22 of the Scariest Horror Movies in Black Cinema

When you hear "Black scary movies," you most likely think of Get Out, Jordan Peele's 2017 film that won an Oscar for best screenplay. The modern thriller quickly became an iconic piece of pop culture history thanks to its unique story that was both humorous and had you sitting on the edge of your seat. But it wasn't just searching for screams. It offered a deep reflection on racism in America.

On July 20, Peele is returning to the big screen once again with his third feature film Nope. Starring KeKe Palmer and Daniel Kaluuya, the film follows a brother OJ Haywood (played by Kaluuya) and sister Emerald Haywood (played by Palmer) duo horse training team on a quiet ranch in the desert outskirts of Hollywood. In the aftermath of their father’s death, the siblings decide to capture proof of UFOs and aliens, believing they may have played a role in his demise. If the pre-premiere hype indicates anything, Nope is game to join Peele’s previous works at the top of the box office skillfully discussing the role of race in Emerald and OJ’s life; they do run Hollywood’s only Black-owned horse training ranch after all.

However, as great as Nope is expected to be, Peele isn't the first to create a fantastic Black horror film that made a statement. If you fancy yourself a fan of Black American cinema or you're simply looking to add something thrilling to your repertoire as Halloween approaches (it'll be here before you know it!), we've got a list of the best Black horror movies below, including some haunting vampire flicks, spanning from the 1970s to 2022 and several offerings you can stream on Netflix, Amazon Prime, and beyond.