16 Horror Movies Directed By Women Of Color You Can Stream Right Now
I get sad when I see lists of horror directors going around Twitter. The default is often predominantly (if not all) white men, and the few times people specifically ask for horror movies by women, the default typically falls to white women. My main focus is intersectional horror, so this grinds my gears because it leaves women of color out of the equation. So, I decided to use Twitter for good by reminding people that WOC have directed some of the most stunning, engaging, and terrifying movies in the genre. While plenty of the movies below are popular, they usually slip people’s minds when asked about their favorites. I hope making a streaming guide will bring them to the forefront.
Without further ado, here are 16 genre films directed by women of color you can stream today.
Atlantics (2019)
Directed by Mati Diop
Where You Can Watch: Netflix
Unpaid workers on the site of a futuristic tower decide to leave their country and head into the ocean. They soon return to haunt their community and the loved ones left behind. If you like a little romance with your supernatural drama, you should check this out. I am not a romantic, but enough people have recommended it to me that there must be something here for my cold little heart. Mati Diop also co-wrote this film with Olivier Demangel.
Bingo Hell (2021)
Directed by Gigi Saul Guerrero
Where You Can Watch: Prime Video
A stubborn group of elderly folks fight gentrification and the evil force attempting to buy their local bingo hall. Not only is this directed by a woman of color, but it also follows women of color over 40. If you missed this horror comedy, you can change that tonight because it has a lean runtime of 85 minutes. Guerrero shares writing credit with Shane McKenzie and Perry Blackshear. Gigi Saul Guerrero also directed Culture Shock, which is streaming now on Hulu.
Blood Diner (1987)
Directed by Jackie Kong
Where You Can Watch: The Roku Channel
Two brothers tasked with upholding an ancient cult’s cannibalism rituals prepare to resurrect an Egyptian goddess. Do you like horror comedies with memorable deaths? Do you just like weird and wild movies from the 80s? Then you have to check this one out. Blood Diner is possibly the movie Jackie Kong is best known for because it is such a chaotic ride. If you want more time with Kong’s work, catch The Being on Prime Video.
Candyman (2021)
Directed by Nia DaCosta
Where You Can Watch: Freevee
This direct sequel to Candyman (1992) sees an artist investigate the history of Candyman in a gentrified Chicago neighborhood. This is where many of us got onto the Nia DaCosta bandwagon. This movie is gorgeous and asks its audience timely questions regarding who gets to tell our stories. It remains one of my favorite movies of this decade and corrects the issues the original series ran into. DaCosta wrote it alongside Jordan Peele and Win Rosenfeld.
Eve’s Bayou (1997)
Written and Directed by Kasi Lemmons
Where You Can Watch: Freevee
A child discovers that her father’s philandering ways might have led to something unspeakable happening in their home. Not only is Lemmons’ script and direction out of this world, but this cast is overflowing with icons. Samuel L. Jackson, Lynn Whitfield, Debbi Morgan, Lisa Nicole Carson, Jurnee Smollett, and Diahann Carroll each give an acting masterclass. This all-Black Southern gothic horror movie is too good for words. Eve’s Bayou is pure cinema.
Huesera The Bone Woman (2022)
Directed by Michelle Garza Cervera
Where You Can Watch: AMC+ and Shudder
A woman realizes that pregnancy and motherhood is not what she was told it would be. I’m usually annoyed by pregnancy horror movies because they often depict women as one-dimensional characters. However, this one avoids that pitfall and has a message I can get behind. This is another reason I want more women of color helming horror movies. We actually have things to say that breathe life into stale subgenres.
The Invitation (2015)
Directed by Karyn Kusama
Where You Can Watch: Freevee, Peacock, Pluto TV, The Roku Channel, and Tubi
A man attends his ex-wife’s dinner party and soon discovers their shared grief is not the only thing hanging over the unsettling evening. This is one of the most tense movies I have ever seen. I thought I knew where it was going, but it surprised me by going in a completely chaotic route. Kusama directed the hell out of this film, and it should be studied. You will want more time with Karyn Kusama’s work afterward. So, catch Jennifer’s Body on Peacock. You can also see the episodes of Yellowjackets she directed if you have an upgraded Paramount+ account.
The Long Walk (2019)
Directed by Mattie Do
Where You Can Watch: AMC+, The Roku Channel, Sling TV, and Tubi
An old hermit discovers that the ghost of an accident victim can transport him fifty years into the past to witness his mother’s death. This is one of the movies Twitter introduced me to, and it sounds like my kind of party. We have ghosts and supernatural time travel, so I am ready to see where this goes. Not only is Do a director we should be supporting, but she is also Laos’ first woman director. I love it when women of color make history while making horror movies. You can watch Mattie Do’s Dearest Sister (2016) on VOD if you enjoy her work.
Medusa (2021)
Written and Directed by Anita Rocha da Silveira
Where You Can Watch: Plex, Prime Video, and Tubi
A Brazilian purity group tries to find control by roaming the streets and beating women who they feel are too sinful. I really liked this movie when I saw it a couple of years ago. It has hints of Saved, Donnie Darko, and Heathers but filtered through a WOC lens. It is wicked, smart, and fun. I am so happy it is finally streaming so everyone can watch it. It is such a cool and genre-defying film that deserved more attention than it received. You can also check out Anita Rocha da Silveira’s Kill Me Please on Tubi.
Relic (2020)
Directed by Natalie Erika James
Where You Can Watch: AMC+ and Shudder
Three generations of women are haunted by a manifestation of dementia that is unleashed in their house. I am here for movies that have roles for older women. I am also here for women of color directing more Australian psychological horror because Australia gives us some wild and effective stuff. It was also cool to see Emily Mortimer in the genre again. This haunting tale was written by Natalie Erika James and Christian White and deserves to be watched at least once.
Slash/Back (2022)
Directed by Nyla Innuksuk
Where You Can Watch: AMC+ , Hulu, and Shudder
Four girls who love horror and sci-fi realize that local disappearances are linked to an actual shapeshifting alien. Not only is this movie directed by a woman of color, but it is also a Canadian Inuit sci-fi film following four teen girls. Do you know how happy writing that sentence makes me? I would love to live in a world where this type of film is more commonplace. Brown kids deserve to see people who look like them have fun and go on adventures. I am so tired of the media not understanding that. This movie was written by Ryan Cavan and Nyla Innuksuk and warmed many hearts when it landed on Shudder.
Tigers Are Not Afraid (2017)
Written and Directed by Issa López
Where You Can Watch: AMC+ and Shudder
A group of five children try to survive the violence of cartels and the ghosts they leave in their wake. This haunting, beautiful, and sad tale was my introduction to Issa López. She seamlessly combines elements of crime, horror, fantasy, and drama into this dark magical realism film that stays with you long after the credits are done. If you have not seen it, prepare for some serious sobbing. When you finish crying, check out Issa López’s True Detective: Night Country on Max. It manages to shake up the detective genre and make it relevant again.
Umma (2022)
Written and Directed by Iris K. Shim
Where You Can Watch: Hulu
A woman and her daughter living off the grid in a farmhouse find their lives turned upside down when the remains of their estranged matriarch arrive from Korea. Sandra Oh gives another performance that makes me mad that she does not have more acting awards. Umma is also one of the better PG-13 horror movies in recent years. Iris K. Shim’s film explores momma trauma and healing through a cultural lens many critics didn’t seem ready for. However, I enjoyed it and think everyone should watch it at least once.
The Uninvited (2003)
Written and Directed by Lee Soo-Youn
Where You Can Watch: Fandango At Home and Tubi
A man sees two little girls die on a subway and then sees them again in his apartment. Again, I’m here for women of color directing psychological horror movies. I also love that Lee Soo-Youn’s first feature explores childhood trauma and buried memories. It is ambitious, and I respect the hell out of it. If you enjoy this one, you can also catch Lee Soo-Youn’s Blue Beard (2017) on VOD.
Unseen (2023)
Directed by Yoko Okumura
Where You Can Watch: MGM+ and Prime Video
A gas station clerk receives a call from a nearly blind woman running for her life. These two strangers bond as they work together to get the woman away from her murderous ex. I put this movie on my radar when I heard it was directed by a woman of color. However, I soon found out it gets even cooler. This is one of the few movies where the director and both lead actors are Japanese-American women. I wish this wasn’t such a rare occurrence, but we live in the darkest timeline. So, this is another reason to celebrate this movie.
Watcher (2022)
Directed by Chloe Okuno
Where You Can Watch: AMC+, Hulu, and Shudder
An American woman moves to Bucharest and begins to suspect her neighbor is a serial killer who wants her to be his next victim. I dug this movie but got even more excited when I saw it directed by a woman of color. Chloe Okuno manages to suspend the tension and terror of this situation masterfully. It feels like so many 70s thrillers I love while also being its own deadly thing. Okuno wrote the script with Zack Ford, and the movie stars Maika Monroe. I cannot recommend it enough.
As you can see, plenty of amazing horror movies by women of color are currently available to stream. There are too many for me to cram into one streaming guide without it becoming too long to read. However, I am still sneaking in a few more titles just in case you have already watched the 16 I highlighted.
Bonus Movies Directed By Women Of Color
Bedevil (1993) Written and Directed by Tracey Moffatt on Kanopy
Bilocation (2013) Directed and Co-written by Mari Asato on Tubi
Our Father The Devil (2021) Written and Directed by Ellie Foumbi on VOD
Master (2022) Written and Directed by Mariama Diallo on Prime Video
The Reincarnation of Golden Lotus (1989) Directed by Clara Law on iQIYI
Ring of Curse (2011) Directed by Mari Asato on Crunchyroll and Fandango At Home
Tale Of A Vampire (1992) Directed by Shimako Sato on VOD
Totally Killer (2023) Directed by Nahnatchka Khan on Prime Video
Visible Secret (2001) Directed by Ann Hui on VOD
The Voices (2014) Directed by Marjane Satrapi Pluto TV and Prime Video
Within (2009) Directed by Hanelle M. Culpepper on VOD
Hopefully, this list introduces you to a few new favorite directors. Or, at the very least, remind you that some fierce women of color have created pretty amazing movies. With this much talent, there is no reason for those internet lists to continue centering only white guys, or white women. Let’s change that together, shall we?
Have you seen all of these films directed by women of color? Then let me know which ones are your favorites at @misssharai.
Categorized:Editorials Streaming Guides
