Noire Grimoire: The 10 Best Black Horror Movies

You may be wondering: what is Horror Noire? Horror Noire is a horror subgenre that focuses on African-American and Black characters and stories, typically made by Black filmmakers (though not always). Although it’s a subgenre of horror, Horror Noire focuses on black horror and explores themes and tropes we already know. From vampires to voodoo and possession to zombies, Horror Noire takes the genre we love and turns a Black lens on it so that we can finally see ourselves on the big screen and in horror.

If you’re curious about Horror Noire and not sure where to start, we’ve got you covered. We’ve compiled some of the best Horror Noire for you, but don’t stop at this list. There are wonderful films worth exploring by Black filmmakers in and out of the horror genre, and trust me, there are plenty of good ones to watch.

10. “Get Out” (2017)

When Chris (Daniel Kaluuya) meets his girlfriend Rose’s family for the first time, he uncovers a dark, terrible tradition that forces him to fight for his life. Director Jordan Peele’s terrifying yet all too real debut reinvigorates the genre and cements its place in the hall of fame.

“Get Out” deserves to be watched more than once. You’ll discover easter eggs from Black culture and cinema will make you snap at the screen in recognition. You’ll watch for little things that seem just so subtly out of place, and recognize how much that affects not only Chris as a character, but the way that Black people have been treated for years. “Get Out” was an eye-opener to the struggles that Black audiences have had to go through, but could not dare say out loud, and deserves to be watched over and over again.

9. “Ganja & Hess” (1973)

Black vampires are so far and few between, and when we get them, we’re given strong and beautiful stories that touch on identity, grief, addiction, and religion. Directed by Bill Gunn, Ganja & Hess tells the story of Dr. Hess Green (Duane Jones), who becomes a vampire after his assistant dies; when his assistant’s wife Ganja (Marlene Clark) enters the picture, the two indulge in a tragic course of blood, love, and life after death.

“Ganja & Hess” is truly a work of art. Gunn crafted an extraordinary avant-garde horror film that has lasted the test of time and through the art of others using it as inspiration. (Spike Lee’s “Da Sweet Blood of Jesus” is an example of this.) Even though many couldn’t appreciate it, or Bill Gunn, when he was alive, it’s wonderful to continue to watch his art today and celebrate the visionary that he was.

8. “Def by Temptation” (1990)

Before Joel decides to become a minister, he wants to live life for himself. However, when a succubus tries to pull him away from his mission, he has to choose between temptation and God. “Def by Temptation” feels like a student film with a full heart, and I do not mean that in a bad way. This film is a hidden gem, and anyone who watches it for the first time will immediately see its charm. With an outstanding cast, including Samuel L. Jackson, Kadeem Hardison, and Bill Nunn, a stunning antagonist in Temptation (Cynthia Bond), and written, produced, directed by, and starring James Bond III, it’s truly a treasure within the horror noire database!

7. “Candyman” (1992)

Based on Clive Barker’s short story “The Forbidden,” “Candyman” follows graduate student Helen, who studies folklore and urban legends. She comes across the urban legend of Candyman (Tony Todd), who is feared by the Cabrini-Green projects, and for good reason. Whenever you call his name, he, with his hook hand or buzzing bees, will appear. “Candyman” is a slow-burn, but that’s the romance of it. It pulls you in slowly, and when Candyman sinks his hooks into you, you won’t want to let go. It’s visually stunning, with themes of social issues, racism, and the lasting impact of keeping a legend alive, not only with the call of his name, but with the history that he comes with.

6. “Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror” (2019)

“Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror” turns its focus on the prolific and complex history of Black horror — which is perfectly described by author Tananarive Due when she says, “We’ve always loved horror. It’s just that horror, unfortunately, hasn’t always loved us.”

This documentary explores Black characters, caricatures, and tropes from the past and present, and swings us into the modern age of Black Horror. It dives deep into the meaning of these narratives and the history behind them, using elements of horror drawn from real-life events, feelings, and situations that affect Black people to this day. “Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror” is the perfect documentary for anyone interested in horror history and learning about the evolution of Black horror.

5. “Sinners”(2025)

Remember when I said Black vampires are so far and few between, and when we get them, they tell a beautiful story? “Sinners” is one of those vampire stories. Twin brothers Smoke and Stack (Michael B. Jordan) return from their criminal activities to open up a juke joint for the night, and when they come upon something ready to steal their humanity, they’ll fight to survive until the sun comes up.

“Sinners” combines hardship, history, hatred, love, guilt, romance, suffering, and more — with a genre-bending narrative that will leave you breathless. With a powerhouse cast, incredible music and score, and a director who never misses, “Sinners” is one of the latest inductees into the horror noire hall of fame and will be talked about for a very long time.

4. “Eve’s Bayou” (1997)

If you’re looking for a Southern Gothic film that feels like you’ve stumbled into another place and time, look no further than “Eve’s Bayou.” Directed by Kasi Lemmons, this film follows Eve Batiste, a girl growing up in Louisiana with her family. One day, she sees her father doing something her sister convinces her isn’t real, but she knows there’s more to it. Don’t get me wrong when I say this, but “Eve’s Bayou” is better than “Atonement.” The film plays and touches on memory, abuse, and family secrets. It tells the story of Black women within systems set up around them or passed down to them. It brings sisterhood and mysticism together in a unique, spiritual way. Yup, you can’t make me believe that “Eve’s Bayou” doesn’t truly have it all.

3. “Sugar Hill” (1974)

Diana “Sugar” Hill (Marki Bey) wants revenge on the man who took her boyfriend away from her, and she uses conjure, voodoo, a demonic spirit, and zombies to seek her revenge. Please, for the love of everything, watch Sugar Hill if you love zombies. “Sugar Hill” is a blaxploitation (Black films targeted to Black audiences in the ’70s) horror film that combines the brutality of grief and revenge, but it’s also campy and stylish, living in a box of its own. There’s no other zombie film that this writer has ever seen that has this much of a “cool” vibe to it that makes you want to dive headfirst into Sugar’s world.

2. “Tales of the Crypt: Demon Knight” (1995)

Frank Brayker tries to keep a sacred and ancient key away from a demon named The Collector, and when he’s trapped in a boarding house with no way to escape, it takes him and a woman named Jeryline to keep the key safe and themselves alive. This “Tales of the Crypt” film is non-stop fun from beginning to end, and it isn’t afraid to be silly every once in a while. You’ll still find those satisfying scares, and it holds real significance for horror noire as a whole. Jeryline (Jada Pinkett Smith) is one of the genre’s true mainstay final girls. That’s a big deal because Black women typically weren’t seen as final girls, but Jeryline paved the way for a contemporary version of this trope!

1. “Night of the Living Dead” (1968)

When Barbra and Johnny go to the cemetery, they are attacked by a man, and Barbra runs for her life. She meets Ben, a man running from ghouls as they lock themselves into a home with others to fend off the growing horde. Directed by horror maestro George A. Romero, “Night of the Living Dead” shaped the lasting evolution of zombies (known as ghouls in this film) throughout pop culture. It also played a significant role in casting a Black actor, Duane Jones, as both a hero and the film’s star, which was unheard of at the time. “Night of the Living Dead” remains a legacy horror film and an important staple of the horror noire subgenre to this day.

Best Horror Noire — Honorable Mentions

• “Abby” (1974)
• “The Angry Black Girl and Her Monster” (2023)
• “Attack the Block” (2011)
• “Blacula” (1972)
• “Blade” (1998)
• “Bones” (2001)
• “His House” (2020)
• “The People Under the Stairs” (1991)
• “Spawn” (1997)
• “Sissy” (2022)
• “Son of Ingagi” (1940)
• “Tales from the Hood” (1995)

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