Sort by IMDb Rating - Highest Rated Movies and TV Shows With Maya Angelou
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1. Peace Pilgrim: An American Sage Who Walked Her Talk (2002)
Documentary
A silver haired woman, Mildred Norman, calling herself "Peace Pilgrim," walked more than 25,000 miles, from 1953 to 1981, on a personal pilgrimage for peace. She vowed to "remain a wanderer... See full synopsis »
Stars: Maya Angelou, The Dalai Lama, Jerry Jampolsky, Elisabeth Kübler-Ross
Votes: 9
2. Sesame Street: Get Up and Dance (1997)
Not Rated | 30 min | Short, Family, Musical
When it's your teddy bear's birthday, you want to celebrate in style! That's why Big Bird is throwing a dance party for Radar. Everyone's getting into the act, and they're doing all their ... See full summary »
Directors: John Ferraro, Mustapha Khan, Ted May, Jon Stone | Stars: Caroll Spinney, Bruce Connelly, Martin P. Robinson, David Rudman
Votes: 103
3.
Iconoclasts (2005–2012)
Episode:
Dave Chappelle & Maya Angelou
(2006)
TV-14 | 46 min | Documentary
Provocative comedian Dave Chappelle and renowned poet Maya Angelou discuss how poetry and comedy can bridge both genders and generations.
Director: Joe Berlinger | Stars: Maya Angelou, Dave Chappelle
Votes: 62
4. Phenomenal Woman (2001)
Short, Comedy, Drama
This film is about a regular message board poster and her experiences on a popular international internet message board. It is a comedy filled with drama, a virtual dramedy. Set inside the ... See full synopsis »
Director: Mitchell Ness | Star: Maya Angelou
Votes: 31
5.
Great Performances (1971– )
Episode:
Porgy and Bess: An American Voice
(1998)
TV-G | Music, Musical
A documentary detailing the history of Gershwin's opera and DuBose Heyward's original novel "Porgy", and the impact it has had on its casts and audiences as well as U.S. black culture in ... See full summary »
Director: Nigel Noble | Stars: Ruby Dee, Christopher Jones, Maya Angelou, Jonathan Brody
Votes: 24
6. 30 for 30 (2009– )
TV-G | 60 min | Documentary, Biography, History
A collection of documentary films focused on sports.
Stars: Brent Musburger, Chuck D, Larry Bird, William C. Rhoden
Votes: 5,589
7. American Experience (1987– )
TV-PG | 120 min | Documentary, Biography, History
A series showcasing documentaries on American history.
Stars: David McCullough, David Ogden Stiers, Michael Murphy, Oliver Platt
Votes: 2,218
8. The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962–1992)
TV-14 | 105 min | Comedy, Talk-Show
Host Johnny Carson performs comedy routines and chats with various celebrities.
Stars: Johnny Carson, Ed McMahon, Doc Severinsen, Skitch Henderson
Votes: 4,268
9. Bicentennial Minutes (1974– )
1 min | Short, History
Minute-long "on this day in history" shorts, used a countdown to America's bicentennial.
Stars: Walter Cronkite, Cleveland Amory, Edward Asner, Roddy McDowall
Votes: 51
10. Roots (1977)
TV-14 | 74 min | Biography, Drama, History
A dramatization of author Alex Haley's family line from ancestor Kunta Kinte's enslavement to his descendants' liberation.
Stars: LeVar Burton, Robert Reed, John Amos, Louis Gossett Jr.
Votes: 18,996
11. Reading Rainbow (1983–2006)
TV-Y | 30 min | Animation, Comedy, Drama
Levar Burton introduces young viewers to illustrated readings of children's literature and explores their related subjects.
Stars: LeVar Burton, Jennifer Betit Yen, Arnold Stang, Fred Newman
Votes: 5,180
12.
The Living Edens (1997– )
Episode:
Madagascar: A World Apart
(1998)
Not Rated | Documentary
In the dawn light, mist caresses the forested mountains of an alien world. A strange shape appears in the trees -- a furry creature looking like something from the pages of a Dr. Suess book... See full summary »
Director: Andrew Young | Star: Maya Angelou
Votes: 9
13.
We're Here (2020– )
Episode:
Farmington, New Mexico
(2020)
TV-MA | 56 min | Reality-TV
The queens' journey to help the residents of Farmington and Shiprock, New Mexico. They enlist: Nate, a gay, indigenous photographer; Nicole, public defender and local LGBTQ activist; and Stacey and Jasmine, a mourning mother-daughter duo.
Director: Johnnie Ingram | Stars: Caldwell Tidicue, Eureka D. Huggard, D.J. 'Shangela' Pierce, Tyler Devlin
Votes: 140
14. We're Here (2020– )
TV-MA | 60 min | Reality-TV
A trio of drag queens descend upon various American towns and cities to inspire and teach their own "drag daughters" to step outside their comfort zone for a night of no-holds-barred full-on drag.
Stars: Caldwell Tidicue, Eureka D. Huggard, D.J. 'Shangela' Pierce, Tyler Devlin
Votes: 2,969
15. The Living Edens (1997– )
Not Rated | Documentary
A nature documentary series exploring Earth's most pristine and diverse ecosystems, showcasing their beauty and wildlife.
Stars: Sally Kellerman, Linda Hunt, Peter Coyote, James Coburn
Votes: 62
16.
Roots (1977)
Episode:
Part I
(1977)
TV-14 | 97 min | Biography, Drama, History
In 1750, in Gambia, West Africa, Kunta Kinte, son of Omoro and Binta, distinguishes himself among his tribesmen in manhood training rituals. But he does not enjoy his new status long: slave... See full summary »
Director: David Greene | Stars: Edward Asner, O.J. Simpson, Ralph Waite, Maya Angelou
Votes: 420
17. American Masters (1985– )
TV-14 | 90 min | Documentary, Biography, History
Documentary series focusing on great American artists and personalities.
Stars: Martin Scorsese, Peter Bogdanovich, Tony Bennett, Dick Cavett
Votes: 1,178
18. Sesame Street (1969– )
TV-Y | 55 min | Animation, Adventure, Family
On a special inner city street, the inhabitants, human and muppet, teach preschool subjects with comedy, cartoons, games, and songs.
Stars: Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Caroll Spinney, Jerry Nelson
Votes: 15,467
19. Creativity with Bill Moyers (1982– )
30 min | Documentary
Journalist Bill Moyers examines various forms of creative expression by interviewing noted artists and performers regarding their influences and inspiration, and looking at unusual outlets for the creative impulse.
Stars: Carroll O'Connor, Norman Lear, Bonnie Franklin, Bill Moyers
Votes: 27
20.
American Masters (1985– )
Episode:
James Baldwin: The Price of the Ticket
(1989)
TV-14 | 87 min | Documentary, Biography, History
Profiles the life and work of author/civil rights activist, James Baldwin.
Director: Karen Thorsen | Stars: James Baldwin, Maya Angelou, Amiri Baraka, Frances Foster
Votes: 227
21.
African American Lives (2006–2008)
Episode:
We Come from People
(2008)
TV-PG | 56 min | Documentary, History
Episode three reveals stories of participants' ancestors during the early years of the United States, including a riveting account of life in slavery by Morgan Freeman's great-grandmother, ... See full summary »
Director: Jesse Sweet | Stars: Maya Angelou, Bliss Broyard, Don Cheadle, Morgan Freeman
Votes: 6
22.
Oprah's Master Class (2011–2018)
Episode:
Maya Angelou
(2011)
Documentary
Director: Joe Berlinger | Stars: Oprah Winfrey, Maya Angelou
Votes: 13
23. Great Performances (1971– )
TV-G | 180 min | Music, Musical
Filmed and televised versions of theater productions, such as plays, musicals, operas, ballets, and concerts from around the world.
Stars: Scott Yoo, Julie Andrews, Renée Fleming, Plácido Domingo
Votes: 898
24.
Touched by an Angel (1994–2003)
Episode:
Reunion
(1995)
TV-PG | 47 min | Drama, Family, Fantasy
The angels must help a man and a woman connect with his mother when the man wants to marry the woman. The woman is HIV positive, and the mother is not happy about the prospect.
Director: Victor Lobl | Stars: Roma Downey, Della Reese, Natalie Cole, Michael Beach
Votes: 72
25. Sister, Sister (1982 TV Movie)
98 min | Drama, Family
Maya Angelou's story of the family stresses that occur when an older sister (Diahann Carroll) attempts to maintain a home, left by her revered father, in an ultra-moralistic way (regardless... See full summary »
Director: John Berry | Stars: Diahann Carroll, Rosalind Cash, Irene Cara, Paul Winfield
Votes: 204
26. African American Lives (2006–2008)
TV-PG | 54 min | Documentary, History
This 4 part PBS series attempts to trace the roots of 8 guests using genealogy, oral history, family stories, and DNA analysis.
Stars: Henry Louis Gates Jr., Whoopi Goldberg, Chris Tucker, Oprah Winfrey
Votes: 161
27. The Great Depression (1993– )
Documentary, History
Stars: Joe Morton, Gore Vidal, Ossie Davis, Maya Angelou
Votes: 37
28. Michael Feinstein's American Songbook (2010– )
TV-G | 180 min | Documentary, Music
In "Show Tunes", Feinstein explores songs from Broadway. In "Let's Dance", he examines the connection between music and choreography and in "On the Air" he examines the impact radio had on popular culture in the 20th century.
Stars: Michael Feinstein, Terrence Flannery, Christine Ebersole, Rose Marie
Votes: 25
29. Arthur Ashe: Citizen of the World (1994 TV Movie)
59 min | Documentary, Biography, Sport
A celebratory tribute to the late African-American tennis great Arthur Ashe. Narrated by Ossie Davis, the 50-minute program takes an in-depth look at Ashe's personal and professional battles, including his struggle with AIDS and racism.
Director: Julie Anderson | Stars: Maya Angelou, Arthur Ashe, Donald Bell, Dot Cunningham
Votes: 16
30.
Reputations (1994–2002)
Episode:
Billie Holiday: Sensational Lady
(2001)
57 min | Documentary
Director: David F. Turnbull | Stars: Bill Paterson, Phil Nice, Billie Holiday, Donald Clarke
Votes: 14
31.
Sesame Street (1969– )
Episode:
Dancing on sesame Street
(2000)
TV-Y | 55 min | Animation, Adventure, Family
Big Bird tries to help Elmo find a far-out dance for the Sesame Street dance party.
Director: Emily Squires | Stars: Maya Angelou, Alison Bartlett, Linda Bove, Garth Brooks
Votes: 25
32. Biography (1987– )
TV-14 | 60 min | Documentary, Biography, History
The life stories of various historical figures and celebrities are told.
Stars: Jack Perkins, Peter Graves, Harry Smith, Robert J. Thompson
Votes: 2,098
33. Sesame Street Jam: A Musical Celebration (1993 TV Movie)
Not Rated | 56 min | Family, Music
Everyone's invited as Sesame Street celebrates its 25th birthday! The whole family will want to sing along with this special hour-long collection of favorite Sesame Street songs.
Directors: Mustapha Khan, Jon Stone, Ted May, Lisa Simon | Stars: Caroll Spinney, Martin P. Robinson, Fran Brill, Jerry Nelson
Votes: 91
34. Under African Skies (2012)
Not Rated | 108 min | Documentary, Biography, History
Paul Simon returns to South Africa to explore the journey of his Graceland album, including the political backlash he received for allegedly breaking the UN cultural boycott of South Africa designed to end the Apartheid regime.
Director: Joe Berlinger | Stars: Paul Simon, Maya Angelou, Okeyrema Asante, Harry Belafonte
Votes: 544
35. Iconoclasts (2005–2012)
TV-14 | 55 min | Documentary
Each episode explores the lives of two creative visionaries in an intimate setting and features an unpredictable exchange that reveals their life's work and the alchemy of their different fields.
Stars: James Franco, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Christy Turlington, Marina Abramovic
Votes: 220
36.
Sesame Street (1969– )
Episode:
Rosita Takes Pictures with Her Camera
(1999)
TV-G | 55 min | Animation, Adventure, Family
When Goldilocks Takes over Jack Horner and Little Miss Muffet's nursery rhymes, they tell her how it makes them feel. Celebrity guest Norah Jones.
Stars: Maya Angelou, Lou Attia, Fran Brill, Joey Mazzarino
Votes: 23
37.
Biography (1987– )
Episode:
Phyllis Diller
(2000)
TV-14 | Documentary, Biography, History
Stars: Steve Allen, Maya Angelou, Joy Behar, Perry Diller
Votes: 82
38. Intimate Portrait (1990–2005)
TV-14 | 60 min | Documentary, Biography
Find out more about the women you love and admire who have made their mark in movies, music, politics, sports, and more in these "Intimate Portraits."
Stars: Linda Emond, Laurent Lederer, Lisa Friedman, Meredith Vieira
Votes: 420
39. The Gregory Hines Show (1997–1999)
TV-PG | 30 min | Comedy
An American television sitcom starring Gregory Hines as a publishing agent and widower, who's dedicated to raising his 12-year old son Matty (Brandon Hammond) along with returning to the ... See full summary »
Stars: Gregory Hines, Wendell Pierce, Robin Riker, Brandon Hammond
Votes: 96
40. The Directors (1997–2008)
60 min | Documentary, Biography
A documentary series focusing on some of cinema's greatest film directors.
Stars: Harrison Ford, Dave Mann, Tom Hanks, Rod Steiger
Votes: 243
41. Sammy and Company (1975–1977)
Unrated | 90 min | Comedy, Music
Sammy and Company was a variety and talk-show program hosted by the American singer, dancer, and comedian Sammy Davis Jr. from 1975 to 1977.
Stars: Sammy Davis Jr., William B. Williams, George Rhodes, Lola Falana
Votes: 32
42.
American Experience (1987– )
Episode:
Malcolm X: Make It Plain
(1994)
TV-PG | 150 min | Documentary, Biography, History
Director: Orlando Bagwell | Stars: Alfre Woodard, Sharon 10X, Benjamin 2X, Mohmaed Al-Faysal
Votes: 150
43. Charlie Rose (1991–2017)
60 min | News, Talk-Show
Charlie Rose interviews noteworthy people in fields including politics and government, business and economics, science and technology, media, sports and the arts.
Stars: Charlie Rose, Mark Halperin, Al Hunt, Thomas Friedman
Votes: 1,173
44. Good Afternoon! (1971–1984)
30 min | Talk-Show
Also known as "A Plus", this show featured a mix of news, current affairs, and entertainment segments.
Stars: Mavis Nicholson, Jasmine Bligh, Mary Berry, Judith Chalmers
Votes: 10
45. Joe Louis: America's Hero... Betrayed (2008 TV Movie)
75 min | Documentary, Biography, Sport
An American story. Traces the career of Joe Louis (1914-1981) within the context of American racial consciousness: his difficulty getting big fights early in his career, the pride of ... See full summary »
Stars: Joe Louis, Joe Louis Barrow Jr., Randy Roberts, Dick Gregory
Votes: 151
46. Sisters in Cinema (2003)
57 min | Documentary
Director: Yvonne Welbon | Stars: Stephanie Allain, Madeline Anderson, Maya Angelou, Neema Barnette
Votes: 34
47.
Moesha (1996–2001)
Episode:
Fired Up
(1999)
TV-PG | 21 min | Comedy, Drama, Family
In her new job, Moesha manages to set up an interview with Dr. Maya Angelou and convinces Niecy to be her secretary. Dr. Angelou gives Moesha some advice on going back to college. Later Joe discovers Moesha's deception.
Director: Henry Chan | Stars: Brandy Norwood, William Allen Young, Lamont Bentley, Marcus T. Paulk
Votes: 29
48. The Richard Pryor Special? (1977 TV Special)
60 min | Comedy
Richard Pryor wanders around the NBC Studio, encountering various eccentrics. Meanwhile, the Reverend James L. White, the Ugandan dictator Idi Amin Dada and others are taping their own segments.
Director: John Moffitt | Stars: Richard Pryor, Maya Angelou, Shirley Hemphill, LaWanda Page
Votes: 86
49. Face to Face (1994–1998)
45 min | Talk-Show
Stars: Jeremy Isaacs, Steven Spielberg, Billy Connolly, Ken Loach
Votes: 15
50.
American Masters (1985– )
Episode:
Quincy Jones: In the Pocket
(2001)
TV-14 | 90 min | Documentary, Biography, History
Quincy Jones is an American record producer, multi-instrumentalist, singer, and film producer. His career spans over 60 yrs in the entertainment industry with 80 Grammy Award nominations, 28 Grammys, and a Grammy Legend Award in 1992.
Director: Michael Kantor | Stars: Maya Angelou, Bill Clinton, Peggy Lipton, Sidney Poitier
Votes: 85