Black Horror is a very specific niche in the horror genre. While having a black protagonist in the forefront of a horror movie makes it Black Horror, to me, I think Black Horror goes deeper. I think it means more than just having a black main character. I think Black Horror is about having those things that go bump in the night within the space of the black experience. Below are the seven best Black Horror Movies that capture this complex combination perfectly. This list is not in any particular order.
1. Tales from the Hood (1995)
Tales from the Hood is not only one of the best Black Horror movies, but one of the best horror anthologies ever made. It explores the horrors of racism, gang violence, and domestic violence, and it shows how these issues affect the black community. While there are some supernatural elements that will definitely creep you out, the real horror lies in how realistic and relevant some of these stories still are almost thirty years later.
2. Get Out (2017)
While all of Jordan Peele’s horror films are considered Black Horror, the movie that really stands out as real Black Horror is Get Out. This horror thriller tackles the hidden racism behind white liberal ignorance as a young black man “meets the parents” of his white girlfriend.
3. Candyman (1992)
Candyman cemented itself not only as a classic in the horror genre but also as an essential Black Horror film. The legend of Candyman revolves around the horrors of racism while also highlighting poverty in the black community. It’s a film that’s not only haunting but mesmerizing, and Candyman will become a part of your nightmares.
4. The First Purge (2018)
The First Purge was an unexpected treat within The Purge franchise. Filmed during a rather divisive time in America, it shows a modern America and its continued exploitation of the black community. The black community is no stranger to experimental science, and as this action horror shows, in the end, it never works in our favor.
5. The Transfiguration (2016)
I love it when indie horror gets it right, and The Transfiguration perhaps fits into a genre all of its own: Black Horror Indies. There are not enough of these movies, but I enjoy the few great ones that are around. This twisted coming of age tale explores mental illness within the black community and our reluctance to address trauma. Not enough movies tackle these issues, and The Transfiguration is an oddity that will stick with you.
6. The Angry Black Girl and her Monster (2023)
This movie represents my mission as a writer: to write horror stories that we all love featuring characters who look like me. This science fiction horror film is how you take a classic horror story (Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus) and make it your own. The Angry Black Girl and her Monster gives a fresh, diverse perspective to a popular story and explores grief and loss within the black community.
7. His House (2020)
His House is a supernatural horror film that premiered on Netflix and was surprisingly terrifying. This movie is not only considered Black Horror but was a good introduction into African Horror. It deals with the struggles of identity in white spaces as well as the hot topic of immigration.
Charity Williams 