Hip, hip, hooray! It's officially Black History Month, and what better way to celebrate than by immersing yourself in some of the most thrilling horror movies out there starring Black talent? From terrifying supernatural stories to thought-provoking social horrors, there's something for everyone!
Don't worry. You don't have to go looking for these films yourself, as we've decided to help you out by providing a good list of nine horror movies that bring the chills and thrills. Now, get ready for an unforgettable Black History Month!
Get Out (2017)
- Director and writer: Jordan Peele
- Cast: Daniel Kaluuya, Allison Williams, Bradley Whitford, Caleb Landry Jones, Stephen Root, Catherine Keener, LaKeith Stanfield
- Where to watch: Available to rent or buy on digital platforms
Get Out was Jordan Peele's entry into the horror genre, and what a groundbreaking debut it was! The psychological horror film stars Daniel Kaluuya as Chris Washington, a young Black photographer who visits his white girlfriend’s family for the weekend only to find himself trapped in a nightmarish situation when he starts noticing strange behavior from the family and their friends.
Us (2019)
- Director and writer: Jordan Peele
- Cast: Lupita Nyong'o, Winston Duke, Shahadi Wright Joseph, Evan Alex, Elisabeth Moss, Tim Heidecker
- Where to watch: Available to rent or purchase on digital retailers
Next up is another one of Peele's horror films, Us. The story follows a young woman named Adelaide who, while on vacation with her family, decides to visit her old beachfront home. But shortly after their arrival, they are confronted and attacked by a group of strangers that turn out to be doppelgängers of themselves. Now, what was supposed to be a peaceful getaway turns into a complete nightmare as Adelaide and her family must fight for their lives against these sinister versions of themselves.
Nope (2022)
- Director and writer: Jordan Peele
- Cast: Daniel Kaluuya, Keke Palmer, Steven Yeun, Michael Wincott, Brandon Perea, Keith David
- Where to watch: Available to rent or buy on digital platforms
Peele was on a winning streak from 2017 to 2022. In 2022, he put out the sci-fi horror flick Nope, and just like his previous horror projects, it was a hit with audiences everywhere. The film centers around two siblings who run a horse ranch in California. When strange occurrences begin happening in the sky, they suspect something otherworldly is at play. Along with an electronics store employee, they set out to capture footage of the mysterious phenomena but soon realize that they are dealing with something far more dangerous than they could have imagined.
Candyman (1992)
- Director and writer: Bernard Rose
- Cast: Virginia Madsen, Tony Todd, Xander Berkeley, Kasi Lemmons
- Where to watch: Peacock
Candyman is a horror classic that continues to captivate and disturb audiences. It revolves around a Chicago graduate student named Helen Lyle who, while researching urban legends, comes across the story of the Candyman, a vengeful spirit and hook-handed figure who is said to appear when his name is uttered five times in front of a mirror. As Helen delves deeper into the legend, she begins to uncover the Candyman's tragic backstory and soon finds herself his next target.
The People Under the Stairs (1991)
- Director and writer: Wes Craven
- Cast: Brandon Adams, Everett McGill, Wendy Robie, A. J. Langer
- Where to watch: Available to rent or purchase on digital platforms
The People Under the Stairs is more on the lighter side with it being a horror comedy, but it's still packed with creepy, unsettling moments. The movie follows a young boy named Fool who teams up with two adult thieves to break into the home of a strange, wealthy couple in an effort to help his family out. However, things take a dark turn when Fool uncovers the couple's disturbing secrets and the horrifying truth about the people locked away in their basement.
His House (2020)
- Director and writer: Remi Weekes
- Cast: Wunmi Mosaku, Sope Dirisu, Matt Smith
- Where to watch: Netflix
His House is hands down one of the best haunted house movies in recent years. It centers on a refugee couple from South Sudan, Bol and Rial, who are assigned to a dilapidated house in a small English town after fleeing their war-torn country. As they struggle to adjust to their new life in a foreign land, they begin to experience terrifying supernatural events in their new home and soon realize that the house is haunted by sinister forces connected to their traumatic past.
The Blackening (2022)
- Director: Tim Story
- Writers: Tracy Oliver and Dewayne Perkins
- Cast: Grace Byers, Jermaine Fowler, Melvin Gregg, X Mayo, Dewayne Perkins, Sinqua Walls, Jay Pharoah, Yvonne Orji
- Where to watch: Starz
The Blackening is the perfect horror movie to turn on after watching one of the more intense films on this list. It follows a group of old friends who travel to a remote cabin in the woods to celebrate Juneteenth, only to have their fun interrupted when they’re trapped and forced into a deadly game with a mysterious killer.
Black Box (2020)
- Director: Emmanuel Osei-Kuffour Jr.
- Writers: Emmanuel Osei-Kuffour Jr. and Stephen Herman
- Cast: Mamoudou Athie, Phylicia Rashad, Amanda Christine, Tosin Morohunfola, Charmaine Bingwa
- Where to watch: Prime Video for free
Black Box tells the story of a man struggling with amnesia after a car accident that killed his wife. Hoping to regain his memory, the man decides to undergo an experimental treatment that involves advanced technology. As his memories begin to resurface, he starts to experience unsettling and distorted visions, leading him to uncover disturbing secrets about his life and the accident.
Ma (2019)
- Director: Tate Taylor
- Writer: Scotty Landes
- Cast: Octavia Spencer, Juliette Lewis, Diana Silvers, Corey Fogelmanis, Gianni Paolo, McKaley Miller, Luke Evans
- Where to watch: Available to rent or buy on digital retailers
Ma saw Academy Award-winning actress Octavia Spencer playing her darkest role yet. In the psychological horror film, Spencer portrays a lonely middle-aged woman who befriends a group of teenagers and invites them to party in her basement. However, her seemingly innocent hospitality soon takes a twisted turn as her disturbing obsession and sinister intentions are slowly revealed.
Happy Black History Month!