9 of the best horror movies from Black directors

Andrew LaSaneJul 15, 2020, 00:22 IST

Some Black directors have been creating horror cult classics since the 1970s.Lions Gate Films; Universal Pictures

Contemporary filmmakers like Jordan Peele and Nia DaCosta have joined a rich history of Black horror directors.
From blaxploitation classics like "Blacula" (1972) to the fourth installment of "The Purge" franchise, there are great horror films by Black creatives that everyone should see.
Directors William Crain, Ernest Dickerson, Gerard McMurray, Rusty Cundieff, and Kasi Lemmons are famous Black horror artists who have directed iconic movies.

We may truly be in a golden age for horror films — especially horror by Black creators.

Black voices and faces are underrepresented in the horror genre, both onscreen and in the director's chair. Fortunately, the recent success of films like Jordan Peele's "Get Out" (2017) and "Us" (2019) and Xavier Burgin's documentary "Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror" (2019) have helped shine a spotlight on some of the high points of the genre.

As we wait for more horror films to be released — including Nia DaCosta's highly anticipated "Candyman" remake — here are some of the best horror movies created by Black directors.

William Crain's "Blacula" (1972) inspired a wave of Black-created horror films in the 1970s.

William Marshall in "Blacula." HBO Video

"Ganja and Hess" (1973) was restored with director Bill Gunn's original cut in 2018.

Duane Jones in "Ganja and Hess." Kelly/Jordan Enterprises

Rusty Cundieff's "Tales from the Hood" (1995) is now considered a cult classic, even if it wasn't an instant success in the 1990s.

Clarence Williams III in "Tales from the Hood." HBO Video

"Tales from the Crypt Presents: Demon Knight" (1995) by director Ernest R. Dickerson was the first feature film in the HBO franchise.

Jada Pinkett Smith, William Sadler, and Billy Zane starred in "Demon Knight." MCA Universal Home Video

Kasi Lemmons' classic drama "Eve's Bayou" (1997) is preserved in the Library of Congress' National Film Registry.

Jurnee Smollett in "Eve's Bayou." Lions Gate Films

Snoop Dogg starred in Dickerson's 2001 horror flick, "Bones."

Snoop Dogg in "Bones." New Line Cinema

Peele's "Get Out" (2017) was nominated for four Oscars.

Daniel Kaluuya in "Get Out." Universal

"The First Purge" (2018) by director Gerard McMurray is the fourth film in the horror franchise.

"The First Purge" takes place on Staten Island. Universal Pictures

"Us" (2019) is another critically acclaimed horror movie from Peele.

Lupita Nyong'o in "Us." Universal Pictures

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