The Ultimate Black History Month Viewing Guide
Black History Month is coming to a close. However, we should celebrate Black History and Black horror all year long. I asked some of my favorite Black horror content creators what should be required viewing for life and specifically this month. Hopefully, this list will help some people expand their Black horror knowledge and give some recognition to so many overlooked creatives in the genre.
Check out this list if you want to celebrate some Black Horror icons this Black Black History Month.
Blacula (1972)
Where You Can Watch: The Roku Channel
This film can be seen as groundbreaking, problematic, and a relic of its time all in one. But we should cherish it because it gave us different shades of the Black community in horror. From kings and queens, to hustlers and working class, to straight and gay. The film, while stemming from a seed of racism, managed to grow into its own tale of horror within the Black community without white saviors being the focal point. If anything, we have to give it credit for doing that in a time where Blacks were barely visible in cinema outside of slave parables or hood/ghetto dramas. – Mark O. Estes, Midnight Social Distortion
Eve’s Bayou (1997)
Where You Can Watch: Amazon Prime, Pluto TV, The Roku Channel
Remember Clarice’s best friend in Silence of the Lambs ’91 and Helen’s in Candyman ’92? Kasi Lemmons is so much more than those limiting roles. She went on to write and direct Eve’s Bayou in ’97, a Southern Gothic dive into the secret life & mysticism of an affluent Black community in New Orleans. Oh, and a major must-watch. – Brother Ghoulish
Ganja & Hess (1973)
Where You Can Watch: Showtime
It’s not your average vampire film. We’re also blessed with another horror film featuring the talented and handsome Duane Jones ❤️😍 – AshXAshes, Rise From the Dead
Get Out (2017)
Where You Can Watch: VOD
We can’t discuss movies for the culture without discussing Get Out. Jordan Peele used this movie to reintroduce the concept of social horror but did it in such an original way. Get Out brought Black horror movies with big budgets back to the big screen and will forever be a game-changer for me. – Kendra, Black Girl Horror
Good Manners (2017)
Where You Can Watch: Shudder
I’ve never seen is a werewolf movie like this. Queer Black loner female protagonist. Doesn’t pull any punches on the racial dynamics in Brazil. It’s a love story, a fairy tale, a musical work, an emotional picture. – Dusky Projects, Black Women Are Scary
Sweetheart (2019)
Where You Can Watch: Netflix
Allow me to be transparent; the only reason I decided to watch this movie was because there was a cute brown girl on the cover, rocking a similar hairstyle as me. I had no idea I’d be led into the badass monster survival horror story that I never knew that I needed. Come for the representation; stay for the monster mash. – Xero Gravity
Tales from the Crypt: Demon Knight (1995)
Where You Can Watch: Shudder
This is a classic movie straight from the mid-90s. Directed by the underappreciated Black director and cinematographer, Ernest Dickerson, this movie has everything that you need from a horror film.
Do you want a possession story? Check. Do you want Billy Zane acting a fool? Check.
How about Jada Pinkett Smith as an iconic character who gets covered in blood and has a dope haircut? Check. CCH Pounder and William Sadler?! Check.
Imagine all this under the brilliant direction of a Black director and under the Tales from the Crypt moniker. I highly recommend this movie and it is good for multiple rewatches! Keep it creepy, ghouls. -Tyrone Hamler, Black Horror Icons
Tales from the Hood (1995)
Where You Can Watch: Shudder and VOD
This is one of the best anthologies out there! Over 25 years later and this movie is still extremely relevant. Tales from the Hood has incredible death scenes, memorable quotes, and messages behind each story. Check it out. -Jazz, Girl, That’s Scary
Bonus Selections From Dread Central’s Girl, That’s Scary
Sugar Hill (1974)
Where You Can Watch: AMC+
This movie has great aesthetics, a lot of quotes, and some of my favorite zombies to see. Sugar is a fun character to follow and the revenge is as sweet as her name.
Black Box (2020)
Where You Can Watch: Amazon Prime
This movie is special due to the representation of Black people in the STEM field. This is a good sci-fi thriller that is not talked about enough. This film begs the question; How strong are memories? How strong is your essence?
The Girl with All the Gifts (2016)
Where You Can Watch: Tubi, Vudu, and Youtube
I recommend this film to viewers to follow Melanie and her arc. This film can start conversations about what it’s like to be considered dangerous no matter the circumstance. I also think the end is a great point of discussion.
Let me know if you’re closing out Black History Month with any of these amazing Black Horror movies at @misssharai.
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