TCM's Black History Month Marathon schedule (airtimes and movies)

TCM is kicking off February with a special weekend to celebrate Black History Month! Here's a quick look at what to expect for this special weekend marathon!

The network is always known for its special themes, and that includes Black History Month. While TCM is prepping for their annual "30 Day of Oscar" marathons, they will be using the weekend of February 2-4th for some good marathons of Black movies.

The films run the gamut from some Oscar-winning classics such as In The Heat of the Night to special documentaries on notable African-American actors, directors and writers. Here's a close look at what movies to expect for this marathon!

Friday, February 2

The marathon kicks off Friday, February 2, with the Emmy-award-winning The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman. Notably, the films for Friday focus on the Civil Rights Movement, including several documentaries that examine the struggles of members of the movement.

• 8:00 PM - The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman (1974)
• 10:00 PM - Freedom on My Mind (1994)
• 12:00 AM - Get on the Bus (1996) 
• 2:15 AM - The Murder of Fred Hampton (1971)
• 3:45 AM - Cicero March (1966)
• 4:00 AM - American Revolution 2 (1969)
• 5:30 AM - Black Moderates and Black Militants (1968)

Saturday, February 3

The longest day of the marathon kicks off with a tribute to esteemed actor Paul Robeson, starting with a documentary on his life and his breakout role in The Emperor Jones. There are also notable looks at Oscar Micheaux and Long Day's Journey Into Night. 

Groundbreaking black actor Sidney Poitier is then highlighted with arguably his two best films, A Raisin in the Sun and the Oscar-winning In the Heat of the Night. There's also back-to-back showings of two acclaimed documentaries When We Were Kings and Hoop Dreams, followed by a few films for sports fans. 

• 6:15 AM - Paul Robeson: Tribute to an Artist (1979)
• 7:00 AM - The Emperor Jones (1933)
• 8:30 AM - Within Our Gates (1920)
• 10:00 AM - Oscar Micheaux: The Superhero of Black Filmmaking (2021)
• 11:30 AM - Odds Against Tomorrow (1959)
• 1:30 PM - Long Day's Journey Into Night (1982) 
• 3:30 PM - A Raisin in the Sun (1961)
• 6:00 PM - In the Heat of the Night (1967)
• 8:00 PM - When We Were Kings (1996)
• 10:00 PM - Hoop Dreams (1994) 
• 1:00 AM - Cornbread, Earl and Me (1975) 
• 2:45 AM - The Jackie Robinson Story (1950)
• 4:15 AM - Greased Lightning (1977)

Sunday, February 4

The final day of the marathon begins with a few looks at family life in the past and then some military-themed dramas such as The Negro Soldier and Sergeant Rutledge. Then there's the acclaimed Sounder before it ends with music-themed films such as The Lady Sings the Blues.  

• 6:00 AM - Solomon Northup's Odyssey (1984)
•  8:00 AM - Gordon Parks: Moments Without Proper Names (1987)
• 9:00 AM - The Learning Tree (1969)
• 11:00 AM - Imitation of Life (1934)
• 1:00 PM - The Negro Soldier (1944)
• 2:00 PM - Sergeant Rutledge (1960)
• 4:00 PM - Sounder (1972)
• 6:00 PM - Sparkle (1976)
• 8:00 PM - Bird (1988) 
• 11:00 PM - The Lady Sings the Blues (1972)
• 1:30 AM - Body and Soul (1925) (also Silent Sunday night)
• 3:15 AM - Black Girl (1966) (also TCM Import)
• 4:15 AM - Alma's Rainbow (1994)

With the great lineup of movies and the usual array of good TCM hosts giving insight to them, this looks like a fantastic way to celebrate African-American achievements in film over the years and a fitting tribute for Black History Month that movie buffs can enjoy!