick. The two must learn to rely on each other, choosing to love and live for the moment, even if that’s all they get.

(Now Streaming)

TIMELESS NOSTALGIA & ANNIVERSARIES

227: COMPLETE SEASONS 1-5 *40TH ANNIVERSARY* (1985)

227 followed the lives of people in a middle-class apartment building, 227 Lexington Place (the numerical address from which the sitcom’s name comes), in Northeast, Washington, D.C. The show was centered around Mary Jenkins (Marla Gibbs), a nosy and tart-tongued but loving housewife.

(Now Streaming)

WAITING TO EXHALE *30TH ANNIVERSARY* (1995)

Navigating through careers, family, and romance, four friends bond over the shortcomings in their love lives — namely, the scarcity of good men. Both as the “other woman,” Savannah (Whitney Houston) and Robin (Lela Rochon) carry on relationships with married men, each believing their lovers will leave their wives for them. On the flip side, Bernadine (Angela Bassett) ends up alone when her husband divorces her for his mistress. Meanwhile, Gloria (Loretta Devine) finds love with a new neighbor.

(Streaming Saturday, February 1)

HOW STELLA GOT HER GROOVE BACK (1998)

Unlucky-in-love stockbroker Stella (Angela Bassett) jets to Jamaica with her gal pal Delilah (Whoopi Goldberg) for some fun in the sun. There, the 40-year-old working woman has an island fling with Winston (Taye Diggs) — a handsome 20-something. When it’s time to return to California, Stella realizes that she’s developed real feelings for her new man. But, with their distance from each other, not to mention their disparity in age, does a real relationship stand a chance?

(Streaming Friday, January 31)

WHAT’S LOVE GOT TO DO IT WITH IT (1993)

Based on the life of the legendary soul singer, Tina Turner (Angela Bassett) — born Anna Mae Bullock — discovers her love of singing in her Tennessee church choir. She moves to St. Louis to pursue a career, and there she meets the charismatic Ike Turner (Laurence Fishburne), who rechristens her Tina and offers to help her succeed. As a musical team, Ike and Tina take the charts by storm. But as his physical abuse worsens, Tina has to make the tough decision to leave Ike and set out on her own.

(Streaming Saturday, February 1)

BABY BOY (2001)

The story of Jody (Tyrese Gibson), a misguided, 20-year-old African-American who is really just a baby boy finally forced-kicking and screaming to face the commitments of real life. Streetwise and jobless, he has not only fathered two children by two different women-Yvette (Taraji P. Henson) and Peanut (Tamara LaSeon Bass) but still lives with his own mother. He can’t seem to strike a balance or find direction in his chaotic life.

(Now Streaming)

CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED FILMS

IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK (2018)

*GOLDEN GLOBE AND ACADEMY AWARD WINNING*

In early 1970s Harlem, daughter and wife-to-be Tish vividly recalls the passion, respect and trust that have connected her and her artist fiancé Alonzo Hunt, who goes by the nickname Fonny. Friends since childhood, the devoted couple dream of a future together, but their plans are derailed when Fonny is arrested for a crime he did not commit.

(Now Streaming)

PRECIOUS (2009)

*ACADEMY AWARD WINNING*

Pregnant by her own father for the second time, 16-year-old Claireece “Precious” Jones (Gabourey Sidibe) can neither read nor write and suffers constant abuse at the hands of her vicious mother (Mo’Nique). Precious instinctively sees a chance to turn her life around when she is offered the opportunity to transfer to an alternative school. Under the patient, firm guidance of her new teacher, Ms. Rain (Paula Patton), Precious begins the journey from oppression to self-determination.

(Now Streaming)