9 Black Horror Films to watch in honor of Juneteenth:
Recommendations from Ashlee Blackwell's 2019 Shudder horror documentary, "Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror"; based on Robin R. Means Coleman's 2011 book of the same name.
Son of Ingagi (1940).
With a screenplay based on his own short story, House of Horrors, Black writer Spencer Williams’ Son of Ingagi is widely known as the first horror film to feature an all Black cast. This trailblazing creature feature is a political response and sequel to the racist 1930 film, Ingagi, and can be found streaming on Tubi for FREE!
Blacula (1972).
The famous blaxploitation film from iconic Black film director William Crain and starring iconic Black film actor William Marshall in the titular role. A just as beloved direct sequel, titled, Scream Blacula Scream (1973), stars the equally beloved and iconic Pam Grier in a thrillingly supernatural scream queen moment! A perfect double feature for FREE on Tubi!
Tales from the Hood (1995).
From Black screenwriter and director Rusty Cundieff, this groundbreaking horror anthology tackles a myriad of Black social inequality issues such as police brutality, anti-Black, conservative political agendas, and domestic abuse. As Cundieff says himself in Shudder’s 2019 documentary, Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror, the overarching thesis that connects all the stories, and what he tells his children at night, is that the "real horror of life isn’t fictional spirits, but other people”. Unfortunately only available on Youtube Movies or Amazon Prime Video for purchase, but check in on Tubi periodically! Or, try your local library!
Tales from the Crypt: Demon Knight (1995).
A spin off, feature length film to the iconic HBO horror anthology series of the same title, and directed by Black director, screenwriter, and cinematographer, who would eventually give us Bones (2001), too, Ernest Dickerson, Demon Knight is widely considered to be the first horror film to star a Black Final Girl with Jada Pinkett Smith’s genre defining performance as Jeryline. Available on Youtube Movies and Amazon Prime Video for rent, but check your local library!
Def by Temptation (1990).
Written, directed, produced, and starring the iconic James Bond III, and with a Black cast of leading characters featuring THE Samuel L. Jackson, a soul hungry demon (Cynthia Bond) victimizes Black men on the streets of New York City. Timely and compelling and available to stream for FREE on Tubi!
Attack the Block (2011).
A young John Boyega in a rare Scream KING performance as a British boy just trying to defend his fellow friends and neighborhood against a violent alien attack. This sci-fi/action/thriller is filled with iconic horror imagery, suspenseful action sequences, and surprisingly effective special effects. The critically acclaimed, modern classic is currently available to stream on Hulu!
The Girl with All the Gifts (2016).
Another British sci-fi/action/horror film follows a young Black girl, Sennia Nanua in a powerhouse, star making leading performance, as she struggles to survive and make a new life for herself in the zombie apocalypse. Visceral, gory, and chilling in a way that lingers long after the credits roll, the film is available for FREE on Tubi, PlutoTV, and Freevee.
Eve’s Bayou (1997).
From Black screenwriter and director Kasi Lemmons and starring an all Black cast featuring the likes of Jurnee Smollett, Samuel L. Jackson, and Meagan Good, among many others, this American Southern Gothic horror film follows a young Black girl (Smollett) as her affluent presenting life cracks all around her in thrillingly dramatic ways. Nuanced, stylistic, and groundbreaking, this Black woman written and directed film can be experienced for FREE on Freevee through Amazon Prime Video.
Ganja & Hess (1973).
Heavily lumped in with other blaxploitation era criticisms, but from Black actor/screenwriter/director Bill Gunn comes an ahead of its time, vampiric horror masterpiece Black filmmaking/filmmaking in general. With all the affection, subtext, and nuance that normal blaxploitation era studio owned films lacked, Ganja & Hess MUST be indulged by anyone from horror buff to average film watcher. Available for FREE on Tubi!
HONORABLE MENTIONS TO WELL KNOWN AND BELOVED FILMS: Get Out (2017), Candyman (1992), The People Under the Stairs (1991), and, of course and above all, Night of the Living Dead (1968).
Tales From The Hood gave me nightmares as a kid lol