Celebrate Labor Day with These Great Films

(Labor411.org) - If you find yourself at home this Labor Day weekend, we’ve got a great lineup of labor films to check out. Many are not just great films about workers, but great films on their own, with terrific acting, directing, and more. And with movies so easy to watch nowadays with on-demand, these films are just a few clicks away.

9to5: The Story of a Movement (2021) - a documentary about female office workers in '70s Boston inspiring a movement for better pay and opportunities and an end to sexual harassment. Available with PBS Passport)

The Irishman (2020) - any Martin Scorsese film about a union leader (in this case, Jimmy Hoffa) would make our list, even though it blends fact and fiction. It was nominated for 10 Oscars. Available now on Netflix. 

American Factory (2019) – won Oscar for Best Documentary Feature. Available now on Netflix.

Cesar Chavez (2014) - a film about the legendary union activist. Available now on Starz and for rent on Amazon.

Brothers on the Line (2012) - a documentary film about brothers Walter, Roy, and Victor Reuther, former leaders of the United Auto Workers. Available on iTunes.

Bread & Roses (2000) – nominated for Palme D’Or, Cannes Film Festival

Hoffa (1992) – stars Jack Nicholson as Teamsters President Jimmy Hoffa. Earned two Oscar nominations for Cinematography and Makeup. (Available for rent on iTunes)

Roger & Me (1989) – won Best Documentary, National Board of Review. (Available for rent on iTunes).

Matewan (1987) – nominated for Oscar for Best Cinematography

Norma Rae (1979) – won Oscar for Best Actress and Best Original Song, Nominated for Best Picture and Adapted Screenplay

Harlan County, USA (1976) – won Oscar for Best Documentary Feature. Available now on HBO Max.

The Molly Maguires (1970) – a film about Pennsylvania coal miners, starring Sean Connery and Richard Harris. Available on Pluto TV. Available for rent on Amazon Prime and Apple TV.

Salt of the Earth (1954) – selected by the Library of Congress for preservation by the U.S. Natonal Film Registry for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant." Available on Starz, Hulu, and Amazon.

How Green Was My Valley (1941) – a film set in a Welsh mining village focusing on the a family raising coal-mining sons. Available for rent on Amazon.