Candyman (1992) What begins as a grad student's quest to debunk a Chicago-born urban legend quickly unravels into a complex tale that examines both race and oppression. (The film is seen as a representation of fear of urban society in the 90s; still, critics point out the problematic trope of Black men in pursuit of white women.) Watch out for Jordan Peele's remake in 2021. STREAM IT HERE Hearst Owned
Get Out (2017) Now a horror-film master in his own right, Jordan Peele's 2017 directorial debut changed the entire game. Employing tyical horror movie tropes (masked villains, the occasional jump-scare), the flick is unique for its nuanced critique on modern race relations in America. STREAM IT HERE Hearst Owned
Us (2019) Horror movies starring Black actresses are far and few in between-the 1974 Sugar Hill is credited as one of the first films to do sobut in recent years, that's begun to change. Peele's Us, led brilliantly by Lupita Nyong'o, is one example of a handful of horror flicks that's changing the face of scream queens and final girls. STREAM IT HERE Hearst Owned
Blacula (1972) Directed by a Black director (William Crain) and starring a Black actor (William Marshall), the 1972 film tells the the story of an 18th century prince sent to Transylvania to enlist the help of Dracula to end the slave trade. The film is hailed as having given rise to Blaxsploitation films of the 70s, an ethnic subgenre of film that catered to Black audiences and featured Black protagonists. "Crain made one of the most important, well-known films in the 70s as a 23-year old Black man in the industry," says Burgin. "It was unprecedented." STREAM IT HERE Hearst Owned
The Girl With all the Gifts (2016) Based on a novel by the same name, this film centers around the character of Melanie (played by actress Sennia Nanua), who has one "gift": she's a sentient zombie-child, capable of restraining her urges for human flesh (for the most part). The fact that the film stars a young Black actress is, in and of itself, a major first. STREAM IT HERE Hearst Owned
Eve's Bayou (1997) Starring Jurnee Smollett-Bell and Samuel L. Jackson, the late 90s flick tells the story of a young girl living in Louisiana and her memory of an event that happens during the summer of 1962. "Some folks don't consider it horror because it doesn't have big scares, but I consider it a kind of Southern Gothic horror film," says Burgin. "There aren't too many films like this." STREAM IT HERE Hearst Owned
Tales From the Hood (1995) Executive-produced by Spike Lee, this cult-hit tells four stories based on issues that impacted Black communities during the 90s, including police violence and system racism. More than two decades later, a sequel emerged. Lee credits the success of Get Out as his reason for pursuing a second film. STREAM IT HERE Hearst Owned
Ganja & Hess (1973) This cult classic follows an anthropologist (played by Night of the Living Dead's Duane Jones) who is stabbed by a daggerand given the power of immortality. "It's a vampire story in a more intimate, honest, and revolutionary way that you don't see in most popcorn flicks," says Burgin. STREAM IT HERE Hearst Owned
Attack the Block (2011) Perhaps best known for starring a pre-Star Wars John Boyega, this British sci-fi-comedy-horror follows a working-class neighborhood in South London fighting back against an alien invasion. In June, Boyega and director Joe Cornish hinted at a sequel , with the intent to cast more Black actors. STREAM IT HERE Hearst Owned
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