All 17 Movies & TV Shows Produced By Barack & Michelle Obama (Including Leave The World Behind)

Summary

• After leaving office, Barack Obama has focused on his production company with wife Michelle.
• The production company, called Higher Ground, was founded in 2018.
• The power couple have now created 17 projects in TV and movies.

Over the past few years, Barack and Michelle Obama transitioned from political powerhouses to influential figures in entertainment through their production company, Higher Ground, which has already released 17 projects. Founded in 2018, Higher Ground was created with the mission of entertaining, informing, and inspiring audiences of all ages. It also has a central focus on elevating new and diverse voices within the entertainment space, evident through each of its projects. Each movie and television show from the studio feels intentional with its characters and storylines, as they all demonstrate a profound dedication to fostering empathy, understanding, and social change.

What further sets Higher Ground apart is how its filmography spans numerous genres and themes, which is a clear reflection of the Obamas’ stated commitment to a broad and inclusive range of stories. The company’s lineup includes everything from powerful documentaries that shed light on the most pressing societal issues to children’s shows designed to inspire a new generation of audiences. As the company continues to produce powerful pieces of entertainment, it becomes more and more clear that Higher Ground is not just a post-presidential pastime, but rather a deliberate and impactful endeavor.

All of Higher Ground’s productions are available to stream on Netflix.

17 American Symphony (2023)

A Documentary About A Musician’s Work And Personal Struggles

Released in November 2023, American Symphony is a beautiful documentary about musician Jon Batiste in the process of composing a symphony. His life is sent in an unexpected direction, though, when he discovers that his life partner, author Suleika Jaouad, has been rediagnosed with cancer. The film masterfully weaves the two artists’ stories together and portrays a breathtaking example of true love. It offers a unique look at both aspects of the story with an intimate gaze into the relationship and its challenges.

The movie was part of Higher Ground’s first look deal with Netflix. Barack Obama has also used the movie and its story as a way to encourage people to give blood which can help with health situations like the one Jaouad faces (via Facebook). The movie won several festival awards and was nominated for an Oscar for Best Original Song, “It Never Went Away”, which Batiste made with Dan Wilson. In speaking of the movie, the Obamas said (via THR):

Jon and Suleika’s journey of grace and strength echoes the experience of so many families who are forced to navigate the complications that surface when dreams meet adversity.

16 Leave The World Behind (2023)

Two Families Collide Amid A Mysterious Attack

A thrilling drama, Leave the World Behind is one of Higher Ground’s most successful projects thus far. It came out in November 2023 and debuted as Number 1 on Netflix’s global charts. The film is based on Rumaan Alam’s 2020 novel of the same name and stars Ethan Hawke and Julia Roberts as a big-city couple who decide to have a weekend getaway at an isolated rental. However, the owner of the property (Mahershala Ali) arrives in the night looking to take refuge and claiming that there is a catastrophic event taking place in the outside world.

Barack Obama played an important role in Leave the World Behind, as he provided key notes on the script and character and utilized his presidential experience to correct the more unrealistic aspects. He is a self-proclaimed lover of the original text, and his passion for the work shines through the final product. Leave the World Behind went on to become one of Netflix’s most-watched movies of all time.

Denzel Washington originally signed on for Mahershala Ali’s role.

15 Rustin (2023)

A Biopic About An Openly Gay Civil Rights Hero

Rustin was released on Netflix in November 2023 and is an informative biopic about Bayard Rustin, who was the advisor to Martin Luther King Jr. He was extremely important and influential in the quest for racial equality and human rights, but his contributions were unfairly erased from the civil rights movement because he was an openly gay black man. The movie explores his struggles as an outsider while never allowing that to prevent him in his mission for the movement.

Actor Colman Domingo earned an Oscar nomination in the lead role while the supporting cast around him includes Chris Rock, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, and Jeffrey Wright. Along with producing the movie, the Obamas share a real-life connection to the legacy of the protagonist of the story. In 2013, President Obama posthumously awarded Rustin with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The former president shared his reasoning for producing the movie and why they felt the story had so much meaning now (via CBS):

“This reminds us that the fight for justice is typically not just about one group of people or another group of people. It’s often in tandem. We have to figure out how do we lift up
all
people?”

14 Working: What We Do All Day (2023)

A Docuseries About American Workers

Working: What We Do All Day is an interesting docuseries that explores what working looks like for modern Americans, particularly in a time of rapid change. It was released in May 2023 and follows Barack Obama visiting people in their homes and their workplaces to learn more about their lives. While the Obamas’ producing career thus far has found them mostly sticking behind the scenes and simply supporting the projects in their own ways, this was one of the rare instances in which Barack Obama’s legacy was used specifically for a Higher Ground project.

What really makes the series riveting is that not only does it star the former President, but it explores people from all walks of life. He speaks with people of all levels, from service jobs all the way to the executive suite. It’s also based on a book by Studs Terkel, which happens to be one of Barack Obama’s favorite pieces of work.

13 The Light We Carry: Michelle Obama And Oprah Winfrey (2023)

An In-Depth Conversation About Michelle Obama’s Life

Michelle Obama and Oprah Winfrey are two of the most influential women in modern history, and The Light We Carry gives audiences the rare opportunity to see them connect in a meaningful conversation. The 90-minute special, which came out in April 2023, has Michelle Obama detailing the challenges and life lessons that ultimately shaped her bestselling second novel. The main message of the special is that the light one carries within oneself isn’t dependent on anyone else, and it is expertly woven throughout each and every story Obama vulnerably shares.

The Netflix special is one of the more straightforward and smaller projects High Ground has produced, delivering a conversation between two people that is not flashy or over-produced. It just so happens that the conversation is between two intelligent and insightful people who have a lot of perspectives to share about the world. There are surprising moments, funny moments, and thought-provoking moments that make it a compelling watch.

12 Descendant (2022)

A Documentary About Ancestors Of Slaves

Barack Obama made history as the first Black president of the United States and a lot of High Ground’s productions speak to the legacy and history of Black people in America. A documentary released on Netflix in 2022, Descendant, details the lives of the descendants of the survivors of enslaved Africans who were transported on the last known slave ship that arrived in Alabama in 1860. It follows the descendants’ quest to find the ship, seek justice, and heal from the generational trauma of the atrocities their ancestors faced.

The documentary is one of Higher Ground’s most impactful and meaningful projects so far and it has been critically acclaimed. It first premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2021 and won a Special Jury Award for Creative Vision, and also won Best Documentary Feature at the Sidewalk Film Festival. Michelle Obama specifically discussed the idea of storytelling in the Black community as being one of the central themes that drew them to the project (via Variety):

“We have to tell our stories to our younger folks. We have to be the ones, we cannot follow that tradition of keeping our pain silent, because what this film shows us is our stories are the power that makes us seen.”

11 Waffles + Mochi’s Restaurant (2022)

A Children’s Show About Healthy Eating

Those who are familiar with Michelle Obama know that she is extremely passionate about healthy eating habits for children. Therefore, it makes perfect sense that one of Higher Ground’s shows is one directed toward children and focuses on cooking. Waffles + Mochi‘s Restaurant debuted on Netflix in 2022 and follows two puppets named Waffles and Mochi who open up their own restaurant. They serve up yummy dishes inspired by the ingredients they’ve learned about in their travels.

Michelle Obama makes appearances throughout the adorable and educational show which is great for young audiences. It is interesting to see how a project like Waffles + Mochi, despite seeming like a typical kids puppet show, speaks to the Obamas’ transition from the political world to the entertainment world. Michelle Obama made this subject a key part of her time as First Lady and she brought that passion over to her role as a producer.

10 The G Word With Adam Conover (2022)

A Docuseries Combining Comedy With A Look A Government

The G Word with Adam Conover is a unique hybrid comedy documentary that is designed to pull back the curtain on how the US government impacts its residents’ daily lives. The limited series premiered in May 2022 and provides an honest look at the government’s triumphs, failures, and future opportunities, which is made more interesting by the fact that it comes from the studio run by the former First Family. Episodes explore everything from money to disease to the weather.

According to Tudum, Higher Ground optioned the book, The Fifth Risk by Michael Lewis, and wanted Conover to pitch a take on it in the form of a comedy show about the U.S. government. Conover shared that they didn’t give him any more direction, but after the studio bought onto the project, Barack Obama gave his thoughts on the scripts.

He also explained that from the get-go, he wanted to make it clear that the show was not the former president’s perspective, but instead was just his own. This led him to not take all of his notes and be willing to push back on certain aspects of them with his own team’s research.

Adam Conover is also known for his show
Adam Ruins Everything
.

9 Our Great National Parks (2022)

Barack Obama Narrates His Nature Documentary

It’s clear that Higher Ground does not restrict itself to just one genre of content. The production company put out a natural history docuseries in 2022 called Our Great National Parks that takes viewers to some of the most spectacular wild spaces on Earth and highlights the awe-inspiring species that live there. The central message of the show is about protecting the world’s wilderness and making it accessible to everyone.

The six-part show offers a compelling exploration of how these preserved spaces can exist alongside heavily populated areas. The former president narrates the show, making it one of the projects that the Obama family was most involved in. Barack Obama even won a Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Award for Outstanding Narrator. He has been praised for his calming delivery and witty contributions to the show.

8 Ada Twist, Scientist (2021-2023)

An Educational Animated Show About A Young Scientist

While Higher Ground has certainly created a number of projects aimed towards adults, a main focus of their content is aimed at educating children. Ada Twist, Scientist, for example, was released in 2021 and is about a young scientist named Ada Twist. Twist and her two best friends set out on adventures to find the answers to big questions they have about the world around them. The show is based on a children’s book series of the same name that is designed to provide representation for young Black girls and inspire curiosity in its audience.

The series has also been noted for its representation of science as a notable and informed pursuit as well as its inclusion of LGBTQ+ characters, both aspects of the show that reflect the Obamas’ political stances. The show an Annie Award for Best Animated Television/Broadcast Production for Preschool Children and a Children’s and Family Emmy Awards award for Outstanding Preschool Animated Series.

7 Worth (2021)

A Drama Based On The Real Fight For 9/11 Victims

With a former President of the United States serving as a high-profile Hollywood producer, it allows for some fascinating instances of Barack Obama producing movies that speak to key moments in American history. The 2021 film, Worth, is an eye-opening film about a lawyer named Kenneth Feinberg in Washington, D.C. In the aftermath of 9/11, he is faced with the unimaginable task of trying to put a dollar value on the lives lost in order to help the victims.

Worth is based on a true story, as well as a book called What is Life Worth? The movie is a somber one but is definitely worth the watch, as it provides a lesser-known perspective and story from the time of the horrific events. It stars Michael Keaton, Stanley Tucci, and Amy Ryan. The movie premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2020 where it was then picked up by Higher Ground rather than being one of the movies the production company developed itself.

6 We The People (2021)

An Animated Series That Teaches Lessons Through Music

2021’s We the People is one of Higher Ground’s most unique projects, as it teaches its audience about the basics of rights and citizenship through upbeat songs. A number of popular artists, including Janelle Monáe, H.E.R., Adam Lambert, and Brandi Carlile, participated in the project and helped to bring the informative songs to life.

It was executive produced by both Barack and Michelle Obama, along with Kenya Barris. Barris is best known for creating hit shows like Black-ish, Grown-ish, and Mixed-ish, and he brings his signature creative skill to the show which makes it a fun and educational watch for the whole family. Along with sharing his love of movies and television, Barack Obama has often released end-of-the-year lists of his favorite music so it is not surprising that some of their High Ground productions have gotten into the power of music.

5 Fatherhood (2021)

A Widower Struggles Raising His Daughter

While it might be surprising to see Barack Obama producing a Kevin Hart movie, this is a much more intimate story than Hart’s previous work. Released in 2021, Fatherhood boasts an impressive cast led by Hart and is a heartbreaking, yet uplifting, story of a father whose wife dies the day after she gives birth. He must now navigate new fatherhood and all of the doubt and fear that comes with it by himself while trying to mend his own broken heart. Although heavy in subject, the movie finds ways to weave in classic Kevin Hart humor throughout.

The film is based on Matthew Logelin’s 2011 memoir, Two Kisses for Maddy: A Memoir of Loss and Love, and was actually in development for years prior. It was originally set to star Channing Tatum until Hart was able to get his hands on the script in 2019. According to Business Insider, Barack Obama got involved in the project because he saw an opportunity to feature positive messaging attached to a black man.

4 Waffles + Mochi (2021)

A Prequel To The Children’s Show

Waffles + Mochi is the 2021 prequel to the adorable Waffles + Mochi’s Restaurant and follows the two titular characters traveling the world. They explore all the foods in the places they visit and teach their young viewers about the cultures associated. Michelle Obama guides these cute puppets through conversations about healthy eating, as the show is associated with the Partnership for a Healthier America.

The show’s creators shared in an interview with Bon Appétit that Michelle Obama talked about her and her husband’s very different palates and pushed for the show to have a physical embodiment of taste buds. The device used throughout the show, Mochi’s taste buds, ended up coming out of the initial meeting with Michelle. While a small show, similar to the original, it is a sign of how much the Obamas’ roles as producers have grown that they can expand on their past projects and they may soon have multiple franchises on their hands.

3 Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution (2020)

Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution is a 2020 movie about a groundbreaking summer camp for teens with disabilities. It becomes so inspiring for the attendees that a group of its alumni end up joining a radical disability movement that advocates for historic legislation changes towards greater equity. It is based on a true story of a camp called Camp Janed that was open from the early 1950s through the late 1970s.

The movie continued to cement Higher Ground as one of the most influential studios when it comes to modern documentaries. Crip Camp was nominated for Best Documentary at the Academy Awards and won in the same category at the Independent Spirit Awards. In addition to the documentary being available on Netflix, it is also accompanied by a special in which Barack Obama moderated a conversation with some of the being involved with the movie and discussed the importance of its impact.

2 Becoming (2020)

A Documentary About Michelle Obama’s Journey

Given her prominent status as the former first lady, Michelle Obama is known by most. 2020’s Becoming provides a more in-depth picture, though, of who she really is and how she came to be so influential. The documentary follows her providing an intimate look into her life, hopes, and relationships with others. It is partially based on her best-selling memoir of the same name but also provides fresh stories and perspectives.

Most of Higher Ground’s projects don’t actually feature the Obama family on-screen, so this is a rarer occurrence for the production company. It was well-received by audiences, even earning a Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Special. It is an especially interesting look at Michelle Obama confronting what is next following her time in the White House, as she states in the movie:

“The tour is a time to reflect, to figure out what just happened to me. This is totally me, unplugged, for the first time in a long time.”

1 American Factory (2019)

A Documentary About An Automobile Factory

Higher Ground’s first-released project, a documentary called American Factory, came out in 2019. Given that the project was Higher Ground’s debut, it was essential that it set the tone for where the company wanted to go and the stories it was looking to tell. It is set in post-industrial Ohio, where a Chinese billionaire opens a new factory in an abandoned General Motors plant. This initially causes hope and optimism for the residents in the area but quickly turns into a culture clash between high-tech China and working-class America.

The movie is a unique and insightful look at the changing American landscape and the types of people it affects. It is insightful and compelling while also being an exciting look at the car industry in general. The movie started Higher Ground off on a strong note with the movie earning an Oscar nomination for Best Documentary.