Documentaries Not Your Vibe? Here Are 5 Shows To Stream During Black History Month
By Elizabeth Paige Richardson | February 11, 2026 | Best TV Shows of the Week
DREAMING WHILST BLACK — Pictured: Adjani Salmon (Credit: Big Deal Films)
Don’t get us wrong, we love a good documentary when we’re in the mood for a little history, but sometimes we just want to kick back and relax with a comedy or thriller that brings Black stars to the forefront. It’s easier than ever before to discover a show that puts Black talent in the spotlight with so many streaming services looking for fresh stories to tell.
Whether you’re looking for something heartbreaking, hilarious, or high stakes, these five shows give Black creatives the time to shine. What better to stream on a cold February night?
The ‘Burbs, Peacock
Something strange is going down in the white-picket-fence suburbs, and it doesn’t take long to realize that not all neighbors are friends.
Is there anything more fun than a fish-out-of-water story? The mystery of the creepy old house across the cul-de-sac sets off new resident Samira Fisher’s (Keke Palmer) senses, and she sets off with her makeshift mystery gang to protect their little slice of picturesque suburbia. If that weren’t stressful enough for the young mom, Samira is also struggling to acclimate to her new neighborhood as a Black woman from the city. As always, Palmer’s wit and infectious laugh already have us begging for more episodes of this darkly comedic delight.
Cross, Prime Video
When the D.C. detective crossed over from books to television, Cross was a breath of fresh air among the crowd of detective procedurals that flood every network.
We can’t think of another show that gets our adrenaline pumping the same way, especially when Alex Cross (Aldis Hodge) gets his hands dirty while piecing together a bloody trail of crime. With his trusty partner John Sampson (Isaiah Mustafa) at his side, MPD’s finest detective is stuck playing defense against a vigilante taking down crooked billionaires until he can find a way to put an end to the injustice from all sides. Hearing Cross say “I want justice” still sends shivers down our spine.
Dreaming Whilst Black, Paramount+
In an industry that has the power to make or break you, you have to balance having ambition and playing “the game.” Sound familiar?
It’s certainly something that Kwabena (Adjani Salmon) knows all too well; as an up-and-coming filmmaker, he’s tackling the tricky business of fitting into Hollywood while holding on tight to his own creative vision and avoiding the dreaded label of “sellout.” The pressure on Kwabs as he prepares to finally sit in the director’s chair comes from all sides as friends, family, and executives remind him to make his big shot count. Adding to the chaos is the chance to reignite an old flame. We just can’t wait for the comedy’s second season to make its streaming debut on Feb 20.
The Nowhere Man, STARZ
All the way in Johannesburg, South Africa, is a man that’s fighting for redemption after living a life where violence meant getting paid.
That’s what hooked viewers into producer Naturi Naughton Lewis’ six-part series. Lukas (Bonko Khoza), an ex-mercenary for Special Forces, has to confront his trauma from the life he left behind when he sees a home invasion that he just can’t ignore—one that pulls him into the world of danger he tried to escape in his new humble life as a waste collector. It’s a dynamic and thrilling series that reminds us of how TV is going global to give us the types of stories we didn’t know we needed to see. With episodes dropping on Fridays, we’ll just keep what we do have so far on repeat.
Paradise, Hulu
No matter how safe things appear to be, it’s foolish to ever let your guard down—even in a place like Paradise.
A murder mystery exposes something rotten on the inside of a bunker called Paradise, a place with peace and tranquility in a world where normalcy has completely crumbled. Everything is feeling upside down: Xavier (Sterling K. Brown) gathers the courage to brave the outside world and search for a very important person, and the community in Paradise is fighting for its way of life. It’s a gripping story that leaves us absolutely starstruck when Sterling K. Brown is on screen. There’s no better time for a rewatch before the second season of the Hulu show drops on Feb 23.
