Malcolm X (1992)

The second of three Denzel Washington movies on this list, Malcolm X is about growth.

Spike Lee’s epic shows how Malcolm Little becomes Malcolm X and finally El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz, a man who melds his righteous calls for justice with a righteous commitment to unity.

But Malcolm X doesn’t sugarcoat any of the pain or struggle along the way, or offer any easy comfort to those who prop up the injustice Malcolm X tried to dismantle. It’s one of the most inspirational movies because it’s so universal, and yet so uncompromising. And the “I am Malcolm X!” ending is breathtaking.

Of course it’s very much based on a true story. Malcolm X hews closely to The Autobiography of Malcolm X, by Malcolm X and Alex Haley. It features some composite characters, but stays close to the facts.