There’s no denying that Jordan Peele is one of the masterminds behind modern horror. What makes him stand out among the rest is his ability to seamlessly blend horror, suspense, and thought-provoking ideas into his films. He doesn’t just create terrifying experiences; he crafts movies that are intellectually engaging as well.
His work offers much more than just scares. He wants viewers to not only feel the tension and fear but also reflect on the deeper messages hidden within his stories. And for that, he has earned his place as one of the most innovative and influential filmmakers of our time.
But not every horror film in his catalog hits the mark equally. That’s why we’ve put together this list of what we think are the three best Jordan Peele horror movies to watch—and the two that might not be worth your time.
Get Out (2017)
- Cast: Daniel Kaluuya, Allison Williams, Bradley Whitford, LaKeith Stanfield, Caleb Landry Jones, Stephen Root, Catherine Keener
- Verdict: Watch
- Where to watch: Available to rent or buy on digital platforms
Let's talk about the movie that started it all for Peele as a director, Get Out. People were used to seeing him as this funny guy on Key & Peele, but Get Out completely flipped the script. Instead of delivering comedic sketches, Peele shocked audiences with a masterfully crafted psychological horror film that tackled race relations, social inequality, and the darker sides of human nature.
What's really enjoyable about this film is how it keeps viewers on edge with its unpredictable twists, slow-building tension, and perfectly timed reveals, creating an immersive experience that leaves you guessing until the very end. It's definitely a must-watch!
Official synopsis via Universal Pictures:
"When a young African-American man visits his white girlfriend’s family estate, he becomes ensnared in a more sinister real reason for the invitation. Now that Chris and his girlfriend, Rose, have reached the meet-the-parents milestone of dating, she invites him for a weekend getaway upstate with Missy and Dean.
At first, Chris reads the family’s overly accommodating behavior as nervous attempts to deal with their daughter’s interracial relationship, but as the weekend progresses, a series of increasingly disturbing discoveries lead him to a truth that he could have never imagined."
Nope (2022)
- Cast: Daniel Kaluuya, Keke Palmer, Steven Yeun, Michael Wincott, Brandon Perea, Keith David
- Verdict: Skip
- Where to watch: Starz
Alright. I know I'm about to get a lot of hate for saying skip this movie, but it just didn’t live up to the hype for me. Was Nope a bad movie? Not even close! I just felt that the pacing was too slow, and while the film had some thought-provoking themes, it didn't deliver the level of tension or horror I was hoping for. I was also disappointed by the fact that some side plots were left unresolved. But then again, Peele is known for abstract storytelling, so I understand that some of these choices might be intentional, even if they didn’t work for me.
Nevertheless, this film is visually stunning, with outstanding performances from the two main leads, Keke Palmer and Daniel Kaluuya. Someone needs to cast these two incredibly talented individuals in another movie together!
Here's what Nope is about via IMDb:
"The residents of a lonely gulch in inland California bear witness to an uncanny and chilling discovery."
Us (2019)
- Cast: Lupita Nyong'o, Winston Duke, Shahadi Wright Joseph, Evan Alex, Elisabeth Moss, Tim Heidecker
- Verdict: Watch
- Where to watch: Available to rent or purchase on digital platforms
Peele knew that after putting out such an amazing piece of work, aka Get Out, he had to come harder and deliver something even more thought-provoking and chilling, which is exactly what he did with Us.
Diving into themes such as identity, fear, and societal divisions, Us isn't your typical straightforward horror film. It requires some deep analysis to fully appreciate because of its layered narrative, complex themes, and symbolic elements. However, despite its complexity, it remains an incredibly gripping film that keeps you on edge from start to finish.
Here's the official synopsis for Us via Universal Pictures:
"Set in present day along the iconic Northern California coastline, Us stars Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o as Adelaide Wilson, a woman returning to her beachside childhood home with her husband, Gabe, and their two children for an idyllic summer getaway. Haunted by an unexplainable and unresolved trauma from her past and compounded by a string of eerie coincidences, Adelaide feels her paranoia elevate to high-alert as she grows increasingly certain that something bad is going to befall her family.
After spending a tense beach day with their friends, the Tylers, Adelaide and her family return to their vacation home. When darkness falls, the Wilsons discover the silhouette of four figures holding hands as they stand in the driveway. Us pits an endearing American family against a terrifying and uncanny opponent: doppelgängers of themselves."
Candyman (2021)
- Cast: Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Teyonah Parris, Nathan Stewart-Jarrett, Colman Domingo
- Verdict: Skip
- Where to watch: Prime Video for free
I really wanted to like Candyman. Honestly, I did. But despite its intriguing premise and connection to the original, the film fell short for me in terms of pacing and execution. While slow-building tension can sometimes be a good thing, Candyman spent too much time setting up its story and themes before the horror and supernatural elements kicked in. Because of this delay in the horror buildup, I felt disengaged from the story at times, making it harder to stay invested in the movie's horror aspect.
In addition, this sequel seemed less scary than the original 1992 film. While the movie had its creepy moments and an eerie atmosphere, it was more focused on exploring themes like gentrification, racial identity, and trauma. Don't get me wrong. These themes are important, but the problem was that the social commentary seemed to take priority over the tension and scares that a horror film typically delivers.
Here's the plot for Candyman via Prime Video:
"The housing projects of Cabrini Green neighborhood have been terrorized by a killer. Now, Anthony McCoy and his girlfriend have moved into a luxury loft in a now gentrified area. An encounter with a resident exposes Anthony to the story behind Candyman."
Wendell & Wild (2022)
- Cast: Keegan-Michael Key, Jordan Peele, Angela Bassett, Lyric Ross, Ving Rhames, James Hong
- Verdict: Watch
- Where to watch: Netflix
Truthfully, I don't have one bad thing to say about Wendell & Wild. Not only is it one of the most beautifully animated stop-motion films ever made, but it also tells a meaningful story that keeps you engaged from beginning to end. With its perfect mix of dark humor and heartfelt moments, it's an absolute must-watch for animation fans of all ages. If you're a fan of the gothic stop-motion animated film Coraline, then you’ll definitely appreciate Wendell & Wild. Both movies come from the same director!
The Netflix Media Center provided us with the movie's synopsis, and we shared it below.
"From the delightfully wicked minds of Henry Selick and producer Jordan Peele, comes Wendell & Wild, an animated tale about scheming demon brothers Wendell and Wild - who enlist the aid of Kat Elliot - a tough teen with a load of guilt - to summon them to the Land of the Living. But what Kat demands in return leads to a brilliantly bizarre and comedic adventure like no other, an animated fantasy that defies the law of life and death, all told through the handmade artistry of stop motion."