The horror genre is soaked with bloody revenge, diabolical characters and daunting stories that are so unspeakable, we can only handle witnessing them on screen with a bowl of popcorn in hand. Innocent victims are savagely murdered by sinister predators with no conscience, sometimes in broad daylight, most times in the dark of night. Villains are either cloaked in a memorable costume or creepily lurk around in plain clothes just to reveal their evil identity at the most unexpected time. 

At the turn of a new decade, the first half of 2020 rang an alarming wake-up call for the real life horrors African-American faced from their own law enforcement every day. In this horrific true tale, professional actors and special effects were replaced by bystanders with iPhones, who became key witnesses and filmed as armed police officers murdered three unarmed Black US citizens. Ahmaud Arbery. George Floyd. Breonna Taylor. 25-year old Arbery was jogging in a neighborhood when a group of armed white men followed him and recorded the fatal gunshots that took his life. Floyd, a father of five, spent the last eight minutes of his life begging for air and stating “I can’t breathe,” while one police officer knelt on his neck and three others stood tall to block witnesses trying to recording the murder evidence. 26-year old Taylor spent her days working as an EMT worker saving lives from the coronavirus epidemic, but lost her own in the middle of the night when three plain-clothes police officers broke into her apartment and fired twenty shots, eight of which entered her body, ending her life.

For many, watching horror movies is an opportunity to escape day-to-day life and dive into the panicked world of ill-fortuned characters on screen. The blood, the murder, the corruption – it all unfolds through cinematic entertainment. For the Black community, the sheer horror in the US justice system is enough to keep them up at night. According to the NAACP, “on average, Black Americans are exposed to four police killings of other unarmed Black Americans in the same state each year.” At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Black Americans were five times more likely to be hospitalized or die from the virus than whites. The burden of police brutality on Black mental health proves to be comparable to that of diabetes, a disease affecting one in five Black Americans.

In the late 20th century, horrors involving Black people were not being filmed through the iPhone lens of a bystander, but rather the big boys in Hollywood. Sadly and unsurprisingly, early “Black” horror films that hired white actors in blackface, portrayed the Black character as a ruthless villain, or both. However, the 1970s was when the blaxploitation sub-genre erupted as an ethnic umbrella under exploitation films that prioritized Black actors and stories. For the first time in horror, Black characters were filling roles of dynamic characters that were not villains or victims.

Hollywood needed Black filmmakers to provide a fresh perspective on the horror genre, and William Crain was one of the first to begin paving the way. Crain was a UCLA film school graduate and made a name for himself with the 1972 blaxploitation film Blacula. In his early career, it was evident that Crain wasn’t interested in using these directorial opportunities to speak on socio-political issues for his community. His success, however, paved the way for the potential of Black horror cinema. In late 20th century, Black horror was fairly uncharted territory, so the low budgets typically reflected on screen. So, filmmakers had made due with what they had. James Bond III who wrote, directed and starred in his own 1990 film Def by Temptation, alongside Samuel L. Jackson. Ernest Dickerson started his career as Spike Lee’s cinematographer, but found success as a director in the Black horror business. His directorial work starred celebrities such as Snoop Dogg, Jada Pinkett Smith and Tupac.

By the early 2000s, Black actors were making their way from the romance, drama and comedy worlds to shed some love on the horror genre. Even performers were making cross-over appearances into the horror films, including R&B singers Aaliyah and Kelly Rowland. The foundation for Black horror cinema had been set, and more and more filmmakers, writers and actors were climbing toward success.

With a $4.5 million budget, Jordan Peele busted down the doors of Hollywood and heightened the entire horror community’s expectations for jaw-dropping, skin crawling cinema. Peele’s directorial debut Get Out grossed $255 million worldwide. His screenplay pressed on social issues involving racism in a highly impactful, entertaining manner, which led him straight to the Oscars podium to give his acceptance speech for Best Original Screenplay.

In a world where real-life horrors lurk on the streets, whether through the threat of police brutality, gang violence or lack of access to healthcare or mental health resources, the Black filmmakers of America have shown up to the table to fight for justice. With directors of color, the story of Black America can be told through a lens that doesn’t always depict their own people as the bad guys. Horror films are infamous for their violence, villains and stereotypes, but Black characters do not deserve to be the ones who are disproportionately responsible for all the evil. Times have changed.

Take a look at this list of the top Black horror movies, featuring Black directors and actors. Some familiar faces may be shocking, and have you digging through the archives to revisit some old favorites.

Chloe, Love Is Calling You (1934)

Writer-director Marshall Neilan led this controversial film, which Ohio banned for being “harmful.” Unsurprisingly for its time, this plantation film featured white actors playing black face. Following the story of a light skinned southern woman who wants revenge for her father’s lynching, this Pre-Code drama proves how far cinema has come in regards to telling Black stories.

Night of the Living Dead (1968)

Shot during the Civil Rights era, this horror featured a Black hero who saves his town from a zombie apocalypse wreaking havoc on the East Coast. When a brother and sister are find themselves locked in a basement with a group of other survivors, they must think fast if they want everyone to make it out alive. George A. Romero co-wrote and directed this gruesome horror.

Blacula (1972)

This blaxploitation slasher film telling the story of an African prince who asks Count Dracula for help to end the slave trade, only to be turned into a vampire himself. It was important to Black actor William Marshall that his villainous character still had some dignity, so he worked closely with producers to develop Blacula’s character. Joan Torres co-wrote the film with Raymond Koenig, while director William Crain brought their bloody words to life on screen.

Blackenstein (1973)

When a Vietnam vet comes home from war with lost limbs, his fate is left up to a genius surgeon who has a hopeful procedure plan. As the innocent war hero patient undergoes surgery, the surgeon’s jealous assistant finds the opportune time to botch the procedure resulting in deadly consequences for everyone around. The dynamic cinematography and compelling acting make for an enjoyable viewing of this twist on the classic Frankenstein story.

Ganja and Hess (1973)

Bill Gun takes the classic vampire genre to an unconventional level, while never even mentioning the word “vampire” throughout. Audiences follow the journey of an anthropologist who acquires a quenching thirst for blood, just around the same time he falls in love with a beautiful woman. The aesthetics and artful approach to storytelling turned this work into an art classic rather than a blaxploitation film. As a result, the film is held in the MOMA’s collection and led an experimental surrealist Spike Lee remake in 2014.

Don’t Look In The Basement (1973)

Set against the backdrop of an isolated mental institute, this film unfolds the horrific story of diabolical patients out for blood. A budding psychiatric nurse fills the position of a recently murdered hospital worker, and finds herself as the target of various vicious attacks. The entire film was shot in less than two weeks with a budget of less than $100,000.

Abby (1974)

The film follows the story a devoutly religious close-knitted family living in Kentucky, whose perfect life takes a twisted turn at the accidental release of supernatural powers. A pious marriage counselor is overcome with demonic pleasures after an archaeological dig in Nigeria uncovered an old West African spirit. William Girdler penned this story before bringing it to life as the director.

The House On Skull Mountain (1974)

Estranged cousins travel to their great-grandmother’s mansion in Georgia, only to show up and find her suspiciously dead. As they wait to hear the contents of the late woman’s will, sinister events begin to take place all around them. Voodoo magic plagues the mansion and won’t stop until each are dead. Writer Mildred Pares and director Ron Honthaner are to blame for this compelling horror mystery.

Dawn Of The Dead (1978)

An unexpected group of survivors take shelter in a shopping mall while bloodthirsty zombies rampage the streets of Philadelphia outside. As the clock ticks and desperation mounts, the refugees find themselves fighting off more than just flesh-eating monsters.

Friday The 13th A New Beginning (1985)

While living in a halfway house, a young man suffers severe PTSD from his childhood. Years earlier, he murdered the infamous masked killer Jason Vorhees, and lives in constant paranoia that Jason is back. This time, those paranoid thoughts just might prove correct.

Angel Heart (1987)

Set in the 1950s, the film opens on a New York City private investigator who is hired to investigate the disappearance of a popular singer. Despite lurking danger and voodoo spirits, the investigator’s curiosity leads him to New Orleans where something sinister awaits. Robert De Niro’s role as the private investigator is eerie and compelling as ever.

The Serpent And The Rainbow (1988)

The troubling side of the pharmaceutical industry is unveiled when a powerful pharma CEO sends an anthropologist to Haiti to retrieve samples of a peculiar voodoo drug. The man on a mission finds himself in the middle of a Haitian revolution and must try to stay alive, while surrounded by witches, torturers and evil spirits.

Def by Temptation (1990)

When a southern preacher’s son begins to question his lifelong faith, he takes a trip to visit his best friend in the Big Apple. Not before long, the young minister-in-training and his aspiring actor friend discover that a bombshell seductress is making her way around the city, killing off Black men one by one. The two boys must fight their own eyes to see past her beauty and stop the madness.

Predator 2 (1990)

A Los Angeles law enforcement team is eager to end bloodshed on the streets between two rival gangs. As their investigation unfolds, they find that neither the Jamaican or Colombian drug gangs are to blame for the countless victims. A supernatural force is responsible, and will stop at nothing to feed its hunger for terror.

The People Under The Stairs (1991)

What makes a scary movie even creepier? When it is based on a true story. This horror opens on the night of a boy’s 13th birthday, and turns deadly when an attempted burglary uncovers dark secrets of the homeowners. The plot drew inspiration from a true story about a burglary that led authorities to discover children behind locked doors, prohibited by their parents to leave the house.

Voodoo Dolls (1991)

This Canadian film ties together creepy elements such as voodoo spells, haunting rituals, supernatural spirits and murderous schoolgirls. Decades after a love affair between a teacher and two students ended in death, an all-girls’ school begins to find themselves surrounded by evil spirits. Ed Kelleher penned the script, while female director Andrée Pelletier brought the pages to life on screen.

Candyman (1992)

Urban legend tells the story of the son of a slave who was accepted into white society, simply for his unique artistic skills. When he was ultimately lynched for having an interracial love affair, his ghost came back to haunt anyone who denied his paranormal existence. In this film, a grad student’s thesis research lands her in a small town plagued with fear over the mythical character Candyman, which soon proves to be very real.

Tales From The Crypt: Demon Knight (1995)

An evil demon follows a man to a small town to retrieve the last of seven keys to unlock the power of the universe. A battle between good and evil unfolds against the backdrop of an eerie small town, perfect for unspeakable acts to occur without any interfering suspicion. This film was purposefully released on Friday, the 13th.

Vampire In Brooklyn (1995)

Comedian Eddie Murphy plays three characters in this film about a ship that washed ashore in Brooklyn, New York, with a dead crew aboard. As the death toll in the neighborhood increases, a vampire is to blame but unable to be captured. Angela Bassett plays the detective determined to stop the vampire at all costs.

Tales from the Hood (1995)

Police corruption, domestic abuse, systemic racism and gang violence are just a few of the themes covered in this four part anthology. The collection of short films addresses real life Black horrors through horror, drama and comedy. Stories begin to unfold through narration by a mortician who catches drug dealers breaking into his funeral home.

The Craft (1996)

When a new girl moves to LA, she befriends a group of misfit schoolgirls rumored to be witches. As they join forces in forming a powerful convent, their powers and egos spark a dangerous battle. Actress Rachel True broke into the acting business with a guest role on The Cosby Show years earlier before landing a starring role in this film.

Eve’s Bayou (1997)

Director Kasi Lemmons made her directorial debut with this horror starring Samuel L. Jackson, Jurnee Smollett and Meagan Good. Lemmons worked her way from being a child actor in McDonald’s commercials to eventually working with Spike Lee. In 2019, Lemmons directed the biographical box office sensation Harriet.

Anaconda (1997)

An adventurous film crew is exploring the Amazon when a crazed snake hunter forces them to join his quest to capture the world’s largest snake. Jon Voight plays the stranded stranger who ends up playing the role of an untrustworthy snake enthusiast who will stop at nothing to find what he’s looking for.

Bugged (1997)

In this comedy horror, a gorgeous woman calls on a group of wild exterminators to rid her home of vermin. Unbeknownst to them all, these creatures are the result of an accidental science experiment gone wrong. Soon, there seems to be no chance of survival for the humans barricaded in the apartment.

I Still Know What You Did Last Summer (1998)

A group of college friends win a lavish trip to the Bahamas, but soon become victim of a vicious serial attacker. This sequel to the original follows Julie James, the same girl who killed the murderous Fisherman a year prior…or so she thought. A mysterious letter and inexplicable killings prove otherwise.

Beloved (1998)

Toni Morrison’s Pulitzer Prize winning 1987 novel was adapted into a screenplay by the same name, and directed by Jonathan Demme. The story takes place during the Reconstruction era, following an escaped slave who finds shelter with an old friend. As she tries to move on from her traumatic past, a mysterious, yet familiar child appears, as well as inexplicable poltergeist forces. Star Oprah Winfrey revealed she suffered depression for a period after the film bombed at the box offices.

The Faculty (1998)

Ever since its Christmas Day release in 1998, this film has garnered a cult following for the comedy, gore and unforgettable cast. High school is traumatic enough, but imagine witnessing your teachers being controlled extra-terrestrial parasites to prey on the students. A group of high school students finds themselves responsible for being the only thing standing between life and death for themselves and their community.

Ragdoll (1999)

A young rapper lives with his grandmother in the inner city, where real life horrors lurk outside on the streets on any given day. When local gang members attack the grandma, landing her in the hospital, the teenage grandson seeks revenge in a peculiar way. He decides to use his grandma’s ancient voodoo doll to summon spirits and kill the criminals, but meets devastating consequences in the pursuit of justice.

Deep Blue Sea (1999)

Alzheimer’s disease kills nearly 2 million people every year, and a team of scientists think they’re onto something for a cure. In an underwater facility, these researchers capture sharks to conduct genetically engineered experiments. The sharks’ brains are enlarged so their disease-fighting enzymes can be extracted, but as the brains become larger, they become smarter. They are tired of being poked and prodded, and are determined for revenge.

Bones (2001)

In the late 70s, a corrupt cop murders a beloved neighborhood figure in the streets. The brownstone of the late man becomes a tomb for his body and is abandoned in the ghetto. Decades later, four teenagers renovate the brownstone into a nightclub, unknowingly releasing the dead man’s spirits back into the streets. He is dead set on finding his killers and feeding them the bloody revenge they deserve.

Queen Of The Damned (2002)

Based on Anne Rice’s novel “The Vampire Lestat,” this campy film features a memorable soundtrack and awesome set design. The queen of all vampires is awakened and enamored by the talented vampire musician turned rock star. The music sensation must fight the vampire queen’s alluring advances to make him her king, and save humankind from her bloodthirsty ways. Aaliyah won the role over celebrities such as Halle Berry, Jada Pinkett Smith and Vivica A. Fox.

Cryptz (2002)

Three young rappers are lured into a mysterious strip club run by seductive vampiresses, unbeknownst to them. As the dancers get closer to the clueless men, they discover something the men have that would unlock world domination for their own bloodsucking kind. An unexpected hero has a chance at saving the day, but has to think fast before the tempting women do the unspeakable to get what they want.

Dead Heist (2002)

Four bank robbers from Miami plan the perfect bank robbery with the help of an experienced bodyguard and a dash of cockiness. Just as they think they have this heist in the bag, they soon find out they are up against the wrath of a vicious vampire attack. Not only are they trapped inside the bank with cops surrounding them, but zombie vampires begin attacking everyone outside and are hungry to get in. Bo Webb directed this action-packed crime horror.

Halloween: Resurrection (2002)

Two reality show producers send a group of reckless teenagers to the home of serial killer Michael Myers for a chance at some cash. What starts out as a hopeful opportunity for fast money, turns into a bloody battle for escape. The contestants are locked inside with security cameras watching their every move, as well as the daunting return of the evil serial killer.

Gothika (2003)

They were the perfect couple. Both medical professionals, and seemingly in love. In reality, the psychiatrist wife was severely depressed. After a horrific accident lands her as a patient in a penitentiary asylum, the former psychiatrist learns she is now a widow. She must save her sanity and reputation before she is convinced of an unutterable truth. Production was halted for eight weeks when Robert Downey Jr. accidentally broke Halle Berry’s arm, while shooting an interrogation scene.

Freddy vs. Jason (2003)

The evil masked killers from Nightmare On Elm Street and Friday the 13th join together for the ultimate murder spree. As Freddy and Jason wreak havoc over a small town, savagely taking the lives of innocent people, one of the serial killers gets stronger and stronger. The two diabolical horror figures stand off in a bloody battle that leaves a gruesome taste in your mouth. Director Ronny Yu shot this film on a $25 million budget.

Blade: Trinity (2004)

Writer-director David S. Goyer tells the third and final story in the Blade film series with a star studded cast. Wesley Snipes stars as Blade, while Ryan Reynolds, Jessica Biel and Kris Kristofferson fill in supporting roles. The story follows Blade as he teams up with vampire hunters called “the Nightstalkers.” The new crew works tirelessly to create a destructive virus that will exterminate the vampire race, but are ultimately forced to battle it out at a final showdown.

Holla (2006)

H.M. Coakley wrote and directed this horror that follows an unlucky group of friends doomed for danger. When an actress takes her closest friends along for an isolated weekend getaway, the group quickly finds out dark secrets about one another. She is accompanied by her boyfriend, manager and ex-con cousin, one of whom is accused of murder early into the trip. As the power cuts out in their secluded cabin, murderous truths come to light.

Shadow: Dead Riot (2006)

A women’s penitentiary inmate must fight off zombie forces led by an evil voodoo serial killer. She has been running from Satan’s sacrifice since she was a young girl, but as a prisoner, she has no where to go. In an effort to prepare herself for a final battle with the devil, the inmate must climb her way through the prison hierarchy before she can be ready to demolish her enemy. Director Derek Wan was a cinematographer before taking on this film.

Meet the Blacks (2016)

Every family dreams of a better life. When the Black family acquires an expected load of cash, they decide to leave the violence of their Chicago neighborhood and move to posh Beverly Hills. Upon arriving, the family realizes they have walked into an annual purge where all crime is legal for twelve hours. Comedian Mike Epps plays the hilarious father who entertains the audience throughout the gruesome violence that splatters on screen. Deon Taylor served as director and co-writer for this bloody family comedy.

Get Out (2017)

A weekend trip to meet the parents takes a horrifying turn for an interracial couple. As the family’s quirks come to light, so do their evil intentions for the young man. This film will have you wanting to watch it again and again to pick up the clues on the most unsuspecting characters. Acclaimed director Jordan Peele made his directorial debut with this iconic piece of Black horror cinema.

BloodRunners (2017)

Set in the Prohibition era, this high paced story of suspense unfolds as corrupt cops fight against a dangerous clan of blood-sucking vampires. We’ve never seen Ice-T in a character like this, so if you are a fan, this is definitely one you don’t want to miss. The 20s-style wardrobe, noire lighting and witty dialogue make for an unconventional horror movie-watching experience.

Snake Outta Compton (2018)

When a budding rap group finds themselves at the opportunity of a lifetime, they must put their record deal on hold to fight a giant mutant snake. Audiences have called his film a marriage between Snakes On A Plane (2006) and Straight Outta Compton (2015), with influences from memorable figures in Black pop culture. The entire cast is comprised of lesser known actors, but their chemistry makes the script pages hilariously come to life. Hank Braxton co-wrote and directed this sci-fi horror.

The First Purge (2018)

As the fourth film in the notorious Purge series, this film takes place in Staten Island, where a new political party encourages its citizens to break the law for 12 hours. Families are given the chance to leave the island, but a prize awaits for the brave ones. Any and all survivors are promised $5,000 for staying alive throughout the purge. This twisted action horror is directed by Gerard McMurray.

Us (2019)

Have you ever met your doppelgänger? Imagine coming across your creepy look-a-like while on vacation with your family. In this horrifying blockbuster, a family’s charming getaway takes a dark turn when their own clones begin terrorizing them. Oscar-winner Lupita Nyong’o stars alongside Handmaid’s Tale actress Elisabeth Moss.

Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror (2019)

Filmmakers, writers, scholars and actors sit down to share their personal stories and insight onto the Black history of horror. The documentary is only 83 minutes long, but does a compelling job of laying out the history and foundation in which we’ve been able to see filmmakers like Jordan Peele sweep the gold during award season. William Crain, Ernest Dickerson and Loretta Devine are just a few of the many iconic figures to make appearances in this special.