5 Fantastic Horror Films From Black Directors To Watch Before Ryan Coogler’s ‘Sinners’ Releases This Friday

Sinners releases in theaters on April 18th, and it looks like it’s going to be one of the best horror movies of the year. Early reviews (45 of them) have the movie sitting at 100% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes as of this writing, which is exciting to see!

Starring Michael B. Jordan and directed by Ryan Coogler, Sinners is set in Mississippi during 1932. The story is about twin brothers who return to their hometown and open a juke joint, only to have it become the target of supernatural enemies.

Sinners looks amazing, and my excitement for the film got me thinking about some of my other favorite horror movies. Collected here are five of the best horror movies from Black directors which feature monsters both supernatural and human.

Dr. Black, Mr. Hyde (1976)

Henry Pride is a well-respected doctor working on a revolutionary breakthrough in medical science. But when he injects himself with the experimental serum he’s working on, Dr. Pride is transformed into a white-skinned monster who becomes a menace to the people he’s trying to help. Dr. Black, Mr. Hyde has a surprisingly layered approach to its social commentary, and actor Bernie Casey is phenomenally tragic as a man caught between two worlds.

The Angry Black Girl and Her Monster (2023)

Inspired by Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, The Angry Black Girl and Her Monster is a thoroughly modern Prometheus. After losing her brother Chris to violence created by the gangs that rule her town, Vicaria uses her scientific genius to bring him back to life. However, her creation is not like the Chris she once knew.

Ganja & Hess (1973)

Made during the Blaxploitation era of the 1970s, Ganja & Hess sets itself apart through its artistic approach to horror. The story is about Dr. Hess Green who becomes a vampire after an incident with his assistant and an ancient dagger. Hess falls in love with a woman named Ganja Meda, and the couple struggle with their new vampiric existence. Though the basic plot might seem straightforward, it’s the film’s stylized visuals and moody atmosphere that made it a cult classic.

Candyman (2021)

Candyman (2021) is not a remake. It is a haunting sequel to the 1992 original which expands on the mythology of the Candyman’s urban legend. Artist Anthony McCoy becomes obsessed with the Candyman legend, incorporating the story into his artwork. But when Candyman seems to show interest in Anthony, he might become part of the legend himself.

The Blackening (2022)

A group of friends reuniting for Juneteenth at a cabin in the woods become targets of a killer in this excellent horror-comedy. The film is a spoof of horror tropes, but the best part of the film is the banter between its cast members. They all genuinely feel like friends riffing on each other throughout a horrifying experience, and they’re a blast to watch.