14 Black Horror Films to Watch in October (And All Year Round)
October is the perfect time to revisit your favorite scary movies but it’s also the perfect time to explore Black horror if you’ve never done so before.
Now, when I say “Black horror,” I’m not just talking about movies featuring Black characters. I’m talking about horror stories told through Black perspectives: the ones that weave history, humor, faith, trauma, and survival into something truly unforgettable. Black horror has always been layered like that. It’s not just about monsters or jump scares; it’s about the real and metaphorical horrors that live in our world, and how we face them.
So, if you’re looking to mix up your October season watchlist, I’ve got you covered. Here are some incredible Black horror films to check out this October, split into categories, and where to watch them, because you know I love a good theme night.
Anthology Horror
Tales from the Hood (1995) Shudder, Peacock
A creepy mortician, Mr. Simms (Clarence Williams III), attempts to scare teenage drug dealer Stack (Joe Torry) and his friends straight by telling them four horrifying stories. One is about a guilt-riddled cop (Anthony Griffith) who goes crazy after ignoring his corrupt partner (Michael Massee) and one of a meek schoolboy (Brandon Hammond) with terrifying supernatural powers. One of the best anthologies ever done, Tales from the Hood belongs on your watchlist.
Horror Noire (2021) Shudder, AMC+
An anthology born from Shudder’s acclaimed documentary, this one brings together Black filmmakers and actors to tell stories that span sci-fi, ghost tales, and pure terror, each of them celebrating the legacy of Black horror storytelling. Films include work from Zandashé Brown, Robin Givens, Rob Greenlea, Kimani Ray Smith, Tananarive Due, Steven Barnes, Ezra Claytan Daniels, Victor LaValle, Shernold Edwards and Al Letson.
Vampires
Sinners (2024) HBO Max
Directed by Ryan Coogler, this Southern Gothic vampire tale dives deep into faith, family, and temptation. It’s moody, bloody, and filled with the kind of tension that lingers long after the credits roll. Starring Wunmi Mosaku, Michael B. Jordan, Miles Canton, Jayme Lawson and Hailee Stanfield, this film is impactful to the culture while being scary AF.
Blade (1998) Hulu
As the ultimate daywalker, Wesley Snipes’ Blade redefined superhero and vampire films at once. He was stylish, brutal, and cool as hell. Long before the MCU, this was the blueprint. This is a nostalgic October watch but also entertaining and so much fun to revisit.
Supernatural
His House (2020) Netflix
A refugee couple escapes war-torn South Sudan only to find their new English home haunted by more than just ghosts. It’s a devastating, emotional masterpiece about grief, guilt, and what we carry with us. Another film featuring Wunmi Mosaku and Sope Dirisu, this one is scary and gutwrenching. Grab your tissues and your blanket (to cover your eyes)!
Candyman (1992) Prime Video
"I am the writing on the wall, the whisper in the classroom. Without these things, I am nothing. So now, I must shed innocent blood." The story of Candyman will always be synonymous with Tony Todd, who made this film such an iconic piece of work. This is a Black horror classic and sure to make your skin crawl. Whatever you do, don’t say his name 5 times in the mirror.
Comedy
The Blackening (2023) Netflix
A group of friends reuniting for Juneteenth find themselves trapped in a cabin with a killer who knows all their secrets. Smart, hilarious, and self-aware, it’s a horror-comedy that finally gives Black audiences the inside jokes we’ve been waiting for. Strap in and don't forget the drinks. This one will have you laughing until your sides hurt.
Scary Movie (2000) Pluto TV
Scary Movie is the king when it comes to horror parodies. Equal parts ridiculous and iconic, it pokes fun at every horror trope imaginable. It still holds a special place in horror-comedy history and we are looking forward to seeing what Marlon Wayans does with it's upcoming sequel now that the franchise is back in his hands.
Classics
Blacula (1972) Tubi
Blacula is the original Black vampire story that redefined the genre. Prince Mamuwalde’s transformation into Blacula is tragic, stylish, and steeped in social commentary. This one is a true horror classic with soul that you can feel under your skin.
Sugar Hill (1974) Tubi
When gangsters murder her boyfriend, Sugar Hill turns to voodoo to raise an army of the undead and get revenge. It’s funky, fierce, and full of that 70s supernatural swagger that only the queen Marki Bey could convey on screen.
Both of these films are Blaxploitation films that feel like classic Black cinema.
Possession
Abby (1974) Plex
This film deserves so much more love (and a restored re-release!). We did a deep dive into Abby a couple years ago on YouTube so definitely check it out. The film is about a gospel-loving woman who becomes possessed by a sexually aggressive spirit, leading to chaos and scandal. It’s wild, blaxploitation horror at its finest and was banned for years. It's hard to find on physical and is only streaming (in low quality) on Plex. Someone please restore this!
The Angry Black Girl and Her Monster (2023) Hulu
This one is a modern reimagining of Frankenstein through the eyes of a brilliant young Black girl who refuses to accept death’s finality and believes it can be cured like a disease. Directed by Bomani J. Story and starring Laya Hayes, it’s bold, emotional, and fierce in its message about grief and Black rage.
Creature Feature
Sweetheart (2019) VOD
A young woman washes up on a deserted island, but she's not alone. Kiersey Clemons plays Jen, a shipwreck survivor that ends up on an island that is visited by a mysterious creature every night. This is a tight, terrifying survival story that is proof that you don’t need a big cast to deliver big scares.
Nope (2022)
Jordan Peele's third film, Nope, is a climatic event that is downright chilling. Some parts sci-fi and comedy, and some parts horror, it's a spectacle about a spectacle. It's about UFOs, Hollywood exploitation, and a brother-sister duo trying to capture proof of the impossible all while being beautifully bizarre. One of his most divisive works, but a pure creature feature well worth your time.
Black horror is rich, layered, and constantly evolving. Every October, we find something new to love (and fear). Whether you’re in the mood for a laugh, a scream, or something that stays with you long after the lights come on, these films deliver.
So this October season, let’s go beyond the usual lineup. Light a candle, grab your snacks, and press play on something that reminds us that horror is Black, too.