Six Black Horror Movies to Watch This Halloween
Editor’s Note: The Views expressed in this article are those of the author.
Throughout the past few years, Black horror has evolved from being a niche subgenre into a powerful medium where directors explore identity, trauma and survival. Black horror has emerged as one of the most thought-provoking and exciting genres in film— from tales rooted in folklore and tragedy to modern stories that dissect race and power, these films challenge and please audiences. This Halloween season, we’re highlighting a collection of standout Black horror films that push boundaries, redefine the genre and remind us that scary monsters often come from our own world.
Get Out (2017) – “Get Out” is often hailed as one of the best horror/thriller films of all time. Peele’s writing is the perfect combination of social commentary, comedy and horror. Daniel Kaluuya stars as a Black man who travels to his white girlfriend’s (Allison Williams) family estate, where he experiences microaggressions and pure creepiness as the family members are revealed to be wolves in sheep’s clothing. Peele explores and dissects the illusion of a post-racial America that the Obama presidency purported to usher in. The horror doesn’t come from the jump scares, but the uncomfortable truths it forces the audience to confront. “Get Out” remains a significant film, a satire and a nightmare made real.
Sinners (2025) – Music, vampires and twins, oh my! No, “Sinners” is not just a Black spin-off of “From Dusk Till Dawn,” but an ode to the Black South and blues music with a vampiric twist. Ryan Coogler brilliantly combines Irish-American folklore, blues music and horror with the help of his favorite collaborator, Michael B. Jordan, to bring 1932 Clarksdale, Mississippi, to life. Jordan stars as twins Smoke and Stack, who have returned home with the intention of opening a juke joint after working for Al Capone up north and packing illegal liquor, only to fall prey to a haunting supernatural evil. Coogler draws on his uncle’s deep appreciation for blues music and his own love of horror. And nothing encapsulates this more than the scene which features a choreographed dance routine spanning musical genres and folklore. He challenged himself to create a deep fusion of gory fantasy and historical reality.
Blacula (1972) – I had no idea what I was getting myself into when I first watched this film. I thought to myself that I was stepping into a typical 1970s Blaxploitation film, but I quickly realized that was not the case. William Marshall stars in “Blacula,” which centers on Prince Mamuwalde and his wife, who pay a visit to Count Dracula in the 1700s in an attempt to abolish slavery. Dracula curses Mamuwalde with vampirism and the story picks up nearly two centuries later in 1970. Blacula is a story from the Black perspective, a rarity in the white-dominated horror industry of the ‘70s. Though the movie does have some flawed messaging, it’s powerful through the representation of the overthrow of white oppression and a reclaiming of African American history that remains poignant.
Candyman (1992) – When watching all of the films on the list, this is the movie that stood out the most for a reason. Taking place in a Chicago housing complex, we follow a white doctoral student (Virginia Madsen) as she encounters the supernatural elements of Candyman (Tony Todd). Bernard Rose turns “Candyman” into more than a ghost story; it is a reflection on race, class and urban legend. With Tony Todd giving a chilling performance, the film endures as a classic of social horror.
Blade (1998) — Director Stephen Norrington took an unpopular Marvel comic, soaked it in blood, and created a genre-defining film. “Blade” stars Wesley Snipes, a half mortal, half vampire driven to hunt the creatures that made him. Blade is armed with a sword and a jazzy demeanor, battling with Deacon Frost (Stephen Dorff), who seeks to free an ancient blood god in the world. Blade redefined what a superhero movie could be long before the MCU took over the late 2000s. With its grit, the movie is endlessly rewatchable and remains a cult classic to this day.
HIM (2025) — Directed by Justin Tipping and produced by Jordan Peele, “HIM” is a sports horror film about young quarterback, Cameron Cade (Tyriq Withers), who is invited to train with legendary Isaiah White (Marlon Wayans). Blending themes of religious devotion, obsessed fandom and the relentless pursuit of greatness, “HIM” offers a visually gripping experience. Tippings direction keeps things grounded at times, but the ending offers more questions than answers. While it might be dud to some, others might find its ambition strangely endearing.