The Golden Age of Horror Noire
In 2017, Jordan Peele released his groundbreaking film Get Out and it changed everything! This incredible film addressed the terrifying theme of systemic racism in this country and the movie related to audiences in a way that is so powerful. Get Out is so well done that it was nominated for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor Daniel Kaluuya and Jordan Peele won for Best Original Screenplay in 2017. A feat difficult for the horror genre alone and especially for a black filmmaker. Peele is the ONLY black writer to win in that category since the inception of the Academy Awards in 1929 with nominations only for Suzanne de Passe for Lady Sings the Blues in 1972, Spike Lee for Do the Right Thing in 1992, and John Singleton for Boys in the Hood in 1992.
Since Get Out the flood gates have opened! The opportunity and potential for black actors in the horror genre have bloomed in a really big way. It’s time and we’re so excited about it. Here’s a list of current horror television programming and feature films starring black actors that we recommend!
For Black History month I believe it is important for me to share the accomplishments of black actors in the horror genre! If you’re interested in watching some classic films check out the Top 25 Influential and Classic Horror Films Featuring Black Actors list. We also have a more modern list called The Evolution of Black Actors in the Horror Genre: Our Top 25 Horror Films to Watch which spans between 1997 and 2016.
Recommendations listed in order of release year then alphabetically.
American Horror Story (2011): Created in 2011, by show runners Brad Falchuk and Ryan Murphy portrayed diversity from the jump including people of color, LGBTQ, and people with special needs. This Black Renaissance list is highlighting television and film achievements so I thought it was important to include it here. Every season American Horror Story explores a different dark adventure into the macabre interconnecting them in such a satisfying way. There are currently 9 seasons of the show with season 10 coming this year in 2021!
We’ve seen EVERY season of American Horror Story and celebrate their inclusivity. The show has starred such talented black actors, some have returned in multiple roles, including Angela Bassett, Gabourey Sidibe, Malcolm-Jamal Warner, Cuba Gooding Jr., Adina Porter, André Holland, Lance Reddick, and Billy Porter just to name a few!
Streaming: You can watch all 9 seasons of American Horror Story on Amazon Prime, Netflix, Hulu, DirecTV, and it’s available for purchase.
Get Out (2017): A young African-American man goes to meet his white girlfriend’s parents for the weekend and he soon finds that he has more to worry about than impressing the parents.
If you haven’t seen Get Out it’s a must-watch! It’s suspenseful, horrifying but also has some humor to it. You’d expect nothing else from Jordan Peele.
Watch the trailer here. (Honestly, the trailer shows too much. Just watch it.)
Streaming: Fubo, FX NOW, DirecTV, and available for rental.
Overlord (2018): A group of American soldiers find terror behind enemy lines on the brink of D-Day.
Produced by JJ Abrams this film stars Jovan Adepo as the lead protagonist Boyce. This film starts out as an action film and descends into madness filled with Nazi experiments and mutants.
Watch the trailer here.
Streaming: Amazon Prime, Hulu, DirecTV, EPIX, and available for rental.
The Perfection (2018): Disturbed musical prodigy Charlotte stalks and befriends Elizabeth, the new star pupil of her former school. Their acquaintance finds both of them going down a path that was least expected.
This film stars Logan Browning (Dear White People) as Elizabeth and Allison Williams (Get Out) as Charlotte. Both actresses are so good in this film. LOVE THIS MOVIE and highly recommend it!
Fun Fact: Allison Williams is the daughter of former NBC Nightly News anchor Brian Williams.
Watch the trailer here.
Streaming: Exclusively on Netflix
Tales from the Hood 2 (2018): 23 years in the making, this sequel to Tales from the Hood is directed by Rusty Cundieff and Darin Scott and is executive produced by Spike Lee!
Keith David (They Live, The Thing) stars as Mr. Simms, narrating terrifying tales about lust, greed, pride, and politics. Mr. Simms’ chilling stories will make you laugh through your screams!
Watch the trailer here.
Streaming: Netflix and available for rental.
Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror (2019): This groundbreaking documentary takes a look at the history of black horror films and the evolution in the roles of African Americans in the horror genre from the very beginning. Featuring commentary from Jordan Peele, Rachel True, Tony Todd, Rusty Cundieff, Keith David, and more!
Fun Fact: This documentary was green light the day after Jordan Peele won an academy award and is a must-watch!
Watch the trailer here.
Streaming: DirecTV, Shudder, Shudder with Amazon Prime, UMC, AMC+, and available to purchase.
Little Monsters (2019): A washed-up man-child musician teams up with a teacher, a kids tv show character, and a group of kids while they are attacked by zombies on a school field trip. They have to stick together to stay alive!
Lupita Nyong’o (Us, Black Panther) stars in this horror-comedy zombie film and is delightful!
Watch the trailer here.
Streaming: Exclusively on Hulu.
The Soul Collector AKA 8 (2019): A desperate man, destined to collect souls for all time, seeks redemption after trading his most valued gift.
Tshamano Sebe plays Lazarus and is so compelling in this film along with this diverse cast of talented actors.
Watch the trailer here.
Streaming: Amazon Prime, Tubi, Shudder, Shudder with Amazon, AMC+ with Amazon and available for rental.
The Twilight Zone (2019): The reboot of the mysterious classic series from Jordan Peele. The show features updates on classic Twilight Zone tales as well as new and powerful stories of science fiction, mystery, and horror.
The new Twilight Zone embraces diversity on all cylinders!
Watch the trailer here.
Streaming: DirecTV and CBS All Access (Soon to be Paramount +) and available to buy.
Us (2019): A family’s serene vacation turns into a nightmare when their mirror selves appear and the terror won’t end until they figure out its source.
Us is the second horror feature from Jordan Peele and its theme is equally as incredible. It’s ultimately the struggle of fighting your inner demons. This film is way more graphic than Get Out and definitely more of a straight horror picture than its psychologically thrilling predecessor.
Watch the trailer here.
Streaming: HBO MAX, HBO, HBO with Amazon and for rental.
Watchmen (2019): Created by Damon Lindelof (Lost, The Leftovers, Star Trek), Watchmen takes place 34 years after the comic book installation. The series follows an alternative historical take on a modern world where vigilantes aka superheroes are seen as outlaws while a white supremacist group wages war on Tulsa, Oklahoma. (Read here about the Tulsa, Oklahoma Massacre.)
Regina King plays the lead character of Angela Bar/Sister Night and is caught between loyalty to her law enforcement team and fighting for what’s right. Although Watchmen falls more under sci-fi/thriller I put it on the list due to the horrific subject matter. This amazing show gained 26 Emmy nominations and 11 wins including Best Actress Regina King, Best Limited Series, and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II for Best Supporting Actor in a Limited Series. Highly recommend!
Watch the trailer here.
Streaming: DirecTV, HBO, HBO MAX, HBO with Amazon, and for purchase.
Antebellum (2020): Successful author Victoria Henley (Janelle Monáe) is caught in a horrific reality and must escape it before it’s too late.
Monáe, singer and songwriter, actress, model, is so good in this role with a very talented supporting cast including Tongayi Chirisa, Jena Malone, and Gabourey Sidibe. This film plays with the terrifying possibilities of our future in America and sends a powerful message…we must learn from the past or we’re doomed to repeat it.
I’m going to link the trailer but this trailer misleads the audience a bit that there’s some type of time travel element to the film. I say just watch the movie.
Watch the trailer here.
Streaming: Hulu and available for rental.
Bad Hair (2020): In the late 80s, a determined young woman gets a weave to impress her boss and succeed in television. However, her budding career may come at an inconceivable cost when she realizes that her new weave may have a mind of its own.
Elle Lorraine plays the lead character, Anna. This film was super powerful for me. As a child and even into my young adulthood I didn’t embrace my own natural hair. So I totally connected to her struggles but I think many will be able to connect with trying to fit in at any cost. Bad Hair has a terrific ensemble casting including: Vanessa Williams, James Van Der Beek, Lena Waithe, Usher, Jay Pharoah, Kelly Rowland, and more!
Watch the trailer here.
Streaming: Exclusively on Hulu.
Black Box (2020): Nolan (Mamoudou Athie) has lost his wife and his memory in a horrible car accident. Since then, he’s been struggling and in desperation decided to try an experimental treatment to gain his memory back. However, now he’s questioning who is at all…
Produced by Blumhouse, this film delves into the idea if truth is perception, what happens if your perception has changed? What then is your reality? Terrific cast including Mamoudou Athie (The Get Down, Sorry for your Loss), Phylicia Rashad, and Tosin Morohunfola (The Chi, I’m Sorry).
Watch the trailer here.
Streaming: Exclusively on Amazon Prime.
His House (2020): A refugee couple makes a narrow escape from war-torn South Sudan, but struggle to adjust to living in their new life in Britain. They find they’re not easily accepted and there’s evil lurking in the darkness of their new home.
Sope Dirisu (Gangs of London) and Wunmi Mosaku (Lovecraft Country) star as the refugee couple from South Sudan. Matt Smith (Doctor Who) plays their well-intentioned caseworker. The film really explores what you’ll do in desperation for your family and the horrific consequences of your actions. I just LOVE Wunmi Mosaku. I’ll watch her anything she does.
Watch the trailer here.
Streaming: Exclusively on Netflix.
Lovecraft Country (2020): In the 1950s, a young man goes on a cross-country trip in search of his father and opens a door into his past and what his future holds.
I can’t say how much I LOVE this series! It has all the elements, drama, horror, thrills, comedy, sci-fi. Executive produced by Jordan Peele, J.J. Abrams and written by Misha Green. It takes place during a dark time for the African American people but above all ultimately it’s about family and its unbreakable bond. HIGHLY RECOMMEND! Right now this is a limited series but crossing my fingers for a continuation. Incredible ensemble cast including: Jonathan Majors, Jurnee Smollett, Wunmi Mosaku, Courtney B. Vance, Abbey Lee, Jamie Chung, Michael Kenneth Williams and more!
Watch the trailer here.
Streaming: DirecTV, HBO, HBO MAX, HBO with Amazon and for purchase.
Ratched (2020): Created by Ryan Murphy and Evan Romansky, Ratched is a prequel of sorts following Mildred Ratched (Sarah Paulson) in 1947 as she pursues a nursing career in a leading psychiatric hospital. But it’s not long before her glowing disposition uncovers a darkness with ulterior motives.
I just LOVE pretty much anything Ryan Murphy does! The reason I wanted to add this to the list is not only because Ryan Murphy always includes a diverse cast in his programming but Sophie Okonedo plays Charlotte Wells and is just SO PHENOMENAL in it. Her portrayal of multiple personality disorder was so earnest and captivating. The cinematography and wardrobe is just gorgeous on the show! Very Hitchcockian. The very talented ensemble also includes: Finn Wittrock, Cynthia Nixon, Judy Davis, Jon Jon Briones, Sharon Stone, Joseph Marcell, Amanda Plummer, Vincent D’Onofrio and more!
Watch the trailer here.
Streaming: Exclusively on Netflix.
Tales from the Hood 3 (2020): This horror-comedy anthology follows Brooklyn, a six-year-old child, and William as they try to flee from an unseen evil. Brooklyn recalls four moralistic but deeply horrific stories to tell William and to distract herself from the impending threat.
This is the 3rd installment in the Tales from the Hood franchise from Rusty Cundieff and Darin Scott, executive produced by Spike Lee. The horror game is STEPPED UP in this volume in the series. The cast includes a bevy of talented black actors and the legendary Tony Todd plays William.
Watch the trailer here.
Streaming: Currently only available for rent or purchase.
Vampires vs. the Bronx (2020): A group of young kids from the Bronx fight to save their community from vampires.
Loved this movie! It’s super fun. It gave me an updated Urban Lost Boys feel. Definitely recommend this horror-comedy! Great performances from Zoe Saldana, Method Man, Chris Redd, and more!
Watch the trailer here.
Streaming: Exclusively on Netflix.
Candyman (2021): Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (Watchmen), Teyonah Parris (WandaVision, Dear White People), Nathan Stewart-Jarrett (Four Weddings and a Funeral), Colman Domingo (Fear the Walking Dead, Selma) star in this “spiritual sequel” to the horror film Candyman (1992) starring Tony Todd. Candyman (2021) returns to the now-gentrified Chicago neighborhood where the horrific legend began.
This highly anticipated reboot of Candyman comes from writer and producer Jordan Peele and black female director Nia DaCosta!
Watch the trailer here.
Streaming: Amazon Prime Video, Fubo, Paramount +, DirecTV, and available for rental.
More from Married to Horror
Did I miss any of your favorites? Comment below or email us at contact@marriedtohorror.com! You can also follow our Facebook group Married to Horror and follow us on Twitter and Instagram @marriedtohorror.
Looking for more? Go to the Black History in Horror section where you’ll find recommendations, independent horror shorts, and our Top 25 Influential Classic Horror Films Featuring Black Actors and The Evolution of Black Actors in the Horror Genre: Our Top 25 Horror Films to Watch lists!
Find more general Married to Horror selections by checking out our recommendations and take a peek at our Master Watch List where you can find an array of horror films sorted by title, platform, rating, and more!
Another excellent list Charlene! Get Out & Us are both so fantastic. Jordan Peele is such a great filmmaker. Thanks for stating that Antebellum is on Hulu. I’ve been wanting to see it for a while. One of the directors is from Houston.
Thank you!
Agreed! re: Jordan Peele. We are SO EXCITED for Candyman coming out hopefully sometime this year! The original Candyman scared the crap out of me when I was a kid. I couldn’t look in the mirror without saying “Candyman” for weeks and I tried so hard not to! LOL
Let me know what you think of Antebellum when you see it!