I Am Not Your Negro

Play trailer

2:00

I Am Not Your Negro

PG-13

2017

1h 33m

Documentary

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

99%

Tomatometer

210 Reviews

83%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

In 1979, James Baldwin wrote a letter to his literary agent describing his next project, "Remember This House." The book was to be a revolutionary, personal account of the lives and assassinations of three of his close friends: Medgar Evers, Malcolm X and Martin Luther King, Jr. At the time of Baldwin's death in 1987, he left behind only 30 completed pages of this manuscript. Filmmaker Raoul Peck envisions the book James Baldwin never finished.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

I Am Not Your Negro offers an incendiary snapshot of James Baldwin's crucial observations on American race relations -- and a sobering reminder of how far we've yet to go.

Read Critics Reviews

Amelia Ayrelan Iuvino

Bitch Media

02/18/2021

It's an undeniably excellent film and a much-needed tribute to both Baldwin and the racial politics of the 1960s and ʼ70s... The only shortcoming of Peck's film is its almost complete erasure of Baldwin's homosexuality.

Go to Full Review

Linda Marric

The London Economic

07/31/2020

5/5

Its themes are as important today as they were yesterday, especially in the current climate of radical right-wing ideas and racist sentiment sweeping Trump's America.

Go to Full Review

Bilge Ebiri

Spirituality & Health

03/23/2020

Baldwin's fury and his despair come through in vivid fashion, making this film not just an important social document, but an essential work of art.

Go to Full Review

Don Shanahan

Every Movie Has a Lesson

09/04/2023

5/5

This outstanding and informative film presents Baldwin’s musings alongside sobering imagery of both the turbulent history of the era and parallel occurrences of modern racial unrest that echo the same violence, inequality, anger, and sorrow.

Go to Full Review

Erick Estrada

Cinegarage

05/16/2023

I Am Not Your Negro avoids gratuitous lamentation both in form and substance. [Full review in Spanish]

Go to Full Review

Michael Cuby

them.

10/03/2022

Though it may limit discussion of Baldwin’s sexuality to a singular passing reference, the 2017 documentary still offers an essential and compelling peek into one of our nation’s most impressive minds.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Patricia

06/20/2023

James Baldwin very thoughtfully and powerfully described what life means for him as a black person in the United States.

See more

Amulet17

08/21/2022

This is a powerful and articulate film that will stir the heart of anyone with a passion for social justice. Its raw and if you are open its likely to pierce your conscience or make you more conscious or both. Yay for James Baldwin

See more

Stephen C

@bob25009 Apr 21

Rated PG-13 for Disturbing Violent Images, Brief Nudity, Language and Thematic Material.

See more

Karen C

@jaysherman472 Dec 26

A powerful documentary.

See more

David K

@RT61474040 06/27/2025

I kept this film in the queue for months not wanting to watch another documentary about a period in American history I remember all too well. But, as is YouTube TV's design, it was going away the next day. At first, it seemed like another retread, but as I watched, the elegance of Mr. Baldwin's words took it (and me) to another place. Simply one of the best.

See more

S R

@ScottR 05/22/2025

I saw it since it was on the NYT 1000 movies list. I learned about some personal insights into the civil rights movement and Wallace's stories. However, it was very depressing. The optimism was not there for what the future held. Then to throw in all the 21st century shootings and beatings did not paint a pretty picture. I do not plan to see it again. SLC DVD.

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

Raoul Peck

Director

Samuel L. Jackson

Narrator

James Baldwin

Writer

Rémi Grellety

Producer

Raoul Peck

Producer

Hébert Peck

Producer

The Gospel According to André

87%

77%

The Gospel According to André

Watchlist

Hitchcock/Truffaut

96%

77%

Hitchcock/Truffaut

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Hitchcock/Truffaut

Trumbo

84%

78%

Trumbo

Watchlist

Salinger

39%

52%

Salinger

Watchlist

Lo and Behold, Reveries of the Connected World

92%

68%

Lo and Behold, Reveries of the Connected World

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Lo and Behold, Reveries of the Connected World

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

I Am Not Your Negro: Trailer 1

2:00

I Am Not Your Negro: Teaser Trailer 1

1:04

View more videos

View more photos

Synopsis

In 1979, James Baldwin wrote a letter to his literary agent describing his next project, "Remember This House." The book was to be a revolutionary, personal account of the lives and assassinations of three of his close friends: Medgar Evers, Malcolm X and Martin Luther King, Jr. At the time of Baldwin's death in 1987, he left behind only 30 completed pages of this manuscript. Filmmaker Raoul Peck envisions the book James Baldwin never finished.

Director: Raoul Peck
Producer: Rémi Grellety, Raoul Peck, Hébert Peck
Screenwriter: James Baldwin
Distributor: Magnolia Pictures, Amazon Studios
Production Co: RTS - Radio Télévision Suisse, Velvet Film, Artemis Productions, Arte France, RTBF, Close Up Films
Rating: PG-13 (Disturbing Violent Images|Brief Nudity|Language|Thematic Material)
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 3, 2017, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): May 2, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $7.1M
Runtime: 1h 33m
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)