8 Halloween Movies Featuring Black Actors That Bring the Scares and Celebrate the Culture

Tony Todd in “Candyman”(1992

Photo by PolyGram Filmed Entertainment

By: Joshua Martin

Halloween is upon us, which means it’s officially time to dim the lights, grab some popcorn and queue up something scary on your favorite streamer. This year, switch up your horror lineup with a mix of classics and modern day thrillers featuring Black actors who’ve helped redefine the horror genre.

1. Night of the Living Dead (1968) - Duane Jones made history as one of the first Black leads in a major horror film. His performance set the tone for generations to come. 

Night of the Living Dead (1968)

2. Blacula (1972) - William Marshall turned the vampire myth into something stylish and socially sharp. It’s campy and unapologetically Black.

Blacula (1972)

3. Candyman (1992) - Tony Todd’s chilling performance made this horror icon unforgettable. 

Candyman (1992)

4. Bones (2001) - Snoop Dogg plays a murdered hustler back for revenge. Think blaxploitation meets the supernatural. 

Bones (2001)

5. Attack the Block (2011) - John Boyega fights off aliens in this British horror comedy.

Attack the Block (2011)

6. Get Out (2017) - Jordan Peele’s Oscar winning debut turned horror into social commentary.

Get Out (2017)

7. His House (2020) - A refugee horror that mixes ghosts and grief with a powerful message about survival.

8. The Blackening (2023) - A comedy slasher that flips the script on every “who gets killed first?” stereotype. 

From cult classics to modern masterpieces, these films prove that Black actors don’t just show up in horror. They elevate it. 

---

YOU MAY ALSO BE INTERESTED IN:

SHARE TO SOCIAL MEDIA