April 6, 2026
IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT (1967) – AFI Movie Club
Starring AFI Life Achievement Award honoree Sidney Poitier and appearing on the American Film Institute’s list of the greatest movies of all time, IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT (1967) is counted as one the art form’s most inspiring narratives, with Poitier’s Virgil Tibbs included among AFI’s greatest screen heroes, one whose defiant declaration –...
February 13, 2026
LILIES OF THE FIELD (1963) – AFI Movie Club
An uplifting film centered on dignity, discipline, generosity and faith, LILIES OF THE FIELD (1963) stars AFI Life Achievement Award honoree Sidney Poitier in a landmark Oscar®-winning role. The film is ranked #46 on AFI’s 100 YEARS…100 CHEERS list of American film’s most inspiring stories. Visit the AFI Catalog to learn more about LILIES OF...
July 19, 2025
BUCK AND THE PREACHER (1972) – AFI Movie Club
Starring AFI Life Achievement Award honoree and founding American Film Institute Vice-Chair Sidney Poitier opposite Harry Belafonte and Ruby Dee, BUCK AND THE PREACHER (1972) also marked the screen legend’s celebrated directorial debut. Visit the AFI Catalog to learn more about BUCK AND THE PREACHER. Where to stream BUCK AND THE PREACHER BUCK AND THE...
April 7, 2025
A PATCH OF BLUE (1965) – AFI Movie Club
Based on Elizabeth Kata’s 1961 novel “Be Ready with Bells and Drums,” Guy Green’s A PATCH OF BLUE (1965) is a story of color-blind love defying adversity – featuring the timeless talents of the legendary Sidney Poitier – who, in addition to having earned an AFI Life Achievement Award, was among the luminaries to inform...
March 3, 2025
A RAISIN IN THE SUN (1961) – AFI Movie Club
Adapted by Lorraine Hansberry from her stage play of the same name and named by AFI among most inspiring films of all time, A RAISIN IN THE SUN (1961) chronicles the quintessentially American story of a struggling family combatting broken and deferred dreams. Directed by Daniel Petrie – who served as deputy Chair of the...
December 5, 2023
TO SIR, WITH LOVE (1967) – AFI Movie Club
The story of an idealistic teacher in London, TO SIR, WITH LOVE (1967) stars AFI Life Achievement Award honoree Sidney Poitier opposite an ensemble of young actors. In the same year as the release of the film (along with GUESS WHO’S COMING TO DINNER and IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT) Poitier also became the...
May 14, 2023
SNEAKERS (1992) – AFI Movie Club
From director Phil Alden Robinson, SNEAKERS (1992) features an all-star cast that includes Robert Redford, AFI Life Achievement Award honoree Sidney Poitier, Ben Kingsley, Mary McDonnell, River Phoenix, David Strathairn and Dan Aykroyd as “Mother.” Visit the AFI Catalog to learn more about SNEAKERS. Have Get The Picture delivered to your inbox every day. SIGN...
October 4, 2022
STIR CRAZY (1980) – AFI Movie Club
STIR CRAZY (1980) was directed by AFI Life Achievement Award honoree and American Film Institute founding co-chairman Sidney Poitier, who broke new ground with this picture by helming the first movie by a Black director to gross over $100 million. STIR CRAZY was also the first film directed by Poitier in which he did not play a starring role, and...
June 9, 2022
IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT (1967) – AFI Movie Club
Starring AFI Life Achievement Award honoree Sidney Poitier and appearing on the American Film Institute’s list of the greatest movies of all time, IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT (1967) is counted as one the art form’s most inspiring narratives, with Poitier’s Virgil Tibbs included among AFI’s greatest screen heroes, one whose defiant declaration –...
January 15, 2022
AFI Movie Club Tribute to Sidney Poitier: GUESS WHO’S COMING TO DINNER
GUESS WHO’S COMING TO DINNER was released the year AFI was established and features the talent of AFI Life Achievement Award winner Sidney Poitier – who served as a founding Trustee. The film is also on three AFI lists of the greatest American films of all time, including 100 Years… 100 Movies, 100 Years… 100...
January 14, 2022
AFI Movie Club Tribute to Sidney Poitier: THE DEFIANT ONES
THE DEFIANT ONES was included on AFI’s 100 YEARS... 100 CHEERS list of the most inspiring films ever to grace the silver screen – and star Sidney Poitier received the AFI Life Achievement Award in 1992. HOW TO WATCH Where to stream THE DEFIANT ONES THE DEFIANT ONES - Reelgood GET THE LATEST FROM AFI MOVIE CLUB...
January 12, 2022
AFI Movie Club Tribute to Sidney Poitier: STIR CRAZY
STIR CRAZY was directed by AFI Life Achievement Award honoree and former co-chairman of the AFI Board of Trustees Sidney Poitier, who broke new ground with this picture by helming the first movie by a Black director to gross over $100 million. STIR CRAZY was also the first film directed by Poitier in which he did not play a starring role,...
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