Maya Angelou - Actor Profile

Maya Angelou

Acting
Updated: Apr 13, 2026
44Total Films
10.0 Highest Rated
Born: Apr 4, 1928
Birth Place: St. Louis, Missouri, USA

About Maya Angelou

Maya Angelou was an American poet, memoirist, and civil rights activist. She published seven autobiographies, three books of essays, several books of poetry, and is credited with a list of plays, movies, and television shows spanning over 50 years. She received dozens of awards and more than 50 honorary degrees.

Known For: ActingIndustry Veteran

Maya Angelou Movies & Career Overview

The filmography of Maya Angelou reflects a career marked by diverse experimentation. Across 44 major appearances, the actor has built a reputation through performances in multiple genres and storytelling styles.

Dominant Genre

A large portion of Maya Angelou's work falls within the Documentary genre, where audiences tend to respond most strongly to their on-screen presence.

Success Ratio

Approximately 30% of Maya Angelou's films maintain ratings above 6.5, indicating a consistent level of audience approval.

One of the most highly rated entries in their career remains Daedalus, which stands out as a key performance.

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Best Maya Angelou Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from Maya Angelou's career based on audience ratings.

★10.0
Daedalus (2024) movie poster
★10.0

Daedalus: "Fly too high and you will burn, go too low and you won't breathe." A 7 day vlog during the summer of 2023, a story of d

Daedalus

2024•Music
★10.0
Malcolm X: Make It Plain (1994) movie poster
★10.0

Malcolm X: Make It Plain: Narrated by actress Alfre Woodard, this trenchant, eye-opening doc traces the radical civil rights leader’s life from hi

Malcolm X: Make It Plain

1994•Documentary
★10.0
Papa Césaire (2009) movie poster
★10.0

Papa Césaire: Shortly after his death in 2008, Maldoror made this film about her longtime friend and collaborator, the Négritude poet

Papa Césaire

2009•Documentary
★8.0
Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise (2016) movie poster
★8.0

Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise: A celebration of Dr. Maya Angelou by weaving her words with rare and intimate archival photographs and videos, which pai

Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise

2016•Documentary
★7.2
Orwell: 2+2=5 (2025) movie poster
★7.2

Orwell: 2+2=5: George Orwell was one of the most visionary authors of the 20th century, whose novels 1984 and Animal Farm foretold a ch

Orwell: 2+2=5

2025•Documentary

Full Filmography

Every movie Maya Angelou has appeared in, with audience ratings and verdicts.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
2025 Orwell: 2+2=5 Self (archive footage) Hit Similar →
2024 Daedalus Sampled Interview (voice) (uncredited) Super Hit Similar →
2024 Maya Angelou at the BBC Self (archive footage) Flop Similar →
2022 Why Is We Americans? Self Flop Similar →
2021 A Song for Cesar: Beware a Movement That Sings Self Flop Similar →
2020 Minha Bateria Está Fraca e Está Ficando Tarde Self Flop Similar →
2018 Becky and the Birds Self (voice) (archive footage) (uncredited) Flop Similar →
2018 Words Are Things Narrator (voice) Flop Similar →
2018 Mr. SOUL! Self (archive footage) Hit Similar →
2016 Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise Self (archive footage) Super Hit Similar →
2015 I Hope You Dance: The Power and Spirit of Song Self Flop Similar →
2014 The Power of the Heart Self Average Similar →
2012 Paul Simon: Under African Skies Self Hit Similar →
2011 On the Shoulders of Giants - Average Similar →
2010 One Night in Vegas Self Average Similar →
2009 Papa Césaire Self Super Hit Similar →
2009 Good Hair Self Hit Similar →
2009 The Black Candle Self - Narrator Average Similar →
2008 Joe Louis: America's Hero Betrayed Self Hit Similar →
2006 Madea's Family Reunion May Average Similar →
2004 Sesame Street: What's the Name of That Song? Self (archive footage) Flop Similar →
2003 Sisters in Cinema Self Flop Similar →
2000 The Runaway Conjure Woman Hit Similar →
1999 The Unfinished Journey Self Average Similar →
1998 Quincy Jones...The First 50 Years Self Flop Similar →
1998 The Enchanted Island Madagascar: The Living Edens Narrator Flop Similar →
1997 Perfect Moment Self Flop Similar →
1996 Sesame Street: Elmo Saves Christmas Narrator (voice) Average Similar →
1996 Get on the Bus Self (archive footage, uncredited) Average Similar →
1996 Angelou on Burns - Flop Similar →
1995 How to Make an American Quilt Anna Average Similar →
1994 Sesame Street | All-Star 25th Birthday: Stars and Street Forever! Self (archive footage) Hit Similar →
1994 Malcolm X: Make It Plain Self Super Hit Similar →
1993 There Are No Children Here Lelia Mae Average Similar →
1993 Sesame Street Jam: A Musical Celebration Self - Special Guest Average Similar →
1993 Poetic Justice Aunt June Hit Similar →
1992 The Real Malcolm X - Flop Similar →
1992 Kindred Spirits: Contemporary African American Artists Anchor Flop Similar →
1989 James Baldwin: The Price of the Ticket Self Flop Similar →
1987 Aimé Césaire: The Mask of Words Self Flop Similar →
1982 Creativity with Bill Moyers: Portrait of Maya Angelou - Flop Similar →
1977 The Richard Pryor Special? Willie's Wife Hit Similar →
1959 Porgy and Bess Dancer Average Similar →
1957 Calypso Heat Wave - Flop Similar →

Maya Angelou - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of Maya Angelou?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Maya Angelou is "Daedalus" with a rating of 10.0/10.

How many movies has Maya Angelou acted in?

Maya Angelou has been featured in at least 44 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by Maya Angelou?

Other notable films include "Malcolm X: Make It Plain", "Papa Césaire", and "Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise".

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